The Project Gutenberg eBook of The 2003 CIA World Factbook This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: The 2003 CIA World Factbook Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency Release date: December 18, 2008 [eBook #27558] Most recently updated: January 4, 2021 Language: English Credits: Produced by Al Haines *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 2003 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK *** Produced by Al Haines THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 2003 CONTENTS Countries and Locations Field Listings Rank Orders Appendixes Notes and Definitions History of The World Factbook Contributors and Copyright Information Purchasing Information Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ===================================================================== What's New - Country information has been updated as of 18 December 2003. - For Rank Order pages and downloadable, tab-delimited rank-order files, a Rank Order page for Highways has been added. - Entries for Natural Gas - production, Natural Gas - consumption, Natural Gas - exports, and Natural Gas - imports have been added to the Economy category of each country. The World Factbook 2003 printed version provides a "snapshot" of the world as of 1 January 2003. ===================================================================== Country Listing [Transcriber's note: To search on a country name in this file, prefix the name with "@", e.g. "@Afghanistan". "Afghanistan" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.] A Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Arctic Ocean Argentina Armenia Aruba Ashmore and Cartier Islands Atlantic Ocean Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas, The Bahrain Baker Island Bangladesh Barbados Bassas da India Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Clipperton Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Coral Sea Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic D Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Europa Island F Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern and Antarctic Lands G Gabon Gambia, The Gaza Strip Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Glorioso Islands Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City) Honduras Hong Kong Howland Island Hungary I Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Jan Mayen Japan Jarvis Island Jersey Johnston Atoll Jordan Juan de Nova Island K Kazakhstan Kenya Kingman Reef Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Macau Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Man, Isle of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Navassa Island Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway O Oman P Pacific Ocean Pakistan Palau Palmyra Atoll Panama Papua New Guinea Paracel Islands Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Q Qatar R Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Southern Ocean Spain Spratly Islands Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan entry follows Zimbabwe Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tromelin Island Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands W Wake Island Wallis and Futuna West Bank Western Sahara World Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe Taiwan ===================================================================== Field Listings [Transcriber's note: To search on a field code in this file, prefix the code number with "@", e.g. "@2001". "2001" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.] Code Field Description 2001 GDP 2002 Population growth rate (%) 2003 GDP - real growth rate (%) 2004 GDP - per capita 2006 Dependency status 2007 Diplomatic representation from the US 2008 Transportation - note 2010 Age structure (%) 2011 Geographic coordinates 2012 GDP - composition by sector (%) 2013 Radio broadcast stations 2015 Television broadcast stations 2018 Sex ratio (male(s)/female) 2019 Heliports 2020 Elevation extremes (m) 2021 Natural hazards 2022 People - note 2023 Area - comparative 2024 Military manpower - military age (years of age) 2025 Military manpower - fit for military service 2026 Military manpower - reaching military age annually 2028 Background 2030 Airports - with paved runways 2031 Airports - with unpaved runways 2032 Environment - current issues 2033 Environment - international agreements 2034 Military expenditures - percent of GDP (%) 2038 Electricity - production (kWh) 2042 Electricity - consumption (kWh) 2043 Electricity - imports (kWh) 2044 Electricity - exports (kWh) 2045 Electricity - production by source (%) 2046 Population below poverty line (%) 2047 Household income or consumption by percentage share (%) 2048 Labor force - by occupation (%) 2049 Exports - commodities 2050 Exports - partners (%) 2051 Administrative divisions 2052 Agriculture - products 2053 Airports 2054 Birth rate (births/1,000 population) 2055 Military branches 2056 Budget 2057 Capital 2058 Imports - commodities 2059 Climate 2060 Coastline (km) 2061 Imports - partners (%) 2062 Economic aid - donor 2063 Constitution 2064 Economic aid - recipient 2065 Currency 2066 Death rate (deaths/1,000 population) 2067 Military expenditures - dollar figure 2068 Dependent areas 2070 Disputes - international 2075 Ethnic groups (%) 2076 Exchange rates 2077 Executive branch 2078 Exports 2079 Debt - external 2080 Fiscal year 2081 Flag description 2085 Highways (km) 2086 Illicit drugs 2087 Imports 2088 Independence 2089 Industrial production growth rate (%) 2090 Industries 2091 Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births) 2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%) 2093 Waterways (km) 2094 Judicial branch 2095 Labor force 2096 Land boundaries (km) 2097 Land use (%) 2098 Languages (%) 2100 Legal system 2101 Legislative branch 2102 Life expectancy at birth (years) 2103 Literacy (%) 2105 Military manpower - availability 2106 Maritime claims 2107 International organization participation 2108 Merchant marine 2109 National holiday 2110 Nationality 2111 Natural resources 2112 Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population) 2113 Geography - note 2115 Political pressure groups and leaders 2116 Economy - overview 2117 Pipelines (km) 2118 Political parties and leaders 2119 Population 2120 Ports and harbors 2121 Railways (km) 2122 Religions (%) 2123 Suffrage 2124 Telephone system 2125 Terrain 2127 Total fertility rate (children born/woman) 2128 Government type 2129 Unemployment rate (%) 2137 Military - note 2138 Communications - note 2140 Government - note 2142 Country name 2144 Location 2145 Map references 2146 Irrigated land (sq km) 2147 Area (sq km) 2149 Diplomatic representation in the US 2150 Telephones - main lines in use 2151 Telephones - mobile cellular 2152 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2153 Internet users 2154 Internet country code 2155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%) 2156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS 2157 HIV/AIDS - deaths 2158 Currency code 2172 Distribution of family income - Gini index 2173 Oil - production (bbl/day) 2174 Oil - consumption (bbl/day) 2175 Oil - imports (bbl/day) 2176 Oil - exports (bbl/day) 2177 Median age (years) 2178 Oil - proved reserves (bbl) 2179 Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m) 2180 Natural gas - production (cu m) 2181 Natural gas - consumption (cu m) 2182 Natural gas - imports (cu m) 2183 Natural gas - exports (cu m) ====================================================================== Rank Orders [Transcriber's note: To search on a rank order in this file, prefix the rank's name with "@", e.g. "@Population". "Population" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.] Guide to Rank Order Pages Rank Order pages are presorted lists of data from selected Factbook data fields. Rank Order pages are generally given in descending order - highest to lowest - such as Population and Area. The two exceptions are Unemployment Rate and Inflation Rate, which are in ascending - lowest to highest - order. Rank Order pages are available for the following 34 fields in six of the nine Factbook categories. Geography Area - total People Population Birth rate Death rate Infant mortality rate Life expectancy at birth - total Total fertility rate HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS - deaths Economy GDP GDP - real growth rate GDP - per capita Inflation rate (consumer prices) Labor force Unemployment rate Industrial production growth rate Electricity - production Electricity - consumption Oil - production Oil - consumption Oil - exports Oil - imports Oil - proved reserves Natural Gas - proved reserves Exports Imports Debt - external Communications Telephones - main lines in use Telephones - mobile cellular Internet users Transportation Railways - total Highways - total Military Military expenditures - dollar figure Military expenditures - percent of GDP Factbook fields with Rank Order pages are easily identified with a small bar chart icon to the right of the data field title. Not all Rank Order pages include the same number of entries because information for a particular field is not available for all countries. In addition, not all data fields are suitable for displaying as Rank Order pages, such as those containing textual information. Textual information is more readily viewed by clicking on the Field Listing icon next to the Data field title. The other icon next to the data field title provides the definition of the field. All of the ‘Rank Order’ pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files and can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases. To save a Rank Order page in a spreadsheet, first click on the ‘Download Datafile’ choice above the Rank Order page you selected; then, at the top of your browser window, click on 'File' and 'Save As'. After saving the file, open the spreadsheet, find the saved file, and 'Open' it. Additional Rank Order pages being considered for future updates of the Factbook Web site include: Median age Literacy Population below the poverty line Highways Waterways Airports This page was last updated on 21 October, 2003 ===================================================================== Appendixes Appendix A - Abbreviations Appendix B - International Organizations and Groups Appendix C - Selected International Environmental Agreements Appendix D - Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes Appendix E - Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes Appendix F - Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names ====================================================================== Notes and Definitions In addition to the updated information, The World Factbook printed version features seven new entries. In the People category, an entry has been added for Median age. In the Economy category, entries have been added for Oil - production, Oil - consumption, Oil - exports, Oil - imports, Oil - proved reserves, and Natural gas - proved reserves. The web site version features four additional entries: Natural gas - production, Natural gas - consumption, Natural gas - exports, and Natural gas - imports. Revision of some individual country maps, first introduced in the 2001 edition, is continued in this edition. The revised maps include elevation extremes and a partial geographic grid. Several regional maps have also been updated to reflect boundary changes and place name spelling changes. Abbreviations This information is included in Appendix A: Abbreviations, which includes all abbreviations and acronyms used in the Factbook, with their expansions. Acronyms An acronym is an abbreviation coined from the initial letter of each successive word in a term or phrase. In general, an acronym made up solely from the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered in all capital letters (NATO from North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an exception would be ASEAN for Association of Southeast Asian Nations). In general, an acronym made up of more than the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered with only an initial capital letter (Comsat from Communications Satellite Corporation; an exception would be NAM from Nonaligned Movement). Hybrid forms are sometimes used to distinguish between initially identical terms (WTO: WTrO for World Trade Organization and WToO for World Tourism Organization). Administrative divisions This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first- order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted. Age structure This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest. Agriculture - products This entry is a rank ordering of major crops and products starting with the most important. Airports This entry gives the total number of airports. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces), but must be usable. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Airports - with paved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces). For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m, and (5) under 914 m. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Airports - with unpaved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m, and (5) under 914 m. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control Appendixes This section includes Factbook-related material by topic. Area This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of all water surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, including inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Area - comparative This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres). Background This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends. Birth rate This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population. Budget This entry includes revenues, total expenditures, and capital expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms Capital This entry gives the location of the seat of government. Climate This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year. Coastline This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea. Communications This category deals with the means of exchanging information and includes the telephone, radio, television, and Internet service provider entries. Communications - note This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of significance not included elsewhere. Constitution This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments. Country data codes see Data codes Country map Most versions of the Factbook provide a country map in color. The maps were produced from the best information available at the time of preparation. Names and/or boundaries may have changed subsequently. Country name This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note. Currency This entry identifies the national medium of exchange and its basic subunit. Crude oil See "Oil" entries Currency code This entry gives the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code for each country. Data codes This information is presented in Appendix D: Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes and Appendix E: Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes. This appendix includes the US Government approved Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) codes, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) codes, and Internet codes for land entities. The appendix also includes the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) codes, Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC; now a part of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency or NIMA) codes, and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) codes for hydrographic entities. The US Government has not yet approved a standard for hydrographic data codes similar to the FIPS 10-4 standard for country data codes. Date of information In general, information available as of 1 January 2003 was used in the preparation of this edition. Death rate This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population. Debt - external This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to nonresidents repayable in foreign currency, goods, or services. Dependency status This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular nonindependent entity and an independent state. Dependent areas This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent entities associated in some way with a particular independent state. Diplomatic representation The US Government has diplomatic relations with 185 independent states, including 183 of the 189 UN members (excluded UN members are Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and the US itself). In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 1 independent state that is not in the UN - Holy See. Diplomatic representation in the US This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Diplomatic representation from the US This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Disputes - international This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government. Distribution of family income - Gini index This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45-degree line and the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther its Lorenz curve from the 45-degree line and the higher its Gini index, e.g., a Sub- Saharan country with an index of 50. If income were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis and the index would be 100. Economic aid - donor This entry refers to net official development assistance (ODA) from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations to developing countries and multilateral organizations. ODA is defined as financial assistance that is concessional in character, has the main objective to promote economic development and welfare of the less developed countries (LDCs), and contains a grant element of at least 25%. The entry does not cover other official flows (OOF) or private flows. Economic aid - recipient This entry, which is subject to major problems of definition and statistical coverage, refers to the net inflow of Official Development Finance (ODF) to recipient countries. The figure includes assistance from the World Bank, the IMF, and other international organizations and from individual nation donors. Formal commitments of aid are included in the data. Omitted from the data are grants by private organizations. Aid comes in various forms including outright grants and loans. The entry thus is the difference between new inflows and repayments. Economy This category includes the entries dealing with the size, development, and management of productive resources, i.e., land, labor, and capital. Economy - overview This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends. Electricity - consumption This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution. Electricity - exports This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt-hours. Electricity - imports This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt-hours. Electricity - production This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in kilowatt- hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution. Electricity - production by source This entry states the percentage share of electricity generated from each energy source. These are fossil fuel, hydro, nuclear, and other (solar, geothermal, and wind). Elevation extremes This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point. Entities Some of the independent states, dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. "Independent state" refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. "Dependencies" and "areas of special sovereignty" refer to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with an independent state. "Country" names used in the table of contents or for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names and may include independent states, dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty, or other geographic entities. There are a total of 268 separate geographic entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows: INDEPENDENT STATES 192 Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe OTHER 1 Taiwan DEPENDENCIES AND AREAS OF SPECIAL SOVEREIGNTY 6 Australia - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island 2 China - Hong Kong, Macau 2 Denmark - Faroe Islands, Greenland 16 France - Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova Island, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna 2 Netherlands - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 3 New Zealand - Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau 3 Norway - Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 15 UK - Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands 14 US - American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island MISCELLANEOUS 6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara OTHER ENTITIES 5 oceans - Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean 1 World 268 total Environment - current issues This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain). acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England. aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog. afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire. asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form. biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption. bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat. biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume. carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits. catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972. defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health. deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth. desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change. dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems. drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non- commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean". ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments. effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste, which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it. endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction. freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers. greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs. Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources. Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 125,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a panel convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change. metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed. noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings. overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land. ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species. pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste. potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed. salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops. siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion. slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment . soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans. water-born diseases - those in which the bacteria survive in, and is transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply. Environment - international agreements This entry separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name. Environmental agreements This information is presented in Appendix C: Selected International Environmental Agreements, which includes the name, abbreviation, date opened for signature, date entered into force, objective, and parties by category. Ethnic groups This entry provides a rank ordering of ethnic groups starting with the largest and normally includes the percent of total population. Exchange rates This entry provides the official value of a country's monetary unit at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by international market forces or official fiat. Executive branch This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election. Exports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. Exports - commodities This entry provides a rank ordering of exported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Exports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Fiscal year This entry identifies the beginning and ending months for a country's accounting period of 12 months, which often is the calendar year but which may begin in any month. All yearly references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as a noncalendar fiscal year (FY). Flag description This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. Flag graphic Most versions of the Factbook include a color flag at the beginning of the country profile. The flag graphics were produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time of preparation. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. GDP This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. GDP dollar estimates in the Factbook are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations. See the note on GDP methodology for more information. GDP methodology In the Economy section, GDP dollar estimates for all countries are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations rather than from conversions at official currency exchange rates. The PPP method involves the use of standardized international dollar price weights, which are applied to the quantities of final goods and services produced in a given economy. The data derived from the PPP method provide the best available starting point for comparisons of economic strength and well-being between countries. The division of a GDP estimate in domestic currency by the corresponding PPP estimate in dollars gives the PPP conversion rate. Whereas PPP estimates for OECD countries are quite reliable, PPP estimates for developing countries are often rough approximations. Most of the GDP estimates are based on extrapolation of PPP numbers published by the UN International Comparison Program (UNICP) and by Professors Robert Summers and Alan Heston of the University of Pennsylvania and their colleagues. In contrast, the currency exchange rate method involves a variety of international and domestic financial forces that often have little relation to domestic output. In developing countries with weak currencies the exchange rate estimate of GDP in dollars is typically one-fourth to one-half the PPP estimate. Furthermore, exchange rates may suddenly go up or down by 10% or more because of market forces or official fiat whereas real output has remained unchanged. On 12 January 1994, for example, the 14 countries of the African Financial Community (whose currencies are tied to the French franc) devalued their currencies by 50%. This move, of course, did not cut the real output of these countries by half. One important caution: the proportion of, say, defense expenditures as a percentage of GDP in local currency accounts may differ substantially from the proportion when GDP accounts are expressed in PPP terms, as, for example, when an observer tries to estimate the dollar level of Russian or Japanese military expenditures. Note: the numbers for GDP and other economic data can not be chained together from successive volumes of the Factbook because of changes in the US dollar measuring rod, revisions of data by statistical agencies, use of new or different sources of information, and changes in national statistical methods and practices. GDP - composition by sector This entry gives the percentage contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP. GDP - per capita This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year. GDP - real growth rate This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent. Geographic coordinates This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the Gazetteer of Conventional Names, Third Edition, August 1988, US Board on Geographic Names and on other sources. Geographic names This information is presented in Appendix F: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names. It includes a listing of various alternate names, former names, local names, and regional names referenced to one or more related Factbook entries. Spellings are normally, but not always, those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Alternate names and additional information are included in parentheses. Geography This category includes the entries dealing with the natural environment and the effects of human activity. Geography - note This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere. GNP Gross national product (GNP) is the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, plus income earned by its citizens abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production. The Factbook, following current practice, uses GDP rather than GNP to measure national production. However, the user must realize that in certain countries net remittances from citizens working abroad may be important to national well-being. Government This category includes the entries dealing with the system for the adoption and administration of public policy. Government type This entry gives the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship). Government - note This entry includes miscellaneous government information of significance not included elsewhere. Gross domestic product see GDP Gross national product see GNP Gross world product see GWP GWP This entry gives the gross world product (GWP) or aggregate value of all final goods and services produced worldwide in a given year. Heliports This entry gives the total number of established helicopter takeoff and landing sites (which may or may not have fuel or other services). Highways This entry states the total length of the highway system and the length of the paved and unpaved parts. HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at yearend by the total adult population at yearend. HIV/AIDS - deaths This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children who died of AIDS during a given calendar year. HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS. Household income or consumption by percentage share Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons. Hydrographic data codes see Data codes Illicit drugs This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self- awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussan AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw concentrate is the alkaloid derived from the mature, dried opium poppy. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), ephedrine, ecstasy (clarity, essence, doctor, Adam), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate). Imports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. Imports - commodities This entry provides a rank ordering of imported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Imports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Independence For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. Also see the Terminology note. Industrial production growth rate This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction). Industries This entry provides a rank ordering of industries starting with the largest by value of annual output. Infant mortality rate This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country. Inflation rate (consumer prices) This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's consumer prices. Internet country code This entry includes the two-letter codes maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs). Internet Service Providers (ISPs) This entry supplies the number of Internet Service Providers within a country. An ISP is defined as a company that provides access to the Internet. Internet users This entry gives the number of users within a country that access the Internet. Statistics vary from country to country and may include users who access the Internet at least several times a week to those who access it only once within a period of several months. International disputes see Disputes - international International organization participation This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way. International organizations This information is presented in Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups which includes the name, abbreviation, date established, aim, and members by category. Introduction This category includes one entry, Background. Irrigated land This entry gives the number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Judicial branch This entry contains the name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members. Labor force This entry contains the total labor force figure. Labor force - by occupation This entry contains a rank ordering of component parts of the labor force by occupation. Land boundaries This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries. Land use This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area for three different types of land use: arable land - land cultivated for crops that are replanted after each harvest like wheat, maize, and rice; permanent crops - land cultivated for crops that are not replanted after each harvest like citrus, coffee, and rubber; includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber; other - any land not arable or under permanent crops; includes permanent meadows and pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads, barren land, etc. Languages This entry provides a rank ordering of languages starting with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population speaking that language. Legal system This entry contains a brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction. Legislative branch This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election. Life expectancy at birth This entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as indicating the potential return on investment in human capital and is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures. Literacy This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Location This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water. Map references This entry includes the name of the Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries. Maritime claims This entry includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the Law of the Sea (LOS) Convention, which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions: contiguous zone - according to the LOS Convention (Article 33), this is a zone contiguous to a coastal State's territorial sea, over which it may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured (e.g. the US has claimed a 12-mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-mile territorial sea) continental shelf - the LOS Convention (Article 76) defines the continental shelf of a coastal State as comprising the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance; the continental margin comprises the submerged prolongation of the landmass of the coastal State, and consists of the seabed and subsoil of the shelf, the slope and the rise; it does not include the deep ocean floor with its oceanic ridges or the subsoil thereof exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the LOS Convention (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal State has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents, and winds; jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone shall not exceed 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured exclusive fishing zone - while this term is not used in the LOS Convention, some States (e.g. the United Kingdom) have chosen not to claim an EEZ, but rather to claim jurisdiction over the living resources off their coast; in such cases, the term exclusive fishing zone is often used territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal State extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the LOS Convention (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles Median Age This entry is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population. Currently, the median age ranges from a low of about 15 in Uganda and Gaza Strip to 40 or more in several European countries and Japan. See the entry for "Age structure" for the importance of a younger versus an older age structure and, by implication, a lower versus a higher median age. Merchant marine Merchant marine may be defined as all ships engaged in the carriage of goods; or all commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary ships), which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs, etc.; or a grouping of merchant ships by nationality or register. This entry contains information in two subfields - total and ships by type. Total includes the total number of ships (1,000 GRT or over), total DWT for those ships, and total GRT for those ships. DWT or dead weight tonnage is the total weight of cargo, plus bunkers, stores, etc. that a ship can carry when immersed to the appropriate load line. GRT or gross register tonnage is a figure obtained by measuring the entire sheltered volume of the ship available for cargo and passengers and converting it to tons on the basis of 100 cubic feet per ton; there is no stable relationship between GRT and DWT. Ships by type includes a listing of barge carriers, bulk cargo ships, cargo ships, chemical tankers, combination bulk carriers, combination ore/oil carriers, container ships, liquefied gas tankers, livestock carriers, multifunctional large-load carriers, petroleum tankers, passenger ships, passenger/cargo ships, railcar carriers, refrigerated cargo ships, roll-on/roll-off cargo ships, short-sea passenger ships, specialized tankers, and vehicle carriers. A captive register is a register of ships maintained by a territory, possession, or colony primarily or exclusively for the use of ships owned in the parent country; it is also referred to as an offshore register, the offshore equivalent of an internal register. Ships on a captive register will fly the same flag as the parent country, or a local variant of it, but will be subject to the maritime laws and taxation rules of the offshore territory. Although the nature of a captive register makes it especially desirable for ships owned in the parent country, just as in the internal register, the ships may also be owned abroad. The captive register then acts as a flag of convenience register, except that it is not the register of an independent state. A flag of convenience register is a national register offering registration to a merchant ship not owned in the flag state. The major flags of convenience (FOC) attract ships to their registers by virtue of low fees, low or nonexistent taxation of profits, and liberal manning requirements. True FOC registers are characterized by having relatively few of the registered ships actually owned in the flag state. Thus, while virtually any flag can be used for ships under a given set of circumstances, an FOC register is one where the majority of the merchant fleet is owned abroad. It is also referred to as an open register. A flag state is the nation in which a ship is registered and which holds legal jurisdiction over operation of the ship, whether at home or abroad. Maritime legislation of the flag state determines how a ship is crewed and taxed and whether a foreign-owned ship may be placed on the register. An internal register is a register of ships maintained as a subset of a national register. Ships on the internal register fly the national flag and have that nationality but are subject to a separate set of maritime rules from those on the main national register. These differences usually include lower taxation of profits, use of foreign nationals as crewmembers, and, usually, ownership outside the flag state (when it functions as an FOC register). The Norwegian International Ship Register and Danish International Ship Register are the most notable examples of an internal register. Both have been instrumental in stemming flight from the national flag to flags of convenience and in attracting foreign-owned ships to the Norwegian and Danish flags. A merchant ship is a vessel that carries goods against payment of freight; it is commonly used to denote any nonmilitary ship but accurately restricted to commercial vessels only. A register is the record of a ship's ownership and nationality as listed with the maritime authorities of a country; also, it is the compendium of such individual ships' registrations. Registration of a ship provides it with a nationality and makes it subject to the laws of the country in which registered (the flag state) regardless of the nationality of the ship's ultimate owner. Military This category includes the entries dealing with a country's military structure, manpower, and expenditures. Military branches This entry lists the names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or security forces. Military expenditures - dollar figure This entry gives current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies. Military expenditures - percent of GDP This entry gives current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Military manpower - availability This entry gives the total numbers of males and females age 15-49 and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Military manpower - fit for military service This entry gives the number of males and females age 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Military manpower - military age This entry gives the minimum age at which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject to conscription. Military manpower - reaching military age annually This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Military - note This entry includes miscellaneous military information of significance not included elsewhere. Money figures All money figures are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless otherwise indicated. National holiday This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day. Nationality This entry provides the identifying terms for citizens - noun and adjective. Natural Gas - consumption This entry is the total quantity of natural gas consumed in cubic meters. The discrepancy between the quantity of natural gas produced and/or imported and the quantity consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors. Natural Gas - exports This entry is the total quantity of natural gas exported in cubic meters. Natural Gas - imports This entry is the total quantity of natural gas imported in cubic meters. Natural Gas - production This entry is the total quantity of natural gas produced in cubic meters. The discrepancy between the quantity of natural gas produced and/or imported and the quantity consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors. Natural Gas - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of natural gas in cubic meters (cu. m.). Proved reserves are those quantities of natural gas, which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions. Natural hazards This entry lists potential natural disasters. Natural resources This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance. Net migration rate This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population change. High levels of migration can cause problems such as increasing unemployment and potential ethnic strife (if people are coming in) or a reduction in the labor force, perhaps in certain key sectors (if people are leaving). Oil - consumption This entry is the total oil consumed in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Oil - exports This entry is the total oil exported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products. Oil - imports This entry is the total oil imported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products. Oil - production This entry is the total oil produced in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Oil - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of crude oil in barrels (bbl). Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions. People This category includes the entries dealing with the characteristics of the people and their society. People - note This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Personal Names - Capitalization The Factbook uses all uppercase letters for personal names by which the subject is usually referred to in various media. An example is President Vicente FOX Quesada of Mexico. Members of royal families are usually referred by other than their family name (King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands, or King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet of Thailand). Some Asians are referred to by the first element of their name - also their surname, such as President NO Muh-hyun of South Korea. Personal Names - Spelling The romanization of personal names in the Factbook normally follows the same transliteration system used by the US Board on Geographic Names for spelling place names. At times, however, a foreign leader expressly indicates a preference for, or the media or official documents regularly use, a romanized spelling that differs from the transliteration derived from the US Government standard. In such cases, the Factbook uses the alternative spelling. Personal Names - Titles The Factbook capitalizes any valid title (or short form of it) immediately preceding a person's name. A title standing alone is lowercased. Examples: President PUTIN and President BUSH are chiefs of state. In Russia, the president is chief of state and the premier is the head of the government, while in the US, the president is both chief of state and head of government. Petroleum See "Oil" entries Petroleum products See "Oil" entries Pipelines This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for transporting products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum products. Political parties and leaders This entry includes a listing of significant political organizations and their leaders. Political pressure groups and leaders This entry includes a listing of organizations with leaders involved in politics, but not standing for legislative election. Population This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past and on assumptions about future trends. The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country on the world and within its region. Note: starting with the 1993 Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African) have explicitly taken into account the effects of the growing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These countries are currently: The Bahamas, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Population below poverty line National estimates of the percentage of the population lying below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations. For example, rich nations generally employ more generous standards of poverty than poor nations. Population growth rate The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring countries. Ports and harbors This entry lists the major ports and harbors selected on the basis of overall importance to each country. This is determined by evaluating a number of factors (e.g., dollar value of goods handled, gross tonnage, facilities, military significance). Radio broadcast stations This entry includes the total number of AM, FM, and shortwave broadcast stations. Railways This entry states the total route length of the railway network and of its component parts by gauge: broad, dual, narrow, standard, and other. Reference maps This section includes world and regional maps. Religions This entry includes a rank ordering of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population. Sex ratio This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertility patterns. Eventually it could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners. Suffrage This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted. Telephone numbers All telephone numbers in the Factbook consist of the country code in brackets, the city or area code (where required) in parentheses, and the local number. The one component that is not presented is the international access code, which varies from country to country. For example, an international direct dial telephone call placed from the US to Madrid, Spain, would be as follows: 011 [34] (1) 577-xxxx, where 011 is the international access code for station-to-station calls; 01 is for calls other than station-to-station calls, [34] is the country code for Spain, (1) is the city code for Madrid, 577 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. An international direct dial telephone call placed from another country to the US would be as follows: international access code + [1] (202) 939-xxxx, where [1] is the country code for the US, (202) is the area code for Washington, DC, 939 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. Telephone system This entry includes a brief characterization of the system with details on the domestic and international components. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Africa ONE - a fiber-optic submarine cable link encircling the continent of Africa. Arabsat - Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Autodin - Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense). CB - citizen's band mobile radio communications. cellular telephone system - the telephones in this system are radio transceivers, with each instrument having its own private radio frequency and sufficient radiated power to reach the booster station in its area (cell), from which the telephone signal is fed to a telephone exchange. Central American Microwave System - a trunk microwave radio relay system that links the countries of Central America and Mexico with each other. coaxial cable - a multichannel communication cable consisting of a central conducting wire, surrounded by and insulated from a cylindrical conducting shell; a large number of telephone channels can be made available within the insulated space by the use of a large number of carrier frequencies. Comsat - Communications Satellite Corporation (US). DSN - Defense Switched Network (formerly Automatic Voice Network or Autovon); basic general-purpose, switched voice network of the Defense Communications System (US Department of Defense). Eutelsat - European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Paris). fiber-optic cable - a multichannel communications cable using a thread of optical glass fibers as a transmission medium in which the signal (voice, video, etc.) is in the form of a coded pulse of light. GSM - a global system for mobile (cellular) communications devised by the Groupe Special Mobile of the pan-European standardization organization, Conference Europeanne des Posts et Telecommunications (CEPT) in 1982. HF - high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000- kHz range. Inmarsat - International Mobile Satellite Organization (London); provider of global mobile satellite communications for commercial, distress, and safety applications at sea, in the air, and on land. Intelsat - International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Washington, DC). Intersputnik - International Organization of Space Communications (Moscow); first established in the former Soviet Union and the East European countries, it is now marketing its services worldwide with earth stations in North America, Africa, and East Asia. landline - communication wire or cable of any sort that is installed on poles or buried in the ground. Marecs - Maritime European Communications Satellite used in the Inmarsat system on lease from the European Space Agency. Marisat - satellites of the Comsat Corporation that participate in the Inmarsat system. Medarabtel - the Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) providing a modern telecommunications network, primarily by microwave radio relay, linking Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen; it was initially started in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union (ATU) and was known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean Telecommunications Network. microwave radio relay - transmission of long distance telephone calls and television programs by highly directional radio microwaves that are received and sent on from one booster station to another on an optical path. NMT - Nordic Mobile Telephone; an analog cellular telephone system that was developed jointly by the national telecommunications authorities of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). Orbita - a Russian television service; also the trade name of a packet-switched digital telephone network. radiotelephone communications - the two-way transmission and reception of sounds by broadcast radio on authorized frequencies using telephone handsets. PanAmSat - PanAmSat Corporation (Greenwich, CT). satellite communication system - a communication system consisting of two or more earth stations and at least one satellite that provide long distance transmission of voice, data, and television; the system usually serves as a trunk connection between telephone exchanges; if the earth stations are in the same country, it is a domestic system. satellite earth station - a communications facility with a microwave radio transmitting and receiving antenna and required receiving and transmitting equipment for communicating with satellites. satellite link - a radio connection between a satellite and an earth station permitting communication between them, either one-way (down link from satellite to earth station - television receive-only transmission) or two-way (telephone channels). SHF - super high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-MHz range. shortwave - radio frequencies (from 1.605 to 30 MHz) that fall above the commercial broadcast band and are used for communication over long distances. Solidaridad - geosynchronous satellites in Mexico's system of international telecommunications in the Western Hemisphere. Statsionar - Russia's geostationary system for satellite telecommunications. submarine cable - a cable designed for service under water. TAT - Trans-Atlantic Telephone; any of a number of high-capacity submarine coaxial telephone cables linking Europe with North America. telefax - facsimile service between subscriber stations via the public switched telephone network or the international Datel network. telegraph - a telecommunications system designed for unmodulated electric impulse transmission. telex - a communication service involving teletypewriters connected by wire through automatic exchanges. tropospheric scatter - a form of microwave radio transmission in which the troposphere is used to scatter and reflect a fraction of the incident radio waves back to earth; powerful, highly directional antennas are used to transmit and receive the microwave signals; reliable over-the-horizon communications are realized for distances up to 600 miles in a single hop; additional hops can extend the range of this system for very long distances. trunk network - a network of switching centers, connected by multichannel trunk lines. UHF - ultra high frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to 3,000-MHz range. VHF - very high frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300- MHz range. Telephones - main lines in use This entry gives the total number of main telephone lines in use. Telephones - mobile cellular This entry gives the total number of mobile cellular telephones in use. Television - broadcast stations This entry gives the total number of separate broadcast stations plus any repeater stations. Terminology Due to the highly structured nature of the Factbook database, some collective generic terms have to be used. For example, the word Country in the Country name entry refers to a wide variety of dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, uninhabited islands, and other entities in addition to the traditional countries or independent states. Military is also used as an umbrella term for various civil defense, security, and defense activities in many entries. The Independence entry includes the usual colonial independence dates and former ruling states as well as other significant nationhood dates such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, or state succession that are not strictly independence dates. Dependent areas have the nature of their dependency status noted in this same entry. Terrain This entry contains a brief description of the topography. Total fertility rate This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population growth in the country. High rates will also place some limits on the labor force participation rates for women. Large numbers of children born to women indicate large family sizes that might limit the ability of the families to feed and educate their children. Transnational Issues This category includes only two entries at the present time - Disputes - international and Illicit drugs - that deal with current issues going beyond national boundaries. Transportation This category includes the entries dealing with the means for movement of people and goods. Transportation - note This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of significance not included elsewhere. Unemployment rate This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted. Waterways This entry gives the total length and individual names of navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water. Years All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as fiscal year (FY). The calendar year is an accounting period of 12 months from 1 January to 31 December. The fiscal year is an accounting period of 12 months other than 1 January to 31 December. Note: Information for the US and US dependencies was compiled from material in the public domain and does not represent Intelligence Community estimates. This page was last updated on 23 October, 2003 ===================================================================== A Brief History of Basic Intelligence and The World Factbook The Intelligence Cycle is the process by which information is acquired, converted into intelligence, and made available to policymakers. Information is raw data from any source, data that may be fragmentary, contradictory, unreliable, ambiguous, deceptive, or wrong. Intelligence is information that has been collected, integrated, evaluated, analyzed, and interpreted. Finished intelligence is the final product of the Intelligence Cycle ready to be delivered to the policymaker. The three types of finished intelligence are: basic, current, and estimative. Basic intelligence provides the fundamental and factual reference material on a country or issue. Current intelligence reports on new developments. Estimative intelligence judges probable outcomes. The three are mutually supportive: basic intelligence is the foundation on which the other two are constructed; current intelligence continually updates the inventory of knowledge; and estimative intelligence revises overall interpretations of country and issue prospects for guidance of basic and current intelligence. The World Factbook, The President's Daily Brief, and the National Intelligence Estimates are examples of the three types of finished intelligence. The United States has carried on foreign intelligence activities since the days of George Washington but only since World War II have they been coordinated on a government-wide basis. Three programs have highlighted the development of coordinated basic intelligence since that time: (1) the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS), (2) the National Intelligence Survey (NIS), and (3) The World Factbook. During World War II, intelligence consumers realized that the production of basic intelligence by different components of the US Government resulted in a great duplication of effort and conflicting information. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought home to leaders in Congress and the executive branch the need for integrating departmental reports to national policymakers. Detailed and coordinated information was needed not only on such major powers as Germany and Japan, but also on places of little previous interest. In the Pacific Theater, for example, the Navy and Marines had to launch amphibious operations against many islands about which information was unconfirmed or nonexistent. Intelligence authorities resolved that the United States should never again be caught unprepared. In 1943, Gen. George B. Strong (G-2), Adm. H. C. Train (Office of Naval Intelligence - ONI), and Gen. William J. Donovan (Director of the Office of Strategic Services - OSS) decided that a joint effort should be initiated. A steering committee was appointed on 27 April 1943 that recommended the formation of a Joint Intelligence Study Publishing Board to assemble, edit, coordinate, and publish the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS). JANIS was the first interdepartmental basic intelligence program to fulfill the needs of the US Government for an authoritative and coordinated appraisal of strategic basic intelligence. Between April 1943 and July 1947, the board published 34 JANIS studies. JANIS performed well in the war effort, and numerous letters of commendation were received, including a statement from Adm. Forrest Sherman, Chief of Staff, Pacific Ocean Areas, which said, "JANIS has become the indispensable reference work for the shore-based planners." The need for more comprehensive basic intelligence in the postwar world was well expressed in 1946 by George S. Pettee, a noted author on national security. He wrote in The Future of American Secret Intelligence (Infantry Journal Press, 1946, page 46) that world leadership in peace requires even more elaborate intelligence than in war. "The conduct of peace involves all countries, all human activities - not just the enemy and his war production." The Central Intelligence Agency was established on 26 July 1947 and officially began operating on 18 September 1947. Effective 1 October 1947, the Director of Central Intelligence assumed operational responsibility for JANIS. On 13 January 1948, the National Security Council issued Intelligence Directive (NSCID) No. 3, which authorized the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program as a peacetime replacement for the wartime JANIS program. Before adequate NIS country sections could be produced, government agencies had to develop more comprehensive gazetteers and better maps. The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) compiled the names; the Department of the Interior produced the gazetteers; and CIA produced the maps. The Hoover Commission's Clark Committee, set up in 1954 to study the structure and administration of the CIA, reported to Congress in 1955 that: "The National Intelligence Survey is an invaluable publication which provides the essential elements of basic intelligence on all areas of the world. There will always be a continuing requirement for keeping the Survey up-to-date." The Factbook was created as an annual summary and update to the encyclopedic NIS studies. The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971. The NIS program was terminated in 1973 except for the Factbook, map, and gazetteer components. The 1975 Factbook was the first to be made available to the public with sales through the US Government Printing Office (GPO). The Factbook was first made available on the Internet in June 1997. The year 2003 marks the 56th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 60th year of continuous basic intelligence support to the US Government by The World Factbook and its two predecessor programs. This page was last updated on 23 October, 2003 ===================================================================== Contributors and Copyright Information In general, information available as of 1 January 2003 was used in the preparation of this edition. The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements. Information is provided by Antarctic Information Program (National Science Foundation), Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce), Bureau of Labor Statistics (Department of Labor), Central Intelligence Agency, Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Department of State, Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior), Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation), National Imagery and Mapping Agency (Department of Defense), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (Department of Defense), Office of Insular Affairs (Department of the Interior), Office of Naval Intelligence (Department of Defense), US Board on Geographic Names (Department of the Interior), US Transportation Command (Department of Defense), and other public and private sources. The Factbook is in the public domain. Accordingly, it may be copied freely without permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The official seal of the CIA, however, may NOT be copied without permission as required by the CIA Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. section 403m). Misuse of the official seal of the CIA could result in civil and criminal penalties. Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to: Central Intelligence Agency Attn.: Office of Public Affairs Washington, DC 20505 Telephone: [1] (703) 482-0623 FAX: [1] (703) 482-1739 This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003 ===================================================================== Purchasing Information The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) publishes The World Factbook in printed and Internet versions. US Government officials may obtain information about availability of the Factbook from their organizations or through liaison channels to the CIA. Other users may obtain sales information about printed copies from the following: Superintendent of Documents P. O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 Telephone: [1] (202) 512-1800; toll free: [1] (866) 512-1800 FAX: [1] (202) 512-2250 http://bookstore.gpo.gov/ National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: [1] (800) 553-6847 (only in the US); [1] (703) 605-6000 (for outside US) FAX: [1] (703) 605-6900 http://www.ntis.gov/ The World Factbook can be accessed on the Internet at: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html This page was last updated on 11 August, 2003 ===================================================================== Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The World Factbook staff thanks you for your comments, suggestions, updates, kudos, and corrections over the past years. The willingness of readers from around the world to share their observations and specialized knowledge is very helpful as we try to produce the best possible publications. Please feel free to continue to write and e-mail us. At least two Factbook staffers review every item. The sheer volume of correspondence precludes detailed personal replies, but we sincerely appreciate your time and interest in the Factbook. If you include your e-mail address we will at least acknowledge your note. Thank you again. Answers to many frequently asked questions (FAQs) are explained in the Notes and Definitions section in The World Factbook. Please review this section to see if your question is already answered there. In addition, we have compiled the following list of FAQs to answer other common questions. Select from the following categories to narrow your search: General Geography Spelling and Pronunciation Policies and Procedures Technical General Can you provide additional information for a specific country? The staff cannot provide data beyond what appears in The World Factbook. The format and information in the Factbook are tailored to the specific requirements of US Government officials and content is focused on their current and anticipated needs. The staff welcomes suggestions for new entries. How often is The World Factbook updated? Formerly our Web site (and the published Factbook) were only updated annually. Beginning in November 2001 we instituted a new system of more frequent online updates. The annual printed version of the Factbook is usually released about midyear. US Government officials may obtain information about Factbook availability from their own organizations or through liaison channels to the CIA. Other users may obtain sales information through the following channels: Superintendent of Documents P. O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 Telephone: [1] (202) 512-1800 FAX: [1] (202) 512-2250 http://www.bookstore.gpo.gov National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: [1] (800) 553-6847 (only in the US); [1] (703) 605-6000 (for outside US) FAX: [1] (703) 605-6900 http://www.ntis.gov Can I use some or all of The World Factbook for my Web site (book, research project, homework, etc.)? The World Factbook is in the public domain and may be used freely by anyone at anytime without seeking permission. However, US Code prohibits use of the CIA seal in a manner which implies that the CIA approved, endorsed, or authorized such use. If you have any questions about your intended use, you should consult with legal counsel. Further information on The World Factbook's use is described on the Contributors and Copyright Information page. As a courtesy, please cite The World Factbook when used. Why doesn't The World Factbook include information on states, departments, provinces, the European Union, etc., in the country format? The World Factbook provides national-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies, but not on subnational administrative units within a country or supranational entities like the European Union. A good encyclopedia should provide state/province-level information. Is it possible to access older editions of The World Factbook to do comparative research and trend analysis? Only the current version is available for browsing on the CIA Web site. The year 2000 and 2001 editions are available for download. In the future, the staff hopes to post electronic versions of The World Factbook as far back as 1986. Hardcopy editions for earlier years are available from libraries. Would it be possible to set up a partnership or collaboration between the producers of The World Factbook and other organizations or individuals? The World Factbook does not partner with other organizations or individuals, but we do welcome comments and suggestions that such groups or persons choose to provide. Geography I can't find a geographic name for a particular country. Why not? The World Factbook is not a gazetteer (a dictionary or index of places, usually with descriptive or statistical information) and cannot provide more than the names of the administrative divisions (in the Government category) and major cities/towns (on the country maps). Our expanded Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names, however, includes many of the world's major geographic features as well as historic (former) names of countries and cities mentioned in The World Factbook. Why is Taiwan listed out of alphabetical order at the end of the Factbook entries? Taiwan is listed after the regular entries because even though the mainland People's Republic of China claims Taiwan, elected Taiwanese authorities de facto administer the island and reject mainland sovereignty claims. With the establishment of diplomatic relations with China on January 1, 1979, the US Government recognized the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China. Since we have an ambassador who represents the US at the Vatican, why is this entity not listed in the Factbook? Vatican City is found under Holy See. The term "Holy See" refers to the authority, jurisdiction, and sovereignty vested in the Pope and his advisors to direct the worldwide Catholic Church. The Holy See has a legal personality that allows it to enter into treaties as the juridical equal of a state and to send and receive diplomatic representatives. Vatican City, created in 1929 to administer properties belonging to the Holy See in Rome, is recognized under international law as a sovereign state, but it does not send or receive diplomatic representatives. Consequently, Holy See is included as a Factbook entry, with Vatican City cross-referenced in the Geographic Names appendix. Why are the Golan Heights not shown as part of Israel or Northern Cyprus with Turkey? Territorial occupations/annexations not recognized by the United States Government are not shown on US Government maps. Why don't you include information on entities such as Tibet, Kashmir, or Kosovo? The World Factbook provides information on the administrative divisions of a country as recommended by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is a component of the US Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names--domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features. Also included in the Factbook are entries on parts of the world whose status has not yet been resolved (e.g., West Bank, Spratly Islands). Specific regions within a country or areas in dispute among countries are not covered. Spelling and Pronunciation Why is the spelling of proper names such as rulers, presidents, and prime ministers in The World Factbook different than their spelling in my country? The Factbook staff applies the names and spellings from the Chiefs of State link on the CIA Web site. The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings. Surnames are always spelled with capital letters; they may appear first in some cultures. The spelling of geographic names, features, cities, administrative divisions, etc. in the Factbook differs from those used in my country. Why is this? The United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) recommends and approves names and spellings. The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names-- domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to use uniform names of geographic features. (A note is usually included where changes may have occurred but have not yet been approved by the BGN). The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings. Why doesn't The World Factbook include pronunciations of country or leader names? There are too many variations in pronunciation among English-speaking countries, not to mention English renditions of non-English names, for pronunciations to be included. American English pronunciations are included for some countries like Qatar and Kiribati. Why is the name of the Labour party misspelled? When American and British spellings of common English words differ, The World Factbook always uses the American spelling, even when these common words form part of a proper name in British English. Policies and Procedures What is The World Factbook's source for a specific subject field? The Factbook staff uses many different sources to publish what we judge are the most reliable and consistent data for any particular category. Space considerations preclude a listing of these various sources. The names of some geographic features provided in the Factbook differ from those used in other publications. For example, in Asia the Factbook has Burma as the country name, but in other publications Myanmar is used; also, the Factbook uses Sea of Japan whereas other publications label it East Sea. What is you policy on naming geographic features? The Factbook staff follows the guidance of the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names--domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features. The position of the BGN is that the names Burma and Sea of Japan be used in official US Government maps and publications. Why is most of the statistical information in the Factbook given in metric units, rather than the units standard to US measure? US Federal agencies are required by the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-168) and by Executive Order 12770 of July 1991 to use the International System of Units, commonly referred to as the metric system or SI. In addition, the metric system is used by over 95 percent of the world's population. Why don't you include information on minimum and maximum temperature extremes? The Factbook staff judges that this information would only be useful for some (generally smaller) countries. Larger countries can have large temperature extremes that do not represent the landmass as a whole. In the future, such a category may be adopted listing the extremes, but also adding a normal temperature range found throughout most of a country's territory. What information sources are used for the country flags? Flag designs used in The World Factbook are those recognized by the protocol office of the US Department of State. Why do your GDP (Gross Domestic Product) statistics differ from other sources? GDP dollar estimates in The World Factbook are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations. See the Notes and Definitions section on GDP methodology for more information. On the CIA Web site, Chiefs of State is updated weekly, but the last update for the Factbook was an earlier date. Why the discrepancy? Although Chiefs of State and The World Factbook both appear on the CIA Web site, they are produced and updated by separate staffs. Chiefs of State includes fewer countries but more leaders, and is updated more frequently than The World Factbook, which has a much larger database, and includes all countries. Some percentage distributions do not add to 100. Why not? Because of rounding, percentage distributions do not always add precisely to 100%. Rounding of numbers always results in a loss of precision--i.e., error. This error becomes apparent when percentage data are totaled, as the following two examples show: Original Data Rounded to whole integer Example 1 43.2 43 30.4 30 26.4 26 ---- -- 100.0 99 Example 2 42.8 43 31.6 32 25.6 26 ---- -- 100.0 101 When this occurs, we do not force the numbers to add exactly to 100, because doing so would introduce additional error into the distribution. What rounding convention does The World Factbook use? In deciding on the number of digits to present, the Factbook staff assesses the accuracy of the original data and the needs of US Government officials. All of the economic data are processed by computer--either at the source or by the Factbook staff. The economic data presented in The Factbook, therefore, follow the rounding convention used by virtually all numerical software applications, namely, any digit followed by a "5" is rounded up to the next higher digit, no matter whether the original digit is even or odd. Thus, for example, when rounded to the nearest integer, 2.5 becomes 3, rather than 2, as occurred in some pre-computer rounding systems. Technical Does The World Factbook comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act regarding accessibility of Web pages? The World Factbook home page has a link entitled "Text/Low Bandwidth Version." The country data in the text version is fully accessible. We believe The World Factbook is compliant with the Section 508 law in both fact and spirit. If you are experiencing difficulty, please use our comment form to provide us details of the specific problem you are experiencing and the assistive software and/or hardware that you are using so that we can work with our technical support staff to find and implement a solution. We welcome visitors' suggestions to improve accessibility of The World Factbook and the CIA Web site. I am using the Factbook online and it is not working. What is wrong? Hundreds of "Factbook" look-alikes exist on the Internet. The Factbook site at: www.cia.gov is the only official site. When I attempt to download a PDF (Portable Document Format) map file (or some other map) the file has no image. Can you fix this? Some of the files on The World Factbook Web site are large and could take several minutes to download on a dial-up connection. The screen might be blank during the download process. When I open a map on The World Factbook site, it is fuzzy or granular, or too big or too small. Why? Adjusting the resolution setting on your monitor should correct this problem. Is The World Factbook country data available in machine-readable format? All I can find is HTML, but I'm looking for simple tabular data. The Factbook Web site now features "Rank Order" pages for selected Factbook entries. "Rank Order" pages are available for those data fields identified with a small bar chart icon located next to the title of the data entry. In addition, all of the "Rank Order" pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files that can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases. This page was last updated on 21 October, 2003 ===================================================================== @Afghanistan Introduction Afghanistan Background: Afghanistan's recent history is characterized by war and civil unrest. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced to withdraw 10 years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. Fighting subsequently continued among the various mujahidin factions, giving rise to a state of warlordism that eventually spawned the Taliban. Backed by foreign sponsors, the Taliban developed as a political force and eventually seized power. The Taliban were able to capture most of the country, aside from Northern Alliance strongholds primarily in the northeast, until US and allied military action in support of the opposition following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks forced the group's downfall. In late 2001, major leaders from the Afghan opposition groups and diaspora met in Bonn, Germany, and agreed on a plan for the formulation of a new government structure that resulted in the inauguration of Hamid KARZAI as Chairman of the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) on 22 December 2001. The AIA held a nationwide Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) in June 2002, and KARZAI was elected President by secret ballot of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA). The Transitional Authority has an 18-month mandate to hold a nationwide Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and a 24-month mandate to hold nationwide elections. In December 2002, the TISA marked the one-year anniversary of the fall of the Taliban. In addition to occasionally violent political jockeying and ongoing military action to root out remaining terrorists and Taliban elements, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread land mines. Geography Afghanistan Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 65 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 647,500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,529 km border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones Land use: arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 87.65% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 23,860 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) People Afghanistan Population: 28,717,213 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.8% (male 6,123,971; female 5,868,013) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 8,240,743; female 7,671,242) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 427,710; female 385,534) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.9 years male: 19.1 years female: 18.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.38% note: this rate does not take into consideration the recent war and its continuing impact (2003 est.) Birth rate: 40.63 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 17.15 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 10.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 142.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 138.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 145.99 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.97 years male: 47.67 years female: 46.23 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.64 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.01% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan Ethnic groups: Pashtun 44%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 10%, minor ethnic groups (Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others) 13%, Uzbek 8% Religions: Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1% Languages: Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write female: 21% (1999 est.) total population: 36% male: 51% People - note: large numbers of Afghan refugees create burdens on neighboring states Government Afghanistan Country name: conventional long form: Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan local short form: Afghanestan former: Republic of Afghanistan local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan Government type: transitional Capital: Kabul Administrative divisions: 32 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, and Zabol Independence: 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) National holiday: Independence Day, 19 August (1919) Constitution: the Bonn Agreement called for a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) to be convened within 18 months of the establishment of the Transitional Authority to draft a new constitution for the country; the basis for the next constitution is the 1964 Constitution, according to the Bonn Agreement Legal system: the Bonn Agreement calls for a judicial commission to rebuild the justice system in accordance with Islamic principles, international standards, the rule of law, and Afghan legal traditions Suffrage: NA; previously males 15-50 years of age Executive branch: note: following the Taliban's refusal to hand over Usama bin LADIN to the US for his suspected involvement in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, a US-led international coalition was formed; after several weeks of aerial bombardment by coalition forces and military action on the ground, including Afghan opposition forces, the Taliban was ousted from power on 17 November 2001; in December 2001, a number of prominent Afghans met under UN auspices in Bonn, Germany, to decide on a plan for governing the country; as a result, the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) - made up of 30 members, headed by a chairman - was inaugurated on 22 December 2001 with a six-month mandate to be followed by a two-year Transitional Authority (TA), after which elections are to be held; the structure of the follow-on TA was announced on 10 June 2002, when the Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) convened establishing the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA), which has 18 months to hold a Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and 24 months to hold nationwide elections chief of state: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10 June 2002); note - presently the president and head of government head of government: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10 June 2002); note - presently the president and head of government cabinet: the 30-member TISA elections: nationwide elections are to be held by June 2004, according to the Bonn Agreement Legislative branch: nonfunctioning as of June 1993 Judicial branch: the Bonn Agreement called for the establishment of a Supreme Court; there is also a Minister of Justice Political parties and leaders: NA; note - political parties in Afghanistan are in flux and many prominent players have plans to create new parties; the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) is headed by President Hamid KARZAI; the TISA is a coalition government formed of leaders from across the Afghan political spectrum; there are also several political factions not holding positions in the Transitional government that are forming new groups and parties in the hopes of participating in 2004 elections Political pressure groups and leaders: NA; note - ministries formed under the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) include former influential Afghans, diaspora members, and former political leaders International organization participation: AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: ambassador Seyyed Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: 202-483-6487 consulate(s) general: New York telephone: 202-483-6410 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Patrick John FINN; note - embassy in Kabul reopened 16 December 2001, following closure in January 1989 embassy: Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180 telephone: [93] (2) 290002, 290005, 290154 FAX: 00932290153 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above Economy Afghanistan Economy - overview: Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on foreign aid, farming and livestock raising (sheep and goats), and trade with neighboring countries. Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more than two decades of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). During that conflict, one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan and Iran sheltering a combined peak of 4 to 6 million refugees. Gross domestic product has fallen substantially over the past 20 years because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport; severe drought added to the nation's difficulties in 1998-2002. The majority of the population continues to suffer from insufficient food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and a dearth of jobs, problems exacerbated by political uncertainties and the general level of lawlessness. International efforts to rebuild Afghanistan were addressed at the Tokyo Donors Conference for Afghan Reconstruction in January 2002, when $4.5 billion was pledged, $1.7 billion for 2002. Of that approximately $900 million was directed to humanitarian aid - food, clothing, and shelter - and another $90 million for the Afghan Transitional Authority. Further World Bank and other aid came in 2003. Priority areas for reconstruction include upgrading education, health, and sanitation facilities; providing income generating opportunities; enhancing administrative and security arrangements, especially in regional areas; developing the agricultural sector; rebuilding transportation, energy, and telecommunication infrastructure; and reabsorbing 2 million returning refugees. The replacement of the opium trade - which may account for one-third of GDP - and the search for oil and gas resources in the northern region are two major long-term issues. GDP: purchasing power parity - $19 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 60% industry: 20% services: 20% (1990 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 10 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry 10%, services 10% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $200 million expenditures: $550 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 plan est.) Industries: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 334.8 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.3% hydro: 63.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 511.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 200 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 220 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 220 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 49.98 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins Exports: $1.2 billion (not including illicit exports) (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems Exports - partners: Pakistan 26.8%, India 26.5%, Finland 5.8%, Germany 5.1%, UAE 4.4%, Belgium 4.3%, Russia 4.2%, US 4.2% (2002) Imports: $1.3 billion (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products Imports - partners: Pakistan 25.1%, South Korea 14.4%, Japan 9.4%, US 9%, Kenya 5.8%, Germany 5.4% (2002) Debt - external: NA (1996 est.) Economic aid - recipient: international pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Tokyo Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in January 2002 reached $4.5 billion through 2006, with $1.8 billion allocated for 2002; another $1.7 billion was pledged for 2003. Currency: afghani (AFA) Currency code: AFA Exchange rates: afghanis per US dollar - 3,000 (October-December 2002), 3,000 (2001), 3,000 (2000), 3,000 (1999), 3,000 (1998), note: before 2002 the market rate varied widely from the official rate; in 2002 the afghani was revalued and the currency stabilized Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March Communications Afghanistan Telephones - main lines in use: 29,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph service domestic: in 1997, telecommunications links were established between Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Kabul through satellite and microwave systems international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); commercial satellite telephone center in Ghazni Radio broadcast stations: AM 7 (6 are inactive; the active station is in Kabul), FM 1, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan Persian (Dari), Urdu, and English) (1999) Radios: 167,000 (1999) Television broadcast stations: at least 10 (one government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 32 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998) Televisions: 100,000 (1999) Internet country code: .af Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Afghanistan Railways: total: 24.6 km broad gauge: 9.6 km 1.524-m gauge from Gushgy (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi; 15 km 1.524-m gauge from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya (2001) Highways: total: 21,000 km paved: 2,793 km unpaved: 18,207 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 1,200 km note: chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT (2001) Pipelines: gas 651 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Airports: 47 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 under 914 m: 11 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 Heliports: 5 (2002) Military Afghanistan Military branches: NA; note - the December 2001 Bonn Agreement called for all militia forces to come under the authority of the central government, but regional leaders have continued to retain their militias and the formation of a nation army will be a gradual process; Afghanistan's forces continue to be factionalized, largely along ethnic lines Military manpower - military age: 22 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 7,160,603 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,837,646 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 275,223 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $525.2 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 7.7% (FY02) Transnational Issues Afghanistan Disputes - international: thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Iran and Pakistan; isolating terrain and close ties among Pashtuns in Pakistan make cross-border activities difficult to control; prolonged regional drought strains water-sharing arrangements for Amu Darya and Helmand River states Illicit drugs: world's largest producer of opium; cultivation of opium poppy - used to make heroin - expanded to 30,750 hectares in 2002, despite eradication; potential opium production of 1,278 metric tons; source of hashish; many narcotics-processing labs throughout the country; drug trade source of instability and some government groups profit from the trade; 80-90% of the heroin consumed in Europe comes from Afghan opium; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Albania Introduction Albania Background: Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents. International observers judged legislative elections in 2001 to be acceptable and a step toward democratic development, but identified serious deficiencies that should be addressed through reforms in the Albanian electoral code. Geography Albania Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 28,748 sq km water: 1,350 sq km land: 27,398 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 720 km border countries: Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,753 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, timber, nickel, hydropower Land use: arable land: 21.09% permanent crops: 4.45% other: 74.46% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 3,400 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) People Albania Population: 3,582,205 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 520,714; female 486,911) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 1,115,887; female 1,196,477) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 115,754; female 146,462) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.5 years male: 24.8 years female: 28.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.03% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 18.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.48 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 37.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 39.68 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.37 years male: 69.53 years female: 75.42 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian Ethnic groups: Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Gypsy, Serb, and Bulgarian) (1989 est.) note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization) Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Languages: Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek Literacy: definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 93.3% female: 79.5% (2003 est.) Government Albania Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Albania conventional short form: Albania local short form: Shqiperia former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania local long form: Republika e Shqiperise Government type: emerging democracy Capital: Tirana Administrative divisions: 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores Independence: 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Constitution: a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998; note - the opposition Democratic Party boycotted the vote Legal system: has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Fatos NANO (since 31 July 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19 Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats; 100 are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote for four-year terms) elections: last held 24 June 2001 with subsequent rounds on 8 July, 22 July, 29 July, 19 August 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PS 41.5%, PD and coalition allies 36.8%, NDP 5.2%, PSD 3.6%, PBDNJ 2.6%, PASH 2.6%, PAD 2.5%; seats by party - PS 73, PD and coalition allies 46, NDP 6, PSD 4, PBDNJ 3, PASH 3, PAD 3, independents 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term) Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party of Albania or PASH [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Zef BUSHATI]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance or PAD [Nerltan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Guri DUROLLARI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Abaz ERMENJI]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQUIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy or DS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albanian Party of Labor) [Fatos NANO]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Omonia [Vangjel DULES] International organization participation: ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Fatos TARIFA FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Washington, DC 20521-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 247285 FAX: [355] (4) 232222 Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center Economy Albania Economy - overview: Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by remittances from abroad of $400-$600 million annually, mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the sizable trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment and consolidate small plots of land. Severe energy shortages are forcing small firms out of business, increasing unemployment, scaring off foreign investors, and spurring inflation. The government plans to boost energy imports to relieve the shortages. In addition, the government is moving to improve the poor national road network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $15.69 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 27% services: 24% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 30% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.283 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed) (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 50%, industry and services 50% Unemployment rate: 17% officially; may be as high as 30% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $697 million expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $368 million (2002 est.) Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower Industrial production growth rate: 9% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 5.289 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 5.898 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 221 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.2 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 5,952 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 22,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 185.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 30 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 30 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.316 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products Exports: $340 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco Exports - partners: Italy 76.6%, Germany 5.6%, Greece 2.7% (2002) Imports: $1.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals Imports - partners: Italy 39.4%, Greece 24.5%, Turkey 6%, Germany 5% (2002) Debt - external: $784 million (2000) Economic aid - recipient: ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2000 est.) Currency: lek (ALL) Currency code: ALL Exchange rates: leke per US dollar - NA (2002), 143.49 (2001), 143.71 (2000), 137.69 (1999), 150.63 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Albania Telephones - main lines in use: 120,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 250,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for every village; in 1992, following the fall of the Communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 2 (2001) Radios: 1 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 58 repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 700,000 (2001) Internet country code: .al Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 10 (2001) Internet users: 12,000 (2001) Transportation Albania Railways: total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 18,000 km paved: 5,400 km unpaved: 12,600 km (2000) Waterways: 43 km note: includes Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid, and Lake Prespa (1990) Pipelines: gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Merchant marine: total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 21,954 GRT/34,412 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 11, roll on/roll off 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Honduras 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 12 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Albania Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 906,168 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 742,837 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 36,985 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $56.5 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.49% (FY02) Transnational Issues Albania Disputes - international: the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside its borders in the Kosovo region of Serbia and Montenegro, and in the northern Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while continuing to seek regional cooperation; some outside ethnic Albanian groups voice union with Albania Illicit drugs: increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and rapidly expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Algeria Introduction Algeria Background: After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962. The surprising first round success of the fundamentalist FIS (Islamic Salvation Front) party in the December 1991 balloting caused the army to intervene, crack down on the FIS, and postpone the subsequent elections. The fundamentalist response has resulted in a continuous low-grade civil conflict with the secular state apparatus, which nonetheless has allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties. The FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000 and many armed militants of other groups surrendered under an amnesty program designed to promote national reconciliation. Nevertheless, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and carrying out isolated attacks on villages and other types of terrorist attacks. Other concerns include Berber unrest, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy. Geography Algeria Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 6,343 km border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km Coastline: 998 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m highest point: Tahat 3,003 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 3.21% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 96.58% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 5,600 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season Environment - current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) People Algeria Population: 32,818,500 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.8% (male 5,485,197; female 5,285,434) 15-64 years: 63% (male 10,460,475; female 10,224,389) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 624,839; female 738,166) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 22.5 years male: 22.3 years female: 22.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.65% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 21.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 37.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 40.34 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.54 years male: 69.14 years female: 72.01 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.55 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70% male: 78.8% female: 61% (2003 est.) Government Algeria Country name: conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local short form: Al Jaza'ir local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah Government type: republic Capital: Algiers Administrative divisions: 48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France) National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) Constitution: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996 Legal system: socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 9 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 April 1999 (next to be held NA April 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA elected president; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA over 70%; note - his six opposing candidates withdrew on the eve of the election citing electoral fraud Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - changed from 380 seats in the 2002 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); Council of Nations - last held 30 December 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 48, MRN 43, MSP 38, PT 21, FNA 8, Nahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 29; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 79, FLN 12, FFS 4, MSP 1 (remaining 48 seats appointed by the president, party breakdown NA) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Democratic National Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile in Germany)]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boujerra SOLTANI]; National Entente Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Ali BENFLIS, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or MRN [Abdellah DJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [leader NA]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Lahbib ADAMI]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland)]; Union for Democracy and Liberty [Mouley BOUKHALAFA]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Idriss JAZAIRY chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. ERDMAN (as of 10 July 2003) embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers telephone: [213] (21) 691-425/255/186 FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79 Flag description: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) Economy Algeria Economy - overview: The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks 14th in oil reserves. Algeria's financial and economic indicators improved during the mid-1990s, in part because of policy reforms supported by the IMF and debt rescheduling from the Paris Club. Algeria's finances in 2000-03 benefited from substantial trade surpluses, record foreign exchange reserves, and reductions in foreign debt. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. GDP: purchasing power parity - $173.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 60% services: 32% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 23% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 35.3 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 9.4 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: government 29%, agriculture 25%, construction and public works 15%, industry 11%, other 20% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 31% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $20.3 billion expenditures: $18.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8 billion (2001 est.) Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 24.69 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.7% hydro: 0.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 22.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 340 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 275 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 1.52 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 209,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 13.1 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 80.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 22.32 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 4.739 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle Exports: $19.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97% Exports - partners: Italy 18.9%, Spain 13.1%, France 13%, US 12.1%, Netherlands 6%, Brazil 5.9%, Canada 5.7%, Turkey 5.3%, Belgium 5.1% (2002) Imports: $10.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: France 31%, Italy 10%, US 8.3%, Germany 6.6%, Spain 5.9%, Turkey 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $21.6 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $162 million (2000 est.) Currency: Algerian dinar (DZD) Currency code: DZD Exchange rates: Algerian dinars per US dollar - 79.68 (2002), 77.22 (2001), 75.26 (2000), 66.57 (1999), 58.74 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Algeria Telephones - main lines in use: 2.3 million (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 33,500 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: telephone density in Algeria is very low, not exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed main lines increased in the last few years to a little more than 2,000,000, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers; much of the infrastructure is outdated and inefficient domestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic earth stations are planned) international: 5 submarine cables; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat (1998) Radio broadcast stations: AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999) Radios: 7.1 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 3.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .dz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 180,000 (2001) Transportation Algeria Railways: total: 3,973 km standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 104,000 km paved: 71,656 km (including 640 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,344 km (1999) Waterways: none Pipelines: condensate 1,344 km; gas 87,347 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,213 km; oil 6,496 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes Merchant marine: total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 884,032 GRT/1,010,777 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 23, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas 10, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 12, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 136 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 54 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 82 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 under 914 m: 19 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 38 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Algeria Military branches: People's National Army (ANP), Algerian National Navy (ANN), Air Force, Territorial Air Defense, National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 9,243,884 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,646,418 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 412,545 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.87 billion (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.1% (FY99) Transnational Issues Algeria Disputes - international: Libya claims about 32,000 sq km in a dormant dispute still reflected on its maps in southeastern Algeria; armed bandits based in Mali attack southern Algerian towns; border with Morocco remains closed over mutual claims of harboring militants, arms smuggling; Algeria supports the exiled Sahrawi Polisario Front and rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @American Samoa Introduction American Samoa Background: Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. Geography American Samoa Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 199 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island water: 0 sq km land: 199 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 116 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Lata 966 m Natural resources: pumice, pumicite Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 10% other: 85% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons common from December to March Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines Geography - note: Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean People American Samoa Population: 70,260 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.5% (male 13,557; female 12,818) 15-64 years: 57% (male 19,712; female 20,346) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 2,081; female 1,746) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 21.6 years male: 21.1 years female: 22.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.22% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 3.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.19 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.75 years male: 71.35 years female: 80.41 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan Ethnic groups: Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5% Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30% Languages: Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English note: most people are bilingual Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.) Government American Samoa Country name: conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS Dependency status: unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Government type: NA Capital: Pago Pago Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Flag Day, 17 April (1900) Constitution: ratified 1966, in effect 1967 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) election results: Tauese P. SUNIA reelected governor; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 50.7%, Lealaifuaneva Peter REID (independent) 47.8% note: Togiola TULAFONO became acting governor 26 March 2003 upon the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) following the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA on 26 March 2003; TULAFONO had been the Lieutenant Governor cabinet: NA Legislative branch: bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club Economy American Samoa Economy - overview: This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism, a developing sector, has been held back by the recurring financial difficulties in East Asia. GDP: purchasing power parity - $500 million (2000 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 14,000 (1996) Labor force - by occupation: government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990) Unemployment rate: 6% (2000) Budget: revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97) Industries: tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 130 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 120.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock Exports: $345 million (1999) Exports - commodities: canned tuna 93% Exports - partners: Indonesia 71.1%, Japan 7.7%, Samoa 7.7%, Australia 6.7% (2002) Imports: $452 million (1999) Imports - commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% Imports - partners: Australia 41%, New Zealand 23%, South Korea 18% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994 Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications American Samoa Telephones - main lines in use: 13,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,550 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 57,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 14,000 (1997) Internet country code: .as Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation American Samoa Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 350 km paved: 150 km unpaved: 200 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Aunu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta'u Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military American Samoa Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues American Samoa Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Andorra Introduction Andorra Background: For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes. Geography Andorra Location: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain Geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 468 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers Terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys Elevation extremes: lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead Land use: arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: avalanches Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees People Andorra Population: 69,150 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.1% (male 5,473; female 4,974) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 26,063; female 23,542) 65 years and over: 13.2% (male 4,543; female 4,555) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 39.1 years male: 39.4 years female: 38.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.06% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.65 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 6.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.49 years male: 80.58 years female: 86.58 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran Ethnic groups: Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998) Religions: Roman Catholic (predominant) Languages: Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Government Andorra Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra Government type: parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives Capital: Andorra la Vella Administrative divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria Independence: 1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel) National holiday: Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278) Constitution: Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993 Legal system: based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Spanish Coprince Episcopal Monsignor Joan Enric VIVES SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES OSTE (since NA) elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA% cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president head of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE MOLNE (since 21 December 1994) Legislative branch: unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 46.1%, PSD 30%, PD 23.8%, other 0.1%; seats by party - PLA 15, PSD 6, PD 5, independents 2 Judicial branch: Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or PD (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Marc FORNE MOLNE] (used to be Liberal Union or UL); Liberal Union or UL [Francesc CERQUEDA]; National Democratic Group or AND [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vicenc MATEU ZAMORA]; New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU CASSANY]; Social Democratic Party or PSD (formerly part of National Democratic Group of AND) [leader NA]; Union of the People of Ordino (Unio Parroquial d'Ordino) or UPO [Simo DURO COMA] note: there are two other small parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, ECE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: (3493) 280-2227; FAX: (3493) 205-7705 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem Economy Andorra Economy - overview: Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (2000 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.8% (2000 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2000) Labor force: 33,000 (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues: $385 million expenditures: $342 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower Agriculture - products: small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep Exports: $58 million f.o.b. (1998) Exports - commodities: tobacco products, furniture Exports - partners: Spain 58%, France 34% (2000) Imports: $1.077 billion (1998) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, food, electricity Imports - partners: Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (2000) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: none Currency: euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Andorra Telephones - main lines in use: 32,946 (December 1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 14,117 (December 1998) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: landline circuits to France and Spain Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 16,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: 27,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ad Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 24,500 (2001) Transportation Andorra Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km (1994) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: none (2002) Military Andorra Military branches: no regular military forces, but there is a police force Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain Transnational Issues Andorra Disputes - international: none; border is undemarcated in sections but is not in dispute (a few French farmers still remain upset about the transfer of 35 hectares of land to Andorra) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Angola Introduction Angola Background: Civil war has been the norm in Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the government and armed forces. A national unity government was installed in April of 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, rendering hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century. The death of insurgent leader Jonas SAVIMBI in 2002 and a subsequent cease-fire with UNITA may bode well for the country. Geography Angola Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 18 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km Coastline: 1,600 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium Land use: arable land: 2.41% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 97.19% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau Environment - current issues: overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo People Angola Population: 10,766,471 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,363,829; female 2,317,610) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,941,999; female 2,842,923) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 134,330; female 165,780) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.2 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.97% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 45.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 25.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 193.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 180.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 206.26 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 36.96 years male: 36.13 years female: 37.83 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.38 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 5.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 350,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 24,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Ethnic groups: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.) Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% (1998 est.) Government Angola Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola local long form: Republica de Angola Government type: republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system Capital: Luanda Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 11 November (1975) Constitution: 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not a position of real power cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a NA-year term; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [interim leader: PAULO Lukamba "Gato"], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO] note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly Political pressure groups and leaders: Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston and New York telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELL embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224 FAX: [244] (2) 446-924 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle) Economy Angola Economy - overview: Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI on February 22, 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue including the impact of wide-spread land mines. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much of the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue reforming government policies. While Angola made progress in bringing inflation down further, from 325% in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to make sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as increasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greater transparency in government spending. Increased oil production should bring about 6% GDP growth in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.36 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 67% services: 25% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 106% (2002 est.) Labor force: 5 million (1997 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $928 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992 est.) Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles Industrial production growth rate: 1% Electricity - production: 1.45 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.348 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 742,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 5.691 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 530 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 530 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 79.57 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish Exports: $8.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton Exports - partners: US 41.2%, China 13.7%, France 8%, Belgium 6.3%, Taiwan 6.3%, Japan 4.9%, Spain 4.3% (2002) Imports: $4.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods Imports - partners: Portugal 20.2%, US 13.9%, South Africa 12.4%, France 6.7%, Brazil 5.8%, Belgium 5.3%, Netherlands 4% (2002) Debt - external: $9.9 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $383.5 million (1999) Currency: kwanza (AOA) Currency code: AOA Exchange rates: kwanza per US dollar - 43.53 (2002), 22.06 (2001), 10.04 (2000), 2.79 (1999), 0.39 (1998); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Angola Telephones - main lines in use: 72,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 25,800 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000) Radios: 815,000 (2000) Television broadcast stations: 6 (2000) Televisions: 196,000 (2000) Internet country code: .ao Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 60,000 (2002) Transportation Angola Railways: total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (1999) Waterways: 1,295 km Pipelines: gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km; oil 845 km; refined products 56 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo Merchant marine: total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,311 GRT/48,924 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 243 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 32 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 211 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 80 (2002) Military Angola Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,568,082 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,290,884 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 109,752 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $222.7 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Angola Disputes - international: gives shelter to thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo while thousands of Angolan refugees still remain in neighboring states as a consequence of the protracted civil wars in both states Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Anguilla Introduction Anguilla Background: Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. Geography Anguilla Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 102 sq km Area - comparative: about half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 61 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) Environment - current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system Geography - note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles People Anguilla Population: 12,738 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.3% (male 1,575; female 1,526) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 4,504; female 4,262) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 387; female 484) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 30 years male: 30 years female: 29.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.21% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 14.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 29.84 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.7 years male: 73.79 years female: 79.7 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Ethnic groups: black (predominant), mulatto, white Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12% Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) Government Anguilla Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: The Valley Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May Constitution: Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter JOHNSTONE (since NA February 2000) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 March 2000 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ANA 3, AUP 2, ADP 1, independent 1 Judicial branch: High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) Political parties and leaders: Anguilla United Party or AUP [Hubert HUGHES]; The United Front or UF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), ECLAC (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below Economy Anguilla Economy - overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. GDP: purchasing power parity - $104 million (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,600 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% Labor force: 6,049 (2001) Labor force - by occupation: commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4% (2000 est,) Unemployment rate: 6.7% (2001) Budget: revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000 est.) Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: NA (2000) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA% Electricity - consumption: 42.6 million kWh Agriculture - products: small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising Exports: $2.6 million (1999) Exports - commodities: lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum Exports - partners: UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000) Imports: $80.9 million (1999) Imports - commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles Imports - partners: US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000) Debt - external: $8.8 million (1998) Economic aid - recipient: $3.5 million (1995) Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Anguilla Telephones - main lines in use: 4,974 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,629 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: modern internal telephone system international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 3,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 1,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ai Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: 919 (2000) Transportation Anguilla Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1997) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Blowing Point, Road Bay Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Anguilla Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Anguilla Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Antarctica Introduction Antarctica Background: Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but no other country recognizes these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961. Geography Antarctica Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle Geographic coordinates: 90 00 S, 0 00 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 14 million sq km note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.) Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Land boundaries: 0 km note: see entry on International disputes Coastline: 17,968 km Maritime claims: none; 20 of 27 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry Climate: severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing Terrain: about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent Elevation extremes: lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater Natural resources: iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf Environment - current issues: in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light coming through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming Geography - note: the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable People Antarctica Population: no indigenous inhabitants, but there are seasonally staffed research stations note: approximately 27 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, send personnel to perform seasonal (summer) and year-round research on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters of the treaty region; summer (January) population - 3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population - 964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); year-round stations - 42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 6, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (1998-99); summer-only stations - 32 total; Argentina 3, Australia 4, Bulgaria 1, Chile 7, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 3, NZ 1, Peru 1, Russia 3, Sweden 2, UK 5 (1998-99); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (July 2003 est.) Government Antarctica Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica Government type: Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica. The 24th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Russia in July 2001. At the end of 2001, there were 45 treaty member nations: 27 consultative and 18 non-consultative. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 20 nonclaimant nations. The US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims. The US does not recognize the claims of others. Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. The year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full consultative (voting) status, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), and the US. Non-consultative (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), Ukraine (1992), and Venezuela (1999). Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations. Other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes: 1) marine pollution, 2) fauna and flora, 3) environmental impact assessments, 4) waste management, and 5) protected area management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research. Legal system: Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extra-territorially. Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison. The National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov. Economy Antarctica Economy - overview: Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons. Unregulated fishing, particularly of tooth fish, is a serious problem. Allegedly illegal fishing in antarctic waters in 1998 resulted in the seizure (by France and Australia) of at least eight fishing ships. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 12,248 tourists visited in the 2000-01 antarctic summer, down from the 14,762 who visited the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on 21 commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that made trips during the summer. Most tourist trips lasted approximately two weeks. Communications Antarctica Telephones - main lines in use: 0 note: information for US bases only (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA; Iridium system in use Telephone system: general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: NA international: via satellite from some research stations Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1 note: information for US bases only (2002) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo) note: information for US bases only (2002) Televisions: several hundred at McMurdo Station (US) note: information for US bases only (2001) Internet country code: .aq Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Transportation Antarctica Ports and harbors: there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent Airports: 30 note: 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to the Antarctic Treaty, have aircraft landing facilities for either helicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities; helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 are greater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km in length, and 4 are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for landing; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 Heliports: 27 stations have helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2002) Military Antarctica Military - note: the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes Transnational Issues Antarctica Disputes - international: Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK; the US and most other states do not recognize the territorial claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; several states with land claims in Antarctica have expressed their intention to submit data to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend their continental shelf claims to adjoining undersea ridges This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Antigua and Barbuda Introduction Antigua and Barbuda Background: The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Geography Antigua and Barbuda Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 17 03 N, 61 48 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km land: 443 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 153 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m Natural resources: NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism Land use: arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 0% other: 81.82% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts Environment - current issues: water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor People Antigua and Barbuda Population: 67,897 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 9,706; female 9,371) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 22,929; female 22,845) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,218; female 1,828) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 29.1 years male: 28.6 years female: 29.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.64% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 18.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.31 years male: 68.99 years female: 73.75 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan Ethnic groups: black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian Religions: Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic) Languages: English (official), local dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 89% male: 90% female: 88% (1960 est.) Government Antigua and Barbuda Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda Government type: constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament Capital: Saint John's Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981) Constitution: 1 November 1981 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Robin YEARWOOD Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - ALP 53.2%, UPP 45.5%, independent 1.3%; seats by party - ALP 12, UPP 4, independent 1 elections: House of Representatives - last held 9 March 1999 (next to be held prior to March 2004) Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction) Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - United National Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor Movement or PLM) Political pressure groups and leaders: Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5211 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda Flag description: red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band Economy Antigua and Barbuda Economy - overview: Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals. GDP: purchasing power parity - $750 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.9% industry: 19.2% services: 76.8% (2002) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.4% (2000 est.) Labor force: 30,000 Labor force - by occupation: commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983) Unemployment rate: 11% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $123.7 million expenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 105.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 97.89 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock Exports: $40 million Exports - commodities: petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8% Exports - partners: France 68.5%, Germany 26.4%, Italy 1.2% (2002) Imports: $357 million (2000 est.) Imports - commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil Imports - partners: France 23.4%, Germany 14.2%, US 13.2%, Poland 9.8%, South Korea 8.3%, Singapore 5%, UK 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $231 million (1999) Economic aid - recipient: $2.3 million (1995) Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Antigua and Barbuda Telephones - main lines in use: 28,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,300 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: good automatic telephone system international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 36,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 31,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ag Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: 5,000 (2001) Transportation Antigua and Barbuda Railways: total: 77 km narrow gauge: 64 km 0.760-m gauge; 13 km 0.610-m gauge (used almost exclusively for handling sugarcane) (2001 est.) Highways: total: 250 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Saint John's Merchant marine: total: 816 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,135,866 GRT/6,648,143 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 3, Colombia 1, Cuba 1, Estonia 1, Germany 747, Greece 1, Iceland 8, Latvia 1, Lebanon 2, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 22, New Zealand 2, Portugal 1, Slovenia 6, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, United Kingdom 1, United States 7 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 474, chemical tanker 8, combination bulk 3, container 255, liquefied gas 10, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 35 Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Antigua and Barbuda Military branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (including the Coast Guard) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Antigua and Barbuda Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Arctic Ocean Introduction Arctic Ocean Background: The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean. Geography Arctic Ocean Location: body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle Geographic coordinates: 90 00 N, 0 00 E Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 14.056 million sq km note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Coastline: 45,389 km Climate: polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow Terrain: central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges may be three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales) Natural hazards: ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack Geography - note: major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10 months Economy Arctic Ocean Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. Transportation Arctic Ocean Ports and harbors: Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US) Transportation - note: sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways Transnational Issues Arctic Ocean Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Argentina Introduction Argentina Background: Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation. Geography Argentina Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay Geographic coordinates: 34 00 S, 64 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 2,766,890 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 30,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 9,665 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km Coastline: 4,989 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest Terrain: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border Elevation extremes: lowest point: Salinas Chicas -40 m (located on Peninsula Valdes) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m Natural resources: fertile plains of the Pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium Land use: arable land: 9.14% permanent crops: 0.8% other: 90.06% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 15,610 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast; heavy flooding Environment - current issues: environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, while the Valdes Peninsula is the lowest point on the continent People Argentina Population: 38,740,807 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.2% (male 5,185,548; female 4,955,551) 15-64 years: 63.4% (male 12,274,625; female 12,282,772) 65 years and over: 10.4% (male 1,659,641; female 2,382,670) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 29 years male: 28 years female: 29.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.05% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.14 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.48 years male: 71.72 years female: 79.44 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 130,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,800 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine Ethnic groups: white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4% Languages: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.1% male: 97.1% female: 97.1% (2003 est.) Government Argentina Country name: conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina Government type: republic Capital: Buenos Aires Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica Independence: 9 July 1816 (from Spain) National holiday: Revolution Day, 25 May (1810) Constitution: 1 May 1853; revised August 1994 Legal system: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and mandatory Executive branch: chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election results: results of the presidential primary of 27 April 2003: Carlos Saul MENEM 24.3%, Nestor KIRCHNER 22%, Ricardo Lopez MURPHY 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez SAA 14.4%, Elisa CARRIO 14.2%, other 8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; the last election held was the presidential primary election of 27 April 2003 (next election to be held NA 2007); a runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 between the two candidates receiving the highest votes in the primary was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members being elected every two years to a six-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to a four-year term) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 40, UCR 24, provincial parties 6, Frepaso 1, ARI 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 113, UCR 74, provincial parties 27, Frepaso 17, ARI 17, AR 9 elections: Senate - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittently by province before December 2003); Chamber of Deputies - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittently by province before December 2003) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval by the Senate) Political parties and leaders: Action for the Republic or AR [Domingo CAVALLO]; Alternative for a Republic of Equals or ARI [Elisa CARRIO]; Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso (a four-party coalition) [Dario Pedro ALESSANDRO]; Justicialist Party or PJ [Carlos Saul MENEM] (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Angel ROZAS]; Federal Recreate Movement [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY]; several provincial parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); business organizations; General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Peronist-dominated labor movement; Roman Catholic Church; students International organization participation: AfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, MTCR, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Octavio BORDON chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James D. WALSH; note - Lino GUTIERREZ is designated to replace Ambassador WALSH embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May Economy Argentina Economy - overview: Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the country has suffered recurring economic problems of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit," to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and inflation picked up rapidly, but by mid-2002 the economy had stabilized, albeit at a lower level. Strong demand for the peso compelled the Central Bank to intervene in foreign exchange markets to curb its appreciation in early 2003. Led by record exports, the economy began to recover with output up 5.5% in 2003, unemployment falling, and inflation sliced to 4.2% at year-end. GDP: purchasing power parity - $403.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -10.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 28% services: 66% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 37% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 41% (2002, yearend) Labor force: 15 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 21.5% (37377) Budget: revenues: $44 billion expenditures: $48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 97.17 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 52.2% hydro: 40.8% other: 0.2% (2001) nuclear: 6.7% Electricity - consumption: 92.12 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 5.662 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 7.417 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 828,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 486,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 2.927 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 37.15 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 31.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 6.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 768 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock Exports: $25.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles Exports - partners: Brazil 23.6%, US 10.9%, Chile 9.7%, Spain 4.3% (2002) Imports: $9 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal manufactures, plastics Imports - partners: Brazil 42%, US 12.8%, Germany 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $155 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $10 billion (2001 est.) Currency: Argentine peso (ARS) Currency code: ARS Exchange rates: Argentine pesos per US dollar - 3.06 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Argentina Telephones - main lines in use: 7.5 million (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3 million (December 1999) Telephone system: general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunication technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; the major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is being improved; however, telephone density is presently minimal, and making telephone service universally available will take time domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding international: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables; two international gateways near Buenos Aires (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998) Radios: 24.3 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 7.95 million (1997) Internet country code: .ar Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 33 (2000) Internet users: 3.88 million (2001) Transportation Argentina Railways: total: 34,463 km (168 km electrified) broad gauge: 20,736 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified) standard gauge: 3,115 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) narrow gauge: 10,375 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 215,471 km paved: 63,348 km (including 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 152,123 km (1999) Waterways: 10,950 km Pipelines: gas 26,797 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 3,668 km; refined products 2,945 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia Merchant marine: total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 141,851 GRT/208,821 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, petroleum tanker 8, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 1, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 1,342 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 145 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 44 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,197 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 572 under 914 m: 571 (2002) Military Argentina Military branches: Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes naval aviation and Marines), Coast Guard, Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 9,780,063 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 7,942,837 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 331,011 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.3 billion (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY00) Transnational Issues Argentina Disputes - international: claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, but in 1995 ceded the right to settle the dispute by force; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see Antarctic disputes); unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and the US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is increasing This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Armenia Introduction Armenia Background: Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Geography Armenia Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 29,800 sq km water: 1,400 sq km land: 28,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Terrain: Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina Land use: arable land: 17.52% permanent crops: 2.3% other: 80.18% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 2,870 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts Environment - current issues: soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range People Armenia Population: 3,326,448 note: Armenia's first census since independence was conducted in October 2001; official results are not expected until late 2003 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.1% (male 356,587; female 346,648) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,113,241; female 1,158,245) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 147,156; female 204,571) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 32.3 years male: 30.6 years female: 34.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.07% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 40.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 45.27 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.68 years male: 62.41 years female: 71.17 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 2,400 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian Ethnic groups: Armenian 93%, Azeri 1%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4% (2002) note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from Armenia Religions: Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 2% Languages: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.4% female: 98% (2003 est.) Government Armenia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun Government type: republic Capital: Yerevan Administrative divisions: 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan Independence: 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1991) Constitution: adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARKARYAN (since 12 May 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 75 members selected by direct vote, 56 by party list) elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak) 11, National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party change frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves independent note: electoral law was changed in 2002 so ratio in next elections will be 75 deputies elected by party list, 56 by direct election Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court) Political parties and leaders: Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Ruben MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and the People's Party); National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Albert BAZEYAN and Aram SARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN, chairman]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN] International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CIS, COE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arman KIRAKOSSIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John M. ORDWAY embassy: 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-177, 542-132, 524-661, 527-001, 524-840 FAX: [374](1) 520-800 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange Economy Armenia Economy - overview: Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is under international pressure to close. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, domestic restructuring of the economy, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector. GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.13 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 12.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 26% services: 44% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 46.2% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 44.4 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.4 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 45%, services 30%, industry 25% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $402 million expenditures: $482 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, gem cutting, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy Industrial production growth rate: 15% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 6.479 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 30.7% Electricity - consumption: 5.784 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 704 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2001) Electricity - imports: 463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock Exports: $525 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy Exports - partners: Belgium 21.5%, Russia 14.6%, Israel 10.3%, Iran 9.4%, US 8.2%, Switzerland 6.8%, Germany 6.2% (2002) Imports: $991 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds Imports - partners: US 15.3%, Russia 12.9%, Belgium 12.3%, Iran 10.3%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4.9% (2002) Debt - external: $905 million (June 2001) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $170 million (2000) Currency: dram (AMD) Currency code: AMD Exchange rates: drams per US dollar - NA (2002), 555.08 (2001), 539.53 (2000), 535.06 (1999), 504.92 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Armenia Telephones - main lines in use: 600,000 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 50,000 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion domestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service) international: Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and through the Moscow international switch and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 850,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters); (1998) Televisions: 825,000 (1997) Internet country code: .am Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 9 (2001) Internet users: 30,000 (2001) Transportation Armenia Railways: total: 852 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 852 km 1.520-m gauge (779 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 15,918 km paved: 15,329 km (includes 7,527 km of expressways) unpaved: 589 km (2000) Waterways: NA km Pipelines: gas 2,031 km (2003) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 15 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Armenia Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 919,582 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 727,770 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 37,209 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $135 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 6.5% (FY01) Transnational Issues Armenia Disputes - international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Aruba Introduction Aruba Background: Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Geography Aruba Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 12 30 N, 69 58 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 193 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 68.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m Natural resources: NEGL; white sandy beaches Land use: arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%) permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) People Aruba Population: 70,844 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.7% (male 7,540; female 7,121) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 23,427; female 24,955) 65 years and over: 11% (male 3,215; female 4,586) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 37.1 years male: 35.3 years female: 38.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.55% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.83 years male: 75.48 years female: 82.34 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch Ethnic groups: mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80% Religions: Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish Literacy: definition: total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA% Government Aruba Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Oranjestad Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) National holiday: Flag Day, 18 March Constitution: 1 January 1986 Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA% elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Fredis REFUNJOL cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1 Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba Flag description: blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner Economy Aruba Economy - overview: Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 41,501 (1997 est.) Labor force - by occupation: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining Unemployment rate: 0.6% Budget: revenues: $135.81 million expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 531.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 494.7 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: aloes; livestock; fish Exports: $1.88 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment Exports - partners: Netherlands 28.6%, Colombia 21.7%, Panama 16.8%, US 12.1%, Netherlands Antilles 8.3%, Venezuela 7.6% (2002) Imports: $2.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs Imports - partners: US 54.7%, Netherlands 12.7%, UK 5.7% (2002) Debt - external: $285 million (1996) Economic aid - recipient: $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996 Currency: Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Currency code: AWG Exchange rates: Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Aruba Telephones - main lines in use: 33,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,402 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: more than adequate international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 50,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 20,000 (1997) Internet country code: .aw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: 24,000 (2002) Transportation Aruba Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 800 km paved: 513 km note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995) unpaved: 287 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Merchant marine: total: 3 note: there is one foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1 Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military Aruba Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Transnational Issues Aruba Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Ashmore and Cartier Islands Introduction Ashmore and Cartier Islands Background: These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. Geography Ashmore and Cartier Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S, 123 05 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 5 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km Area - comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 74.1 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: low with sand and coral Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 People Ashmore and Cartier Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2003 est.) People - note: the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem Government Ashmore and Cartier Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services Legal system: the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Ashmore and Cartier Islands Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Ashmore and Cartier Islands Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Ashmore and Cartier Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Transnational Issues Ashmore and Cartier Islands Disputes - international: nationalist group in Indonesia reportedly seeks to populate reefs to assert claims; Australia has moved to close reefs to Indonesian traditional fishing and to create a national park while prospecting for hydrocarbons in the vicinity This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Atlantic Ocean Introduction Atlantic Ocean Background: The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. Geography Atlantic Ocean Location: body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 76.762 million sq km note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US Coastline: 111,866 km Climate: tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to November Terrain: surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones Natural hazards: icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December) Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea Geography - note: major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean Economy Atlantic Ocean Economy - overview: The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, the dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea). Transportation Atlantic Ocean Ports and harbors: Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Transportation - note: Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US Transnational Issues Atlantic Ocean Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Australia Introduction Australia Background: Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999. Geography Australia Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Geographic coordinates: 27 00 S, 133 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 7,686,850 sq km water: 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island land: 7,617,930 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 25,760 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m Natural resources: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum Land use: arable land: 6.88% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 93.09% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 24,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires Environment - current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer People Australia Population: 19,731,984 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% (male 2,045,783; female 1,949,864) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 6,680,531; female 6,553,141) 65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,099,275; female 1,403,390) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 36 years male: 35.2 years female: 36.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.93% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 4.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.23 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.13 years male: 77.27 years female: 83.13 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Ethnic groups: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% Religions: Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6% Languages: English, native languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1980 est.) Government Australia Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia Government type: democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign Capital: Canberra Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Constitution: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 Legal system: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael JEFFREY (since 11 August 2003) head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON (since 20 July 1999) cabinet: Parliament nominates and selects, from among its members, a list of candidates to serve as government ministers; from this list, the governor general swears in the final selections for the Cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of the members elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (150 seats - this is up from 148 seats in 2001 election; members elected by popular vote on the basis of preferential representation to serve three-year terms; no state can have fewer than five representatives) elections: Senate - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by February 2005); House of Representatives - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by February 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 35, Australian Labor Party 28, Australian Democrats 8, Green Party 2, One Nation Party 1, Country Labor Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 82, Australian Labor Party 65, independent and other 3 Judicial branch: High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general) Political parties and leaders: Australian Democrats [Andrew BARTLETT]; Australian Labor Party [Mark LATHAM]; Australian Progressive Alliance [Meg LEES]; Country Labor Party [leader NA]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; The Nationals [John ANDERSON]; One Nation Party [Len HARRIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Australian Monarchist League [leader NA]; Australian Republican Movement [leader NA] International organization participation: ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. THAWLEY consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars Economy Australia Economy - overview: Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Australia's emphasis on reforms is another key factor behind the economy's strength. The stagnant economic conditions in major export partners and the impact of the worst drought in 100 years cast a shadow over prospects for 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $525.5 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 35.2 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 9.2 million (37256) Labor force - by occupation: services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2002) Budget: revenues: $86.8 billion expenditures: $84.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 198.2 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 8.3% other: 0.9% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 184.4 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 731,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 796,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 523,400 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 530,800 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 3.664 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 33.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 23.33 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 9.744 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.407 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry Exports: $66.3 billion (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Exports - partners: Japan 18.5%, US 9.6%, South Korea 8.3%, China 6.9%, New Zealand 6.5%, UK 4.7%, Singapore 4.1%, Taiwan 4% (2002) Imports: $68 billion (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products Imports - partners: US 18.3%, Japan 12.3%, China 10.1%, Germany 5.7%, UK 4.6% (2002) Debt - external: $176.8 billion (yearend 2002 est.) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $894 million (FY 99/00) Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.84 (2002), 1.93 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.55 (1999), 1.59 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Australia Telephones - main lines in use: 10.05 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.6 million (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones international: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean regions) (1998) Radio broadcast stations: AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 25.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 104 (1997) Televisions: 10.15 million (1997) Internet country code: .au Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 571 (2002) Internet users: 10.63 million (2002) Transportation Australia Railways: total: 41,588 km (4,612 km electrified) broad gauge: 2,193 km 1.600-m gauge narrow gauge: 15,456 km 1.067-m gauge dual gauge: 291 km dual gauge (2002) standard gauge: 23,648 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 811,603 km paved: 314,090 km (including 18,619 km of expressways) unpaved: 497,513 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 8,368 km (mainly used by small, shallow-draft craft) Pipelines: condensate 36 km; condensate/gas 243 km; gas 27,321 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 4,779 km; oil/gas/water 104 km; water 40 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville Merchant marine: total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,415,810 GRT/1,806,554 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 2, UK 2, US 14 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 20, cargo 6, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 2, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 6 Airports: 444 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 294 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 126 914 to 1,523 m: 134 under 914 m: 13 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 150 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 116 under 914 m: 14 (2002) Military Australia Military branches: Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 5,037,538 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 4,339,011 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 142,377 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $11.39 billion (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.9% (FY02) Transnational Issues Australia Disputes - international: maritime delimitation and resource sharing agreements signed with East Timor resolve dispute over "Timor Gap" hydrocarbon reserves; no agreement reached on dividing Timor Sea with Indonesia (see Ashmore and Cartier Islands disputes); Australia asserts a territorial claim to Antarctica and to its continental shelf (see Antarctica) Illicit drugs: Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Austria Introduction Austria Background: Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. This neutrality, once ingrained as part of the Austrian cultural identity, has been called into question since the Soviet collapse of 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995. A prosperous country, Austria entered the European Monetary Union in 1999. Geography Austria Location: Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia Geographic coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 83,858 sq km water: 1,120 sq km land: 82,738 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: total: 2,562 km border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers Terrain: in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping Elevation extremes: lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m Natural resources: iron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower Land use: arable land: 16.89% permanent crops: 0.99% other: 82.12% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 457 sq km (2000 est.) Natural hazards: landslides; avalanches; earthquakes Environment - current issues: some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere People Austria Population: 8,188,207 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.2% (male 678,944; female 646,390) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 2,827,736; female 2,768,480) 65 years and over: 15.5% (male 490,979; female 775,678) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 39.4 years male: 38.2 years female: 40.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.22% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.17 years male: 75.02 years female: 81.48 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,900 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian Ethnic groups: German 88%, non-nationals 9.3% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma), naturalized 2% (includes those who have lived in Austria at least three generations) Religions: Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other 17% Languages: German Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA% Government Austria Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Austria conventional short form: Austria local short form: Oesterreich local long form: Republik Oesterreich Government type: federal republic Capital: Vienna Administrative divisions: 9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien Independence: 1156 (from Bavaria) National holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the State Treaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of occupation and the passage of the law on permanent neutrality Constitution: 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945) Legal system: civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992) head of government: Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4 February 2000); Vice Chancellor Hubert GORBACH (since 21 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term; presidential election last held 19 April 1998 (next to be held in the spring of 2004); chancellor traditionally chosen by the president from the plurality party in the National Council; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor note: government coalition - OeVP and FPOe election results: Thomas KLESTIL reelected president; percent of vote - Thomas KLESTIL 63%, Gertraud KNOLL 14%, Heide SCHMIDT 11%, Richard LUGNER 10%, Karl NOWAK 2% Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (64 members; members represent each of the states on the basis of population, but with each state having at least three representatives; members serve a four- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP 42.3%, SPOe 36.9%, FPOe 10.2%, Greens 9%; seats by party - OeVP 79, SPOe 69, FPOe 19, Greens 16 elections: National Council - last held 24 November 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof Political parties and leaders: Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Herbert HAUPT]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens Alternative or GA [Alexander VAN DER BELLEN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eva NOWOTNY chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750 telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William Lee LYONS BROWN, Jr. embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [43] (1) 31339, 31375, 31335 FAX: [43] (1) 5125835 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red Economy Austria Economy - overview: Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to EU aspirant economies. Slowing growth in Germany and elsewhere in the world held the economy to only 1.2% growth in 2001, 0.6% in 2002, and 0.8% in 2003.. To meet increased competition from both EU and Central European countries, Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the economy, continue to deregulate the service sector, and lower its tax burden. A key issue is the encouragement of much greater participation in the labor market by its ageing population. GDP: purchasing power parity - $227.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $27,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 33% services: 65% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 22.5% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.3 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: services 67%, industry and crafts 29%, agriculture and forestry 4% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.8% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $53 billion expenditures: $54 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 58.75 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29.3% hydro: 67.2% other: 3.5% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 54.85 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 14.25 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 14.47 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 20,670 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 262,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 35,470 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 262,000 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 85.69 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 1.731 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 7.81 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 403 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 6.033 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 24.9 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber Exports: $70 billion f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel; textiles, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Germany 31.5%, Italy 9.3%, Switzerland 5.4%, US 4.9%, UK 4.9%, France 4.7%, Hungary 4.3% (2002) Imports: $74 billion c.i.f. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 42.6%, Italy 6.6%, Hungary 5.1%, Switzerland 4.8%, Netherlands 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $12.1 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $410 million (2000) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 12.38 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Austria Telephones - main lines in use: 4 million (consisting of 3,600,000 analog main lines plus 400,000 Integrated Services Digital Network connections); in addition, there are 100,000 Asymmetric Digital Services lines (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6 million (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed and efficient domestic: there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons; the fiber optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat; in addition, there are about 600 VSAT (very small aperture terminals) (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 160 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 6.08 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 45 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 4.25 million (1997) Internet country code: .at Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 37 (2000) Internet users: 3.7 million (2002) Transportation Austria Railways: total: 6,024 km (3,641 km electrified) standard gauge: 5,566 km 1.435-m gauge (3,524 km electrified) narrow gauge: 34 km 1.000-m gauge (28 km electrified); 424 km 0.760-m gauge (89 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 200,000 km paved: 200,000 km (including 1,633 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: 358 km (1999) Pipelines: gas 2,722 km; oil 687 km; refined products 149 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna Merchant marine: total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 27,551 GRT/34,225 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, container 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 55 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 14 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 27 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Austria Military branches: Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,093,821 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,725,123 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 49,090 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.497 billion (FY01/02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.8% (FY01/02) Transnational Issues Austria Disputes - international: minor disputes with Czech Republic and Slovenia continue over nuclear power plants and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minorities Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Azerbaijan Introduction Azerbaijan Background: Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled. Geography Azerbaijan Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range Geographic coordinates: 40 30 N, 47 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 86,600 sq km note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991 water: 500 sq km land: 86,100 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: total: 2,013 km border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: dry, semiarid steppe Terrain: large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina Land use: arable land: 19.31% permanent crops: 3.04% other: 77.65% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 14,550 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: droughts Environment - current issues: local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked People Azerbaijan Population: 7,830,764 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.7% (male 1,101,320; female 1,064,214) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,468,772; female 2,601,312) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 236,683; female 358,463) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 27.1 years male: 25.7 years female: 28.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.44% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -5.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 82.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 84.4 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.16 years male: 58.95 years female: 67.58 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 1,400 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani Ethnic groups: Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower Languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.) Government Azerbaijan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan conventional short form: Azerbaijan local short form: none former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi Government type: republic Capital: Baku (Baki) Administrative divisions: 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu Independence: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918) Constitution: adopted 12 November 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAROV 14% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2, CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1 note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their seats note: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on the basis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based on proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 national referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of the next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shvkat HACIYEVA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [Heydar ALIYEV, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardust ALIZADE] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF) International organization participation: AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ross L. WILSON embassy: 83 Azadliq Prospekt, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37 FAX: [9] (9412) 90-66-71 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band Economy Azerbaijan Economy - overview: Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $28.61 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 10.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 33% services: 47% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 49% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3.7 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52% (2001) Unemployment rate: 16% (official rate is 1.2%) (2003 est.) Budget: revenues: $786 million expenditures: $807 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 18.23 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 89.7% hydro: 10.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 16.65 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 700 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 400 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 307,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 589 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 62.3 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats Exports: $2 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Italy 28.7%, Germany 17.7%, Israel 10.6%, France 8.4%, Georgia 6.7%, Russia 4.7% (2002) Imports: $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals Imports - partners: Russia 17.8%, Turkey 11.9%, Germany 10.7%, France 7%, Kazakhstan 6.3%, China 6%, UK 5.5%, US 4.5% (2002) Debt - external: $1.4 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $140 million (2000 est.) Currency: Azerbaijani manat (AZM) Currency code: AZM Exchange rates: Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000), 4,120.17 (1999), 3,869 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Azerbaijan Telephones - main lines in use: 865,000 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 800,000 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low (2002) domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and other industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than Turkey (1997) Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 175,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 170,000 (1997) Internet country code: .az Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 25,000 (2002) Transportation Azerbaijan Railways: total: 2,122 km broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 24,981 km paved: 23,057 km unpaved: 1,924 km (2000) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 5,001 km; oil 1,631 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Baku (Baki) Merchant marine: total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 251,004 GRT/313,193 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 40, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 71 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 27 over 3.047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 27 (2002) Military Azerbaijan Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,159,450 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,727,340 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 82,925 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $121 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.6% (FY99) Transnational Issues Azerbaijan Disputes - international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies about one-sixth of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; ICJ decision expected to resolve dispute with Turkmenistan over sovereignty of certain Caspian oilfields Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bahamas, The Introduction Bahamas, The Background: Arawak Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US. Geography Bahamas, The Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 13,940 sq km water: 3,870 sq km land: 10,070 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,542 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 0.6% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 99% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage Environment - current issues: coral reef decay; solid waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited People Bahamas, The Population: 297,477 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.8% (male 42,799; female 42,730) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 95,718; female 98,875) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 7,092; female 10,263) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 27 years male: 26.2 years female: 27.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.77% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 18.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 26.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 32.45 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.71 years male: 62.3 years female: 69.18 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,200 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 610 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian Ethnic groups: black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3% Religions: Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2% Languages: English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) Government Bahamas, The Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas Government type: constitutional parliamentary democracy Capital: Nassau Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 July (1973) Constitution: 10 July 1973 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Ivy DUMONT (since NA May 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002) and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%, independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts Political parties and leaders: Free National Movement or FNM [Tommy TURNQUEST]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua SEARS consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Robert M. WITAJEWSKI embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side Economy Bahamas, The Economy - overview: The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the slowdown in the US economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held back growth in these sectors in 2002. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US, the source of most of the visitors. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.59 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $15,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2001 est.) Labor force: 156,000 (1999) Labor force - by occupation: tourism 50%, other services 40%, industry 5%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $918.5 million expenditures: $956.5 million, including capital expenditures of $106.7 million (FY 99/00) Industries: tourism, banking, e-commerce, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.56 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.451 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: citrus, vegetables; poultry Exports: $560.7 million (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: fish and crawfish; rum, salt, chemicals; fruit and vegetables Exports - partners: US 39.1%, Germany 15.4%, Spain 10.8%, France 7.4%, Poland 4.6%, Switzerland 4.3% (2002) Imports: $1.86 billion (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals Imports - partners: US 20.3%, South Korea 20.1%, Germany 11.5%, Norway 11.5%, Japan 10%, Italy 7.2% (2002) Debt - external: $371.6 million (2001) Economic aid - recipient: $9.8 million (1995) Currency: Bahamian dollar (BSD) Currency code: BSD Exchange rates: Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Bahamas, The Telephones - main lines in use: 96,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6,152 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: modern facilities domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed international: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 215,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 67,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bs Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 19 (2000) Internet users: 16,900 (2002) Transportation Bahamas, The Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau Merchant marine: total: 1,090 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 33,065,778 GRT/46,202,085 DWT ships by type: bulk 150, cargo 223, chemical tanker 45, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 18, container 108, liquefied gas 26, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 8, passenger 102, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 178, refrigerated cargo 135, roll on/roll off 40, short-sea passenger 17, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 23 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 4, Belgium 18, Bermuda 1, Canada 5, Chile 1, China 3, Croatia 2, Cuba 3, Cyprus 2, Denmark 27, Ecuador 1, Estonia 2, Finland 9, France 15, Germany 26, Greece 173, Hong Kong 6, India 2, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Italy 9, Jamaica 1, Japan 32, Kenya 3, Malaysia 10, Malta 2, Monaco 67, Netherlands 32, New Zealand 2, Norway 237, Panama 2, Philippines 3, Poland 13, Reunion 1, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 9, Singapore 13, Slovenia 1, South Korea 2, Spain 7, Sweden 12, Switzerland 8, Thailand 1, Trinidad and Tobago 2, Turkey 2, Ukraine 2, United Arab Emirates 10, United Kingdom 107, United States 159, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 64 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 22 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Bahamas, The Military branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $20 million (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.7% (FY99) Transnational Issues Bahamas, The Disputes - international: have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary with the US Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bahrain Introduction Bahrain Background: Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National Action Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's political liberalization program. In February 2002, Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the National Assembly. Geography Bahrain Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 26 00 N, 50 33 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 665 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 665 sq km Area - comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls Land use: arable land: 4.35% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 91.3% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; dust storms Environment - current issues: desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean People Bahrain Population: 667,238 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.8% (male 97,294; female 94,930) 15-64 years: 68% (male 266,351; female 187,473) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 10,807; female 10,383) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 28.7 years male: 31.6 years female: 25.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.61% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 3.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.42 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.28 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.72 years male: 71.28 years female: 76.24 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.71 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 1,000 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Ethnic groups: Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8% Religions: Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30% Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 91.9% female: 85% (2003 est.) Government Bahrain Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn Government type: constitutional hereditary monarchy Capital: Manama Administrative divisions: 12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah note: all municipalities administered from Manama Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection Constitution: adopted late December 2000; Bahrani voters approved on 13-14 February 2001 a referendum on legislative changes (revised constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary) Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since NA 1971) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held NA 2006) note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002 election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10 Judicial branch: High Civil Appeals Court Political parties and leaders: political parties prohibited but politically oriented societies are allowed Political pressure groups and leaders: Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid AL KHALIFA chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 321, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 273-300 FAX: [973] 272-594 Flag description: red with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam Economy Bahrain Economy - overview: In Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil granted as aid. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems. GDP: purchasing power parity - $9.91 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 35% services: 64% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 295,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (1998 est.) Labor force - by occupation: industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (2002 est.) Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 6.257 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 5.819 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 43,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 62.28 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 46 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish Exports: $5.8 billion (2002) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles Exports - partners: US 4.5%, India 3.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.1% (2002) Imports: $4.2 billion (2002) Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery, chemicals Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 30.1%, US 11.7%, Japan 7.1%, Germany 6.5%, UK 5.6% (2002) Debt - external: $3.7 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from each of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait (2002) Currency: Bahraini dinar (BHD) Currency code: BHD Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000), 0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Bahrain Telephones - main lines in use: 152,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 58,543 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones international: tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 338,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997) Televisions: 275,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bh Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 140,200 (2002) Transportation Bahrain Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 3,261 km paved: 2,531 km unpaved: 730 km (2000) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah Merchant marine: total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 234,599 GRT/336,528 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1, includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Kuwait 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 4 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Bahrain Military branches: Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF) comprising Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force, Amiri Guards, National Guard Military manpower - military age: 15 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 222,242 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 121,739 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 6,126 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $526.2 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 6.7% (FY01) Transnational Issues Bahrain Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Baker Island Introduction Baker Island Background: The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. Geography Baker Island Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Geographic coordinates: 0 13 N, 176 31 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1.4 sq km Area - comparative: about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4.8 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 8 m Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources Geography - note: treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife People Baker Island Population: uninhabited note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.) Government Baker Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Baker Island Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Baker Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2002) Transportation - note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Military Baker Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Transnational Issues Baker Island Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bangladesh Introduction Bangladesh Background: Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development. Geography Bangladesh Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 90 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 144,000 sq km land: 133,910 sq km water: 10,090 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Iowa Land boundaries: total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km Coastline: 580 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber, coal Land use: arable land: 60.7% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 36.69% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 38,440 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season Environment - current issues: many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal People Bangladesh Population: 138,448,210 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.1% (male 24,255,300; female 23,007,632) 15-64 years: 62.5% (male 44,261,739; female 42,281,331) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 2,506,606; female 2,135,602) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 21.2 years male: 21.2 years female: 21.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.06% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 29.9 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.17 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 66.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 67.21 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.33 years male: 61.46 years female: 61.2 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.17 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 650 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladeshi Ethnic groups: Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998) Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998) Languages: Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 43.1% male: 53.9% female: 31.8% (2003 est.) Government Bangladesh Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh former: East Pakistan Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Dhaka Administrative divisions: 5 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi; note - there may be one additional division named Sylhet Independence: 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Constitution: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6 September 2002); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections head of government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA (since 10 October 2001) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not held since Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential candidate; he was sworn in on 6 September 2002 (next election to be held by NA 2007); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Iajuddin AHMED declared by the Election Commission elected unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA% Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies (the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over and above the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); members serve five-year terms elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held before October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance partners 46%, AL 42%; seats by party - BNP 191, AL 62, JI 18, JP (Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Naziur) 4, other 9; note - the election of October 2001 brought a majority BNP government aligned with three other smaller parties - Jamaat-i-Islami, Islami Oikya Jote, and Jatiya Party (Naziur) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA, chairperson]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-E-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Syed Hasan AHMAD consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann PETERS embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 8824700 through 8824722 FAX: [880] (2) 8823744 Flag description: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam Economy Bangladesh Economy - overview: Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. Although half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Economic reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms, but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key areas. GDP: purchasing power parity - $238.2 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 19% services: 46% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 35.6% (FY 95/96 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 28.6% (1995-96 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 33.6 (FY 95/96) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 64.1 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion in 1998-99 (1998) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 63%, services 26%, industry 11% (FY 95/96) Unemployment rate: 40% (includes underemployment) (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $4.9 billion expenditures: $6.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.) Industries: cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 15.33 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 93.7% hydro: 6.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 14.25 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 3,581 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 71,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 28.45 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 150.3 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry Exports: $6.2 billion (2002) Exports - commodities: garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood (2001) Exports - partners: US 27.6%, Germany 10.4%, UK 9.8%, France 5.7%, Italy 4% (2002) Imports: $8.5 billion (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement (2000) Imports - partners: India 14.6%, China 11.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Japan 7.6%, Hong Kong 5.4%, South Korea 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $16.5 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $1.575 billion (2000 est.) Currency: taka (BDT) Currency code: BDT Exchange rates: taka per US dollar - 57.89 (2002), 55.81 (2001), 52.14 (2000), 49.09 (1999), 46.91 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Bangladesh Telephones - main lines in use: 500,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 283,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: totally inadequate for a modern country domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999) Radios: 6.15 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 15 (1999) Televisions: 770,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bd Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 10 (2000) Internet users: 150,000 (2002) Transportation Bangladesh Railways: total: 2,706 km broad gauge: 884 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 207,486 km paved: 19,773 km unpaved: 187,713 km (1999) Waterways: up to 8,046 km depending on season note: includes 3,058 km main cargo routes Pipelines: gas 2,016 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Chittagong, Dhaka, Mongla Port, Narayanganj Merchant marine: total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 314,437 GRT/436,465 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 23, container 11, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 18 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Bangladesh Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties, Armed Police Battalions, National Cadet Corps) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 38,436,912 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 22,807,339 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $559 million (FY96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.8% (FY96) Transnational Issues Bangladesh Disputes - international: discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, demarcate and fence the porous land boundary, exchange 162 miniscule enclaves, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade and violence; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty Island in the Bay of Bengal prevents maritime boundary delimitation; Burmese Muslim refugees strain Bangladesh's meager resources Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Barbados Introduction Barbados Background: The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Geography Barbados Location: Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 13 10 N, 59 32 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 431 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 431 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 97 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas Land use: arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity Geography - note: easternmost Caribbean island People Barbados Population: 277,264 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.2% (male 29,621; female 29,207) 15-64 years: 70% (male 94,840; female 99,230) 65 years and over: 8.8% (male 9,355; female 15,011) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 33.3 years male: 32.2 years female: 34.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.38% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 13.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.84 years male: 69.56 years female: 74.14 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.2% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,800 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 250 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) Ethnic groups: black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12% Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97.4% male: 98% female: 96.8% (1995 est.) Government Barbados Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados Government type: parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth Capital: Bridgetown Administrative divisions: 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status Independence: 30 November 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 November (1966) Constitution: 30 November 1966 Legal system: English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 26 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2008) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services) Political parties and leaders: Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Clyde Mascoll] Political pressure groups and leaders: Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING consulate(s): Los Angeles consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467 telephone: [1] (202) 339-9201 chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Earl N. PHILLIPS, Jr. embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown; (courier) ALICO Building-Cheapside, Bridgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055 telephone: [1] (246) 436-4950 FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246, 429-3379 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) Economy Barbados Economy - overview: Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a light-manufacturing sector. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002 mainly due to a 3% decline in tourism. Growth should be positive in 2003, the precise level largely dependent on economic conditions in the US and Europe. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.153 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -2.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 128,500 (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 75%, industry 15%, agriculture 10% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $847 million (including grants) expenditures: $886 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export Industrial production growth rate: -3.2% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 780 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 725.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 1,271 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 10,900 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 1.254 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 29.17 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 29.17 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 70.79 million cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, vegetables, cotton Exports: $227 million (2002) Exports - commodities: sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components Exports - partners: US 14.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, UK 10.6%, Jamaica 6.2%, Saint Lucia 4.7% (2002) Imports: $987 million (2002) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components Imports - partners: US 41.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, UK 7.3%, Japan 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $692 million (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $9.1 million (1995) Currency: Barbadian dollar (BBD) Currency code: BBD Exchange rates: Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Barbados Telephones - main lines in use: 108,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8,013 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 237,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus two cable channels) (1997) Televisions: 76,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bb Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 19 (2000) Internet users: 6,000 (2000) Transportation Barbados Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,793 km paved: 1,719 km unpaved: 74 km (1999) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Bridgetown, Speightstown (Port Charles Marina) Merchant marine: total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 284,222 GRT/439,810 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, The Bahamas 1, Canada 4, Germany 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 7, Norway 7, UK 18 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 22, combination bulk 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2 Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military Barbados Military branches: Royal Barbados Defense Force (including Ground Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 77,862 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 53,282 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Barbados Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bassas da India Introduction Bassas da India Background: This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968. Geography Bassas da India Location: Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 39 50 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km Area - comparative: about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 35.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: volcanic rock Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano People Bassas da India Population: uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Government Bassas da India Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Bassas da India Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Bassas da India Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Bassas da India Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Bassas da India Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Belarus Introduction Belarus Background: After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Geography Belarus Location: Eastern Europe, east of Poland Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 28 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 207,600 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 207,600 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: total: 2,900 km border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 407 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Terrain: generally flat and contains much marshland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m Natural resources: forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay Land use: arable land: 29.76% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 69.55% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay People Belarus Population: 10,322,151 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 885,265; female 848,516) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 3,456,769; female 3,652,766) 65 years and over: 14.3% (male 490,529; female 988,306) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 36.7 years male: 34.1 years female: 39.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.12% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.18 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 14.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 15.13 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.43 years male: 62.54 years female: 74.6 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 15,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian Ethnic groups: Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish, Ukrainian, and other 7.4% Religions: Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Languages: Belarusian, Russian, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.8% female: 99.5% (2003 est.) Government Belarus Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Belarus conventional short form: Belarus local short form: none former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Respublika Byelarus' Government type: republic Capital: Minsk Administrative divisions: 6 voblastsi (singular - voblasts') and one municipality* (harady, singular - horad); Brestskaya (Brest), Homyel'skaya (Homyel'), Horad Minsk*, Hrodzyenskaya (Hrodna), Mahilyowskaya (Mahilyow), Minskaya, Vitsyebskaya (Vitsyebsk); note - when using a place name with the adjectival ending 'skaya,' the word voblasts' should be added to the place name note: voblasti have the administrative center name following in parentheses Independence: 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: 30 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sergei SIDORSKY (acting; since 10 July 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Andrei KOBYAKOV (since 13 March 2000), Sergei SIDORSKY (since 24 September 2001), Vladimir DRAZHIN (since 24 September 2001), Roman VNUCHKO (since 10 July 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 75.6%, Vladimir GONCHARIK 15.4% elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; new election held 9 September 2001 (next election to be held by September 2006); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and 8 members appointed by the president, all for 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Pretsaviteley (110 seats; members elected by universal adult suffrage to serve 4-year terms) election results: party affiliation data unavailable; under present political conditions party designations are meaningless elections: last held October 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives) Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Belarusian Communist Party or KPB [Viktor CHIKIN, chairman]; Belarusian Ecological Green Party (merger of Belarusian Ecological Party and Green Party of Belarus) [leader NA]; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Anatoliy BARANKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Popular Front or BNF [Vintsuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democrat Party or SDBP [Nikolay STATKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Party or Hromada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Socialist Party [Vyacheslav KUZNETSOV]; Civic Accord Bloc (United Civic Party) or CAB [Anatol LIABEDZKA]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDPB [Sergei GAYDUKEVICH, chairman]; Party of Communists Belarusian or PKB [Sergei KALYAKIN, chairman]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice or RPPS [Anatoliy NETYLKIN, chairman]; Social-Democrat Party of Popular Accord or PPA [Leanid SECHKA]; Women's Party or "Nadezhda" [Valentina POLEVIKOVA, chairperson] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, NAM (observer), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mikhail KHVOSTOV chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael G. KOZAK embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002 mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83 FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853 Flag description: red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears a Belarusian national ornament in red Economy Belarus Economy - overview: Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprise. In addition to the burdens imposed by high inflation and persistent trade deficits, businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder. Close relations with Russia, possibly leading to reunion, color the pattern of economic developments. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from the West and its open-market economies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $90.19 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 40% services: 45% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 22% (1995 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 20% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 21.7 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 42.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.8 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: industry and construction NA%, agriculture and forestry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 2.1% officially registered unemployed (December 2000); large number of underemployed workers Budget: revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1997 est.) Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, television sets, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators Industrial production growth rate: 2.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 24.4 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.1% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 26.69 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 300 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 4.3 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 37,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 230,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 200 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 18 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 17.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk Exports: $7.7 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals; textiles, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Russia 50.8%, Latvia 7.3%, Ukraine 6.3%, Lithuania 4.1%, Germany 4.1% (2002) Imports: $8.8 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals Imports - partners: Russia 68.2%, Germany 9.4%, Ukraine 3.2% (2002) Debt - external: $851 million (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $194.3 million (1995) Currency: Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR) Currency code: BYB/BYR Exchange rates: Belarusian rubles per US dollar - NA (2002), 1,390 (2001), 876.75 (2000), 248.8 (1999), 46.13 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Belarus Telephones - main lines in use: 2.313 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8,167 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: the Ministry of Telecommunications controls all telecommunications through its carrier (a joint stock company) Beltelcom which is a monopoly domestic: local - Minsk has a digital metropolitan network and a cellular NMT-450 network; waiting lists for telephones are long; local service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity - Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus's fiber optics form synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries' systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational international: Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998) Radios: 3.02 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 2.52 million (1997) Internet country code: .by Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 23 (2002) Internet users: 422,000 (2002) Transportation Belarus Railways: total: 5,523 km broad gauge: 5,523 km 1.520-m gauge (875 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 74,385 km paved: 66,203 km unpaved: 8,182 km (2000) Waterways: NA km; note - Belarus has extensive and widely used canal and river systems Pipelines: gas 4,519 km; oil 1,811 km; refined products 1,686 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Mazyr Airports: 124 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 96 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 67 (2002) Military Belarus Military branches: Army, Air Force (including air defense), Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,756,572 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,158,875 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 86,654 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $176.1 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Belarus Disputes - international: 1997 boundary treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and encouraging illegal border crossing; boundaries with Latvia and Lithuania remain undemarcated despite European Union financial support Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; lax money-laundering and banking regulations This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Belgium Introduction Belgium Background: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Geography Belgium Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 30,510 sq km land: 30,230 sq km water: 280 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km Coastline: 66 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: median line with neighbors territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast) Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m Natural resources: coal, natural gas Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.) other: 75% Irrigated land: 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes Environment - current issues: the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO People Belgium Population: 10,289,088 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.2% (male 905,856; female 865,589) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,400,419; female 3,346,182) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 725,162; female 1,045,880) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 40 years male: 38.7 years female: 41.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.14% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.07 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.29 years male: 74.97 years female: 81.78 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,500 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Ethnic groups: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Languages: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA% Government Belgium Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local short form: Belgique/Belgie local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch Capital: Brussels Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen Independence: 4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne National holiday: 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I Constitution: 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state Legal system: civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 June 2003 (next to be held in NA May 2007) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch, although selected by the Government) Political parties and leaders: AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dirk HOLEMANS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Yves LETERME]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUK, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH (used to be Social Christian Party or PSC) [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR (used to be Liberal Reformation Party or PRL) [Antoine DUQUESNE]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Steve STEVAERT]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France Economy Belgium Economy - overview: This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US. GDP: purchasing power parity - $299.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $29,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.4% services: 74.3% (2001) Population below poverty line: 4% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 28.7 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.44 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.2% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $113.4 billion expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000) Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 74.28 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 38.4% hydro: 0.6% other: 1.8% (2001) nuclear: 59.3% Electricity - consumption: 78.18 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 6.712 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 15.82 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 450,000 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 1.042 million bbl/day (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk Exports: $162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Germany 18.6%, France 16.3%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 9.6%, US 7.9%, Italy 5.4% (2002) Imports: $152 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, France 12.8%, UK 7.3%, Ireland 7%, US 6.4%, Italy 4% (2002) Debt - external: $28.3 billion (1999 est.) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $764 million (1997) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 36.3 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Belgium Telephones - main lines in use: 4.769 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 974,494 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat Radio broadcast stations: FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 8.075 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 4.72 million (1997) Internet country code: .be Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 61 (2000) Internet users: 3.76 million (2002) Transportation Belgium Railways: total: 3,471 km standard gauge: 3,471 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 148,216 km paved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways) unpaved: 31,529 km (2000) Waterways: 1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001) Pipelines: gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Merchant marine: total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,215 GRT/55,725 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 10, petroleum tanker 4, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.) Airports: 42 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 15 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Belgium Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,497,423 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,059,131 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 60,921 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.077 billion (FY01/02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY01/02) Transnational Issues Belgium Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Belize Introduction Belize Background: Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime. Geography Belize Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 22,966 sq km water: 160 sq km land: 22,806 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.81% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 96.09% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean People Belize Population: 266,440 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.1% (male 55,880; female 53,706) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 74,612; female 72,813) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,571; female 4,858) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.9 years male: 18.8 years female: 19 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.44% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 30.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 27.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 30.56 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.36 years male: 65.19 years female: 69.63 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.86 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,500 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 300 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Ethnic groups: mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% Religions: Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000) Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.1% male: 94.1% female: 94.1% (2003 est.) Government Belize Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Belmopan Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Constitution: 21 September 1981 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister) Political parties and leaders: People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163 FAX: [501] 30802 Flag description: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland Economy Belize Economy - overview: In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by cane sugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.5% in 1999, 10.8% in 2000, 4.6% in 2001, and 3.7% in 2002. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.28 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 33% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 90,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.1% (2002) Budget: revenues: $224 million expenditures: $209 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (2002 est.) Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (1999) Electricity - production: 199.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 59.9% hydro: 40.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 185.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments Exports: $290 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood Exports - partners: US 40.5%, UK 23.2%, Peru 8.3% (2002) Imports: $430 million c.i.f. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco Imports - partners: US 35.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 6.1%, Japan 5.9%, Cuba 5.7%, UK 5.4% (2002) Debt - external: $475 million (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Belizean dollar (BZD) Currency code: BZD Exchange rates: Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Belize Telephones - main lines in use: 31,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,023 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: above-average system domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 133,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 41,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 18,000 (2002) Transportation Belize Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,872 km paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable) Ports and harbors: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Merchant marine: total: 292 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,030,141 GRT/1,499,777 DWT ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 200, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 1, container 12, petroleum tanker 31, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Belgium 3, British Virgin Islands 6, Cambodia 1, China 38, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Eritrea 1, Estonia 7, Germany 3, Greece 4, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 20, Indonesia 6, Italy 2, Japan 4, Jordan 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 5, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 13, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 12, Philippines 4, Portugal 1, Romania 1, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 22, South Korea 10, Spain 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Thailand 6, Tunisia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 3, United Arab Emirates 9, United Kingdom 2, United States 4, Virgin Islands (UK) 6, Yemen 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 42 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 27 (2002) Military Belize Military branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 66,332 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 39,337 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 3,046 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $7.7 million (FY00/01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.87% (FY00/01) Transnational Issues Belize Disputes - international: Guatemala has claimed half of southern Belize; Guatemalan squatters continue to settle along the border despite a 2000 agreement; OAS brokered a Differendum in 2002 that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a large Guatemalan maritime corridor in the Caribbean, a joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to a popular referendum Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; some money-laundering activity related to offshore sector This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Benin Introduction Benin Background: Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. Geography Benin Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 112,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km land: 110,620 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber Land use: arable land: 15.28% permanent crops: 1.36% other: 83.36% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands People Benin Population: 7,041,490 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 1,668,817; female 1,638,291) 15-64 years: 50.7% (male 1,739,517; female 1,834,231) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 67,504; female 93,130) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.4 years male: 15.9 years female: 16.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.95% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 43.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 86.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 91.79 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.08 years male: 50.35 years female: 51.84 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.04 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.6% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 120,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 8,100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese Ethnic groups: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.9% male: 56.2% female: 26.5% (2000) Government Benin Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey local long form: Republique du Benin Government type: republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991 Capital: Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government Administrative divisions: 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1960) Constitution: December 1990 Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match" election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31 elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA]; Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and 4 other small parties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50 FAX: [229] 30-06-70 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side Economy Benin Economy - overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past six years, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for speeded-up structural reforms. GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.38 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38% industry: 15% services: 47% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 37% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $377.4 million expenditures: $561.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Industries: textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction materials (2001) Industrial production growth rate: 8.3% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 274.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.2% hydro: 85.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 631.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 376 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 4.105 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 608.8 million cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001) Exports: $207 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa Exports - partners: India 25%, Italy 11.1%, Indonesia 7.4%, China 7.2%, Thailand 6.7%, Brazil 6.1%, UK 4.4%, Niger 4% (2002) Imports: $479 million c.i.f. (2002) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products Imports - partners: China 30.7%, France 15.7%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $1.6 billion (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $342.6 million (2000) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Benin Telephones - main lines in use: 51,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 55,500 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000) Radios: 660,000 (2000) Television broadcast stations: 1;; (2001) Televisions: 66,000 (2000) Internet country code: .bj Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4 (2002) Internet users: 25,000 (2002) Transportation Benin Railways: total: 578 km narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 6,787 km paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.) Waterways: streams navigable along small sections, important only locally Ports and harbors: Cotonou, Porto-Novo Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 5 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Military Benin Military branches: Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: note: both sexes are liable for military service females age 15-49: 1,536,036 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 1,597,562 Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 805,603 females age 15-49: 809,961 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 75,021 females: 78,998 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $80.8 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY02) Transnational Issues Benin Disputes - international: two villages are in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Nigeria; in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved the boundary stones - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bermuda Introduction Bermuda Background: Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995. Geography Bermuda Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US) Geographic coordinates: 32 20 N, 64 45 W Map references: North America Area: total: 53.3 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 53.3 sq km Area - comparative: about one-third the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% other: 94% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November) Environment - current issues: asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space; sustainable development Geography - note: consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 People Bermuda Population: 64,482 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.2% (male 6,195; female 6,205) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 22,110; female 22,574) 65 years and over: 11.5% (male 3,215; female 4,183) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.7 years male: 37.8 years female: 39.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.72% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 10.77 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.41 years male: 75.38 years female: 79.49 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Ethnic groups: black 58%, white 36%, other 6% Religions: non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 19% Languages: English (official), Portuguese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1970 est.) Government Bermuda Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government Capital: Hamilton Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May Constitution: 8 June 1968, amended 1989 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002) head of government: Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held NA July 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Chairman Wayne FURBERT] Political pressure groups and leaders: Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA [leader NA]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES] International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Denis Patrick COLEMAN, Jr. consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233 Flag description: red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag Economy Bermuda Economy - overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, with its economy primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - has been severely hit as American tourists have chosen not to travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002, but remains below the pre-11 September level. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.25 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $35,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (July 2002) Labor force: 37,472 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: clerical 22%, services 20%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, agriculture and fishing 3% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (1993) Budget: revenues: $609.5 million expenditures: $574.6 million, including capital expenditures of $54.8 million (FY 00/01) Industries: tourism, international business, light manufacturing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 643.7 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 598.6 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products Exports: $51 million (2000) Exports - commodities: reexports of pharmaceuticals Exports - partners: France 77.4%, UK 2.8%, US 2.4% (2002) Imports: $719 million (2000) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals Imports - partners: Kazakhstan 30.9%, France 24.7%, Italy 10.5%, US 9.7%, South Korea 8.4%, Mexico 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $145 million (FY 99/00) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Bermudian dollar (BMD) Currency code: BMD Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Bermuda Telephones - main lines in use: 52,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 7,980 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 82,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1997) Televisions: 66,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 20 (2000) Internet users: 25,000 (2000) Transportation Bermuda Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 450 km paved: 450 km note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002) unpaved: 0 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Hamilton, Saint George's, Dockyard Merchant marine: total: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,993,227 GRT/7,089,760 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Hong Kong 9, Indonesia 1, Norway 2, Sweden 11, United Kingdom 52, United States 13 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 25, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, container 14, liquefied gas 9, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 4 Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military Bermuda Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.028 million (January 2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.11% (FY00/01) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Bermuda Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bhutan Introduction Bhutan Background: In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions. Geography Bhutan Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 47,000 sq km Area - comparative: about half the size of Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Elevation extremes: lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide Land use: arable land: 2.98% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.59% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 400 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season Environment - current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes People Bhutan Population: 2,139,549 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.6% (male 438,784; female 407,919) 15-64 years: 56.4% (male 621,666; female 585,550) 65 years and over: 4% (male 43,262; female 42,368) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 20.1 years male: 19.9 years female: 20.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.14% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 34.82 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13.47 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 104.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 106.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 102.49 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.58 years male: 53.9 years female: 53.25 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 100 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas--one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.) Government Bhutan Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Capital: Thimphu Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India) National holiday: National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights; note - the King commissioned a committee to draft a constitution in 2001, but has yet to be approved Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections Executive branch: chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Jigme Y. THINLEY (since 30 August 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: no legal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) International organization participation: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side Economy Bhutan Economy - overview: The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, providing the main livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 10% services: 45% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA note: massive lack of skilled labor Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.) Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide Industrial production growth rate: 9.3% (1996 est.) Electricity - production: 1.896 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 379.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.4 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 16 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,020 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Exports: $154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) Exports - commodities: electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices Exports - partners: US 24.1%, UK 23.9%, Pakistan 23.1%, France 13.9% (2002) Imports: $196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.) Imports - commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Imports - partners: Japan 44.5%, Germany 12.2%, UK 8.5%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 5%, US 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $245 million (2000) Economic aid - recipient: substantial aid from India and other nations Currency: ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) Currency code: BTN; INR Exchange rates: ngultrum per US dollar - 48.61 (2002), 47.19 (2001), 44.94 (2000), 43.06 (1999), 41.26 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Bhutan Telephones - main lines in use: 6,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 37,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: 11,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bt Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: 2,500 (2002) Transportation Bhutan Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 3,690 km paved: 2,240 km unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Bhutan Military branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Forest Guards Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 530,860 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 283,493 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 22,755 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9.3 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.9% (FY02) Transnational Issues Bhutan Disputes - international: approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps, place decades-long strains on Nepal This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bolivia Introduction Bolivia Background: Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, continuing the privatization program, and waging an anticorruption campaign. Geography Bolivia Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil Geographic coordinates: 17 00 S, 65 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,098,580 sq km water: 14,190 sq km land: 1,084,390 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: total: 6,743 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.73% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 98.06% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,280 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding in the northeast (March-April) Environment - current issues: the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection Geography - note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru People Bolivia Population: 8,586,443 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.1% (male 1,624,366; female 1,562,501) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 2,452,892; female 2,561,873) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 172,292; female 212,519) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 20.8 years male: 20.1 years female: 21.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.63% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 25.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.91 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 56.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 59.75 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.78 years male: 62.2 years female: 67.48 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.23 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,600 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 290 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Ethnic groups: Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.2% male: 93.1% female: 81.6% (2003 est.) Government Bolivia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local short form: Bolivia local long form: Republica de Bolivia Government type: republic Capital: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary) Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Constitution: 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994 Legal system: based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single) Executive branch: chief of state: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: as a result of no candidate winning a majority in the 30 June 2002 election, Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante was chosen president by Congress; Congressional votes - Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante 84, Evo MORALES 43; note - following the resignation of the elected president on 17 October 2003, Vice President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert assumed the presidency Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - some members are drawn from party lists, thus not directly elected) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR 11, MAS 8, MIR 5, NFR 2, other 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR 36, MAS 27, MIR 26, NFR 25, others 16 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases) Political parties and leaders: Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB [Romel PANTOJA]; Civic Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Marshal of Ayacucho Institutional Vanguard or VIMA [Freddy ZABALA]; Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR [Jaime PAZ Zamora]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Evo MORALES]; Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; Nationalist Democratic Action or ADN [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA]; New Republican Force or NFR [Manfred REYES-VILLA]; Pachakuti Indigenous Movement or MIP [Felipe QUISPE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jeres JUSTINIANO] note: the MNR, MIR, and UCS comprise the ruling coalition Political pressure groups and leaders: Cocalero Groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions; Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Felipe QUISPE] International organization participation: ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime APARICIO Otero chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Washington, DC FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David N. GREENLEE embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 2430120, 2430251 FAX: [591] (2) 2433900 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band Economy Bolivia Economy - overview: Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries, made considerable progress in the 1990s toward the development of a market-oriented economy. Successes under President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (1993-97) included the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and becoming an associate member of the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur), as well as the privatization of the state airline, telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Growth slowed in 1999, in part due to tight government budget policies, which limited needed appropriations for anti-poverty programs, and the fallout from the Asian financial crisis. In 2000, major civil disturbances held down growth to 2.5%. Bolivia's GDP failed to grow in 2001 due to the global slowdown and laggard domestic activity. Growth picked up slightly in 2002, but the first quarter of 2003 saw extensive civil riots and looting and loss of confidence in the government. Bolivia will remain highly dependent on foreign aid unless and until it can develop its substantial natural resources. GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.15 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 70% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 32% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 58.9 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2001 est.) Labor force: 2.5 million Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 7.6% note: widespread underemployment (2000) Budget: revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 3.9% (1998) Electricity - production: 3.901 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 44.4% hydro: 54% other: 1.5% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 3.634 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 9 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 44,340 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 458.8 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 4.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.15 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 2.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 727.2 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber Exports: $1.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: soybeans, natural gas, zinc, gold, wood (2000) Exports - partners: Brazil 24.3%, Switzerland 15.7%, US 14.1%, Venezuela 12.8%, Colombia 10.2%, Peru 5.4% (2002) Imports: $1.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, chemicals, petroleum, food Imports - partners: Brazil 22%, Argentina 17.4%, US 15.6%, Chile 7%, Japan 5.5%, Peru 5.4%, China 4.8% (2002) Debt - external: $5.9 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $588 million (1997) Currency: boliviano (BOB) Currency code: BOB Exchange rates: bolivianos per US dollar - 7.17 (2002), 6.61 (2001), 6.18 (2000), 5.81 (1999), 5.51 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Bolivia Telephones - main lines in use: 327,600 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 116,000 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile cellular telephone use expanding rapidly domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999) Radios: 5.25 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 48 (1997) Televisions: 900,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bo Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 9 (2000) Internet users: 78,000 (2000) Transportation Bolivia Railways: total: 3,519 km narrow gauge: 3,519 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 53,790 km paved: 3,496 km (including 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 50,294 km (2000 est.) Waterways: 10,000 km (commercially navigable) Pipelines: gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,460 km; refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Merchant marine: total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 347,535 GRT/591,113 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 25, chemical tanker 4, container 4, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of Belize 2, China 2, Cuba 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Honduras 1, Latvia 2, Liberia 2, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, South Korea 3, Switzerland 1, Ukraine 1, UAE 5, US 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 1,081 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,069 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 225 under 914 m: 776 (2002) Military Bolivia Military branches: Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,118,908 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,380,883 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 96,003 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $147 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.8% (FY99) Transnational Issues Bolivia Disputes - international: continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884; Chile demands water rights to Bolivia's Rio Lauca and Silala Spring Illicit drugs: world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 24,400 hectares under cultivation in June 2002, a 23% increase from June 2001; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to the US and other international drug markets; eradication and alternative crop programs under the SANCHEZ DE LOZADA administration have been unable to keep pace with farmers' attempts to increase cultivation after significant reductions in 1998 and 1999; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders with Brazil and Paraguay This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bosnia and Herzegovina Introduction Bosnia and Herzegovina Background: Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991, was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government was charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing internal functions. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed hostilities. SFOR remains in place although troop levels were reduced to approximately 12,000 by the close of 2002. Geography Bosnia and Herzegovina Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia Geographic coordinates: 44 00 N, 18 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 51,129 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 51,129 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,459 km border countries: Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km Coastline: 20 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast Terrain: mountains and valleys Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maglic 2,386 m Natural resources: coal, iron, bauxite, manganese, forests, copper, chromium, lead, zinc, hydropower Land use: arable land: 9.8% permanent crops: 2.94% other: 87.26% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro (Montenegro), and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east People Bosnia and Herzegovina Population: 3,989,018 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.4% (male 397,810; female 377,005) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 1,439,383; female 1,372,891) 65 years and over: 10.1% (male 171,643; female 230,286) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 35.5 years male: 35.1 years female: 35.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.48% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.65 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 25.37 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.29 years male: 69.56 years female: 75.22 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Bosnian(s) adjective: Bosnian Ethnic groups: Serb 37.1%, Bosniak 48%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10% Languages: Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Bosnia and Herzegovina Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina local long form: none local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina Government type: emerging federal democratic republic Capital: Sarajevo Administrative divisions: there are two first-order administrative divisions and one internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district remains under international supervision Independence: 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence was completed 1 March 1992; independence was declared 3 March 1992) National holiday: National Day, 25 November (1943) Constitution: the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal Executive branch: chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency Dragan COVIC (chairman since 27 June 2003; presidency member since 5 October 2002 - Croat) other members of the three-member rotating (every eight months) presidency: Sulejman TIHIC (since 5 October 2002 - Bosniak) and Borislav PARAVAC (since 10 April 2003 - Serb); note - Mirko SAROVIC resigned 2 April 2003 elections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term; the member with the most votes becomes the chairman unless he or she was the incumbent chairman at the time of the election, but the chairmanship rotates every eight months; election last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA 2006); the chairman of the Council of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the National House of Representatives head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Adnan TERZIC (since 20 December 2002), cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the National House of Representatives election results: percent of vote - Mirko SAROVIC with 35.5% of the Serb vote was elected chairman of the collective presidency for the first eight months; Dragan COVIC received 61.5% of the Croat vote; Sulejman TIHIC received 37% of the Bosniak vote note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Niko LOZANCIC (since 27 January 2003); Vice Presidents Sahbaz DZIHANOVIC (since NA 2003) and Desnica RADIVOJEVIC (since NA 2003); President of the Republika Srpska: Dragan COVIC (since 28 November 2002) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the National House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats - elected by proportional representation, 28 seats allocated from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats from the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats - 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures election results: National House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - SDA 21.9%, SDS 14.0%, SBiH 10.5%, SDP 10.4%, SNSD 9.8%, HDZ 9.5%, PDP 4.6%, others 19.3%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 10, SDS 5, SBiH 6, SDP 4, SNSD 3, HDZ 5, PDP 2, others 7; House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA%; seats by party/coalition - NA elections: National House of Representatives - elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held in NA 2006); House of Peoples - last constituted NA January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007) note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 32, HDZ-BiH 16, SDP 15, SBiH 15, other 20; and a House of Peoples (60 seats - 30 Bosniak, 30 Croat); last constituted December 2002; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2006); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDS 26, SNSD 19, PDP 9, SDA 6, SRS 4, SPRS 3, DNZ 3, SBiH 4, SDP 3, others 6; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National Assembly; each constituent nation and "others" will have eight delegates Judicial branch: BiH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BiH State Court (consists of nine judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities; note - a War Crimes Chamber may be added at a future date) note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five municipal courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ilija SIMIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ [Barisa COLAK (acting)]; Croat Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Mijo IVANIC-LONIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zdravko HRISTIC]; Croat Peasants Party or HSS [Ilija SIMIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ [Fikret ABDIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; New Croat Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBiH [Safet HALILOVIC]; Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Sulejman TIHIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Pro-European People's Party or PROENS [Jadranko PRLIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Dragan KALINIC]; Serb Radical Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Radislav KANJERIC]; Social Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BIS, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Igor DAVIDOVIC chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford G. BOND embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: use street address telephone: [387] (33) 445-700 FAX: [387] (33) 659-722 branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar Flag description: a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle Government - note: The Dayton Agreement, signed in Paris on 14 December 1995, retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's exterior border and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government - based on proportional representation similar to that which existed in the former socialist regime - is charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. The Dayton Agreement also recognized a second tier of government, comprised of two entities - a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb Republika Srpska (RS) - each presiding over roughly one-half the territory. The Federation and RS governments are charged with overseeing internal functions. The Bosniak/Croat Federation is further divided into 10 cantons. The Dayton Agreement established the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. Economy Bosnia and Herzegovina Economy - overview: Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the socialist economic structure of Yugoslavia. TITO had pushed the development of military industries in the republic with the result that Bosnia hosted a number of Yugoslavia's defense plants. The bitter interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet by 80% from 1990 to 1995, unemployment to soar, and human misery to multiply. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. GDP remains far below the 1990 level. Economic data are of limited use because, although both entities issue figures, national-level statistics are limited. Moreover, official data do not capture the large share of black market activity. The marka - the national currency introduced in 1998 - is now pegged to the euro, and the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has dramatically increased its reserve holdings. Implementation of privatization, however, has been slow, and local entities only reluctantly support national-level institutions. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down. The country receives substantial amounts of reconstruction assistance and humanitarian aid from the international community but will have to prepare for an era of declining assistance. GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.3 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 40.9% services: 46.1% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.026 million Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 40% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.9 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Industries: steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining (2001) Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 9.979 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 53.5% hydro: 46.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 8.116 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 2.569 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.405 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 300 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 300 million cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock Exports: $1.15 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: metals, clothing, wood products Exports - partners: Italy 31.6%, Croatia 18%, Germany 12.9%, Austria 10.1%, Slovenia 6.9%, Greece 4.3% (2002) Imports: $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Croatia 23.7%, Slovenia 14.8%, Germany 14%, Italy 13.1%, Hungary 8%, Austria 7.7% (2002) Debt - external: $2.8 billion (2001) Economic aid - recipient: $650 million (2001 est.) Currency: marka (BAM) Currency code: BAM Exchange rates: marka per US dollar - NA (2002), 2.19 (2001), 2.12 (2000), 1.84 (1999), 1.76 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Bosnia and Herzegovina Telephones - main lines in use: 303,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 9,000 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: telephone and telegraph network needs modernization and expansion; many urban areas are below average as contrasted with services in other former Yugoslav republics domestic: NA international: no satellite earth stations Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 940,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .ba Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: 45,000 (2002) Transportation Bosnia and Herzegovina Railways: total: 1,021 km (795 km electrified) standard gauge: 1,021 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 21,846 km paved: 11,424 km unpaved: 10,422 km (1999 est) Waterways: NA km; large sections of the Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debris Pipelines: gas 170 km; oil 9 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 32 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2002) 914 to 1523 m: 1 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Heliports: 5 (2002) Military Bosnia and Herzegovina Military branches: VF Army (the air and air defense forces are subordinate commands within the Army), VRS Army (the air and air defense forces are subordinate commands within the Army) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,132,476 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 897,856 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 29,861 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $234.3 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.5% (FY02) Transnational Issues Bosnia and Herzegovina Disputes - international: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro have delimited about half of their boundary, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute; discussions continue with Croatia on problem sections of the Una River and villages at the base of Mount Pljesevica Illicit drugs: minor transit point for marijuana and opiate trafficking routes to Western Europe; organized crime launders money, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Botswana Introduction Botswana Background: Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has the world's highest known rate of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. Geography Botswana Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 600,370 sq km water: 15,000 sq km land: 585,370 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Terrain: predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land: 0.61% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.38% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility Environment - current issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country People Botswana Population: 1,573,267 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.5% (male 314,764; female 307,024) 15-64 years: 56% (male 424,726; female 455,967) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 30,599; female 40,187) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.1 years male: 18.4 years female: 19.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.55% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 25.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 67.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 68.36 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 32.26 years male: 32.2 years female: 32.32 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 38.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 330,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 26,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% Religions: indigenous beliefs 85%, Christian 15% Languages: English (official), Setswana Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.8% male: 76.9% female: 82.4% (2003 est.) Government Botswana Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: Gaborone Administrative divisions: 9 districts and four town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northwest, Northeast, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); vice president appointed by the president election results: Festus MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 54.3% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of the chiefs of the eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs, and three members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (44 seats, 40 members are directly elected by popular vote and 4 are appointed by the majority party; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly elections last held 16 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 54.3%, BNF 24.7%, other 21%; seats by party - BDP 33, BNF 6, other 1 Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district) Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus MOGAE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Mokgweetsi KGOSIPULA]; Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO] note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats; the BAM parties are: the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO], the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO], and the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph HUGGINS embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 312782 Flag description: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Economy Botswana Economy - overview: Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $9,500 in 2002. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for nine-tenths of export earnings. Tourism, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is 21%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. Long-term prospects are overshadowed by the prospects of a leveling off in diamond mining production. GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.48 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 44% (including 36% mining) services: 52% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 47% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 264,000 formal sector employees (2000) Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: 40% (official rate is 21%) (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 01/02) Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 409.8 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.564 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.183 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts Exports: $2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds 90%, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles Exports - partners: European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000) Imports: $1.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products Imports - partners: Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000) Debt - external: $360 million (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $73 million (1995) Currency: pula (BWP) Currency code: BWP Exchange rates: pulas per US dollar - 6.33 (2002), 5.84 (2001), 5.1 (2000), 4.62 (1999), 4.23 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Botswana Telephones - main lines in use: 131,000 (September 2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 270,000 (September 2001) Telephone system: general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of mobile cellular service and participation in regional development domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile cellular service is growing fast international: two international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: 252,720 (2000) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Televisions: 31,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 11 (2001) Internet users: 33,000 (2001) Transportation Botswana Railways: total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 10,217 km paved: 5,619 km unpaved: 4,598 km (1999) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: 86 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 76 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 55 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Military Botswana Military branches: Botswana Defense Force (including Army and Air Wing), Botswana National Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 381,056 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 201,402 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 20,476 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $207.3 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.5% (FY02) Transnational Issues Botswana Disputes - international: established a commission with Namibia to resolve small residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; downstream Botswana residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls; dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bouvet Island Introduction Bouvet Island Background: This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island. Geography Bouvet Island Location: island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Geographic coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 58.5 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29.6 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 NM Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible Elevation extremes: lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve People Bouvet Island Population: uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Government Bouvet Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo Legal system: the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy Bouvet Island Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve Communications Bouvet Island Internet country code: .bv Communications - note: automatic meteorological station Transportation Bouvet Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Bouvet Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Transnational Issues Bouvet Island Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Brazil Introduction Brazil Background: Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of the interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, Brazil is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. Geography Brazil Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 55 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 8,511,965 sq km land: 8,456,510 sq km note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo water: 55,455 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: total: 14,691 km border countries: Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km Coastline: 7,491 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber Land use: arable land: 6.3% permanent crops: 1.42% other: 92.28% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 26,560 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south Environment - current issues: deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador People Brazil Population: 182,032,604 note: Brazil took a count in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,799,170; that figure was about 3.3% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census; estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 25,151,855; female 24,196,506) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 60,667,014; female 61,683,580) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 4,232,784; female 6,100,865) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 27 years male: 26.2 years female: 27.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.15% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.67 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.13 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 31.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 35.61 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.13 years male: 67.16 years female: 75.3 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 610,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 8,400 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian Ethnic groups: white (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55%, mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 80% Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 86.1% female: 86.6% (2003 est.) Government Brazil Country name: conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local short form: Brasil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil Government type: federative republic Capital: Brasilia Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822) Constitution: 5 October 1988 Legal system: based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age Executive branch: chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government election results: in runoff election 27 October 2002, Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (PT) was elected with 61.3% of the vote; Jose SERRA (PSDB) 38.7% elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006); runoff election held 27 October 2002 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; three members from each state or federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party PMBD 19, PFL 19, PT 14, PSDB 11, PDT 5, PSB 4, PL 3, PTB 3, PPS 1, PSD 1, PPB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PT 91, PFL 84, PMDB 74, PSDB 71, PPB 49, PL 26, PTB 26, PSB 22, PDT 21, PPS 15, PCdoB 12, PRONA 6, PV 5, other 11 elections: Federal Senate - last held 6 October 2002 for two-thirds of the Senate (next to be held NA October 2006 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal (11 ministers are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life) Political parties and leaders: Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Jose Carlos MARTINEZ]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Jose ANIBAL]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Miguel ARRAES]; Brazilian Progressive Party or PPB [Paulo Salim MALUF]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Renato RABELLO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Leonel BRIZOLA]; Green Party or PV [leader NA]; Liberal Front Party or PFL [Jorge BORNHAUSEN]; Liberal Party or PL [Deputy Valdemar COSTA Neto]; National Order Reconstruction Party or PRONA [Dr. Eneas CARNEIRO]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Senator Roberto FREIRE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [leader NA]; Worker's Party or PT [Jose GENOINO] Political pressure groups and leaders: left wing of the Catholic Church; Landless Worker's Movement; labor unions allied to leftist Worker's Party International organization participation: AfDB, BIS, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rubens Antonio BARBOSA; note - Ambassador-Designate Roberto ABDENUR expected to arrive March 2004 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donna J. HRINAK embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife Flag description: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) Economy Brazil Economy - overview: Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. The maintenance of large current account deficits via capital account surpluses became problematic as investors became more risk averse to emerging markets as a consequence of the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the Russian bond default in August 1998. After crafting a fiscal adjustment program and pledging progress on structural reform, Brazil received a $41.5 billion IMF-led international support program in November 1998. In January 1999, the Brazilian Central Bank announced that the real would no longer be pegged to the US dollar. The consequent devaluation helped moderate the downturn in economic growth in 1999, and the country posted moderate GDP growth in 2000. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-03 - to less than 2% - because of a slowdown in major markets and the hiking of interest rates by the Central Bank to combat inflationary pressures. New president DA SILVA, who took office 1 January 2003, has given priority to reforming the complex tax code, trimming the overblown civil service pension system, and continuing the fight against inflation. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.376 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 36% services: 56% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 22% (1998 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 48% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 60.7 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.3% (2002) Labor force: 79 million (1999 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 53%, agriculture 23%, industry 24% Unemployment rate: 6.4% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $100.6 billion expenditures: $91.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment Industrial production growth rate: 2.3% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 321.2 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.3% hydro: 82.7% other: 4.6% (2001) nuclear: 4.4% Electricity - consumption: 335.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 37.19 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2001) Oil - production: 1.561 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.199 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 8.507 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 5.95 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 9.59 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 3.64 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 221.7 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef Exports: $59.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos Exports - partners: US 23.8%, Argentina 8.5%, Germany 5%, China 4.3%, Netherlands 4.2% (2002) Imports: $46.2 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery, electrical, and transport equipment, chemical products, oil Imports - partners: US 23.3%, Argentina 12.6%, Germany 8.7%, France 5.2% (2002) Debt - external: $222.4 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $30 billion IMF disbursement (2002) Currency: real (BRL) Currency code: BRL Exchange rates: reals per US dollar - 2.92 (2002), 2.36 (2001), 1.83 (2000), 1.81 (1999), 1.16 (1998) note: from October 1994 through 14 January 1999, the official rate was determined by a managed float; since 15 January 1999, the official rate floats independently with respect to the US dollar Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Brazil Telephones - main lines in use: 17.039 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.4 million (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: good working system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations international: 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station Radio broadcast stations: AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999) Radios: 71 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 138 (1997) Televisions: 36.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .br Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 50 (2000) Internet users: 13.98 million (2002) Transportation Brazil Railways: total: 31,543 km (1,981 km electrified) broad gauge: 4,961 km 1.600-m gauge (692 km electrified) narrow gauge: 25,992 km 1.000-m gauge (581 km electrified) dual gauge: 396 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (78 km electrified) (2002) standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge (630 km electrified) Highways: total: 1,724,929 km paved: 94,871 km unpaved: 1,630,058 km (2000) Waterways: 50,000 km Pipelines: condensate/gas 243 km; gas 10,984 km; liquid petroleum gas 341 km; oil 5,113 km; refined products 4,800 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, Vitoria Merchant marine: total: 159 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,257,186 GRT/5,101,578 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Chile 2, Germany 6, Greece 1, Monaco 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 29, cargo 23, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 7, container 12, liquefied gas 11, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 53, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea passenger 1 Airports: 3,590 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 665 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 155 914 to 1,523 m: 435 under 914 m: 45 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2,925 1,524 to 2,437 m: 70 914 to 1,523 m: 1,384 under 914 m: 1,471 (2002) Military Brazil Military branches: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes naval air and marines), Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 51,381,048 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 34,347,078 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,744,148 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $13.408 billion (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.9% (FY99) Transnational Issues Brazil Disputes - international: unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute with Uruguay over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada boundary streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis; minor coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Colombian and Peruvian cocaine headed for the US and Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @British Indian Ocean Territory Introduction British Indian Ocean Territory Background: Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. Geography British Indian Ocean Territory Location: archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 71 30 E Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 60 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago water: 0 sq km land: 60 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 698 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: flat and low (most areas do not exceed four meters in elevation) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m Natural resources: coconuts, fish, sugarcane Land use: arable land: NEGL permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility People British Indian Ocean Territory Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960's and 1970's, in November 2000 they were granted the right of return by a British High Court ruling, though no timetable has been set; in 2001, there were approximately 1,500 UK and US military personnel and 2,000 civilian contractors living on the island of Diego Garcia (July 2003 est.) Government British Indian Ocean Territory Country name: conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Alan HUCKLE (since 2001); Administrator Louise SAVILL (since NA); note - both reside in the UK elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch cabinet: NA Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag Economy British Indian Ocean Territory Economy - overview: All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing. Electricity - production: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Communications British Indian Ocean Territory Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephone system: general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet international: international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .io Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Transportation British Indian Ocean Territory Highways: total: NA km paved: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Diego Garcia Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military British Indian Ocean Territory Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 Transnational Issues British Indian Ocean Territory Disputes - international: Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but in 2001 were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation since eviction in 1965; repatriation is complicated by the US military lease of Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @British Virgin Islands Introduction British Virgin Islands Background: First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. Geography British Virgin Islands Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 153 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada water: 0 sq km land: 153 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) Geography - note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico People British Virgin Islands Population: 21,730 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 2,401; female 2,358) 15-64 years: 73.1% (male 8,181; female 7,709) 65 years and over: 5% (male 578; female 503) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 30.7 years male: 31 years female: 30.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.1% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 10.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 21.86 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.06 years male: 75.07 years female: 77.1 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991) Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government British Virgin Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing Government type: NA Capital: Road Town Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July Constitution: 1 June 1977 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor head of government: Chief Minister Orlando SMITH (since 17 June 2003) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 8, VIP 5 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Political parties and leaders: Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) Economy British Virgin Islands Economy - overview: The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998. Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as its currency since 1959. GDP: purchasing power parity - $320 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2002) Labor force: 4,911 (1980) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 3% (1995) Budget: revenues: $121.5 million expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 38.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 35.43 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 420 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Exports: $25.3 million (2002) Exports - commodities: rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand Exports - partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Imports: $187 million (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery Imports - partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Debt - external: $36.1 million (1997) Economic aid - recipient: NA% Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications British Virgin Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 10,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: submarine cable to Bermuda Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 9,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) Televisions: 4,000 (1997) Internet country code: .vg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation British Virgin Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 177 km paved: 177 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Road Town Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 19,203 GRT/28,864 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military British Virgin Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues British Virgin Islands Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Brunei Introduction Brunei Background: The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world. Geography Brunei Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Geographic coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 5,770 sq km water: 500 sq km land: 5,270 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM or to median line territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 0.57% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 98.67% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare Environment - current issues: seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Environment - international agreements: party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia People Brunei Population: 358,098 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.6% (male 54,118; female 51,902) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 128,421; female 113,480) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 4,804; female 5,373) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.4 years male: 27 years female: 25.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 3.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 3.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 17.09 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.3 years male: 71.9 years female: 76.82 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 100 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Ethnic groups: Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12% Religions: Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10% Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.8% male: 94.8% female: 88.5% (2003 est.) Government Brunei Country name: conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei Government type: constitutional sultanate Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong Independence: 1 January 1984 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) Legal system: based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas Suffrage: none Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Masyuarat Megeri (a privy council that serves only in a consultative capacity; NA seats; members appointed by the monarch) elections: last held in March 1962 note: in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the monarch; an elected Legislative Council is being considered as part of constitutional reform, but elections are unlikely for several years Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Brunei Solidarity National Party or PPKB in Malay [Haji Mohd HATTA bin Haji Zainal Abidin, president]; note - the PPKB is the only legal political party in Brunei; it was registered in 1985 but became largely inactive after 1988; it was revived in 1995 and again in 1998; it has less than 200 registered party members; other parties include Brunei People's Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1965, deregistered by the Brunei Government in 1988) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anak Dato Haji PUTEH FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gene B. CHRISTY embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507 telephone: [673] (2) 229670 FAX: [673] (2) 225293 Flag description: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands Economy Brunei Economy - overview: This small, wealthy economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $18,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 45% services: 50% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 143,400 note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents make up about 40% of labor force (1999 est.) Labor force - by occupation: government 48%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35 billion (1997 est.) Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 2.497 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.322 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 217,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 1.255 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 10.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 315 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo Exports: $3 billion f.o.b. (2000 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, natural gas, refined products Exports - partners: Japan 40.3%, South Korea 12.3%, Thailand 12.1%, Australia 9.2%, US 8.1%, China 6.4%, Singapore 5.7% (2002) Imports: $1.4 billion c.i.f. (2000 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals Imports - partners: Singapore 30.6%, Japan 21.5%, Malaysia 17.4%, UK 6.1%, Hong Kong 4% (2002) Debt - external: $0 Economic aid - recipient: $4.3 million (1995) Currency: Bruneian dollar (BND) Currency code: BND Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.69 (1999), 1.67 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Brunei Telephones - main lines in use: 79,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 43,524 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 329,000 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 201,900 (1998) Internet country code: .bn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 35,000 (2002) Transportation Brunei Railways: total: 13 km (private line) narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge (2001 est.) Highways: total: 2,525 km paved: 2,525 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m Pipelines: gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong Merchant marine: total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT ships by type: liquefied gas 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 7 (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Heliports: 3 (2002) Military Brunei Military branches: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 110,888 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 63,966 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 3,277 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $329.7 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5% (FY02) Transnational Issues Brunei Disputes - international: Involved in dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct" Illicit drugs: drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Bulgaria Introduction Bulgaria Background: The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878, but having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, it fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into NATO and the EU - with which it began accession negotiations in 2000. Geography Bulgaria Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 110,910 sq km water: 360 sq km land: 110,550 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,808 km border countries: Greece 494 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia and Montenegro 318 km, Turkey 240 km Coastline: 354 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Musala 2,925 m Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 39% permanent crops: 1.8% other: 59.2% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 8,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia People Bulgaria Population: 7,537,929 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.2% (male 549,142; female 520,057) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 2,551,548; female 2,632,978) 65 years and over: 17% (male 535,165; female 749,039) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 40.5 years male: 38.4 years female: 42.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: -1.09% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 8.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 14.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -4.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 15.43 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.8 years male: 68.26 years female: 75.56 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.13 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 346 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Ethnic groups: Bulgarian 83.6%, Turk 9.5%, Roma 4.6%, other 2.3% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (1998) Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 83.8%, Muslim 12.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, Jewish 0.1%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other 2.3% (1998) Languages: Bulgarian, secondary languages closely correspond to ethnic breakdown Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.1% female: 98.2% (2003 est.) Government Bulgaria Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Sofia Administrative divisions: 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol Independence: 3 March 1878 (from Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991 Legal system: civil law and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Georgi PURVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA (since 24 July 2001); Deputy Prime Ministers Nikolay VASILEV (since 24 July 2001), and Lidiya SHULEVA (since 24 July 2001), Plamen PANAYOTOV (since 17 July 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 11 November and 18 November 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) nominated by the president; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister election results: Georgi PURVANOV elected president; percent of vote - Georgi PURVANOV 54.13%, Petar STOYANOV 45.87% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 June 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NMS2 42.74%, UtdDF 18.18%, CfB 17.15%, MRF 7.45%; seats by party - NMS2 120, UtdDF 51, CfB 48, MRF 21; note - seating as of March 2003 - NMS2 110, UtdDF 50, CfB 48, MRF 20, independents 12 Judicial branch: Supreme Administrative Court; Supreme Court of Cassation; Constitutional Court (12 justices appointed or elected for nine-year terms); Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 other members; responsible for appointing the justices, prosecutors, and investigating magistrates in the justice system; members of the Supreme Judicial Council elected for five-year terms, 11 elected by the National Assembly and 11 by bodies of the judiciary) Political parties and leaders: Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or VMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Simeon II or NMS2 [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Nadezhda MIKHAYLOVA]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Democratic Forces or UtdDF (a coalition between the UDF and other center-right parties) Political pressure groups and leaders: agrarian movement; Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elena B. POPTODOROVA consulate(s): New York FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174 chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James William PARDEW embassy: 1 Suborna Street, Sofia 1000 mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 981-89-77 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control) Economy Bulgaria Economy - overview: Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the European Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of the then socialist government. As a result, the government became committed to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning. A $300 million stand-by agreement negotiated with the IMF at the end of 2001 has supported government efforts to overcome high rates of poverty and unemployment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $49.23 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.7% industry: 28.5% services: 57.9% (2001) Population below poverty line: 12.6% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.5% highest 10%: 22.8% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 26.4 (2001) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3.83 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 26%, industry 31%, services 43% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 18% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $5.57 billion expenditures: $5.68 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 41.38 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47.8% hydro: 8.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 44.1% Electricity - consumption: 32.52 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 6.79 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 830 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 603 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 94,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 8.1 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 4 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 5.804 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 5.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.724 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets Exports: $5.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels Exports - partners: Italy 15.5%, Germany 9.6%, Turkey 9.4%, Greece 9.2%, France 5.3%, US 4.8% (2002) Imports: $6.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, minerals, and raw materials; machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; food, textiles Imports - partners: Russia 14.6%, Germany 14.4%, Italy 11.4%, Greece 6.1%, France 5.7%, Turkey 5% (2002) Debt - external: $10.3 billion (yearend 2002) Economic aid - recipient: $300 million (2000 est.) Currency: lev (BGL) Currency code: BGN Exchange rates: leva per US dollar - 2.08 (2002), 2.18 (2001), 2.12 (2000), 1.84 (1999), 1.76 (1998) note: on 5 July 1999, the lev was redenominated; the post-5 July 1999 lev is equal to 1,000 of the pre-5 July 1999 lev Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Bulgaria Telephones - main lines in use: 3,186,731 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.054 million (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: extensive but antiquated domestic: more than two-thirds of the lines are residential; telephone service is available in most villages; a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of the regions, the others are connected by digital microwave radio relay international: direct dialing to 58 countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 2 Intelsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001) Radios: 4.51 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 3.31 million (1997) Internet country code: .bg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 200 (2001) Internet users: 585,000 (2001) Transportation Bulgaria Railways: total: 4,294 km standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified) narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 37,286 km paved: 35,049 km (including 324 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,237 km (2000) Waterways: 470 km (1987) Pipelines: gas 2,425 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Burgas, Lom, Nesebur, Ruse, Varna, Vidin Merchant marine: total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 829,421 GRT/1,252,496 DWT ships by type: bulk 42, cargo 10, chemical tanker 4, container 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 216 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 128 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 92 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 88 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 74 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Bulgaria Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (subordinate to Ministry of Defense), Internal Forces (subordinate to Ministry of Interior), Civil Defense Forces (subordinate to the president) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,854,049 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,551,485 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 54,107 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $356 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY02) Transnational Issues Bulgaria Disputes - international: joint boundary commission is rectifying boundary with Romania based on shifts in Danube since last delimitation in 1920 Illicit drugs: major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Burkina Faso Introduction Burkina Faso Background: Independence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Every year, several hundred thousand seasonal farm workers seek employment in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana and are adversely affected by instability in those regions. Geography Burkina Faso Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 274,200 sq km water: 400 sq km land: 273,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Colorado Land boundaries: total: 3,193 km border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m Natural resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silver Land use: arable land: 12.43% permanent crops: 0.18% other: 87.39% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts Environment - current issues: recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas People Burkina Faso Population: 13,228,460 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.1% (male 3,057,855; female 3,036,705) 15-64 years: 51% (male 3,296,726; female 3,455,817) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 161,914; female 219,443) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.8 years male: 16.4 years female: 17.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.6% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 44.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 18.76 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 99.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 91.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 107.87 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.46 years male: 43.02 years female: 45.94 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 440,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 44,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe Ethnic groups: Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Languages: French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 26.6% male: 36.9% female: 16.6% (2003 est.) Government Burkina Faso Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: Ouagadougou Administrative divisions: 45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Nahouri, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 11 December (1958) Constitution: 2 June 1991 approved by referendum; 11 June 1991 formally adopted Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law Suffrage: universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6 November 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); in April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005, and allowing the president to be reelected only once; it is unclear whether this amendment will be applied retroactively or not; prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature note: President COMPAORE faces an increasingly well-coordinated opposition; recent charges against a former member of his Presidential Guard in the 1998 assassination of a newspaper editor signify an attempt to defuse chronic areas of dissatisfaction election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 87.5% percent of the vote Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDP 57, RDA-ADF 17, PDP/PS 10, CFD 5, PAI 5, others 17 elections: National Assembly election last held 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appeals Court Political parties and leaders: African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or RDA-ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Confederation for Federation and Democracy or CFD [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina Faso or UVDB [Ram OVEDRAGO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP; Group of 14 February; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tertius ZONGO chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony HOLMES embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4 mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - U. S. Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440 telephone: [226] 306723 FAX: [226] 303890 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Burkina Faso Economy - overview: One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has few natural resources, a fragile soil, and a highly unequal distribution of income. About 90% of the population is engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture, which is vulnerable to variations in rainfall. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies, and exports and economic growth have increased. Maintenance of macroeconomic progress depends on continued low inflation, reduction in the trade deficit, and reforms designed to encourage private investment. The internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade and industrial prospects and deepens the need for international assistance. GDP: purchasing power parity - $14.51 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 17% services: 48% (2001) Population below poverty line: 45% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 46.8% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 48.2 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2001 est.) Labor force: 5 million note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2002) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 90% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $316 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold Industrial production growth rate: 14% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 279.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 69.9% hydro: 30.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 259.6 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 8,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock Exports: $250 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, livestock, gold Exports - partners: Singapore 14.7%, Italy 11.3%, Colombia 8.6%, France 7.7%, India 6.9%, Ghana 6%, Japan 4.4%, Thailand 4.3% (2002) Imports: $525 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum Imports - partners: France 27.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 23%, Togo 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $1.3 billion (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $484.1 million (1995) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Burkina Faso Telephones - main lines in use: 53,200 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 25,200 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: all services only fair domestic: microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 17, shortwave 3 (2002) Radios: 394,020 (2000) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Televisions: 131,340 (2002) Internet country code: .bf Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 25,000 (2002) Transportation Burkina Faso Railways: total: 622 km narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge note:: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote D'Ivoire (2002) Highways: total: 12,506 km paved: 2,001 km unpaved: 10,505 km (1999) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: 33 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 17 (2002) Military Burkina Faso Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, People's Militia Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,957,710 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,506,944 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $45.83 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Burkina Faso Disputes - international: two villages are in dispute along the border with Benin; Burkina Faso border regions have become a staging area for Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire rebels and an asylum for refugees caught in regional fighting; the Ivorian Government accuses Burkina Faso of supporting Ivorian rebels This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Burma Introduction Burma Background: Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence outside of the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as president, and later as political kingmaker. Despite multiparty elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party winning a decisive victory, the ruling military junta refused to hand over power. Key opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, was again placed under house detention from September 2000 to May 2002 and again in May 2003; her supporters are routinely harassed or jailed. Geography Burma Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand Geographic coordinates: 22 00 N, 98 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 678,500 sq km land: 657,740 sq km water: 20,760 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,876 km border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km Coastline: 1,930 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m Natural resources: petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 14.53% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 84.57% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 15,920 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes People Burma Population: 42,510,537 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 6,091,220; female 5,840,968) 15-64 years: 67% (male 14,162,190; female 14,347,751) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 916,702; female 1,151,706) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 24.8 years female: 25.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.52% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 12.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 70.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 76.48 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.79 years male: 54.12 years female: 57.56 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.15 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.99% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 530,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 65,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese Ethnic groups: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% Religions: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% Languages: Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.1% male: 88.7% female: 77.7% (1995 est.) note: these are official statistics; estimates of functional literacy are likely closer to 30% (1999 est.) Government Burma Country name: conventional long form: Union of Burma conventional short form: Burma local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar) former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw Government type: military regime Capital: Rangoon (regime refers to the capital as Yangon) Administrative divisions: 7 divisions* (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne); Chin State, Ayeyarwady*, Bago*, Kachin State, Kayin State, Kayah State, Magway*, Mandalay*, Mon State, Rakhine State, Sagaing*, Shan State, Tanintharyi*, Yangon* Independence: 4 January 1948 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948) Constitution: 3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988); national convention started on 9 January 1993 to draft a new constitution; progress has since been stalled Legal system: has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992) head of government: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992); note - the appointed Prime Minister, Gen. KNIN NYUNT (since 25 August 2003), is not the head of government cabinet: State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); military junta, so named 15 November 1997, which initially assumed power 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration Council; the SPDC oversees the cabinet elections: none Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never convened election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NLD 392, SNLD 23, NUP 10, other 60 Judicial branch: remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive Political parties and leaders: National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, chairman, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary]; National Unity Party or NUP (proregime) [THA KYAW]; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [KHUN TUN OO]; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (proregime, a social and political organization) [THAN AUNG, general secretary]; and other smaller parties Political pressure groups and leaders: All Burma Student Democratic Front or ABSDF; Kachin Independence Army or KIA; Karen National Union or KNU; National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB [Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals legitimately elected to the People's Assembly but not recognized by the military regime (the group fled to a border area and joined with insurgents in December 1990 to form a parallel government); several Shan factions; United Wa State Army or UWSA International organization participation: ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador LINN MYAING consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-9046 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9044 chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Permanent Charge d'Affaires Carmen M. MARTINEZ embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521) mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546 telephone: [95] (1) 379 880, 379 881 FAX: [95] (1) 256 018 Flag description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14 administrative divisions Economy Burma Economy - overview: Burma is a resource-rich country that suffers from abject rural poverty. The military regime took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism", but those efforts have since stalled. Burma has been unable to achieve monetary or fiscal stability, resulting in an economy that suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including a steep inflation rate and an official exchange rate that overvalues the Burmese kyat by more than 100 times the market rate. In addition, most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta suppressed the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently ignored the results of the 1990 election. Burma is data poor, and official statistics are often dated and inaccurate. Published estimates of Burma's foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and border trade - often estimated to be one to two times the official economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $73.69 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 60% industry: 9% services: 31% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 53.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 23.7 million (1999 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 70%, industry 7%, services 23% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $7.9 billion expenditures: $12.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.7 billion (FY96/97) Industries: agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 6.139 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 44.4% hydro: 55.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 5.709 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 14,170 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 38,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 142.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 7.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.15 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 5.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 314.4 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products Exports: $2.7 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice Exports - partners: Thailand 31.4%, US 13%, India 7.4%, China 4.7% (2002) Imports: $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, crude oil; food products Imports - partners: China 27%, Singapore 19.5%, Thailand 12%, Malaysia 9.1%, Taiwan 6.3%, South Korea 5.3%, Japan 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $6.1 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $99 million (FY98/99) Currency: kyat (MMK) Currency code: MMK Exchange rates: kyats per US dollar - 6.64 (2002), 6.75 (2001), 6.52 (2000), 6.29 (1999), 6.34 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Burma Telephones - main lines in use: 250,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8,492 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government; international service is good domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 4.2 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1998) Televisions: 320,000 (2000) Internet country code: .mm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 note: as of September 2000, Internet connections were legal only for the government, tourist offices, and a few large businesses (2000) Internet users: 10,000 (2002) Transportation Burma Railways: total: 3,955 km narrow gauge: 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 28,200 km paved: 3,440 km unpaved: 24,760 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 12,800 km note: 3,200 km navigable by large commercial vessels Pipelines: gas 2,056 km; oil 558 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bassein, Bhamo, Chauk, Mandalay, Moulmein, Myitkyina, Rangoon, Akyab (Sittwe), Tavoy Merchant marine: total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 352,765 GRT/536,396 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 5, Japan 4 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 21, container 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1 Airports: 80 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 72 under 914 m: 34 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Burma Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 12,349,921 note: both sexes liable for military service (2003 est.) females age 15-49: 12,358,507 Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 6,566,122 females age 15-49: 6,553,458 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 453,420 females: 455,422 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $39 million (FY97) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.1% (FY97) Transnational Issues Burma Disputes - international: despite continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain with Thailand over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities Illicit drugs: world's second largest producer of illicit opium (potential production in 2002 - 630 metric tons, down 27% due to drought and, to a lesser extent, eradication; cultivation in 2002 - 77,000 hectares, a 27% decline from 2001); surrender of drug warlord KHUN SA's Mong Tai Army in January 1996 was hailed by Rangoon as a major counternarcotics success, but lack of government will and ability to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Burundi Introduction Burundi Background: Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only four months in office. Since then, some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread, often intense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced or have become refugees in neighboring countries. Burundi troops, seeking to secure their borders, intervened in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998. More recently, many of these troops have been redeployed back to Burundi to deal with periodic upsurges in rebel activity. A new transitional government, inaugurated on 1 November 2001, was to be the first step toward holding national elections in three years. While the Government of Burundi signed a cease-fire agreement in December 2002 with three of Burundi's four Hutu rebel groups, implementation of the agreement has been problematic and one rebel group refuses to sign on, clouding prospects for a sustainable peace. Geography Burundi Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 27,830 sq km water: 2,180 sq km land: 25,650 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; wet seasons from February to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and December to January Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Mount Heha 2,670 m Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 29.98% permanent crops: 12.85% other: 57.17% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 740 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding, landslides, drought Environment - current issues: soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile People Burundi Population: 6,096,156 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.7% (male 1,438,759; female 1,409,567) 15-64 years: 50.6% (male 1,516,833; female 1,564,513) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 66,355; female 100,129) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.3 years male: 15.9 years female: 16.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.18% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 39.72 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 17.8 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 71.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 78.45 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 43.2 years male: 42.54 years female: 43.88 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.99 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 8.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 390,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 40,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundian Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000 Religions: Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10% Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.6% male: 58.5% female: 45.2% (2003 est.) Government Burundi Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local short form: Burundi local long form: Republika y'u Burundi former: Urundi Government type: republic Capital: Bujumbura Administrative divisions: 16 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: 13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political system; supplanted on 6 June 1998 by a Transitional Constitution which enlarged the National Assembly and created two vice presidents Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on 1 November 2001; Vice President Alphonse KADEGE (since 30 April 2003); note - from the Tutsi minority head of government: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on 1 November 2001; Vice President Alphonse KADEGE (since 30 April 2003); note - from the Tutsi minority cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president elections: NA; current president assumed power on 30 April 2003 as part of the transitional government established by the 2000 Arusha Accord Legislative branch: bicameral, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (expanded from 121 to approximately 140 seats under the transitional government inaugurated 1 November 2001; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; term length is undefined, the current senators will likely serve out the three-year transition period) elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in 1998, but was suspended by presidential decree in 1996; elections are planned to follow the completion of the three-year transitional government) election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71.04%, UPRONA 21.4%, other 7.56%; seats by party - FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16, civilians 27, other parties 13 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal (there are three in separate locations); Tribunals of First Instance (17 at the province level and 123 small local tribunals) Political parties and leaders: the two national, mainstream, governing parties are: Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Alphonse KADEGE, president]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president] note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA [Terrence NSANZE]; Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development or RADDES [Joseph NZEYIMANA]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]; People's Reconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA] Political pressure groups and leaders: loosely organized Hutu and Tutsi militias, often affiliated with Hutu and Tutsi extremist parties or subordinate to government security forces International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine NTAMOBWA chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James Howard YELLIN embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone: [257] 223454 FAX: [257] 222926 Flag description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) Economy Burundi Economy - overview: Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the population. Since October 1993 an ethnic-based war has resulted in the death of over 200,000 persons, sent 800,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 525,000 others internally. Doubts about the prospects for sustainable peace continue to impede development. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in ten adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.146 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: 19% services: 31% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 70% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 32.9% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 42.5 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3.7 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $125 million expenditures: $176 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing Industrial production growth rate: 18% (2001) Electricity - production: 155.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.6% hydro: 99.4% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 177.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 33 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides Exports: $26 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides Exports - partners: Switzerland 28.8%, Germany 20.2%, Belgium 9.4%, Kenya 7.8%, Rwanda 6.5%, Netherlands 4.6% (2002) Imports: $135 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Belgium 12.4%, Saudi Arabia 12.3%, Tanzania 9.3%, Kenya 7.7%, France 7.4%, India 4.5% (2002) Debt - external: $1.14 billion (2001) Economic aid - recipient: $92.7 million (2000) Currency: Burundi franc (BIF) Currency code: BIF Exchange rates: Burundi francs per US dollar - NA (2002), 830.35 (2001), 720.67 (2000), 563.56 (1999), 447.77 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Burundi Telephones - main lines in use: 18,000 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 30,000 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: primitive system domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 440,000 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Televisions: 25,000 (1997) Internet country code: .bi Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 6,000 (2002) Transportation Burundi Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 14,480 km paved: 1,028 km unpaved: 13,452 km (1999 est.) Waterways: Lake Tanganyika Ports and harbors: Bujumbura Airports: 7 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Military Burundi Military branches: Army (including naval and air units), Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 16 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,375,900 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 723,516 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 79,462 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $42.13 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.3% (FY02) Transnational Issues Burundi Disputes - international: Tutsi, Hutu, and other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated and natural resource areas; government heads pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cambodia Introduction Cambodia Background: Following a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh in 1975 and ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns; over 1 million displaced people died from execution or enforced hardships. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside and touched off almost 20 years of fighting. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy as did the rapid diminishment of the Khmer Rouge in the mid-1990s. A coalition government, formed after national elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and the surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces in 1998. Geography Cambodia Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 181,040 sq km land: 176,520 sq km water: 4,520 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oklahoma Land boundaries: total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km Coastline: 443 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m Natural resources: timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 20.96% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 78.43% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 2,700 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts Environment - current issues: illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; toxic waste delivery from Taiwan sparked unrest in Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) in December 1998 Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography - note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap People Cambodia Population: 13,124,764 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.3% (male 2,606,568; female 2,557,736) 15-64 years: 57.6% (male 3,599,216; female 3,962,520) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 148,287; female 250,437) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.2 years male: 18.4 years female: 20 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.8% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 27.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.26 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 75.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 84.96 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.92 years male: 55.49 years female: 60.47 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.58 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 170,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 12,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Religions: Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5% Languages: Khmer (official) 95%, French, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.9% male: 80.5% female: 60.3% (2003 est.) Government Cambodia Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local short form: Kampuchea local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea former: Khmer Republic, Kampuchea Republic Government type: multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993 Capital: Phnom Penh Administrative divisions: 20 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural); Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb*, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pailin*, Phnum Penh*, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu*, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev Independence: 9 November 1953 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953) Constitution: promulgated 21 September 1993 Legal system: primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law in recent years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 30 November 1998) and Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 1993) and TOL LAH (since 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king Legislative branch: bicameral consists of the National Assembly (122 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; two members appointed by the monarch, two elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by "functional constituencies"; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 27 July 2003 (next to be held in July 2007); Senate - last held 2 March 1999 (next to be held in 2004) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 47%, SRP 22%, FUNCINPEC 21%, other 10%; seats by party - CPP 73, FUNCINPEC 26, SRP 24; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPP 31, FUNCINPEC 21, SRP 7, other 2 (2003) Judicial branch: Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority Political parties and leaders: Buddhist Liberal Party or BLP [IENG MOULY]; Cambodian Pracheachon Party or Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Khmer Citizen Party or KCP [NGUON SOEUR]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP (formerly Khmer Nation Party or KNP) [SAM RANGSI] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador ROLAND ENG FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles Aaron RAY embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 216-436/438 FAX: [855] (23) 216-437/811 Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band Economy Cambodia Economy - overview: Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997-1998 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment and tourism fell off. In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, progress was made on economic reforms and growth resumed at 5.0%. Despite severe flooding, GDP grew at 5.0% in 2000, 6.3% in 2001, and 5.2% in 2002. Tourism was Cambodia's fastest growing industry, with arrivals up 34% in 2000 and up another 40% in 2001 before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US. Even given these stout growth estimates, the long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. Fear of renewed political instability and corruption within the government discourage foreign investment and delay foreign aid. The government is addressing these issues with assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors. GDP: purchasing power parity - $20.42 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 20% services: 40% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 36% (1997 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 33.8% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.4 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 6 million (1998 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.8% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $396 million expenditures: $607 million, including capital expenditures of $254 million (2001 est.) Industries: tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 16% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 119 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 65% hydro: 35% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 110.6 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables Exports: $1.38 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: timber, garments, rubber, rice, fish Exports - partners: US 60.2%, Germany 9.1%, UK 7.1%, Singapore 4.4% (2002) Imports: $1.73 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles Imports - partners: Thailand 24.8%, Singapore 16.9%, China 12.1%, Hong Kong 10.9%, South Korea 5.5%, Vietnam 5.2% (2002) Debt - external: $829 million (1999 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $548 million pledged in grants and concessional loans for 2001 by international donors Currency: riel (KHR) Currency code: KHR Exchange rates: riels per US dollar - 3,912.08 (2002), 3,916.33 (2001), 3,840.75 (2000), 3,807.83 (1999), 3,744.42 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Cambodia Telephones - main lines in use: 21,800 (mid-1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 80,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; rural areas have little telephone service domestic: NA international: adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 3, shortwave 3 (1999) Radios: 1.34 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 6 (2003) Televisions: 94,000 (1997) Internet country code: .kh Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 10,000 (2002) Transportation Cambodia Railways: total: 602 km narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 12,323 km paved: 1,996 km unpaved: 10,327 km (2000 est) Waterways: 3,700 km note: navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 m Ports and harbors: Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong Kaoh Kong, Phnom Penh Merchant marine: total: 527 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,328,371 GRT/3,294,028 DWT ships by type: bulk 49, cargo 412, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 4, container 17, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Aruba 1, Belize 11, Bulgaria 3, Cambodia 194, Canada 4, China 25, Cyprus 14, Egypt 10, Estonia 2, France 1, Georgia 1, Germany 1, Gibraltar 1, Greece 13, Honduras 8, Hong Kong 12, Iceland 1, Indonesia 2, Iran 1, Ireland 1, Italy 2, Japan 2, Jordan 1, North Korea, 1, South Korea, 25, Latvia 3, Lebanon 6, Liberia 7, Malaysia 1, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 4, Netherlands 1, Norway 1, Panama 10, Romania 2, Russia 75, Saint Kitts and Nevis 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Singapore 17, Syria 20, Turkey 18, Ukraine 16, United Arab Emirates 3, United Kingdom 1, United States 5, Vietnam 3 (2002 est.) Airports: 21 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 13 Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Cambodia Military branches: Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF): Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,275,533 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,829,535 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 165,395 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $112 million (FY01 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3% (FY01 est.) Transnational Issues Cambodia Disputes - international: completed boundary demarcation with Thailand; accuses Vietnam of moving and destroying boundary markers and encroachments, initiating border incidents; accuses Thailand of preventing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; maritime boundary with Vietnam hampered by dispute over offshore islands Illicit drugs: narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for the international market; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cameroon Introduction Cameroon Background: The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy. Geography Cameroon Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria Geographic coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 475,440 sq km water: 6,000 sq km land: 469,440 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 50 NM Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako (on Cameroon Mountain) 4,095 m Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 12.81% permanent crops: 2.58% other: 84.61% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 330 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes Environment - current issues: water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano People Cameroon Population: 15,746,179 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 3,372,129; female 3,291,295) 15-64 years: 54.5% (male 4,315,672; female 4,265,286) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 227,444; female 274,353) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.4 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.02% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 35.49 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 15.3 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 70.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 74.2 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.05 years male: 47.15 years female: 48.97 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.63 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 11.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 920,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 53,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian Ethnic groups: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20% Languages: 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79% male: 84.7% female: 73.4% (2003 est.) Government Cameroon Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon former: French Cameroon Government type: unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990) note: preponderance of power remains with the president Capital: Yaounde Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest Independence: 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972) Constitution: 20 May 1972 approved by referendum; 2 June 1972 formally adopted; revised January 1996 Legal system: based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 12 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister appointed by the president head of government: Prime Minister Peter Mafany MUSONGE (since 19 September 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 92.6%; note - supporters of the opposition candidates boycotted the elections, making a comparison of vote shares relatively meaningless Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature) elections: last held 23 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RDCP 133, SDF 21, UDC 5, other 21 note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of 9 judges and 6 substitute judges, elected by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA]; Democratic Rally of the Cameroon People or RDCP [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [leader Marcel YONDO]; Movement for the Youth of Cameroon or MYC [Dieudonne TINA]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK] Political pressure groups and leaders: Southern Cameroon National Council [Frederick Ebong ALOBWEDE]; Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president] International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, C, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George McDade STAPLES embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 223-05-12, 222-25-89, 222-17-94, 223-40-14 FAX: [237] 223-07-53 branch office(s): Douala Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Cameroon Economy - overview: Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $26.84 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 46% industry: 21% services: 33% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 48% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 36.6% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 47.7 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 70%, industry and commerce 13%, other 17% Unemployment rate: 30% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.2 billion expenditures: $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Industries: petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 3.613 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.7% hydro: 97.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 3.36 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 76,650 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 22,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 200 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 55.22 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber Exports: $1.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton Exports - partners: Italy 16.7%, Spain 16%, France 12.8%, US 8.3%, Netherlands 8.2%, Taiwan 7.7%, China 5.2%, UK 4.4% (2002) Imports: $1.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food Imports - partners: France 28.2%, Nigeria 12.8%, US 8%, Belgium 5.7%, Germany 5.3%, Italy 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $8.6 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: on 23 January 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reduce Cameroon's debt of $1.3 billion by $900 million; total debt relief now amounts to $1.26 billion Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Cameroon Telephones - main lines in use: 95,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 300,000 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: available only to business and government domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2002) Radios: 2.27 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Televisions: 450,000 (1997) Internet country code: .cm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 45,000 note: Cameroon also had more than 100 cyber-cafes in 2001 (December 2001) Transportation Cameroon Railways: total: 1,008 km narrow gauge: 1,008 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 34,300 km paved: 4,288 km unpaved: 30,012 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 2,090 km (of decreasing importance) (2002) Pipelines: gas 90 km; liquid petroleum gas 9 km; oil 1,124 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko Airports: 49 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Military Cameroon Military branches: Army, Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,799,841 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,928,285 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 179,586 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $118.6 million (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY98) Transnational Issues Cameroon Disputes - international: ICJ ruled in 2002 on the Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime boundary by awarding the potentially petroleum-rich Bakassi Peninsula and offshore region to Cameroon; Nigeria rejected cession of the peninsula, but the parties have formed a Joint Border Commission to resolve differences bilaterally and have commenced with demarcation in less-contested sections of the boundary; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over the lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias; Nigeria agreed to ratify the treaty and relinquish sovereignty of disputed lands to Cameroon by December 2003 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Canada Introduction Canada Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Its paramount political problem continues to be the relationship of the province of Quebec, with its French-speaking residents and unique culture, to the remainder of the country. Geography Canada Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 95 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 9,984,670 sq km land: 9,093,507 sq km water: 891,163 sq km Area - comparative: somewhat larger than the US Land boundaries: total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska) Coastline: 202,080 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m Natural resources: iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 4.94% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 95.04% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 7,200 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 85% of the population is concentrated within 300 km of the US border People Canada Population: 32,207,113 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.5% (male 3,052,005; female 2,903,007) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 11,099,907; female 10,984,903) 65 years and over: 12.9% (male 1,774,262; female 2,393,029) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 37.8 years male: 36.9 years female: 38.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.94% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.99 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.61 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 6.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.83 years male: 76.44 years female: 83.38 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.61 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 55,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 500 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian Ethnic groups: British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Religions: Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 36%, other 18% note: based on the 1991 census Languages: English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% (1986 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Canada Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada Government type: confederation with parliamentary democracy Capital: Ottawa Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK) National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Constitution: 17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customs Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON (since 7 October 1999) elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the governor general head of government: Prime Minister Paul MARTIN (since 12 December 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Anne MCLELLAN (since 12 December 2003) cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (members appointed by the governor general with the advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age; its normal limit is 105 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (301 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve for up to five-year terms) elections: House of Commons - last held 27 November 2000 (next to be held by 2005) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 41%, Canadian Alliance 26%, Bloc Quebecois 11%, New Democratic Party 9%, Progressive Conservative Party 12%; seats by party - Liberal Party 172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38, New Democratic Party 13, Progressive Conservative Party 12; note - percent of vote by party as of January 2002 - Liberal Party 51%, Canadian Alliance 10%, Bloc Quebecois 10%, New Democratic Party 9%, Progressive Conservative Party 18%; seats by party - Liberal Party 172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38, New Democratic Party 13, Progressive Conservative Party 12 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice) Political parties and leaders: Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Canadian Alliance [Stephen HARPER]; Liberal Party [Paul MARTIN]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON]; Progressive Conservative Party [Peter MACKAY] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURCA, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael F. KERGIN chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle consulate(s): Miami, Princeton, San Francisco, and San Jose Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paul CELLUCCI embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 688-3097 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver Flag description: two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white Economy Canada Economy - overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. As a result of the close cross-border relationship, the economic sluggishness in the United States in 2001-02 had a negative impact on the Canadian economy. Real growth averaged nearly 3% during 1993-2000, but declined in 2001, with moderate recovery in 2002. Unemployment is up, with contraction in the manufacturing and natural resource sectors. Nevertheless, given its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic prospects. Two shadows loom, the first being the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas, which has been raising the specter of a split in the federation. Another long-term concern is the flow south to the US of professionals lured by higher pay, lower taxes, and the immense high-tech infrastructure. A key strength in the economy is the substantial trade surplus. GDP: purchasing power parity - $934.1 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $29,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 26.5% services: 71.2% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 23.8% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31.5 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 16.4 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 74%, manufacturing 15%, construction 5%, agriculture 3%, other 3% (2000) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $178.6 billion expenditures: $161.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Industries: transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products; wood and paper products; fish products, petroleum and natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 566.3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 28% hydro: 57.9% other: 1.3% (2001) nuclear: 12.9% Electricity - consumption: 504.4 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 38.4 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 16.11 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 2.738 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.703 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 2.008 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 1.145 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 5.112 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 186.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 82.25 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 109 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 4.46 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.691 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish Exports: $260.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum Exports - partners: US 87.7%, Japan 2%, UK 1.1% (2002) Imports: $229 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods Imports - partners: US 62.6%, China 4.6%, Japan 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $1.9 billion $NA (2000) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.3 billion (1999) Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD) Currency code: CAD Exchange rates: Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.57 (2002), 1.55 (2001), 1.49 (2000), 1.49 (1999), 1.48 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Canada Telephones - main lines in use: 20,802,900 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8,751,300 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent service provided by modern technology domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations international: 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 535, FM 53, shortwave 6 (1998) Radios: 32.3 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 80 (plus many repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 21.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .ca Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 760 (2000 est.) Internet users: 16.84 million (2002) Transportation Canada Railways: total: 49,422 km standard gauge: 49,422 km 1.435-m gauge (129 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 1.408 million km paved: 497,306 km (including 16,900 km of expressways) unpaved: 911,494 km (2002) Waterways: 3,000 km (including Saint Lawrence Seaway) Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km Ports and harbors: Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, New Westminster, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), St. John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Sydney, Trois-Rivieres, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor Merchant marine: total: 122 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,840,272 GRT/2,740,864 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 64, cargo 11, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 18, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 3, Monaco 16, United Kingdom 1, United States 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 1,389 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 507 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 245 under 914 m: 80 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 149 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 882 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 363 under 914 m: 446 (2002) Heliports: 12 (2002) Military Canada Military branches: Canadian Armed Forces (comprising Land Forces Command, Maritime Command, Air Command, Communications Command, Training Command) Military manpower - military age: 16 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,391,120 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 7,158,016 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 216,488 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $7.861 billion (FY01/02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY01/02) Transnational Issues Canada Disputes - international: managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; uncontested dispute with Denmark over Hans Island sovereignty in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services sector This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cape Verde Introduction Cape Verde Background: The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Geography Cape Verde Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 4,033 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 965 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM contiguous zone: 24 NM Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 9.68% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 89.82% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active Environment - current issues: soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site People Cape Verde Population: 412,137 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41% (male 85,254; female 83,716) 15-64 years: 52.3% (male 103,690; female 111,992) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 10,498; female 16,987) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.7 years male: 17.9 years female: 19.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.79% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 26.95 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -12.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 50.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 55.83 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.83 years male: 66.53 years female: 73.23 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.77 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.04% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 775 (2001) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 225 (as of 2001) Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.6% male: 85.8% female: 69.2% (2003 est.) Government Cape Verde Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local short form: Cabo Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde Government type: republic Capital: Praia Administrative divisions: 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to create the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) Legal system: derived from the legal system of Portugal Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - the election was won by only twelve votes Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 47.3%, MPD 39.8%, ADM 6%, other 6.9%; seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia Political parties and leaders: African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Jacinto SANTOS, president]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Anibal MEDINA, president]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITO consulate(s) general: Boston FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSON embassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 61 56 16, 61 56 17 FAX: [238] 61 13 55 Flag description: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands Economy Cape Verde Economy - overview: This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 2001 was only 11%, of which fishing accounts for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 2003 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. GDP: purchasing power parity - $600 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 17% services: 72% (2001) Population below poverty line: 30% (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 21% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $112 million expenditures: $198 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 42.03 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 39.08 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish Exports: $30 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides Exports - partners: Portugal 38.5%, UK 26.4%, France 23.1%, US 8.2% (2002) Imports: $220 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels Imports - partners: Portugal 49.1%, Netherlands 7.2%, Germany 5.7% (2002) Debt - external: $325 million (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $136 million (1999) Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) Currency code: CVE Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - NA (2002), 123.21 (2001), 115.88 (2000), 102.7 (1999), 98.16 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Cape Verde Telephones - main lines in use: 60,935 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 28,119 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: effective system, being improved domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic cable system which is scheduled for completion in 2003 international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 15 (and 17 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2002) Radios: 100,000 (2002 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002) Televisions: 15,000 (2002 est.) Internet country code: .cv Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 12,000 (2002) Transportation Cape Verde Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,100 km paved: 858 km unpaved: 242 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,395 GRT/6,614 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 9 note: 3 airports are reported to be nonoperational (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Military Cape Verde Military branches: Army, Coast Guard Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 95,450 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 53,842 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9.3 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY02) Transnational Issues Cape Verde Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cayman Islands Introduction Cayman Islands Background: The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent. Geography Cayman Islands Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 262 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 262 sq km Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 160 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November) Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America People Cayman Islands Population: 41,934 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.6% (male 4,525; female 4,541) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 14,463; female 15,157) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 1,515; female 1,733) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 36.1 years male: 35.8 years female: 36.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.79% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 13.33 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 19.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.67 years male: 77.08 years female: 82.3 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian Ethnic groups: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.) Government Cayman Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: British crown colony Capital: George Town Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Constitution Day, first Monday in July Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992 Legal system: British common law and local statutes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; the chief secretary is appointed by the governor head of government: Chief Secretary W. McKeeva BUSH (since NA December 2001) cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA Judicial branch: Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: there are no formal political parties but the following loose groupings act as political organizations; National Team [leader NA]; Democratic Alliance [leader NA]; Team Cayman [leader NA]; United Democratic Party [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS Economy Cayman Islands Economy - overview: With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.27 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $35,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2002) Labor force: 19,820 (1995) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services 86% (1995) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (1997) Budget: revenues: $265.2 million expenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 381.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 355.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming Exports: $1.2 million (1999) Exports - commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods Exports - partners: mostly US Imports: $457.4 million (1999) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods Imports - partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan Debt - external: $70 million (1996) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Caymanian dollar (KYD) Currency code: KYD Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Cayman Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 19,000 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,534 (1995) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 36,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 with cable system Televisions: 7,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ky Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Cayman Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Cayman Brac, George Town Merchant marine: total: 123 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,402,058 GRT/3,792,094 DWT ships by type: bulk 22, cargo 5, chemical tanker 31, container 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 21, refrigerated cargo 35, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Bahrain 2, China 1, Germany 4, Greece 27, Hong Kong 3, Italy 2, Japan 1, Norway 14, Sweden 13, United Kingdom 15, United States 35 (2002 est.) Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Cayman Islands Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Cayman Islands Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Central African Republic Introduction Central African Republic Background: The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. In March 2003 a military coup deposed the civilian government of President Ange-Felix PATASSE and has since established a new government. Geography Central African Republic Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 622,984 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower Land use: arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 96.76% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa People Central African Republic Population: 3,683,538 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.1% (male 799,241; female 788,370) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 969,581; female 1,000,740) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 53,322; female 72,284) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.9 years male: 17.6 years female: 18.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.62% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 35.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 19.73 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 86.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 100.35 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.71 years male: 40.18 years female: 43.29 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.68 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 12.9% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 250,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 22,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Ethnic groups: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% Religions: indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51% male: 63.3% female: 39.9% (2003 est.) Government Central African Republic Country name: conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local short form: none local long form: Republique Centrafricaine former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR Government type: republic Capital: Bangui Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 1 December (1958) Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995 Legal system: based on French law Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) head of government: Prime Minister Abel GOUMBA (since NA March 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: NA; current president assumed power following a coup on 15 March 2003 in which former President Ange-Felix PATASSE was overthrown (President BOZIZE has stated that elections will be held by NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998 election) elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of deposed president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mattie R. SHARPLESS embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band Economy Central African Republic Economy - overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP growth likely to be no more than 1.3% in 2003. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.296 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 20% services: 25% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (1993) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 61.3 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (2001 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2002) Electricity - production: 106 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 19.8% hydro: 80.2% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 98.63 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber Exports: $134 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco Exports - partners: Belgium 66.8%, Spain 6.4%, Kazakhstan 4% (2002) Imports: $102 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: France 30%, US 5.2%, Cameroon 4.5%, Germany 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $881.4 million (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $73 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2000 est.) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Central African Republic Telephones - main lines in use: 9,500 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 710 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: fair system domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002) Radios: 283,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Televisions: 18,000 (1997) Internet country code: .cf Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 2,000 (2002) Transportation Central African Republic Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 23,810 km paved: 643 km unpaved: 23,167 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 900 km note: traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river, navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 m Ports and harbors: Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Airports: 50 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 47 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 13 (2002) Military Central African Republic Military branches: Central African Armed Forces (FACA) (including Republican Guard, Ground Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Force), Presidential Security Guard, Gendarmerie, National Police Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 858,671 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 449,466 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $13.43 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY02) Transnational Issues Central African Republic Disputes - international: internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlap into Chad and CAR, leaving refugees and rebel groups in both countries; violent ethnic skirmishes persist along the border with Sudan This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Chad Introduction Chad Background: Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-military groups, settled a territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable to Chad, drafted a democratic constitution, and held multiparty presidential and National Assembly elections in 1996 and 1997, respectively. In 1998, a new rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which continued to escalate throughout 2000. A peace agreement, signed in January 2002 between the government and the rebels, provides for the demobilization of the rebels and their reintegration into the political system. Despite movement toward democratic reform, power remains in the hands of a northern ethnic oligarchy. Geography Chad Location: Central Africa, south of Libya Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1.284 million sq km water: 24,800 sq km land: 1,259,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of California Land boundaries: total: 5,968 km border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical in south, desert in north Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad) Land use: arable land: 2.78% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 97.2% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 200 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography - note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel People Chad Population: 9,253,493 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,228,605; female 2,201,368) 15-64 years: 49.3% (male 2,171,169; female 2,393,184) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 105,686; female 153,481) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16 years male: 15.2 years female: 16.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.07% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 47.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 16.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 95.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 86.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 105 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.51 years male: 46.97 years female: 50.1 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.44 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.6% 5%-7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 150,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 14,000 (confirmed AIDS cases, actual number far higher but difficult to estimate) (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian Ethnic groups: 200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are Muslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000 French citizens live in Chad Religions: Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic total population: 47.5% male: 56% female: 39.3% (2003 est.) Government Chad Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form: Republique du Tchad local short form: Tchad Government type: republic Capital: N'Djamena Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile note: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrative structure of 28 departments (departments, singular - department), and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El Gazal, Bahr Koh, Batha Oriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera, Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam, N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile Oriental, Tandjile Occidental, Tibesti Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960) Constitution: passed by referendum 31 March 1996 Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Moussa Faki MAHAMAT (since NA July 2003) cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, Saleh KEBZABO 7% note: government coalition - MPS, UNDR, and URD elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral according to constitution, consists of a National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a Senate (not yet created and size unspecified, members to serve six-year terms, one-third of membership renewable every two years) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, URD 5, UNDR 3, others 11 elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be held in NA April 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarlejy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Mamadou BISSO]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman] (originally in opposition but now the party in power and the party of the president); Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE]; Viva Rally for Development and Progress or Viva RNDP [Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hassaballah Abdelhadi Ahmat SOUBIANE chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937 telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher E. GOLDTHWAIT embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 70-09 FAX: [235] (51) 56-54 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France Economy Chad Economy - overview: Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major oilfield and pipeline projects that began in 2000. Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and stock raising for its livelihood. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's export earnings, but Chad will begin to export oil in 2004. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves estimated at 1 billion barrels in southern Chad. Oil production is scheduled to come on stream in late 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $9.297 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38% industry: 13% services: 49% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 80% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture more than 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $198 million expenditures: $218 million, including capital expenditures of $146 million (1998 est.) Industries: oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1995) Electricity - production: 94.04 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 87.46 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels Exports: $197 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, cattle, gum arabic Exports - partners: Portugal 28.3%, Germany 13.6%, US 7.8%, Czech Republic 6.5%, France 5.8%, Nigeria 5.8%, Poland 5.5%, Spain 5.2%, Morocco 4.5% (2002) Imports: $570 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: France 31.5%, US 31.4%, Germany 5.5%, Nigeria 4.6% (2002) Debt - external: $1.1 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $238.3 million; note - $125 million committed by Taiwan (August 1997); $30 million committed by African Development Bank; ODA $150 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Chad Telephones - main lines in use: 9,700 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 5,500 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: primitive system domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2002) Radios: 1.67 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Televisions: 10,000 (1997) Internet country code: .td Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 4,000 (2002) Transportation Chad Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 33,400 km paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 2,000 km Pipelines: oil 205 km (2003) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 50 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Military Chad Military branches: Armed Forces (including National Army, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Rapid Intervention Force, National and Nomadic Guard (GNNT), Presidential Security Guard, Police Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,940,328 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,015,982 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 86,953 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $40.74 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.9% (FY02) Transnational Issues Chad Disputes - international: internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlap into Chad and Central African Republic, leaving refugees and rebel groups in both countries; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias; Chad rejects Nigerian request to redemarcate boundary, the site of continuing cross-border incidents This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Chile Introduction Chile Background: A three-year-old Marxist government was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, first implemented by the PINOCHET dictatorship, led to unprecedented growth in 1991-97 and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Geography Chile Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 71 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 756,950 sq km land: 748,800 sq km note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez water: 8,150 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana Land boundaries: total: 6,171 km border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km Coastline: 6,435 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200/350 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.42% other: 96.93% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 18,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis Environment - current issues: widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions People Chile Population: 15,665,216 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.4% (male 2,112,251; female 2,018,099) 15-64 years: 66% (male 5,151,551; female 5,180,607) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 499,441; female 703,267) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 29.5 years male: 28.6 years female: 30.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.05% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 9.68 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.35 years male: 73.04 years female: 79.82 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.09 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 20,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 220 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean Ethnic groups: white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.2% male: 96.4% female: 96.1% (2003 est.) Government Chile Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile Government type: republic Capital: Santiago Administrative divisions: 13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810) Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981, amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997 Legal system: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction note: Chile is in the process of completely overhauling its criminal justice system; a new, US-style adversarial system is being gradually implemented throughout the country Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election results: Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar 51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68% elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1999, with runoff election held 16 January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2005) Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (49 seats, 38 elected by popular vote, 9 designated members, and 2 former presidents who serve six-year terms and are senators for life); elected members serve eight-year terms (one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 12, PS 5, PPD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPD 62 (PDC 24, PPD 21, PS 11, PRSD 6), UDI 35, RN 22, independent 1 elections: Senate - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court); Constitutional Tribunal Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Chile ("Alianza") or APC - including RN and UDI; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Adolfo ZALDIVAR]; Coalition of Parties for Democracy ("Concertacion") or CPD - including PDC, PS, PPD, PRSD; Communist Party or PC [Gladys MARIN]; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Pablo LONGUEIRA]; National Renewal or RN [Sebastian PINERA]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Guido GIRARDI]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Orlando CANTUARIAS]; Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA] Political pressure groups and leaders: revitalized university student federations at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations International organization participation: APEC, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andres BIANCHI chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the US flag Economy Chile Economy - overview: Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 4.4% in 2000. Growth fell back to 2.8% in 2001 and 1.8% in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation of the Argentine peso. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, putting pressure on President LAGOS to improve living standards. One bright spot was the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which will take effect on 1 January 2004. GDP: purchasing power parity - $156.1 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 34% services: 56% (2001) Population below poverty line: 21% (1998 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 45.6% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 56.7 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 5.9 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 14%, industry 27%, services 59% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.2% (2002) Budget: revenues: $17 billion expenditures: $17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles Industrial production growth rate: -1.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 41.66 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 51.5% other: 1.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 40.13 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.386 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 13,640 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 241,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 81.05 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 1.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 6.47 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 5.27 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 67.78 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber Exports: $17.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicals Exports - partners: US 19.1%, Japan 10.5%, China 6.7%, Mexico 5%, Italy 4.7%, UK 4.4% (2002) Imports: $15.6 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery, food Imports - partners: Argentina 18%, US 14.9%, Brazil 9.5%, China 6.5%, Germany 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $40.4 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $40 million (2001 est.) Currency: Chilean peso (CLP) Currency code: CLP Exchange rates: Chilean pesos per US dollar - 688.95 (2002), 634.94 (2001), 535.47 (2000), 508.78 (1999), 460.29 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Chile Telephones - main lines in use: 2.603 million (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 944,225 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998) Radios: 5.18 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 3.15 million (1997) Internet country code: .cl Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 7 (2000) Internet users: 3.1 million (2002) Transportation Chile Railways: total: 6,585 km broad gauge: 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 79,814 km paved: 15,484 km (including 294 km of expressways) unpaved: 64,330 km (2000) Waterways: 725 km Pipelines: gas 2,267 km; gas/liquid petroleum gas 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 531 km; oil 983 km; refined products 545 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso Merchant marine: total: 50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 696,202 GRT/900,317 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 4 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Netherlands 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 363 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 71 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 15 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 292 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 216 (2002) Military Chile Military branches: Army of the Nation, National Navy (including naval air, coast guard, and marines), Air Force of the Nation, Chilean Carabineros (National Police), Investigations Police Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 4,154,636 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,070,140 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 131,324 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.5 billion (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.1% (FY99) Transnational Issues Chile Disputes - international: Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884; dispute with Peru over the economic zone delimited by the maritime boundary; Chile demands water rights to Bolivia's Rio Lauca and Silala Spring; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims Illicit drugs: a growing transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @China Introduction China Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences. But in the 19th and early 20th centuries, China was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established a dictatorship that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping gradually introduced market-oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision-making. Output quadrupled by 2000. Political controls remain tight while economic controls continue to be relaxed. Geography China Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 9,596,960 sq km land: 9,326,410 sq km water: 270,550 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: total: 22,147.34 km border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km Coastline: 14,500 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.) Natural resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest) Land use: arable land: 13.31% permanent crops: 1.2% other: 85.49% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 525,800 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence Environment - current issues: air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak; People China Population: 1,286,975,468 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.1% (male 155,473,656; female 141,737,406) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 461,223,219; female 433,154,970) 65 years and over: 7.4% (male 44,954,643; female 50,431,574) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 31.5 years male: 31.2 years female: 31.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.6% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.96 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 24.91 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.22 years male: 70.33 years female: 74.28 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 850,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 30,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese Ethnic groups: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1% Religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86% male: 92.9% female: 78.8% (2003 est.) Government China Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of China conventional short form: China local short form: Zhong Guo abbreviation: PRC local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Government type: Communist state Capital: Beijing Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**, Chongqing**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang; note - China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau Independence: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People's Republic established 1 October 1949) National holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949) Constitution: most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 Legal system: a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) and Vice President ZENG Qinghong (since 15 March 2003) elections: president and vice president elected by the National People's Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 15-17 March 2003 (next to be held mid-March 2008); premier nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Vice Premiers HUANG Ju (since 17 March 2003), WU Yi (17 March 2003), ZENG Peiyan (since 17 March 2003), and HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003) cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress (NPC) election results: HU Jintao elected president by the Tenth National People's Congress with a total of 2,937 votes (4 delegates voted against him, 4 abstained, and 38 did not vote); ZENG Qinghong elected vice president by the Tenth National People's Congress with a total of 2,578 votes (177 delegates voted against him, 190 abstained, and 38 did not vote); 2 seats were vacant Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,985 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA December 2002-NA February 2003 (next to be held late 2007-NA February 2008) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local Peoples Courts (comprise higher, intermediate and local courts); Special Peoples Courts (primarily military, maritime, and railway transport courts) Political parties and leaders: Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP Political pressure groups and leaders: no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the government has identified the Falungong sect and the China Democracy Party as potential rivals International organization participation: APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), OPCW, PCA, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, IFC, UNHCR, UNIDO, AfDB, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador YANG Jiechi consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr. embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 6532-3831 FAX: [86] (10) 6532-6929 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenyang Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner Economy China Economy - overview: In late 1978 the Chinese leadership began moving the economy from a sluggish, Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system. Whereas the system operates within a political framework of strict Communist control, the economic influence of non-state organizations and individual citizens has been steadily increasing. The authorities switched to a system of household and village responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprises in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. In 2003, with its 1.3 billion people but a GDP of just $5,000 per capita, China stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US (measured on a purchasing power parity basis). Agriculture and industry have posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment has helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. The leadership, however, often has experienced - as a result of its hybrid system - the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy and lassitude) and of capitalism (windfall gains and growing income disparities). China thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. The government has struggled to (a) collect revenues due from provinces, businesses, and individuals; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises, many of which had been shielded from competition by subsidies and had been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 80 to 120 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to maintaining long-term growth in living standards. Another long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment, notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. Beijing says it will intensify efforts to stimulate growth through spending on infrastructure - such as water control and power grids - and poverty relief and through rural tax reform aimed at eliminating arbitrary local levies on farmers. Accession to the World Trade Organization helps strengthen China's ability to maintain strong growth rates but at the same time puts additional pressure on the hybrid system of strong political controls and growing market influences. China has benefited from a huge expansion in computer internet use. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's remarkable economic growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.989 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 8% (official data) (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.2% industry and construction: 51.2% services: 33.6% (2001) Population below poverty line: 10% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.4% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40 (2001) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 744 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 50%, industry 22%, services 28% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: urban unemployment roughly 10%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $224.8 billion expenditures: $267.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Industries: iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys, food processing, automobiles, consumer electronics, telecommunications Industrial production growth rate: 12.6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 1.42 trillion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 80.2% hydro: 18.5% other: 0.1% (2001) nuclear: 1.2% Electricity - consumption: 1.312 trillion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 10.3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.55 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 3.3 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 4.975 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 26.75 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 30.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 30.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.29 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish Exports: $325.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment; textiles and clothing, footwear, toys and sporting goods; mineral fuels Exports - partners: US 21.5%, Hong Kong 18%, Japan 14.9%, South Korea 4.8% (2002) Imports: $295.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, plastics, iron and steel, chemicals Imports - partners: Japan 18.1%, Taiwan 10.5%, South Korea 9.7%, US 9.2%, Germany 5.6% (2002) Debt - external: $149.4 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: yuan (CNY) note:: also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB) Currency code: CNY Exchange rates: yuan per US dollar - 8.28 (2002), 8.28 (2001), 8.28 (2000), 8.28 (1999), 8.28 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications China Telephones - main lines in use: 135 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 65 million (January 2001) Telephone system: general assessment: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); several international fiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, and Germany (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998) Radios: 417 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997) Televisions: 400 million (1997) Internet country code: .cn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: 45.8 million (2002) Transportation China Railways: total: 71,600 km standard gauge: 68,000 km 1.435-m gauge (14,600 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,600 km 1.000-m and 0.750-m gauge local industrial lines (2002) Highways: total: 1,402,698 km paved: 314,204 km (with at least 16,314 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,088,494 km (2000) Waterways: 110,000 km (1999) Pipelines: gas 13,845 km; oil 15,143 km; refined products 3,280 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Huangpu, Lianyungang, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wenzhou, Xiamen, Xingang, Yantai, Zhanjiang (2001) Merchant marine: total: 1,817 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,047,962 GRT/27,035,740 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 348, cargo 824, chemical tanker 28, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 150, liquefied gas 28, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 47, petroleum tanker 267, refrigerated cargo 26, roll on/roll off 21, short-sea passenger 42, specialized tanker 8, vehicle carrier 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Germany 1, Hong Kong 16, Japan 2, Panama 2, South Korea 1, Spain 1, Taiwan 9, Tanzania 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 500 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 351 over 3,047 m: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 108 1,524 to 2,437 m: 143 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 39 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 149 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 48 under 914 m: 71 (2002) Military China Military branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA): comprises ground forces, Navy (including naval infantry and naval aviation), Air Force, and II Artillery Corps (strategic missile force), People's Armed Police Force (internal security troops, nominally a state security body but included by the Chinese as part of the "armed forces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA), militia Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 375,520,255 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 206 million (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 10,973,761 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $55.91 billion (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.3% (FY02) Transnational Issues China Disputes - international: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; much of the rugged, militarized boundary with India is in dispute, but the two sides have participated in more than 13 rounds of joint working group sessions on this issue; India objects to Pakistan ceding lands to China in 1965 boundary agreement that India believes are part of disputed Kashmir; China, as well as Taiwan, claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) islands; negotiations with Tajikistan resolved the longstanding boundary dispute; China and Kazakhstan have resolved their border dispute and are working to delimit their large open borders to control population migration, illegal activities, and trade; Kyrgyzstan's constitutional court rules that 1,270 sq km ceded to China in 2000 delimitation agreement were legally transferred; certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers are in uncontested dispute with North Korea and a section of boundary around Mount Paektu is indefinite - China objects to illegal migration of North Koreans into northern China; China continues to seek a mutually acceptable solution to the disputed alluvial islands with Russia at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri rivers and a small island on the Argun river as part of the 2001 Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation; boundary agreements signed in 2002 with Tajikistan cedes 1,000 sq km of Pamir Mountain range to China in return for China's relinquishing claims to 28,000 sq km; demarcation of land boundary with Vietnam continues but maritime boundary and joint fishing zone agreement remains unratified; China occupies Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for chemical precursors and methamphetamine This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Christmas Island Introduction Christmas Island Background: Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. Geography Christmas Island Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 135 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m Natural resources: phosphate, beaches Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean People Christmas Island Population: 433 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: -9% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island Ethnic groups: Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% note: no indigenous population (2001) Religions: Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Languages: English (official), Chinese, Malay Literacy: NA Government Christmas Island Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services Government type: NA Capital: The Settlement Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: NA Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9 elections: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory Economy Christmas Island Economy - overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, slated to begin operation in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Agriculture - products: NA Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: phosphate Exports - partners: Australia, NZ Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: consumer goods Imports - partners: principally Australia Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173(2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Christmas Island Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: service provided by the Australian network domestic: only analog mobile telephone service is available international: satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 1,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: 600 (1997) Internet country code: .cx Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Christmas Island Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines Highways: total: 240 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 210 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Christmas Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues Christmas Island Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Clipperton Island Introduction Clipperton Island Background: This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. Geography Clipperton Island Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 6 sq km Area - comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 11.1 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October Terrain: coral atoll Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: reef 12 km in circumference People Clipperton Island Population: uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Government Clipperton Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local short form: Ile Clipperton local long form: none former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion Dependency status: possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Clipperton Island Economy - overview: Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. Transportation Clipperton Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Clipperton Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Clipperton Island Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cocos (Keeling) Islands Introduction Cocos (Keeling) Islands Background: There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William Keeling discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. Geography Cocos (Keeling) Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 14 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island water: 0 sq km land: 14 sq km Area - comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: cyclone season is October to April Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs Geography - note: islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation People Cocos (Keeling) Islands Population: 630 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: 0% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) Languages: Malay (Cocos dialect), English Government Cocos (Keeling) Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services Government type: NA Capital: West Island Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Suffrage: NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia head of government: Administrator (nonresident) William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Cocos (Keeling) Islands Economy - overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others Unemployment rate: 60% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: copra products and tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Agriculture - products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: copra Exports - partners: Australia (1999) Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: foodstuffs Imports - partners: Australia (1999) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Cocos (Keeling) Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 287 (1992) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication system domestic: NA international: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000) Radios: 300 (1992) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: NA Internet country code: .cc Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Cocos (Keeling) Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 15 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (2003) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; lagoon anchorage only Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Cocos (Keeling) Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory does have a five-person police force Transnational Issues Cocos (Keeling) Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Colombia Introduction Colombia Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries has grown to be several thousand strong in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of territory and illicit industries such as the drug trade and the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas. While Bogota steps up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. Geography Colombia Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank water: 100,210 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: total: 6,004 km border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.9% other: 96.14% (1998 est.) permanent crops: 1.96% Irrigated land: 8,500 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography - note: only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea People Colombia Population: 41,662,073 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.3% (male 6,601,581; female 6,447,679) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 12,931,093; female 13,626,333) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 913,798; female 1,141,589) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.6 years male: 24.8 years female: 26.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.56% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 21.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 26.46 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 67.29 years female: 75.12 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.61 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 140,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,600 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 90% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 92.4% female: 92.6% (2003 est.) Government Colombia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure Capital: Bogota Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Distrito Capital de Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Constitution: 5 July 1991 Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the two dominant parties - the PL and PSC - and independents elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2006) election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez received 53% of the vote; Vice President Francisco SANTOS was elected on the same ticket Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006); House of Representatives - last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PL 28, PSC 13, independents and smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 61; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PL 54, PSC 21, independents and other parties 91 Judicial branch: four coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justical (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Higher Council of Justice (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; members of the disciplinary chamber resolve jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Conservative Party or PSC [Carlos HOLGUIN Sardi]; Liberal Party or PL [Piedad CORDOBA and Juan Manuel LOPEZ Cabrales]; Colombian Communist Party or PCC [Jaime CAICEDO]; 19 of April Movement or M-19 [Antonio NAVARRO Wolff] note: Colombia has about 60 formally recognized political parties, most of which do not have a presence in either house of Congress Political pressure groups and leaders: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and National Liberation Army or ELN; largest anti-insurgent paramilitary group is United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUC International organization participation: BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC consulate(s): Atlanta FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: Carrera 45 #22D-45, Bogota, D.C., APO AA 34038 telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197 Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center Economy Colombia Economy - overview: Colombia's economy suffers from weak domestic and foreign demand, austere government budgets, and serious internal armed conflict. Other economic problems facing the new president URIBE range from reforming the pension system to reducing high unemployment. Two of Colombia's leading exports, oil and coffee, face an uncertain future; new exploration is needed to offset declining oil production, while coffee harvests and prices are depressed. Colombian business leaders are calling for greater progress in solving the conflict with insurgent groups. On the positive side, several international financial institutions have praised the economic reforms introduced by President URIBE and have pledged enough funding to cover Colombia's debt servicing costs in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $251.6 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 30% services: 57% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 55% (2001) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 44% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 57.1 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 18.3 million (1999 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990) Unemployment rate: 17.4% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $24 billion expenditures: $25.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 42.99 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 26% hydro: 72.7% other: 1.3% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 39.81 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 210 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 40 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 614,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 252,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 1.8 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 5.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 5.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 132 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp Exports: $12.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, apparel, bananas, cut flowers Exports - partners: US 44.8%, Venezuela 9.4%, Ecuador 6.8% (2002) Imports: $12.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity Imports - partners: US 32.6%, Venezuela 7%, Mexico 5.3%, Japan 5.3%, Brazil 5.2%, Germany 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $38.4 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Colombian peso (COP) Currency code: COP Exchange rates: Colombian pesos per US dollar - 2,504.24 (2002), 2,299.63 (2001), 2,087.9 (2000), 1,756.23 (1999), 1,426.04 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Colombia Telephones - main lines in use: 5,433,565 (December 1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,800,229 (December 1998) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system in many respects domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities international: satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat; 3 fully digitalized international switching centers; 8 submarine cables Radio broadcast stations: AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999) Radios: 21 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997) Televisions: 4.59 million (1997) Internet country code: .co Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 18 (2000) Internet users: 1.15 million (2002) Transportation Colombia Railways: total: 3,304 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 110,000 km paved: 26,000 km unpaved: 84,000 km (2000) Waterways: 18,140 km (navigable by river boats) (April 1996) Pipelines: gas 4,360 km; oil 6,134 km; refined products 3,140 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo Merchant marine: total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 51,445 GRT/55,930 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 6, container 1, petroleum tanker 3 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 1,050 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 96 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 11 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 954 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 under 914 m: 587 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 315 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Colombia Military branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 11,101,719 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 7,403,433 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 392,468 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.3 billion (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.4% (FY01) Transnational Issues Colombia Disputes - international: Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundary involving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian drug activities penetrate Peruvian border area Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 2002 was 144,450 hectares, a 15% decline since 2001); potential production of opium between 2001 and 2002 declined by 25% to 91 metric tons; potential production of heroin declined to 11.3 metric tons; the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of about 90% of the cocaine to the US market and the great majority of cocaine to other international drug markets; important supplier of heroin to the US market; active aerial eradication program; a significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Comoros Introduction Comoros Background: Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president was sworn in on May 26, 2002. Geography Comoros Location: Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,170 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 2,170 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 340 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 34.98% permanent crops: 17.94% other: 47.08% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano Environment - current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel People Comoros Population: 632,948 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 136,060; female 135,277) 15-64 years: 54.2% (male 169,121; female 173,822) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,863; female 9,805) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.6 years male: 18.3 years female: 18.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.96% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 38.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 79.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 70.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 88.32 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.18 years male: 58.92 years female: 63.5 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.21 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.12% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Religions: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 56.5% male: 63.6% female: 49.3% (2003 est.) Government Comoros Country name: conventional long form: Union of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local short form: Comores local long form: Union des Comores Government type: independent republic Capital: Moroni Administrative divisions: 3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Constitution: 23 December 2001 note: a Transitional National Unity Government (GUNT) was formed on 20 January 2002 following the passing of the new constitution; the GUNT governed until the presidential elections on 14 April 2002 Legal system: French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May 2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with 75% of the vote elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; note - AZALI has not appointed a Prime Minister since he was sworn into office in May 2002 head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May 2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Union (30 seats; half the deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the other half by universal suffrage; deputies serve for five years) note - elections for the former legislature, the Federal Assembly, dissolved in 1999, where held on 1 and 8 December 1996; the next elections for the Assembly of the Union were scheduled to be held in April 2003 but have yet to occur Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic) Political parties and leaders: Forces pour l'Action Republicaine or FAR [Col. Abdourazak ABDULHAMID]; Forum pour la Redressement National or FRN (alliance of 12 parties); Front Democratique or FD [Moustoifa Said CHEIKH]; Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed RACHID]; Movement des Citoyens pour la Republique or MCR [Mahamoud MRADABI]; Mouvement Populaire Anjouanais or MPA (Anjouan separatist movement) [leader NA]; Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Movement pour le Socialisme et la Democratie or MSD (splinter group of FD) [Abdou SOEFOU]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmoud M. ABOUD (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN) chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Union of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711 FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy Comoros Economy - overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. GDP: purchasing power parity - $441 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 4% services: 56% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 60% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2001 est.) Labor force: 144,500 (1996 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80% Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $27.6 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: tourism, perfume distillation Industrial production growth rate: -2% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 21.27 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 19.78 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) Exports: $16.3 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra Exports - partners: France 32.4%, Germany 19.4%, US 17.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Netherlands 6.5% (2002) Imports: $39.8 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment Imports - partners: France 34.3%, South Africa 12%, Japan 6.1%, Kenya 5.9%, UAE 5.8%, Mauritius 4.9%, Thailand 4.6% (2002) Debt - external: $232 million (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $10 million (2001 est.) Currency: Comoran franc (KMF) Currency code: KMF Exchange rates: Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 522.74 (2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.78 (1999), 442.46 (1998) note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Comoros Telephones - main lines in use: 7,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 90,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: 1,000 (1997) Internet country code: .km Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 2,500 (2002) Transportation Comoros Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (1999 est) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou Merchant marine: total: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 432,132 GRT/796,734 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 15, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Malta 1, Pakistan 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 4 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Military Comoros Military branches: Comoran Security Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 150,079 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 89,090 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $6 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3% (FY02) Transnational Issues Comoros Disputes - international: claims French-administered Mayotte This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Congo, Democratic Republic of the Introduction Congo, Democratic Republic of the Background: Since 1997, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC; formerly called Zaire) has been rent by ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow in 1994 of refugees from the fighting in Rwanda and Burundi. The government of former president MOBUTU Sese Seko was toppled by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA in May 1997; his regime was subsequently challenged by a Rwanda- and Uganda-backed rebellion in August 1998. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed on 10 July 1999 by the DROC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda, and Congolese armed rebel groups, but sporadic fighting continued. KABILA was assassinated on 16 January 2001 and his son Joseph KABILA was named head of state ten days later. In October 2002, the new president was successful in getting occupying Rwandan forces to withdraw from eastern Congo; two months later, an agreement was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and set up a government of national unity. Geography Congo, Democratic Republic of the Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,345,410 sq km water: 77,810 sq km land: 2,267,600 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 10,730 km border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km Coastline: 37 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season April to October, dry season December to February; south of Equator - wet season November to March, dry season April to October Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m Natural resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower, timber Land use: arable land: 2.96% permanent crops: 0.52% other: 96.52% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 110 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes Environment - current issues: poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: straddles equator; has very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands People Congo, Democratic Republic of the Population: 56,625,039 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48.3% (male 13,734,706; female 13,624,579) 15-64 years: 49.2% (male 13,648,155; female 14,203,077) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 583,366; female 831,156) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 15.8 years female: 16.1 years (2002) male: 15.4 years Population growth rate: 2.9% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 45.12 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 14.87 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: fighting between the Congolese Government and Uganda- and Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DROC in August 1998, which left 1.8 million Congolese internally displaced and caused 300,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surrounding countries (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 96.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 87.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 105.15 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.93 years male: 46.83 years female: 51.09 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.69 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 4.9% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.3 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 120,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs 10% Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba total population: 65.5% male: 76.2% female: 55.1% (2003 est.) Government Congo, Democratic Republic of the Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: none local short form: none former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo abbreviation: DROC Government type: dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative government Capital: Kinshasa Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and one city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 June (1960) Constitution: 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978, amended April 1990; transitional constitution promulgated in April 1994; in November 1998, a draft constitution was approved by former President Laurent KABILA but it was not ratified by a national referendum; one outcome of the ongoing inter-Congolese dialogue is to be a new constitution Legal system: based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the president elections: prior to the overthrow of MOBUTU Sese Seko, the president was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 29 July 1984 (next was scheduled to be held in May 1997); formerly, there was also a prime minister who was elected by the High Council of the Republic; note - a Transitional Government is drafting a new constitution with free elections scheduled to be held in NA 2005 note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001, negotiations with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a Transitional Government in July 2003 with free elections scheduled to be held in NA 2005 election results: results of the last election were: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga reelected president in 1984 without opposition Legislative branch: a 300-member Transitional Constituent Assembly established in August 2000 elections: NA; members of the Transitional Constituent Assembly were appointed by former President Laurent Desire KABILA Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Democratic Social Christian Party or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Forces for Renovation for Union and Solidarity or FONUS [Joseph OLENGHANKOY]; National Congolese Lumumbist Movement or MNC [Francois LUMUMBA]; Popular Movement of the Revolution or MPR (three factions: MPR-Fait Prive [Catherine NZUZI wa Mbombo]; MPR/Vunduawe [Felix VUNDUAWE]; MPR/Mananga [MANANGA Dintoka Mpholo]); Unified Lumumbast Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba]; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans or UFERI (two factions: UFERI [Lokambo OMOKOKO]; UFERI/OR [Adolph Kishwe MAYA]) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691 chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aubrey HOOKS embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 telephone: [243] (88) 43608 FAX: [243] (88) 43467 Flag description: light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side Economy Congo, Democratic Republic of the Economy - overview: The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The war, which began in August 1998, has dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, has increased external debt, and has resulted in the deaths from war, famine, and disease of perhaps 3.5 million people. Foreign businesses have curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. The war has intensified the impact of such basic problems as an uncertain legal framework, corruption, inflation, and lack of openness in government economic policy and financial operations. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. A number of IMF and World Bank missions have met with the government to help it develop a coherent economic plan, and President KABILA has begun implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies outside the GDP data. GDP: purchasing power parity - $34 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 11% services: 34% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16% (2002 est.) Labor force: 14.51 million (1993 est.) Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $269 million expenditures: $244 million, including capital expenditures of $24 million (1996 est.) Industries: mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 5.243 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.8% hydro: 98.2% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 3.839 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.097 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 60 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 14,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 1.538 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 104.8 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products Exports: $1.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, copper, crude oil, coffee, cobalt Exports - partners: Belgium 64.4%, US 13.4%, Zimbabwe 6.7%, Finland 4.9% (2002) Imports: $890 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels Imports - partners: Belgium 14.6%, South Africa 14.2%, Nigeria 10.3%, France 9.5%, Germany 7.3%, Netherlands 5.3%, Kenya 5.2% (2002) Debt - external: $12.9 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $195.3 million (1995) Currency: Congolese franc (CDF) Currency code: CDF Exchange rates: Congolese francs per US dollar - 346.49 (2002), 206.62 (2001), 21.82 (2000), 4.02 (1999), 1.61 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Congo, Democratic Republic of the Telephones - main lines in use: 20,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 15,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: poor domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001) Radios: 18.03 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2001) Televisions: 6.478 million (1997) Internet country code: .cd Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2001) Internet users: 6,000 (2002) Transportation Congo, Democratic Republic of the Railways: total: 4,772 km narrow gauge: 3,621 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 157,000 km (including 30 km of expressways) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1999 est.) Waterways: 15,000 km (including the Congo and its tributaries, and unconnected lakes) Pipelines: gas 54 km; oil 71 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 229 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 205 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 91 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Congo, Democratic Republic of the Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Security Battalion Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 12,292,933 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 6,267,752 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $250 million (FY97) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.6% (FY97) Transnational Issues Congo, Democratic Republic of the Disputes - international: Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from neighboring states, with Uganda and Rwanda supporting the rebel movements that occupy much of the eastern portion of the state - Tutsi, Hutu, Lendu, Hema and other conflicting ethnic groups, political rebels, and various government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda - heads of the Great Lakes states pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; most of the Congo River boundary with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Congo, Republic of the Introduction Congo, Republic of the Background: Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but ushered in a period of ethnically based unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers with significant potential for offshore development. Geography Congo, Republic of the Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 342,000 sq km water: 500 sq km land: 341,500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 5,504 km border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km Coastline: 169 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 NM Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 0.5% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 99.37% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: seasonal flooding Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them People Congo, Republic of the Population: 2,954,258 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 570,491; female 563,079) 15-64 years: 58% (male 844,655; female 868,851) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 44,166; female 63,016) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 20.2 years male: 19.8 years female: 20.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.53% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 29.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 14.2 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 95.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 101.45 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.02 years male: 49.04 years female: 51.02 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 7.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 110,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997 Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo has the most users) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.8% male: 89.6% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) Government Congo, Republic of the Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville) local short form: none former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo local long form: Republique du Congo Government type: republic Capital: Brazzaville Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1960) Constitution: constitution approved by referendum 20 January 2002 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second seven-year term); election last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2009) election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 2.7% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held NA July 2007); National Assembly - last held 27 May and 26 June 2002 (next to be held by NA May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 83, UDR 6, UPADS 3, other 45 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: the most important of the many parties are the Democratic and Patriotic Forces or FDP (an alliance of Convention for Alternative Democracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT, Liberal Republican Party, National Union for Democracy and Progress, Patriotic Union for the National Reconstruction, and Union for the National Renewal) [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR [leader NA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robin R. SANDERS embassy: NA mailing address: NA telephone: [243] (88) 43608 note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa) Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Congo, Republic of the Economy - overview: The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing to a shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. However, economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic problems of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 48% services: 42% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $870 million expenditures: $970 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes Industrial production growth rate: 0% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 358.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.3% hydro: 99.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 633 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 300 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 275,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 93.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 495.5 million cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products Exports: $2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds Exports - partners: Taiwan 28.1%, South Korea 20.4%, China 9.3%, US 8.4%, Germany 6.6%, France 5.2% (2002) Imports: $730 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 22.1%, Italy 8.5%, Belgium 6%, US 5.2%, India 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $5 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $159.1 million (1995) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 697 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Congo, Republic of the Telephones - main lines in use: 22,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,300 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001) Radios: 341,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Televisions: 33,000 (1997) Internet country code: .cg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 500 (2001) Transportation Congo, Republic of the Railways: total: 894 km narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 12,800 km paved: 1,242 km unpaved: 11,558 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 1,120 km note: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) rivers provide 1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used for local traffic only Pipelines: gas 53 km; oil 673 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire Airports: 31 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Military Congo, Republic of the Military branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Gendarmerie, National Police Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 754,814 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 381,556 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 31,644 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $84 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.8% (FY01) Transnational Issues Congo, Republic of the Disputes - international: most of the Congo River boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Stanley Pool/Pool Malebo area) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cook Islands Introduction Cook Islands Background: Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Geography Cook Islands Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 240 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 240 sq km Area - comparative: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 17.39% permanent crops: 13.04% other: 69.57% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons (November to March) Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives People Cook Islands Population: 21,008 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: NA% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander Ethnic groups: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9% Religions: Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% Government Cook Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy Capital: Avarua Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) National holiday: Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) Constitution: 4 August 1965 Legal system: based on New Zealand law and English common law Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Ngamau MUNOKOA (since 5 November 2003) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1 note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag Economy Cook Islands Economy - overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.1% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 7.8% services: 75.2% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (2000 est.) Labor force: 8,000 (1996) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% note: shortage of skilled labor (1995) Unemployment rate: 13% (1996) Budget: revenues: $28 million expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY 00/01 est.) Industries: fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2002) Electricity - production: 27.43 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 25.51 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 450 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry Exports: $9.1 million (2000) Exports - commodities: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Exports - partners: Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000) Imports: $50.7 million (2000) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods Imports - partners: NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000) Debt - external: $141 million (1996 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD) Currency code: NZD Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Cook Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 5,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 14,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 4,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ck Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Cook Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Avarua, Avatiu Airports: 7 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Military Cook Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request Transnational Issues Cook Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Coral Sea Islands Introduction Coral Sea Islands Background: Scattered over some 1 million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. Geography Coral Sea Islands Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: less than 3 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important water: 0 sq km land: less than 3 sq km Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional tropical cyclones Environment - current issues: no permanent fresh water resources Geography - note: important nesting area for birds and turtles People Coral Sea Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (July 2003 est.) Government Coral Sea Islands Country name: conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Executive branch: administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Coral Sea Islands Economy - overview: no economic activity Communications Coral Sea Islands Communications - note: there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland Transportation Coral Sea Islands Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Coral Sea Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors Transnational Issues Coral Sea Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Costa Rica Introduction Costa Rica Background: Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. Geography Costa Rica Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 51,100 sq km water: 440 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco land: 50,660 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km Coastline: 1,290 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m Natural resources: hydropower Land use: arable land: 4.41% permanent crops: 5.48% other: 90.11% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,260 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes Environment - current issues: deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 People Costa Rica Population: 3,896,092 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.1% (male 600,812; female 573,375) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 1,269,667; female 1,241,097) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 98,156; female 112,985) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.4 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.56% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 11.49 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.43 years male: 73.87 years female: 79.11 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 11,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 890 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican Ethnic groups: white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Languages: Spanish (official), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 95.9% female: 96.1% (2003 est.) Government Costa Rica Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica Government type: democratic republic Capital: San Jose Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 7 November 1949 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February 2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held NA February 2006) election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote - Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to be held 3 February 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Agricultural Labor Action or PALA [Carlos Alberto SOLIS Blanco]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Jose M. NUNEZ]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Alejandro MADRIGAL]; National Independent Party or PNI [Jorge GONZALEZ Marten]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Sonia PICADO]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis Manuel CHACON] note: mainly a two-party system - PUSC and PLN - until the 3 February 2002 election in which the PAC captured a significant percentage, forcing a run-off in April 2002 Political pressure groups and leaders: Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown] International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime DAREMBLUM Rosenstein chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Durham (North Carolina), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Tampa consulate(s): Austin FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John J. DANILOVICH embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 220-3939 FAX: [506] 220-2305 Flag description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA Economy Costa Rica Economy - overview: Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. At the same time, distribution of income remains severely unequal. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. However, traditional export sectors have not kept pace. Low coffee prices and an overabundance of bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt, with the need to modernize the state-owned electricity and telecommunications sector, and with the problem of bringing down inflation. GDP: purchasing power parity - $32 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 30% services: 61% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 20.6% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 34.6% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 45.9 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.9 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.91 billion expenditures: $2.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products Industrial production growth rate: 2.9% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 6.839 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.5% hydro: 81.9% other: 16.6% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 6.109 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 379 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 128 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 37,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber Exports: $5.1 billion (2002) Exports - commodities: coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment Exports - partners: US 31.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, UK 4.5% (2002) Imports: $6.4 billion (2002) Imports - commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum Imports - partners: US 36.7%, Japan 4.4%, Mexico 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $4.8 billion (2002 est.) Currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC) Currency code: CRC Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000), 285.69 (1999), 257.23 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Costa Rica Telephones - main lines in use: 450,000 (1998) note: 584,000 installed in 1997, but only about 450,000 were in use in 1998 Telephones - mobile cellular: 143,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: very good domestic telephone service domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available international: connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 50, FM 43, shortwave 19 (1998) Radios: 980,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 6 (plus 11 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 525,000 (1997) Internet country code: .cr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (of which only one is legal) (2000) Internet users: 384,000 (2002) Transportation Costa Rica Railways: total: 950 km narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 35,892 km paved: 7,896 km unpaved: 27,996 km (2000) Waterways: 730 km (seasonally navigable) Pipelines: refined products 421 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT ships by type: passenger 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 151 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 121 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 93 (2002) Military Costa Rica Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Air Section, Ministry of Public Forces (Fuerza Publica) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,080,254 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 722,043 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 41,453 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $69 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY99) Transnational Issues Costa Rica Disputes - international: legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on border with Nicaragua Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, particularly crack cocaine This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cote d'Ivoire Introduction Cote d'Ivoire Background: Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. On 25 December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government led by President Henri Konan BEDIE. Junta leader Robert GUEI held elections in late 2000, but excluded prominent opposition leader Alassane OUATTARA, blatantly rigged the polling results, and declared himself winner. Popular protest forced GUEI to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent GBAGBO into power. GBAGBO spent his first two years in office trying to consolidate power to strengthen his weak mandate, but he was unable to appease his opponents, who launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government. However, the central government has yet to exert control over the northern regions and tension remains high between GBAGBO and rebel leaders. Several thousand French and West African troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to maintain peace and help implement the peace accords. Geography Cote d'Ivoire Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 322,460 sq km water: 4,460 sq km land: 318,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 3,110 km border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km Coastline: 515 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, hydropower Land use: arable land: 9.28% permanent crops: 13.84% other: 76.88% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 730 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible Environment - current issues: deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated People Cote d'Ivoire Population: 16,962,491 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.4% (male 3,796,393; female 3,902,210) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 4,541,997; female 4,347,531) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 179,323; female 195,037) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17 years male: 17.3 years female: 16.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.15% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 40.01 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 18.41 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 98.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 115.29 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.65 years male: 40.34 years female: 45.04 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.51 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 9.7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 770,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 75,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Ivorian(s) adjective: Ivorian Ethnic groups: Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 20,000 French) (1998) Religions: Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40% (2001) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50.9% male: 57.9% female: 43.6% (2003 est.) Government Cote d'Ivoire Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire local short form: Cote d'Ivoire former: Ivory Coast local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 Capital: Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan Administrative divisions: 58 departments (departements, singular - departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adiake, Adzope, Agboville, Agnibilekrou, Alepe, Bocanda, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Dabou, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Bassam, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Jacqueville, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tiebissou, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toulepleu, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula Independence: 7 August (1960) (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 August (1960) Constitution: 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time 27 July 1998 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000); note - took power following a popular overthrow of the interim leader Gen. Robert GUEI who had claimed a dubious victory in presidential elections; Gen. GUEI himself had assumed power on 25 December 1999, following a military coup against the government of former President Henri Konan BEDIE head of government: Prime Minister Seydou DIARRA (since 25 January 2003); note - appointed as transitional Prime Minister by President GBAGBO as part of a French brokered peace plan cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) note: a Senate is scheduled to be created in the next full election in 2005 election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or PDCI-RDA [Aime Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace or UDPCI [leader NA]; over 20 smaller parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pascal Dago KOKORA chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 FAX: [1] (202) 462-9444 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlene RENDER embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01 telephone: [225] 20 21 09 79 FAX: [225] 20 22 32 59 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France Economy Cote d'Ivoire Economy - overview: Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to weather conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still largely dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly 68% of the population. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling by multilateral lenders and France. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump in growth to 5% annually during 1996-99. Growth was negative in 2000-02 because of the difficulty of meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices of key exports, and severe civil war fighting. GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.03 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 22% services: 49% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 37% (1995) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.8% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.7 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 68% agricultural (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 13% in urban areas (1998) Budget: revenues: $1.72 billion expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $420 million (2001 est.) Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity Industrial production growth rate: 15% (1998 est.) Electricity - production: 4.605 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.983 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 32,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 50 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 14.87 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber Exports: $4.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish Exports - partners: France 14.5%, Netherlands 12.9%, US 7.6%, Germany 5.4%, Mali 4.6%, Belgium 4.4%, Spain 4.3% (2002) Imports: $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 22.7%, Nigeria 16.6%, China 7.9%, Italy 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $10.3 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Cote d'Ivoire Telephones - main lines in use: 263,700 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 450,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: well developed by African standards but operating well below capacity domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial submarine cables (June 1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 2.26 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 14 (1999) Televisions: 1.09 million (2000) Internet country code: .ci Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001) Internet users: 70,000 (2002) Transportation Cote d'Ivoire Railways: total: 660 km narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso (2002) Highways: total: 50,400 km paved: 4,889 km unpaved: 45,511 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) Pipelines: condensate 107 km; gas 223 km; oil 104 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro Airports: 36 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Military Cote d'Ivoire Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (includes Presidential Guard) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 4,035,462 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,110,276 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 198,115 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $143.5 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Cote d'Ivoire Disputes - international: rebel fighting extended to neighboring states and has driven out nationals and foreign workers to nearby countries; the Ivorian Government accuses Burkina Faso and Liberia of supporting Ivorian rebels Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American cocaine destined for Europe and South Africa; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Croatia Introduction Croatia Background: In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. Geography Croatia Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia Geographic coordinates: 45 10 N, 15 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 56,542 sq km water: 128 sq km land: 56,414 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 2,197 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia and Montenegro (north) 241 km, Serbia and Montenegro (south) 25 km, Slovenia 670 km Coastline: 5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km) Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Dinara 1,830 m Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower Land use: arable land: 23.55% permanent crops: 2.24% other: 74.21% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits People Croatia Population: 4,422,248 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 415,873; female 394,414) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,465,488; female 1,454,778) 65 years and over: 15.6% (male 258,943; female 432,752) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.9 years male: 37.1 years female: 40.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.31% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.76 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 11.25 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 7.78 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.37 years male: 70.76 years female: 78.2 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 10 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s) adjective: Croatian Ethnic groups: Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, Bosniak 0.5%, Hungarian 0.4%, Slovene 0.3%, Czech 0.2%, Roma 0.2%, Albanian 0.1%, Montenegrin 0.1%, others 4.1% (2001) Religions: Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, Muslim 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, others and unknown 6.2% (2001) Languages: Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.5% male: 99.4% female: 97.8% (2003 est.) Government Croatia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Croatia conventional short form: Croatia local short form: Hrvatska local long form: Republika Hrvatska Government type: presidential/parliamentary democracy Capital: Zagreb Administrative divisions: 20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska Zupanija, Brodsko-Posavska Zupanija, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska Zupanija, Istarska Zupanija, Karlovacka Zupanija, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka Zupanija, Krapinsko-Zagorska Zupanija, Licko-Senjska Zupanija, Medimurska Zupanija, Osjecko-Baranjska Zupanija, Pozesko-Slavonska Zupanija, Primorsko-Goranska Zupanija, Sibensko-Kninska Zupanija, Sisacko-Moslavacka Zupanija, Splitsko-Dalmatinska Zupanija, Varazdinska Zupanija, Viroviticko-Podravska Zupanija, Vukovarsko-Srijemska Zupanija, Zadarska Zupanija, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka Zupanija Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Statehood Day, 25 June (1991) Constitution: adopted on 22 December 1990 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Executive branch: chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Ivica RACAN (since 27 January 2000); Deputy Prime Ministers Goran GRANIC (since 27 January 2000), Ante SIMONIC (since 30 July 2002), Zeljka ANTUNOVI (since 27 January 2000), Slavko LINIC (since 27 January 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 7 February 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister nominated by the president in line with the balance of power in the Assembly note: government coalition - SDP, HSLS, HSS, LP, HNS; a sixth party, the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), withdrew in June 2001 election results: Stjepan MESIC elected president; percent of vote - Stjepan MESIC (HNS) 56%, Drazen BUDISA (HSLS) 44% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sabor (152 seats; note - one seat was added in the November Parliamentary elections; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - House of Counties was abolished in March 2001 election results: Assembly (then referred to as the House of Representatives) - percent of vote by party - HDZ 43.4%, SDP 23%, HNS 7.4%, HSS 6.57%, HSP 6%; seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 34, HNS 10, HSS 9, HSP 7; note - these are preliminary results elections: Assembly - last held 23 November 2003 (next to be held in 2007) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the House of Representatives Political parties and leaders: Croatian Bloc or HB [Ivic PASALIC]; Croatian Christian Democratic Union or HKDU [Anto KOVACEVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Anto DJAPIC]; Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Zlatko TOMCIC]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Vesna PUSIC]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Drazen BUDISA]; Croatian True Revival Party or HIP [Miroslav TUDJMAN]; Democratic Centre or DC [Mate GRANIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Liberal Party or LS [Ivo BANAC]; Party of Liberal Democrats or LIBRA [Goran GRANIC]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Ivica RACAN] note: the Social Democratic Party or SDP and the Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS formed a coalition as did the HSS, HNS, LP, and IDS, which together defeated the Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ in the 2000 lower house parliamentary election; the IDS subsequently left the governing coalition in June 2001 over its inability to win greater autonomy for Istria Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ivan GRDESIC FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899 chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph FRANK embassy: Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb mailing address: use street address telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200 FAX: [385] (1) 661-2373 Flag description: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Economy Croatia Economy - overview: Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav average. The economy emerged from its mild recession in 2000 with tourism the main factor, but massive structural unemployment remains a key negative element. The government's failure to press the economic reforms needed to spur growth is largely the result of coalition politics and public resistance, particularly from the trade unions. Opponents fear reforms would cut jobs, wages, and social benefits. The government has a heavy backload of civil cases, many involving tenure land. The country is likely to experience only moderate growth without disciplined fiscal and structural reform. GDP: purchasing power parity - $43.12 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 33% services: 58% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 23.3% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 29 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.7 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 13.2% NA, industry 25.4% NA, services 46.4% NA (2002) Unemployment rate: 21.7% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $8.6 billion expenditures: $9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 12.12 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 33.6% hydro: 66% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 14.27 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 386 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 3.386 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 29,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 89,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 93.6 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 1.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.84 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 34.36 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Exports: $4.9 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels Exports - partners: Italy 22.4%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 14.4%, Germany 12.5%, Slovenia 8%, Austria 7.3% (2002) Imports: $10.7 billion c.i.f. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport and electrical equipment, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Italy 16.8%, Germany 16.4%, Slovenia 7.8%, Russia 6.8%, Austria 6.7%, France 5.2% (2002) Debt - external: $16.5 billion (yearend 2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $66 million (2000) Currency: kuna (HRK) Currency code: HRK Exchange rates: kuna per US dollar - 7.87 (2002), 8.34 (2001), 8.28 (2000), 7.11 (1999), 6.36 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Croatia Telephones - main lines in use: 1,721,139 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.3 million (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: reconstruction plan calls for replacement of all analog circuits with digital and enlarging the network; a backup will be included in the plan for the main trunk international: digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of two fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; Croatia is also investing in ADRIA 1, a joint fiber-optic project with Germany, Albania, and Greece (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999) Radios: 1.51 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 36 (plus 321 repeaters) (September 1995) Televisions: 1.22 million (1997) Internet country code: .hr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 9 (2000) Internet users: 480,000 (2001) Transportation Croatia Railways: total: 2,296 km standard gauge: 2,296 km 1.435-m gauge (983 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 28,123 km paved: 23,792 km (including 410 km of expressways) unpaved: 4,331 km (2000) Waterways: 785 km note: (perennially navigable; large sections of Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debris) Pipelines: gas 1,374 km; oil 583 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Dubrovnik, Dugi Rat, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split, Vukovar (inland waterway port on Danube), Zadar Merchant marine: total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 765,830 GRT/1,188,948 DWT note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Hong Kong 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 16, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 3 Airports: 59 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 4 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Croatia Military branches: Ground Forces (Hrvatska Vojska, HV), Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,081,135 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 856,946 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 30,096 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $520 million (2002 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.39% (2002 est.) Transnational Issues Croatia Disputes - international: discussions continue with Bosnia and Herzegovina on sections of the Una River and villages at the base of Mount Pljesevica; parliamentarians are far from ratifying the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia; in late 2002, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro adopted an interim agreement to settle the disputed Prevlaka Peninsula, allowing the withdrawal of the UN monitoring mission (UNMOP), but discussions could be complicated by the inability of Serbia and Montenegro to come to an agreement on the economic aspects of the new federal union; Croatia and Italy continue to debate bilateral property and ethnic minority rights issues stemming from border changes after the Second World War Illicit drugs: transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cuba Introduction Cuba Background: Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the country together since then. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, or falsified visas - is a continuing problem. Some 2,500 Cubans attempted the crossing of the Straits of Florida in 2002; the US Coast Guard apprehended about 60% of the individuals. Geography Cuba Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 110,860 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 110,860 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 29 km border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba Coastline: 3,735 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land Land use: arable land: 33.04% other: 59.35% (1998 est.) permanent crops: 7.61% Irrigated land: 870 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common Environment - current issues: air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles People Cuba Population: 11,263,429 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.1% (male 1,164,376; female 1,103,061) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 3,932,604; female 3,909,523) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 531,608; female 622,257) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 34.5 years male: 33.9 years female: 35.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.34% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 8.06 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.8 years male: 74.38 years female: 79.36 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.61 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,200 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 120 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban Ethnic groups: mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1% Religions: nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write female: 96.9% (2003 est.) male: 97.2% total population: 97% People - note: illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; some 2,500 Cubans took to the Straits of Florida in 2002; the US Coast Guard interdicted about 60% of these migrants; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US; some 1,500 Cubans arrived overland via the southwest border and direct flights to Miami in 2002 Government Cuba Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cuba conventional short form: Cuba local short form: Cuba local long form: Republica de Cuba Government type: Communist state Capital: Havana Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 December (1898); note - 10 December 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 20 May 1902 is the date of independence from US administration; Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953) Constitution: 24 February 1976, amended July 1992 and June 2002 Legal system: based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 6 March 2003 (next to be held in 2008) election results: Fidel CASTRO Ruz reelected president; percent of legislative vote - 100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100% cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State, appointed by the National Assembly; note - there is also a Council of State whose members are elected by the National Assembly head of government: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (609 seats, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2003 (next to be held in 2008) election results: percent of vote - PCC 97.6%; seats - PCC 609 Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: only party - Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Dagoberto RODRIGUEZ Barrera (since August 2001); address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518 Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer James C. CASON; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53] (7) 33-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX: [53] (7) 33-3700; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the US flag Economy Cuba Economy - overview: The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has undertaken limited reforms in recent years to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services but is unlikely to implement extensive changes. A major feature of the economy is the dichotomy between relatively efficient export enclaves and inefficient domestic sectors. The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the severe economic depression of the early 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. High oil import prices, recessions in key export markets, damage from Hurricanes Isidore and Lili, and the tourist slump after 11 September 2001 hampered growth in 2002. GDP: purchasing power parity - $30.69 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.6% industry: 34.5% services: 57.9% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.3 million note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 24%, industry 25%, services 51% (1999) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $14.9 billion expenditures: $15.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: sugar, petroleum, tobacco, chemicals, construction, services, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, biotechnology Industrial production growth rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 14.38 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 93.9% hydro: 0.6% other: 5.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 13.38 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 50,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 163,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 532 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 600 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 600 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 42.62 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock Exports: $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee Exports - partners: Netherlands 19.1%, Russia 18.1%, Canada 14.3%, Spain 9.5%, China 7.3% (2002) Imports: $4.8 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals Imports - partners: Spain 17.2%, China 12%, Italy 9.1%, France 7.6%, Mexico 7.3%, Canada 6.2%, US 5.6%, Brazil 4.7% (2002) Debt - external: $12.3 billion (convertible currency); another $15 billion -$20 billion owed to Russia (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $68.2 million (1997 est.) Currency: Cuban peso (CUP) Currency code: CUP Exchange rates: Cuban pesos per US dollar - 1.0000 (nonconvertible, official rate, for international transactions, pegged to the US dollar); convertible peso sold for domestic use at a rate of 1.00 US dollar per 27 pesos by the Government of Cuba (2002) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Cuba Telephones - main lines in use: 473,031 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,994 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: principal trunk system, end to end of country, is coaxial cable; fiber-optic distribution in Havana and on Isla de la Juventud; 2 microwave radio relay installations (one is old, US-built; the other newer, built during the period of Soviet support); both analog and digital mobile cellular service established international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 3.9 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 58 (1997) Televisions: 2.64 million (1997) Internet country code: .cu Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001) Internet users: 120,000 (2002) Transportation Cuba Railways: total: 3,442 km standard gauge: 3,442 km 1.435-m gauge (142 km electrified) note: an additional 7,742 km of track is used by sugar plantations; about 65% of this track is standard gauge; the rest is narrow gauge (2002) Highways: total: 60,858 km paved: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway) unpaved: 31,038 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 240 km Pipelines: gas 49 km; oil 230 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba Merchant marine: total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 59,257 GRT/90,295 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 161 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 70 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 under 914 m: 31 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 91 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 63 (2002) Military Cuba Military branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) including Revolutionary Army (ER), Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), and Youth Labor Army (EJT); note - the Border Guard Troops (TGF) are controlled by the Interior Ministry Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,120,702 note: both sexes are liable for military service (2003 est.) females age 15-49: 3,049,927 Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,923,967 females age 15-49: 1,875,412 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 81,095 females: 87,780 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: roughly 4% (FY95 est.) Military - note: Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993 Transnational Issues Cuba Disputes - international: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease Illicit drugs: territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for cocaine and heroin bound for the US and Europe; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Cyprus Introduction Cyprus Background: Independence from the UK was approved in 1960, with constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish Cypriot minority. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled almost 40% of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. UN-led direct talks between the two sides to reach a comprehensive settlement to the division of the island began in January 2002. Geography Cyprus Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish Cypriot area) water: 10 sq km land: 9,240 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 648 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Olympus 1,951 m Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment Land use: arable land: 10.61% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.74% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 400 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity; droughts Environment - current issues: water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia) People Cyprus Population: 771,657 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 86,446; female 82,769) 15-64 years: 67% (male 261,404; female 255,409) 65 years and over: 11.1% (male 37,345; female 48,284) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 34.2 years male: 33.1 years female: 35.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.56% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.77 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 9.43 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.27 years male: 74.94 years female: 79.71 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.88 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 1,000 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Ethnic groups: Greek 85.2%, Turkish 11.6%, other 3.2% (2000) Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4% Languages: Greek, Turkish, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.6% male: 98.9% female: 96.3% (2003 est.) Government Cyprus Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus note: the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) Government type: republic note: a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 after a Greek junta-based coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly support a settlement based on a federation (Greek Cypriot position) or confederation (Turkish Cypriot position) Capital: Nicosia Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriot area celebrates 15 November (1983) as Independence Day Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985 Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot head of government: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 February 2003 (next to be held NA February 2008) note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 13 February 1975 ("president" elected by popular vote for a five-year term); elections last held 15 April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2005); results - Rauf R. DENKTASH reelected president after the other contender withdrew; Dervis EROGLU has been "prime minister" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish Cypriot area election results: Tassos PAPADOPOULOS elected president; percent of vote - Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 51.5%, Glafkos KLIRIDIS 38.8%, Alekos MARKIDIS 6.6% Legislative branch: unicameral - Greek Cypriot area: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election results: Greek Cypriot area: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 34.71%, DISY 34%, DIKO 14.84%, KISOS 6.51%, others 9.94%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 20, DISY 19, DIKO 9, KISOS 4, others 4; Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - UBP 40.3%, DP 22.6%, TKP 15.4%, CTP 13.4%, UDP 4.6%, YBH 2.5%, BP 1.2%; seats by party - UBP 24, DP 13, TKP 7, CTP 6 elections: Greek Cypriot area: last held 27 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2006); Turkish Cypriot area: last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2003) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and vice president) note: there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish Cypriot area Political parties and leaders: Greek Cypriot area: Democratic Party or DIKO [Tassos PAPADOPOULOS]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADHIS]; Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDIS]; Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; New Horizons [Nikolaus KOUTSOU]; Restorative Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS]; Social Democrats Movement or KISOS (formerly United Democratic Union of Cyprus or EDEK) [Yiannakis OMIROU]; United Democrats Movement or EDE [George VASSILIOU]; Turkish Cypriot area: Communal Liberation Party or TKP [Mustafa AKINCI]; Democratic Party or DP [Serder DENKTASH]; National Birth Party or UDP [Enver EMIN]; National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Our Party or BP [Okyay SADIKOGLU]; Patriotic Unity Movement or YBH [Izzet IZCAN]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT] Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled) International organization participation: Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Euripides L. EVRIVIADES chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Osman ERTUG; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 consulate(s): New York consulate(s) general: New York telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael KLOSSON embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, 2407 Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nikosia telephone: [357] (22) 776400 FAX: [357] (22) 780944 Flag description: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white field Economy Cyprus Economy - overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by political instability in the region and fluctuations in economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants are now online. The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly one-third of the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing and investment. It remains heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of the work force. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides grants and loans to support economic development. Ankara provided $200 million in 2002 and pledged $450 million for the 2003-05 period. Future events throughout the island will be highly influenced by the outcome of negotiations on the UN-sponsored agreement to unite the Greek and Turkish areas and by the arrangements under which the island joins the EU. GDP: Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $9.4 billion (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $787 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: Greek Cypriot area: 1.7% (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 2.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $6,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: Greek Cypriot area: agriculture 4.6%; industry 19.9%; services 19.9% Turkish Cypriot area: agriculture 75.5%; industry 20.7%; services 71% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): Greek Cypriot area: 2.8% (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 24.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: Greek Cypriot area: 291,000; Turkish Cypriot area: 86,300 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: Greek Cypriot area: services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (2000); Turkish Cypriot area: services 56.4%, industry 22.8%, agriculture 20.8% (1998) Unemployment rate: Greek Cypriot area: 3.3%; Turkish Cypriot area: 5.6% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: Greek Cypriot area - $4.4 billion, Turkish Cypriot area - $231.3 million (2002 est.) expenditures: $3.7 billion, Greek Cypriot area - $539 million, including capital expenditures of $539 million, Turkish Cypriot area - $432.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.) Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products Industrial production growth rate: Greek Cypriot area: -1.4% (2002); Turkish Cypriot area: -0.3% (2002) Electricity - production: 3.401 billion kWh; Turkish Cypriot area: NA kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% other: 0% (2001) hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: Greek Cypriot area: 3.163 billion kWh; Turkish Cypriot area: NA kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables Exports: Greek Cypriot area: $1.03 billion f.o.b. Turkish Cypriot area: $46 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: Greek Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing and cigarettes; Turkish Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, textiles Exports - partners: UK 28.2%, Greece 7%, UAE 5.3%, France 5.2% (2002) Imports: Greek Cypriot area: $3.9 billion f.o.b.; Turkish Cypriot area: $301 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: Greek Cypriot area: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment; Turkish Cypriot area: food, minerals, chemicals, machinery Imports - partners: Russia 17.9%, Greece 7.4%, Germany 6.7%, France 6.6%, UK 6.6%, Italy 6.6%, South Korea 5.7%, Japan 5.3% (2002) Debt - external: Greek Cypriot area: $8 billion; Turkish Cypriot area: $NA (2002) Economic aid - recipient: Greek Cypriot area - $17 million (1998);; Turkish Cypriot area - $700 million from Turkey in grants and loans (1990-97), which are usually forgiven (1998) Currency: Greek Cypriot area: Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish lira (TRL) Currency code: CYP; TRL Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds per US dollar - 0.61 (2002), 0.64 (2001), 0.62 (2000), 0.54 (1999), 0.52 (1998), Turkish lira per US dollar NA (2002), 1,225,590 (2001), 625,218 (2000), 418,783 (1999), 260,724 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Cyprus Telephones - main lines in use: Greek Cypriot area: 405,000 (1998);; Turkish Cypriot area: 83,162 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: Greek Cypriot area: 68,000 (1998); Turkish Cypriot area: 70,000 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent in both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay international: tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat Radio broadcast stations: Greek Cypriot area: AM 7, FM 60, shortwave 1 (1998); Turkish Cypriot area: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: Greek Cypriot area: 310,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 56,450 (1994) Television broadcast stations: Greek Cypriot area: 4 (plus 225 low-power repeaters) (September 1995);; Turkish Cypriot area: 4 (plus 5 repeaters) (September 1995) Televisions: Greek Cypriot area: 248,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 52,300 (1994) Internet country code: .cy Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000) Internet users: 150,000 (2002) Transportation Cyprus Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 13,491 km note: Greek Cypriot area: 11,141 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 2,350 km unpaved: Greek Cypriot area: 4,713 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 980 km (2000/1996) paved: Greek Cypriot area: 6,428 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 1,370 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Vasilikos Merchant marine: total: 1,180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 23,106,229 GRT/37,032,163 DWT ships by type: bulk 421, cargo 325, chemical tanker 25, combination bulk 24, combination ore/oil 2, container 151, liquefied gas 2, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 124, refrigerated cargo 45, roll on/roll off 37, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Austria 12, Belgium 2, Bulgaria 2, Canada 3, Chile 2, China 16, Croatia 2, Cuba 11, Finland 1, Germany 229, Greece 607, Guam 1, Hong Kong 6, India 6, Iran 1, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy 1, Japan 26, Latvia 14, Lebanon 1, Lithuania 2, Mexico 1, Monaco 10, Netherlands 30, Norway 23, Panama 1, Philippines 2, Poland 19, Portugal 2, Russia 57, Singapore 2, Slovenia 2, South Korea 4, Spain 7, Sudan 2, Sweden 6, Switzerland 4, Turkey 1, Ukraine 1, United Arab Emirates 13, United Kingdom 6, United States 4, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 16 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 3 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Heliports: 10 (2002) Military Cyprus Military branches: Greek Cypriot area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; including air and naval elements), Greek Cypriot Police Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 201,606 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 138,336 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 6,638 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $384 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.8% (FY02) Transnational Issues Cyprus Disputes - international: hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot area, separated by a UN buffer zone; UN deadline on sides accepting a federation plan for reunification have expired, diminishing chances of Turkish-Cypriot participation in EU membership in 2004 Illicit drugs: minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; anti-money-laundering laws strengthened but few convictions This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Czech Republic Introduction Czech Republic Background: Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Now a member of NATO, the Czech Republic has moved toward integration in world markets, a development that poses both opportunities and risks. In December 2002, the Czech Republic was invited to join the European Union (EU). It is expected that the Czech Republic will accede to the EU in 2004. Geography Czech Republic Location: Central Europe, southeast of Germany Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 15 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 78,866 sq km water: 1,590 sq km land: 77,276 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 1,881 km border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country Elevation extremes: lowest point: Elbe River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber Land use: arable land: 40% permanent crops: 3.04% other: 56.96% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 240 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Geography - note: landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe People Czech Republic Population: 10,249,216 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.4% (male 809,697; female 768,747) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 3,617,214; female 3,614,060) 65 years and over: 14% (male 554,922; female 884,576) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.4 years male: 36.6 years female: 40.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.08% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.01 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.85 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.18 years male: 71.69 years female: 78.87 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.18 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 500 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 10 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech Ethnic groups: Czech 81.2%, Moravian 13.2%, Slovak 3.1%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%, Silesian 0.4%, Roma 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 0.5% (1991) Religions: Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%, atheist 39.8% Languages: Czech Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99.9% (1999 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Czech Republic Country name: conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: Czech Republic local short form: Ceska Republika local long form: Ceska Republika Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Prague Administrative divisions: 13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky Kraj, Jihomoravsky Kraj, Karlovarsky Kraj, Kralovehradecky Kraj, Liberecky Kraj, Moravskoslezsky Kraj, Olomoucky Kraj, Pardubicky Kraj, Plzensky Kraj, Praha*, Stredocesky Kraj, Ustecky Kraj, Vysocina, Zlinsky Kraj Independence: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) National holiday: Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918) Constitution: ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993 Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003) note: the Czech Republic's first president Vaclav HAVEL stepped down from office on 2 February 2003 having served exactly 10 years; parliament finally elected a successor on 28 February 2003 after two inconclusive elections in January 2003 head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir SPIDLA (since 12 July 2002), Deputy Prime Ministers Bohuslav SOBOTKA (since 20 August 2003), Cyril SVOBODA (since July 2002), Stanislav GROSS (since July 2002), Petr MARES (since July 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election results: Vaclav KLAUS elected president on 28 February 2003; Vaclav KLAUS 142 votes, Jan SOKOL 124 votes (third round; combined votes of both chambers of parliament) elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; last successful election held 28 February 2003 (after earlier elections held 15 and 24 January 2003 were inconclusive); prime minister appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ODS 26, KDU-CSL 14, CSSD 11, US 9, KSCM 3, independents 18; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CSSD 30.2%, ODS 24.5%, KSCM 18.5%, KDU-CSL & US-DEU coalition 14.3%, other minor 12.5%; seats by party - CSSD 70, ODS 58, KSCM 41, KDU-CSL 21, US-DEU 10 elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 25-26 October and 1-2 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); Chamber of Deputies - last held 14-15 June 2002 (next to be held by NA June 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term Political parties and leaders: Christian and Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Miroslav KALOUSEK, chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [Michael ZANTOVSKY, chairman]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Miroslav GREBENICEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Czechoslovakia or KSC [Miroslav STEPAN, chairman]; Czech National Social Party of CSNS [Jan SULA, chairman]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Vladimir SPIDLA, chairman]; Freedom Union-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Petr MARES, chairman]; Quad Coalition [Karel KUHNL, chairman] (includes KDU-CSL, US, ODA, DEU) Political pressure groups and leaders: Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions [Richard FALBR] International organization participation: ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin PALOUS chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Craig R. STAPLETON embassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [420] (2) 5753-0663 FAX: [420] (2) 5753-0583 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia) Economy Czech Republic Economy - overview: One of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states, the Czech Republic has been recovering from recession since mid-1999. Growth in 2000-03 was supported by exports to the EU, primarily to Germany, and a near doubling of foreign direct investment. Domestic demand is playing an ever more important role in underpinning growth as interest rates drop and the availability of credit cards and mortgages increases. High current account deficits - averaging around 5% of GDP in the last several years - could be a persistent problem. Inflation is under control. The EU put the Czech Republic just behind Poland and Hungary in preparations for accession, which will give further impetus and direction to structural reform. Moves to complete banking, telecommunications, and energy privatization will encourage additional foreign investment, while intensified restructuring among large enterprises and banks and improvements in the financial sector should strengthen output growth. But revival in the European economies remains essential to stepped-up growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $157.1 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $15,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 41% services: 55.2% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.4% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 25.4 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 5.203 million (1999 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5%, industry 35%, services 60% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.8% (2002) Budget: revenues: $16.7 billion expenditures: $18 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2002) Electricity - production: 70.04 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 76.1% hydro: 2.9% other: 1% (2001) nuclear: 20% Electricity - consumption: 55.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 18.92 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 9.38 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 7,419 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 175,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 26,670 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 192,300 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 17.25 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 160 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 9.892 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 1 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 9.521 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.057 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry Exports: $40.8 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 44%, intermediate manufactures 25%, chemicals 7%, raw materials and fuel 7% (2000) Exports - partners: Germany 40.2%, Slovakia 7.1%, Austria 5.8%, UK 5.1%, Poland 5%, France 4% (2002) Imports: $43.2 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 40%, intermediate manufactures 21%, raw materials and fuels 13%, chemicals 11% (2000) Imports - partners: Germany 39.1%, Slovakia 6%, Austria 5.6%, Italy 5.4%, France 5.3%, Poland 4.1%, UK 4.1%, Russia 4% (2002) Debt - external: $23.8 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $108 million; EU structural adjustment funds (2002) Currency: Czech koruna (CZK) Currency code: CZK Exchange rates: koruny per US dollar - 32.74 (2002), 38.04 (2001), 38.6 (2000), 34.57 (1999), 32.28 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Czech Republic Telephones - main lines in use: 3.869 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.346 million (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; growth in the use of mobile cellular telephones is particularly vigorous domestic: 86% of exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems now being enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000) Radios: 3,159,134 (December 2000) Television broadcast stations: 150 (plus 1,434 repeaters) (2000) Televisions: 3,405,834 (December 2000) Internet country code: .cz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): more than 300 (2000) Internet users: 2.69 million (2001) Transportation Czech Republic Railways: total: 9,462 km standard gauge: 9,363 km 1.435-m gauge (1,745 km electrified) narrow gauge: 99 km 0.760-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 55,408 km paved: 55,408 km (including 499 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: 303 km note: the Labe (Elbe) is the principal river (2000) Pipelines: gas 7,020 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem Airports: 144 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 under 914 m: 19 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 2 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 100 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 62 (2002) Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Czech Republic Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Territorial Defense Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,622,192 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,002,202 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 67,777 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1,190.2 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.1% (FY01) Transnational Issues Czech Republic Disputes - international: Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918; individual Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II; Austria has minor dispute with Czech Republic over the Temelin nuclear power plant and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minorities Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Denmark Introduction Denmark Background: Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs. Geography Denmark Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn) Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 43,094 sq km water: 700 sq km note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland land: 42,394 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km Coastline: 7,314 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, stone, gravel and sand Land use: arable land: 55.74% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 44.07% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 4,760 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes Environment - current issues: air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen People Denmark Population: 5,384,384 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.7% (male 516,872; female 490,543) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 1,809,138; female 1,762,577) 65 years and over: 15% (male 338,141; female 467,113) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 39.1 years male: 38.1 years female: 40.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.28% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.52 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.72 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 74.48 years female: 79.87 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,800 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Ethnic groups: Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2% Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Government Denmark Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local short form: Danmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Copenhagen Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 2 boroughs* (amtskommuner, singular - amtskomunes); Arhus, Bornholm, Fredericksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavns*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde, Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg note: see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and are self-governing overseas administrative divisions Independence: first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy National holiday: none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June is generally viewed as the National Day Constitution: 1849 was the original constitution; there was a major overhaul 5 June 1953, allowing for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27 November 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party 56, Social Democrats 52, Danish People's Party 22, Conservative Party 16, Socialist People's Party 12, Social Liberal Party 9, Christian People's Party 4, Unity List 4; note - does not include the 2 seats from Greenland and the 2 seats from the Faroe Islands Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life) Political parties and leaders: Center Democratic Party [Mimi JAKOBSEN]; Christian People's Party [Marianne KARLSMOSE]; Conservative Party (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party) [Bendt BENDTSEN]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Social Democratic Party [Mogens LYKKETOFT]; Social Liberal Party (sometimes called the Radical Left) [Marianne JELVED, leader; Johannes LEBECH, chairman]; Socialist People's Party [Holger K. NIELSEN]; Red-Green Unity List (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party) [collective leadership] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ulrik Andreas FEDERSPIEL consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stuart A. BERNSTEIN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] 35 55 31 44 FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23 Flag description: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden Economy Denmark Economy - overview: This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. Government objectives include streamlining the bureaucracy and further privatization of state assets. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but Denmark has decided not to join the 12 other EU members in the euro; even so, the Danish Krone remains pegged to the euro. Given the sluggish state of the European economy, growth in 2003 was a mere 1.1%. GDP: purchasing power parity - $155.3 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $28,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 24.7 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.856 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 79%, industry 17%, agriculture 4% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2002) Budget: revenues: $52.9 billion expenditures: $51.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million (2001 est.) Industries: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding, windmills Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 35.47 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 82.7% hydro: 0.1% other: 17.3% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 32.41 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 8.775 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 8.199 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 346,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 218,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 332,100 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 195,000 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 1.23 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 8.38 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 5.28 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 3.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 81.98 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish Exports: $56.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, chemicals, furniture, ships, windmills Exports - partners: Germany 17.1%, Sweden 11.6%, UK 7.8%, US 6.8%, France 5.8%, Norway 5.7%, Japan 4.4% (2002) Imports: $47.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: Germany 22.9%, Sweden 10.7%, UK 8.7%, Netherlands 7.8%, France 6%, Norway 4.9%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $21.7 billion (2000) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.63 billion (1999) Currency: Danish krone (DKK) Currency code: DKK Exchange rates: Danish kroner per US dollar - 7.89 (2002), 8.32 (2001), 8.08 (2000), 6.98 (1999), 6.7 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Denmark Telephones - main lines in use: 4.785 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,444,016 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems international: 18 submarine fiber-optic cables linking Denmark with Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Canada; satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (1997) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 6.02 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 26 (plus 51 repeaters) (1998) Televisions: 3.121 million (1997) Internet country code: .dk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (2000) Internet users: 3.37 million (2002) Transportation Denmark Railways: total: 3,164 km standard gauge: 2,324 km 1.435-m gauge (595 km electrified) note:: total includes 840 km of suburban track (2002) Highways: total: 71,591 km paved: 71,591 km (including 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: 417 km Pipelines: condensate 12 km; gas 3,892 km; oil 455 km; oil/gas/water 2 km; unknown (oil/water) 64 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Abenra, Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Frederikshavn, Hirtshals, Kolding, Odense, Roenne (Bornholm), Vejle Merchant marine: total: 282 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,714,557 GRT/8,715,716 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1, Greenland 1, Indonesia 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 9, United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 85, chemical tanker 29, container 77, liquefied gas 19, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 28, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 11, short-sea passenger 6, specialized tanker 4 Airports: 104 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 76 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 71 (2002) Military Denmark Military branches: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,282,315 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,094,611 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 28,198 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.47 billion (FY99/00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY99/00) Transnational Issues Denmark Disputes - international: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Iceland, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM; Faroese are considering proposals for full independence; uncontested dispute with Canada over Hans Island sovereignty in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Djibouti Introduction Djibouti Background: The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve three consecutive six-year terms as president. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990's led to multi-party elections resulting in President Ismail Omar GUELLEH attaining office in May 1999. A peace accord in 2001 ended the final phases of a ten-year uprising by Afar rebels. Djibouti occupies a very strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. GUELLEH favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country. Geography Djibouti Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia Geographic coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 23,000 sq km water: 20 sq km land: 22,980 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km Coastline: 314 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: desert; torrid, dry Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m Natural resources: geothermal areas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa People Djibouti Population: 457,130 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.1% (male 98,796; female 98,202) 15-64 years: 53.9% (male 129,492; female 116,953) 65 years and over: 3% (male 6,933; female 6,754) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.3 years male: 18.9 years female: 17.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.13% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 40.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 19.45 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 106.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 98.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 114.8 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 43.13 years male: 41.82 years female: 44.48 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.56 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 11.75% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 37,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 78% female: 58.4% (2003 est.) Government Djibouti Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland Government type: republic Capital: Djibouti Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Constitution: multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister DILEITA Mohamed Dileita (since 4 March 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 9 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH elected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 74.4%, IDRIS Moussa Ahmed 25.6% Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 10 January 2003 (next to be held NA January 2008) election results: percent of vote - RPP 62.2%, FRUD 36.9%; seats - RPP 65, FRUD 0; note - RPP (the ruling party) dominated the election Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP (governing party) [Ismail Omar GUELLEH]; Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed Dini AHMED]; Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, UDJ, and PDD) [Ahmed Dini AHMED] International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald YAMAMOTO embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center Economy Djibouti Economy - overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city, the remainder being mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of 50% continues to be a major problem. Inflation is not a concern, however, because of the fixed tie of the franc to the US dollar. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last seven years because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors. Another factor limiting growth is the negative impact on port activity now that Ethiopia has more trade route options. GDP: purchasing power parity - $619 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 15.8% services: 80.7% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 282,000 Labor force - by occupation: NA% Unemployment rate: 50% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $135 million expenditures: $182 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Industries: construction, agricultural processing Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) Electricity - production: 180 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 167.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels Exports: $70 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit) Exports - partners: Somalia 56.7%, Yemen 24.4%, Pakistan 4.8%, Ethiopia 4.4%, UAE 4.1% (2002) Imports: $255 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 18.2%, Ethiopia 10.5%, US 9.2%, France 8.6%, China 8.2%, Netherlands 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $366 million (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $36 million (2001) Currency: Djiboutian franc (DJF) Currency code: DJF Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs per US dollar - 177.72 (2002), 177.72 (2001), 177.72 (2000), 177.72 (1999), 177.72 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Djibouti Telephones - main lines in use: 10,000 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 5,000 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country domestic: microwave radio relay network international: submarine cable to Jiddah, Suez, Sicily, Marseilles, Colombo, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: 52,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Televisions: 28,000 (1997) Internet country code: .dj Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 3,300 (2002) Transportation Djibouti Railways: total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2002) Highways: total: 2,890 km paved: 364 km unpaved: 2,526 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Djibouti Airports: 13 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Military Djibouti Military branches: Djibouti National Army (including Navy and Air Force) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 107,050 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 63,459 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $26.53 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Djibouti Disputes - international: Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia including the Somali Transitional National Government in Mogadishu This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Dominica Introduction Dominica Background: Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean. Geography Dominica Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 15 25 N, 61 20 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 754 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 754 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 148 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, arable land Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 16% other: 80% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world People Dominica Population: 69,655 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.8% (male 9,807; female 9,571) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 23,024; female 21,768) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 2,226; female 3,259) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 28.4 years male: 28.1 years female: 28.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.63% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -16.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 20.29 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.12 years male: 71.23 years female: 77.15 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic groups: black, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib Amerindian Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% (2003 est.) Government Dominica Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica Government type: parliamentary democracy; republic within the Commonwealth Capital: Roseau Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Constitution: 3 November 1978 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicholas LIVERPOOL (since 10 November 2003) elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Pierre CHARLES (since 1 October 2000); note - assumed post after death of Prime Minister Roosevelt DOUGLAS Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 31 January 2000 (next to be held by 17 July 2005) note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (17 April 2000) plus a 90 day grace period election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -DLP 10, UWP 9, DFP 2 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction) Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Pierre CHARLES]; United Workers Party or UWP [Edison JAMES] Political pressure groups and leaders: Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Swinburne LESTRADE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; US interests are served by the embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados Flag description: green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes) Economy Dominica Economy - overview: The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and international economic developments. Hurricane Luis devastated the country's banana crop in 1995 after tropical storms wiped out a quarter of the 1994 crop. The economy subsequently has been fueled by increases in construction, soap production, and tourist arrivals. Development of the tourism industry remains difficult however, because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the absence of an international airport. Economic growth is sluggish, and unemployment is greater than 20%. The government has been attempting to develop an offshore financial sector in order to diversify the island's production base. GDP: purchasing power parity - $380 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 30% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2001 est.) Labor force: 25,000 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% Unemployment rate: 23% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $73.9 million expenditures: $84.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 72.41 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47.1% hydro: 52.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 67.35 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited Exports: $50 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges Exports - partners: UK 36.1%, Jamaica 18%, US 7.5%, Antigua and Barbuda 6.4%, Guyana 5.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.4% (2002) Imports: $135 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals Imports - partners: China 23.9%, US 23.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.9%, South Korea 7.6%, UK 7.3%, Japan 4.5% (2002) Debt - external: $161.5 million (2001) Economic aid - recipient: $24.4 million (1995) Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Dominica Telephones - main lines in use: 19,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 461 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: fully automatic network international: microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 46,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (however, there is one cable television company) (1997) Televisions: 6,000 (1997) Internet country code: .dm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: 2,000 (2000) Transportation Dominica Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Portsmouth, Roseau Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Military Dominica Military branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (including Special Service Unit, Coast Guard) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Dominica Disputes - international: protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer; anti-money-laundering enforcement is weak, making the country particularly vulnerable to money laundering This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Dominican Republic Introduction Dominican Republic Background: Explored and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of its subsequent history was brought to an end in 1966 when Joaquin BALAGUER became president. He maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. The Dominican economy has had one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere over the past decade. Geography Dominican Republic Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 48,730 sq km land: 48,380 sq km water: 350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Haiti 360 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 6 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver Land use: arable land: 21.08% permanent crops: 9.92% other: 69% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 2,590 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation; Hurricane Georges damage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti) People Dominican Republic Population: 8,715,602 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.6% (male 1,497,777; female 1,431,104) 15-64 years: 61.2% (male 2,719,505; female 2,614,495) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 212,045; female 240,676) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23.5 years male: 23.3 years female: 23.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.36% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -3.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 34.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 36.7 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.96 years male: 66.41 years female: 69.58 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.92 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 130,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 7,800 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic groups: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.7% male: 84.6% female: 84.8% (2003 est.) Government Dominican Republic Country name: conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: none Government type: representative democracy Capital: Santo Domingo Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844) Constitution: 28 November 1966 Legal system: based on French civil codes Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote Executive branch: chief of state: President Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (since 16 August 2000); Vice President Milagros ORTIZ-BOSCH (since 16 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (since 16 August 2000); Vice President Milagros ORTIZ-BOSCH (since 16 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 16 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2004) election results: Raphael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez elected president; percent of vote - Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (PRD) 49.87%, Danilo MEDINA (PLD) 24.95%, Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 24.6% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (149 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 24, PLD 3, PRSC 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 83, PLD 49, PRSC 17 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are elected by a Council made up of members of the legislative and executive branches with the president presiding) Political parties and leaders: Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Hatuey DE CAMPS]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Eduardo ESTRELLA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Collective of Popular Organizations or COP International organization participation: ACP, Caricom (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo GUILIANI Cury consulate(s): Mobile and Ponce (Puerto Rico) consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Jacksonville, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hans H. HERTELL embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437 Flag description: a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon Economy Dominican Republic Economy - overview: The Dominican Republic's economy experienced dramatic growth over the last decade, even though the economy was hit hard by Hurricane Georges in 1998. Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoy nearly 40% of national income. Growth probably will slow in 2003 with reduced tourism and expected low growth in the US economy, the source of 87% of export revenues. GDP: purchasing power parity - $53.78 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 34% services: 55% (2001) Population below poverty line: 25% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 37.9% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 47.4 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.3 million - 2.6 million Labor force - by occupation: services and government 58.7%, industry 24.3%, agriculture 17% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 14.5% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.9 billion expenditures: $3.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1 billion (2001 est.) Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 9.186 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 92% hydro: 7.6% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 8.543 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs Exports: $5.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats, consumer goods Exports - partners: US 85%, Canada 1.6%, UK 1.6% (2002) Imports: $8.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: US 51.5%, Venezuela 9.6%, Mexico 5.1%, Spain 4% (2002) Debt - external: $4.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $239.6 million (1995) Currency: Dominican peso (DOP) Currency code: DOP Exchange rates: Dominican pesos per US dollar - 18.61 (2002), 16.95 (2001), 16.42 (2000), 16.03 (1999), 15.27 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Dominican Republic Telephones - main lines in use: 709,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 130,149 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwave radio relay network international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 1.44 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 25 (1997) Televisions: 770,000 (1997) Internet country code: .do Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 24 (2000) Internet users: 186,000 (2002) Transportation Dominican Republic Railways: total: 1,503 km standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge note:: 986 km also operated by sugar companies in 1.076-m, 0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges (2002) narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge Highways: total: 12,600 km paved: 6,224 km unpaved: 6,376 km (1999) Waterways: none Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km Ports and harbors: Barahona, La Romana, Manzanillo, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 30 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Military Dominican Republic Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,319,419 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,453,705 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 89,073 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $180 million (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY98) Transnational Issues Dominican Republic Disputes - international: despite efforts to control illegal migration, destitute Haitians continue to cross into the Dominican Republic Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor the Dominican Republic for illicit financial transactions This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @East Timor Introduction East Timor Background: The Portuguese colony of Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of East Timor. A campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, the people of East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. During 1999-2001, pro-integrationist militias - supported by Indonesia - conducted indiscriminate violence. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state and the world's newest democracy. Geography East Timor Location: Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - East Timor includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco Geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 125 55 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 15,007 sq km land: NA sq km water: NA sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km Coastline: 706 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: NA NM extended fishing zone: NA NM territorial sea: NA NM exclusive fishing zone: NA NM continental shelf: NA NM exclusive economic zone: NA NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons Terrain: mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m Natural resources: gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble Land use: arable land: NA% other: NA% permanent crops: NA% Irrigated land: 1,065 sq km (est.) Natural hazards: floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones Environment - current issues: widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion Environment - international agreements: NA Geography - note: Timor comes from the Malay word for "Orient;" the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands People East Timor Population: 997,853 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (2002 est.) (July 2003 est.) Age structure: NA (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.7 years female: 19.6 years (2002) male: 19.8 years Population growth rate: 2.13% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 27.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 50.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 57.05 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.2 years female: 67.55 years (2003 est.) male: 62.97 years Total fertility rate: 3.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Timorese adjective: Timorese Ethnic groups: Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 3%, Hindu 0.5%, Buddhist, Animist (1992 est.) Languages: Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48% (2001) male: NA% female: NA% Government East Timor Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste conventional short form: East Timor local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] former: Portuguese Timor local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] Government type: republic Capital: Dili Administrative divisions: 13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera, Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque Independence: 28 November 1975 (date of proclamation of independence from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of East Timor's independence from Indonesia National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1975) Constitution: 22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model) Legal system: UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law (2002) Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Alexander GUSMAO (since 20 May 2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto some legislation; he often is referred to as Xanana GUSMAO head of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude ALKATIRI (since 20 May 2002) cabinet: Council of State elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); after the first legislative elections, the leader of the majority party was appointed prime minister by the president, suggesting a precedent for the future election results: Jose Alexander GUSMAO elected president; percent of vote - Jose Alexander GUSMAO 82.7%, Francisco Xavier do AMARAL 17.3% Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary, minimum requirement of 52 and a maximum of 65 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - for its first term of office, the National Parliament is comprised of 88 members on an exceptional basis elections: last held 30 August 2001 (next to be held NA August 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 57.37%, PD 8.72%, PSD 8.18%, ASDT 7.84%, UDT 2.36%, PNT 2.21%, KOTA 2.13%, PPT 2.01%, PDC 1.98%, PST 1.78%, independents/other 5.42%; seats by party - FRETILIN 55, PD 7, PSD 6, ASDT 6, PDC 2, UDT 2, KOTA 2, PNT 2, PPT 2, UDC/PDC 1, PST 1, PL 1, independent 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice, one judge appointed by the National Parliament and the rest appointed by the Superior Council for the Judiciary Political parties and leaders: Associacao Social-Democrata Timorense or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; Christian Democratic Party of Timor or PDC [Antonio XIMENES]; Christian Democratic Union of Timor or UDC [Vicente da Silva GUTERRES]; Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; Liberal Party or PL [leader NA]; Maubere Democratic Party or PDM [leader NA]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor or FRETILIN [Lu OLO]; Social Democrat Party of East Timor or PSD [Mario CARRASCALAO]; Socialist Party of Timor or PST [leader NA]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes) or KOTA [Clementino dos Reis AMARAL]; Timor Democratic Union or UDT [Joao CARRASCALAO]; Timor Labor Party or PTT [Paulo Freitas DA SILVA]; Timorese Nationalist Party or PNT [Abilio ARAUJO]; Timorese Popular Democratic Association or APODETI [Frederico Almeida-Santos DA COSTA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AsDB, IBRD, ICCt, IDA, IMF, Interpol, UN, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Luis GUTERRES consulate(s) general: New York (the ambassador resides in New York) (2003) FAX: 202 965-1517 telephone: 202 965-1515 chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20007 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Grover Joseph REES embassy: Vila 10, Avenida de Portugal, Farol, Dili mailing address: Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684, 331-3205/3160/3472 FAX: (670) 331-3206 Flag description: red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in the center of the black triangle Economy East Timor Economy - overview: In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of East Timor was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias, and 260,000 people fled westward. Over the next three years, however, a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By mid-2002, all but about 50,000 of the refugees had returned. The country faces great challenges in continuing the rebuilding of infrastructure and the strengthening of the infant civil administration. One promising long-term project is the planned development of oil resources in nearby waters. GDP: purchasing power parity - $440 million (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 18% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $500 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25.4% industry: 17.2% services: 57.4% (2001) Population below poverty line: 42% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38 (2002 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: 50% (including underemployment) Budget: revenues: $36 million expenditures: $97 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 est.) Industries: printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth Industrial production growth rate: 8.5% Electricity - production: NA kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Agriculture - products: coffee, rice, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla Exports: $8 million (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - the potential for oil and vanilla exports Exports - partners: NA Imports: $237 million (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: mainly food (2001) Imports - partners: NA Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $2.2 billion (1999-2002 est.) Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: IDR Exchange rates: see US dollar Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications East Timor Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: NA Internet country code: .tp Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: NA Transportation East Timor Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 3,800 km paved: 428 km unpaved: 3,372 km (1995) Waterways: NA Pipelines: NA Ports and harbors: NA Merchant marine: total: NA ships by type: NA Airports: 8 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,427 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military East Timor Military branches: The East Timor Defense Force or FALINTIL-FDTL comprises a light-infantry Army and a small Naval component; note - plans are to develop a force of 1,500 active personnel and 1,500 reserve personnel over the next five years Military manpower - military age: 18-21 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: NA Military manpower - fit for military service: NA Military manpower - reaching military age annually: NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.4 million (FY03) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues East Timor Disputes - international: East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee meets regularly to survey and delimit the land boundary; some East Timor refugees delay return from camps in Indonesia; maritime delimitation and resource-sharing agreements signed with Australia resolved dispute over "Timor Gap" hydrocarbon reserves, but maritime agreement with Indonesia awaits further discussions Illicit drugs: NA This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Ecuador Introduction Ecuador Background: The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Geography Ecuador Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 77 30 W Map references: South America Area: total: 283,560 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands water: 6,720 sq km land: 276,840 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Nevada Land boundaries: total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km Coastline: 2,237 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands territorial sea: 200 NM Climate: tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 5.69% permanent crops: 5.15% other: 89.16% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 8,650 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Galapagos Islands Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world People Ecuador Population: 13,710,234 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.9% (male 2,430,303; female 2,351,166) 15-64 years: 60.6% (male 4,116,289; female 4,198,667) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 284,082; female 329,727) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 22.5 years male: 22 years female: 23 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.91% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 24.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 31.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 37.28 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.89 years male: 69.06 years female: 74.86 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.99 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 20,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,700 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 94% female: 91% (2003 est.) Government Ecuador Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador Government type: republic Capital: Quito Administrative divisions: 22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) Constitution: 10 August 1998 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters Executive branch: chief of state: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (no reelection); election last held 20 October 2002; runoff election held 24 November 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) head of government: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election results: results of the 24 November 2002 runoff election - Lucio GUTIERREZ elected president; percent of vote - Lucio GUTIERREZ 54.3%; Alvaro NOBOA 45.7% Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are popularly elected by province to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PSC 25, PRE 15, ID 16, PRIAN 10, PSP 9, Pachakutik Movement 6, MPD 5, DP 4, PS 3, independents 7; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court) Political parties and leaders: Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM]; Democratic Left or ID [Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos]; National Action Institutional Renewal Party or PRIAN [leader NA]; Pachakutik Movement [Miguel LLUCO]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [leader NA]; Popular Democracy or DP [Dr. Juan Manuel FUERTES]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Gustavo TERAN Acosta]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]; Socialist Party or PS [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Leonidas IZA, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ, president]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS] International organization participation: CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Raul GANGOTENA Rivadeneira consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie Anne KENNEY embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039 telephone: [593] (2) 256-2890 FAX: [593] (2) 250-2052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms Economy Ecuador Economy - overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Because the country exports primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. The aftermath of El Nino and depressed oil market of 1997-98 drove Ecuador's economy into a free-fall in 1999. The beginning of 1999 saw the banking sector collapse, which helped precipitate an unprecedented default on external loans later that year. Continued economic instability drove a 70% depreciation of the currency throughout 1999, which forced a desperate government to "dollarize" the currency regime in 2000. The move stabilized the currency, but did not stave off the ouster of the government. Gustavo NOBOA, who assumed the presidency in January 2000, has managed to pass substantial economic reforms and mend relations with international financial institutions. Ecuador completed its first standby agreement since 1986 when the IMF Board approved a 10 December 2001 disbursement of $96 million, the final installment of a $300 million standby credit agreement. In February 2003, newly installed president Lucio GUTIERREZ faced a budget gap and massive foreign debt. He has pledged to use oil revenues to pay off debt and is seeking additional IMF support. GDP: purchasing power parity - $42.65 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 33% services: 56% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 70% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 33.8% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 43.7 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3.7 million (urban) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.7%; note - widespread underemployment (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $5.6 billion expenditures: planned $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber Industrial production growth rate: 5.1% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 75.23 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 69.96 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 421,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 2.358 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 160 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 160 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 106.5 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp Exports: $4.9 billion (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fish Exports - partners: US 39%, Colombia 5.6%, South Korea 5.1%, Germany 5%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Imports: $6 billion (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw materials, fuels; consumer goods Imports - partners: US 28.6%, Colombia 14.4%, Japan 6%, Chile 4.5%, Brazil 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $14.4 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $120 million (2001) Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: sucres per US dollar - 25,000 (2002), 25,000 (2001), 24,988.4 (2000), 11,786.8 (1999), 5,446.57 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Ecuador Telephones - main lines in use: 1,115,272 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 384,000 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001) Radios: 5 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 2.5 million (2001) Internet country code: .ec Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 31 (2001) Internet users: 328,000 (2002) Transportation Ecuador Railways: total: 966 km narrow gauge: 966 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 43,197 km paved: 8,164 km unpaved: 35,033 km (2000) Waterways: 1,500 km Pipelines: gas 71 km; oil 1,575 km; refined products 1,185 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo Merchant marine: total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 239,276 GRT/392,048 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Chile 1, Greece 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 23, specialized tanker 1 Airports: 205 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 61 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 18 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 144 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 113 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Ecuador Military branches: Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, National Police Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,555,068 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,395,178 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 137,433 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $720 million (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.4% (FY98) Transnational Issues Ecuador Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; dollarization may raise the volume of money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Egypt Introduction Egypt Background: The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. Geography Egypt Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,665 km border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Elevation extremes: lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.68% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 33,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees People Egypt Population: 74,718,797 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.9% (male 12,964,852; female 12,346,808) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 23,375,037; female 22,865,190) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 1,359,685; female 1,807,225) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23.1 years male: 22.8 years female: 23.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.88% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 24.36 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 35.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 36.02 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.41 years male: 67.94 years female: 73 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.02 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Ethnic groups: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1% Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6% Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.7% male: 68.3% female: 46.9% (2003 est.) Government Egypt Country name: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah Government type: republic Capital: Cairo Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK) National holiday: Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) Constitution: 11 September 1971 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Atef Mohammed ABEID (since 5 October 1999) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president nominated by the People's Assembly for a six-year term, the nomination must then be validated by a national, popular referendum; national referendum last held 26 September 1999 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: national referendum validated President MUBARAK's nomination by the People's Assembly to a fourth term Legislative branch: bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve NA-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 19 October, 29 October, 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005); Advisory Council - last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NDP 88%, independents 8%, opposition 4%; seats by party - NDP 398, NWP 7, Tagammu 6, Nasserists 2, LSP 1, independents 38, undecided 2; Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NDP 99%, independents 1%; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Nasserist Arab Democratic Party or Nasserists [Dia' al-din DAWUD]; National Democratic Party or NDP [President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK] - governing party; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Khalid MUHI AL-DIN]; New Wafd Party or NWP [No'man GOMA]; Socialist Liberal Party or LSP [leader NA] note: formation of political parties must be approved by the government Political pressure groups and leaders: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but moved more aggressively since then to block its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BSEC (observer), CAEU, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador M. Nabil FAHMY chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador C. David WELCH embassy: 5 Latin America St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900 telephone: [20] (2) 797-3300 FAX: [20] (2) 797-3200 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars, and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band Economy Egypt Economy - overview: Egypt improved its macroeconomic performance throughout most of the last decade by following IMF advice on fiscal, monetary, and structural reform policies. As a result, Egypt managed to tame inflation, slash budget deficits, and attract more foreign investment. In the past four years, however, the pace of reform has slackened, and excessive spending on national infrastructure projects has widened budget deficits again. Lower foreign exchange earnings since 1998 resulted in pressure on the Egyptian pound and periodic dollar shortages. Monetary pressures have increased since 11 September 2001 because of declines in tourism and Suez Canal tolls, and Egypt has devalued the pound several times in the past year. The development of a gas export market is a major bright spot for future growth prospects. In the short term, regional tensions will continue to affect tourism and hold back prospects for economic expansion. GDP: purchasing power parity - $289.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 34% services: 49% (2001) Population below poverty line: 22.9% (FY 95/96 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 25% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 28.9 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 20.6 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 29%, industry 22%, services 49% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $21.5 billion expenditures: $26.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.9 billion (2001) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 75.23 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 69.96 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 816,900 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 562,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 3.308 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 21.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 21.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.264 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats Exports: $7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals Exports - partners: US 18.3%, Italy 13.7%, UK 8.4% (2002) Imports: $15.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels Imports - partners: US 16.9%, Germany 7.9%, Italy 6.7%, France 6.5%, China 5%, UK 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $30.5 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $2.25 billion (1999) Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP) Currency code: EGP Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds per US dollar - 4.5 (2002), 3.97 (2001), 3.47 (2000), 3.4 (1999), 3.39 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Egypt Telephones - main lines in use: 3,971,500 (December 1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 380,000 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: large system; underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Internet access and cellular service are available domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel and a signatory to Project Oxygen (a global submarine fiber-optic cable system) Radio broadcast stations: AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999) Radios: 20.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 98 (September 1995) Televisions: 7.7 million (1997) Internet country code: .eg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 50 (2000) Internet users: 600,000 (2002) Transportation Egypt Railways: total: 5,105 km standard gauge: 5,105 km 1.435-m gauge (42 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 64,000 km paved: 49,984 km unpaved: 14,016 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 3,500 km note: includes the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of water Pipelines: condensate 327 km; condensate/gas 94 km; gas 6,145 km; liquid petroleum gas 382 km; oil 5,726 km; oil/gas/water 36 km; water 62 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez Merchant marine: total: 170 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,284,197 GRT/1,907,734 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1, Germany 1, Greece 6, Lebanon 3, Monaco 1, Ukraine 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 20, cargo 50, container 5, liquefied gas 1, passenger 63, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 13, short-sea passenger 3 Airports: 89 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 71 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 38 under 914 m: 3 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 under 914 m: 9 (2002) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Egypt Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 19,895,370 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 12,867,160 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 743,305 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.04 billion (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.1% (FY99) Transnational Issues Egypt Disputes - international: Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the triangular areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence - Egypt is economically developing the "Hala'ib triangle" north of the Treaty line Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; transit stop for Nigerian couriers; concern as money-laundering site due to lax banking regulations This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @El Salvador Introduction El Salvador Background: El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. Geography El Salvador Location: Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 21,040 sq km water: 320 sq km land: 20,720 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km Coastline: 307 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 NM Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land Land use: arable land: 27.27% permanent crops: 12.11% other: 60.62% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 360 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea People El Salvador Population: 6,470,379 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.1% (male 1,224,024; female 1,173,667) 15-64 years: 57.9% (male 1,777,522; female 1,966,064) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 147,482; female 181,620) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 21.1 years male: 20 years female: 22.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.81% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 27.9 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.01 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -3.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 26.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 29.59 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.62 years male: 67.02 years female: 74.4 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 24,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran Ethnic groups: mestizo 90%, Amerindian 1%, white 9% Religions: Roman Catholic 83% note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians) Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 80.2% male: 82.8% female: 77.7% (2003 est.) Government El Salvador Country name: conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador Government type: republic Capital: San Salvador Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 23 December 1983 Legal system: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francisco FLORES Perez (since 1 June 1999); Vice President Carlos QUINTANILLA Schmidt (since 1 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Francisco FLORES Perez (since 1 June 1999); Vice President Carlos QUINTANILLA Schmidt (since 1 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2004) election results: Francisco FLORES Perez elected president; percent of vote - Francisco FLORES (ARENA) 52%, Facundo GUARDADO (FMLN) 29%, Ruben ZAMORA (CD) 7.5%, other (no individual above 3%) 11.5% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FMLN 31, ARENA 27, PCN 16, PDC 5, CD 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER]; Democratic Convergence or CD [Ruben ZAMORA, secretary general] (includes Social Democratic Party or PSD [Juan MEDRANO, leader); Democratic Party or PD [Jorge MELENDEZ]; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Fabio CASTILLO]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Kirio Waldo SALGADO, president]; National Action Party or PAN [Gustavo Rogelio SALINAS, secretary general]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, president]; National Republican Alliance or ARENA [Walter ARAUJO]; Social Christian Union or USC (formed by the merger of Christian Social Renewal Party or PRSC and Unity Movement or MU) [Abraham RODRIGUEZ, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rene Antonio LEON Rodriguez consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC FAX: [1] (202) 234-3834 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671 chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rose M. LIKINS embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023 telephone: [503] 278-4444 FAX: [503] 278-6011 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Economy El Salvador Economy - overview: In recent years, this Central American economy has been suffering from a weak tax collection system, factory closings, the aftermaths of Hurricane Mitch of 1998 and the devastating earthquakes of early 2001, and weak world coffee prices. On the bright side, inflation has fallen to single digit levels, and total exports have grown substantially. The trade deficit has been offset by annual remittances of almost $2 billion from Salvadorans living abroad and by external aid. The US dollar is now the legal tender. Because competitor countries have fluctuating exchange rates, El Salvador must face the challenge of raising productivity and lowering costs. GDP: purchasing power parity - $29.41 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 30% services: 60% (2001) Population below poverty line: 48% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 39.3% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 52.2 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2001 est.) Labor force: 2.35 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 15%, services 55% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% - but the economy has much underemployment. (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.1 billion expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 3.729 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 44% hydro: 30.9% other: 25.1% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 3.777 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 44 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 353 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 39,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; shrimp; beef, dairy products Exports: $3 billion (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricity Exports - partners: US 63.3%, Guatemala 12%, Honduras 6.8%, Nicaragua 4.5% (2002) Imports: $4.9 billion (2002) Imports - commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity Imports - partners: US 39%, Guatemala 10.1%, Mexico 7.2%, France 4% (2002) Debt - external: $5.6 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: total $252 million; $57 million from US (1999 est.) Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: 8.75 the US dollar is the legal tender Fiscal year: calendar year Communications El Salvador Telephones - main lines in use: 380,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 40,163 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System Radio broadcast stations: AM 61 (plus 24 repeaters), FM 30, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 2.75 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997) Televisions: 600,000 (1990) Internet country code: .sv Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4 (2000) Internet users: 40,000 (2000) Transportation El Salvador Railways: total: 283 km narrow gauge: 283 km 0.914-m gauge note: length of operational route reduced from 562 km to 283 km by disuse and lack of maintenance (2002) Highways: total: 10,029 km paved: 1,986 km (including 327 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,043 km (1999 est.) Waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable Ports and harbors: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El Triunfo Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 82 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 78 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 61 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military El Salvador Military branches: Army, Navy (FNES), Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,536,230 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 973,884 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 69,534 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $112 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.7% (FY99) Transnational Issues El Salvador Disputes - international: in 1992, the ICJ ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, but they remain largely undemarcated; in 2002, El Salvador filed an application to the ICJ to revise the decision on a section of bolsones; the ICJ also advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador claims tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned by the ICJ, off Honduras in the Golfo de Fonseca Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; domestic cocaine abuse on the rise This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Equatorial Guinea Introduction Equatorial Guinea Background: Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. President OBIANG NGUEM MBASOGO has ruled the tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands and one of the smallest countries on the African continent, since he seized power in a coup in 1979. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 legislative elections - were widely seen as being flawed. Geography Equatorial Guinea Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 28,051 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m Natural resources: oil, petroleum, timber, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium, titanium, iron ore Land use: arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: violent windstorms, flash floods Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated People Equatorial Guinea Population: 510,473 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 108,179; female 107,164) 15-64 years: 54% (male 132,342; female 143,509) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 8,576; female 10,703) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.7 years male: 18 years female: 19.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.44% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 36.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 89.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 82.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 95.25 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.75 years male: 52.63 years female: 56.93 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.75 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,900 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 370 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic groups: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Languages: Spanish (official), French (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.7% male: 93.3% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) Government Equatorial Guinea Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial former: Spanish Guinea Government type: republic Capital: Malabo Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Constitution: approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup) elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2009); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president head of government: Prime Minister Candido Muatetema RIVAS (since 26 February 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Miguel OYONO NDONG (since NA January 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Demetrio Elo NDONG NZE FUMU (since NA January 1998) Legislative branch: unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - PDGE 80%, UP 6%, CPDS 5%; seats by party - PDGE 75, UP 4 and CPDS 1 note: opposition parties have refused to take up their seats in the House to protest widespread irregularities in the 1999 legislative elections Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Political parties and leaders: Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MIKO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Miguel Esono EMAN]; Popular Union or UP [Andres Moises Bda ADA]; Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP [Victorino Bolekia BONAY]; Union of Independent Democrats of UDI [Daniel OYONO] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Teodoro Biyogo NSUE chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Equatorial Guinea (embassy closed September 1995); the US ambassador to Cameroon is accredited to Equatorial Guinea; the US State Department is considering opening a Consulate Agency in Malabo Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) Economy Equatorial Guinea Economy - overview: The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been unsuccessfully trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government officials and their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth will remain strong in 2003, led by oil. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.27 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 20% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 60% services: 20% (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 30% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $200 million expenditures: $158 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 30% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 23.56 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 94.3% hydro: 5.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 21.91 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 181,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 563.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 20 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 20 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 68.53 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber Exports: $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa Exports - partners: US 28.3%, Spain 25.3%, China 17.4%, Canada 10.6%, France 4.9% (2002) Imports: $562 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum sector equipment, other equipment Imports - partners: US 29.1%, Spain 15.9%, UK 14.8%, France 10.4%, Norway 7.2%, Netherlands 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2002) Debt - external: $248 million (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $33.8 million (1995) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 January - 31 December Communications Equatorial Guinea Telephones - main lines in use: 6,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 300 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: poor system with adequate government services domestic: NA international: international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2002) Radios: 180,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Televisions: 4,000 (1997) Internet country code: .gq Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 900 (2002) Transportation Equatorial Guinea Railways: total: 0 km Highways: total: 2,880 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: condensate 37 km; gas 39 km; liquid natural gas 4 km; oil 24 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bata, Luba, Malabo Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,571 GRT/9,670 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Equatorial Guinea Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force, National Police Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 116,496 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 59,110 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $30 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY02) Transnational Issues Equatorial Guinea Disputes - international: in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but states have not yet agreed to abide by the decision; creation of a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay with Gabon is hampered by dispute over small islets on Mbane/Mbagne bank, administered and occupied by Gabon since the 1970s This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Eritrea Introduction Eritrea Background: Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices on 12 December 2000. Eritrea currently hosts a UN peacekeeping operation that is monitoring the border region. An international commission, organized to resolve the border dispute, posted its findings in 2002 but final demarcation is on hold due to Ethiopian objections. Geography Eritrea Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 121,320 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 121,320 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 1,626 km border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km Coastline: 2,234 km total; mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September except in coastal desert Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 m highest point: Soira 3,018 m Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish Land use: arable land: 3.87% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 96.11% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 220 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent droughts; locust swarms Environment - current issues: deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993 People Eritrea Population: 4,362,254 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.7% (male 977,447; female 972,068) 15-64 years: 52% (male 1,121,077; female 1,147,109) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 71,620; female 72,933) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.6 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.28% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 39.44 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13.23 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -13.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: UNHCR began repatriating about 150,000 Eritrean refugees from Sudan in 2001 following the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2000 (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 76.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 83.78 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.18 years male: 51.48 years female: 54.92 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.74 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 55,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 350 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean Ethnic groups: ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3% Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Languages: Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages Literacy: definition: NA total population: 58.6% male: 69.9% female: 47.6% (2003 est.) Government Eritrea Country name: conventional long form: State of Eritrea conventional short form: Eritrea local long form: Hagere Ertra former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia local short form: Ertra Government type: transitional government note: following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections had been scheduled to take place in December 2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera) Administrative divisions: 6 regions (regions, singular - region); Central, Anelba, Southern Red Sea, Northern Red Sea, Southern, Gash-Barka Independence: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 May (1993) Constitution: the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented Legal system: primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, with revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority; members appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as anticipated) election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; term limits not established) elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, that had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely Judicial branch: or High Court, regional, subregional, and village courts; also have military and special courts Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, the only party recognized by the government [ISAIAS Afworki]; note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January 2001, but the full National Assembly has not yet debated or voted on it Political pressure groups and leaders: Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ [leader NA] (also including Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM (also known as the Abu Sihel Movement) [leader NA]); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the Arafa Movement) [leader NA]; Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador GIRMA Asmerom telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991 consulate(s) general: Oakland (California) FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304 chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. McCONNELL embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmara mailing address: P. O. Box 211, Asmara telephone: [291] (1) 120004 FAX: [291] (1) 127584 Flag description: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle Economy Eritrea Economy - overview: Since independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993, Eritrea has faced the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country. Like the economies of many African nations, the economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero in 1999 and to -1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and loss, including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000 homes. The attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most productive region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Even during the war, Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure, asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing war damaged roads and bridges. Since the war ended, the government has maintained a firm grip on the economy, expanding the use of the military and party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's development agenda. Erratic rainfall and the delayed demobilization of agriculturalists from the military kept cereal production well below normal, holding down growth in 2002. Eritrea's economic future depends upon its ability to master social problems such as illiteracy, unemployment, and low skills, and to open its economy to private enterprise so the diaspora's money and expertise can foster economic growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.3 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 29% services: 54% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 53% (1993/94) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (2001) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $206.4 million expenditures: $615.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 220.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 205.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh NA kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh NA kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish Exports: $20 million f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures (2000) Exports - partners: Italy 36.9%, Germany 16.7%, France 10.3%, US 5.4%, Netherlands 5.2% (2002) Imports: $500 million c.i.f. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods (2000) Imports - partners: Italy 27.1%, US 15.7%, Germany 7.2%, Ukraine 5.8%, Turkey 5.5%, France 4.5%, Netherlands 4% (2002) Debt - external: $311 million (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $77 million (1999) Currency: nakfa (ERN) Currency code: ERN Exchange rates: nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 9.5 (January 2000), 7.6 (January 1999), 7.2 (March 1998 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Eritrea Telephones - main lines in use: 30,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA; note - mobile cellular service was introduced in May 2001 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate domestic: very inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002) international: NA; note - international connections exist Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000) Radios: 345,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2000) Televisions: 1,000 (1997) Internet country code: .er Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001) Internet users: 10,000 (2002) Transportation Eritrea Railways: total: 306 km narrow gauge: 306 km 0.950-m gauge note: railway is being rebuilt (2002) Highways: total: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Assab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits'iwa) Merchant marine: total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 19,100 GRT/23,399 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 18 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Eritrea Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $95.75 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 12% (FY02) Transnational Issues Eritrea Disputes - international: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 independent boundary commission delimitation decision, but demarcation, scheduled to begin in 2003, has been hampered by technical delays and Ethiopian concerns that the decision ignored "human geography" and awarded Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war, to Eritrea, demarcation of the boundary has been postponed indefinately; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) monitors a 25 km wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea until the demarcation; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; Eritrea protests Yemeni fishing around the Hanish Islands awarded to Eritrea by the ICJ in 1999 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Estonia Introduction Estonia Background: After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. Estonia received invitations to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Geography Estonia Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia Geographic coordinates: 59 00 N, 26 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 45,226 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea water: 2,015 sq km land: 43,211 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined Land boundaries: total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km Coastline: 3,794 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers Terrain: marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m Natural resources: oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud Land use: arable land: 26.5% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 73.15% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: sometimes flooding occurs in the spring Environment - current issues: air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one twentieth the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands People Estonia Population: 1,408,556 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 113,239; female 108,876) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 467,041; female 501,805) 65 years and over: 15.4% (male 71,512; female 146,083) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.1 years male: 34.7 years female: 41.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.49% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.24 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 13.88 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.31 years male: 64.36 years female: 76.57 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 7,700 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic groups: Estonian 65.3%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Belarusian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.6% (1998) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Jewish Languages: Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2003 est.) Government Estonia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Eesti Vabariik Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: Tallinn Administrative divisions: 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses Independence: regained on 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 20 August 1991 was the date of reindependence from the Soviet Union Constitution: adopted 28 June 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens Executive branch: chief of state: President Arnold RUUTEL (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Juhan PARTS (since 10 April 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament election results: Arnold RUUTEL elected president on 21 September 2001 by a 367-member electoral assembly that convened following Parliament's failure in August to elect then-President MERI's successor; on the second ballot of voting, RUUTEL received 188 votes to Parliament Speaker Toomas SAVI's 155; the remaining 24 ballots were either left blank or invalid elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if he or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held 21 September 2001 (next to be held in the fall of 2006); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Center Party 25.4%, Res Publica 24.6%, Reform Party 17.7%, Estonian People's Union 13%, Pro Patria Union (Fatherland League) 7.3% People's Party Moodukad 7%; seats by party - Center Party 28, Res Publica 28, Reform Party 19, Estonian People's Union 13, Pro Patria Union 7, People's Party Moodukad 6 elections: last held 2 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007) Judicial branch: National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life) Political parties and leaders: Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Siim KALLAS]; Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [leader NA]; Moderates (Moodukad) [Ivari PADAR]; Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit) [Tunne KELAM, chairman]; Res Publica [Juhan PARTS]; Russian Baltic Party [Sergei IVANOV] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juri LUIK chancery: 1730 M Street NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. DeTHOMAS embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8134 Flag description: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Economy Estonia Economy - overview: Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization, is steadily moving toward a modern market economy with increasing ties to the West, including the pegging of its currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecoms sectors. A major goal is accession to the EU, possibly by 2004. The economy is greatly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading partners. The high current account deficit remains a concern. GDP: purchasing power parity - $15.52 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.8% industry: 28.6% services: 65.6% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37 (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 608,600 (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: industry 20%, agriculture 11%, services 69% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.4% (2001) Budget: revenues: $1.89 billion expenditures: $1.89 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile; information technology, telecommunications Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 7.937 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.8% hydro: 0.1% other: 0.2% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 6.192 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.19 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 5,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish Exports: $3.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles 14%, food products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products (2001) Exports - partners: Finland 19.2%, Sweden 13.2%, UK 10.6%, Latvia 7.4%, Germany 7.2% (2002) Imports: $4.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%, textiles 10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9% (2001) Imports - partners: Russia 26.6%, Finland 18.9%, Germany 9.2%, Sweden 8.2% (2002) Debt - external: $3.3 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $108 million (2000) Currency: Estonian kroon (EEK) Currency code: EEK Exchange rates: krooni per US dollar - 16.61 (2002), 17.56 (2001), 16.97 (2000), 14.68 (1999), 14.07 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Estonia Telephones - main lines in use: 501,691 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 711,000 (yearend 2001) Telephone system: general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; internet services are available throughout most of the country - only about 11,000 subscriber requests were unfilled by September 2000 domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and internet services is available throughout the country international: fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; two international switches are located in Tallinn (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 98, shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: 1.01 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (2001) Televisions: 605,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ee Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 38 (2001) Internet users: 429,700 (2002) Transportation Estonia Railways: total: 968 km broad gauge: 968 km 1.520-m/1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) note:: gauge being increased from 1.520-m to 1.524-m to reduce wear on wheels and rail as lines are modernized (2002) Highways: total: 51,411 km paved: 10,334 km (including 94 km of expressways) unpaved: 41,077 km (2000) Waterways: 320 km (perennially navigable) (2002) Pipelines: gas 859 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Haapsalu, Kunda, Muuga, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn Merchant marine: total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 200,807 GRT/169,899 DWT note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Liberia 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 13, container 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 5 Airports: 38 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Military Estonia Military branches: Estonia Defense Forces (including Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force), Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Maritime Border Guard, Coast Guard note: Border Guards and Ministry of Internal Affairs become part of the Estonian Defense Forces in wartime; the Coast Guard is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense in peacetime and the Estonian Navy in wartime Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 360,440 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 283,278 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 11,123 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $155 million (2002 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (2002 est.) Transnational Issues Estonia Disputes - international: Russia continues to reject signing and ratifying the joint December 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western Europe to Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem; possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Ethiopia Introduction Ethiopia Background: Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, one exception being the Italian occupation of 1936-41. In 1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), in 1991. A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000. Final demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender sensitive territory. Geography Ethiopia Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,127,127 sq km water: 7,444 sq km land: 1,119,683 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,328 km border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Denakil Depression -125 m highest point: Ras Dejen 4,620 m Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 9.9% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 89.45% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,900 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean People Ethiopia Population: 66,557,553 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.8% (male 14,944,168; female 14,871,164) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 17,474,403; female 17,384,817) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 840,057; female 1,042,944) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.3 years female: 17.4 years (2002) male: 17.3 years Population growth rate: 1.96% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 39.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 20.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan for refuge from war and famine in earlier years is expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese and Somali refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 103.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 92.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 113.48 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.24 years male: 40.39 years female: 42.11 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.55 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6.4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2.1 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 160,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Ethnic groups: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8% Languages: Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.7% male: 50.3% female: 35.1% (2003 est.) Government Ethiopia Country name: conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia conventional short form: Ethiopia local short form: Ityop'iya former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik abbreviation: FDRE Government type: federal republic Capital: Addis Ababa Administrative divisions: 9 ethnically-based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular - astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples), Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali), Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples) Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years National holiday: National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) Constitution: ratified December 1994; effective 22 August 1995 Legal system: currently transitional mix of national and regional courts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives elections: president elected by the House of People's Representatives for a six-year term; election last held 8 October 2001 (next to be held NA October 2007); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of vote by the House of People's Representatives - 100% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation or upper chamber (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives or lower chamber (548 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) note: irregularities and violence at a number of polling stations necessitated the rescheduling of voting in certain constituencies; voting postponed in Somali regional state because of severe drought election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - OPDO 177, ANDM 134, TPLF 38, WGGPDO 27, EPRDF 19, SPDO 18, GNDM 15, KSPDO 10, ANDP 8, GPRDF 7, SOPDM 7, BGPDUF 6, BMPDO 5, KAT 4, other regional political groupings 22, independents 8; note - 43 seats unconfirmed Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council) Political parties and leaders: Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP [leader NA]; Amhara National Democratic Movement or ANDM [ADDISU Legesse]; Bench Madji People's Democratic Organization or BMPDO [leader NA]; Benishangul Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [leader NA]; Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF [MELES Zenawi] (an alliance of ANDM, OPDO, SEPDF, and TPLF); Gedeyo People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or GPRDF [leader NA]; Gurage Nationalities' Democratic Movement or GNDM [leader NA]; Kafa Shaka People's Democratic Organization or KSPDO [leader NA]; Kembata, Alabaa and Tembaro or KAT [leader NA]; Oromo People's Democratic Organization or OPDO [JUNEDI Sado]; Sidamo People's Democratic Organization or SPDO [leader NA]; South Omo People's Democratic Movement or SOPDM [leader NA]; Tigrayan People's Liberation Front or TPLF [MELES Zenawi]; Walayta, Gamo, Gofa, Dawro, and Konta People's Democratic Organization or WGGPDO [leader NA]; dozens of small parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front or ARDUF [leader NA]; Council of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy in Ethiopia or CAFPDE [BEYANE Petros]; Southern Ethiopia People's Democratic Coalition or SEPDC [BEYANE Petros] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador KASSAHUN Ayele chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York FAX: [1] (202) 686-9551 telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aurelia A. BRAZEAL embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 550666 FAX: [251] (1) 551328 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors Economy Ethiopia Economy - overview: Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, 85% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $270 million in 2000/01, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement their income. The war with Eritrea in 1999-2000 and recurrent drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001 Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Under Ethiopia's land tenure system, the government owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans. Strong growth in 2002 resulted from good rainfall early in the year, the cessation of hostilities, and renewed foreign aid and debt relief. But drought struck again late in 2002, and the World Food Program (WFP) estimates 14 million Ethiopians need food immediately to survive into 2003. The government estimates than annual growth of 7% is needed to reduce poverty, yet the maintenance of 5% in 2003 will be quite difficult (one estimate is for 1.5% growth). GDP: purchasing power parity - $48.53 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 52% industry: 11% services: 37% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 45% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 33.7% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2003 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $600 million (2002 est.) Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Industrial production growth rate: 6.7% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 1.713 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 97.6% other: 1.2% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.594 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 214,000 bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 12.46 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, qat; hides, cattle, sheep, goats Exports: $433 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds Exports - partners: UK 16.2%, Djibouti 10.9%, Germany 7.6%, Italy 7.2%, Japan 6.7%, Saudi Arabia 6.5%, US 4.4% (2002) Imports: $1.63 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 28.7%, China 6%, Italy 5.9%, India 4.8%, Germany 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $5.3 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $308 million (FY00/01) Currency: birr (ETB) Currency code: ETB Exchange rates: birr per US dollar - NA (2002), 8.46 (2001), 8.22 (2000), 7.94 (1999), 7.12 (1998) note: since 24 October 2001 exchange rates are determined on a daily basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July Communications Ethiopia Telephones - main lines in use: 231,900 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 17,800 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: open-wire and microwave radio relay system; adequate for government use domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service international: open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 15.2 million (2002) Television broadcast stations: 1 plus 24 repeaters (2002) Televisions: 682,000 (2002) Internet country code: .et Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 20,000 (2002) Transportation Ethiopia Railways: total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2002) Highways: total: 31,571 km paved: 3,789 km unpaved: 27,782 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; Ethiopia is landlocked and was by agreement with Eritrea using the ports of Assab and Massawa; since the border dispute with Eritrea flared, Ethiopia has used the port of Djibouti for nearly all of its imports Merchant marine: total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 81,933 GRT/101,287 DWT ships by type: cargo 5, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 83 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 69 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 21 (2002) Military Ethiopia Military branches: Ethiopian National Defense Force (Ground Forces, Air Force, militia, police) note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in Eritrean possession Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 15,388,318 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 8,040,381 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 714,165 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $800 million (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 12.6% (FY00) Transnational Issues Ethiopia Disputes - international: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 independent boundary commission delimitation decision, but demarcation, scheduled to begin in 2003, has been hampered by technical delays and Ethiopian concerns that the decision ignored "human geography" and awarded Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war, to Eritrea, demarcation of the boundary has been postponed indefinately; Ethiopia maintains only an administrative line and no international border with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains alliances with local clans in opposition to the Transitional National Government in Mogadishu; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities and trade ties to land-locked Ethiopia; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Sudan have been delayed by civil war there Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Europa Island Introduction Europa Island Background: A French possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station. Geography Europa Island Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 22 20 S, 40 22 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 28 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 28 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 22.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: low and flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 24 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mangrove forests and woodlands) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: wildlife sanctuary People Europa Island Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2003 est.) Government Europa Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Europa Island local short form: Ile Europa local long form: none Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Europa Island Economy - overview: no economic activity Communications Europa Island Communications - note: 1 meteorological station Transportation Europa Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Europa Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Europa Island Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Introduction Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Background: Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. Geography Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 12,173 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands water: 0 sq km land: 12,173 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m Natural resources: fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year Environment - current issues: overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster Geography - note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season People Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Population: 2,967 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% Population growth rate: 2.44% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Ethnic groups: British Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English Government Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina Government type: NA Capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); Financial Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8; note - 71% voter turnout Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT Economy Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Economy - overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. GDP: purchasing power parity - $75 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1998) Labor force: 1,100 (est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) Unemployment rate: full employment; labor shortage Budget: revenues: $66.2 million expenditures: $67.9 million, including capital expenditures of $23.2 million (FY98/99 est.) Industries: fish and wool processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 16.33 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 15.19 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products Exports: $7.6 million (1995) Exports - commodities: wool, hides, meat Exports - partners: Spain 76.2%, UK 9.2%, US 7.1% (2002) Imports: $24.7 million (1995) Imports - commodities: fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing Imports - partners: UK 57.9%, Spain 19.8%, Italy 16.7% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: none Currency: Falkland pound (FKP) Currency code: FKP Exchange rates: Falkland pounds per US dollar - 0.67 (2002), 0.69 (2001), 0.66 (2000), 0.62 (1999), 0.6 (1998); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 1,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service) note: cable television is available in Stanley (2002) Televisions: 1,000 (1997) Internet country code: .fk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: NA; however one-half of all households are reported to have internet access (2002) Transportation Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2002) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Stanley note: the primary port is located in Stanley Harbour and known locally as FIPASS (Falkland Interim Port and Storage System); the facility consists of seven permanently moored barges providing 300 meters of berthing space; it was installed by the military after 1982 and handed over to the Falkland Islands Government in 1988 Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 5 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Military Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Military branches: British Forces Falkland Islands no regular indigenous military forces; (includes Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy), Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Disputes - international: claimed by Argentina whose forces briefly occupied it in 1982, but now declares it will no longer seek settlement by force This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Faroe Islands Introduction Faroe Islands Background: The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self-government was attained in 1948. Geography Faroe Islands Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) land: 1,399 sq km Area - comparative: eight times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,117 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m Natural resources: fish, whales, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands People Faroe Islands Population: 46,345 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 5,103; female 5,077) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 15,822; female 14,002) 65 years and over: 13.7% (male 2,842; female 3,499) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 35.1 years male: 34.5 years female: 35.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.7% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 13.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.9 years male: 75.44 years female: 82.36 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Ethnic groups: Scandinavian Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: similar to Denmark proper Government Faroe Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local short form: Foroyar local long form: none Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 Government type: NA Capital: Torshavn Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 49 municipalities Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) National holiday: Olaifest, 29 July Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: Danish Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) election results: Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 52.8% note: coalition of People's Party, Republican Party, Home Rule Party, and Center Party elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 30 April 2002 (next to be held no later than April 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG (since 15 May 1998) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 26%, Republican Party 23.7%, Social Democrats 20.9%, People's Party 20.8% Home Rule Party 4.4%, Center Party 4.2%; seats by party - Union Party 8, Republican Party 8, Social Democrats 7, People's Party 7, Home Rule Party 1, Center Party 1 note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 20 November 2001 (next to be held no later than November 2005); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1 elections: last held 30 April 2002 (next to be held no later than April 2006) Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Tordur NICLASEN]; Home Rule Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; People's Party [Oli BRECKMANN]; Republican Party [Finnabogi ISAKSON]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: IMO (associate), NC, NIB Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag description: white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Faroe Islands Economy - overview: The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export prices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget surpluses, which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what is a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 10% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $22,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (1999) Labor force: 24,250 (October 2000) Labor force - by occupation: fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34% Unemployment rate: 1% (October 2000) Budget: revenues: $488 million expenditures: $484 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1999) Industries: fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 8% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 160.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 149.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish Exports: $418 million f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) Exports - partners: Denmark 39.9%, UK 32.1%, Norway 7.4%, Netherlands 6.1% (2002) Imports: $469 million c.i.f. (1999) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999) Imports - partners: Denmark 53.8%, Norway 24.2%, Iceland 5.7% (2002) Debt - external: $64 million (1999) Economic aid - recipient: $55 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) Currency: Danish krone (DKK) Currency code: DKK Exchange rates: Danish kroner per US dollar - 7.89 (2002), 8.32 (2001), 8.08 (2000), 6.98 (1999), 6.7 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Faroe Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 24,851 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 10,761 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed international: satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 26,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995) Televisions: 15,000 (1997) Internet country code: .fo Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 3,000 (2000) Transportation Faroe Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 463 km paved: 454 km unpaved: 9 km (1999) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur Merchant marine: total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 100,951 GRT/139,396 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 3, Norway 1, United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Faroe Islands Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark Transnational Issues Faroe Islands Disputes - international: Faroese are considering proposals for full independence; Denmark dispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands fisheries median line boundary of 200 NM; Denmark disputes with Iceland, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Fiji Introduction Fiji Background: Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government and gave a mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Geography Fiji Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 18,270 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 18,270 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower Land use: arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited People Fiji Population: 868,531 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 141,979; female 136,378) 15-64 years: 64.1% (male 278,759; female 278,150) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 15,329; female 17,936) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23.7 years male: 23.3 years female: 24.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.41% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -3.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.88 years male: 66.43 years female: 71.44 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 300 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Ethnic groups: Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986) Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 95.5% female: 91.9% (2003 est.) Government Fiji Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands conventional short form: Fiji Government type: republic note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987 Capital: Suva Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) Constitution: promulgated on 25 July 1990 and amended on 25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note - the May 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution and introduced open voting - not racially prescribed - for the first time at the national level Legal system: based on British system Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since NA 2000); Vice President Jope SENILOLI (since NA 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - there is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs, which consists of the highest ranking members of the traditional chief system elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (34 seats; 24 appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, nine appointed by the president, and one appointed by the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three reserved for other ethnic groups, one reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1 September, 19 September 2001 (next to be held not later than September 2006) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - FLP 34.8%, SDL 26%, NFP 10.1%, MV 9.9%, independents 2.7%, other 16.5%; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts Political parties and leaders: Bai Kei Viti Party or BKV [Ratu Tevita MOMOEDONU]; Conservative Alliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or MV [Ratu Rakuita VAKALALABURE]; Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Felipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP [Adi Kuini SPEED], Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Felipe BOLE], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Tupeni BABA]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDRHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP [leader NA] (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP [leader NA]; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM [leader NA]; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR [leader NA]; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Meli BOGILEKA]; Party of the Truth or POTT [leader NA]; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis Mick BEDDOES] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anare JALE FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996 telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320 chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David L. LYON embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-0081 Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove Economy Fiji Economy - overview: Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's ability to manage its budget. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.822 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 25% services: 58% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 25.5% (1990-91) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 137,000 (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, including subsistence agriculture 70% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (1999) Budget: revenues: $427.9 million expenditures: $531.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 520.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 18.5% hydro: 81.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 483.7 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish Exports: $442 million f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil Exports - partners: US 25.1%, Australia 19.5%, UK 10.6%, Japan 6.3%, Samoa 5.5% (2002) Imports: $642 million c.i.f. (2001) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Imports - partners: Australia 37.3%, New Zealand 17.2%, Singapore 16.1%, Japan 4.2%, China 4% (2002) Debt - external: $135.9 million (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $40.3 million (1995) Currency: Fijian dollar (FJD) Currency code: FJD Exchange rates: Fijian dollars per US dollar - 2.19 (2002), 2.28 (2001), 2.13 (2000), 1.97 (1999), 1.99 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Fiji Telephones - main lines in use: 80,901 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 5,200 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center domestic: NA international: access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 541,476 (1999) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: 88,110 (1999) Internet country code: .fj Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 15,000 (2002) Transportation Fiji Railways: total: 597 km narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to September) (2002) Highways: total: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 203 km note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges Ports and harbors: Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Malau, Savusavu, Suva, Vuda Merchant marine: total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 11,870 GRT/14,787 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Singapore 4 (2002 est.) ships by type: chemical tanker 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 Airports: 27 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Military Fiji Military branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), includes ground forces, naval division Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 235,546 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 129,432 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 9,359 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $39.21 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Fiji Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Finland Introduction Finland Background: Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It finally won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now on par with Western Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. Geography Finland Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia Geographic coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 337,030 sq km water: 31,560 sq km land: 305,470 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 2,628 km border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km Coastline: 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations) Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden territorial sea: 12 NM (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 NM) Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Halti 1,328 m Natural resources: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land: 6.98% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 93.01% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 640 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain People Finland Population: 5,190,785 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.7% (male 468,077; female 450,785) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 1,753,760; female 1,719,253) 65 years and over: 15.4% (male 312,883; female 486,027) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 40.3 years male: 38.8 years female: 41.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.14% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.92 years male: 74.28 years female: 81.68 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,200 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish Ethnic groups: Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02% Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1% Languages: Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Finland Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local short form: Suomi local long form: Suomen Tasavalta Government type: republic Capital: Helsinki Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Russia) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Constitution: 1 March 2000 Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Antti KALLIOMAKI (since 17 April 2003); note - former Prime Minister Anneli JAATTEENMAKI resigned cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 16 January 2000 and 6 February 2000 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed from the majority party by the president after parliamentary elections note: government coalition - KESK, SDP, and SFP election results: Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esko AHO (Kesk) 48.4% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 24.7%, SDP 24.5%, Kok 18.5%, VAS 9.9%, VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP 4.6%; seats by party - Kesk 55, SDP 53, Kok 40, VAS 19, VIHR 14, KD 7, SFP 8, others 4 elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Bjarne KALLIS]; Green League or VIHR [Osmo SOININVAARA]; Left Alliance or VAS (Communist) composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative [Suvi-Anne SIIMES]; National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Ville ITALA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Paavo LIPPONEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Jan-Erik ENESTAM] International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jukka Robert VALTASAARI consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800 chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bonnie McELVEEN-HUNTER embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 616250 FAX: [358] (9) 174681 Flag description: white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Finland Economy - overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important, with exports equaling almost one-third of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe - Finland was one of the 11 countries joining the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on 1 January 1999 - will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. Growth in 2003 was held back by the global slowdown but will pick up in 2004 provided the world economy suffers no further blows. GDP: purchasing power parity - $133.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 34% services: 62% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 25.6 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.6 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: public services 32%, industry 22%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, agriculture and forestry 8%, transport and communications 8%, construction 6% Unemployment rate: 8.5% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $36.1 billion expenditures: $31 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: metal products, electronics, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 71.2 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 39% hydro: 18.7% other: 11.8% (2001) nuclear: 30.4% Electricity - consumption: 76.18 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.81 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 11.77 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 211,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 101,000 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 318,300 bbl/day (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 4.557 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 4.567 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish Exports: $40.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp (1999) Exports - partners: Germany 11.8%, UK 9.6%, US 9%, Sweden 8.5%, Russia 6.6%, Netherlands 4.6%, France 4.5% (2002) Imports: $31.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains (1999) Imports - partners: Germany 14.5%, Sweden 10.9%, Russia 9.9%, UK 5.7%, France 4.3%, Denmark 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $30 billion (December 1993) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $379 million (2001) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Finland Telephones - main lines in use: 2,847,900 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,728,600 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system with excellent service domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and an extensive cellular net provide domestic needs international: 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 7.7 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999) Televisions: 3.2 million (1997) Internet country code: .fi Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2002) Internet users: 2.69 million (2002) Transportation Finland Railways: total: 5,850 km broad gauge: 5,850 km 1.524-m gauge (2,400 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 77,943 km paved: 50,305 km (including 750 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,688 km (2001) Waterways: 6,675 km note: includes Saimaa Canal; 3,700 km suitable for large ships Pipelines: gas 694 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus Merchant marine: total: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,181,687 GRT/1,185,653 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 24, chemical tanker 5, container 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 32, short-sea passenger 9 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1, Sweden 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 150 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 74 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 72 (2002) Military Finland Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (including Sea Guard) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,230,934 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,016,693 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 31,926 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.8 billion (FY98/99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (FY98/99) Transnational Issues Finland Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @France Introduction France Background: Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of the euro in January 2002. At present, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus. Geography France Location: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 2 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 547,030 sq km land: 545,630 sq km note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions water: 1,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Colorado Land boundaries: total: 2,889 km border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km Coastline: 3,427 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM (does not apply to the Mediterranean) Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, potash, timber, fish Land use: arable land: 33.3% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 64.59% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 20,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean Environment - current issues: some forest damage from acid rain (major forest damage occurred as a result of severe December 1999 windstorm); air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: largest West European nation People France Population: 60,180,529 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 5,725,170; female 5,449,991) 15-64 years: 65.1% (male 19,619,994; female 19,583,850) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 4,006,857; female 5,794,667) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.3 years male: 36.8 years female: 39.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.42% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.89 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.28 years male: 75.63 years female: 83.11 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 100,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 800 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic groups: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities Religions: Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1980 est.) Government France Country name: conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique Francaise local short form: France Government type: republic Capital: Paris Administrative divisions: 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes note: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon) Dependent areas: Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Independence: 486 (unified by Clovis) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993 Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN (since 7 May 2002) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in 2001); election last held 21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round NA April 2007, second round NA May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president election results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN (FN) 18.04% cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majoritarian system to serve five-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 83, PS 68, UDF 37, DL 35, RDES 16, PCF 16, other 66; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 355, PS 140, UDF 29, PCF 21, Radical Party 7, Greens 3, other 22 elections: Senate - last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2004); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat Political parties and leaders: Citizen and Republican Movement or MCR [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT]; Democratic and European Social Rally or RDSE (mainly RAD and PRG) [leader NA]; French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Left Radical Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Liberal Democracy or DL (originally Republican Party or PR; now merged into the UMP) [Alain MADELIN]; Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR (merged into UMP) [Serge LEPELTIER]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Greens [Martine BILLARD, Denis BAUPIN, Stephane POCRAIN, Maryse ARDITI]; Union for French Democracy or UDF (coalition of DL, CDS, UDF, RP, and other parties) [Francois BAYROU]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (including RPR, DL, and a part of UDF) [Alain JUPPE] Political pressure groups and leaders: historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed); left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, approximately 865,000 members (claimed, of which 810,000 are actively employed); independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members (claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed) International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-David LEVITTE chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Howard H. LEACH embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777 telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22 FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83 consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas Economy France Economy - overview: France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The Socialist-led government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, but still retains controlling stakes in several leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales, and remains dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. The current government has lowered income taxes and introduced measures to boost employment. At the end of 2002 the government was focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweek and restrictions on lay-offs. The government was also pushing for pension reforms and simplification of administrative procedures. The tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe. The current economic slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the deficit above the EU's 3% debt limit. Business investment remains listless because of low rates of capital utilization, high debt, and the steep cost of capital. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.558 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $26,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 6.4% (1999) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.7 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 26.6 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 71%, industry 25%, agriculture 4% (1997) Unemployment rate: 9.1% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $286 billion expenditures: $330 billion, including capital expenditures of $23 billion (2002 est.) Industries: machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2002) Electricity - production: 520.1 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.2% hydro: 14% other: 0.7% (2001) nuclear: 77.1% Electricity - consumption: 415.3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 72.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 4.2 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 34,920 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.026 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 409,600 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 2.281 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 144.3 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 1.898 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 42.01 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 1.725 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 40.26 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 12.86 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish Exports: $307.8 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages Exports - partners: Germany 15%, UK 9.8%, Spain 9%, Italy 9%, US 7.8%, Belgium 6.9% (2002) Imports: $303.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals Imports - partners: Germany 19.4%, Belgium 9.2%, Italy 8.8%, UK 7.3%, Netherlands 7%, US 6.8%, Spain 6.7% (2002) Debt - external: NA (1998) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $6.3 billion (1997) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications France Telephones - main lines in use: 34.86 million (yearend 1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.078 million (yearend 1998) Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 55.3 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 34.8 million (1997) Internet country code: .fr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 62 (2000) Internet users: 16.97 million (2002) Transportation France Railways: total: 32,682 km standard gauge: 32,515 km 1.435-m gauge (14,104 km electrified) narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 894,000 km paved: 894,000 km (including 11,500 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: 14,932 km (6,969 km heavily traveled) Pipelines: gas 13,946 km; oil 3,024 km; refined products 4,889 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nates, Paris, Rouen, Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg Merchant marine: total: 35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 749,570 GRT/939,134 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 9, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: French Polynesia 2, Greece 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Sweden 9 (2002 est.) Airports: 477 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 273 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 80 under 914 m: 57 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 95 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 204 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 74 under 914 m: 128 (2002) Heliports: 3 (2002) Military France Military branches: Army (includes marines), Navy (includes naval air), Air Force (includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 14,523,208 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 12,079,413 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 392,824 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $46.5 billion (2000) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.57% (2002) Transnational Issues France Disputes - international: Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and French Guiana; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia, claimed by France and Vanuatu Illicit drugs: transshipment point for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @French Guiana Introduction French Guiana Background: First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou. Geography French Guiana Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 53 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 91,000 sq km water: 1,850 sq km land: 89,150 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline: 378 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 0.11% NEGL permanent crops: 0.03% other: 99.86% (90% forest, 10% other) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only non-independent portion of the South American continent People French Guiana Population: 186,917 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.9% (male 28,565; female 27,280) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 64,836; female 55,498) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 5,455; female 5,283) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 28.2 years male: 29.2 years female: 27.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.4% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 21.33 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.8 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 7.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 13.68 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.69 years male: 73.36 years female: 80.18 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.09 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: French Guianese (singular and plural) adjective: French Guianese Ethnic groups: black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10% Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83% male: 84% female: 82% (1982 est.) Government French Guiana Country name: conventional long form: Department of Guiana conventional short form: French Guiana local short form: Guyane local long form: none Dependency status: overseas department of France Government type: NA Capital: Cayenne Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Ange MANCINI (since 31 July 2002) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the members of those councils head of government: President of the General Council Joseph HO-TEN-YOU (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PSG 5, various left-wing parties 5, independents 7, other 2; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - PS 28.28%, various left parties 22.56%, RPR 15.91%, independents 8.6%, Walwari Committee 6%; seats by party - PS 11, various left parties 9, RPR 6, independents 3, Walwari Committee 2 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, Walwari Committee 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Political parties and leaders: Guyanese Democratic Action or ADG [Andre LECANTE]; Guyanese Socialist Party or PSG [Marie-Claude VERDAN]; Guyana Democratic Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Popular National Guyanese Party or PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Roland HO-WEN-SZE]; Socialist Party or PS [Pierre RIBARDIERE]; Walwari Committee [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy French Guiana Economy - overview: The economy is tied closely to the larger French economy through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou (which accounts for 25% of GDP), fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities. Forest and woodland cover 90% of the country. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated; rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.26 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $14,400 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 58,800 (1997) Labor force - by occupation: services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980) Unemployment rate: 22% (2001) Budget: revenues: $225 million expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996) Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 455 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 423.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry Exports: $155 million f.o.b. Exports - commodities: shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing Exports - partners: France 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (2001) Imports: $625 million c.i.f. Imports - commodities: food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and chemicals Imports - partners: France 63%, US, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy (2002) Debt - external: $1.2 billion (1988) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: euro (EUR); French franc (FRF) Currency code: EUR; FRF Exchange rates: Euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications French Guiana Telephones - main lines in use: 47,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6 (including 5 repeaters) (1998) Radios: 104,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 30,000 (1997) Internet country code: .gf Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 2,000 (2000) Transportation French Guiana Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 722 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1996) Waterways: 3,300 km navigable by native craft note: 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers Ports and harbors: Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 11 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Military French Guiana Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces, Gendarmerie Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 51,444 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 33,345 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues French Guiana Disputes - international: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) Illicit drugs: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @French Polynesia Introduction French Polynesia Background: The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. Geography French Polynesia Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 140 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) water: 507 sq km land: 3,660 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 6.01% other: 92.35% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru People French Polynesia Population: 262,125 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.3% (male 37,804; female 36,249) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 90,421; female 83,304) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 7,226; female 7,121) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.7 years male: 27.1 years female: 26.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.62% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.74 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.53 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.45 years male: 73.08 years female: 77.93 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.14 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic groups: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% Languages: French (official), Tahitian (official) Literacy: definition: age 14 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1977 est.) Government French Polynesia Country name: conventional long form: Territory of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local short form: Polynesie Francaise local long form: Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise former: French Colony of Oceania Dependency status: overseas territory of France since 1946 Government type: NA Capital: Papeete Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia Independence: none (overseas territory of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Michel MATHIEU (since 24 October 2001) head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 4 April 1991); President of the Territorial Assembly Lucette TAERO (since 17 May 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (49 seats - changed from 41 seats for May 2001 election; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2006) note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on NA September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1 election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia 13, New Fatherland Party 7, other 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif Political parties and leaders: Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; People's Rally for the Republic of Polynesia or RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; The New Star (Te Fetia Api) [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions Economy French Polynesia Economy - overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 18% services: 76% (1997) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% Labor force: 70,000 (1996) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1997) Unemployment rate: 11.8% (1994) Budget: revenues: $1 billion expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996) Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 428.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.7% hydro: 39.3% other: 0%; note - sun, wind, biomass (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 398.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products, coffee Exports: $260 million f.o.b. (2000) Exports - commodities: cultured pearls 50%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1997) Exports - partners: France 37.4%, Japan 35.5%, US 17.5% (2002) Imports: $1.2 billion f.o.b. (2000) Imports - commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment Imports - partners: France 58.9%, Australia 12.2%, New Zealand 6.9%, US 6.6% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $367 million (1997) Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt the euro in 2003 Currency code: XPF Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 126.41 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998) note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro Fiscal year: calendar year Communications French Polynesia Telephones - main lines in use: 52,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 5,427 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 128,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 40,000 (1997) Internet country code: .pf Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 16,000 (2002) Transportation French Polynesia Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,590 km paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa Merchant marine: total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 12,679 GRT/13,915 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 45 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Military French Polynesia Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues French Polynesia Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @French Southern and Antarctic Lands Introduction French Southern and Antarctic Lands Background: The Southern Lands consist of two archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen, and two volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna. The Antarctic portion consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840. Geography French Southern and Antarctic Lands Location: southeast of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land" Geographic coordinates: 43 00 S, 67 00 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 7,829 sq km note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US water: 0 sq km land: 7,829 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,232 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM from Iles Kerguelen only territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m Natural resources: fish, crayfish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean People French Southern and Antarctic Lands Population: no indigenous inhabitants (July 2002 est.) note: in 2002, there were 145 researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January) (July 2003 est.) Government French Southern and Antarctic Lands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises Dependency status: overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by Administrateur Superieur Francois GARDE (since 24 May 2000), assisted by Secretary General Jean-Yves HERMOSO (since NA) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy French Southern and Antarctic Lands Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Communications French Southern and Antarctic Lands Internet country code: .tf Transportation French Southern and Antarctic Lands Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: total: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,596,194 GRT/5,924,475 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 4, chemical tanker 14, container 15, liquefied gas 5, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 17, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 2, France 62, Japan 3, Monaco 1, Norway 5, Sweden 1 (2002 est.) Airports: none (2002) Military French Southern and Antarctic Lands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues French Southern and Antarctic Lands Disputes - international: "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Gabon Introduction Gabon Background: Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries. Geography Gabon Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 267,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km land: 257,667 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km Coastline: 885 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m Natural resources: petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.26% permanent crops: 0.66% other: 98.08% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 150 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity People Gabon Population: 1,321,560 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 280,218; female 278,808) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 352,363; female 355,315) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 22,786; female 32,070) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.5 years male: 18.3 years female: 18.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.54% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 36.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 11.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 55.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 65.12 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.12 years male: 55.45 years female: 58.84 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.83 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 9% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 23,000 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese Ethnic groups: Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality Religions: Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female: 53.3% (1995 est.) Government Gabon Country name: conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990) Capital: Libreville Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968) Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE (since 23 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President El Hadj Omar BONGO reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO 66.6%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4% Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 9 and 23 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006); Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 1997 (next to be held in January 2004) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 86, RNB-RPG 8, PGP 3, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PUP 1, PSD 1, independents 13, others 3; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, CLR 1, independents 9 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts Political parties and leaders: Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG, former sole party [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE,]; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Pierre EMBONI]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jules Marius OGOUEBANDJA consulate(s): New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth P. MOOREFIELD embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 74 34 92 FAX: [241] 74 55 07 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue Economy Gabon Economy - overview: Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet because of high income inequality a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% on 12 January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in 1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119 million in October 2000. Those agreements mandate progress in privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional financial support in January 1997 after Gabon had met IMF targets for mid-1996. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices in 1999-2000 helped growth, but drops in production hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December 2001. Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal and other adjustments in line with IMF policies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.354 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 60% services: 25% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 600,000 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 60%, services 25%, industry 15% Unemployment rate: 21% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $310 million (2002 est.) Industries: petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair; food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement. Industrial production growth rate: 1.6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 798.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 34.5% hydro: 65.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 742.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 301,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 2.45 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 80 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 80 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 66.47 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish Exports: $2.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001) Exports - partners: US 46.5%, France 11.6%, China 6.5%, Netherlands Antilles 5.8% (2002) Imports: $1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials Imports - partners: France 50.7%, US 6.3%, Netherlands 3.6% (2002) Debt - external: $3.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $331 million (1995) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Gabon Telephones - main lines in use: 39,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 120,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of the growing mobile cell system domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable to be in service in 2002 Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: 208,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 63,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ga Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2001) Internet users: 18,000 (2002) Transportation Gabon Railways: total: 814 km standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 8,464 km paved: 838 km unpaved: 7,626 km (2000 est.) Waterways: 1,600 km (perennially navigable) Pipelines: gas 210 km; oil 1,426 km; water 3 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Cap Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo, Port-Gentil Airports: 57 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 24 (2002) Military Gabon Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential (Republican) Guard (charged with protecting the president and other senior officials), National Gendarmerie, National Police Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 305,603 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 158,226 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 12,853 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $81.9 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Gabon Disputes - international: creation of a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay with Equatorial Guinea is hampered by dispute over small islets on Mbane/Mbagne bank, administered and occupied by Gabon since the 1970s This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Gambia, The Introduction Gambia, The Background: The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Geography Gambia, The Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Delaware Land boundaries: total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 19.5% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 80% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) Environment - current issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa People Gambia, The Population: 1,501,050 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.9% (male 338,497; female 335,503) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 390,150; female 396,763) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 20,836; female 19,301) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.4 years male: 17.3 years female: 17.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.03% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 40.77 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 12.35 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 74.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 81.67 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.38 years male: 52.39 years female: 56.44 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.53 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.6% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,400 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 400 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian Ethnic groups: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.) Government Gambia, The Country name: conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia Government type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Banjul Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997 Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 he was Chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was he Chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 18 October 2001 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 52.9%, Ousainou DARBOE 32.7% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 elected by popular vote, five appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 17 January 2002 (next to be held NA January 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - APRC 45, PDOIS 2, NRP 1, Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambian People's Party-Progressive People's Party-United Democratic Party or GPP-PPP-UDP Coalition [Ousainou DARBOE]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA] note: in August 2001, an independent electoral commission allowed the reregistration of the GPP, NCP, and PPP, three parties banned since 1996 Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Lena Manga Sagnia SECK chancery: Suite 905, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jackson McDONALD embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391971 FAX: [220] 392475 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green Economy Gambia, The Economy - overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts; the following two marketing seasons have seen substantially lower prices and sales. A decline in tourism in 2000 has also held back growth. Unemployment and underemployment rates are extremely high. Shortrun economic progress remains highly dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management as forwarded by IMF technical help and advice, and on expected growth in the construction sector. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.582 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.7% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 13% services: 54% (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 400,000 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $90.5 million expenditures: $80.9 million, including capital expenditures of $4.1 million (2001 est.) Industries: processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 85.33 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 79.36 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,900 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats Exports: $138 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports Exports - partners: France 21.9%, UK 19.1%, Malaysia 11.8%, Italy 11.1%, Germany 7.3%, Belgium 6.3%, South Africa 4.2% (2002) Imports: $225 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment Imports - partners: China 21.8%, Senegal 8.9%, Brazil 7.8%, UK 6.5%, Netherlands 5.4%, India 4.9%, Belgium 4.5%, Hong Kong 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $476 million (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $45.4 million (1995) Currency: dalasi (GMD) Currency code: GMD Exchange rates: dalasi per US dollar - NA (2002), 15.69 (2001), 12.79 (2000), 11.4 (1999), 10.64 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Gambia, The Telephones - main lines in use: 31,900 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 5,624 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire international: microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: 196,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (government-owned) (1997) Televisions: 5,000 (2000) Internet country code: .gm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2001) Internet users: 5,000 (2001) Transportation Gambia, The Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,700 km paved: 956 km unpaved: 1,744 km (1999) Waterways: 400 km Ports and harbors: Banjul Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military Gambia, The Military branches: Gambian National Army (GNA) (includes marine unit), National Police, Presidential Guard Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 338,800 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 170,904 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.2 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.3% (FY02) Transnational Issues Gambia, The Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Gaza Strip Introduction Gaza Strip Background: The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external and internal security and for public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank had begun in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, but have been derailed by a second intifadah that broke out in September 2000. The resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel's military response, and instability within the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine progress toward a permanent agreement. Geography Gaza Strip Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Geographic coordinates: 31 25 N, 34 20 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 360 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 360 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m Natural resources: arable land, natural gas Land use: arable land: 26.32% permanent crops: 39.47% other: 34.21% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: droughts Environment - current issues: desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources Geography - note: there are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (February 2002 est.) People Gaza Strip Population: 1,274,868 (July 2002 est.) note: in addition, there are more than 5,000 Israeli settlers in the Gaza Strip (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 49.4% (male 322,658; female 307,026) 15-64 years: 47.9% (male 310,910; female 299,724) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 14,645; female 19,905) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 15.3 years male: 15.1 years female: 15.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.89% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 41.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.03 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 24.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 25.37 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.4 years male: 70.13 years female: 72.73 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.17 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6% Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.6% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Gaza Strip Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah Economy Gaza Strip Economy - overview: Economic output in the Gaza Strip - under the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority since the Cairo Agreement of May 1994 - declined by about one-third between 1992 and 1996. The downturn was largely the result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of generalized border closures in response to security incidents in Israel - which disrupted previously established labor and commodity market relationships between Israel and the WBGS (West Bank and Gaza Strip). The most serious negative social effect of this downturn was the emergence of high unemployment; unemployment in the WBGS during the 1980s was generally under 5%; by 1995 it had risen to over 20%. Israel's use of comprehensive closures decreased during the next few years and, in 1998, Israel implemented new policies to reduce the impact of closures and other security procedures on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor. These changes fueled an almost three-year-long economic recovery in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; real GDP grew by 5% in 1998 and 6% in 1999. Recovery was upended in the last quarter of 2000 with the outbreak of violence, triggering tight Israeli closures of Palestinian self-rule areas and a severe disruption of trade and labor movements. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in Palestinian Authority areas resulted in the destruction of capital plant and administrative structure, widespread business closures, and a sharp drop in GDP. Another major loss has been the decline in income earned by Palestinian workers in Israel. International aid of $2 billion in 2001-02 to the Gaza Strip and West Bank have prevented the complete collapse of the economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $735 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -15% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% (includes West Bank) Population below poverty line: 60% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (includes West Bank) (2001 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: services 66%, industry 21%, agriculture 13% (1996) Unemployment rate: 50% (includes West Bank) (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $930 million expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $15 million (includes West Bank) (2000 est.) Industries: generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israel Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israel (2001) Agriculture - products: olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products Exports: $603 million f.o.b., includes West Bank Exports - commodities: citrus, flowers Exports - partners: Israel, Egypt, West Bank Imports: $1.9 billion c.i.f., includes West Bank Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials Imports - partners: Israel, Egypt, West Bank Debt - external: $108 million (includes West Bank) (1997 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $800 million (includes West Bank) (2001 est.) Currency: new Israeli shekel (ILS) Currency code: ILS Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Gaza Strip Telephones - main lines in use: 95,729 (total for Gaza Strip and West Bank) (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: rudimentary telephone services provided by an open-wire system international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999) Television broadcast stations: 2 (operated by the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation) (1997) Televisions: NA; note - most Palestinian households have televisions (1997) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (1999) Internet users: 60,000 (includes West Bank) (2001) Transportation Gaza Strip Railways: total: NA km; note - one line, abandoned and in disrepair, little trackage remains (2001 est.) Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: small, poorly developed road network Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Gaza Airports: 2 (2001) note: includes Gaza International Airport (GIA), inaugurated on 24 November 1998 as part of agreements stipulated in the September 1995 Oslo II Accord and the 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum; GIA has been largely closed since October 2000 by Israeli orders and its runway was destroyed by the Israeli Defense Forces in December 2001 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Gaza Strip Military branches: in accordance with the peace agreement, the Palestinian Authority is not permitted conventional military forces; there are, however, a Public Security Force and a civil Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Gaza Strip Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Georgia Introduction Georgia Background: Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Ethnic separation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, poor governance, and Russian military bases deny the government effective control over the entirety of the state's internationally recognized territory. Despite myriad problems, some progress on market reforms and democratization has been made. An attempt by the government to manipulate legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of President Eduard SHEVARDNADZE. Geography Georgia Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia Geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 43 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 69,700 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km Coastline: 310 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Terrain: largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m Natural resources: forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth Land use: arable land: 11.21% permanent crops: 4.09% other: 84.7% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 4,700 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them People Georgia Population: 4,934,413 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 466,743; female 449,440) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 1,628,757; female 1,744,922) 65 years and over: 13% (male 252,031; female 392,520) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 34.8 years male: 32.6 years female: 37 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.52% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 14.71 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 51.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 56.83 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.76 years male: 61.33 years female: 68.36 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 900 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian Ethnic groups: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5% Religions: Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6% Languages: Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 100% female: 98% (1999 est.) Government Georgia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: none Government type: republic Capital: T'bilisi Administrative divisions: 9 regions, (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 9 cities* (k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics** (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Bat'umi), Chiat'ura*, Gori*, Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, K'ut'aisi*, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, P'ot'i*, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Rust'avi*, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli, T'bilisi*, Tqibuli*, Tsqaltubo*, Zugdidi* note: the administrative centers of the 2 autonomous republics are shown in parentheses Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: adopted 17 October 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nino BURJANADZE (acting president since 23 November 2003; formerly parliamentary speaker, she assumed the presidency upon the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nino BURJANADZE (acting president since 23 November 2003; formerly parliamentary speaker, she assumed the presidency upon the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers election results: Eduard SHEVARDNADZE reelected president; percent of vote - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 80%; note - following the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, Nino BURJANADZE became acting president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held 4 January 2004 to replace Eduard SHEVARDNADZE) Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as Parliament) or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party (from earlier 1999 elections) - CUG 41.7%, AGUR 25.2%, IWSG 7.1%, all other parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - CUG 130, AGUR 64, IWSG 15, Labor 2, Abkhaz (government-in-exile) deputies 12, independents 12 elections: last held 2 November 2003 but results were invalidated (next to be held spring 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's recommendation); Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Citizen's Union of Georgia or CUG [Avtandil JORBENADZE]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTURIA]; New National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New Right [Levaii GACHECHILADZE]; Republican Party [David BERDZENISHVILI]; "Revival" Union Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in exile; separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; supporters of the late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Levan MIKELADZE chancery: Suite 300, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 FAX: [1] (202) 393-6060 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard M. MILES embassy: #25 Atoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 989-967/68 FAX: [995] (32) 933-759 Flag description: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below Economy Georgia Economy - overview: Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as citrus fruits, tea, hazelnuts, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains since 1995, achieving positive GDP growth and curtailing inflation. However, the Georgian Government suffers from limited resources due to a chronic failure to collect tax revenues. Georgia also suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the T'bilisi distribution network in 1998, but collection rates are low, making the venture unprofitable. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on its role as a transit state for pipelines and trade. The start of construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline will bring much-needed investment and job opportunities. GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.05 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 25% services: 55% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 54% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 27.9% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37.1 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.1 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: industry 20%, agriculture 40%, services 40% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 17% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $499 million expenditures: $554 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2000) Electricity - production: 7.27 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 19.7% hydro: 80.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 7.611 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 850 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 31,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 60 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.16 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: citrus, grapes, tea, hazlenuts, vegetables; livestock Exports: $515 million (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: scrap metal, machinery, chemicals; fuel reexports; citrus fruits, tea, wine Exports - partners: Turkey 23%, Italy 12.1%, Russia 11.4%, Greece 8.5%, Netherlands 7.5%, Spain 5.9%, Turkmenistan 4.7%, Ukraine 4.3% (2002) Imports: $750 million (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, machinery and parts, transport equipment, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: Turkey 15.6%, Azerbaijan 11.2%, US 9.9%, Russia 9.1%, Germany 7.2%, Italy 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.9%, Romania 4.3%, France 4.2%, Ukraine 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $1.7 billion (2001) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $150 million (2000 est.) Currency: lari (GEL) Currency code: GEL Exchange rates: lari per US dollar - 2.2 (2002), 2.07 (2001), 1.98 (2000), 2.02 (1999), 1.39 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Georgia Telephones - main lines in use: 620,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 185,500 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: local - T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi have cellular telephone networks; urban telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available international: Georgia and Russia are working on a fiber-optic line between P'ot'i and Sochi (Russia); present international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 3.02 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 12 (plus repeaters) (1998) Televisions: 2.57 million (1997) Internet country code: .ge Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000) Internet users: 25,000 (2002) Transportation Georgia Railways: total: 1,612 km broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 20,362 km paved: 19,038 km unpaved: 1,325 km (2000) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 1,495 km; oil 1,029 km; refined products 232 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi Merchant marine: total: 116 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 483,028 GRT/713,461 DWT ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 72, chemical tanker 1, container 11, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belize 1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 4, Gibraltar 1, Greece 5, Jordan 1, Latvia 1, Liberia 1, Malta 1, Panama 9, Romania 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 2, Syria 5, Turkey 2, Ukraine 7, UAE 11, UK 1, US 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 40 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 7 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 5 Transportation - note: transportation network is in poor condition resulting from ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and repair Military Georgia Military branches: Ground Forces (includes National Guard), combined Air and Air Defense Forces, Naval Forces, Republic Security and Police Forces (internal and border troops) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,302,815 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,028,913 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 43,359 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $23 million (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.59% (FY00) Military - note: a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia Transnational Issues Georgia Disputes - international: boundary with Russia has been largely delimited, but not demarcated with several small, strategic segments remaining in dispute and OSCE observers monitoring volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Germany Introduction Germany Background: As Europe's largest economy and most populous nation, Germany remains a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed the country in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 2002, Germany and 11 other EU countries introduced a common European currency, the euro. Geography Germany Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark Geographic coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 357,021 sq km water: 7,798 sq km land: 349,223 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 3,621 km border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km Coastline: 2,389 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm foehn wind Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m Natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel, arable land Land use: arable land: 33.88% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 65.47% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 4,850 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea People Germany Population: 82,398,326 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.9% (male 6,312,614; female 5,988,681) 15-64 years: 67.3% (male 28,213,316; female 27,240,648) 65 years and over: 17.8% (male 5,842,457; female 8,800,610) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 41.3 years male: 39.9 years female: 42.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.04% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 8.6 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.42 years male: 75.46 years female: 81.55 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 41,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 660 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: German(s) adjective: German Ethnic groups: German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Russian, Greek, Polish, Spanish) Religions: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3% Languages: German Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1977 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Germany Country name: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local short form: Deutschland former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland Government type: federal republic Capital: Berlin Administrative divisions: 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991 National holiday: Unity Day, 3 October (1990) Constitution: 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990 Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Johannes RAU (since 1 July 1999) elections: president elected for a five-year term by a Federal Convention including all members of the Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 23 May 1999 (next to be held 23 May 2004); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; election last held 22 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) head of government: Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (since 27 October 1998) cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor election results: Johannes RAU elected president; percent of Federal Convention vote - 57.6%; Gerhard SCHROEDER elected chancellor; percent of Federal Assembly vote 50.7% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (603 seats; elected by popular vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain representation; members serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has 3 to 6 votes depending on population and are required to vote as a block) elections: Federal Assembly - last held 22 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006); note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - SPD 38.5%, CDU/CSU 38.5%, Alliance '90/Greens 8.6%, FDP 7.4%, PDS 4%; seats by party - SPD 251, CDU/CSU 248, Alliance '90/Greens 55, FDP 47, PDS 2; Federal Council - current composition - NA Judicial branch: Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat) Political parties and leaders: Alliance '90/Greens [Angelika BEER and Reinhard BUETIKOFER]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Edmund STOIBER, chairman]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE, chairman]; Party of Democratic Socialism or PDS [Lothar BISKY]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Gerhard SCHROEDER, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: employers' organizations; expellee, refugee, trade unions, and veterans groups International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wolfgang Friedrich ISCHINGER consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 telephone: [1] (202) 298-8140 chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel R. COATS embassy: Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, 10117 Berlin; note - a new embassy will be built near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265 telephone: [49] (30) 238-5174 FAX: [49] (30) 238-6290 consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold Economy Germany Economy - overview: Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy has turned in a weak performance throughout much of the 1990s and early 2000s. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term problem, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70 billion. Germany's ageing population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made unemployment a chronic problem. Growth in 2002 and 2003 fell short of 1%. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are further addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government revenues and the rise in expenditures have raised the deficit above the EU's 3% debt limit. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.16 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $26,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 31% services: 68% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.1% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 41.9 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: industry 33.4%, agriculture 2.8%, services 63.8% (1999) Unemployment rate: 9.8% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $802 billion expenditures: $825 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; shipbuilding; textiles Industrial production growth rate: -2.1% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 544.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.8% hydro: 4.2% other: 4.1% (2001) nuclear: 29.9% Electricity - consumption: 506.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 43.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 44 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 85,860 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.813 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 404,300 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 3.081 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 327.3 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 22.16 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 94.34 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 6.674 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 78.73 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 298.3 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry Exports: $608 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles Exports - partners: France 10.7%, US 10.3%, UK 8.4%, Italy 7.3%, Netherlands 6.1%, Austria 5.1%, Belgium 4.8%, Spain 4.6%, Switzerland 4.2% (2002) Imports: $487.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals Imports - partners: France 9.5%, Netherlands 8.2%, US 7.7%, UK 6.5%, Italy 6.4%, Belgium 5.2%, Austria 4%, China 4% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - donor: ODA, $5.6 billion (1998) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 1.76 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Germany Telephones - main lines in use: 50.9 million (March 2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 55.3 million (June 2001) Telephone system: general assessment: Germany has one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part domestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries international: Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the INMARSAT, INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, and INTERSPUTNIK satellite systems (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 77.8 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 51.4 million (1998) Internet country code: .de Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 200 (2001) Internet users: 32.1 million (2002) Transportation Germany Railways: total: 45,514 km (21,000 km electrified) standard gauge: 45,276 km 1.435-m gauge (20,084 km electrified) narrow gauge: 214 km 1.000-m gauge (16 km electrified); 24 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 230,735 km paved: 230,735 km (including 11,515 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999) Waterways: 7,500 km note: major rivers include the Rhine and Elbe; Kiel Canal is an important connection between the Baltic Sea and North Sea (1999) Pipelines: condensate 325 km; gas 25,289 km; oil 3,743 km; refined products 3,827 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Berlin, Bonn, Brake, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cologne, Dresden, Duisburg, Emden, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Luebeck, Magdeburg, Mannheim, Rostock, Stuttgart Merchant marine: total: 337 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,036,397 GRT/7,334,067 DWT ships by type: cargo 94, chemical tanker 15, container 203, liquefied gas 3, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 5, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 7 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Chile 1, Finland 5, Iceland 1, Netherlands 3, Switzerland 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 551 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 328 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 54 914 to 1,523 m: 69 under 914 m: 131 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 63 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 223 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 189 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 31 Heliports: 40 (2002) Military Germany Military branches: Army, Navy (including naval air arm), Air Force, Medical Corps, Joint Support Service Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 20,509,838 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 17,399,936 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 472,946 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $38.8 billion (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.38% (2002) Transnational Issues Germany Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Ghana Introduction Ghana Background: Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning of political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. He was succeeded by John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice President Atta MILLS in a free and fair election. Geography Ghana Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 239,460 sq km land: 230,940 sq km water: 8,520 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 2,094 km border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km Coastline: 539 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 15.82% permanent crops: 7.47% other: 76.71% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 110 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts Environment - current issues: recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake People Ghana Population: 20,467,747 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.9% (male 4,021,570; female 3,938,454) 15-64 years: 57.5% (male 5,859,940; female 5,909,910) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 350,045; female 387,828) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.8 years male: 19.5 years female: 20 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.45% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 25.84 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.53 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 53.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 55.97 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.53 years male: 55.66 years female: 57.43 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.32 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 360,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 28,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Ghanaian(s) adjective: Ghanaian Ethnic groups: black African 98.5% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5% (1998) Religions: indigenous beliefs 21%, Muslim 16%, Christian 63% Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write female: 67.1% (2003 est.) male: 82.7% total population: 74.8% People - note: there are 9,500 Liberians, 2,000 Sierra Leoneans, and 1,000 Togolese refugees residing in Ghana (2002) Government Ghana Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Ghana conventional short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: Accra Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957) Constitution: approved 28 April 1992 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 and 28 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004) election results: John Agyekum KUFUOR elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 56.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.6% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (200 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 100, NDC 92, PNC 3, CPP 1, independents 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Convention People's Party or CPP [Nii Noi DOWUONA, general secretary]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA, chairman]; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTY]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People's Convention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman]; People's Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU, general secretary] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alan J. KYEREMATEN consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Carlin YATES embassy: 6th and 10th Lanes, 798/1 Osu, Accra mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra telephone: [233] (21) 775-347, 775-348 FAX: [233] (21) 701-813 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band Economy Ghana Economy - overview: Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 36% of GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002. Policy priorities include tighter monetary and fiscal policies, accelerated privatization, and improvement of social services. GDP: purchasing power parity - $41.25 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 36% industry: 25% services: 39% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 31.4% (1992 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.1% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.7 (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 9 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.603 billion expenditures: $1.975 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 8.801 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 5% hydro: 95% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 8.835 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 300 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 950 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 7,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 38,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 8.255 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 11.89 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber Exports: $2.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds Exports - partners: Netherlands 14.8%, UK 9.9%, US 7%, Germany 6.6%, France 5.8%, Nigeria 4.8%, Belgium 4.4%, Italy 4.2% (2002) Imports: $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Nigeria 21.3%, UK 7.2%, US 6.6%, China 6.2%, Italy 6.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 6.1%, Germany 4.7%, Netherlands 4% (2002) Debt - external: $7.2 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $6.9 billion (1999) Currency: cedi (GHC) Currency code: GHC Exchange rates: cedis per US dollar - NA (2002), 7,170.76 (2001), 5,455.06 (2000), 2,669.3 (1999), 2,314.15 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Ghana Telephones - main lines in use: 240,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 150,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: poor to fair system; Internet accessible; many rural communities not yet connected; expansion of services is underway domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 49, shortwave 3 (2001) Radios: 12.5 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 10 (2001) Televisions: 1.9 million (2001) Internet country code: .gh Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 12 (2000) Internet users: 200,000 (2002) Transportation Ghana Railways: total: 953 km narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 39,409 km paved: 11,665 km unpaved: 27,744 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 1,293 km note: Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of perennial navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways Pipelines: refined products 74 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Takoradi, Tema Merchant marine: total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,559 GRT/27,531 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Brazil 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Spain 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 6 Airports: 12 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Ghana Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 5,240,557 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,911,474 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 239,742 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $36.01 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.6% (FY02) Transnational Issues Ghana Disputes - international: Ghana has received many refugees and returning nationals escaping rebel fighting in Cote d'Ivoire Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and corruption have made money laundering a problem, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Gibraltar Introduction Gibraltar Background: Strategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In referendums held in 1967 and 2002, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. Geography Gibraltar Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain Geographic coordinates: 36 8 N, 5 21 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 6.5 sq km Area - comparative: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km Coastline: 12 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant Geography - note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea People Gibraltar Population: 27,776 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 2,593; female 2,482) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 9,458; female 8,946) 65 years and over: 15.4% (male 1,873; female 2,424) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.8 years male: 38.6 years female: 39 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.22% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.93 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.92 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.38 years male: 76.51 years female: 82.4 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar Ethnic groups: Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese Religions: Roman Catholic 76.9%, Church of England 6.9%, Muslim 6.9%, Jewish 2.3%, none or other 7% (1991) Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese Literacy: definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA% female: NA% Government Gibraltar Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: Gibraltar Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain Constitution: 30 May 1969 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have been residents six months or more Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis RICHARDS (since 27 May 2003) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popular vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not later than NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%; seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Economy Gibraltar Economy - overview: Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $500 million (1997 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $17,500 (1997 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1998) Labor force: 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) Labor force - by occupation: services 60%, industry 40%, agriculture NEGL% Unemployment rate: 2% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $307 million expenditures: $284 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Industries: tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 100 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 93 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 42,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: none Exports: $81.1 million f.o.b. (1997) Exports - commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% Exports - partners: UK 27.7%, Switzerland 14.3%, Germany 12%, France 6.9%, Spain 6.1%, Turkmenistan 5%, Ukraine 4.6% (2002) Imports: $492 million c.i.f. (1997) Imports - commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 27.3%, Spain 21.8%, UK 12.1%, Italy 8% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA; note - if an agreement between Spain and the UK is reached, could receive 50 million euros from the EU Currency: Gibraltar pound (GIP) Currency code: GIP Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Gibraltar Telephones - main lines in use: 19,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,620 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 37,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus three low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 10,000 (1997) Internet country code: .gi Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Gibraltar Highways: total: 29 km paved: 29 km unpaved: 0 km (2002) Waterways: none Pipelines: 0 km Ports and harbors: Gibraltar Merchant marine: total: 114 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,008,140 GRT/1,435,595 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, France 2, Germany 55, Greece 6, Ireland 1, Monaco 2, Norway 3, United Kingdom 13 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 58, chemical tanker 14, container 20, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 2 Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Gibraltar Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Gibraltar Disputes - international: Gibraltar residents vote overwhelmingly in referendum against "total shared sovereignty" arrangement worked out between Spain and UK to change 300-year rule over colony This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Glorioso Islands Introduction Glorioso Islands Background: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. Geography Glorioso Islands Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 11 30 S, 47 20 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 5 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km Area - comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 35.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: low and flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m Natural resources: guano, coconuts Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic cyclones Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system People Glorioso Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2003 est.) Government Glorioso Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local short form: Iles Glorieuses local long form: none Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Glorioso Islands Economy - overview: no economic activity Communications Glorioso Islands Communications - note: 1 meteorological station Transportation Glorioso Islands Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Glorioso Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Glorioso Islands Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Greece Introduction Greece Background: Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. Following the defeat of Communist rebels in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. Democratic elections in 1974 and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy; Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992). Geography Greece Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 131,940 sq km water: 1,140 sq km land: 130,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alabama Land boundaries: total: 1,228 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 246 km Coastline: 13,676 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 6 NM Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m Natural resources: bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 22.12% permanent crops: 8.47% other: 69.41% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 14,220 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands People Greece Population: 10,665,989 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.7% (male 811,080; female 761,728) 15-64 years: 67% (male 3,578,320; female 3,557,800) 65 years and over: 18.3% (male 866,425; female 1,090,636) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 39.8 years male: 38.6 years female: 41 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.19% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.64 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.89 years male: 76.32 years female: 81.65 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.35 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,800 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek Ethnic groups: Greek 98%, other 2% note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in Greece Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Languages: Greek 99% (official), English, French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.5% male: 98.6% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) Government Greece Country name: conventional long form: Hellenic Republic conventional short form: Greece local short form: Ellas or Ellada former: Kingdom of Greece local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia Government type: parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974 Capital: Athens Administrative divisions: 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos)and 1 autonomous region*; Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Achaia, Aitolia kai Akarmania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 March (1821) Constitution: 11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 Legal system: based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Konstandinos (Kostis) STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995) elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 8 February 2000 (next to be held by NA February 2005); prime minister appointed by the president head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos SIMITIS (since 19 January 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election results: Konstandinos STEPHANOPOULOS reelected president; percent of Parliament vote - 90% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: elections last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held by NA May 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - PASOK 43.8%, ND 42.7%, KKE 5.5%, Coalition of the Left and Progress 3.2%; seats by party - PASOK 158, ND 125, KKE 11, Coalition of the Left and Progress 6; note - seats by party as of January 2002 - PASOK 156, ND 122, KKE 11, Coalition of the Left and Progress 6, independents 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Political parties and leaders: Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Nikolaos KONSTANTOPOULOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Konstandinos SIMITIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yeoryious SAVVAIDES consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324 telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300 chancery: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. MILLER embassy: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 101 60 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Economy Greece Economy - overview: Greece has a mixed capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for half of GDP and with per capita GDP 70% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of GDP. The economy has improved steadily with economic growth averaging 4% since 1997, exceeding EU growth by more than 1 percentage point. Remaining challenges include the reduction of the public debt, inflation, and unemployment; and further restructuring of the economy, including privatizing several state enterprises, undertaking pension and other reforms, and minimizing bureaucratic inefficiencies. The Olympic Games will be held in Athens in mid-2004. GDP: purchasing power parity - $203.3 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.1% industry: 22.3% services: 69.3% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 25.3% (1993 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.7 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.37 million (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: industry 20%, agriculture 20%, services 59% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.3% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $45 billion expenditures: $47.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 49.79 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 94.5% hydro: 3.8% other: 1.7% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 48.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.062 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 3.562 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 5,992 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 405,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 84,720 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 468,300 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 4.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 35 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.021 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.018 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 254.9 million cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products Exports: $12.6 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles Exports - partners: Germany 10.4%, Italy 8.5%, UK 6.3%, Bulgaria 5.4%, US 5.3%, Cyprus 4.7% (2002) Imports: $31.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Germany 12.2%, Italy 11.5%, Russia 7.4%, South Korea 6%, France 5.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, US 4.7%, Belgium 4.3%, UK 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $63.4 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $5.4 billion from EU Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 365.4 (2000), 305.65 (1999), 295.53 (1998) note: in January 2001, the drachma became a participating currency within the Eurosystem, and the euro market rate became applicable to all transactions Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Greece Telephones - main lines in use: 5.431 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 937,700 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands international: tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 5.02 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995) Televisions: 2.54 million (1997) Internet country code: .gr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 27 (2000) Internet users: 1.4 million (2002) Transportation Greece Railways: total: 2,571 km (764 km electrified) standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge dual gauge: 23 km combined 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail system) (2002) Highways: total: 117,000 km paved: 107,406 km (including 470 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,594 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 80 km note: system consists of three coastal canals including the Corinth Canal (6 km) which crosses the Isthmus of Corinth connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and shortens the sea voyage from the Adriatic to Peiraiefs (Piraeus) by 325 km; there are also three unconnected rivers Pipelines: gas 1,531 km; oil 108 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Alexandroupolis, Elefsis, Irakleion (Crete), Kavala, Kerkyra, Chalkis, Igoumenitsa, Lavrion, Patrai, Peiraiefs (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Volos Merchant marine: total: 813 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,173,608 GRT/51,184,723 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Ireland 1, Japan 1, Liberia 1, Norway 1, Panama 2, Russia 1, Saudi Arabia 1, United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 289, cargo 59, chemical tanker 32, combination bulk 6, combination ore/oil 4, container 47, liquefied gas 7, passenger 14, petroleum tanker 281, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 18, short-sea passenger 49, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 2 Airports: 79 (note - new Athens airport at Spata opened in March 2001) (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 66 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 9 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Heliports: 7 (2002) Military Greece Military branches: Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, Police, National Guard Military manpower - military age: 21 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,662,208 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,026,409 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 74,650 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $6.12 billion (FY99/00 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.91% (FY99/00 est.) Transnational Issues Greece Disputes - international: Greece and Turkey have resumed discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over its name Illicit drugs: a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Greenland Introduction Greenland Background: The world's largest non-continental island, about 81% ice-capped, Greenland was granted self-government in 1978 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs. Geography Greenland Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Geographic coordinates: 72 00 N, 40 00 W Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 2,166,086 sq km land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) (2000 est.) Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 44,087 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m Natural resources: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, gold, platinum, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island Environment - current issues: protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting Geography - note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast, but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap People Greenland Population: 56,385 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 7,463; female 7,161) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 20,885; female 17,605) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 1,508; female 1,763) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 33.1 years male: 34.3 years female: 31.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.01% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.66 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -8.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.09 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69 years male: 65.44 years female: 72.65 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.43 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 100 (1999) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic Ethnic groups: Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (January 2000) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: similar to Denmark proper Government Greenland Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat local long form: none Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979 Government type: parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy Capital: Nuuk (Godthab) Administrative divisions: 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland) note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979) note: foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland National holiday: June 21 (longest day) Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: Danish Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Gunnar MARTENS (since NA 1995) note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit election results: Hans ENOKSEN elected prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December 2002) cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the Parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by Parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); election last held 3 December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2006) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 20 November 2001 (next to be held no later than November 2005); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 28.7%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 25.5%, Atassut Party 20.4%, Demokratiit 15.6%, Katusseqatigiit 5.3%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Inuit Ataqatigiit 8, Atassut 7, Demokratiit 5, Katusseqatigiit 1 elections: last held on 3 December 2002 (next to be held by NA December 2006) Judicial branch: High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen) Political parties and leaders: Akulliit Party [Bjarne KREUTZMANN]; Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark) [Augusta SALLING]; Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule) [Josef MOTZFELDT]; Issituup (Polar Party) [Nicolai HEINRICH]; Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List, an independent right-of-center party with no official platform [leader NA]; Siumut (Forward Party, a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) [Hans ENOKSEN] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: NC, NIB Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white Economy Greenland Economy - overview: The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting hydrocarbon and minerals exploration activities, it will take several years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.8% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1999 est.) Labor force: 24,500 (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $646 million expenditures: $629 million, including capital expenditures of $85 million (1999) Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut), handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards, mining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 245 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% note: Greenland is shifting its electricity production from fossil fuel to hydropower production (2001) hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 227.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish Exports: $364 million f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%) Exports - partners: Denmark 60.3%, Japan 15.5%, US 6%, Thailand 5%, Germany 4% (2002) Imports: $403 million c.i.f. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products Imports - partners: Denmark 74.6%, Norway 14.2%, Russia 2.3% (2002) Debt - external: $25 million (1999) Economic aid - recipient: $380 million subsidy from Denmark Currency: Danish krone (DKK) Currency code: DKK Exchange rates: Danish kroner per US dollar - 7.8947 (2002), 8.323 (2001), 8.083 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Greenland Telephones - main lines in use: 25,617 (yearend 1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 12,676 (yearend 1999) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995 domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite international: satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 30,000 (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 publicly-owned station, some local low-power stations, and three AFRTS (US Air Force) stations (1997) Televisions: 30,000 (1998 est.) Internet country code: .gl Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 20,000 (2002) Transportation Greenland Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA (there are no roads between towns) (2003) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Aasiaat (Egedesminde), Ilulissat (Jakobshavn), Kangerlussuaq, Nanortalik, Narsarsuaq, Nuuk (Godthab), Qaqortoq (Julianehab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Tasiilaq (March 2001) Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,593 GRT/3,640 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 14 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Greenland Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark Transnational Issues Greenland Disputes - international: uncontested dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Grenada Introduction Grenada Background: One of the smallest independent countries in the western hemisphere, Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year. Geography Grenada Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 12 07 N, 61 40 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 344 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 344 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds Terrain: volcanic in origin with central mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m Natural resources: timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors Land use: arable land: 5.88% permanent crops: 26.47% other: 67.65% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada People Grenada Population: 89,258 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.1% (male 15,840; female 15,492) 15-64 years: 61.3% (male 28,941; female 25,735) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 1,502; female 1,748) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 20.5 years male: 21 years female: 20 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.08% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 22.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 14.18 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.52 years male: 62.74 years female: 66.31 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.45 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian Ethnic groups: black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5% , and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian Religions: Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.) Government Grenada Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Grenada Government type: constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament Capital: Saint George's Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick Independence: 7 February 1974 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 February (1974) Constitution: 19 December 1973 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Daniel WILLIAMS (since 9 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and three by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 27 November 2003 (next to be held by NA November 2008) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NNP 8, NDC 7 Judicial branch: West Indies Associate States Supreme Court (an associate judge resides in Grenada) Political parties and leaders: Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Herbert PREUDHOMME]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [leader vacant]; New National Party or NNP [George McGUIRE]; People Labor Movement or PLM [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Denis G. ANTOINE consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561 chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: the ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada embassy: Point Salines, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, West Indies telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1176 FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820 Flag description: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions Economy Grenada Economy - overview: Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output. GDP: purchasing power parity - $440 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.7% industry: 23.9% services: 68.4% (2000) Population below poverty line: 32% (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2001 est.) Labor force: 42,300 (1996) Labor force - by occupation: services 62%, agriculture 24%, industry 14% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.5% (2000) Budget: revenues: $85.8 million expenditures: $102.1 million, including capital expenditures of $28 million (1997) Industries: food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 138 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 128.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables Exports: $78 million (2000 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace Exports - partners: Germany 14%, US 13.6%, Bangladesh 9.7%, Netherlands 8.6%, Saint Lucia 6.4%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.3%, France 4.1% (2002) Imports: $270 million (2000 est.) Imports - commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel Imports - partners: US 30.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 27.3%, UK 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $196 million (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $8.3 million (1995) Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Grenada Telephones - main lines in use: 27,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 976 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone system domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links international: new SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 57,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 33,000 (1997) Internet country code: .gd Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 14 (2000) Internet users: 5,200 (2002) Transportation Grenada Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,040 km paved: 638 km unpaved: 402 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Grenville, Saint George's Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Grenada Military branches: Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Grenada Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Guadeloupe Introduction Guadeloupe Background: Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island of Saint Martin is shared with the Netherlands; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles and its northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe Geography Guadeloupe Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 16 15 N, 61 35 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 1,780 sq km note: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and Saint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin) water: 74 sq km land: 1,706 sq km Area - comparative: 10 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 10.2 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 km Coastline: 306 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,484 m Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism Land use: arable land: 10.65% permanent crops: 4.14% other: 85.21% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an active volcano Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: a narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe proper into two islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the smaller, eastern Grande-Terre People Guadeloupe Population: 440,189 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.7% (male 55,521; female 53,137) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 144,764; female 147,449) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 16,443; female 22,875) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 31 years male: 30.2 years female: 31.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 10.33 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.53 years male: 74.37 years female: 80.84 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Guadeloupian(s) adjective: Guadeloupe Ethnic groups: black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant 1% Languages: French (official) 99%, Creole patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90% male: 90% female: 90% (1982 est.) Government Guadeloupe Country name: conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupe conventional short form: Guadeloupe local short form: Guadeloupe local long form: Departement de la Guadeloupe Dependency status: overseas department of France Government type: NA Capital: Basse-Terre Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Dominique VIAN (since 6 August 2002) election results: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils head of government: President of the General Council Jacques GILLOT (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (42 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held 22 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2004); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) note: Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September 2004); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 1, FGPS 1; Guadeloupe elects four representatives to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 2, PS 1, different right parties 1 election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - left-wing candidates 11, PS 8, RPR 8, PPDG 6, right-wing candidates 5, PCG 3, UDF 1; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - RPR 48.03%, PS/PPDG/diverse left parties 24.49%, PCG 5.29%, diverse right parties 5.73%; seats by party - RPR 25, PS/PPDG/diverse left parties 12, PCG 2, diverse right parties 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Guadeloupe or PCG [Mona CADOCE]; FGPS [Dominique LARIFLA]; Progressive Democratic Party or PPDG [Henri BANGOU]; Rally for the Republic or RPR (may have become UMP) [Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY]; Socialist Party or PS [Georges LOUISOR]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Marcel ESDRAS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for Independent Guadeloupe or MPGI International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Guadeloupe Economy - overview: The Caribbean economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It also depends on France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, mainly from France. Light industry features sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young. Hurricanes periodically devastate the economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,000 (1997 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 17% services: 68% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 125,900 (1997) Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: 27.8% (1998) Budget: revenues: $225 million expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996) Industries: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.155 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.074 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats Exports: $140 million f.o.b. (1997) Exports - commodities: bananas, sugar, rum Exports - partners: France 60%, Martinique 18%, US 4% (1999) Imports: $1.7 billion c.i.f. (1997) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods, construction materials Imports - partners: France 63%, Germany 4%, US 3%, Japan 2%, Netherlands Antilles 2% (1999) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA; note - substantial annual French subsidies Currency: euro (EUR); French franc (FRF) Currency code: EUR; FRF Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Guadeloupe Telephones - main lines in use: 171,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: domestic facilities inadequate domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 113,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 5 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 118,000 (1997) Internet country code: .gp Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: 4,000 (2000) Transportation Guadeloupe Railways: NA km; privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines Highways: total: 2,467 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1998) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Basse-Terre, Gustavia (on Saint Barthelemy), Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,240 GRT/109 DWT ships by type: passenger 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: France 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 9 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Guadeloupe Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces, Gendarmerie Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Guadeloupe Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Guam Introduction Guam Background: Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. Geography Guam Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 47 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 549 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 549 sq km Area - comparative: three times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 125.5 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m Natural resources: fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan) Land use: arable land: 10.91% permanent crops: 10.91% other: 78.18% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December) Environment - current issues: extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species Geography - note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean People Guam Population: 163,941 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.1% (male 30,334; female 27,264) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 50,258; female 45,538) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,269; female 5,278) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.2 years male: 25.6 years female: 24.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.89% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.19 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.29 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.62 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.27 years male: 75.96 years female: 80.9 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.62 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Guamanian(s) adjective: Guamanian Ethnic groups: Chamorro 37%, Filipino 26%, white 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other 27% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.) Languages: English, Chamorro, Japanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1990 est.) Government Guam Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Guam conventional short form: Guam local long form: Guahan Dependency status: organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Government type: NA Capital: Hagatna (Agana) Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521) Constitution: Organic Act of 1 August 1950 Legal system: modeled on US; US federal laws apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) election results: Felix P. P. CAMACHO elected governor; percent of vote - Felix P. P. CAMACHO (Republican Party) 55.4%, Robert A. UNDERWOOD (Democratic Party) 44.6% elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for a four-year term; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006) head of government: Governor Felix P. P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003) and Lieutenant Governor Kaleo MOYLAN (since 6 January 2003) cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November 2004) note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Madeleine BORDALLO (Democratic Party) was elected as delegate; percent of vote by party - Democratic Party 64.6%, Republican Party 35.4%; seats by party - Democratic Party 1 election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6 Judicial branch: Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (controls the legislature) [speaker, Vicente (Ben) PANGELINAN]; Republican Party (party of Governor CAMACHO) [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag Economy Guam Economy - overview: The economy depends on US military spending, tourism, and the export of fish and handicrafts. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1 billion in 1998. Over the past 20 years, the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones. More than 1 million tourists visit Guam each year. The industry has recently suffered setbacks because of the continuing Japanese slowdown; the Japanese normally make up almost 90% of the tourists. Most food and industrial goods are imported. Guam faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of military downsizing. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.2 billion (2000 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $21,000 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 23% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0% (1999 est.) Labor force: 60,000 (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: federal and territorial government 26%, private 74% (trade 24%, other services 40%, industry 10%) (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $340 million expenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 830 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 771.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef Exports: $75.7 million f.o.b. (1999 est.) Exports - commodities: mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products; construction materials, fish, food and beverage products Exports - partners: Japan 81.7%, South Korea 6.1%, Canada 2.4% (2002) Imports: $203 million f.o.b. (1999 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Imports - partners: Singapore 40.5%, South Korea 21.7%, Japan 21.6%, Hong Kong 4.9% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal Treasury ($143 million in 1997) into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guam Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Guam Telephones - main lines in use: 84,134 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 55,000 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service and local access to the Internet international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for MCI, Sprint, AT&T, IT&E, and GTE, linking the US and Asia) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2003) Radios: 221,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997) Televisions: 106,000 (1997) Internet country code: .gu Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 20 (2000) Internet users: 5,000 (2000) Transportation Guam Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 885 km paved: 675 km unpaved: 210 km note: there are also 685 km of roads classified non-public, including roads located on federal government installations Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Apra Harbor Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 5 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Guam Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Guam Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Guatemala Introduction Guatemala Background: Guatemala was freed of Spanish colonial rule in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had led to the death of more than 100,000 people and had created some 1 million refugees. Geography Guatemala Location: Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize Geographic coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 108,890 sq km water: 460 sq km land: 108,430 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km Coastline: 400 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower Land use: arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 5.03% other: 82.43% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,250 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms Environment - current issues: deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Geography - note: no natural harbors on west coast People Guatemala Population: 13,909,384 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 3,052,658; female 2,908,428) 15-64 years: 53.8% (male 3,779,688; female 3,706,315) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 215,653; female 246,642) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.3 years male: 18.1 years female: 18.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.66% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 35.05 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 37.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 38.72 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.23 years male: 64.31 years female: 66.21 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.67 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 67,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,200 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino), approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2% Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs Languages: Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.6% male: 78% female: 63.3% (2003 est.) Government Guatemala Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala Government type: constitutional democratic republic Capital: Guatemala Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day) Executive branch: chief of state: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 1999; runoff held 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results: Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera elected president; percent of vote - Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 68%, Oscar BERGER Perdomo (PAN) 32% Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (140 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held NA November 2007) note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressional seats increased to 140 from 113 election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GANA 49, FRG 42, UNE 33, PAN 16 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (thirteen members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms); Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, one elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, and one by Colegio de Abogados) Political parties and leaders: Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democratic Union or UD [Rodolfo PAIZ Andrade]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [leader NA]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALES Garcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Secretary General Alba ESTELA Maldonado]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU [Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values or MPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Secretary General Leonel LOPEZ Rodas]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN, formed by an alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whom subsequently defected [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth Varenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio BALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [retired General Otto PEREZ Molina]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]; Reform Movement or MR [Secretary General Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE]; Unionista Party [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio Fernando ARENALES Forno chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Randle HAMILTON embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 331-1541/55 FAX: [502] 334-8477 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath Economy Guatemala Economy - overview: The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. Former President ARZU (1996-2000) worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political modernization. President PORTILLO has continued the liberalization program but with more sporadic results. The 1996 signing of the peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, but numerous corruption scandals associated with the PORTILLO administration have dampened investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Ongoing challenges include increasing the government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, and narrowing the trade deficit. A free trade agreement between the US and Central American countries promises greater access to US and neighboring markets. GDP: purchasing power parity - $53.2 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 20% services: 57% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 75% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 46% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 55.8 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.2 million (1999 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 50%, industry 15%, services 35% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.5% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $750 million (2002 est.) Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (1999) Electricity - production: 6.237 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 51.9% hydro: 35.2% other: 12.9% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 5.559 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 336 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 95 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 21,080 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 61,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 263 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.543 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens Exports: $2.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom, meat, apparel, petroleum, electricity Exports - partners: US 58.7%, El Salvador 9.3%, Nicaragua 3.1% (2002) Imports: $5.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity Imports - partners: US 33.2%, Mexico 9.9%, South Korea 8.2%, El Salvador 5.7%, China 4% (2002) Debt - external: $4.9 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $250 million (2000 est.) Currency: quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed Currency code: GTQ; USD Exchange rates: quetzales per US dollar - 7.82 (2002), 7.86 (2001), 7.76 (2000), 7.39 (1999), 6.39 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Guatemala Telephones - main lines in use: 665,061 (June 2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 663,296 (September 2000) Telephone system: general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala domestic: NA international: connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000) Radios: 835,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 1.323 million (1997) Internet country code: .gt Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2000) Internet users: 200,000 (2002) Transportation Guatemala Railways: total: 886 km narrow gauge: 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 14,118 km paved: 4,871 km (including 74 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,247 km (1999) Waterways: 990 km note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during highwater season Pipelines: oil 480 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 466 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 455 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 115 under 914 m: 330 (2002) Military Guatemala Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,320,077 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,167,270 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 151,294 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $120 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.6% (FY99) Transnational Issues Guatemala Disputes - international: Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in Belize border region; OAS brokered Differendum in 2002 creating small adjustment to land boundary, large Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to popular referendum leaving Guatemalan claim to southern half of Belize intact Illicit drugs: major transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (cocaine and heroin shipments); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Guernsey Introduction Guernsey Background: The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Geography Guernsey Location: Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 49 28 N, 2 35 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 78 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands water: 0 sq km land: 78 sq km Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 50 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m Natural resources: cropland Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port People Guernsey Population: 64,818 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 5,216; female 5,061) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 21,433; female 21,835) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 4,705; female 6,568) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 40.2 years male: 39.3 years female: 41.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.34% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 3.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.04 years male: 77.04 years female: 83.14 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist Languages: English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Guernsey Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey Dependency status: British crown dependency Government type: NA Capital: Saint Peter Port Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson, Vale, Castel, Saint Saviour, Saint Pierre du Bois, Torteval, Forest, Saint Martin, Saint Andrew Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; bailiff appointed by the monarch head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Sir John FOLEY (since NA 2000) and Bailiff de Vic Graham CAREY (since NA 1999) cabinet: Advisory and Finance Committee appointed by the Assembly of the States Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States; consists of the bailiff, 10 Douzaine (parish council) representatives, 45 people's deputies elected by popular vote, 2 representatives from Alderney, Her Majesty's Procureur (Attorney General), Her Majesty's Comptroller (Solicitor General) and Her Majesty's Greffier (Court Recorder and Registrar General); note - Alderney and Sark have their own parliaments elections: last held 12 April 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents Judicial branch: Royal Court Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency) Flag description: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross Economy Guernsey Economy - overview: Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance, etc. - account for about 55% of total income in this tiny Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the rules of the game under which Guernsey operates. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1999 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.7% (1999 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,000 (1999 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 10% services: 87% (2000) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.99% (2000 est.) Labor force: 31,322 (2000) Unemployment rate: 0.5% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $381.3 million expenditures: $368.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: tourism, banking Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Agriculture - products: tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables Exports - partners: UK (regarded as internal trade) Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment Imports - partners: UK (regarded as internal trade) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Guernsey pound Currency code: GBP Exchange rates: Guernsey pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); note - the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Guernsey Telephones - main lines in use: 44,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 12,000 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 1 submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .gg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: NA Transportation Guernsey Railways: 5 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Guernsey Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Guernsey Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Guinea Introduction Guinea Background: Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998. Unrest in Sierra Leone has spilled over into Guinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency. Geography Guinea Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 245,857 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 245,857 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km Coastline: 320 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish Land use: arable land: 3.6% permanent crops: 2.44% other: 93.96% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 950 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season Environment - current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands People Guinea Population: 9,030,220 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,027,970; female 1,986,300) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 2,358,566; female 2,372,384) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 124,382; female 160,618) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.7 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.37% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 42.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 15.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 87.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 98.8 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.54 years male: 48.28 years female: 50.83 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.9 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.54% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 55,000 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 9,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10% Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Languages: French (official), each ethnic group has its own language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.9% male: 49.9% female: 21.9% (1995 est.) Government Guinea Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee Government type: republic Capital: Conakry Administrative divisions: 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 October (1958) Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) Legal system: based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Lamine SIDIME (since 8 March 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 14 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2003); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 56.1%, Mamadou Boye BA (UPR) 24.6%, Alpha CONDE (RPG) 16.6%, Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or UNP [Paul Louis FABER]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 FAX: [224] 41 15 22 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Guinea Economy - overview: Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. The government made encouraging progress in budget management in 1997-99, and reform progress was praised in the World Bank/IMF October 2000 assessment. However, fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders has caused major economic disruptions. In addition to direct defense costs, the violence has led to a sharp decline in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets. Multilateral aid - including Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief - and single digit inflation permitted moderate 3.7% growth in 2002. Growth should strengthen in 2003 because of a slowly improving security situation and increased investor confidence. GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.69 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 37% services: 38% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (1994 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 32% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.3 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $395.7 million expenditures: $472.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (2000 est.) Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (1994) Electricity - production: 790.6 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 45.5% hydro: 54.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 735.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 8,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber Exports: $835 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Exports - partners: South Korea 17.8%, Spain 10.1%, Cameroon 9.7%, Belgium 9.6%, US 9.2%, Ireland 8.6%, France 7.1%, Russia 6.8%, Germany 5% (2002) Imports: $670 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 18.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 11%, Italy 8.9%, US 8.2%, Belgium 7.6%, China 5.6%, UK 5.2% (2002) Debt - external: $3.4 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $359.2 million (1998) Currency: Guinean franc (GNF) Currency code: GNF Exchange rates: Guinean francs per US dollar - NA (2002), 1,950.56 (2001), 1,746.87 (2000), 1,387.4 (1999), 1,236.83 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Guinea Telephones - main lines in use: 37,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 21,567 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2001) Radios: 357,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 6 low-power stations (2001) Televisions: 85,000 (1997) Internet country code: .gn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4 (2001) Internet users: 15,000 (2002) Transportation Guinea Railways: total: 1,115 km standard gauge: 311 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 804 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 30,500 km paved: 5,033 km unpaved: 25,467 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) Ports and harbors: Boke, Conakry, Kamsar Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 15 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Guinea Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,056,520 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,038,428 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $154 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.3% (FY02) Transnational Issues Guinea Disputes - international: domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have created skirmishes, deaths, and refugees in border areas This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Guinea-Bissau Introduction Guinea-Bissau Background: In 1994, 20 years after independence from Portugal, the country's first multiparty legislative and presidential elections were held. An army uprising that triggered a bloody civil war in 1998 created hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. A military junta ousted the president in May 1999. An interim government turned over power in February 2000 when opposition leader Kumba YALA took office following two rounds of transparent presidential elections. Guinea-Bissau's transition back to democracy will be complicated by its crippled economy, devastated in the civil war. Geography Guinea-Bissau Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal Geographic coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 36,120 sq km water: 8,120 sq km land: 28,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km Coastline: 350 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m Natural resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, unexploited deposits of petroleum Land use: arable land: 10.67% permanent crops: 1.78% other: 87.55% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 170 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying further inland People Guinea-Bissau Population: 1,360,827 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.9% (male 284,150; female 285,370) 15-64 years: 55.2% (male 358,891; female 392,703) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 17,285; female 22,428) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 18.2 years female: 19.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.02% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 38.41 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 16.62 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 110.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 99.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 120.99 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.97 years male: 45.09 years female: 48.91 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 17,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,200 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Ethnic groups: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5% Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.4% male: 58.1% female: 27.4% (2003 est.) Government Guinea-Bissau Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau local short form: Guine-Bissau local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau former: Portuguese Guinea Government type: republic, multiparty since mid-1991 Capital: Bissau Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have been renamed Bolama/Bijagos Independence: 24 September 1973 (unilaterally declared by Guinea-Bissau); 10 September 1974 (recognized by Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 September (1973) Constitution: 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and 1996 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Henrique ROSA (interim; since 28 September 2003); note - a September 2003 coup overthrough the elected government of Kumba YALA; General Verissimo Correia SEABRA served as interim president from 14 to 28 September 2003 elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 28 November 1999 and 16 January 2000 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the legislature note: a bloodless coup led to the dissolution of the elected government of Kumba YALA in September 2003; General Verissimo Correia SEABRA served as interim president from 14 September 2003 until stepping aside on 28 September 2003 with the establishment of a caretaker government election results: Kumba YALA elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Kumba YALA (PRS) 72%, Malan Bacai SANHA (PAIGC) 28% cabinet: NA head of government: Prime Minister Artur SANHA (since 28 September 2003) Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve a maximum of four years); note - President YALA dissolved the National People's Assembly in November 2002, elections for a new legislature were scheduled to fall in February 2003 but were then postponed to April, then July, and were last scheduled to occur in September 2003 elections: last held 28 November 1999 (next to be held NA September 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRS 37, RGB 27, PAIGC 25, 11 remaining seats went to 5 of the remaining 10 parties that fielded candidates Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine justices who are appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at over $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases under $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases) Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Francisco BENANTE]; Front for the Liberation and Independence of Guinea or FLING [Francois MENDY]; Guinea-Bissau Resistance-Ba Fata Movement or RGB-MB [Helder Vaz LOPES]; Guinean Civic Forum or FCG [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; International League for Ecological Protection or LIPE [Alhaje Bubacar DJALO, president]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Abubacer BALDE, secretary general]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor MANDINGA]; Social Renovation Party or PRS [Kumba YALA]; Union for Change or UM [Jorge MANDINGA, president, Dr. Anne SAAD, secretary general]; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Victor Sau'de MARIA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Henrique Adriano DA SILVA chancery: 1511 K Street NW, Suite 519, Washington, DC 20005 FAX: [1] (202) 347-3954 telephone: [1] (202) 347-3950 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and military-led junta; for the time being, US embassy Dakar is responsible for covering Guinea-Bissau: telephone - [221] 823-4296; FAX - [221] 822-5903 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Guinea-Bissau Economy - overview: One of the 10 poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks sixth in cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice is the major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting between Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread damage to the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in GDP that year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war, trade reform and price liberalization were the most successful part of the country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Because of high costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and other mineral resources is not a near-term prospect. However, unexploited offshore oil reserves could provide much-needed revenue in the long run. The inequality of income distribution is one of the most extreme in the world. The government and international donors continue to work out plans to forward economic development from a lamentably low base. Government drift and indecision, however, have resulted in low growth in 2002 and dim prospects for 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $901.4 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -4.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 62% industry: 12% services: 26% (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 42.4% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 480,000 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 82% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks Industrial production growth rate: 2.6% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 55 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 51.15 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish Exports: $71 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber Exports - partners: India 51.5%, Uruguay 19.5%, Thailand 19.4% (2002) Imports: $59 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products Imports - partners: Senegal 19.6%, Portugal 19.1%, India 15.3%, Taiwan 5.1% (2002) Debt - external: $941.5 million (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $115.4 million (1995) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States; previously the Guinea-Bissau peso (GWP) was used Currency code: XOF; GWP Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) note: as of 1 May 1997, Guinea-Bissau adopted the XOF franc as the national currency; since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Guinea-Bissau Telephones - main lines in use: 10,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: small system domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and cellular communications international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2002) Radios: 49,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: NA (1997) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .gw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2002) Internet users: 4,000 (2002) Transportation Guinea-Bissau Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 4,400 km paved: 453 km unpaved: 3,947 km (1999 est.) Waterways: several rivers are accessible to coastal shipping Ports and harbors: Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 28 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Military Guinea-Bissau Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 318,711 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 181,318 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $5.6 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.8% (FY02) Transnational Issues Guinea-Bissau Disputes - international: separatist war in Senegal's Casamance region results in refugees and cross-border raids, arms smuggling and other illegal activities, and political instability in Guinea-Bissau This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Guyana Introduction Guyana Background: Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five years later, he was succeeded by his wife Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001. Geography Guyana Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 214,970 sq km water: 18,120 sq km land: 196,850 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Idaho Land boundaries: total: 2,462 km border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km Coastline: 459 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January) Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Land use: arable land: 2.44% permanent crops: 0.08% other: 97.48% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,500 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons Environment - current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively People Guyana Population: 702,100 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 96,775; female 93,077) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 240,305; female 236,378) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 15,755; female 19,810) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.7 years male: 25.2 years female: 26.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.44% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.27 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -4.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 37.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 41.64 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.09 years male: 60.51 years female: 65.79 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 18,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,300 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese Ethnic groups: East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7% Religions: Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5% Languages: English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98.8% male: 99.1% female: 98.5% (2003 est.) Government Guyana Country name: conventional long form: Co-operative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana Government type: republic within the Commonwealth Capital: Georgetown Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Independence: 26 May 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Constitution: 6 October 1980 Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President JAGAN head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since NA December 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature elections: president elected by the majority party in the National Assembly following legislative elections, which must be held at least every five years; elections last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held by March 2006); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of legislative vote - NA% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (68 seats, 65 elected by popular vote, 1 elected Speaker of the National Assembly, and 2 nonvoting members appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPP/C 34, PNC 27, GAP and WPA 2, ROAR 1, TUF 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature; Judicial Court of Appeal; High Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Guyana or AFG (includes Guyana Labor Party or GLP and Working People's Alliance or WPA) [Rupert ROOPNARAINE]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Guyana Labor Party or GLP [leader NA]; People's National Congress or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Civil Liberties Action Committee or CLAC; Guyana Council of Indian Organizations or GCIO; Trades Union Congress or TUC note: the GCIO and the CLAC are small and active but not well organized International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald D. GODARD embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 Flag description: green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green Economy Guyana Economy - overview: The Guyanese economy has exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term by restructuring and partial privatization. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.628 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 21% services: 44% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 418,000 (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 9.1% (understated) (2000) Budget: revenues: $227 million expenditures: $235.2 million, including capital expenditures of $93.4 million (2000) Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining Industrial production growth rate: 7.1% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 852 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 792.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish (shrimp) Exports: $500 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber Exports - partners: Canada 21.1%, US 17.9%, Netherlands Antilles 12.9%, UK 10.4%, Jamaica 5.3%, Portugal 4.2% (2002) Imports: $575 million c.i.f. (2002) Imports - commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food Imports - partners: US 23.7%, Netherlands Antilles 20.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 15.2%, Italy 6.3%, UK 5.1%, Cuba 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $1.2 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) $253 million (1997) Currency: Guyanese dollar (GYD) Currency code: GYD Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars per US dollar - NA (2002), 187.32 (2001), 182.43 (2000), 178 (1999), 150.52 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Guyana Telephones - main lines in use: 70,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6,100 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: fair system for long-distance calling domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines international: tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 420,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997) Televisions: 46,000 (1997) Internet country code: .gy Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: 95,000 (2002) Transportation Guyana Railways: total: 187 km standard gauge: 139 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge note: all dedicated to ore transport (2001 est.) Highways: total: 7,970 km paved: 590 km unpaved: 7,380 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 5,900 km (total length of navigable waterways) note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively Ports and harbors: Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,929 GRT/4,507 DWT ships by type: cargo 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 51 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Military Guyana Military branches: Guyana Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana Police Force, Guyana People's Militia, Guyana National Service Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 207,890 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 156,174 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Guyana Disputes - international: all of the area west of the Essequibo (river) claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari [Koetari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with Suriname is in dispute Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Haiti Introduction Haiti Background: The native Arawak Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by Columbus in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island - Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history since then, and it is now one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Over three decades of dictatorship followed by military rule ended in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE was elected president. Most of his term was usurped by a military takeover, but he was able to return to office in 1994 and oversee the installation of a close associate to the presidency in 1996. ARISTIDE won a second term as president in 2000, and took office early in 2001. However, a political crisis stemming from fraudulent legislative elections in 2000 has not yet been resolved. Geography Haiti Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 27,750 sq km land: 27,560 sq km water: 190 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km Coastline: 1,771 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m Natural resources: bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower Land use: arable land: 20.32% permanent crops: 12.7% other: 66.98% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic) People Haiti Population: 7,527,817 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.7% (male 1,637,853; female 1,575,893) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 1,962,975; female 2,073,353) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 131,784; female 145,959) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.9 years male: 17.4 years female: 18.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.67% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 34.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13.36 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -4.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 76.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 70.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 81.59 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.61 years male: 50.36 years female: 52.92 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.86 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 250,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 30,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian Ethnic groups: black 95%, mulatto and white 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982) note: roughly half of the population also practices Voodoo Languages: French (official), Creole (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.9% male: 54.8% female: 51.2% (2003 est.) Government Haiti Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Haiti conventional short form: Haiti local short form: Haiti local long form: Republique d'Haiti Government type: elected government Capital: Port-au-Prince Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1804) Constitution: approved March 1987; suspended June 1988, with most articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991, government claimed to be observing the constitution; return to constitutional rule, October 1994 Legal system: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Yvon NEPTUNE (since 4 March 2002); note - former Prime Minister CHERESTAL resigned in January 2002 cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly election results: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE elected president; percent of vote - Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 92% Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (27 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (83 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held for two-thirds of seats 21 May 2000, with runoffs on 9 July boycotted by the opposition; seven seats still disputed; election for remaining one-third held on 26 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2002); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 May 2000, with runoffs on 30 July boycotted by the opposition; one vacant seat rerun 26 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 26, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 73, MOCHRENA 3, PLB 2, OPL 1, vacant 1, other minor parties and independents 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation Political parties and leaders: Alliance for the Liberation and Advancement of Haiti or ALAH [Reynold GEORGES]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convergence (opposition coalition composed of ESPACE, OPL, and MOCHRENA) [Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES, Evans PAUL, Luc MESADIEU, Victor BENOIT]; Democratic Consultation Group coalition or ESPACE [Evans PAUL, Victor BENOIT] composed of the following parties: National Congress of Democratic Movements or KONAKOM, National Progressive Revolutionary Party or PANPRA, Generation 2004, and Haiti Can; Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Marie-France CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic Party or PADEM [Clark PARENT]; Lavalas Family or FL [Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert DE RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Rene THEODORE]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; Movement for the Organization of the Country or MOP [Gesner COMEAU and Jean MOLIERE]; National Cooperative Action Movement or MKN [Volrick Remy JOSEPH]; National Front for Change and Democracy or FNCD [Evans PAUL and Turneb DELPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate or PLB [Renaud BERNARDIN]; Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES] Political pressure groups and leaders: Autonomous Haitian Workers or CATH; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP; Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Roman Catholic Church International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chief of Mission Harry Frantz LEO consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James B. Foley embassy: 5 Harry S Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince telephone: [509] 222-0354, 222-0368, 222-0200, 222-0612 FAX: [509] 223-1641 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength) Economy Haiti Economy - overview: About 80% of the population lives in abject poverty. Nearly 70% of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and employs about two-thirds of the economically active work force. Following legislative elections in May 2000, fraught with irregularities, international donors - including the US and EU - suspended almost all aid to Haiti. The economy shrank an estimated 1.2% in 2001 and an estimated 0.9% in 2002. The contraction will likely intensify in 2003 unless a political agreement with donors is reached on economic policy. Suspended aid and loan disbursements totaled more than $500 million at the start of 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 20% services: 50% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 80% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.9% (2001 est.) Labor force: 3.6 million note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1995) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9% Unemployment rate: widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $273 million expenditures: $361 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Industries: sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly industries based on imported parts Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 580 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.3% hydro: 39.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 539.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood Exports: $298 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: manufactures, coffee, oils, cocoa Exports - partners: US 83.9%, Dominican Republic 6.6%, Canada 2.4% (2002) Imports: $1.14 billion c.i.f. (2002) Imports - commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials Imports - partners: US 53.4%, Dominican Republic 5.3%, Colombia 3.4% (2002) Debt - external: $1.2 billion (1999) Economic aid - recipient: $120 million (FY02) Currency: gourde (HTG) Currency code: HTG Exchange rates: gourdes per US dollar - 29.25 (2002), 24.43 (2001), 21.17 (2000), 16.94 (1999), 16.77 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Haiti Telephones - main lines in use: 60,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: over 180,000 (January 2003) Telephone system: general assessment: domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999) Radios: 415,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997) Televisions: 38,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ht Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: 30,000 (2002) Transportation Haiti Railways: total: 40 km narrow gauge: 40 km 0.760-m gauge; single-track note: privately owned industrial line; closed in early 1990s (2001 est.) Highways: total: 4,160 km paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (1999 est.) Waterways: NEGL; less than 100 km navigable Ports and harbors: Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Les Cayes, Miragoane, Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 12 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Military Haiti Military branches: Haitian National Police (HNP) note: the regular Haitian Army, Navy, and Air Force have been demobilized but still exist on paper until or unless they are constitutionally abolished Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,735,845 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 944,474 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 94,349 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $50 million (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY00) Transnational Issues Haiti Disputes - international: despite efforts to control illegal migration, destitute Haitians continue to cross into Dominican Republic; claims US-administered Navassa Island Illicit drugs: major Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Heard Island and McDonald Islands Introduction Heard Island and McDonald Islands Background: These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. Geography Heard Island and McDonald Islands Location: islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 412 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101.9 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: antarctic Terrain: Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island Environment - current issues: NA People Heard Island and McDonald Islands Population: uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Government Heard Island and McDonald Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Heard Island and McDonald Islands Economy - overview: No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands. Communications Heard Island and McDonald Islands Internet country code: .hm Transportation Heard Island and McDonald Islands Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Heard Island and McDonald Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols Transnational Issues Heard Island and McDonald Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Holy See (Vatican City) Introduction Holy See (Vatican City) Background: Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include the failing health of Pope John Paul II, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. Geography Holy See (Vatican City) Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.44 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) Terrain: low hill Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification Geography - note: urban; landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights People Holy See (Vatican City) Population: 911 (July 2003 est.) Population growth rate: 0.01% (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: none adjective: none Ethnic groups: Italians, Swiss, other Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian, Latin, French, various other languages Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Government Holy See (Vatican City) Country name: conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) Government type: ecclesiastical Capital: Vatican City Administrative divisions: none Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy) note: on 11 February 1929, three treaties were signed with Italy which, among other things, recognized the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century National holiday: Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978) Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) Legal system: based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Executive branch: chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990) cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Karol WOJTYLA elected pope Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission Judicial branch: there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946 Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) International organization participation: CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 5758346 Flag description: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band Economy Holy See (Vatican City) Economy - overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual tax on Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, as well as by special collections (known as Peter's Pence); the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; fees for admission to museums; and the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican Budget: revenues: $173.5 million expenditures: $176.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Industries: printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps, a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy Economic aid - recipient: none Currency: euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.1324 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Holy See (Vatican City) Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: automatic exchange domestic: tied into Italian system international: uses Italian system Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1996) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .va Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: NA Transportation Holy See (Vatican City) Railways: total: 0.86 km standard gauge: 0.86 km 1.435-m gauge note: a spur of the Italian Railways system, serving Rome's Saint Peter's station (2001 est.) Highways: none; all city streets Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: none (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Holy See (Vatican City) Military branches: Swiss Guards Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope Transnational Issues Holy See (Vatican City) Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Honduras Introduction Honduras Background: Part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and one-half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting against leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused almost $1 billion in damage. Geography Honduras Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 112,090 sq km land: 111,890 sq km water: 200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,520 km border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km Coastline: 820 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 15.15% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 81.72% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 760 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast Environment - current issues: urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast People Honduras Population: 6,669,789 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.6% (male 1,414,791; female 1,357,537) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 1,811,757; female 1,843,456) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 114,791; female 127,457) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 18.4 years female: 19.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.32% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 31.67 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 33.6 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.65 years male: 65.31 years female: 68.06 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.6% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 57,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,300 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.2% male: 76.1% female: 76.3% (2003 est.) Government Honduras Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Honduras conventional short form: Honduras local short form: Honduras local long form: Republica de Honduras Government type: democratic constitutional republic Capital: Tegucigalpa Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995 Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27 January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since 27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DE LOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice President Alberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27 January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since 27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DE LOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice President Alberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (PN) elected president - 52.2%, Raphael PINEDA Ponce (PL) 44.3%, others 3.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally to the number of votes their party's presidential candidate receives to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PN 61, PL 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU-SD 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Dr. Hernan CORRALES Padilla]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [leader NA]; Liberal Party or PL [Roberto MICHELETTI Bain]; National Innovation and Unity Party-Social Democratic Party or PINU-SD [Olban F. VALLADARES]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Raphael CALLEJAS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Federation of Honduran Workers or FUTH International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mario Miguel CANAHUATI honorary consulate(s): Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Jacksonville consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2604 chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Larry Leon PALMER embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 238-5114, 236-9320 FAX: [504] 236-9037 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band Economy Honduras Economy - overview: Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere with an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income, is banking on expanded trade privileges under the Enhanced Caribbean Basin Initiative and on debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. While the country has met most of its macroeconomic targets, it failed to meet the IMF's goals to liberalize its energy and telecommunications sectors. Growth remains dependent on the status of the US economy, its major trading partner, on commodity prices, particularly coffee, and on reduction of the high crime rate. GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.29 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 32% services: 54% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 53% (1993 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.6% highest 10%: 42.7% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 56.3 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.3 million (1997 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 34%, industry 21%, services 45% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 28% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $607 million expenditures: $411.9 million, including capital expenditures of $106 million (1999 est.) Industries: sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 3.778 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 50.2% hydro: 49.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 3.822 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 308 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 29,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp Exports: $1.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, bananas, shrimp, lobster, meat; zinc, lumber (2000) Exports - partners: US 69.5%, El Salvador 3%, Guatemala 2% (2002) Imports: $2.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs (2000) Imports - partners: US 55.3%, El Salvador 4.3%, Mexico 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $5.4 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $557.8 million (1999) Currency: lempira (HNL) Currency code: HNL Exchange rates: lempiras per US dollar - 16.43 (2002), 15.47 (2001), 14.84 (2000), 14.21 (1999), 13.39 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Honduras Telephones - main lines in use: 234,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 14,427 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate system domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System Radio broadcast stations: AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998) Radios: 2.45 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 570,000 (1997) Internet country code: .hn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 8 (2000) Internet users: 40,000 (2000) Transportation Honduras Railways: total: 699 km narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 13,603 km paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,828 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 465 km (navigable by small craft) Ports and harbors: La Ceiba, Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela, Puerto Lempira Merchant marine: total: 250 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 680,784 GRT/765,815 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 1, Bahrain 1, Belize 1, British Virgin Islands 1, Bulgaria 1, China 8, Costa Rica 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 6, El Salvador 1, Germany 1, Greece 18, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Italy 1, Japan 7, Lebanon 4, Liberia 4, Maldives 2, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 1, Panama 14, Philippines 1, Romania 2, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 24, South Korea 12, Spain 1, Syria 1, Taiwan 4, Tanzania 1, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 2, Turks and Caicos Islands 1, United Arab Emirates 6, UK 1, US 5, Vanuatu 1, Vietnam 1, Virgin Islands (UK) 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 18, cargo 140, chemical tanker 4, container 7, livestock carrier 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 55, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1 Airports: 115 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 103 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 83 (2002) Military Honduras Military branches: Army, Navy (including marines), Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,594,266 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 948,957 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 74,895 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $35 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.6% (FY99) Transnational Issues Honduras Disputes - international: in 1992, ICJ ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border, but they still remain largely undemarcated; in 2002, El Salvador filed an application to the ICJ to revise the decision on a section of bolsones; the ICJ also advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador claims tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned by the ICJ, off Honduras in the Golfo de Fonseca; Honduras claims Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize but agreed to creation of a joint ecological park and Guatemalan corridor in the Caribbean in the 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum; Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over a complex maritime dispute in the Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Hong Kong Introduction Hong Kong Background: Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Geography Hong Kong Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Geographic coordinates: 22 15 N, 114 10 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 1,092 sq km water: 50 sq km land: 1,042 sq km Area - comparative: six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 30 km border countries: China 30 km Coastline: 733 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar Land use: arable land: 5.05% other: 93.94% (1998 est.) permanent crops: 1.01% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons Environment - current issues: air and water pollution from rapid urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) Geography - note: more than 200 islands People Hong Kong Population: 7,394,170 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 680,973; female 599,309) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 2,619,929; female 2,679,430) 65 years and over: 11% (male 375,058; female 439,471) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 37.5 years male: 37.1 years female: 37.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.22% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 7.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.93 years male: 77.23 years female: 82.83 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.32 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,600 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, other 5% Religions: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Languages: Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 97.1% female: 90.5% (2003 est.) Government Hong Kong Country name: conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Hong Kong local short form: Xianggang local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu abbreviation: HK Dependency status: special administrative region of China Government type: limited democracy Administrative divisions: none (special administrative region of China) Independence: none (special administrative region of China) National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Constitution: Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies Executive branch: chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997) cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex-officio members and 10 appointed members; ex-officio members are: Chief Secretary Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 1 May 2001), Financial Secretary Antony LEUNG (since 1 May 2001), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since 1 July 1997) elections: TUNG Chee-Hwa was elected to a second term in March 2002 by an 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces; the next election is scheduled to be held in 2007 Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 24 elected by popular vote, and 6 elected by an 800-member election committee; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 September 2000 (next to be held in September 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 12, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 10, Liberal Party 7, Frontier Party 5, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance 4, New Century Forum 2, Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 1, independents 19 Judicial branch: Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Political parties and leaders: Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong [Jasper TSANG Yok-sing, chairman]; Democratic Party [Martin LEE Chu-ming, chairman]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [leader NA]; Hong Kong Progressive Alliance [Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]; New Century Forum [NQ Ching-fai, chairman] note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Citizens Party, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party, New Century Forum Political pressure groups and leaders: Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China) [LEE Chark-tim, president]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Liberal Democratic Federation [HU Fa-kuang, chairman] International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BIS, ESCAP (associate), ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative region of China) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General James KEITH consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2524-0860 Flag description: red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center Economy Hong Kong Economy - overview: Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Imports and exports, including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997 it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has increased competitive pressure on Hong Kong's service industries, and Hong Kong's re-export business from China is a major driver of growth. Per capita GDP compares with the level in the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-1997, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past 6 years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn of 2001-2002. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak has also battered Hong Kong's economy but the resumption of strong growth began in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $198.5 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $27,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 13.4% services: 86.5% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3.52 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 31%, financing, insurance, and real estate 13%, community and social services 12%, manufacturing 6%, transport and communications 6%, construction 5%, other 25% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.5% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $22.8 billion expenditures: $30.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY02/03) Industries: textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks Industrial production growth rate: -9.7% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 30.48 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 37.12 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.581 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 10.36 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 257,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 680.9 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 680.9 million cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: fresh vegetables; poultry, fish, pork Exports: $200.3 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones Exports - partners: China 34%, US 19.5%, UK 5.5%, Japan 4.8% (2002) Imports: $208.1 billion (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum, plastics, machinery, electrical equipment; a large share is reexported Imports - partners: China 37.5%, Japan 12.2%, Taiwan 7.3%, US 6.2%, Singapore 5.3%, South Korea 5% (2002) Debt - external: $49.5 billion (2002 est.) Currency: Hong Kong dollar (HKD) Currency code: HKD Exchange rates: Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.8 (2002), 7.8 (2001), 7.79 (2000), 7.76 (1999), 7.75 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Hong Kong Telephones - main lines in use: 3.839 million (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.7 million (December 1999) Telephone system: general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 4.45 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus two repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 1.84 million (1997) Internet country code: .hk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 17 (2000) Internet users: 4.35 million (2002) Transportation Hong Kong Railways: total: 34 km standard gauge: 34 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified and double-tracked) note: connects to China railway system at Hong Kong-China border (2001) Highways: total: 1,831 km paved: 1,831 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Hong Kong Merchant marine: total: 549 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,176,728 GRT/27,119,764 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 315, cargo 66, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 2, container 86, liquefied gas 16, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 40, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 5, Belize 1, British Virgin Islands 1, China 115, Denmark 2, Germany 19, Greece 2, India 8, Japan 8, Liberia 1, Malaysia 7, Norway 1, Panama 2, Philippines 5, Singapore 7, South Korea 2, Taiwan 1, UK 27, Virgin Islands (UK) 1 note: (2002 est.) Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2002) Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Hong Kong Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) including elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,033,716 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,524,903 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 47,477 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% (FY02) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of China Transnational Issues Hong Kong Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: Makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces serious challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides a conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Howland Island Introduction Howland Island Background: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; it is named in memory of the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National Wildlife Refuge. Geography Howland Island Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 1.6 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1.6 sq km Area - comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 6.4 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources Geography - note: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife People Howland Island Population: uninhabited note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.) Government Howland Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Howland Island Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Howland Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable (2002) Transportation - note: Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART Military Howland Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Transnational Issues Howland Island Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Hungary Introduction Hungary Background: Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and is scheduled to accede to the EU along with nine other states on 1 May 2004. In an April 2003 referendum, 84 percent voted in favor of joining the EU. Geography Hungary Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 93,030 sq km water: 690 sq km land: 92,340 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 2,171 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border Elevation extremes: lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land Land use: arable land: 52.2% other: 45.34% (1998 est.) permanent crops: 2.46% Irrigated land: 2,100 sq km (1998 est.) Environment - current issues: the approximation of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions People Hungary Population: 10,045,407 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 832,033; female 787,336) 15-64 years: 69% (male 3,406,046; female 3,523,118) 65 years and over: 14.9% (male 544,099; female 952,775) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.4 years male: 35.7 years female: 41.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.29% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.32 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 9.73 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.17 years male: 67.84 years female: 76.81 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,800 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian Ethnic groups: Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7% Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5% Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.5% female: 99.3% (2003 est.) Government Hungary Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local short form: Magyarorszag local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Budapest Administrative divisions: 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20 urban counties* (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city** (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*, Eger*, Fejer, Gyor*, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely*, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc*, Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*, Pecs*, Pest, Somogy, Sopron*, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*, Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*, Szombathely*, Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala, Zalaegerszeg* Independence: 1001 (unification by King Stephen I) National holiday: Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system Legal system: rule of law based on Western model Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Ferenc MADL (since 4 August 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Peter MEDGYESSY (since 27 May 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 6 June 2000 (next to be held by June 2005); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round election results: Ferenc MADL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% (but by a simple majority in the third round of voting); Peter MEDGYESSY elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - Fidesz/MDF 48.70%, MSzP 46.11%, SzDSz 4.92%, other 0.27%; seats by party - Fidesz 164, MSzP 178, MDF 24, SzDSz 20 elections: last held 7 and 21 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2006) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Laszlo VARGA, chairman]; Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz-MPP [Jozsef SZASER, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Justice and Life Party or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Laszlo KOVACS, chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andras SIMONYI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy Goodman BRINKER embassy: 1054 Szabadsag ter 12, Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green Economy Hungary Economy - overview: Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income one-half that of the Big Four European nations. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union in May 2004. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 to the second-highest rating among all the Central European transition economies. Inflation has declined substantially, from 14% in 1998 to 4.7% in 2003; unemployment has persisted around the 6% level. Germany is by far Hungary's largest economic partner. Short-term issues include the reduction of the public sector deficit to 3% in 2004 and avoiding unjustified increases in wages. GDP: purchasing power parity - $134 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $13,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.1% industry: 33.8% services: 62.1% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 8.6% (1993 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 20.5% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 24.4 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.2 million (1997) Labor force - by occupation: services 65%, industry 27%, agriculture 8% (1996) Unemployment rate: 5.8% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $13 billion expenditures: $14.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 34.39 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.1% hydro: 0.5% other: 0.3% (2001) nuclear: 39% Electricity - consumption: 35.15 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 7.261 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 10.43 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 41,190 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 140,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 47,180 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 136,600 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 110.7 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 3.231 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 13.37 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 4 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 9.587 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 50.45 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products Exports: $31.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment 57.6%, other manufactures 31.0%, food products 7.5%, raw materials 1.9%, fuels and electricity 1.9% (2001) Exports - partners: Germany 34.3%, Austria 8.5%, Italy 5.5%, France 5.4%, US 4.9%, UK 4.5% (2002) Imports: $33.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.3%, fuels and electricity 8.2%, food products 2.9%, raw materials 2.0% (2001) Imports - partners: Germany 25.3%, Austria 7.7%, Italy 7.5%, Russia 6%, China 5%, France 5% (2002) Debt - external: $31.5 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $250 million (2000) Currency: forint (HUF) Currency code: HUF Exchange rates: forints per US dollar - 257.89 (2002), 286.49 (2001), 282.18 (2000), 237.15 (1999), 214.4 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Hungary Telephones - main lines in use: 3.095 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.269 million (July 1999) Telephone system: general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones international: Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 7.01 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 4.42 million (1997) Internet country code: .hu Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: 1.2 million (2001) Transportation Hungary Railways: total: 7,875 km broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,620 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified) note: Hungary and Austria jointly manage a cross-border, standard-gauge railway connecting Gyor, Sopron, and Ebenfurt (Gysev railroad) with a route length of 101 km in Hungary and 65 km in Austria; 156 km of this line is electrified (2002) narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge Highways: total: 188,203 km paved: 81,680 km (including 438 km of expressways) unpaved: 106,523 km (1999) Waterways: 1,373 km (permanently navigable) (1997) Pipelines: gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Budapest, Dunaujvaros Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 3,784 GRT/5,500 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 Airports: 49 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 16 Heliports: 5 (2002) Military Hungary Military branches: Ground Forces, Air Forces Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,541,426 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,026,912 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 64,305 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.08 billion (2002 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.75% (2002 est.) Transnational Issues Hungary Disputes - international: Hungary has yet to amend status law extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in neighboring states, who protest the law Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Iceland Introduction Iceland Background: Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards. Geography Iceland Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK Geographic coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 103,000 sq km land: 100,250 sq km water: 2,750 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kentucky Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,988 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier) Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite Land use: arable land: 1% other: 70% (2001 est.) forest and woodlands: 1% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 28% Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: earthquakes and volcanic activity Environment - current issues: water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Environmental Protection through Criminal Law, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Oil Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Persistent Organic Pollutants, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe People Iceland Population: 280,798 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.7% (male 32,902; female 30,952) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 92,519; female 91,000) 65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,973; female 18,452) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 34 years male: 33.2 years female: 34.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.49% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 14.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.8 years male: 77.54 years female: 82.22 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 220 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic Ethnic groups: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002) Languages: Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.9% (1997 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Iceland Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Iceland conventional short form: Iceland local short form: Island local long form: Lydhveldidh Island Government type: constitutional republic Capital: Reykjavik Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslur, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla note: there may be four other counties Independence: 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) National holiday: Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON ran unopposed in 2000 and was reelected elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%, Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party - Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4 elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) Political parties and leaders: Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List)or SDA [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Women's List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDEN embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340 telephone: [354] 5629100 FAX: [354] 5629118 Flag description: blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Iceland Economy - overview: Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system (including generous housing subsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Government policies include reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Growth had been remarkably steady in 1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an environment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and inflation dropped back from 5% to 2%. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.444 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $30,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%) industry: 21% services: 65% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 159,000 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999) Unemployment rate: 2.8% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.5 billion expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999) Industries: fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 0.2% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 7.894 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 82.5% other: 17.5% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 7.341 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 16,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 15,470 bbl/day (2001) Agriculture - products: potatoes, green vegetables, chicken, pork, mutton; fish Exports: $2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon Exports - partners: Germany 18.5%, UK 17.5%, Netherlands 11.4%, US 10.9%, Spain 5.2%, Denmark 4.6%, Portugal 4.3%, Norway 4.2% (2002) Imports: $2.1 billion (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: US 10.9%, Germany 10.7%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6%, Sweden 5.9% (2002) Debt - external: $2.6 billion (1999) Economic aid - donor: $NA Currency: Icelandic krona (ISK) Currency code: ISK Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 91.66 (2002), 97.42 (2001), 78.62 (2000), 72.34 (1999), 70.96 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Iceland Telephones - main lines in use: 196,984 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: extensive domestic service domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 260,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 98,000 (1997) Internet country code: .is Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 20 (2001) Internet users: 220,000 (2002) Transportation Iceland Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 12,955 km paved/oiled gravel: 3,863 km unpaved: 9,092 km (2003) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,500 GRT/5,000 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 86 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 73 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 49 (2002) Military Iceland Military branches: no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 71,157 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $0 Military - note: defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik Transnational Issues Iceland Disputes - international: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @India Introduction India Background: The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, goes back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in 12th were followed by European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife, all this despite impressive gains in economic investment and output. Geography India Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 77 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 3,287,590 sq km land: 2,973,190 sq km water: 314,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-third the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 14,103 km border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Coastline: 7,000 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Terrain: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land Land use: arable land: 54.35% permanent crops: 2.66% other: 42.99% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 590,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes People India Population: 1,049,700,118 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.2% (male 173,973,350; female 163,979,116) 15-64 years: 63% (male 342,620,712; female 319,259,867) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 25,281,756; female 24,585,317) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 24.1 years male: 24.1 years female: 24.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.47% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 59.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 60.23 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.62 years male: 62.92 years female: 64.37 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3.97 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 310,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian Ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000) Religions: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% (2000) Languages: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 59.5% male: 70.2% female: 48.3% (2003 est.) Government India Country name: conventional long form: Republic of India conventional short form: India Government type: federal republic Capital: New Delhi Administrative divisions: 28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal Independence: 15 August 1947 (from UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 26 January (1950) Constitution: 26 January 1950 Legal system: based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdul KALAM (since 26 July 2002); Vice President Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT (since 12 August 2002) elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states for a five-year term; election last held NA July 2002 (next to be held NA July 2007); vice president elected by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 12 August 2002 (next to be held NA August 2007); prime minister elected by parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative elections; election last held NA October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Atal Bihari VAJPAYEE (since 19 March 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election results: Abdul KALAM elected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA%; Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT elected vice president; percent of Parliament vote - 59.8%; Atal Bihari VAJPAYEE elected prime minister; percent of vote - NA% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members, up to 12 of which are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held 5 September through 3 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - BJP alliance 40.8%, Congress (I) alliance 33.8%, other 25.4%; seats by party - BJP alliance 304, Congress (I) alliance 134, other 107 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65) Political parties and leaders: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [C. Jayalalitha JAYARAM]; All India Forward Bloc or AIFB, [D. BISWAS (general secretary)]; Asom Gana Parishad [Brindaban GOSWAMI]; Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Jana KRISNAMURTHY]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India/Marxist-Leninist or CPI/ML [Dipankar BHATTACHARYA]; Congress (I) Party [Sonia GANDHI]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK (a regional party in Tamil Nadu) [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National League [Suliaman SAITH]; Janata Dal (Secular) [H. D. Deve GOWDA]; Janata Dal (United) or JDU [Sharad YADAV]; Kerala Congress (Mani faction) [K. M. MANI]; Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or MDMK [VAIKO]; Muslim League [G. M. BANATWALA]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Revolutionary Socialist Party or RSP [Abani ROY]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV]; Shiromani Akali Dal [G. S. TOHRA]; Shiv Sena [Bal THACKERAY]; Tamil Maanila Congress [G. K. VASAN]; Telugu Desam Party or TDP [Chandrababu NAIDU]; Trinamool Congress [Mamata BANERJEE] Political pressure groups and leaders: numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy, including the All Parties Hurriyat Conference International organization participation: AfDB, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lalit MANSINGH consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 483-3972 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Embassy located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert D. BLACKWILL embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [91] (11) 419-8000 FAX: [91] (11) 419-0017 consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band Economy India Economy - overview: India's economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of support services. Overpopulation severely handicaps the economy and about a quarter of the population is too poor to be able to afford an adequate diet. Government controls have been reduced on imports and foreign investment, and privatization of domestic output has proceeded slowly. The economy has posted an excellent average growth rate of 6% since 1990, reducing poverty by about 10 percentage points. India has large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language; India is a major exporter of software services and software workers; the information technology sector leads the strong growth pattern. The World Bank and others worry about the continuing public-sector budget deficit, running at approximately 10% of GDP in 1997-2002. In 2003 the state-owned Indian Bank substantially reduced non-performing loans, attracted new customers, and turned a profit. Deep-rooted problems remain, notably conflicts among political and cultural groups. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.664 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 25% services: 50% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 33.5% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37.8 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 406 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 60%, services 23%, industry 17% (1999) Unemployment rate: 8.8% (2002) Budget: revenues: $48.3 billion expenditures: $78.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $14 (FY01/02 est.) Industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 533.3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81.7% hydro: 14.5% other: 0.3% (2001) nuclear: 3.4% Electricity - consumption: 497.2 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 321 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.54 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 732,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.13 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 4.33 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 22.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 22.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 542.4 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish Exports: $44.5 billion f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures Exports - partners: US 22.5%, UK 5.1%, UAE 5.1%, Hong Kong 4.5%, Germany 4.3%, China 4.1% (2002) Imports: $53.8 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals Imports - partners: US 7.1%, Belgium 6.7%, China 4.6%, Singapore 4.6%, UK 4.6% (2002) Debt - external: $100.6 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $2.9 billion (FY 98/99) Currency: Indian rupee (INR) Currency code: INR Exchange rates: Indian rupees per US dollar - 48.61 (2002), 47.19 (2001), 44.94 (2000), 43.06 (1999), 41.26 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications India Telephones - main lines in use: 27.7 million (October 2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.93 million (November 2000) Telephone system: general assessment: mediocre service; local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban areas; major objective is to continue to expand and modernize long-distance network to keep pace with rapidly growing number of local subscriber lines; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission of private and private-public investors, but, with telephone density at about two for each 100 persons and a waiting list of over 2 million, demand for main line telephone service will not be satisfied for a very long time domestic: local service is provided by microwave radio relay and coaxial cable, with open wire and obsolete electromechanical and manual switchboard systems still in use in rural areas; starting in the 1980s, a substantial amount of digital switch gear has been introduced for local and long-distance service; long-distance traffic is carried mostly by coaxial cable and low-capacity microwave radio relay; since 1985 significant trunk capacity has been added in the form of fiber-optic cable and a domestic satellite system with 254 earth stations; mobile cellular service is provided in four metropolitan cities international: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); nine gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gaidhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam; 4 submarine cables - LOCOM linking Chennai (Madras) to Penang; Indo-UAE-Gulf cable linking Mumbai (Bombay) to Al Fujayrah, UAE; India-SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-2 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay); Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with landing site at Mumbai (Bombay) (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998) Radios: 116 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 562 (of which 82 stations have 1 kW or greater power and 480 stations have less than 1 kW of power) (1997) Televisions: 63 million (1997) Internet country code: .in Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 43 (2000) Internet users: 7 million (2002) Transportation India Railways: total: 63,518 km (15,009 km electrified) broad gauge: 45,142 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 15,013 km 1.000-m gauge; 3,363 km 0.762-m gauge and 0.610-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 3,319,644 km paved: 1,517,077 km unpaved: 1,802,567 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 16,180 km note: 3,631 km navigable by large vessels Pipelines: gas 5,798 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,195 km; oil 5,613 km; refined products 5,567 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Chennai (Madras), Cochin, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), Vishakhapatnam Merchant marine: total: 305 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,753,279 GRT/9,621,911 DWT ships by type: bulk 100, cargo 82, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 2, container 10, liquefied gas 10, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 75, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: China 1, UAE 10, UK 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 334 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 232 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 47 914 to 1,523 m: 73 under 914 m: 20 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 78 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 102 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 under 914 m: 48 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 42 Heliports: 19 (2002) Military India Military branches: Army, Navy (including naval air arm), Air Force, Strategic Nuclear Command (SNC), Coast Guard, various security or paramilitary forces (including Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Rashtriya Rifles, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Special Frontier Force, Ladakh Scouts, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Railway Protection Force, Defense Security Corps, and Indian Reserve Battalions) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 288,251,975 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 169 million (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 11,035,174 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $11.52 billion (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.3% (FY02) Transnational Issues India Disputes - international: much of the rugged, militarized boundary with China is in dispute, but the two sides have participated in more than 13 rounds of joint working group sessions on this issue; India objects to Pakistan ceding lands to China in 1965 boundary agreement that India believes are part of disputed Kashmir; with Pakistan, armed stand-off over the status and sovereignty of Kashmir continues; disputes with Pakistan over Indus River water sharing and the terminus of the Rann of Kutch, which prevents maritime boundary delimitation; Joint Border Committee with Nepal continues to work on resolution of disputed boundary sections; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty Island in the Bay of Bengal prevents maritime boundary delimitation Illicit drugs: world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Indian Ocean Introduction Indian Ocean Background: The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb (Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia). Geography Indian Ocean Location: body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 80 00 E Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 68.556 million sq km note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Flores Sea, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Java Sea, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: about 5.5 times the size of the US Coastline: 66,526 km Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean Terrain: surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge Elevation extremes: lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules Natural hazards: occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea Geography - note: major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait Economy Indian Ocean Economy - overview: The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Transportation Indian Ocean Ports and harbors: Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta; India) Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South Africa) Transnational Issues Indian Ocean Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Indonesia Introduction Indonesia Background: Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago; it achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include: alleviating widespread poverty, implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly-elected government after four decades of authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations, and resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Papua. Geography Indonesia Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Geographic coordinates: 5 00 S, 120 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 1,919,440 sq km water: 93,000 sq km land: 1,826,440 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 2,830 km border countries: East Timor 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km Coastline: 54,716 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m Natural resources: petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver Land use: arable land: 9.9% permanent crops: 7.2% other: 82.9% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 48,150 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: archipelago of more than 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean People Indonesia Population: 234,893,453 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.7% (male 35,437,274; female 34,232,824) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 76,743,613; female 76,845,245) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 5,086,465; female 6,548,032) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.8 years male: 25.4 years female: 26.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.52% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 21.49 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 38.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 32.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 43.5 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.94 years male: 66.54 years female: 71.47 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 120,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,600 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Indonesian(s) adjective: Indonesian Ethnic groups: Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26% Religions: Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998) Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.5% male: 92.9% female: 84.1% (2003 est.) Government Indonesia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia conventional short form: Indonesia local long form: Republik Indonesia former: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies local short form: Indonesia Government type: republic Capital: Jakarta Administrative divisions: 27 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Riau, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Yogyakarta*; note - with the implementation of decentralization on 1 January 2001, the 357 districts (regencies) have become the key administrative units responsible for providing most government services note: following the 30 August 1999 provincial referendum for independence that was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur and the October 1999 concurrence of Indonesia's national legislature, the name East Timor was adopted as the provisional name for the political entity formerly known as Propinsi Timor Timur; East Timor gained its formal independence on 20 May 2002 Independence: 17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands) National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1945) Constitution: August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age Executive branch: chief of state: President MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri (since 23 July 2001) and Vice President Hamzah HAZ (since 26 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri (since 23 July 2001) and Vice President Hamzah HAZ (since 26 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected separately by the People's Consultative Assembly or MPR for five-year terms; selection of president last held 23 July 2001; selection of vice president last held 26 July 2001; next election to be held in July 2004; in accordance with constitutional changes, the election of the president and vice president will be by direct vote of the citizenry note: the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) includes the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR) plus 195 indirectly selected members; it meets every five years to elect the president and vice president and to approve broad outlines of national policy and also has yearly meetings to consider constitutional and legislative changes; constitutional amendments adopted in 2001 and 2002 provide for the MPR to be restructured in 2004 and to consist entirely of popularly-elected members who will be in the DPR and the new House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD); the MPR will no longer formulate national policy election results: MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri elected president, receiving 591 votes in favor (91 abstentions); Hamzah HAZ elected vice president, receiving 340 votes in favor (237 against) Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (500 seats; 462 elected by popular vote, 38 are appointed military representatives until 2004 election when military seats expire; members serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - PDI-P 37.4%, Golkar 20.9%, PKB 17.4%, PPP 10.7%, PAN 7.3%, PBB 1.8%, other 4.5%; seats by party - PDI-P 154, Golkar 120, PPP 58, PKB 51, PAN 35, PBB 14, other 30; note - subsequent to the election, there has been a change in the distribution of seats; the new distribution is: PDI-P 153, Golkar 120, PPP 58, PKB 51, PAN 35, PBB 13, other 32 elections: last held 7 June 1999 (next to be held April 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (justices appointed by the president from a list of candidates approved by the legislature); note - the Supreme Court is preparing to assume administrative responsibility for the lower court system, currently run by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; a separate Constitutional Court was invested by the president on 16 August 2003 Political parties and leaders: Crescent Moon and Star Party or PBB [Yusril Ihza MAHENDRA, chairman]; Federation of Functional Groups or Golkar [Akbar TANDJUNG, general chairman]; Indonesia Democracy Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri, chairperson]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Alwi SHIHAB, chairman]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Amien RAIS, chairman]; Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Hidayat NUR WAHID, chairman]; United Development Party or PPP (federation of former Islamic parties) [Hamzah HAZ, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SOEMADI Brotodiningrat chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365 telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCE embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 3-5, Jakarta 10110 mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520 telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000 FAX: [62] (21) 385-7189 consulate(s) general: Surabaya Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red Economy Indonesia Economy - overview: Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, faces severe economic development problems stemming from secessionist movements and the low level of security in the regions; the lack of reliable legal recourse in contract disputes; corruption; weaknesses in the banking system; and strained relations with the IMF. Investor confidence will remain low and few new jobs will be created under these circumstances. In November 2001, Indonesia agreed with the IMF on a series of economic reforms in 2002, thus enabling further IMF disbursements. Negotiations with the IMF and bilateral donors continued in 2002. Keys to future growth remain internal reform, the build-up of the confidence of international donors and investors, and a strong comeback in the global economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $714.2 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 41% services: 42% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 27% (1999) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.7% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31.7 (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 99 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 45%, industry 16%, services 39% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.6% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $26 billion expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: petroleum and natural gas; textiles, apparel, and footwear; mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood; rubber; food; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 4.9% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 95.78 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 86.9% hydro: 10.5% other: 2.5% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 89.08 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 1.451 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.045 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 7.083 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 69 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 36.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 32.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.549 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs Exports: $52.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber Exports - partners: Japan 21.1%, US 13.2%, Singapore 9.4%, South Korea 7.2%, China 5.1%, Taiwan 4.2% (2002) Imports: $32.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment; chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Japan 14.1%, Singapore 13.1%, US 8.5%, China 7.8%, South Korea 5.3%, Taiwan 5.1%, Australia 5.1% (2002) Debt - external: $131 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $43 billion from IMF program and other official external financing (1997-2000) Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR) Currency code: IDR Exchange rates: Indonesian rupiahs per US dollar - 9,311.19 (2002), 10,260.8 (2001), 8,421.77 (2000), 7,855.15 (1999), 10,013.6 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March, but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year Communications Indonesia Telephones - main lines in use: 5,588,310 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.07 million (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: domestic service fair, international service good domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net; domestic satellite communications system international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998) Radios: 31.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 41 (1999) Televisions: 13.75 million (1997) Internet country code: .id Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 24 (2000) Internet users: 4.4 million (2002) Transportation Indonesia Railways: total: 6,458 km narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (125 km electrified); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 342,700 km paved: 158,670 km unpaved: 184,030 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 21,579 km total note: Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460 km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km Pipelines: condensate 672 km; condensate/gas 125 km; gas 8,183 km; oil 7,429 km; oil/gas/water 66 km; refined products 1,329 km; water 72 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Makassar, Palembang, Semarang, Surabaya Merchant marine: total: 710 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,045,673 GRT/4,106,508 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 1, Hong Kong 2, India 1, Japan 2, Malaysia 1, Monaco 3, Panama 1, Philippines 1, Singapore 11, South Korea 1, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 42, cargo 400, chemical tanker 15, container 56, liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 1, passenger 9, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 127, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 6 Airports: 631 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 153 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 48 under 914 m: 43 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 46 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 478 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 450 (2002) Heliports: 9 (2002) Military Indonesia Military branches: Army, Navy (including marines and naval air arm), Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 65,665,721 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 38,290,550 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 2,213,727 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1 billion (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY98) Transnational Issues Indonesia Disputes - international: East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee continues to meet regularly to survey and delimit land boundary; East Timor refugees delay return from camps in Indonesia; maritime delimitations with Australia and East Timor await further discussions; ICJ awarded Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002; Indonesian secessionists, squatters and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; possible growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle heroin This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Iran Introduction Iran Background: Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar. A group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq over disputed territory. Over the past decade, popular dissatisfaction with the government, driven by demographic changes, restrictive social policies, and poor economic conditions, has created a powerful and enduring pressure for political reform. Geography Iran Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 53 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 1.648 million sq km land: 1.636 million sq km water: 12,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 5,440 km border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km Coastline: 2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: natural prolongation exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Land use: arable land: 10.17% permanent crops: 1.16% other: 88.67% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 75,620 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes along western border and in the northeast Environment - current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport People Iran Population: 68,278,826 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.3% (male 10,279,588; female 9,727,668) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 22,916,431; female 22,095,124) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 1,625,113; female 1,634,902) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 22.9 years male: 22.7 years female: 23.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.08% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 44.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 44.31 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.35 years male: 68.04 years female: 70.73 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 20,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 290 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Iranian(s) adjective: Iranian Ethnic groups: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Religions: Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 10%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 1% Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.4% male: 85.6% female: 73% (2003 est.) Government Iran Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran conventional short form: Iran local short form: Iran former: Persia local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran Government type: theocratic republic Capital: Tehran Administrative divisions: 28 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohkiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) National holiday: Republic Day, 1 April (1979) note: additional holidays celebrated widely in Iran include Revolution Day, 11 February (1979); Noruz (New Year's Day), 21 March; Constitutional Monarchy Day, 5 August (1925) Constitution: 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership Legal system: the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) elections: leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 8 June 2001 (next to be held June 2005) election results: (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani reelected president; percent of vote - (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani 77% cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries head of government: President (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani (since 3 August 1997); First Vice President Dr. Mohammad Reza AREF-YAZDI (since 26 August 2001) Legislative branch: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (290 seats, note - changed from 270 seats with the 18 February 2000 election; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 February 2000 with a runoff held 5 May 2000 (next to be held February 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - reformers 189, conservatives 54, independents 42, seats reserved for religious minorities 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad front achieved considerable success at elections to the sixth Majles in early 2000, and groups in the coalition include: Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF); Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran); Solidarity Party; Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO); and Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun); a new apparently conservative group, the Builders of Islamic Iran, emerged at the local level in early 2003 Political pressure groups and leaders: active pro-reform student groups include the "Organization for Strengthening Unity"; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic include Ansar-e Hizballah, Muslim Students Following the Line of the Imam, Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat), Islamic Coalition Association, and Islamic Engineers Society; opposition groups include Freedom Movement of Iran, the National Front, Marz-e Por Gohar, and various Monarchist organizations; armed political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the government include Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and Komala International organization participation: CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990 Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - protecting power in Iran is Switzerland Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band Economy Iran Economy - overview: Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. President KHATAMI has continued to follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI and has indicated that he will pursue diversification of Iran's oil-reliant economy although he has made little progress toward that goal. Relatively high oil prices in recent years have enabled Iran to amass some $15 billion in foreign exchange reserves, but have not solved Iran's structural economic problems, including high unemployment and inflation. GDP: purchasing power parity - $458.3 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 21 million note: shortage of skilled labor (1998) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.3% (2003 est.) Budget: revenues: $29.5 billion expenditures: $31.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating, armaments Industrial production growth rate: 5.5% excluding oil (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 124.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 97.1% hydro: 2.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 115.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 3.804 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.277 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 94.39 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 61.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 65.59 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 110 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 4.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 24.8 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar Exports: $24.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum 85%, carpets, fruits and nuts, iron and steel, chemicals Exports - partners: Japan 17.4%, China 8.6%, UAE 7.6%, Italy 6.6%, South Korea 4.9%, South Africa 4.4% (2002) Imports: $21.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military supplies Imports - partners: Germany 10.9%, Italy 9%, France 7.9%, China 7.4%, South Korea 6.5%, UAE 4.4%, Japan 4.1%, Russia 4% (2002) Debt - external: $8.7 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $408 million (2002 est.) Currency: Iranian rial (IRR) Currency code: IRR Exchange rates: rials per US dollar 6,906.96 (2002), 1,753.56 (2001), 1,764.43 (2000), 1,752.93 (1999), 1,751.86 (1998) note: from 1997 to 2001, Iran had a multi-exchange-rate system; one of these rates, the official floating exchange rate, by which most essential goods were imported, averaged 1,750 rials per US dollar; in March 2002, the multi-exchange-rate system was converged into one rate at about 7,900 rials per US dollar Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March Communications Iran Telephones - main lines in use: 6.313 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 265,000 (August 1998) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate but currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected domestic: as a result of heavy investing in the telephone system since 1994, the number of long-distance channels in the microwave radio relay trunk has grown substantially; many villages have been brought into the net; the number of main lines in the urban systems has approximately doubled; and thousands of mobile cellular subscribers are being served; moreover, the technical level of the system has been raised by the installation of thousands of digital switches international: HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; satellite earth stations - 9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 72, FM 5, shortwave 5 (1998) Radios: 17 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 28 (plus 450 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 4.61 million (1997) Internet country code: .ir Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 100 (2002) Internet users: 1.326 million (2002 est.) Transportation Iran Railways: total: 7,201 km broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge standard gauge: 7,107 km 1.435-m gauge (146 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 167,157 km paved: 94,109 km (including 890 km of expressways) unpaved: 73,048 km (1998) Waterways: 904 km note: the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use Pipelines: condensate/gas 212 km; gas 16,998 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km; oil 8,256 km; refined products 7,808 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war), Ahvaz, Bandar 'Abbas, Bandar-e Anzali, Bushehr, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni, Bandar-e Lengeh, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Bandar-e Torkaman, Chabahar (Bandar Beheshti), Jazireh-ye Khark, Jazireh-ye Lavan, Jazireh-ye Sirri, Khorramshahr (limited operation since November 1992), Now Shahr Merchant marine: total: 139 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,190,576 GRT/7,276,700 DWT ships by type: bulk 43, cargo 34, chemical tanker 4, container 10, liquefied gas 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 30, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 309 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 122 over 3,047 m: 39 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 187 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 under 914 m: 39 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 138 Heliports: 13 (2002) Military Iran Military branches: Islamic Republic of Iran regular forces (includes Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense Command), Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) (includes Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy, Qods [special operations], and Basij [Popular Mobilization Army] forces), Law Enforcement Forces Military manpower - military age: 21 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 20,343,063 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 12,094,551 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 870,711 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9.7 billion (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.1% (FY00) Transnational Issues Iran Disputes - international: Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed waters on Helmand River tributaries in response to prolonged drought in region; thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Iran; despite restored diplomatic relations in 1990, disputes with Iraq over maritime and land boundaries, navigation channel, and other issues from eight-year war persist; UAE engage direct talks and Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island; Iran insists on division of the Caspian Sea into five equal sectors, while other littoral states have generally agreed to equidistant seabed boundaries - Iran has threatened Azerbaijanian hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters Illicit drugs: despite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic narcotics consumption remains a persistent problem and Iranian press reports estimate at least 2 million drug users in the country This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Iraq Introduction Iraq Background: Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen have ruled the country since then, the latest being SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years resulted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. Coalition forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government. Geography Iraq Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 44 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 437,072 sq km water: 4,910 sq km land: 432,162 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Idaho Land boundaries: total: 3,650 km border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km Coastline: 58 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unamed peak 3,611 m; note - this peak is not Gundah Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Land use: arable land: 11.89% permanent crops: 0.78% other: 87.33% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 35,250 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms, floods Environment - current issues: government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf People Iraq Population: 24,683,313 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.7% (male 5,103,669; female 4,946,443) 15-64 years: 56.3% (male 7,033,268; female 6,855,644) 65 years and over: 3% (male 348,790; female 395,499) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19 years male: 18.9 years female: 19.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.78% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 33.66 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 55.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 61.09 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.81 years male: 66.7 years female: 68.99 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.52 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 1,000 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Iraqi(s) adjective: Iraqi Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5% Religions: Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.4% male: 55.9% female: 24.4% (2003 est.) Government Iraq Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Iraq conventional short form: Iraq local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah local short form: Al Iraq Government type: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Capital: Baghdad Administrative divisions: 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit Independence: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Revolution Day, 17 July (1968) Constitution: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Legal system: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Suffrage: formerly 18 years of age; universal; note - in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Executive branch: chief of state: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Legislative branch: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Judicial branch: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Political parties and leaders: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Political pressure groups and leaders: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, EAPC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Diplomatic representation from the US: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria which has two stars but no script and the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band Economy Iraq Economy - overview: Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran led the government to implement austerity measures, borrow heavily, and later reschedule foreign debt payments; Iraq suffered economic losses from the war of at least $100 billion. After hostilities ended in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have hurt the economy, implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program beginning in December 1996 helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999 the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs. Oil exports have recently been more than three-quarters prewar level. However, 28% of Iraq's export revenues under the program have been deducted to meet UN Compensation Fund and UN administrative expenses. The drop in GDP in 2001-02 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. Per capita food imports increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services steadily improved. Per capita output and living standards were still well below the prewar level, but any estimates have a wide range of error. The military victory of the US-led coalition in March-April 2003 resulted in the shutdown of much of the central economic administrative structure and the loss of a comparatively small amount of capital plant. GDP: purchasing power parity - $58 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 13% services: 81% (1993 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 70% (2002 est.) Labor force: 6.5 million (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 36.01 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.4% hydro: 1.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 33.49 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 2.452 million bbl/day (2001 est.); note - production was disrupted as a result of the March-April 2003 war (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 460,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 113.8 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.149 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep Exports: $13 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil Exports - partners: US 40.9%, Canada 8.2%, France 8.2%, Jordan 7.5%, Netherlands 6.4%, Italy 5.4%, Morocco 4.7%, Spain 4.4% (2002) Imports: $7.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: food, medicine, manufactures Imports - partners: Jordan 11%, France 8.8%, China 8.4%, Germany 7.6%, Russia 7.3%, Australia 7.2%, Vietnam 6.6%, Italy 6.4%, Japan 5.6% (2002) Debt - external: $120 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $327.5 million (1995) Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD) Currency code: IQD Exchange rates: Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 0.31 (2002), 0.31 (2001), 0.31 (2000), 0.31 (1999), 0.31 (1998), note: fixed official rate since 1982; market rate subject to wide fluctuations Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Iraq Telephones - main lines in use: 675,000 (1997); note - an unknown number of telephone lines were damaged or destroyed during the March-April war Telephones - mobile cellular: NA; service available in northern Iraq (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: an unknown number of telecommunication facilities were damaged during the March-April 2003 war domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational Radio broadcast stations: AM 19 (5 are inactive), FM 51, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 4.85 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 13 (1997); note - unknown number were destroyed during the March-April 2003 war Televisions: 1.75 million (1997) Internet country code: .iq Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 12,500 (2001) Transportation Iraq Railways: total: 1,963 km standard gauge: 1,963 km 1.435-m gauge (2003) Highways: total: 45,550 km paved: 38,399 km unpaved: 7,151 km (2000 est.) Waterways: 1,015 km note: Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft boats; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Gulf war Pipelines: gas 1,739 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,343 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have limited functionality Merchant marine: total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 119,433 GRT/170,221 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 150 (2002); note - unknown number were damaged during the March-April 2003 war Airports - with paved runways: total: 77 over 3,047 m: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 73 under 914 m: 11 (2002) over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 Heliports: 5 (2002) Military Iraq Military branches: Army, Republican Guard, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Border Guard Force, Fedayeen Saddam; note - with the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, the data listed in the following entries for Iraq is invalid, but is retained here for historical purposes and until replaced by valid information related to the future Iraqi Government (April 2003) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,339,458 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,541,467 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 292,930 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.3 billion (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Iraq Disputes - international: despite restored diplomatic relations in 1990, disputes with Iran over maritime and land boundaries, navigation channel, and other issues from eight-year war persist; land and Shatt al Arab boundary demarcation put an end to claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands, but no maritime boundary exists with Kuwait in the Persian Gulf; Iraq protests Turkey's hydrological projects to regulate the Tigris and Euphrates rivers upstream This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Ireland Introduction Ireland Background: Celtic tribes settled on the island in the 4th century B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is currently being implemented. Geography Ireland Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 70,280 sq km water: 1,390 sq km land: 68,890 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m Natural resources: zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver Land use: arable land: 19.49% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 80.47% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 97 km of Dublin People Ireland Population: 3,924,140 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.2% (male 427,017; female 404,191) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 1,322,982; female 1,322,429) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 194,724; female 252,797) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 33.1 years male: 32.2 years female: 34 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.03% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 14.63 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.94 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 3.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.95 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.35 years male: 74.58 years female: 80.31 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.89 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish Ethnic groups: Celtic, English Religions: Roman Catholic 91.6%, Church of Ireland 2.5%, other 5.9% (1998) Languages: English is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% (1981 est.) male: NA female: NA Government Ireland Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland Government type: republic Capital: Dublin Administrative divisions: 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow note: Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of Ulster Province Independence: 6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty) National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March Constitution: 29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite Legal system: based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6% note: government coalition - Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 31 October 1997 (next to be held NA November 2004); prime minister nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats - 49 elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 30, Fine Gael 15, Labor Party 5, Progressive Democrats 4, independents and others 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.5%, Fine Gael 22.5%, Labor Party 10.8%, Sinn Fein 6.5%, Progressive Democrats 4.0%, Green Party 3.8%, others 10.9%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 81, Fine Gael 31, Labor Party 21, Progressive Democrats 8, Green Party 6, Sinn Fein 5, others 14 elections: Senate - last held 16 and 17 July 2002 (next to be held by July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 17 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Fianna Fail [Bertie AHERN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [Trevor SARGENT]; Labor Party [Pat RABITTE]; Progressive Democrats [Mary HARNEY]; Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Sean GARLAND] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Noel FAHEY; note - FAHEY has announced that he will leave chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard J. EGAN embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red Economy Ireland Economy - overview: Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging a robust 8% in 1995-2002. The global slowdown, especially in the information technology sector, pressed growth down to 2.7% in 2003. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Industry accounts for 46% of GDP and about 80% of exports and employs 28% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's growth, the economy has also benefited from a rise in consumer spending, construction, and business investment. Per capita GDP is 10% above that of the four big European economies. Over the past decade, the Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb inflation, reduce government spending, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined in launching the euro currency system in January 1999 along with 10 other EU nations. GDP: purchasing power parity - $113.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $29,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 10% (1997 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 27.3% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 35.9 (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.8 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 8%, industry 29%, services 64% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.3% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $30.7 billion expenditures: $30.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.5 billion (2002) Industries: food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal; software Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 23.53 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 95.9% hydro: 2.3% other: 1.7% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 21.63 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 285 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 38 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 174,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 27,450 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 178,600 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 815 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 4.199 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 3.384 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 9.911 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products Exports: $86.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products (1999) Exports - partners: UK 23.3%, US 16.7%, Belgium 14.6%, Germany 7.3%, France 5% (2002) Imports: $48.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals; petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing Imports - partners: UK 41.1%, US 15.3%, Germany 6.8% (2002) Debt - external: $11 billion (1998) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $283 million (2001) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 0.7 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Ireland Telephones - main lines in use: 1.6 million (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3 million (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay domestic: microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 2.55 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (many low-power repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 1.82 million (2001) Internet country code: .ie Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 22 (2000) Internet users: 1.31 million (2002) Transportation Ireland Railways: total: 3,312 km broad gauge: 1,947 km 1.600-m gauge (46 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2002) Highways: total: 92,500 km paved: 87,043 km (including 115 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,457 km (2000 est.) Waterways: 700 km (limited facilities for commercial traffic) (1998) Pipelines: gas 1,795 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Arklow, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Foynes, Galway, Limerick, New Ross, Waterford Merchant marine: total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 110,913 GRT/128,017 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 2 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 20, container 1, short-sea passenger 1 Airports: 36 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 17 (2002) Military Ireland Military branches: Army (including Naval Service and Air Corps), National Police (Garda Siochana) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,020,182 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 821,378 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 31,437 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $700 million (FY00/01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (FY00/01) Transnational Issues Ireland Disputes - international: disputes with Iceland, Denmark, and the UK over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM Illicit drugs: transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Israel Introduction Israel Background: Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives (from the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip) and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. But progress toward a permanent status agreement has been undermined by the outbreak of Palestinian-Israeli violence since September 2000. Geography Israel Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Geographic coordinates: 31 30 N, 34 45 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 20,770 sq km water: 440 sq km land: 20,330 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,017 km border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km Coastline: 273 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: to depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m Natural resources: timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand Land use: arable land: 17.02% permanent crops: 4.17% other: 78.81% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,990 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes Environment - current issues: limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.); Sea of Galilee is an important freshwater source People Israel Population: 6,116,533 (July 2002 est.) note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, more than 5,000 in the Gaza Strip, and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (February 2003 est.) (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.9% (male 842,885; female 803,864) 15-64 years: 63.2% (male 1,941,440; female 1,922,512) 65 years and over: 9.9% (male 260,315; female 345,517) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 28.9 years male: 28.1 years female: 29.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.39% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 18.67 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.02 years male: 76.95 years female: 81.19 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli Ethnic groups: Jewish 80.1% (Europe/America-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%, Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab) (1996 est.) Religions: Jewish 80.1%, Muslim 14.6% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian 2.1%, other 3.2% (1996 est.) Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.4% male: 97.3% female: 93.6% (2003 est.) Government Israel Country name: conventional long form: State of Israel conventional short form: Israel local short form: Yisra'el local long form: Medinat Yisra'el Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Jerusalem; note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv Administrative divisions: 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv Independence: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May Constitution: no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law Legal system: mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Moshe KATSAV (since 31 July 2000) elections: president elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term; election last held 31 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2007); following legislative elections, the president assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the largest party - the task of forming a governing coalition; election last held 28 January 2003 (next to be held fall of 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Ariel SHARON (since 7 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset election results: Moshe KATSAV elected president by the 120-member Knesset with a total of 60 votes, other candidate, Shimon PERES, received 57 votes (there were three abstentions); Ariel SHARON continues as prime minister after Likud Party victory in January 2003 Knesset elections; Likud won 38 seats and then formed coalition government with Shinui, the National Religious Party, and the National Union Legislative branch: unicameral Knesset or parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 January 2003 (next to be held fall of 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Likud Party 29.4%, Labor 14.5%, Shinui 12.3%, Shas 8.2%, National Union 5.5%, Meretz 5.2%, United Torah Judaism 4.3%, National Religious Party 4.2%, Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3.0%, One Nation 2.8%, National Democratic Alliance 2.3%, YBA 2.2%, United Arab List 2.1%, Green Leaf Party 1.2%, Herut 1.2%, other 1.6%; seats by party - Likud 38, Labor 19, Shinui 15, Shas 11, National Union 7, Meretz 6, National Religious Party 6, United Torah Judaism 5, Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3, One Nation 3, National Democratic Alliance 3, YBA 2, United Arab List 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed for life by the president) Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Dan MERIDOR]; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) [Muhammad BARAKA]; Democratic Movement [Roman BRONFMAN]; Gesher [David LEVI]; Green Leaf Party [Boaz WACHTEL and Shlomi SANDAK]; Herut [Michael KLEINER]; Labor Party [Binyamin BEN-ELIEZER]; Likud Party [Ariel SHARON]; Meimad [Rabbi Michael MELCHIOR]; Meretz [Yossi SARID]; National Democratic Alliance (Balad) [Azmi BISHARA]; National Religious Party [Yitzhak LEVY]; National Union [Benyamin ELON] (includes Tekuma and Moledet); One Israel [Ra'anan COHEN]; One Nation [Amir PERETZ]; Shas [Eliyahu YISHAI]; Shinui [Tommy LAPID]; United Arab List [Abd al-Malik DAHAMSHAH]; United Torah Judaism [Meir PORUSH]; Yisra'el Ba'Aliya or YBA [Natan SHARANSKY]; Yisra'el Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Yesha (settler) Council promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise; B'Tselem monitors human rights abuses International organization participation: BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel AYALON consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500 chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZER embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830 telephone: [972] (3) 519-7457/7369/7454/7458/7453 FAX: [972] (3) 517-4390 consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government Flag description: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag Economy Israel Economy - overview: Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel imports significant quantities of grain but is largely self-sufficient in other agricultural products. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable current account deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and military aid. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR during the period 1989-99, coupled with the opening of new markets at the end of the Cold War, energized Israel's economy, which grew rapidly in the early 1990s; growth began moderating in 1996 when the government imposed tighter fiscal and monetary policies and the immigration bonus petered out. Growth was a strong 7.2% in 2000, but the bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict, difficulties in the high-technology, construction, and tourist sectors, and fiscal austerity in the face of growing inflation led to small declines in GDP in 2001 and 2002. GDP: purchasing power parity - $117.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 30% services: 67% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 18% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 28.3% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 35.5 (2001) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.5 million (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: public services 31.2%, manufacturing 20.2%, finance and business 13.1%, commerce 12.8%, construction 7.5%, personal and other services 6.4%, transport, storage, and communications 6.2%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.6% (1996) Unemployment rate: 10.4% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $38.5 billion expenditures: $45.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, diamond cutting Industrial production growth rate: -1.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 42.24 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 37.82 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.457 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 80 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 260,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 1.92 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 10 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 10 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 20.81 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products Exports: $28.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel Exports - partners: US 39.2%, Belgium 6.5%, Germany 4.4%, UK 4.2% (2002) Imports: $30.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods Imports - partners: US 21.6%, Belgium 8.9%, Germany 6.7%, UK 6.6%, Switzerland 4.9%, Italy 4.5% (2002) Debt - external: $42.8 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $720 million from US (2001 est.) Currency: new Israeli shekel (ILS); note - NIS is the currency abbreviation; ILS is the International Organization for Standarization (ISO) code for the NIS Currency code: ILS Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.74 (2002), 4.21 (2001), 4.08 (2000), 4.14 (1999), 3.8 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Israel Telephones - main lines in use: 2.8 million (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.5 million (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 3.07 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 17 (plus 36 low-power repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 1.69 million (1997) Internet country code: .il Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 21 (2000) Internet users: 1.94 million (2001) Transportation Israel Railways: total: 640 km standard gauge: 640 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 16,281 km paved: 16,281 km (including 56 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 100 km; oil 1,509 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Ashdod, Ashqelon, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa, Tel Aviv-Yafo Merchant marine: total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 705,897 GRT/823,605 DWT ships by type: container 17, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 52 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Heliports: 3 (2002) Military Israel Military branches: Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (includes ground, naval, and air components with Air Defense Forces), Pioneer Fighting Youth (Nahal); note - historically there have been no separate Israeli military services Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,562,716 note: both sexes are liable for military service (2003 est.) females age 15-49: 1,516,505 Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,279,277 females age 15-49: 1,237,926 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 51,080 females: 53,496 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $8.97 billion (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 8.75% (FY02) Transnational Issues Israel Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights) Illicit drugs: increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Italy Introduction Italy Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the European Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north. Geography Italy Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 301,230 sq km note: includes Sardinia and Sicily water: 7,210 sq km land: 294,020 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: total: 1,932.2 km border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km Coastline: 7,600 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) Natural resources: mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal, arable land Land use: arable land: 28.07% permanent crops: 9.25% other: 62.68% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 26,980 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe People Italy Population: 57,998,353 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14% (male 4,193,412; female 3,947,679) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 19,625,428; female 19,337,861) 65 years and over: 18.8% (male 4,516,995; female 6,376,978) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 41 years male: 39.4 years female: 42.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.11% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.18 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.12 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.82 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.4 years male: 76.47 years female: 82.52 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.26 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 100,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Italian(s) adjective: Italian Ethnic groups: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south) Religions: predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community Languages: Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99% female: 98.3% (2003 est.) Government Italy Country name: conventional long form: Italian Republic conventional short form: Italy local long form: Repubblica Italiana former: Kingdom of Italy local short form: Italia Government type: republic Capital: Rome Administrative divisions: 20 regions (regioni, singular - regione); Abruzzi, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, Veneto Independence: 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870) National holiday: Republic Day, 2 June (1946) Constitution: 1 January 1948 Legal system: based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25) Executive branch: chief of state: President Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI (since 13 May 1999) elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives for a seven-year term; election last held 13 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2006); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by Parliament head of government: Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as the president of the Council of Ministers) Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 10 June 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president election results: Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 70% note: a five-party government coalition includes Forza Italia, National Alliance, Northern League, Democratic Christian Center, United Christian Democrats Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats elected by popular vote of which 232 are directly elected and 83 are elected by regional proportional representation; in addition, there are a small number of senators-for-life including former presidents of the republic; members serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; 475 are directly elected, 155 by regional proportional representation; members serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - House of Liberties 177 (Forza Italia 82, National Alliance 46, CCD-CDU 29, Northern League 17, others 3), Olive Tree 128 (Democrats of the Left 62, Daisy Alliance 42, Sunflower Alliance 16, Italian Communist Party 3, independents 5), non-affiliated with either coalition 10, senators for life 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - House of Liberties 367 (Forza Italia 189, National Alliance 96, CCD-CDU 40, Northern League 30, others 12), Olive Tree 248 (Democrats of the Left 138, Daisy Alliance 76, Sunflower Alliance 18, Italian Communist Party 9, independents 7), non-affiliated with either coalition 15 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by Parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative Supreme Courts) Political parties and leaders: Center-Left Olive Tree Coalition [Francesco RUTELLI] - Democrats of the Left, Daisy Alliance (including Italian Popular Party, Italian Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, The Democrats), Sunflower Alliance (including Green Federation, Italian Democratic Socialists), Italian Communist Party; Center-Right Freedom House Coalition [Silvio BERLUSCONI] (formerly House of Liberties and Freedom Alliance) - Forza Italia, National Alliance, The Whiteflower Alliance (includes Christian Democratic Center, United Christian Democrats), Northern League; Christian Democratic Center or CCD [Marco FOLLINI]; Democrats of the Left or DS [Piero FASSINO]; Forza Italia or FI [Silvio BERLUSCONI]; Green Federation [Alfonso Pecoraro SCANIO]; Italian Communist Party or PdCI [Armando COSSUTTA]; Italian Popular Party or PPI [Pierluigi CASTAGNETTI]; Italian Renewal or RI [Lamberto DINI]; Italian Social Democrats or SDI [Enrico BOSELLI]; Socialist Movement-Tricolor Flame or MS-Fiamma [Pino RAUTI]; National Alliance or AN [Gianfranco FINI]; Northern League or NL [Umberto BOSSI]; Southern Tyrols People's Party or SVP (German speakers) [Siegfried BRUGGER]; Sunflower Alliance (includes Green Federation, Italian Social Democrats); The Daisy Alliance (includes Italian Popular Party, Italian Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, The Democrats); The Democrats [Arturo PARISI]; The Radicals (formerly Pannella Reformers and Autonomous List) [Marco PANNELLA]; The Whiteflower Alliance (includes Christian Democratic Center, United Christian Democrats); Union of Democrats for Europe or UDEUR [Clemente MASTELLA]; United Christian Democrats or CDU [Rocco BUTTIGLIONE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Italian manufacturers and merchants associations (Confindustria, Confcommercio); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura); Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Sergio COFFERATI] which is left wing, Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Savino PEZZOTTA], which is Roman Catholic centrist, and Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Pietro LARIZZA] which is lay centrist) International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sergio VENTO consulate(s): Detroit consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 518-2151 telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400 chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Melvin F. SEMBLER embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 46741 FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356 consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green note: inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797 Economy Italy Economy - overview: Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less developed, welfare-dependent agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported. Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a tight fiscal policy in order to meet the requirements of the Economic and Monetary Unions and has benefited from lower interest and inflation rates. The current government has enacted numerous short-term reforms aimed at improving competitiveness and long-term growth. Italy has moved slowly, however, on implementing needed structural reforms, such as lightening the high tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension system, because of the current economic slowdown and opposition from labor unions. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.455 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.4% industry: 30% services: 67.6% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 26.6% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 27.3 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 23.6 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 63%, industry 32%, agriculture 5% (2001) Unemployment rate: 9.1% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $504 billion expenditures: $517 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics Industrial production growth rate: -2.8% (2002) Electricity - production: 258.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 78.6% hydro: 18.4% other: 3% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 289.1 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 556 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 48.93 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 79,460 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.866 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 456,600 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 2.158 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 586.6 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 15.49 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 71.18 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 61 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 54.78 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 209.7 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish Exports: $259.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; minerals and nonferrous metals Exports - partners: Germany 13.7%, France 12.2%, US 9.8%, UK 6.9%, Spain 6.4% (2002) Imports: $238.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages and tobacco Imports - partners: Germany 17.8%, France 11.3%, Netherlands 5.9%, UK 5%, US 4.9%, Spain 4.6%, Belgium 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: NA Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1 billion (2002 est.) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Italy Telephones - main lines in use: 25 million (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 20.5 million (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: modern, well developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA Eutelsat; 21 submarine cables Radio broadcast stations: AM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998) Radios: 50.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 30.3 million (1997) Internet country code: .it Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 93 (Italy and Holy See) (2000) Internet users: 19.25 million (2001) Transportation Italy Railways: total: 19,493 km standard gauge: 18,090 km 1.435-m gauge (11,375 km electrified) narrow gauge: 88 km 1.000-m gauge (88 km electrified); 1,315 km 0.950-m gauge (189 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 479,688 km paved: 479,688 km (including 6,621 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999) Waterways: 2,400 km note: serves various types of commercial traffic, although of limited overall value (2002) Pipelines: gas 17,448 km; oil 1,245 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Augusta (Sicily), Bagnoli, Bari, Brindisi, Gela, Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Milazzo, Naples, Porto Foxi, Porto Torres (Sardinia), Salerno, Savona, Taranto, Trieste, Venice (2001) Merchant marine: total: 462 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 8,518,900 GRT/9,963,040 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Denmark 4, France 1, Greece 3, Man, Isle of 1, Monaco 7, Netherlands 6, Norway 1, Panama 2, Spain 1, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 15, Turkey 1, UK 6, US 12 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 43, cargo 39, chemical tanker 98, combination ore/oil 5, container 28, liquefied gas 39, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 14, petroleum tanker 67, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 60, short-sea passenger 32, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 22 Airports: 134 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 96 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 12 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Heliports: 4 (2002) Military Italy Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 14,450,147 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 12,349,356 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 291,529 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $20.2 billion (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.64% (2002) Transnational Issues Italy Disputes - international: Croatia and Italy continue to debate bilateral property and ethnic minority rights issues stemming from border changes after the Second World War Illicit drugs: important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Jamaica Introduction Jamaica Background: Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a dropoff in tourism. Elections in 1980 saw the democratic socialists voted out of office. Subsequent governments have been open market oriented. Political violence marred elections during the 1990s. Geography Jamaica Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 77 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 10,991 sq km land: 10,831 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,022 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to edge of the continental margin contiguous zone: 24 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior Terrain: mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m Natural resources: bauxite, gypsum, limestone Land use: arable land: 16.07% permanent crops: 9.23% other: 74.7% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November) Environment - current issues: heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal People Jamaica Population: 2,695,867 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.6% (male 395,074; female 376,870) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 870,486; female 869,431) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 82,022; female 101,984) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.5 years male: 25.8 years female: 27.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.61% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.35 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -5.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.85 years male: 73.84 years female: 77.97 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 20,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 980 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Jamaican(s) adjective: Jamaican Ethnic groups: black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1% Religions: Protestant 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican 5.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other, including some spiritual cults 34.7% Languages: English, patois English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 87.9% male: 84.1% female: 91.6% (2003 est.) Government Jamaica Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jamaica Government type: constitutional parliamentary democracy Capital: Kingston Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland Independence: 6 August 1962 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, first Monday in August (1962) Constitution: 6 August 1962 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Howard Felix COOKE (since 1 August 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since 30 March 1992) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated eight seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 52%, JLP 47.3%; seats by party - PNP 34, JLP 26 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Edward SEAGA]; National Democratic Movement or NDM [Bruce GOLDING]; People's National Party or PNP [Percival James PATTERSON] Political pressure groups and leaders: New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists) International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Seymour MULLINGS consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660 chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sue McCourt COBB embassy: Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor, Kingston 5 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [1] (876) 929-4850 through 4859 FAX: [1] (876) 935-6001 Flag description: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side) Economy Jamaica Economy - overview: The economy, which depends heavily on tourism and bauxite, has been stagnant since 1995. After five years of recession, the economy inched ahead, by 0.8% in 2000, 1.7% in 2001, and 0.8% in 2002; the global economic slowdown, particularly in the United States after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, has stunted the economic recovery. Serious problems include: high interest rates; increased foreign competition; a pressured, sometimes sliding, exchange rate; a widening merchandise trade deficit; and a growing internal debt, the result of government bailouts to various ailing sectors of the economy, particularly the financial sector. Depressed economic conditions have led to increased civil unrest, including serious violent crime. Jamaica's medium-term prospects will depend upon encouraging investment and tourism, maintaining a competitive exchange rate, selling off reacquired firms, and implementing proper fiscal and monetary policies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.08 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 31% services: 63% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 34.2% (1992 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.3% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37.9 (2000) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.13 million (1998) Labor force - by occupation: services 60%, agriculture 21%, industry 19% (1998) Unemployment rate: 15.4% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.23 billion expenditures: $2.56 billion, including capital expenditures of $232.5 million (FY 99/00 est.) Industries: tourism, bauxite, textiles, food processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products Industrial production growth rate: -2% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 6.272 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 96.8% hydro: 1.8% other: 1.5% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 5.833 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk Exports: $1.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: alumina, bauxite; sugar, bananas, rum Exports - partners: US 28.1%, Canada 12.2%, Norway 10.7%, UK 10.5%, Germany 7%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002) Imports: $3.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, fuel, food, chemicals, fertilizers Imports - partners: US 45%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 4.7% (2002) Debt - external: $5.3 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: NA Currency: Jamaican dollar (JMD) Currency code: JMD Exchange rates: Jamaican dollars per US dollar - 48.42 (2002), 46 (2001), 42.7 (2000), 39.04 (1999), 36.55 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Jamaica Telephones - main lines in use: 353,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 54,640 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: fully automatic domestic telephone network domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); 3 coaxial submarine cables Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 1.215 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 7 (1997) Televisions: 460,000 (1997) Internet country code: .jm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 21 (2000) Internet users: 100,000 (2002) Transportation Jamaica Railways: total: 272 km standard gauge: 272 km 1.435-m gauge; note - 207 km, belonging to the Jamaica Railway Corporation, were in common carrier service but are no longer operational; the remaining track is privately owned and used to transport bauxite (2002) Highways: total: 18,700 km paved: 13,109 km unpaved: 5,591 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: petroleum products 10 km Ports and harbors: Alligator Pond, Discovery Bay, Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Rocky Point, Port Esquivel (Longswharf) Merchant marine: total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 50,536 GRT/62,868 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Latvia 2, US 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 35 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 22 (2002) Military Jamaica Military branches: Jamaica Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 755,698 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 528,689 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 27,398 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $30 million (FY95/96 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Jamaica Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis; government has an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Jan Mayen Introduction Jan Mayen Background: This desolate, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; it is the northernmost active volcano on earth. Geography Jan Mayen Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland Geographic coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 373 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 373 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 124.1 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 10 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 4 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers Elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass People Jan Mayen Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2003 est.) Government Jan Mayen Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen Dependency status: territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service Legal system: the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy Jan Mayen Economy - overview: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations located on the island. Communications Jan Mayen Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000) Transportation Jan Mayen Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Jan Mayen Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Transnational Issues Jan Mayen Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Japan Introduction Japan Background: While retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth. Geography Japan Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 377,835 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) water: 3,091 sq km land: 374,744 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29,751 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM; between 3 NM and 12 NM in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish Land use: arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 1.01% other: 86.86% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 26,790 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons Environment - current issues: air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Geography - note: strategic location in northeast Asia People Japan Population: 127,214,499 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 9,368,132; female 8,906,024) 15-64 years: 67% (male 42,852,204; female 42,368,109) 65 years and over: 18.6% (male 9,945,638; female 13,774,392) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 42 years male: 40.3 years female: 43.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.11% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.61 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.55 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.93 years male: 77.63 years female: 84.41 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.38 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 430 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Ethnic groups: Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian 182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914) (2000) Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%) Languages: Japanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1995 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Japan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government Capital: Tokyo Administrative divisions: 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Independence: 660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu) National holiday: Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) Constitution: 3 May 1947 Legal system: modeled after European civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) note: following the resignation of Prime Minister Yoshiro MORI, Junichiro KOIZUMI was elected as the new president of the majority Liberal Democratic Party and soon thereafter designated by the Diet to become the next prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the Diet designates the prime minister; the constitution requires that the prime minister must command a parliamentary majority; therefore, following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Junichiro KOIZUMI (since 26 April 2001) Legislative branch: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (247 seats - members elected for six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 149 members in multi-seat constituencies and 98 by proportional representation); House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LDP 110, DPJ 59, Komeito 23, JCP 20, SDP 8, Liberal Party 8, Conservative Party 5, independents 14; distribution of seats as of July 2001 was: LDP 115, DPJ 60, Komeito 24, JCP 20, SDP 8, Liberal Party 8 (merged with DPJ in 2003), independents 6, others 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LDP 49.38%, DPJ 36.88%, Komeito 7.09%, JCP 1.88%, SDP 1.25%, NCP .84%; seats by party - LDP 237, DPJ 177, Komeito 34, JCP 9, SDP 6, NCP 4, others 13; distribution of seats as of 13 November 2003 was: LDP 244, DPJ 177, Komeito 34, JCP 9, SDP 6, others 10 elections: House of Councillors - last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held in July 2004); House of Representatives - last held 9 November 2003 (next election has not been scheduled) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Naoto KAN, leader; Katsuya OKADA, secretary general]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII, chairman; Tadayoshi ICHIDA, secretary general]; Komeito [Takenori KANZAKI, president; Tetsuzo FUYUSHIBA, secretary general]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Junichiro KOIZUMI, president; Shinzo ABE, secretary general]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA, chairperson; Seiji MATAICHI, secretary general] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISET, UNMOVIC, UNRWA, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ryozo KATO FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and Seattle chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Howard H. BAKER, Jr. embassy: 10-5 Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, APO AP 96337-5004 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Flag description: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center Economy Japan Economy - overview: Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second-most-technologically-powerful economy in the world after the US and third-largest economy after the US and China. One notable characteristic of the economy is the working together of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in closely-knit groups called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding. Industry, the most important sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. The much smaller agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self-sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades overall real economic growth had been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of overinvestment during the late 1980s and contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. Government efforts to revive economic growth have met with little success and were further hampered in 2000-2003 by the slowing of the US, European, and Asian economies. Japan's huge government debt, which is approaching 150% of GDP, and the ageing of the population are two major long-run problems. Robotics constitutes a key long-term economic strength with Japan possessing 410,000 of the world's 720,000 "working robots." Internal conflict over the proper way to reform the ailing banking system continues. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.651 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $28,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 30.9% services: 67.7% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 24.9 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 67.7 million (December 2001) Labor force - by occupation: services 70%, industry 25%, agriculture 5% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.4% (2002) Budget: revenues: $441 billion expenditures: $718 billion, including capital expenditures (public works only) of about $0 NA (FY 01/02 est.) Industries: among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals; textiles, processed foods Industrial production growth rate: -1.4% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 1.037 trillion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60% hydro: 8.4% other: 1.8% (2001) nuclear: 29.8% Electricity - consumption: 964.2 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 17,330 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 5.29 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 93,360 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 5.449 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 29.29 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 2.519 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 80.42 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 77.73 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 20.02 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish Exports: $383.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: motor vehicles, semiconductors, office machinery, chemicals Exports - partners: US 28.8%, China 9.6%, South Korea 6.9%, Taiwan 6.2%, Hong Kong 6.1% (2002) Imports: $292.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw materials (2001) Imports - partners: China 18.3%, US 17.4%, South Korea 4.6%, Indonesia 4.2%, Australia 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - donor: ODA, $9.1 billion (1999) Currency: yen (JPY) Currency code: JPY Exchange rates: yen per US dollar - 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000), 113.91 (1999), 130.91 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Japan Telephones - main lines in use: 60.381 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 63.88 million (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); submarine cables to China, Philippines, Russia, and US (via Guam) (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 215 plus 370 repeaters, FM 89 plus 485 repeaters, shortwave 21 (2001) Radios: 120.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 211 plus 7,341 repeaters note: in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999) Televisions: 86.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .jp Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 73 (2000) Internet users: 56 million (2002) Transportation Japan Railways: total: 23,168 km (15,995 km electrified) standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified) narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 19,855 km 1.067-m gauge (12,683 km electrified); 31 km 0.762-m gauge (31 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 1,161,894 km paved: 534,471 km (including 6,455 km of expressways) unpaved: 627,423 km (1999) Waterways: 1,770 km approximately note: seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seas Pipelines: gas 2,719 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 60 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Akita, Amagasaki, Chiba, Hachinohe, Hakodate, Higashi-Harima, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kawasaki, Kinuura, Kobe, Kushiro, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Sakai, Sakaide, Shimizu, Tokyo, Tomakomai Merchant marine: total: 594 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,467,142 GRT/13,335,833 DWT ships by type: bulk 120, cargo 45, chemical tanker 18, combination bulk 28, combination ore/oil 1, container 18, liquefied gas 52, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 179, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 59, short-sea passenger 6, vehicle carrier 49 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: China 1, Panama 1, Singapore 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 172 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 141 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 32 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 over 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 26 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 3 Heliports: 15 (2002) Military Japan Military branches: Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Navy), Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force), Coast Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 29,392,559 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 25,405,779 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 725,281 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $39.52 billion (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY02) Transnational Issues Japan Disputes - international: islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) disputed with South Korea; Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Jarvis Island Introduction Jarvis Island Background: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889, but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World War II, the island is currently a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. Geography Jarvis Island Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands Geographic coordinates: 0 22 S, 160 03 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 4.5 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 4.5 sq km Area - comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources Geography - note: sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife People Jarvis Island Population: uninhabited note: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.) Government Jarvis Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jarvis Island Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Jarvis Island Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Jarvis Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner of the island Transportation - note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Military Jarvis Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Transnational Issues Jarvis Island Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Jersey Introduction Jersey Background: The island of Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Geography Jersey Location: Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 49 15 N, 2 10 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 116 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 116 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 70 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: arable land: NEGL% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier People Jersey Population: 90,156 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.8% (male 8,292; female 7,744) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 30,178; female 30,410) 65 years and over: 15% (male 5,858; female 7,674) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 39.8 years male: 39.1 years female: 40.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.4% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.44 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.93 years male: 76.48 years female: 81.57 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.57 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian Languages: English (official), French (official), Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Jersey Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey conventional short form: Jersey Dependency status: British crown dependency Government type: NA Capital: Saint Helier Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Air Chief Marshall Sir John CHESHIRE (since 24 January 2001) and Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since NA February 1995) cabinet: committees appointed by the Assembly of the States Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States (55 voting members - 12 senators (elected for 6-year terms), 12 constables or heads of parishes (elected for 3-year terms), 29 deputies (elected for 3-year terms); the bailiff and the deputy bailiff; and 3 non-voting members - the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General all appointed by the monarch) elections: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 52 Judicial branch: Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Political pressure groups and leaders: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency) Flag description: white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag and in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield holding the three lions of England in yellow Economy Jersey Economy - overview: The economy is based largely on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. In 1996 the finance sector accounted for about 60% of the island's output. Tourism, another mainstay of the economy, accounts for 24% of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.2 billion (1999 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $24,800 (1999 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 2% services: 93% (1996) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (1998) Labor force: 57,050 (1996) Unemployment rate: 0.7% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $601 million expenditures: $588 million, including capital expenditures of $98 million (2000 est.) Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France Agriculture - products: potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles Exports - partners: UK Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: UK Debt - external: none Economic aid - recipient: none Currency: British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Jersey pound Currency code: GBP Exchange rates: Jersey pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Jersey Telephones - main lines in use: 65,500 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,400 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 3 submarine cables Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .je Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: NA Transportation Jersey Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 577 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Jersey Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Jersey Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Johnston Atoll Introduction Johnston Atoll Background: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete. Cleanup and closure of the facility is progressing, with completion anticipated in 2004. Geography Johnston Atoll Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 NM (1328 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 169 31 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 2.8 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 2.8 sq km Area - comparative: about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 34 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Summit Peak 5 m Natural resources: guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a former US nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetation People Johnston Atoll Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel present; as of September 2001, population had decreased significantly when US Army Chemical Activity Pacific (USACAP) departed; as of January 2003 the island population was just above 800 personnel, including US Air Force, US Department of Defense civilian, and civilian contractor personnel (January 2003 est.) (July 2003 est.) Government Johnston Atoll Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Johnston Atoll Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Honolulu, HI, by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Johnston Atoll Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity - production: 44.2 million kWh; note - approximate annual production; there are six 25,000 kWh generators operated by the base operating support contractor (1999) Electricity - consumption: 2.002 million kWh; note - approximate annual consumption Communications Johnston Atoll Telephone system: general assessment: 33 commercial lines, 15 incoming and 18 outgoing; adequate telecommunications domestic: 60-channel submarine cable (broken in January 2002), 24 DSN circuits by satellite, Automated Digital Network (AUTODIN) with standard remote terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS) station (scheduled for decommissioning March 2003), UHF/VHF air-ground radio, a link to the Pacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network (PCTN) satellite international: NA (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 7 (1 island-run morale, welfare, and recreation station and 6 all-music digital radio stations broadcast over FM band), shortwave NA (2002) Television broadcast stations: commercial satellite television system, with 30 channels (2002) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 256 KB circuit to US Department of Defense-run Nonsecure Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET) (2002) Transportation Johnston Atoll Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Johnston Island Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military Johnston Atoll Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Johnston Atoll Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Jordan Introduction Jordan Background: For most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, through several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he resumed parliamentary elections and gradually permitted political liberalization; in 1994 a formal peace treaty was signed with Israel. King ABDALLAH II - the eldest son of King HUSSEIN and Princess MUNA - assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and established his domestic priorities, including an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in January 2000, and signed free trade agreements with the United States in 2000, and with the European Free Trade Association in 2001. Geography Jordan Location: Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 31 00 N, 36 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 92,300 sq km water: 329 sq km land: 91,971 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Terrain: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil Land use: arable land: 2.87% permanent crops: 1.52% other: 95.61% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: droughts; periodic earthquakes Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank People Jordan Population: 5,460,265 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.9% (male 1,001,174; female 959,157) 15-64 years: 60.5% (male 1,764,061; female 1,541,453) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 95,566; female 98,854) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 21.8 years male: 22.4 years female: 21.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.78% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 2.62 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 6.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 22.51 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.88 years male: 75.42 years female: 80.5 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 1,000 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.) Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 95.9% female: 86.3% (2003 est.) Government Jordan Country name: conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local short form: Al Urdun local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah former: Transjordan Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: 'Amman Administrative divisions: 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Constitution: 8 January 1952 Legal system: based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HAMZAH (half brother of the monarch, born 29 March 1980) head of government: Prime Minister Faisal al-FAYEZ (since 25 October 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayan) (40 seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categories of public figures; members serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives, also called the House of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab) (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms; note - six seats are reserved for women and are allocated by a special electoral panel if no women are elected) elections: House of Representatives - last held 17 June 2003, next to be held NA 2007 note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by the monarch several times since 1974; in November 1989, the first parliamentary elections in 22 years were held; political parties were not legalized until 1992; King Abdallah delayed the 2001 elections until 2003 election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - independents and others 89.6%, Islamic Action Front 10.4%; seats by party - independents and others 92, Islamic Action Front 18 (note - one of the six quota seats was given to a female IAF candidate) Judicial branch: Court of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal) Political parties and leaders: Al-Umma (Nation) Party [Ahmad al-HANANDEH, secretary general]; Arab Land Party [Dr. Muhammad al-'ORAN, secretary general]; Communist Party [Munir HAMARINAH, secretary general]; Constitutional Front [Mahdi al-TALL, secretary general]; Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'id DHIYAB, secretary general]; Jordanian Progressive Party [Fawwaz al-ZUBI, secretary general]; Jordanian People's Democratic (Hashd) Party [Salim al-NAHHAS, secretary general]; Islamic Action Front [Hazma MANSOUR, secretary general]; National Action (Haqq) Party [Muhammad al-ZUBI, secretary general]; National Constitutional Party [Abdul Hadi MAJALI, secretary general]; (Arab) Socialist Ba'th Party [Taysif al-HIMSI, secretary general]; Pan-Arab (Democratic) Movement [Mahmud al-NUWAYHI, secretary general] Political pressure groups and leaders: Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice chairman]; Jordanian Bar Association [Saleh ARMOUTI, president]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Muslim Brotherhood [Abd-al-Majid DHUNAYBAT, secretary general] International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Karim Tawfiq KAWAR chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward William GNEHM, Jr. embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, APO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 5920101 FAX: [962] (6) 5920121 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top, the Abbassid Caliphate of Islam), white (the Ummayyad Caliphate of Islam), and green (the Fatimid Caliphate of Islam) with a red isosceles triangle (representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916) based on the hoist side bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations Economy Jordan Economy - overview: Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of water and other natural resources such as oil. Debt, poverty, and unemployment are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH since assuming the throne in 1999 has undertaken some broad economic reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Amman in the past three years has worked closely with the IMF, practiced careful monetary policy, and made significant headway with privatization. The government also has liberalized the trade regime sufficiently to secure Jordan's membership in the WTrO (2000), a free trade accord with US (2000), and an association agreement with the EU (2001). These measures have helped improve productivity and have put Jordan on the foreign investment map. The US-led war in Iraq in 2003 dealt an economic blow to Jordan, which was dependent on Iraq for discounted oil. It remains unclear how Jordan will finance energy imports in the absence of such a deal. Other ongoing challenges include fiscal adjustment to reduce the budget deficit and broader investment incentives to promote job-creating ventures. GDP: purchasing power parity - $22.63 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.7% industry: 26% services: 70.3% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 30% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.4 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.36 million (2002) Labor force - by occupation: services 82.5%, industry 12.5%, agriculture 5% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 16% official rate; actual rate is 25%-30% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.7 billion expenditures: $3 billion, including capital expenditures of $614 million (2002 est.) Industries: phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 7.091 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 6.86 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 267 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 40 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 103,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 445,000 bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 290 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 290 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.256 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry Exports: $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products, manufactures, pharmaceuticals Exports - partners: Iraq 20.1%, US 14.5%, India 8.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Israel 4.4% (2002) Imports: $4.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live animals, manufactured goods Imports - partners: Iraq 13.4%, Germany 8.8%, US 8%, China 6%, France 4.2%, UK 4.1%, Italy 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $8.2 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $553 million (2000 est.) Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD) Currency code: JOD Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars per US dollar - 0.71 (2002), 0.71 (2001), 0.71 (2000), 0.71 (1999), 0.71 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Jordan Telephones - main lines in use: 403,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 11,500 (1995) Telephone system: general assessment: service has improved recently with the increased use of digital switching equipment, but better access to the telephone system is needed in the rural areas and easier access to pay telephones is needed by the urban public domestic: microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; considerable use of mobile cellular systems; Internet service is available international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals; fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; connection to international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); participant in MEDARABTEL; international links total about 4,000 Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1999) Radios: 1.66 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 20 (plus 96 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 500,000 (1997) Internet country code: .jo Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2000) Internet users: 212,000 (2002) Transportation Jordan Railways: total: 505 km narrow gauge: 505 km 1.050-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 7,245 km paved: 7,245 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 10 km; oil 743 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Al 'Aqabah Merchant marine: total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 63,522 GRT/79,776 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, container 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 6 (2002 est.) Airports: 17 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Jordan Military branches: Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) (Royal Jordanian Land Force, Royal Naval Force, Royal Jordanian Air Force, and Special Operations Command or SOCOM); note - Public Security Directorate normally falls under Ministry of Interior but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis situations Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,577,136 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,113,787 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 58,840 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $757.5 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 8.6% (FY01) Transnational Issues Jordan Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Juan de Nova Island Introduction Juan de Nova Island Background: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station. Geography Juan de Nova Island Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 17 03 S, 42 45 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 4.4 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 4.4 sq km Area - comparative: about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 24.1 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: low and flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 10 m Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (90% forest) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic cyclones Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: wildlife sanctuary People Juan de Nova Island Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; occasionally visited by scientists (July 2003 est.) Government Juan de Nova Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Juan de Nova Island local short form: Ile Juan de Nova local long form: none Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Juan de Nova Island Economy - overview: Up to 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year. Communications Juan de Nova Island Communications - note: 1 meteorological station Transportation Juan de Nova Island Railways: total: NA km; short line going to a jetty Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Juan de Nova Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Juan de Nova Island Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Kazakhstan Introduction Kazakhstan Background: Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence has caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; achieving a sustainable economic growth outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers. Geography Kazakhstan Location: Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural River in eastern-most Europe Geographic coordinates: 48 00 N, 68 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 2,717,300 sq km water: 47,500 sq km land: 2,669,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than four times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 12,012 km border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Terrain: extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central Asia Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m Natural resources: major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium Land use: arable land: 11.23% permanent crops: 0.05% other: 88.72% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 23,320 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty Environment - current issues: radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with its former defense industries and test ranges throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome People Kazakhstan Population: 16,763,795 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.4% (male 2,161,510; female 2,089,780) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 5,425,545; female 5,769,457) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 458,379; female 859,124) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 28.2 years male: 26.6 years female: 29.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.17% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 18.36 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -5.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 58.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 63.41 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.48 years male: 58.16 years female: 69.06 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.16 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 300 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Kazakhstani(s) adjective: Kazakhstani Ethnic groups: Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%, German 2.4%, Uighur 1.4%, other 6.6% (1999 census) Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7% Languages: Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 99.1% female: 97.7% (1999 est.) Government Kazakhstan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan conventional short form: Kazakhstan local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic local short form: none Government type: republic Capital: Astana; note - the government moved from Almaty to Astana in December 1998 Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities* (qala, singular - qalasy); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy*, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); in 1995 the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Baykonyr, formerly Leninsk) Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Republic Day, 25 October (1990) Constitution: adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995; first post-independence constitution was adopted 28 January 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Daniyal AKHMETOV (since 13 June 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president election results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 81.7%, Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN 12.1%, Gani KASYMOV 4.7%, Engels GABBASSOV 1.5% note: President NAZARBAYEV expanded his presidential powers by decree: only he can initiate constitutional amendments, appoint and dismiss the government, dissolve Parliament, call referenda at his discretion, and appoint administrative heads of regions and cities elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 10 January 1999, a year before it was previously scheduled (next to be held NA 2006); note - President NAZARBAYEV's previous term was extended to 2000 by a nationwide referendum held 30 April 1995; prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (39 seats - previously 47 seats; 7 senators are appointed by the president; other members are popularly elected, two from each of the 14 oblasts, the capital of Astana, and the city of Almaty, to serve six-year terms) and the Majilis (77 seats; 10 out of the 77 Majilis members are elected from the winning party's lists; members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms) election results: note - the election results are for the old Senate structure; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; 16 seats up for election in 1999, candidates nominated by local councils; Majilis - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Otan 23, Civic Party 13, Communist Party 3, Agrarian Party 3, People's Cooperative Party 1, independents 34; note - most independent candidates are affiliated with parastatal enterprises and other pro-government institutions elections: Senate - (indirect) last held 17 September 1999 (next to be held NA December 2005); Majilis - last held 10 and 24 October and 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (7 members) Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party [Romin MADINOV]; Ak Zhol Party "White Road" [Bulat ABILOV, Uraz ZHANDOSOV, Zhanat YERTLESOVA, cofounders]; AUL "Village" [leader NA]; Civic Party [Azat PERUASHEV, first secretary]; Communist Party or KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN, first secretary]; Otan "Fatherland" [Gani YESIMOV, chairman]; Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV] note: only seven parties in Kazakhstan have been registered under the new political party law passed in July 2002 Political pressure groups and leaders: Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Alash [Sabet-Kazy AKATAY]; AZAMAT "Citizen" Movement [Petr SVOIK, Murat AUEZOV, and Galym ABILSEITOV, cochairmen]; Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan [Galymzhan ZHAKIYANOV, Nurzhan SUBKHANBERDIN, cochairmen]; Labor and Worker's Movement [Madel ISMAILOV, chairman]; Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director]; Orleu "Development" Movement [Seidakhmet KUTTYKADAM]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; People's Congress of Kazakhstan of NKK [Olzhas SULEIMENOV, chairman]; People's Cooperative Party of Kazakhstan [Umirzak SARSENOV]; Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan or RNPK [Akezhan KAZHEGELDIN]; Socialist Party [Petr SVOIK] International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kanat B. SAUDABAYEV FAX: [1] (202) 232-5845 consulate(s): New York telephone: [1] (202) 232-5488 chancery: 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Larry C. NAPPER embassy: 99/97A Furmanova Street, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan 480091 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (3272) 63-39-21, 63-13-75, 50-76-23, 50-76-27 (emergency number) FAX: [7] (3272) 63-38-83 Flag description: sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold Economy Kazakhstan Economy - overview: Kazakhstan, the largest of the former Soviet republics in territory, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also is a large agricultural - livestock and grain - producer. Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources and also on a growing machine-building sector specializing in construction equipment, tractors, agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The breakup of the USSR in December 1991 and the collapse in demand for Kazakhstan's traditional heavy industry products resulted in a short-term contraction of the economy, with the steepest annual decline occurring in 1994. In 1995-97, the pace of the government program of economic reform and privatization quickened, resulting in a substantial shifting of assets into the private sector. Kazakhstan enjoyed double-digit growth in 2000-01 - and a solid 9.5% in 2002 - thanks largely to its booming energy sector, but also to economic reform, good harvests, and foreign investment. The opening of the Caspian Consortium pipeline in 2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield to the Black Sea, substantially raised export capacity. The country has embarked upon an industrial policy designed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the oil sector, by developing light industry. Additionally, the policy aims to reduce the influence of foreign investment and foreign personnel; the government has engaged in several disputes with foreign oil companies over the terms of production agreements, and tensions continue. GDP: purchasing power parity - $120 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 40% services: 51% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 26% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.3% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 35.4 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 8.4 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: industry 30%, agriculture 20%, services 50% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.8% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $4.2 billion expenditures: $5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 10% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 52.43 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 84.3% hydro: 15.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 48.36 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 3.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 3.2 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 798,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 195,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 2.709 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 10.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 14.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 8.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 920.3 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock Exports: $10.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and oil products 58%, ferrous metals 24%, chemicals 5%, machinery 3%, grain, wool, meat, coal (2001) Exports - partners: Russia 16.2%, Bermuda 12.1%, China 11.3%, Germany 8.8%, Italy 5.5%, Ukraine 4.9%, France 4% (2002) Imports: $9.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 41%, metal products 28%, foodstuffs 8% (2001) Imports - partners: Russia 37.1%, US 9.3%, China 9.3%, Germany 9.1% (2002) Debt - external: $6.6 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $610 million in US assistance programs, 1992-2000 Currency: tenge (KZT) Currency code: KZT Exchange rates: tenge per US dollar - 153.28 (2002), 146.74 (2001), 142.13 (2000), 119.52 (1999), 78.3 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Kazakhstan Telephones - main lines in use: 1.92 million (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 400,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: service is poor; equipment antiquated domestic: intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; mobile cellular systems are available in most of Kazakhstan international: international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 60, FM 17, shortwave 9 (1998) Radios: 6.47 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 12 (plus nine repeaters) (1998) Televisions: 3.88 million (1997) Internet country code: .kz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 10 (with their own international channels) (2001) Internet users: 100,000 (2002) Transportation Kazakhstan Railways: total: 13,601 km broad gauge: 13,601 km 1.520-m gauge (3,661 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 81,331 km paved: 77,020 km unpaved: 4,311 km (2000) Waterways: 3,900 km note: on the Syr Darya (Syrdariya) and Ertis (Irtysh) rivers Pipelines: condensate 640 km; gas 10,527 km; oil 9,771 km; refined products 1,187 km; water 1,465 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk) Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,064 GRT/646 DWT ships by type: roll on/roll off 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 488 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 60 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 428 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 103 under 914 m: 251 (2002) Military Kazakhstan Military branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Naval Force, Border Service, Republican Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 4,580,754 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,658,815 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 174,111 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $221.8 million (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02) Transnational Issues Kazakhstan Disputes - international: Kazakhstan and China have resolved their border dispute and are working to delimit their large open borders to control population migration, illegal activities, and trade; delimitation of boundary with Russia is scheduled for completion in 2003 - delimitations with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are complete with demarcations underway - delimitation with Kyrgyzstan is largely complete; equidistant seabed treaties have been signed with Azerbaijan and Russia in the Caspian Sea but no resolution has been made on dividing the water column among any of the littoral states; no resolution of Caspian seabed boundary with Turkmenistan Illicit drugs: significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Kenya Introduction Kenya Background: Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but are viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December of 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition, defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. Geography Kenya Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 582,650 sq km water: 13,400 sq km land: 569,250 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada Land boundaries: total: 3,477 km border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km Coastline: 536 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m Natural resources: gold, limestone, soda ash, salt, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife, hydropower Land use: arable land: 7.03% permanent crops: 0.91% other: 92.06% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 670 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons Environment - current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value People Kenya Population: 31,639,091 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.3% (male 6,609,904; female 6,461,945) 15-64 years: 55.8% (male 8,900,615; female 8,766,698) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 389,918; female 510,011) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.4 years female: 18.5 years (2002) male: 18.2 years Population growth rate: 1.27% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 28.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 16.01 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: according to UNHCR, by the end of 2001 Kenya was host to 220,000 refugees from neighboring countries, including: Somalia 145,000 and Sudan 68,000 (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 63.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 66.37 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.22 years male: 45.02 years female: 45.43 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.47 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 15% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2.5 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 190,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan Ethnic groups: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1% Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim 10%, other 2% note: a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.1% male: 90.6% female: 79.7% (2003 est.) Government Kenya Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kenya conventional short form: Kenya former: British East Africa Government type: republic Capital: Nairobi Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963) Constitution: 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2001 Legal system: based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002) and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002) and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2007); vice president appointed by the president election results: President Mwai KIBAKI elected; percent of vote - Mwai KIBAKI 63%, Uhuru KENYATTA 30% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 so-called "nominated" members who are appointed by the president but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members) elections: last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held by early 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NARC 125, KANU 64, FORD-P 14, other 7; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - NARC 7, KANU 4, FORD-P 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High Court Political parties and leaders: Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People [Kimaniwa NYOIKE, chairman]; Kenya African National Union or KANU [Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Mwai KIBAKI] - the governing party Political pressure groups and leaders: human rights groups; labor unions; Muslim organizations; National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Kivutha KIBWANA]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Mutava MUSYIMI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNU, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yusuf Abdulraham NZIBO consulate(s) general: offices in Los Angeles and New York are closed; mission to the UN remains open FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829 telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101 chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Johnnie CARSON embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Ave., Gigiti; P. O. Box 606 Village Market Nairobi mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (2) 537-800 FAX: [254] (2) 537-810 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center Economy Kenya Economy - overview: Kenya, the regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, is hampered by corruption and reliance upon several primary goods whose prices remain low. Following strong economic growth in 1995 and 1996, Kenya's economy has stagnated, with GDP growth failing to keep up with the rate of population growth. In 1997, the IMF suspended Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems, causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output. As a result, GDP contracted by 0.3% in 2000. The IMF, which had resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1%. Growth fell below 1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence, meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections. In the key December 27, 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. Substantial donor support and rooting out corruption are essential to making Kenya realize its substantial economic potential. GDP: purchasing power parity - $32.89 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 13% services: 63% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 37.2% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 44.9 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 10 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 75% 75%-80% Unemployment rate: 40% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.91 billion expenditures: $2.97 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing; oil refining, cement; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 4.033 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 71% hydro: 17.7% other: 11.3% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 3.981 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 230 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 57,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs Exports: $2.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement Exports - partners: Uganda 18.3%, UK 12.9%, US 8%, Netherlands 7.6%, Pakistan 4.9%, Tanzania 4.4%, Egypt 4.1% (2002) Imports: $3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics Imports - partners: UAE 12%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, US 8.1%, UK 7.1%, South Africa 7.1%, France 5.8%, China 5.5%, Japan 5%, India 4.8% (2002) Debt - external: $5.7 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $457 million (1997) Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES) Currency code: KES Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings per US dollar - 78.75 (2002), 78.56 (2001), 76.18 (2000), 70.33 (1999), 60.37 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Kenya Telephones - main lines in use: 310,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 540,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: unreliable; little attempt to modernize except for service to business domestic: trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 24, FM 18, shortwave 6 (2001) Radios: 3.07 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 8 (2002) Televisions: 730,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ke Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 65 (2001) Internet users: 500,000 (2002) Transportation Kenya Railways: total: 2,778 km narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 63,942 km paved: 7,737 km unpaved: 56,205 km (2000) Waterways: NA note: part of the Lake Victoria system is within the boundaries of Kenya Pipelines: refined products 752 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,893 GRT/6,320 DWT ships by type: petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 230 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 211 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 113 under 914 m: 83 (2002) Military Kenya Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,096,142 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,017,501 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $185.2 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.8% (FY02) Transnational Issues Kenya Disputes - international: Kenya's administrative boundary still extends into the Sudan, creating the "Ilemi triangle" Illicit drugs: widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status as a regional financial center, massive corruption, and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Kingman Reef Introduction Kingman Reef Background: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 NM around the reef were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge. Geography Kingman Reef Location: Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Geographic coordinates: 6 24 N, 162 24 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1 sq km Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds Terrain: low and nearly level Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 1 m Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: none Geography - note: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public People Kingman Reef Population: uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Government Kingman Reef Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Kingman Reef Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior note: on 1 September 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef from the Department of the Navy; Executive Order 3223 signed 18 January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be administered by the Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this refuge is managed to protect the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of Kingman Reef out to the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea limit Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Kingman Reef Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Kingman Reef Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 (2002) Military Kingman Reef Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Kingman Reef Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Kiribati Introduction Kiribati Background: The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati. Geography Kiribati Location: Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator; the capital Tarawa is about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory lies in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (GMT +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction lie on the other side of the International Date Line Geographic coordinates: 1 25 N, 173 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 811 sq km note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands water: 0 sq km land: 811 sq km Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,143 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 50.68% other: 49.32% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level Environment - current issues: heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: 21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru People Kiribati Population: 98,549 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.7% (male 19,839; female 19,333) 15-64 years: 57% (male 27,705; female 28,438) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 1,385; female 1,849) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.7 years male: 19.3 years female: 20.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.26% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 31.24 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 51.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 56.45 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.93 years male: 57.97 years female: 64.03 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.28 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: I-Kiribati Ethnic groups: predominantly Micronesian with some Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant (Congregational) 40%, some Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, and Church of God (1999) Languages: I-Kiribati, English (official) Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Kiribati Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati former: Gilbert Islands note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss Government type: republic Capital: Tarawa Administrative divisions: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina) Independence: 12 July 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979) Constitution: 12 July 1979 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President NA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidential candidates from among their members and then those candidates compete in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 4 July 2003 (next to be held not later than July 2007); vice president appointed by the president election results: Anote TONG 47.4%, Harry TONG 43.5%, Banuera BERINA 9.1% cabinet: 12-member Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the House of Parliament head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President NA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (42 seats; 39 elected by popular vote, one ex officio member - the attorney general, one appointed to represent Banaba, and one other; members serve four-year terms) elections: first round elections last held 29 November 2002; second round elections held 6 December 2002 (next to be held by November 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - BTK 17, MTM 16, independents 7, other 2 (includes attorney general) note: new legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first round on 9 May 2003 and the second round on 14 May 2003 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges at all levels are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Taberannang TIMEON]; Maneaban Te Mauri Party or MTM [Teburoro TITO]; Maurin Kiribati Pati or MKP [leader NA]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Dr. Harry TONG] note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: Kiribati does not have an embassy in the US; there is an honorary consulate in Honolulu Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the ambassador to the Marshall Islands is accredited to Kiribati Flag description: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean Economy Kiribati Economy - overview: A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP. The financial sector is at an early stage of development as is the expansion of private sector initiatives. Foreign financial aid from UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and China is a critical supplement to GDP, equal to 25%-50% of GDP in recent years. Remittances from workers abroad account for more than $5 million each year. GDP: purchasing power parity - $79 million - supplemented by a nearly equal amount from external sources (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 7% services: 63% (1998 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2001 est.) Labor force: 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers Unemployment rate: 2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $28.4 million expenditures: $37.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: fishing, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (1991 est.) Electricity - production: 7 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 6.51 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 190 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish Exports: $6 million f.o.b. (1998) Exports - commodities: copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish Exports - partners: Japan 56.7%, Thailand 16.6%, South Korea 16.3% (2002) Imports: $44 million c.i.f. (1999) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel Imports - partners: France 28.7%, Australia 26.3%, Fiji 12.5%, Japan 9.5%, Latvia 5.4%, US 4.6%, New Zealand 4% (2002) Debt - external: $10 million (1999 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $15.5 million largely from UK and Japan (1995) Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.84 (2002), 1.93 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.55 (1999), 1.59 (1998) Fiscal year: NA Communications Kiribati Telephones - main lines in use: 3,800 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) note: Kiribati is being linked to the Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should improve telephone service Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 note: the shortwave station may be inactive (2002) Radios: 17,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (not reported to be active) (2002) Televisions: 1,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ki Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 1,000 (2000) Transportation Kiribati Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 670 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1999 est.) Waterways: 5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) Ports and harbors: Banaba, Betio, English Harbour, Kanton Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 1,291 GRT/1,295 DWT ships by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 20 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Military Kiribati Military branches: no regular military forces; Police Force (carries out law enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; small police posts are on all islands) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ Transnational Issues Kiribati Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Korea, North Introduction Korea, North Background: Following World War II, Korea was split, with the northern half coming under Communist domination and the southern portion becoming Western-oriented. KIM Chong-il has ruled North Korea since his father and the country's founder, president KIM Il-song, died in 1994. After decades of mismanagement, the North relies heavily on international food aid to feed its population while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and research into nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community. In December 2002, North Korea repudiated a 1994 agreement that shut down its nuclear reactors and expelled UN monitors, further raising fears it would produce nuclear weapons. Geography Korea, North Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 120,540 sq km water: 130 sq km land: 120,410 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Mississippi Land boundaries: total: 1,673 km border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km Coastline: 2,495 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM note: military boundary line 50 NM in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned Climate: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m Natural resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower Land use: arable land: 14.12% permanent crops: 2.49% other: 83.39% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 14,600 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall Environment - current issues: water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water-borne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated People Korea, North Population: 22,466,481 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25% (male 2,845,727; female 2,763,800) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 7,485,310; female 7,746,603) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 541,155; female 1,083,886) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 31.1 years male: 30 years female: 32.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.07% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.61 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 27.45 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.79 years male: 68.1 years female: 73.61 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic groups: racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese Religions: traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Languages: Korean Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write Korean total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% Government Korea, North Country name: conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local short form: none local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk note: the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to their country abbreviation: DPRK Government type: authoritarian socialist; one-man dictatorship Capital: Pyongyang Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special cities* (si, singular and plural); Chagang-do (Chagang Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (Kaesong City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Najin Sonbong-si*, Namp'o-si* (Namp'o City), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (Pyongyang City), Yanggang-do (Yanggang Province) Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) National holiday: Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) Constitution: adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 and September 1998 Legal system: based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: KIM Chong-il (since NA July 1994); note - on 3 September 2003, KIM Chong-il was reelected Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded the nation's "highest administrative authority"; KIM Yong-nam was reelected President of the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium and given the responsibility of representing the state and receiving diplomatic credentials elections: premier elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA) election results: HONG Song-nam elected premier; percent of Supreme People's Assembly vote - NA% cabinet: Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly head of government: Premier PAK Pong-chu (since 3 September 2003); Vice Premiers KWAK Pom-ki (since 5 September 1998), CHON Sung-hun (since 3 September 2003), NO Tu-chol (since 3 September 2003) Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 August 2003 (next to be held in August 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; the KWP approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; some seats are held by minor parties Judicial branch: Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Chondoist Chongu Party [YU Mi-yong, chairwoman]; Social Democratic Party [KIM Yong-tae, chairman]; major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Chong-il, general secretary] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ARF (dialogue partner), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Diplomatic representation from the US: none (Swedish Embassy in P'yongyang represents the US as consular protecting power) Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star Economy Korea, North Economy - overview: North Korea, one of the world's most centrally planned and isolated economies, faces desperate economic conditions. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment and spare parts shortages. Industrial and power output have declined in parallel. The nation has suffered its tenth year of food shortages because of a lack of arable land; collective farming; weather-related problems, including major drought in 2000; and chronic shortages of fertilizer and fuel. Massive international food aid deliveries have allowed the regime to escape mass starvation since 1995-96, but the population remains the victim of prolonged malnutrition and deteriorating living conditions. Large-scale military spending eats up resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Recently, the regime has placed emphasis on earning hard currency, developing information technology, addressing power shortages, and attracting foreign aid, but in no way at the expense of relinquishing central control over key national assets or undergoing widespread market-oriented reforms. In 2003, heightened political tensions with key donor countries and general donor fatigue have held down the flow of desperately needed food aid and have threatened fuel aid as well. GDP: purchasing power parity - $22.26 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30.4% industry: 32.3% services: 37.3% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 9.6 million Labor force - by occupation: agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 30.01 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29% hydro: 71% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 27.91 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 85,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs Exports: $842 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments); textiles and fishery products Exports - partners: China 23.5%, Japan 19.9%, Costa Rica 12.4%, Brazil 6.5% (2002) Imports: $1.314 billion c.i.f. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment; textiles, grain Imports - partners: China 24.9%, Brazil 12.1%, India 9.2%, Thailand 9.2%, Germany 7.8%, Japan 7.1%, Singapore 4.5%, Qatar 4% (2002) Debt - external: $12 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA; note - nearly $300 million in food aid alone from US, South Korea, Japan, and EU in 2001 plus much additional aid from the UN and non-governmental organizations Currency: North Korean won (KPW) Currency code: KPW Exchange rates: official: North Korean won per US dollar - 150 (December 2002), 2.15 (December 2001), 2.15 (May 1994), 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990); market: North Korean won per US dollar - 300-600 (December 2002), 200 (December 2001) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Korea, North Telephones - main lines in use: 1.1 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Russian (Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 14, shortwave 12 (1999) Radios: 3.36 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 38 (1999) Televisions: 1.2 million (1997) Internet country code: .kp Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Korea, North Railways: total: 5,214 km standard gauge: 4,549 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) narrow gauge: 665 km 0.762-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 31,200 km paved: 1,997 km unpaved: 29,203 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 2,253 km note: mostly navigable by small craft only Pipelines: oil 136 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan Merchant marine: total: 149 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 881,276 GRT/1,309,547 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1, Greece 2, Pakistan 1, Singapore 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 120, combination bulk 2, container 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 4, short-sea passenger 2 Airports: 72 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 34 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Military Korea, North Military branches: Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Security Forces Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,103,615 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,654,223 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 180,875 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $5,217.4 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 33.9% (FY02) Transnational Issues Korea, North Disputes - international: with China, certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers are in uncontested dispute; a section of boundary around Paektu-san (mountain) is indefinite; China objects to illegal migration of North Koreans into northern China; Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Korea, South Introduction Korea, South Background: After World War II, a republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north. During the Korean War (1950-1953), US and other UN forces intervened to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 20 times the level of North Korea. South Korea has maintained its commitment to democratize its political processes. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit took place between the South's President KIM Dae-jung and the North's leader KIM Chong-il. Geography Korea, South Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea Geographic coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 98,480 sq km land: 98,190 sq km water: 290 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km Coastline: 2,413 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM; between 3 NM and 12 NM in the Korea Strait continental shelf: not specified exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 17.44% permanent crops: 2.05% other: 80.51% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 11,590 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest Environment - current issues: air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic location on Korea Strait People Korea, South Population: 48,289,037 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.6% (male 5,256,451; female 4,703,853) 15-64 years: 71.5% (male 17,527,407; female 16,991,229) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 1,512,157; female 2,297,940) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 33.2 years male: 32.2 years female: 34.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.66% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.6 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.03 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.36 years male: 71.73 years female: 79.32 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 220 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic groups: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese) Religions: Christian 49%, Buddhist 47%, Confucianist 3%, Shamanist, Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way), and other 1% Languages: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.1% male: 99.3% female: 97% (2003 est.) Government Korea, South Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local short form: none note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Han'guk" to refer to their country local long form: Taehan-min'guk abbreviation: ROK Government type: republic Capital: Seoul Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities* (gwangyoksi, singular and plural); Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo, Inch'on-gwangyoksi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-gwangyoksi*, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-gwangyoksi*, Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-gwangyoksi*, Taejon-gwangyoksi*, Ulsan-gwangyoksi* Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) National holiday: Liberation Day, 15 August (1945) Constitution: 17 July 1948 Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President NO Mu-hyun (ROH Moo-hyun) (since 25 February 2003) head of government: Prime Minister KO Kun (KOH Kun) (since 27 February 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers KIM Chin-p'yo (KIM Jin-pyo) (since 27 February 2003) and YUN Tok-hong (since 6 March 2003) cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation elections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 19 December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation election results: results of the 19 December 2002 election - NO Muh-hyun elected president, took office 25 February 2003; percent of vote - NO Muh-hyun (MDP) 48.9%; YI Hoe-ch'ang (GNP) 46.6%; other 4.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (273 seats total - 227 elected by direct, popular vote; members serve four-year terms); note - beginning in 2004, all members will be directly elected; possible redistricting before 2004 may affect the number of seats in the National Assembly elections: last held 13 April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GNP 133, MDP 115, ULD 17, other 8; note - the distribution of seats as of April 2003 was: GNP 153, MDP 101, ULD 11, DPP 1, PPR 1, independents 5; one seat vacant Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Democratic People's Party or DPP [leader NA]; Grand National Party or GNP [CH'OE Pyong-ryol, chairman]; Millennium Democratic Party or MDP [CHO Sun-hyong, chairman]; United Liberal Democrats or ULD [KIM Chong-p'il, president]; Uri Party [KIM Kun-t'ae, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National Federation of Student Associations International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador HAN Sung-chu (HAN Sung-joo) consulate(s): New York, Tamuning (Guam) consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle FAX: [1] (202) 387-0205 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600 chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. HUBBARD embassy: 82 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845 Flag description: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field Economy Korea, South Economy - overview: As one of the Four Tigers of East Asia, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern world economy. Three decades ago GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is 18 times North Korea's and equal to the lesser economies of the European Union. This success through the late 1980s was achieved by a system of close government/business ties, including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-99 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model, including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. Growth plunged to a negative 6.6% in 1998, then strongly recovered to 10.8% in 1999 and 9.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001 because of the slowing global economy, falling exports, and the perception that much-needed corporate and financial reforms had stalled. Led by consumer spending and exports, growth in 2002 was an impressive 6.2%, despite anemic global growth, followed by moderate 2.8% growth in 2003. In 2003 the six-day work week was reduced to five days. GDP: purchasing power parity - $941.5 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.4% industry: 41.6% services: 54% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 4% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.8% (1998 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31.6 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 22 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: services 69%, industry 21.5%, agriculture 9.5% (2001) Unemployment rate: 3.1% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $118.1 billion expenditures: $95.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $22.6 billion (2000) Industries: electronics, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 290.7 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 0.8% other: 0.2% (2001) nuclear: 36.6% Electricity - consumption: 270.3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.14 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 804,700 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 2.965 million bbl/day (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 20.92 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 21.11 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish Exports: $162.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: electronic products, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, steel, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fish Exports - partners: US 20.4%, China 14.7%, Japan 9.4%, Hong Kong 6.3% (2002) Imports: $148.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains Imports - partners: Japan 19.6%, US 15.2%, China 11.4%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2002) Debt - external: $135.2 billion (yearend 2002 est.) Economic aid - donor: ODA $200 million Currency: South Korean won (KRW) Currency code: KRW Exchange rates: South Korean won per US dollar - 1,251.09 (2002), 1,290.99 (2001), 1,130.96 (2000), 1,188.82 (1999), 1,401.44 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Korea, South Telephones - main lines in use: 24 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 28 million (September 2000) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international services domestic: NA international: fiber-optic submarine cable to China; the Russia-Korea-Japan submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 104, FM 136, shortwave 5 (2001) Radios: 47.5 million (2000) Television broadcast stations: 121 (plus 850 repeater stations and the eight-channel American Forces Korea Network) (1999) Televisions: 15.9 million (1997) Internet country code: .kr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 11 (2000) Internet users: 25.6 million (2002) Transportation Korea, South Railways: total: 3,125 km standard gauge: 3,125 km 1.435-m gauge (661 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 86,990 km paved: 64,808 km (including 1,996 km of expressways) unpaved: 22,182 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 1,609 km note: restricted to small native craft Pipelines: gas 1,433 km; refined products 827 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o, P'ohang, Pusan, Tonghae-hang, Ulsan, Yosu Merchant marine: total: 541 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,490,521 GRT/10,602,751 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Bulgaria 1, China 1, Greece 1, Japan 1, Malaysia 1, Norway 1, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, UK 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 114, cargo 174, chemical tanker 63, combination bulk 9, container 52, liquefied gas 17, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 69, refrigerated cargo 21, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 6, vehicle carrier 5 Airports: 102 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 69 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 21 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 33 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 31 (2002) Heliports: 204 (2002) Military Korea, South Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime Police (Coast Guard) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 14,252,851 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 8,994,941 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 345,331 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $13,094.3 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.8% (FY02) Transnational Issues Korea, South Disputes - international: Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) are disputed with Japan This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Kuwait Introduction Kuwait Background: Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. Geography Kuwait Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 17,820 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 17,820 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 462 km border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km Coastline: 499 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0.34% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.6% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping Geography - note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf People Kuwait Population: 2,183,161 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.9% (male 310,008; female 298,474) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 970,282; female 547,753) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 36,306; female 20,338) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.9 years male: 28.4 years female: 21.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.34% note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2003 est.) Birth rate: 21.83 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 14.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.65 years male: 75.72 years female: 77.62 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.08 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.12% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti Ethnic groups: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% Religions: Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.5% male: 85.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) Government Kuwait Country name: conventional long form: State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local short form: Al Kuwayt local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt Government type: nominal constitutional monarchy Capital: Kuwait Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950) Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962 Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21 note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time Executive branch: chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977) head of government: Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 13 July 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister NAWWAF al-Ahmad Al Sabah (since 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamad Al Sabah (since 2001) and Muhammad Dayfallah al-SHARAR (since 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Islamists 21, government supporters 14, liberals 3, and independents 12; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: none; formation of political parties is illegal Political pressure groups and leaders: several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sheikh SALIM al-Abdallah Jabir Al Sabah FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: [965] 539-5307, ext. 2240 FAX: [965] 538-0282 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side Economy Kuwait Economy - overview: Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 98 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country. Oil production declined by an estimated 8% in 2002 but is expected to return to the 2001 level in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $36.85 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 60% industry: 39.7% services: 0.3% (2000) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.3 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force. (1998 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA, industries NA, services NA Unemployment rate: 7% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $11 billion expenditures: $17.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 02/03) Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: -5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 31.49 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 29.29 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 2.117 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 273,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 97.68 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 9.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 9.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.548 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: practically no crops; fish Exports: $16 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and refined products, fertilizers Exports - partners: Japan 24.4%, South Korea 12.9%, US 11.9%, Singapore 10.1%, Taiwan 7%, Netherlands 4.5%, Pakistan 4.4% (2002) Imports: $7.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing Imports - partners: US 13.1%, Japan 11.1%, Germany 9.7%, Saudi Arabia 6.6%, UK 6%, Italy 5.4%, France 5.2% (2002) Debt - external: $10.4 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: NA Currency: Kuwaiti dinar (KD) Currency code: KWD Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3 (2002), 0.31 (2001), 0.31 (2000), 0.3 (1999), 0.3 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Kuwait Telephones - main lines in use: 412,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 210,000 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: the quality of service is excellent domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 1.175 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997) Televisions: 875,000 (1997) Internet country code: .kw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: 200,000 (2002) Transportation Kuwait Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 4,450 km paved: 3,587 km unpaved: 863 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 169 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud Merchant marine: total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,273,628 GRT/3,638,645 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 6, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 19, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1, Saudi Arabia 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 6 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 Heliports: 3 (2002) Military Kuwait Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force), National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 845,026 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 508,399 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 18,885 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1,967.3 million (FY01) note: Kuwait is changing its fiscal year; the above figure is for July-March 2001; future budget years will be April-March annually Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.5% (FY01) Transnational Issues Kuwait Disputes - international: the Kuwait 1994 land and Khawr 'Abd Allah channel boundary demarcation ended Iraqi claims to Kuwait and Bubiyan and Warbah islands; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are negotiating maritime boundary with Iran This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Kyrgyzstan Introduction Kyrgyzstan Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism. Geography Kyrgyzstan Location: Central Asia, west of China Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 198,500 sq km water: 7,200 sq km land: 191,300 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: total: 3,878 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m Natural resources: abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc Land use: arable land: 7.04% permanent crops: 0.39% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (1998 est.) other: 92.57% Irrigated land: 10,740 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes People Kyrgyzstan Population: 4,892,808 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.8% (male 836,593; female 819,615) 15-64 years: 59.9% (male 1,436,371; female 1,492,884) 65 years and over: 6.3% (male 117,405; female 189,940) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 22.7 years male: 21.8 years female: 23.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.46% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 26.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 75.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 84.72 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.66 years male: 59.49 years female: 68.03 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.12 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: over 500 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8% Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5% Languages: Kyrgyz - official language, Russian - official language note: in December 2001, the Kyrgyzstani legislature made Russian an official language, equal in status to Kyrgyz Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.) Government Kyrgyzstan Country name: conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local short form: none former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy Government type: republic Capital: Bishkek Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1991) Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Nikolay TANAYEV (since 22 May 2002); note - Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV resigned on 22 May 2002 when five demonstrators were killed in a clash with police in March of 2002 cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Askar AKAYEV 74%, Omurbek TEKEBAYEV 14%, other candidates 12%; note - election marred by serious irregularities elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; elections last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held November or December 2005); prime minister appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - total seats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows: Union of Democratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4, independents 73, other 10 note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly of People's Representatives and the Legislative Assembly elections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005); Legislative Assembly - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson S. SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Arkin ALIYEV]; Ata-Meken or Fatherland [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Banner National Revival Party or ASABA [Chaprashty BAZARBAY]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Democratic Women's Party of Kyrgyzstan [T. A. SHAILIYEVA]; Dignity Party [Feliks KULOV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Tursunbay Bakir UULU]; Justice Party [Chingiz AYTMATOV]; Movement for the People's Salvation [Jumgalbek AMAMBAYEV]; Mutual Help Movement or Ashar [Jumagazy USUPOV]; My Country Party of Action [Almazbek ISMANKULOV]; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE [Yury RAZGULYAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Absamat M. MASALIYEV]; Party of the Veterans of the War in Afghanistan [leader NA]; Peasant Party [leader NA]; People's Party [Melis ESHIMKANOV]; Republican Popular Party of Kyrgyzstan [J. SHARSHENALIYEV]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [J. IBRAMOV]; Union of Democratic Forces (composed of Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or PSD [J. IBRAMOV], Economic Revival Party, and Birimdik Party) Political pressure groups and leaders: Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of Entrepreneurs International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW (signatory), OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV FAX: [1] (202) 338-5139 consulate(s): New York telephone: [1] (202) 338-5141 chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNG embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264 Flag description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt Economy Kyrgyzstan Economy - overview: Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been fairly progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With fits and starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in 2001, 2.1% in 2002, and 4.0% in 2003. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Growth was held down to 2.1% in 1998 largely because of the spillover from Russia's economic difficulties, but moved ahead to 3.6% in 1999, 5% in 2000, and 5% again in 2001. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002 and again in 2003. On the positive side, the government and the international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Further restructuring of domestic industry and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.88 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 25% services: 40% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 55% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 27.7% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34.6 (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.7 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.2% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $207.4 million expenditures: $238.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 13.45 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 7.6% hydro: 92.4% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 10.46 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 2.25 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 200 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 16 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.016 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool Exports: $488 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes Exports - partners: Switzerland 19.9%, Russia 16.5%, UAE 14.2%, China 8.5%, Kazakhstan 7.6%, US 7.4%, Uzbekistan 5.7% (2002) Imports: $587 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Kazakhstan 21.1%, Russia 19.9%, Uzbekistan 10.2%, China 10.1%, US 8.1%, Germany 5.3% (2002) Debt - external: $1.5 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $50 million from the US (2001) Currency: Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) Currency code: KGS Exchange rates: soms per US dollar - 46.94 (2002), 48.38 (2001), 47.7 (2000), 39.01 (1999), 20.84 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Kyrgyzstan Telephones - main lines in use: 351,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably limited to Bishkek region international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line Radio broadcast stations: AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 520,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997) Televisions: 210,000 (1997) Internet country code: .kg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: 51,600 (2001) Transportation Kyrgyzstan Railways: total: 420 km broad gauge: 420 km 1.520-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 18,500 km paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 600 km (1990) Pipelines: gas 367 km; oil 13 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye) Airports: 68 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 50 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 36 (2002) Military Kyrgyzstan Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces, Border Troops Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,265,019 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,026,063 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 54,445 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $19.2 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY01) Transnational Issues Kyrgyzstan Disputes - international: Kyrgyzstan's constitutional court has ruled that 1,270 sq km ceded to China in a 2000 delimitation agreement were legally transferred; delimitation with Kazakhstan is largely complete with only minor disputed areas; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; serious disputes with Uzbekistan around Uzbek enclaves mar progress on delimitation efforts Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Laos Introduction Laos Background: In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997. Geography Laos Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 236,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km land: 230,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Utah Land boundaries: total: 5,083 km border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones Land use: arable land: 3.47% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 96.3% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,640 sq km note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: floods, droughts Environment - current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand People Laos Population: 5,921,545 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 1,255,172; female 1,242,823) 15-64 years: 54.6% (male 1,592,697; female 1,639,431) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 87,192; female 104,230) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.5 years male: 18.1 years female: 18.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.45% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 36.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 12.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 88.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 78.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 99.1 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.3 years male: 52.34 years female: 56.33 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,400 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 150 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% Religions: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.8% male: 67.5% female: 38.1% (2003 est.) Government Laos Country name: conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local short form: none local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao Government type: Communist state Capital: Vientiane Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991 Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 27 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27 March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since NA May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election) elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109 Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee) Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed Political pressure groups and leaders: noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 International organization participation: ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416 chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas A. HARTWICK embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585 FAX: [856] (21) 212584 Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band Economy Laos Economy - overview: The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official Communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% in 1988-2001 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and mining. GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 53% industry: 23% services: 24% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 30.6% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.4 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.7% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $211 million expenditures: $462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est. est.) Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 1.317 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.4% hydro: 98.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 824.7 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 400 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry Exports: $345 million (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin Exports - partners: Vietnam 25.7%, Thailand 19%, France 7.5%, Germany 5.3% (2002) Imports: $555 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods Imports - partners: Thailand 58.9%, Vietnam 12.3%, China 7.9% (2002) Debt - external: $2.53 billion (1999) Economic aid - recipient: $345 million (1999 est.) Currency: kip (LAK) Currency code: LAK Exchange rates: kips per US dollar - 7,562 (2002), 8,954.58 (2001), 7,887.64 (2000), 7,102.02 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Laos Telephones - main lines in use: 25,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,915 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: radiotelephone communications international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 730,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1999) Televisions: 52,000 (1997) Internet country code: .la Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 10,000 (2002) Transportation Laos Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 21,716 km paved: 9,664 km unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 4,587 km approximately note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m Pipelines: refined products 540 km (2003) Ports and harbors: none Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 51 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 42 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 26 (2002) Military Laos Military branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force, National Police Department Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,411,042 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 759,499 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 67,260 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $55 million (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.2% (FY96) Transnational Issues Laos Disputes - international: demarcation of boundaries with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam is nearing completion, but with Thailand several areas including Mekong River islets remain in dispute; ongoing disputes with Thailand and Vietnam over squatters Illicit drugs: world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 2002 - 23,200 hectares, a 5% increase over 2001; estimated potential production in 2002 - 180 metric tons, a 10% decrease from 2001); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Latvia Introduction Latvia Background: After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Geography Latvia Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 64,589 sq km water: 1,000 sq km land: 63,589 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,150 km border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: low plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m Natural resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land Land use: arable land: 29.01% permanent crops: 0.48% other: 70.51% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 200 sq km note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household and hazardous waste management, and reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010 Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east People Latvia Population: 2,348,784 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.1% (male 180,976; female 172,988) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 774,133; female 844,856) 65 years and over: 16% (male 122,850; female 252,981) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 39 years male: 35.5 years female: 42.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.73% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 8.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 14.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 16.74 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.31 years male: 63.46 years female: 75.45 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.2 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian Ethnic groups: Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Languages: Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2003 est.) Government Latvia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Latvijas Republika Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Riga Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons Independence: 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: the 1991 Constitutional Law, which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens Executive branch: chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament elections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president; parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) Political parties and leaders: Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Janis NAGLIS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785 telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214 chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510 mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: [371] 703-6200 FAX: [371] 781-0047 Flag description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon Economy Latvia Economy - overview: Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership continues as a top foreign policy goal. The current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit. GDP: purchasing power parity - $20.99 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.5% industry: 26% services: 69.5% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.9% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32 (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.1 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.4 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials Industrial production growth rate: 5.7% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 4.365 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29.1% hydro: 70.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 6.046 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 703 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 2.69 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 44,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Exports: $2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Exports - partners: UK 21.6%, Sweden 13.1%, Germany 12.5%, US 6.4%, Lithuania 5.9%, Russia 4.6%, Estonia 4.2%, Denmark 4% (2002) Imports: $3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles Imports - partners: Germany 17.9%, Russia 15.1%, Finland 6.6%, Lithuania 6.4%, Sweden 5.5%, Italy 4.8%, Estonia 4.8% (2002) Debt - external: $3.4 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $96.2 million (1995) Currency: Latvian lat (LVL) Currency code: LVL Exchange rates: lati per US dollar - 0.62 (2002), 0.63 (2001), 0.61 (2000), 0.59 (1999), 0.59 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Latvia Telephones - main lines in use: 734,693 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 401,263 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 1.76 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 1.22 million (1997) Internet country code: .lv Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 41 (2001) Internet users: 312,000 (2001) Transportation Latvia Railways: total: 2,347 km broad gauge: 2,314 km 1.520-m gauge (270 km electrified) narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 73,202 km paved: 28,256 km unpaved: 44,946 km (2000) Waterways: 300 km (perennially navigable) Pipelines: gas 1,097 km; oil 412 km; refined products 421 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils Merchant marine: total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 52,607 GRT/35,650 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 Airports: 38 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Military Latvia Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 592,562 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 465,788 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 19,477 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $87 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY01) Transnational Issues Latvia Disputes - international: the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; money laundering remains a concern despite changes to banking legislation This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Lebanon Introduction Lebanon Background: Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 16-year civil war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, the radical Shi'a party, retains its weapons. Syria maintains about 16,000 troops in Lebanon, based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Syria's troop deployment was legitimized by the Arab League during Lebanon's civil war and in the Ta'if Accord. Damascus justifies its continued military presence in Lebanon by citing Beirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord. Israel's withdrawal from its security zone in southern Lebanon in May 2000, however, has emboldened some Lebanese Christians and Druze to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. Geography Lebanon Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria Geographic coordinates: 33 50 N, 35 50 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 10,400 sq km water: 170 sq km land: 10,230 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows Terrain: narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land Land use: arable land: 17.6% permanent crops: 12.51% other: 69.89% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: Nahr el Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity People Lebanon Population: 3,727,703 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 514,447; female 494,166) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,177,773; female 1,286,433) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 115,693; female 139,191) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.4 years male: 25.4 years female: 27.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.34% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.32 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 26.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 29.22 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.07 years male: 69.64 years female: 74.61 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.09% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese Ethnic groups: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 70% (including Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 30% (including Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Protestant), Jewish NEGL% Languages: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 93.1% female: 82.2% (2003 est.) Government Lebanon Country name: conventional long form: Lebanese Republic conventional short form: Lebanon local short form: Lubnan local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah Government type: republic Capital: Beirut Administrative divisions: 6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beyrouth, Beqaa, Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Constitution: 23 May 1926, amended a number of times, most recently Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989 Legal system: mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education Executive branch: chief of state: President Emile LAHUD (since 24 November 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI (since 23 October 2000); Deputy Prime Minister Issam FARES (since 23 October 2000); note - HARIRI resigned on 15 April 2003, but was reappointed the next day cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term; election last held 15 October 1998 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly; by custom, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the legislature is a Shi'a Muslim election results: Emile LAHUD elected president; National Assembly vote - 118 votes in favor, 0 against, 10 abstentions Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 August and 3 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - Muslim 57% (of which Sunni 25%, Sh'ite 25%, Druze 6%, Alawite less than 1%), Christian 43% (of which Maronite 23%); seats by party - Muslim 64 (of which Sunni 27, Sh'ite 27, Druze 8, Alawite 2), Christian 64 (of which Maronite 34) Judicial branch: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council (called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws); Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime minister as needed) Political parties and leaders: political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines; numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic considerations Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Farid ABBOUD consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6320 chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vincent Martin BATTLE embassy: Awkar, Lebanon mailing address: P. O. Box 70840, Awkar, Lebanon; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO AE 09836-0002 telephone: 011-961-4-543-600/542-600 FAX: 011-961-4-544-136 Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a green cedar tree centered in the white band Economy Lebanon Economy - overview: The 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Peace enabled the central government to restore control in Beirut, begin collecting taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. Economic recovery was helped by a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers. Family remittances, banking services, manufactured and farm exports, and international aid provided the main sources of foreign exchange. Lebanon's economy made impressive gains since the launch in 1993 of "Horizon 2000," the government's $20 billion reconstruction program. Real GDP grew 8% in 1994, 7% in 1995, 4% in 1996 and in 1997, but slowed to 1.2% in 1998, -1.6% in 1999, -0.6% in 2000, 0.8% in 2001, and 1.5% in 2002. During the 1990s annual inflation fell to almost 0% from more than 100%. Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure. The government nonetheless faces serious challenges in the economic arena. It has funded reconstruction by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks. In order to reduce the ballooning national debt, the re-installed HARIRI government began an economic austerity program to rein in government expenditures, increase revenue collection, and privatize state enterprises. The HARIRI government met with international donors at the Paris II conference in November 2002 to seek bilateral assistance restructuring its domestic debt at lower rates of interest. While privatization of state-owned enterprises had not occurred by the end of 2002, the government had successfully avoided a currency devaluation and debt default in 2002. GDP: purchasing power parity - $17.61 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 21% services: 67% (2000) Population below poverty line: 28% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.5 million note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services NA%, industry NA%, agriculture NA% Unemployment rate: 18% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.1 billion expenditures: $5.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: banking; food processing; jewelry; cement; textiles; mineral and chemical products; wood and furniture products; oil refining; metal fabricating Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 6.728 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 97.2% hydro: 2.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 7.44 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.183 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 107,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats Exports: $1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: foodstuffs and tobacco, textiles, chemicals, precious stones, metal products, electrical products, jewelry, paper products Exports - partners: Switzerland 10.8%, Saudi Arabia 9%, UAE 8.6%, US 6.7%, Jordan 4.6%, Turkey 4.3% (2002) Imports: $6 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, electrical products, vehicles, minerals, chemicals, textiles, fuels Imports - partners: Italy 11.3%, France 10.7%, Germany 8.4%, US 5.6%, Syria 5.4%, China 4.8%, Belgium 4.5%, UK 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $9.3 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $3.5 billion (pledges 1997-2001) $4.2 billion in pledges November 2002 Paris II Aid Conference Currency: Lebanese pound (LBP) Currency code: LBP Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2002), 1,507.5 (2001), 1,507.5 (2000), 1,507.84 (1999), 1,516.13 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Lebanon Telephones - main lines in use: 700,000 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 580,000 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications system severely damaged by civil war; rebuilding well underway domestic: primarily microwave radio relay and cable international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations); coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cables Radio broadcast stations: AM 20, FM 22, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 2.85 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 15 (plus 5 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 1.18 million (1997) Internet country code: .lb Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 22 (2000) Internet users: 300,000 (2001) Transportation Lebanon Railways: total: 401 km standard gauge: 319 km 1.435-m note: rail system is unusable because of damage in civil war (2002) narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050-m Highways: total: 7,300 km paved: 6,198 km unpaved: 1,102 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: oil 209 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Antilyas, Batroun, Beirut, Chekka, El Mina, Ez Zahrani, Jbail, Jounie, Naqoura, Sidon, Tripoli, Tyre Merchant marine: total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 230,142 GRT/306,442 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 28, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 4, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 9, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 1, Greece 10, Netherlands 4, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Spain 1, Syria 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 8 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Lebanon Military branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; includes Army, Navy, and Air Force) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,025,984 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 630,657 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $541 million (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.8% (FY99) Transnational Issues Lebanon Disputes - international: Syrian troops in central and eastern Lebanon since October 1976; Lebanese Government claims Shab'a Farms area of Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Illicit drugs: cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to US and European markets This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Lesotho Introduction Lesotho Background: Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 23 years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody South African military intervention. Constitutional reforms have since restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002. Geography Lesotho Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 30,355 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 30,355 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals Land use: arable land: 10.71% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.29% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts Environment - current issues: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography - note: landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea level People Lesotho Population: 1,861,959 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.7% (male 353,554; female 349,092) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 516,017; female 541,694) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 41,735; female 59,867) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.8 years male: 19.3 years female: 20.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.19% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 27.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 24.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 86.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 91.28 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 36.94 years male: 36.76 years female: 37.13 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.52 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 31% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 360,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 25,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%, Religions: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20% Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.8% male: 74.5% female: 94.5% (2003 est.) Government Lesotho Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: Maseru Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Constitution: 2 April 1993 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995, while his father was in exile head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May 1998) cabinet: Cabinet elections: none; according to the constitution, the leader of the majority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution, which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to determine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and may even depose the monarch Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 80 to 120 in the May 2002 election elections: last held 25 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 54%, BNP 21%, LPC 7%, other 18%; seats by party - LCD 76, BNP 21, LPC 5, other 18 Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal; Magistrate's Court; customary or traditional court Political parties and leaders: Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Tseliso MAKHAKHE]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justine Metsing LEKHANYA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD [Phebe MOTEBANO, chairwoman; Pakalitha MOSISILI, leader] - the governing party; Lesotho People's Congress or LPC [Kelebone MAOPE]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Charles MOFELI]; Marematlou Freedom Party or MFP and Setlamo Alliance [Vincent MALEBO]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Chief Peete Nkoebe PEETE]; Sefate Democratic Party or SDP [Bofihla NKUEBE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Molelekeng E. RAPOLAKI FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815 telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536 chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert G. LOFTIS embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho telephone: [266] 312666 FAX: [266] 310116 Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner Economy Lesotho Economy - overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on remittances from miners employed in South Africa and customs duties from the Southern Africa Customs Union for the majority of government revenue, but the government has strengthened its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to South Africa, also generating royalties for Lesotho. As the number of mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, a small manufacturing base has developed based on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries and a rapidly growing apparel-assembly sector. The economy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture, especially livestock, although drought has decreased agricultural activity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of income remains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF. GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.106 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 46% services: 34% (2001) Population below poverty line: 49% (1999) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 43.4% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 56 (1986-87) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (2002 est.) Labor force: 838,000 Labor force - by occupation: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa Unemployment rate: 45% (2002) Budget: revenues: $76 million expenditures: $80 million, including capital expenditures of $15 million (FY 99/00 est.) Industries: food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts; construction; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 15.5% (1999) Electricity - production: 0 kWh NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) Electricity - consumption: 40 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 40 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,500 bbl/day (2001) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock Exports: $422 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (2000) Exports - partners: US 97.5%, Canada 0.9%, France 0.6% (2002) Imports: $738 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products (2000) Imports - partners: Hong Kong 51.9%, China 25%, France 3.9% (2002) Debt - external: $735 million (2002) Economic aid - donor: ODA $4.4 million Economic aid - recipient: $41.5 million (2000) Currency: loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR) Currency code: LSL; ZAR Exchange rates: maloti per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Lesotho Telephones - main lines in use: 22,200 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 21,600 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: rudimentary system domestic: consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system; a cellular mobile telephone system is growing international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: NA (2002) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2000) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .ls Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 5,000 (2002) Transportation Lesotho Railways: total: 2.6 km; note - owned by, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa narrow gauge: 2.6 km 1.067-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 5,940 km paved: 1,087 km unpaved: 4,853 km (1999) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: 28 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Military Lesotho Military branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; including Army and Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 459,723 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 250,560 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $34 million (1999) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: the Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defense Force's (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs Transnational Issues Lesotho Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Liberia Introduction Liberia Background: Eight years of civil strife were brought to a close in 1997 when free and open presidential and legislative elections were held. President TAYLOR now holds strong executive power with no real political opposition. Years of fighting, coupled with the flight of most businesses, have disrupted formal economic activity. A still unsettled domestic security situation has slowed the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country. In 2001, the UN imposed sanctions on Liberian diamonds, along with an arms embargo and a travel ban on government officials, for Liberia's support of the rebel insurgency in Sierra Leone. Renewed rebel activity has further eroded stability and economic activity. A regional peace initiative commenced in the spring of 2003 but was disrupted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) indictment of President TAYLOR on war crimes charges. Geography Liberia Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Geographic coordinates: 6 30 N, 9 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 111,370 sq km water: 15,050 sq km land: 96,320 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,585 km border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km Coastline: 579 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.97% permanent crops: 2.08% other: 95.95% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March) Environment - current issues: tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture People Liberia Population: 3,317,176 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.4% (male 724,960; female 716,831) 15-64 years: 53% (male 858,191; female 898,851) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 59,539; female 58,804) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.1 years male: 17.7 years female: 18.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.67% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 45.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 17.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -10.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: 200,000 Liberian refugees are in surrounding countries though slowly returning (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 132.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 125.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 139.03 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.15 years male: 47.03 years female: 49.3 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.23 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 9% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 125,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian Ethnic groups: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves) Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20% Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.5% male: 73.3% female: 41.6% note: (2003 est.) Government Liberia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia Government type: republic Capital: Monrovia Administrative divisions: 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gparbolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe Independence: 26 July 1847 National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Constitution: 6 January 1986 Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2005) note:: a UN-brokered cease fire among waring factions and the Liberian government resulted in the August 2003 resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR; a jointly agreed upon replacement, President Gyude BRYANT, assumed office as chairman of the National Transitional Government on 14 October 2003 election results: Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percent of vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF (UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%; note - Taylor stepped down in August 2003 Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (26 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 21, UP 3, ALCOP 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 49, UP 7, ALCOP 3, Alliance of Political Parties 2, UPP 2, LPP 1 elections: Senate - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2006); House of Representatives - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 14 October 2003) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Political Parties (a coalition of LAP and LUP) [leader NA]; All Liberia Coalition Party or ALCOP [Peter KERBAY]; Liberian Action Party or LAP [C. Gyude BRYANT]; Liberian People's Party or LPP [Koffa NAGBE]; Liberia Unification Party or LUP [leader NA]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Cyril ALLEN] - governing party; United People's Party or UPP [Wesley JOHNSON]; Unity Party or UP [Charles CLARKE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Aaron B. KOLLIE chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John William BLANEY III embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [231] 226-370 through 226-380 FAX: [231] 226-148 Flag description: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag Economy Liberia Economy - overview: Civil war and misgovernment have destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some have returned; many will not. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the settlement of civil warfare, the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies, including the encouragement of foreign investment, and generous support from donor countries. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.116 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 74% industry: 7% services: 19% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 80% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues: $85.4 million expenditures: $90.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 468.8 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 435.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber Exports: $110 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee Exports - partners: Germany 54.8%, Poland 8.9%, France 8.5%, China 4.9%, Italy 4.5%, US 4.2% (2002) Imports: $165 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs Imports - partners: South Korea 30.3%, Japan 19.1%, Germany 15.6%, France 9.1%, Singapore 7.9% (2002) Debt - external: $2.1 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $94 million (1999) Currency: Liberian dollar (LRD) Currency code: LRD Exchange rates: Liberian dollars per US dollar - NA (2002), 48.58 (2001), 40.95 (2000), 41.9 (1999), 41.51 (1998) note: until December 1997, rates were based on a fixed relationship with the US dollar; beginning in January 1998, rates are market determined Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Liberia Telephones - main lines in use: 6,700 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: telephone and telegraph service via microwave radio relay network; main center is Monrovia domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2001) Radios: 790,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 70,000 (1997) Internet country code: .lr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2001) Internet users: 500 (2000) Transportation Liberia Railways: total: 490 km standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge note: none of the railways are in operation (2002) Highways: total: 10,600 km paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia, Robertsport Merchant marine: total: 1,432 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 48,700,851 GRT/75,408,994 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 282, cargo 80, chemical tanker 163, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 24, container 357, liquefied gas 82, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 286, refrigerated cargo 60, roll on/roll off 19, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 13, vehicle carrier 37 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 9, Australia 2, Austria 15, Belgium 9, Brazil 5, Canada 4, Cayman Islands 1, Chile 7, China 39, Croatia 11, Denmark 4, Ecuador 1, Estonia 1, Germany 437, Greece 154, Hong Kong 69, India 5, Indonesia 1, Israel 1, Italy 5, Japan 90, Latvia 20, Isle of Man 5, Monaco 56, Netherlands 12, NZ 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 103, Pakistan 1, Portugal 5, Russia 66, Saudi Arabia 21, Singapore 20, Slovenia 1, South Africa 1, South Korea 10, Spain 2, Sweden 9, Switzerland 17, Taiwan 29, Turkey 3, Ukraine 4, UAE 12, UK 39, US 113, Uruguay 3, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 47 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Military Liberia Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 735,481 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 396,725 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $7.8 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY02) Transnational Issues Liberia Disputes - international: rebels and refugees contribute to border instabilities with Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, and Guinea; the Ivorian Government accuses Liberia of supporting Ivorian rebels Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Libya Introduction Libya Background: Since he took power in a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his own political system - a combination of socialism and Islam - which he calls the Third International Theory. Viewing himself as a revolutionary leader, he used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, even supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. Libyan military adventures failed, e.g., the prolonged foray of Libyan troops into the Aozou Strip in northern Chad was finally repulsed in 1987. Libyan support for terrorism decreased after UN sanctions were imposed in 1992. Those sanctions were suspended in April 1999. Geography Libya Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 17 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,759,540 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1,759,540 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 4,348 km border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km Coastline: 1,770 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 NM note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum Land use: arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 98.8% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 4,700 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert People Libya Population: 5,499,074 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.5% (male 970,026; female 929,174) 15-64 years: 61.4% (male 1,744,992; female 1,630,399) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 109,262; female 115,221) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 22.1 years male: 22.2 years female: 21.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.39% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 27.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 3.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 26.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 29.16 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.07 years male: 73.91 years female: 78.34 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.49 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan Ethnic groups: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians Religions: Sunni Muslim 97% Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.6% male: 92.4% female: 72% (2003 est.) Government Libya Country name: conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local short form: none local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma Government type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship Capital: Tripoli Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy) National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977 Legal system: based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held 2 March 2000 (next to be held NA) election results: Mubarak al-SHAMEKH elected premier; percent of General People's Congress vote - NA% cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Premier) Mubarak al-SHAMEKH (since 2 March 2000) Legislative branch: unicameral General People's Congress (NA seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: Libya does not have an embassy in the US Diplomatic representation from the US: the US suspended all embassy activities in Tripoli on 2 May 1980 Flag description: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) Economy Libya Economy - overview: The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute practically all export earnings and about one-quarter of GDP. These oil revenues and a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to periodic shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food. Higher oil prices in the last three years led to an increase in export revenues, which has improved macroeconomic balances but has done little to stimulate broad-based economic growth. Libya is making slow progress toward economic liberalization and the upgrading of economic infrastructure, but truly market-based reforms will be slow in coming. GDP: purchasing power parity - $33.36 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 45% services: 46% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2001 est.) Labor force: 1.5 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 54%, industry 29%, agriculture 17% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (2001) Budget: revenues: $13.7 billion expenditures: $8.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 20.18 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 18.77 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 1.429 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 216,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 29.75 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 6.18 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 5.41 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 770 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.321 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle Exports: $11.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products (1999) Exports - partners: Italy 42.6%, Germany 14.1%, Spain 13.6%, Turkey 6.9%, Switzerland 4.4% (2002) Imports: $6.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods (1999) Imports - partners: Italy 25.6%, Germany 9.8%, South Korea 6.6%, UK 6.6%, Tunisia 6.5%, Japan 6.4%, France 5.7% (2002) Debt - external: $4.4 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $15 million (2000) Currency: Libyan dinar (LYD) Currency code: LYD Exchange rates: Libyan dinars per US dollar - 1.2 (2003), 0.6 (2002), 0.51 (2001), 0.5 (2000), 0.39 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Libya Telephones - main lines in use: 500,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 20,000 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications system is being modernized; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996 domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2002) Radios: 1.35 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1999) Televisions: 730,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ly Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 20,000 (2001) Transportation Libya Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 83,200 km paved: 47,590 km unpaved: 35,610 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: condensate 225 km; gas 3,196 km; oil 6,872 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah, Ra's Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah Merchant marine: total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 130,081 GRT/115,480 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Algeria 1, Kuwait 1, UAE 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 136 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 58 over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 78 under 914 m: 18 (2002) over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Libya Military branches: Armed Peoples on Duty (Army), Navy, Air and Air Defense Command (includes Air Force) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,546,432 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 914,649 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 61,511 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.3 billion (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.9% (FY99) Transnational Issues Libya Disputes - international: Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in Niger in currently dormant disputes; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Liechtenstein Introduction Liechtenstein Background: The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering. Geography Liechtenstein Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Geographic coordinates: 47 16 N, 9 32 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 160 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 160 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 76 km border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km Coastline: 0 km (doubly landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third Elevation extremes: lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation People Liechtenstein Population: 33,145 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.1% (male 2,979; female 3,008) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 11,646; female 11,740) 65 years and over: 11.3% (male 1,538; female 2,234) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.3 years male: 37.9 years female: 38.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.9% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.92 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.85 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.25 years male: 75.63 years female: 82.87 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein Ethnic groups: Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14% Religions: Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002) Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1981 est.) Government Liechtenstein Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein conventional short form: Liechtenstein local short form: Liechtenstein local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis Capital: Vaduz Administrative divisions: 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz Independence: 23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August Constitution: 5 October 1921 Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Diet is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Diet is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch head of government: Head of Government Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 49.90%, VU 41.35%, FL 8.71%; seats by party - FBP 13, VU 11, FL 1 elections: last held 11 February 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union or VU [Oswald KRANZ]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Ernst WALCH]; The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Karin JENNY, Rene HASLER] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460 FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band Economy Liechtenstein Economy - overview: Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. GDP: purchasing power parity - $825 million (1999 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 11% (1999 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: 40% services: NA% (1999) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2001) Labor force: 29,000 of which 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (37256) Labor force - by occupation: industry 47.4%, services 51.3%, agriculture 1.3% (37256 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.3% (37500) Budget: revenues: $424.2 million expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% other: 0% (2002) hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Exports: $2.47 billion (1996) Exports - commodities: small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products Exports - partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7% Imports: $917.3 million (1996) Imports - commodities: agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles Imports - partners: EU, Switzerland Debt - external: $0 (2001) Economic aid - recipient: none Currency: Swiss franc (CHF) Currency code: CHF Exchange rates: Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Liechtenstein Telephones - main lines in use: 20,072 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: automatic telephone system domestic: NA international: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 21,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) Televisions: 12,000 (1997) Internet country code: .li Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Liechtenstein Railways: total: 18.5 km standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified) note: owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways (2002) Highways: total: 250 km paved: 250 km unpaved: 0 km Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 20 km (2003) Ports and harbors: none Airports: none (2002) Military Liechtenstein Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Switzerland Transnational Issues Liechtenstein Disputes - international: Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918 Illicit drugs: multilateral organizations engaged in issuing international guidelines for financial sector oversight found gaps in Liechtenstein's financial services controls that made it vulnerable to money laundering, but Liechtenstein has become less attractive as a haven for illicit funds, based on implementation in 2001 of new anti-money-laundering legislation and improved mutual legal assistance cooperation with other countries This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Lithuania Introduction Lithuania Background: Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently has restructured its economy for eventual integration into Western European institutions and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Geography Lithuania Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 24 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 65,200 sq km water: NA sq km land: NA sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,273 km border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km Coastline: 99 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m Natural resources: peat, arable land Land use: arable land: 45.46% permanent crops: 0.93% other: 53.61% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 90 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits People Lithuania Population: 3,592,561 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.6% (male 323,776; female 310,087) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 1,188,171; female 1,268,035) 65 years and over: 14% (male 169,513; female 332,979) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 36.6 years male: 33.9 years female: 39.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.23% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 12.89 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 16.21 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.6 years male: 63.78 years female: 75.7 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.43 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 1,300 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian Ethnic groups: Lithuanian 80.6%, Russian 8.7%, Polish 7%, Belarusian 1.6%, other 2.1% Religions: Roman Catholic (primarily), Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical Christian Baptist, Muslim, Jewish Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2003 est.) Government Lithuania Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Lietuvos Respublika Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Vilnius Administrative divisions: 10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus Independence: 11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania's independence) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 is the date of independence from German, Austrian, Prussian, and Russian occupation, 11 March 1990 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Rolandas PAKSAS (since 26 February 2003) head of government: Premier Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 3 July 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 22 December 2002 and 5 January 2003 (next to be held in late 2007); premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament election results: Rolandas PAKSAS elected president; percent of vote - Rolandas PAKSAS 54.9%, Valdas ADAMKUS 45.1% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004) note: the voting results from the 2000 elections do not correspond to the make up of the Seimas, which has evolved into a number of factions, each made up of members of several parties election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Coalition 31.1%, New Union-Social Liberals 19.6%, Liberal Union 17.2%, TS 8.6%, remaining parties all less than 5%; seats by faction - Social Democratic Coalition 51, New Union-Social Liberals 25, United Political Group-Group of Liberals 24, Liberal Democrats 13, Conservatives 9, Farmers and New Democracy Parties 8, Mixed Group 6, independent 1 (four seats unfilled as of 1 June 2003) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for all courts appointed by the President Political parties and leaders: Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI, chairman]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [Andrius KUBILIUS, chairman]; Lithuanian Center Union or LCS [Kestutis GLAVECKAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Christian Democrats or LKD [Kazys BOBELIS]; Lithuanian Farmer's Party or LUP [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Green Party [Rimantas BRAZIULIS]; Lithuanian Liberal Youth [Neringa MOROZAITE]; Lithuanian National Democratic Party [Vygintas GONTIS]; Lithuanian Social Democratic Coalition [Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman] consists of the Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party or LDDP, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP, and New Democracy; Moderate Conservative Union [Gediminas VAGNORIUS]; Modern Christian Democratic Union [Vytautas BOGUSIS, chairman]; New Democracy and Farmer's Union [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE, chairman]; New Union-Social Liberals [Arturas PAULAUSKAS, chairman]; Young Lithuania [Arnoldas PLATELIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT (observer), BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vygaudas USACKAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John F. TEFFT embassy: Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723 telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500 FAX: [370] (5) 266 5510 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red Economy Lithuania Economy - overview: Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most trade with Russia, has slowly rebounded from the 1998 Russian financial crisis. Unemployment remains high, still 10.7% in 2003, but is improving. Growing domestic consumption and increased investment have furthered recovery. Trade has been increasingly oriented toward the West. Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade Organization and has moved ahead with plans to join the EU. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities, particularly in the energy sector, is nearing completion. Overall, more than 80% of enterprises have been privatized. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $30.08 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 31% services: 61% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34 (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.5 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: industry 30%, agriculture 20%, services 50% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.5% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.59 billion expenditures: $1.77 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 14.62 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 16.5% hydro: 5.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 77.7% Electricity - consumption: 8.683 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 6.3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.389 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 4,594 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish Exports: $5.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery and equipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%, foodstuffs 5% (2001) Exports - partners: Latvia 12.8%, Germany 12%, UK 7.6%, Poland 6.3%, US 5.9%, France 5.8%, Russia 5.7%, Sweden 5%, Denmark 4.3% (2002) Imports: $6.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: mineral products 21%, machinery and equipment 17%, transport equipment 11%, chemicals 9%, textiles and clothing 9%, metals 5% (2001) Imports - partners: Russia 24.1%, Germany 20.3%, Italy 5.9%, Poland 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $5.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $228.5 million (1995) Currency: litas (LTL) Currency code: LTL Exchange rates: litai per US dollar - 3.68 (2002), 4 (2001), 4 (2000), 4 (1999), 4 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Lithuania Telephones - main lines in use: 1.142 million (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 500,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an improved international capability and better residential access domestic: a national, fiber-optic cable, interurban, trunk system is nearing completion; rural exchanges are being improved and expanded; mobile cellular systems are being installed; access to the Internet is available; still many unsatisfied telephone subscriber applications international: landline connections to Latvia and Poland; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 1.9 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 27 note: Lithuania has approximately 27 broadcasting stations, but may have as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations (2001) Televisions: 1.7 million (1997) Internet country code: .lt Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 32 (2001) Internet users: 341,000 (2001) Transportation Lithuania Railways: total: 1,998 km broad gauge: 1,807 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) narrow gauge: 169 km 0.750-m gauge (all service suspended) (2002) standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 75,243 km paved: 68,697 km (including 417 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,546 km (2000) Waterways: 600 km (perennially navigable) Pipelines: gas 1,698 km; oil 331 km; refined products 109 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Butinge, Kaunas, Klaipeda Merchant marine: total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 303,910 GRT/328,380 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 13 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 23, combination bulk 8, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 3, short-sea passenger 4 Airports: 87 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 65 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 57 (2002) Military Lithuania Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, National Volunteer Defense Forces (SKAT) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 937,055 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 735,536 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 29,420 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $230.8 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.9% (FY01) Transnational Issues Lithuania Disputes - international: in May 2003, the Russian Parliament ratified a 1997 land and maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, which had ratified the treaty in 1999, legalizing limits of former Soviet republic borders; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; discussions are still ongoing among Russia, Lithuania, and the EU concerning a simplified transit document for residents of the Kaliningrad coastal exclave to transit through Lithuania to Russia Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europe and Scandinavia; limited production of methamphetamine and ecstasy; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Luxembourg Introduction Luxembourg Background: Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area. Geography Luxembourg Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 2,586 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land Land use: arable land: 25% other: 75% (includes Belgium) (1998 est.) permanent crops: 0% Irrigated land: 40 sq km (includes Belgium) (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Geography - note: landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world People Luxembourg Population: 454,157 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.9% (male 44,182; female 41,640) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 152,963; female 151,061) 65 years and over: 14.2% (male 26,060; female 38,251) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.1 years male: 37.2 years female: 38.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.23% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.92 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 9.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.84 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.66 years male: 74.38 years female: 81.15 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg Ethnic groups: Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kososvo) and European (guest and resident workers) Religions: 87% Roman Catholic, 13% Protestants, Jews, and Muslims (2000) Languages: Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.) Government Luxembourg Country name: conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Luxembourg Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Independence: 1839 (from the Netherlands) National holiday: National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June Constitution: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Lydie POLFER (since 7 August 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies note: government coalition - CSV and DP Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held by June 2004) note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 29.79%, DP 21.58%, LSAP 23.75%, ADR 10.36%, Green Party 9.09%, the Left 3.77%; seats by party - CSV 19, DP 15, LSAP 13, ADR 6, Green Party 5, the Left 2 Judicial branch: judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 district courts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch Political parties and leaders: Action Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV (known also as Christian Social Party or PCS) [Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie POLFER]; Green Party [Abbes JACOBY and Felix BRAS]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Jean ASSELBORN]; Marxist and Reformed Communist Party DEI LENK (the Left) [no formal leadership]; other minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); LCGP (center-right trade union); OGBL (center-left trade union) International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS-PACCOURD chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TERPELUK, Jr. embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France Economy Luxembourg Economy - overview: This stable, high-income economy features solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 22% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensive foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and trans-border workers for more than 30% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, has suffered from the global economic slump, the country has maintained a fairly strong growth rate and enjoys an extraordinarily high standard of living. GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.94 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $48,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 30% services: 69% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 262,300 (of whom 87,400 are foreign cross-border workers primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2000) Labor force - by occupation: services 90.1%, industry 8%, agriculture 1.9% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $5.5 billion expenditures: $5.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $760 million (2002 est.) Industries: banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum Industrial production growth rate: 0% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 457 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 57.3% hydro: 25.2% other: 17.5% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 6.07 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 744 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 6.389 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 50,650 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 634 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 50,700 bbl/day (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 865 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 867 million cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock products Exports: $10.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass Exports - partners: Germany 23.9%, France 20.1%, Belgium 10.5%, UK 8.7%, Italy 6.1%, Spain 4.5%, Netherlands 4.4% (2002) Imports: $13.25 billion c.i.f. (2002) Imports - commodities: minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods Imports - partners: Belgium 29.7%, Germany 23%, France 13.2%, Taiwan 6.7%, Netherlands 4.6% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - donor: ODA, $160 million (1999) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Luxembourg Telephones - main lines in use: 314,700 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 215,741 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable international: 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Radios: 285,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1999) Televisions: 285,000 (1998 est.) Internet country code: .lu Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 8 (2000) Internet users: 100,000 (2001) Transportation Luxembourg Railways: total: 274 km standard gauge: 274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 5,189 km paved: 5,189 km (including 114 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: 37 km (on the Moselle) Pipelines: gas 155 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Mertert Merchant marine: total: 60 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,507,258 GRT/2,118,597 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, chemical tanker 12, container 8, liquefied gas 18, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 21, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 10, Monaco 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 1, United Kingdom 9, United States 3 (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Luxembourg Military branches: Army, Grand Ducal Police Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 114,326 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 93,994 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 2,636 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $147.8 million (FY01/02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.8% (FY01/02) Transnational Issues Luxembourg Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Macau Introduction Macau Background: Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macau and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Geography Macau Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 25.4 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 25.4 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0.34 km border countries: China 0.34 km Coastline: 41 km Maritime claims: not specified Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Terrain: generally flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% note: "green areas" represent 22.4% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland People Macau Population: 469,903 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 51,078; female 47,118) 15-64 years: 71.8% (male 159,500; female 178,043) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 13,930; female 20,234) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 33.1 years male: 32.9 years female: 33.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.72% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 3.85 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 8.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.87 years male: 79.05 years female: 84.82 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.32 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry), Portuguese, other Religions: Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.) Languages: Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.5% male: 97.2% female: 92% (2003 est.) Government Macau Country name: conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Macau local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese) local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese) Dependency status: special administrative region of China Government type: limited democracy Administrative divisions: none (special administrative region of China) Independence: none (special administrative region of China) National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Constitution: Basic Law, approved in March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution" Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system Suffrage: direct election 18 years of age, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies Executive branch: chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) elections: chief executive chosen by a 200-member selection committee for up to two five-year terms cabinet: Executive Council consists of all five government secretaries, three legislators, and two businessmen head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (27 seats; 10 elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by political bloc - Entertainment Industry 3, pro-democracy 2, pro-Beijing Labor Union 2, pro-Beijing Neighborhood Association 2, pro-business 1 elections: last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) Judicial branch: The Court of Final Appeal in the Macau Special Administrative Region Political parties and leaders: there are no formal political parties, however, there are civic associations that, for purposes of legislative voting, join together to form political blocs Political pressure groups and leaders: Catholic Church [Domingos LAM, bishop]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO, managing director]; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong, leader] International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), IHO, IMO (associate), Interpol (sub-bureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative region of China) Diplomatic representation from the US: the US has no offices in Macau; US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong Flag description: light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in center of arc and four smaller Economy Macau Economy - overview: Macau's economy four years after reversion to China remains one of the most open in the world. The territory's net exports of goods and services account for 39% of GDP with tourism and apparel exports as the mainstays. Although the territory was hit hard by the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the global downturn in 2001, its economy grew an estimated 9.5% in 2002. A rapid rise in the number of mainland visitors because of China's easing of restrictions on travel drove the recovery. The budget also returned to surplus in 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and a hike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 63% of government revenue. The liberalization of Macao's gambling monopoly may contribute to GDP growth, as the three companies awarded gambling licenses have pledged to invest $2.2 billion - roughly 33% of GDP - in the territory. Much of Macau's textile industry may move to the mainland as the Multi-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territory may have to rely more on gambling and trade-related services to generate growth. Growth fell to 4% in 2003, according to early government forecasts, with the drop in large measure due to concerns over the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.6 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $18,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 12% services: 87% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -2.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 214,000 (2002) Labor force - by occupation: restaurants and hotels 12%, manufacturing 20%, other services and agriculture 68% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2002) Budget: revenues: $1.41 billion expenditures: $1.19 billion, including capital expenditures of $194 million (2002) Industries: tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.611 billion kWh (2002) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.688 billion kWh (2002) Electricity - exports: 1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 193 million kWh (2002) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: vegetables, livestock Exports: $2.36 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: clothing, textiles, footwear, cement, machines, and parts Exports - partners: US 48.6%, China 15.5%, Germany 7.4%, Hong Kong 5.8%, UK 5.4% (2002) Imports: $2.53 billion c.i.f. (2002) Imports - commodities: clothing, textiles, yarn, foodstuffs, fuel, automobiles, capital goods Imports - partners: China 41.7%, Hong Kong 14.5%, Japan 6.7%, Taiwan 6.6%, South Korea 5%, France 4.3%, US 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $255 million (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: pataca (MOP) Currency code: MOP Exchange rates: patacas per US dollar - 8.03 (2002), 8.03 (2001), 8.03 (2000), 7.99 (1999), 7.98 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Macau Telephones - main lines in use: 176,902 (November 2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 158,251 (November 2001) Telephone system: general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: NA international: HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 160,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2003) Televisions: 49,000 (1997) Internet country code: .mo Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 101,000 (2002) Transportation Macau Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 271 km paved: 271 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Macau Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military Macau Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; responsibility for defense reverted to China on 20 December 1999; there is a local police force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 130,228 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 71,826 (2003 est.) Transnational Issues Macau Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Introduction Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Background: International recognition of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (F.Y.R.O.M.) independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols. Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over F.Y.R.O.M.'s use of "Macedonia." F.Y.R.O.M.'s large Albanian minority, an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in F.Y.R.O.M. in 2001, and the status of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension. Geography Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 25,333 sq km water: 477 sq km land: 24,856 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Vermont Land boundaries: total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 m Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 23.59% permanent crops: 1.85% other: 74.56% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 550 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: high seismic risks Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe People Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Population: 2,063,122 note: a census was taken 1-15 November 2002, but results are not yet available (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 235,102; female 217,574) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 700,929; female 691,552) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 96,039; female 121,926) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 32.5 years male: 31.4 years female: 33.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.4% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 13.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 13.08 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.49 years male: 72.23 years female: 76.94 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 100 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian Ethnic groups: Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.8%, Roma 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.3% (1994) Religions: Macedonian Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3% Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3% Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Country name: conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: none local long form: Republika Makedonija abbreviation: F.Y.R.O.M. local short form: Makedonija Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Skopje Administrative divisions: 123 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aracinovo, Bac, Belcista, Berovo, Bistrica, Bitola, Blatec, Bogdanci, Bogomila, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Cair (Skopje), Capari, Caska, Cegrane, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Delcevo, Delogozdi, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo, Dolna Banjica, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Skopje), Drugovo, Dzepciste, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Izvor, Jegunovce, Kamenjane, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Klecevce, Kocani, Konce, Kondovo, Konopiste, Kosel, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kuklis, Kukurecani, Kumanovo, Labunista, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Lukovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovi Anovi, Meseista, Miravci, Mogila, Murtino, Negotino, Negotino-Polosko, Novaci, Novo Selo, Oblesevo, Ohrid, Orasac, Orizari, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Podares, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Rostusa, Samokov, Saraj, Sipkovica, Sopiste, Sopotnica, Srbinovo, Star Dojran, Staravina, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Topolcani, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Velesta, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vitoliste, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Vratnica, Vrutok, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zeleno, Zitose, Zletovo, Zrnovci note: the seven municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute "greater Skopje" Independence: 8 September 1991 referendum by registered voters endorsing independence (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day and Ilinden Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 note: in November of 2001, the Macedonian Parliament approved a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Boris TRAJKOVSKI (since 15 December 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 1 November 2002) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister elected by the Assembly; election last held 1 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Boris TRAJKOVSKI elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Boris TRAJKOVSKI 52.4%, Tito PETKOVSKI 46.2%; Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected prime minister by Parliament with 72% of the vote cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties SDSM, LDP, and DUI (or BDI) Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats - 85 members are elected by popular vote, 35 members come from lists of candidates submitted by parties based on the percentage that a party gains from the overall vote; all serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Together for Macedonia coalition (SDSM and LDP) 60, VMRO-DPMNE 33, Democratic Union for Integration 16, Democratic Party of Albanians 7, Party for Democratic Prosperity 2, National Democratic Party 1, Socialist Party of Macedonia 1 elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court - Parliament appoints the judges; Constitutional Court - Parliament appoints the judges; Republican Judicial Council - Parliament appoints the judges Political parties and leaders: Democratic Alternative or DA [Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic Union for Integration or DUI (also BDI) [Ali AHMETI]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH [Arben XHAFERI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-True Macedonian Reform Option or VMRO-VMRO [Boris ZMEJKOVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Macedonian [Boris STOJMENOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Risto PENOV]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV]; National Democratic Party or PDK [Kastriot HAXHIREXHA]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD [Abdurrahman HALITI]; Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Together for Macedonia coalition (including the SDSM and LDP) [Branko CRVENKOVSKI]; Union of Romanies of Macedonia or SRM [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nikola DIMITROV chancery: Suite 302, 1101 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 337-3093 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3063 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence Edward BUTLER embassy: Bul. Ilinden bb, 91000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 116-180 FAX: [389] 117-103 Flag description: a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field Economy Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Economy - overview: At independence in November 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on Yugoslavia, one of its largest markets, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. However, the leadership's commitment to economic reform, free trade, and regional integration was undermined by the ethnic Albanian insurgency of 2001. The economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth barely recovered in 2002 to 0.3%, then rose to 2.8% in 2003. Unemployment at one-third of the workforce remains the most critical economic problem. But even this issue is overshadowed by the fragile political situation. GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.57 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 31% services: 58% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 24% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.1 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 37% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.13 billion expenditures: $1.02 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco, food processing, buses Industrial production growth rate: -5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 6.465 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 83.7% hydro: 16.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 6.112 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 100 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton Exports: $1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: food, beverages, tobacco; miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel Exports - partners: Germany 19.2%, Italy 9.2%, US 6.7%, Croatia 5.5%, Greece 4.6% (2002) Imports: $1.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food products Imports - partners: Greece 19.4%, Germany 14.4%, Bulgaria 7.5%, Slovenia 6.9%, Italy 6.9%, Turkey 5.9%, Ukraine 5%, Austria 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $1.3 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $150 million (2001 est.) Currency: Macedonian denar (MKD) Currency code: MKD Exchange rates: Macedonian denars per US dollar - 64.35 (2002), 68.04 (2001), 65.9 (2000), 56.9 (1999), 54.46 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Telephones - main lines in use: 408,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 12,362 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 410,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 510,000 (1997) Internet country code: .mk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000) Internet users: 100,000 (2001) Transportation Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Railways: total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 8,684 km paved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,144 km (1999 est.) Waterways: note: lake transport only, on the Greek and Albanian borders Pipelines: gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2003) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 18 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Military Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Military branches: Army (ARM), Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 553,988 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 446,726 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 17,909 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $200 million (FY01/02 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 6% (FY01/02 est.) Transnational Issues Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Disputes - international: the Albanian government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in F.Y.R.O.M. while continuing to seek regional cooperation; ethnic Albanians in Kosovo continue to protest 2000 F.Y.R.O.M.-Serbia and Montenegro boundary treaty, which transfers small tracts of land to F.Y.R.O.M.; dispute with Greece over country's name persists Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; while money laundering is a problem on a local level due to organized crime activities, the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Madagascar Introduction Madagascar Background: Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. Geography Madagascar Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 587,040 sq km water: 5,500 sq km land: 581,540 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,828 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or 100 NM from the 2,500-m deep isobath Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 4.41% permanent crops: 0.93% other: 94.66% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 10,900 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic cyclones Environment - current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel People Madagascar Population: 16,979,744 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 3,822,823; female 3,807,958) 15-64 years: 51.9% (male 4,366,748; female 4,452,686) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 243,411; female 286,118) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.4 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.03% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 42.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 11.88 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 80.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 71.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 88.63 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.14 years male: 53.82 years female: 58.53 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.73 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 22,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 870 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy Ethnic groups: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.9% male: 75.5% female: 62.5% (2003 est.) Government Madagascar Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic local long form: Republique de Madagascar Government type: republic Capital: Antananarivo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Marc RAVALOMANANA (since 6 May 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Jacques SYLLA (27 May 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA November 2006); prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly election results: percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 40.89%, Marc RAVALOMANANA 46.21%; note - on 29 April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner by 51.5% after a recount; RATSIRIKA's prime minister was put under house arrest on 27 May 2002, and SYLLA was appointed the new prime minister by President RAVALOMANANA Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (160 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the legislature is scheduled to become a bicameral Parliament with the establishment of a Senate; two-thirds of the seats of this Senate will be filled by regional assemblies whose members will be elected by popular vote; the remaining one-third of the seats will be appointed by the president; the total number of seats will be determined by the National Assembly; all members will serve four-year terms elections: National Assembly - last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TIM 103, FP 22, AREMA 3, LEADER/Fanilo 2, RPSD 5, others 3, independents 22 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle Political parties and leaders: Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [leader vacant]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [leader NA]; National Union or FP [leader NA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON] Political pressure groups and leaders: Federalist Movement; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rajaonarivony NARISOA consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 483-7603 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101 mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side Economy Madagascar Economy - overview: Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank and IMF led policy of privatization and liberalization, which has placed the country on a slow and steady growth path. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for one-fourth of GDP and employing four-fifths of the population. Export earnings primarily are earned in the small industrial sector, which features textile manufacturing and agriculture processing. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel are serious concerns. The separatist political crisis of 2002 undermined macroeconomic stability, with the estimated drop in output being subject to a wide margin of error. Poverty reduction will be the centerpiece of economic policy for the next few years. GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.59 billion (2002) GDP - real growth rate: -11.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 12% services: 63% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 71% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 29% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38.1 (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (2001 est.) Labor force: 7.3 million (2000) Unemployment rate: 5.9% (1998) Budget: revenues: $553 million expenditures: $735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 830.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.1% hydro: 63.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 772.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products Exports: $700 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products Exports - partners: France 34%, US 24.6%, Netherlands 6%, Germany 5.9%, Mauritius 4% (2002) Imports: $985 million f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food Imports - partners: France 17.2%, Iran 11%, Mauritius 10.6%, Bahrain 9.4%, Hong Kong 6.9%, South Africa 5.9%, China 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $4.6 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $838 million (1997) Currency: Malagasy franc (MGF) Currency code: MGF Exchange rates: Malagasy francs per US dollar - 6,831.96 (2002), 6,588.49 (2001), 6,767.48 (2000), 6,283.77 (1999), 5,441.4 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Madagascar Telephones - main lines in use: 55,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 63,100 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: system is above average for the region domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links connect regions international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2 (plus a number of repeater stations), FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001) Radios: 3.05 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 325,000 (1997) Internet country code: .mg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 35,000 (2002) Transportation Madagascar Railways: total: 732 km narrow gauge: 732 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 49,827 km paved: 5,780 km unpaved: 44,047 km (1999 est.) Waterways: of local importance only Ports and harbors: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Merchant marine: total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 14,865 GRT/17,936 DWT ships by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 121 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 92 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 46 under 914 m: 44 (2002) Military Madagascar Military branches: People's Armed Forces (comprising Intervention Force, Development Force, Aeronaval [Navy and Air] Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,880,332 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,300,587 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 163,864 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $52.3 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Madagascar Disputes - international: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Malawi Introduction Malawi Background: Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution, which took full effect the following year. National multiparty elections were held again in 1999. Geography Malawi Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 118,480 sq km water: 24,400 sq km land: 94,080 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m Natural resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Land use: arable land: 19.93% permanent crops: 1.33% other: 78.74% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 280 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature People Malawi Population: 11,651,239 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.8% (male 2,748,058; female 2,698,052) 15-64 years: 50.5% (male 2,911,892; female 2,973,723) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 128,722; female 190,792) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.4 years male: 16.1 years female: 16.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.21% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 44.7 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 22.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 105.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 100.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 109.36 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 37.98 years male: 37.57 years female: 38.39 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.1 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 15% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 850,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 80,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian Ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 3%, other 2% Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62.7% male: 76.1% female: 49.8% (2003 est.) Government Malawi Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland Government type: multiparty democracy Capital: Lilongwe Administrative divisions: 27 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964) Constitution: 18 May 1994 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Bakili MULUZI reelected president; percent of vote - Bakili MULUZI (UDF) 51.4%, Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MCP-AFORD) 44.3% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - UDF 48%, MCP 34%, AFORD 15%, others 3%; seats by party - UDF 96, MCP 61, AFORD 30, others 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Chakufwa CHIHANA]; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [John TEMBO, president; Gwanda CHAKUAMBA, vice president]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI] - governing party Political pressure groups and leaders: National Democratic Alliance [Brown MPINGANJIRA] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paul Tony Steven KANDIERO FAX: [1] (202) 265-0976 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1007 chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen BROWN embassy: Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Road mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] (1) 773 166 FAX: [265] (1) 770 471 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band Government - note: the executive exerts considerable influence over the legislature Economy Malawi Economy - overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounted for nearly 40% of GDP and 88% of export revenues in 2001. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. In November 2002 the World Bank approved a $50 million drought recovery package, which is to be used for famine relief. The government faces strong challenges, e.g., to fully develop a market economy, to improve educational facilities, to face up to environmental problems, to deal with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and to satisfy foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for over 50% of exports. GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.811 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 37% industry: 16% services: 47% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 54% (FY 90/91 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 27.4% (2001 est.) Labor force: 4.5 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 86% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $490 million expenditures: $523 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00 est.) Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: -0.8% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 769.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 3.3% hydro: 96.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 715.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats Exports: $435 million f.o.b. (201) Exports - commodities: tobacco 60%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel Exports - partners: US 17.3%, Germany 13.6%, South Africa 10.2%, Egypt 6.2%, Japan 6%, Netherlands 5.5%, Russia 4.8%, UK 4.3% (2002) Imports: $505 million f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment Imports - partners: South Africa 44.4%, Zambia 12.7%, US 5.6%, India 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $2.9 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $540 million (1999) Currency: Malawian kwacha (MWK) Currency code: MWK Exchange rates: Malawian kwachas per US dollar - 76.69 (2002), 72.2 (2001), 59.54 (2000), 44.09 (1999), 31.07 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Malawi Telephones - main lines in use: 45,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 49,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: system employs open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus a third station held in standby status) (2001) Radios: 2.6 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .mw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2002) Internet users: 35,000 (2002) Transportation Malawi Railways: total: 797 km narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 28,400 km paved: 5,254 km unpaved: 23,146 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 144 km note: on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire Riverall Ports and harbors: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba Airports: 43 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 22 (2002) Military Malawi Military branches: Army (including Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (including paramilitary Mobile Force Unit) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,625,495 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,347,248 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $13.01 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.7% (FY02) Transnational Issues Malawi Disputes - international: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Malaysia Introduction Malaysia Background: Malaysia was formed in 1963 through a federation of the former British colonies of Malaya and Singapore, including the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo. The first several years of the country's history were marred by Indonesian efforts to control Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the federation in 1965. Geography Malaysia Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 329,750 sq km water: 1,200 sq km land: 328,550 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km) Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use: arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 17.61% other: 76.85% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 3,650 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding, landslides, forest fires Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea People Malaysia Population: 23,092,940 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.7% (male 4,001,507; female 3,777,896) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 7,163,252; female 7,131,745) 65 years and over: 4.4% (male 447,230; female 571,310) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23.6 years male: 23 years female: 24.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.86% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.7 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 21.97 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.67 years male: 69.01 years female: 74.51 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.13 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 42,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,500 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian Ethnic groups: Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 24%, Indian 8%, others 10% (2000) Religions: Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; note - in addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note - in addition, in East Malaysia several indigenous languages are spoken, the largest are Iban and Kadazan Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.9% male: 92.4% female: 85.4% (2003 est.) Government Malaysia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Federation of Malaysia Government type: constitutional monarchy note: Malaya (what is now Peninsular Malaysia) formed 31 August 1957; Federation of Malaysia (Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore) formed 9 July 1963 (Singapore left the federation on 9 August 1965); nominally headed by the paramount ruler and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, George Town (Penang), Sabah, and Sarawak, where governors are appointed by the Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of the federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., the right to maintain their own immigration controls); Sabah - holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - holds 28 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government Capital: Kuala Lumpur Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 3 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Putrajaya*, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan* note: the city of Kuala Lumpur is within the federal territory of Wilayah Persekutuan; the terms therefore are not interchangeable; Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957) Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Paramount Ruler Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Raja of Perlis (since 12 December 2001) head of government: Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since 31 October 2003); Deputy Prime Minister NA (since 31 October 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler election results: Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail elected paramount ruler elections: paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 12 December 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 appointed by the state legislatures) and the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (193 seats; members elected by popular vote weighted toward the rural Malay population to serve five-year terms) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - BN 56%, other 44%; seats by party - BN 148, PAS 27, DAP 10, Keadilan 5, PBS 3 elections: House of Representatives - last held 29 November 1999 (next must be held by November 2004) Judicial branch: Federal Court (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the advice of the prime minister) Political parties and leaders: ruling coalition parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [LIM Kheng Yaik]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [CHONG Kah Kiat]; Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [LING Ong Ka Ting]; Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongresi India Malaysia) or MIC [S. Samy VELLU]; Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak or PBDS [Leo MOGGIE]; Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu or PBB [Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Sabah) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]; Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [WONG Soon Kah]; United Malays National Organization or UMNO [ABDULLAH Ahmad Badawi]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [leader NA]; opposition parties: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KERK Kim Hock]; Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]; National Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Nasional) or Keadilan [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismael]; National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (the ruling coalition dominated by the UMNO and includes MCA, MIC, PGRM, PBDS, SUPP, PBB, PBS, LDP, SAPP, UPKO) [ABDULLAH Ahmad Badawi] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador GHAZZALI bin Sheikh Abdul Khalid chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marie T. HUHTALA embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207 Flag description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US Economy Malaysia Economy - overview: Malaysia, a middle-income country, transformed itself from 1971 through the late 1990s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. Growth was almost exclusively driven by exports - particularly of electronics - and, as a result Malaysia was hard hit by the global economic downturn and the slump in the Information Technology (IT) sector in 2001. GDP in 2001 grew only 0.5% due to an estimated 11% contraction in exports, but a substantial fiscal stimulus package mitigated the worst of the recession and the economy rebounded in 2002. Healthy foreign exchange reserves and relatively small external debt make it unlikely that Malaysia will experience a crisis similar to the one in 1997, but the economy remains vulnerable to a more protracted slowdown in Japan and the US, top export destinations and key sources of foreign investment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $198.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 40% services: 48% (2001) Population below poverty line: 8% (1998 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 38.4% (1997 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 49.2 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 9.9 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: local trade and tourism 28%, manufacturing 27%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 16%, services 10%, government 10%, construction 9% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.8% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $20.3 billion expenditures: $27.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.4 billion (2001 est.) Industries: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 68.34 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 89.5% hydro: 10.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 63.48 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 75 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 729,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 472,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 3.729 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 53.66 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 31.25 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 22.41 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.23 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper; timber Exports: $95.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals (2000) Exports - partners: US 21%, Singapore 17.4%, Japan 10.9%, China 6.5%, Hong Kong 5%, Thailand 4% (2002) Imports: $76.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals (2000) Imports - partners: Japan 16.9%, Singapore 15.9%, US 15.5%, China 7.3%, South Korea 5%, Taiwan 4.7% (2002) Debt - external: $47.5 billion (2002 est.) Currency: ringgit (MYR) Currency code: MYR Exchange rates: ringgits per US dollar - 3.8 (2002), 3.8 (2001), 3.8 (2000), 3.8 (1999), 3.92 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Malaysia Telephones - main lines in use: 4.6 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 5 million (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system; international service excellent domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001) Radios: 10.9 million (1999) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 15 high-power repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 10.8 million (1999) Internet country code: .my Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 7 (2000) Internet users: 5.7 million (2002) Transportation Malaysia Railways: total: 2,418 km standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,361 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 65,877 km paved: 49,935 km (including 1,192 km of expressways) unpaved: 15,942 km (1999) Waterways: 7,296 km note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569 km, Sarawak 2,518 km Pipelines: condensate 279 km; gas 5,047 km; oil 1,841 km; refined products 114 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, George Town (Penang), Port Dickson, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjung Berhala, Tanjung Kidurong, Tawau Merchant marine: total: 366 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,111,476 GRT/7,242,323 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, China 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 15, Indonesia 3, Japan 4, Monaco 1, Philippines 2, Singapore 78, South Korea 2, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 62, cargo 103, chemical tanker 37, container 69, liquefied gas 23, livestock carrier 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 55, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 8 Airports: 114 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 72 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Malaysia Military branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Field Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts Military manpower - military age: 21 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,067,155 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,672,517 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 218,216 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.69 billion (FY00 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.03% (FY00) Transnational Issues Malaysia Disputes - international: involved in complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; disputes over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation on Johor, maritime boundaries, and Singapore-occupied Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih persist - parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute within three years; ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands off the coast of Sabah, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines, to Malaysia; a small section of the Malaysia-Thailand boundary in the Kolok River remains in dispute Illicit drugs: transit point for some illicit drugs; drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Maldives Introduction Maldives Background: The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago. Geography Maldives Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 300 sq km Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM contiguous zone: 24 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 3.33% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 90% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean People Maldives Population: 329,684 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.9% (male 75,991; female 71,826) 15-64 years: 52.1% (male 87,734; female 84,150) 65 years and over: 3% (male 5,073; female 4,910) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.3 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.91% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 36.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 60.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 59.23 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.3 years male: 62.07 years female: 64.6 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.26 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 100 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.2% male: 97.1% female: 97.3% (2003 est.) Government Maldives Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local short form: Dhivehi Raajje local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa Government type: republic Capital: Male Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Constitution: adopted January 1998 Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the nomination must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003) election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected in referendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.3% cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president; note - need not be members of Majlis head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 42 Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not banned, none exist Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York; permanent representative is Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag Economy Maldives Economy - overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Almost 400,000 tourists visited the islands in 1998. Fishing is a second leading sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.25 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 18% services: 62% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 88,000 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995) Unemployment rate: NEGL% Budget: revenues: $224 million (excluding foreign grants) expenditures: $282 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million (2002 est.) Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining Industrial production growth rate: 4.4% (1996 est.) Electricity - production: 117 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 108.8 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish Exports: $110 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: fish, clothing Exports - partners: US 51.7%, Sri Lanka 16.2%, Thailand 9.3%, Japan 7.6%, UK 4.6% (2002) Imports: $395 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products Imports - partners: Singapore 25.6%, Sri Lanka 15%, UAE 14.5%, India 6.6%, Malaysia 5.7%, Thailand 4% (2002) Debt - external: $281 million (2003 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: rufiyaa (MVR) Currency code: MVR Exchange rates: rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2002), 12.24 (2001), 11.77 (2000), 11.77 (1999), 11.77 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Maldives Telephones - main lines in use: 21,000 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,290 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service international: satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 35,000 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 10,000 (1999) Internet country code: .mv Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 6,000 (2001) Transportation Maldives Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Gan, Male Merchant marine: total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 42,689 GRT/56,132 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 5 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Military Maldives Military branches: National Security Service Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 78,025 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 43,386 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $34.46 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 8.6% (FY02) Transnational Issues Maldives Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Mali Introduction Mali Background: The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic presidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997, President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE. Geography Mali Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 1.24 million sq km water: 20,000 sq km land: 1.22 million sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, hydropower note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Land use: arable land: 3.77% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 96.19% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,380 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan People Mali Population: 11,626,219 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47.2% (male 2,759,802; female 2,727,226) 15-64 years: 49.8% (male 2,771,532; female 3,017,348) 65 years and over: 3% (male 161,983; female 188,328) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.3 years male: 15.7 years female: 16.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.82% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 47.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 19.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 119.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 112.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 125.72 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.43 years male: 44.7 years female: 46.19 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.66 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 110,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5% Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 46.4% male: 53.5% female: 39.6% (2003 est.) Government Mali Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic local long form: Republique de Mali Government type: republic Capital: Bamako Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 September (1960) Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed Ag HAMANI (since 9 June 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (two-term limit); election last held 12 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Amadou Toumani TOURE elected president; percent of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 64.4%, Soumaila CISSE 35.6% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 July and 28 July 2002 (next to be held NA July 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Hope 2002 coalition 66, ADEMA 51, other 30 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda Traore KEITA, party chairman]; Block of Alternative for the Renewal of Africa or BARA [Yoro DIAKITE]; Democratic and Social Convention or CDS [Mamadou Bakary SANGARE, chairman]; Hope 2002 [leader NA]; Movement for the Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA [Mohamed Lamine TRAORE, Mouhamedou DICKO]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL, chairman]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Me Idrissa TRAORE]; Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Yoro DIAKITE, chairman; Tiebile DRAME, secretary general]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Ali GNANGADO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Almamy SYLLA, chairman]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Bonbasor KEITA, chairman]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Bamou TOURE, secretary general]; Union of Democratic Forces for Progress or UFDP [Youssouf TOURE, secretary general]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdoulaye DIOP FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki HUDDLESTONE embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] (2) 223-833 FAX: [223] (2) 223-712 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Mali Economy - overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, along with gold. The government has continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2002. Worker remittances and external trade routes have been jeopardized by continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire. GDP: purchasing power parity - $9.775 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 17% services: 38% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 64% average; 30% of the total population living in urban areas; 70% of the total population living in rural areas) (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 40.4% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.5 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3.93 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and fishing 80% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 14.6% urban areas; 5.3% rural areas (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $764 million expenditures: $828 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 480.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.7% hydro: 58.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 446.6 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats Exports: $680 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, gold, livestock Exports - partners: Thailand 13.9%, Italy 9.8%, India 7.7%, Brazil 5.5%, Germany 5%, Spain 4.9%, Portugal 4.3%, Taiwan 4.3% (2002) Imports: $630 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: Cote d'Ivoire 17.1%, France 13.5%, Senegal 6.5%, Germany 4% (2002) Debt - external: $3.3 billion (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $596.4 million (2001) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Mali Telephones - main lines in use: 45,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 40,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: domestic system unreliable but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 28, shortwave 1 note: the shortwave station in Bamako has seven frequencies and five transmitters and relays broadcasts for China Radio International (2001) Radios: 570,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 45,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ml Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (2001) Internet users: 30,000 (2002) Transportation Mali Railways: total: 729 km narrow gauge: 729 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 15,100 km paved: 1,827 km unpaved: 13,273 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 1,815 km Ports and harbors: Koulikoro Airports: 26 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Military Mali Military branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,441,769 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,400,711 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $419.7 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 15% (FY02) Transnational Issues Mali Disputes - international: armed bandits based in Mali attack southern Algerian towns This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Malta Introduction Malta Background: Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has become a freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership. Geography Malta Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 316 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 25 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli) Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land Land use: arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration People Malta Population: 400,420 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.5% (male 40,448; female 37,623) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 136,221; female 134,142) 65 years and over: 13% (male 21,730; female 30,256) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 37.2 years male: 35.6 years female: 38.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.73% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.8 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.87 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.43 years male: 75.94 years female: 81.14 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock) Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: Maltese (official), English (official) Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92% female: 93.6% (2003 est.) Government Malta Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta Government type: republic Capital: Valletta Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from Valletta); note - Local Councils carry out administrative orders Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964) Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 and again in 1987 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Guido DE MARCO (since 4 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 4 April 1999) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held NA April 1999 (next to be held by April 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: Guido DE MARCO elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - 54% Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held by April 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD 0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Political parties and leaders: Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Edward FENECH ADAMI] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: C, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John LOWELL consulate(s): New York FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony H. GIOIA embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta telephone: [356] 21-235-960 FAX: [356] 2124-3229 Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red Economy Malta Economy - overview: Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. The island remains divided politically, however, over the question of joining the EU. Continued sluggishness in the global economy is holding back exports, tourism, and overall growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.818 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $17,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 25.5% services: 71.7% (1999) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 160,000 (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: industry 24%, services 71%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 7% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Industries: tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.768 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.644 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs Exports: $2 billion f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures Exports - partners: Singapore 17.3%, US 11.4%, UK 9.4%, Germany 9%, France 7.2%, China 6.5%, Italy 6% (2002) Imports: $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco Imports - partners: Italy 18.3%, France 12.1%, South Korea 11.3%, UK 7.5%, Singapore 5.3%, Germany 5.2%, Japan 5%, US 4.6%, Spain 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $130 million (1997) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Maltese lira (MTL) Currency code: MTL Exchange rates: Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.43 (2002), 0.45 (2001), 0.44 (2000), 0.4 (1999), 0.39 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Malta Telephones - main lines in use: 187,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 17,691 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999) Radios: 255,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 6 (2000) Televisions: 280,000 (1997) Internet country code: .mt Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2002) Internet users: 59,000 (2002) Transportation Malta Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,254 km paved: 1,972 km unpaved: 282 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Marsaxlokk, Valletta Merchant marine: total: 1,234 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 25,885,128 GRT/42,467,864 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 4, Austria 6, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 3, Bulgaria 19, Canada 2, China 16, Croatia 14, Cuba 1, Cyprus 7, Denmark 3, Estonia 5, Finland 1, Germany 54, Greece 627, Hong Kong 12, Iceland 3, India 10, Iran 2, Israel 26, Italy 36, Japan 2, Latvia 24, Lebanon 6, Monaco 29, Netherlands 10, Nigeria 2, Norway 43, Poland 29, Portugal 2, Romania 15, Russia 85, Saudi Arabia 1, Slovenia 2, South Korea 5, Spain 1, Switzerland 54, Syria 4, Turkey 84, Ukraine 25, UAE 3, UK 4, US 10 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 459, cargo 280, chemical tanker 45, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 10, container 80, liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 236, refrigerated cargo 37, roll on/roll off 41, short-sea passenger 7, vehicle carrier 15 Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military Malta Military branches: Armed Forces (including land forces [with subordinate air squadron and maritime squadron] and the Revenue Security Corps), Maltese Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 99,312 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 79,080 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $60 million (2000 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (2000) Transnational Issues Malta Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Man, Isle of Introduction Man, Isle of Background: Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Celtic language. Geography Man, Isle of Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 572 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 572 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 160 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about one-third of the time Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution Geography - note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary People Man, Isle of Population: 74,261 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.5% (male 6,637; female 6,337) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 24,373; female 24,165) 65 years and over: 17.1% (male 5,102; female 7,647) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 39.1 years male: 37.8 years female: 40.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.53% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.38 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 11.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 5.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 7.24 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.98 years male: 74.62 years female: 81.53 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women) adjective: Manx Ethnic groups: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Languages: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Man, Isle of Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man Dependency status: British crown dependency Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Douglas Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July Constitution: unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act, 1961, does not embody the Manx Constitution Legal system: English common law and Manx statute Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Ian MACFADYEN (since 26 October 2002) election results: Richard CORKILL elected chief minister by the Tynwald elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch for a five-year term; the Chief Minister is elected by the Tynwald; election last held 6 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Richard CORKILL (since 6 December 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (an 11-member body composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys - last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2006) election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Man Labor Party 17.3%, Alliance for Progressive Government 14.6%; seats by party - Man Labor Party 2, Alliance for Progressive Government 3, independents 19 Judicial branch: High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor) Political parties and leaders: Man Labor Party [leader NA]; Alliance for Progressive Government [leader NA]; Man Nationalist Party [leader NA] note: most members sit as independents Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency) Flag description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used Economy Man, Isle of Economy - overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.6 billion (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 13.5% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $21,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 13% services: 86% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (March 2003 est.) Labor force: 36,610 (1998) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, forestry and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%, public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%, entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10% Unemployment rate: 0.7% (March 2003) Budget: revenues: $485 million expenditures: $463 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.) Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (FY 96/97) Agriculture - products: cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb Exports - partners: UK (2000 est.) Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish Imports - partners: UK (2000) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Manx pound Currency code: GBP Exchange rates: Manx pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Man, Isle of Telephones - main lines in use: 51,000 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999) Televisions: 27,490 (1999) Internet country code: .im Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: NA Transportation Man, Isle of Railways: total: 60 km (35 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 800 km paved: 800 km unpaved: 0 km (1999) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey Merchant marine: total: 211 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,297,301 GRT/8,703,079 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 45, France 1, Germany 48, Greece 6, Hong Kong 10, Iceland 1, Italy 8, Monaco 7, Netherlands 3, Norway 5, Sweden 4, Switzerland 2, UK 70, US 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 26, cargo 32, chemical tanker 20, combination bulk 2, container 22, liquefied gas 38, petroleum tanker 49, roll on/roll off 16, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5 Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Man, Isle of Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Man, Isle of Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Marshall Islands Introduction Marshall Islands Background: After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands have been home to the US Army Base Kwajalein (USAKA) since 1964. Geography Marshall Islands Location: Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 168 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 181.3 sq km note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik water: 0 sq km land: 181.3 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 370.4 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: wet season from May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m Natural resources: coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: infrequent typhoons Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range People Marshall Islands Population: 56,429 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.1% (male 11,233; female 10,819) 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 16,857; female 16,003) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 726; female 791) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.3 years male: 19.3 years female: 19.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.3% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 34.18 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.03 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -6.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 31.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 35.38 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.39 years male: 67.49 years female: 71.4 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.12 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese Ethnic groups: Micronesian Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant) Languages: English (widely spoken as a second language, both English and Marshallese are official languages), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 93.6% female: 93.7% (1999) Government Marshall Islands Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 Capital: Majuro Administrative divisions: 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 May (1979) Constitution: 1 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 100% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held not later than November 2007) note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court Political parties and leaders: traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, ITU, OPCW (signatory), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Honolulu FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. SENKO embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 Flag description: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes Economy Marshall Islands Economy - overview: US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production is primarily subsistence and is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US has provided more than $1 billion in aid since 1986. Negotiations have continued for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade. GDP: purchasing power parity - $115 million (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 16% services: 70% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2001 est.) Labor force: 28,698 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 21.4%, industry 20.9%, services 57.7% Unemployment rate: 30.9% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $42 million expenditures: $40 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999) Industries: copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 1% (solar) Agriculture - products: coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens Exports: $9 million f.o.b. (2000) Exports - commodities: copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish Exports - partners: US, Japan, Australia, China (2000) Imports: $54 million f.o.b. (2000) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco Imports - partners: US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2000) Debt - external: $86.5 million (FY 99/00 est.) Economic aid - recipient: more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002 Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is the legal tender Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Marshall Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 4,186 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 489 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 note: additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein (2002) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 (both are US military stations) (2002) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .mh Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 900 (2002) Transportation Marshall Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: 64.5 km unpaved: NA km note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks (2002) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Majuro Merchant marine: total: 342 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 14,471,690 GRT/23,802,896 DWT note: the ship's register of the Marshall Islands is a flag of convenience register since essentially none of the vessels on it is owned domestically; includes the following foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: China 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 9, Germany 70, Greece 54, Hong Kong 2, Japan 4, Monaco 8, Netherlands 8, UK 3, US 87, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 86, cargo 18, chemical tanker 31, combination bulk 4, combination ore/oil 7, container 69, liquefied gas 8, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 106, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 4 Airports: 15 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Marshall Islands Military branches: no regular military forces; Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Marshall Islands Disputes - international: claims US territory of Wake Island This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Martinique Introduction Martinique Background: Colonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation. Geography Martinique Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 61 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 1,100 sq km water: 40 sq km land: 1,060 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 350 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Land use: arable land: 9.43% permanent crops: 11.32% other: 79.25% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years) Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May 1902 erupted and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing 30,000 inhabitants People Martinique Population: 425,966 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.8% (male 49,310; female 47,908) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 142,242; female 142,688) 65 years and over: 10.3% (male 19,656; female 24,162) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 32.7 years male: 32 years female: 33.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.85% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 14.96 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.72 years male: 79.27 years female: 78.16 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural) adjective: Martiniquais Ethnic groups: African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Chinese less than 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 10.5%, Muslim 0.5%, Hindu 0.5%, other 3.5% (1997) Languages: French, Creole patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.7% male: 97.4% female: 98.1% (2003 est.) Government Martinique Country name: conventional long form: Department of Martinique conventional short form: Martinique local short form: Martinique local long form: Departement de la Martinique Dependency status: overseas department of France Government type: NA Capital: Fort-de-France Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995); Prefect Michel CADOT (since 21 June 2000) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Alfred MARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Assembly - last held on 15 March 1998 (next to be held by March 2004) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - left-wing candidates 13, PPM 11, RPR 6, right-wing candidates 5, PCM 3, UDF 3, PMS 2, independents 2; note - the PPM won a plurality; Regional Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR-UDF 14, MIM 13, PPM 7, left parties 4, PMS 3 note: Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 2001 (next to be held September 2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPM 2; Martinique also elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held, first round - 9 June 2002, second round - 16 June 2002 (next to be held not later than June 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, PS 1, MIM 1, left-wing candidate 1 (candidacy of the left-wing candidate was found invalid by the Constitutional Council; new elections will be called) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Martinique Communist Party or PCM [Pierre SUEDILLE]; Martinique Independence Movement or MIM [Alfred MARIE-JEANNE]; Martinique Progressive Party or PPM [Camille DARSIERES]; Martinique Socialist Party or PMS [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Movement of Democrats and Ecologists for a Sovereign Martinique or Modemas [Garcin MALSA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michel CHARLONE]; Socialist Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Jean MAREN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department of France) Flag description: a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the flag of France is used for official occasions Economy Martinique Economy - overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism, which employs more than 11,000 people, has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,700 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 11% services: 83% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990) Labor force: 165,900 (1998) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1997) Unemployment rate: 27.2% (1998) Budget: revenues: $900 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $140 million (1996) Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.151 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.07 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 13,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane Exports: $250 million f.o.b. (1997) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples (2001 est.) Exports - partners: France 45%, Guadeloupe 28% (2000) Imports: $2 billion c.i.f. (1997) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods Imports - partners: France 62%, Venezuela 6%, Germany 4%, Italy 4%, US 3% (2000) Debt - external: $180 million (1994) Economic aid - recipient: $NA; note - substantial annual aid from France Currency: euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 euros per US dollar - 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Martinique Telephones - main lines in use: 170,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 15,000 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: domestic facilities are adequate domestic: NA international: microwave radio relay to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 14, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 82,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 11 (plus nine repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 66,000 (1997) Internet country code: .mq Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 5,000 (2000) Transportation Martinique Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,105 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Fort-de-France, La Trinite Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Martinique Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Martinique Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Mauritania Introduction Mauritania Background: Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. Mauritania remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace. Geography Mauritania Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 12 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,030,700 sq km land: 1,030,400 sq km water: 300 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 5,074 km border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km Coastline: 754 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish Land use: arable land: 0.48% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.51% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 490 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country People Mauritania Population: 2,912,584 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 671,080; female 668,408) 15-64 years: 51.8% (male 743,573; female 764,358) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 26,669; female 38,496) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.9 years male: 16.6 years female: 17.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.91% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 42.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 73.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 76.62 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.93 years male: 49.78 years female: 54.13 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.08 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,600 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 610 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Ethnic groups: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 41.7% male: 51.8% female: 31.9% (2003 est.) Government Mauritania Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local short form: Muritaniyah local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah Government type: republic Capital: Nouakchott Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Constitution: 12 July 1991 Legal system: a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) head of government: Prime Minister Sghair Ould M'BARECK (since 6 July 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held NA 2009); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats, a part of the seats up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (81 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2004); National Assembly - last held 19 and 26 October 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 54, RFD 1, UNDD 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PRDS 79%, RDU 3.5%, UDP 3.5%, AC 5%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS 64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts Political parties and leaders: Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Kebe ABDOULAYE]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS] note: the Action for Change party was banned in January 2002; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based Political pressure groups and leaders: Arab nationalists; Ba'athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general] International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamedou Ould MICHEL chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON embassy: Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63, 25-11-41, 25-11-45 FAX: [222] 25-25-92 Flag description: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy Mauritania Economy - overview: Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Ongoing negotiations with the IMF involve problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. Substantial oil production and exports probably will not begin until 2005. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.891 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 29% services: 46% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 30.2% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37.3 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 786,000 (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $421 million expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million (2002 est.) Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 157.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 85.9% hydro: 14.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 146.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep Exports: $355 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: iron ore, fish and fish products, gold Exports - partners: Italy 14.3%, France 14%, Spain 11.7%, Germany 10.9%, Belgium 9.9%, Japan 7.1% (2002) Imports: $360 million f.o.b. (2000) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: France 18.5%, Belgium 7.8%, China 7%, Spain 5.9%, Germany 5.2% (2002) Debt - external: $2.5 billion (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $220 million (2000) Currency: ouguiya (MRO) Currency code: MRO Exchange rates: ouguiyas per US dollar - ouguiyas per US dollar - 254.350 (December 2001), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Mauritania Telephones - main lines in use: 26,500 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 35,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made) domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 410,000 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Televisions: 98,000 (2001) Internet country code: .mr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001) Internet users: 7,500 (2001) Transportation Mauritania Railways: 717 km standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 7,720 km paved: 830 km unpaved: 6,890 km (2000) Waterways: note: ferry traffic on the Senegal River Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso Merchant marine: none (2002) Airports: 26 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Military Mauritania Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 665,112 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 322,288 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $37.11 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.7% (FY02) Transnational Issues Mauritania Disputes - international: Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Mauritius Introduction Mauritius Background: Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community. Geography Mauritius Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 2,040 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues water: 10 sq km land: 2,030 sq km Area - comparative: almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 177 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land: 49.26% permanent crops: 2.96% other: 47.78% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 200 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards Environment - current issues: water pollution, degradation of coral reefs Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs People Mauritius Population: 1,210,447 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.1% (male 153,401; female 150,399) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 413,660; female 415,534) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 30,673; female 46,780) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 29.8 years male: 29.1 years female: 30.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.84% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.98 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.8 years male: 67.82 years female: 75.85 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 700 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian Ethnic groups: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% Religions: Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1% Languages: English (official), Creole, French (official), Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.6% male: 88.6% female: 82.7% (2003 est.) Government Mauritius Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius conventional short form: Mauritius Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Louis Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Constitution: 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7 October 2003) and Vice President (vacant; a new Vice President will be determined by assembly elections on NA December 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 30 September 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 25 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly election results: Karl OFFMANN elected president and Raouf BUNDHUN elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA%; note - Karl OFFMANN and Raouf BUNDHUN stepped down on 30 September 2003 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (66 seats; 62 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the election commission from the losing political parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 11 September 2000 (next to be held by September 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - MSM/MMM 52.3%, MLP/PMSD 36.9%, OPR 10.8%; seats by party - MSM/MMM 54, MLP/PMSD 6, OPR 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Hizbullah [Cehl Mohamed FAKEEMEEAH]; Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER] - in coalition with MSM; Mauritian Social Democrat Party or PMSD [Charles Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH] - governing party; Rodrigues Movement or MR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR [Serge CLAIR] Political pressure groups and leaders: various labor unions International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Usha JEETAH FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492 chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John PRICE embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450 telephone: [230] 202-4400 FAX: [230] 208-9534 Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green Economy Mauritius Economy - overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on foreign investment. Mauritius has attracted more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector and responsible fiscal management, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The government is encouraging foreign investment in the information technology field. GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.15 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 33% services: 61% (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: 10% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37 (1987 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 514,000 (1995) Labor force - by occupation: construction and industry 36%, services 24%, agriculture and fishing 14%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%, transportation and communication 7%, finance 3% (1995) Unemployment rate: 8.8% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.1 billion expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 1.311 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 9.2% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.219 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 21,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish Exports: $1.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses Exports - partners: UK 27.7%, France 25.5%, US 16.4%, Madagascar 6.2%, Belgium 5% (2002) Imports: $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Imports - partners: France 18.4%, South Africa 13.5%, India 7.8%, China 4.5%, UK 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $2.4 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $42 million (1997) Currency: Mauritian rupee (MUR) Currency code: MUR Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees per US dollar - 29.96 (2002), 29.13 (2001), 26.25 (2000), 25.19 (1999), 23.99 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Mauritius Telephones - main lines in use: 280,900 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 180,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: small system with good service domestic: primarily microwave radio relay trunk system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2002) Radios: 420,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus several repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 258,000 (1997) Internet country code: .mu Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 158,000 (2002) Transportation Mauritius Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,926 km paved: 1,868 km (including 44 km of expressways) unpaved: 58 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Port Louis Merchant marine: total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 23,455 GRT/27,102 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, combination bulk 4, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience:, Belgium 1, India 3, Norway 1, Switzerland 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 5 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Mauritius Military branches: National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Mobile Force or SMF and National Coast Guard) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 341,029 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 171,556 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9.712 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Mauritius Disputes - international: Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation in 2001; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Illicit drugs: minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Mayotte Introduction Mayotte Background: Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego independence. Geography Mayotte Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 12 50 S, 45 10 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 374 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 374 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Benara 660 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: cyclones during rainy season Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: part of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands People Mayotte Population: 178,437 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.5% (male 41,632; female 41,301) 15-64 years: 51.8% (male 50,373; female 42,118) 65 years and over: 1.7% (male 1,502; female 1,511) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.9 years male: 18.1 years female: 15.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 4.25% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 42.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 7.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.2 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 65.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 72.32 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.6 years male: 58.49 years female: 62.78 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Ethnic groups: NA Religions: Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Mayotte Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte conventional short form: Mayotte Dependency status: territorial collectivity of France Government type: NA Capital: Mamoutzou Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Jacques BROT (since 3 July 2002) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term head of government: President of the General Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1977) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 7 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note: Mayotte elects one member of the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Mayotte also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 16 June 2002 (next to be held as a special election on NA June 2005); results - percent of vote by party - UMP-RPR 55.08%, UDF 44.92%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular Movement or MPM [Ahmed MADI]; Federation of Mahorans or RPR [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Movement for Department Status Mayotte or MDM [Mouhoutar SALIM]; Socialist Party or PS (local branch of French Parti Socialiste) [Ibrahim ABUBACAR]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: FZ Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial collectivity of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Mayotte Economy - overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism. GDP: purchasing power parity - $85 million (1998 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (1998 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 48,800 (2000) Unemployment rate: 38% (1999) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.) Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Agriculture - products: vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra Exports: $3.44 million f.o.b. (1997) Exports - commodities: ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts, coffee, cinnamon Exports - partners: France 80%, Comoros 15%, Reunion (2000) Imports: $141.3 million f.o.b. (1997) Imports - commodities: food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, metals, chemicals Imports - partners: France 66%, Africa 14%, Southeast Asia 11% (2000 est.) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $107.7 million; note - extensive French financial assistance (1995) Currency: euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Mayotte Telephones - main lines in use: 12,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications domestic: NA international: microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 3 (2001) Televisions: 3,500 (1994) Internet country code: .yt Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: NA Transportation Mayotte Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 93 km paved: 72 km unpaved: 21 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Dzaoudzi Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Mayotte Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France; small contingent of French forces stationed on the island Transnational Issues Mayotte Disputes - international: claimed by Comoros This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Mexico Introduction Mexico Background: The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. Elections held in July 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that the opposition defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) was sworn in on 1 December 2000 as the first chief executive elected in free and fair elections. Geography Mexico Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US Geographic coordinates: 23 00 N, 102 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 1,972,550 sq km land: 1,923,040 sq km water: 49,510 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,353 km border countries: Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,141 km Coastline: 9,330 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: varies from tropical to desert Terrain: high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert Elevation extremes: lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m highest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m Natural resources: petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 13.2% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 85.7% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 65,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts Environment - current issues: scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to urban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion note: the government considers the lack of clean water and deforestation national security issues Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize), one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated in Mexico People Mexico Population: 104,907,991 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.3% (male 17,298,964; female 16,617,728) 15-64 years: 63.1% (male 32,217,513; female 33,932,603) 65 years and over: 4.6% (male 2,145,252; female 2,695,931) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23.8 years male: 22.9 years female: 24.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.43% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 21.92 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 26.78 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.3 years male: 69.26 years female: 75.49 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 150,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,200 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Mexican(s) adjective: Mexican Ethnic groups: mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5% Languages: Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.2% male: 94% female: 90.5% (2003 est.) Government Mexico Country name: conventional long form: United Mexican States conventional short form: Mexico local short form: Mexico local long form: Estados Unidos Mexicanos Government type: federal republic Capital: Mexico (Distrito Federal) Administrative divisions: 31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacatecas Independence: 16 September 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Constitution: 5 February 1917 Legal system: mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced) Executive branch: chief of state: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government election results: Vicente FOX Quesada elected president; percent of vote - Vicente FOX Quesada (PAN) 42.52%, Francisco LABASTIDA Ochoa (PRI) 36.1%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (PRD) 16.64%, other 4.74% elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of attorney general requires consent of the Senate head of government: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of the Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms, and 32 are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote) and the Federal Chamber of Deputies or Camara Federal de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members are directly elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; remaining 200 members are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote, also for three-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRI 60, PAN 46, PRD 15, PVEM 5, PT 1, CD 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRI 224, PAN 153, PRD 95, other 28 elections: Senate - last held 2 July 2000 for all of the seats (next to be held NA 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the president with consent of the Senate) Political parties and leaders: Convergence for Democracy or CD [Dante DELGADO Ranauro]; Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI [Dulce Maria SAURI Riancho]; Mexican Green Ecological Party or PVEM [Jorge Emilio GONZALEZ Martinez]; National Action Party or PAN [Luis Felipe BRAVO Mena]; Party of the Democratic Revolution or PRD [Amalia GARCIA Medina]; Party of the Nationalist Society or PSN [Gustavo RIOJAS Santana]; Social Alliance Party or PAS [Guillermo CALDERON Dominguez]; Workers Party or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez] Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or COPARMEX; Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN; Confederation of Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation Industries or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC; National Union of Workers or UNT; Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers or CROM; Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants or CROC; Roman Catholic Church International organization participation: APEC, BCIE, BIS, Caricom (observer), CDB, CE (observer), EBRD, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-6, G-15, G-19, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM (observer), NEA, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Jose BREMER Martino FAX: [1] (202) 728-1698 consulate(s): Albuquerque, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Indianapolis (Indiana), Las Vegas, McAllen (Texas), Midland (Texas), Omaha, Orlando, Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Presidio (Texas), Raleigh, Saint Louis, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, Santa Ana (California), Seattle, Tucson, Yuma (Arizona) consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Laredo (Texas), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico) chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio O. GARZA embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, Distrito Federal mailing address: P. O. Box 9000, Brownsville, TX 78520-0900 telephone: [52] (55) 5080-2000 FAX: [52] (55) 5080-2005, 5080-2834 consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak) is centered in the white band Economy Mexico Economy - overview: Mexico has a free market economy with a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. Recent administrations have expanded competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity, natural gas distribution, and airports. Income distribution remains highly unequal. Trade with the US and Canada has tripled since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994. Following 6.9% growth in 2000, real GDP fell 0.3% in 2001, recovering to only a plus 1% in 2002, with the US slowdown the principal cause. Mexico implemented free trade agreements with Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and the European Free Trade Area in 2001, putting more than 90% of trade under free trade agreements. Foreign direct investment reached $25 billion in 2001, of which $12.5 billion came from the purchase of Mexico's second-largest bank, Banamex, by Citigroup. GDP: purchasing power parity - $924.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 26% services: 69% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.1% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 53.1 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 39.8 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 20%, industry 24%, services 56% (1998) Unemployment rate: urban - 3% plus considerable underemployment (2002) Budget: revenues: $136 billion expenditures: $140 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 4.9% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 198.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 78.7% hydro: 14.2% other: 2.9% (2001) nuclear: 4.2% Electricity - consumption: 186.7 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 77 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 2.068 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 3.59 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.507 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 1.881 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 374,700 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 25.03 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 36.87 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 38.84 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 254 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.967 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 969.2 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products Exports: $158.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton Exports - partners: US 82.7%, Canada 5.4%, Japan 1.1% (2002) Imports: $168.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts Imports - partners: US 70.6%, Germany 3.5%, Japan 2.7% (2002) Debt - external: $150 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $1.166 billion (1995) Currency: Mexican peso (MXN) Currency code: MXN Exchange rates: Mexican pesos per US dollar - 9.66 (2002), 9.34 (2001), 9.46 (2000), 9.56 (1999), 9.14 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Mexico Telephones - main lines in use: 12.332 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.02 million (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: low telephone density with about 12 main lines per 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; the opening to competition in January 1997 improved prospects for development domestic: adequate telephone service for business and government, but the population is poorly served; domestic satellite system with 120 earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network; considerable use of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, and mobile cellular service international: satellite earth stations - 32 Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to South America, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancing domestic communications), numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations; linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections; high capacity Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cable with access to the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and Italy (1997) Radio broadcast stations: AM 851, FM 598, shortwave 16 (2000) Radios: 31 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 236 (plus repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 25.6 million (1997) Internet country code: .mx Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 51 (2000) Internet users: 3.5 million (2002) Transportation Mexico Railways: total: 19,510 km standard gauge: 19,510 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 329,532 km paved: 108,087 km (including 6,429 km of expressways) unpaved: 221,445 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 2,900 km note: navigable rivers and coastal canals Pipelines: crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km Ports and harbors: Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, La Paz, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz Merchant marine: total: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 636,271 GRT/933,686 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, combination ore/oil 1, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 26, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Canada 2, Denmark 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 1,823 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 231 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 27 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 83 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,592 under 914 m: 1,067 (2002) over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 454 1,524 to 2,437 m: 69 Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Mexico Military branches: National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) (including Army and Air Force), Navy Secretariat (including Naval Air and Marines) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age note: starting in 2000, females were allowed to volunteer for military service (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 27,751,539 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 20,123,970 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,093,752 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4 billion (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY99) Transnational Issues Mexico Disputes - international: prolonged regional drought in the border region with the US has strained water-sharing arrangements Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy (cultivation in 2001 - 4,400 hectares; potential heroin production - 7 metric tons) and of cannabis (in 2001 - 4,100 hectares); government eradication efforts have been key in keeping illicit crop levels low; major supplier of heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America; major drug syndicates control majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; growing producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Micronesia, Federated States of Introduction Micronesia, Federated States of Background: In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. Geography Micronesia, Federated States of Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 702 sq km note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) land: 702 sq km Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 6,112 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December) Environment - current issues: overfishing, climate change, pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands People Micronesia, Federated States of Population: 108,143 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 21,163; female 20,335) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 31,746; female 31,477) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 1,558; female 1,864) (2003 est.) Population growth rate: 0.04% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 26.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -20.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 32.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.13 years male: 67.39 years female: 70.95 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese Ethnic groups: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47% Languages: English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.) Government Micronesia, Federated States of Country name: conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none abbreviation: FSM former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986; economic provisions of the Compact are being renegotiated Capital: Palikir Administrative divisions: 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) Constitution: 10 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for four-year terms; election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA% Legislative branch: unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms; and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: no formal parties International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam) FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Larry M. DINGER embassy: address NA, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186 Flag description: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Economy Micronesia, Federated States of Economy - overview: Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. In November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with the US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $277 million note: $277 million $277 million GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: 4% services: 46% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 26.7% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: two-thirds are government employees Unemployment rate: 16% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants) expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% hydro: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Agriculture - products: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens Exports: $22 million (f.o.b.) (FY 99/00 est.) Exports - commodities: fish, garments, bananas, black pepper Exports - partners: Japan, US, Guam (2000) Imports: $149 million f.o.b. (FY 99/00 est.) Imports - commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages Imports - partners: US, Australia, Japan (2000) Debt - external: $53.1 million (FY 02/03 est.) Economic aid - recipient: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001 Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used 1 Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Micronesia, Federated States of Telephones - main lines in use: 11,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: newly installed in Pohnpei and Yap Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 9,400 (1996) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 2,800 (1999) Internet country code: .fm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 2,000 (2000) Transportation Micronesia, Federated States of Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen Merchant marine: none note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 7 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Micronesia, Federated States of Military - note: Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on the US for its defense Transnational Issues Micronesia, Federated States of Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Midway Islands Introduction Midway Islands Background: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a national wildlife refuge. From 1996 to 2001 the refuge was open to the public. It is now temporarily closed. Geography Midway Islands Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo Geographic coordinates: 28 13 N, 177 22 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 6.2 sq km note: includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Island water: 0 sq km land: 6.2 sq km Area - comparative: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 15 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: subtropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds Terrain: low, nearly level Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 13 m Natural resources: wildlife, terrestrial and aquatic Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving; the refuge is temporarily closed for reorganization at present (2003) People Midway Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants; approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services cooperator living at the atoll (July 2003 est.) Government Midway Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Midway Islands Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; formerly administered from Washington, DC, by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993; on 31 October 1996, through a presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and control of the atoll was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Midway Islands Economy - overview: The economy is based on providing support services for the national wildlife refuge activities located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Transportation Midway Islands Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Pipelines: 7.8 km Ports and harbors: Sand Island Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Military Midway Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Midway Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Moldova Introduction Moldova Background: Formerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. Geography Moldova Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 33,843 sq km water: 472 sq km land: 33,371 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: moderate winters, warm summers Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone Land use: arable land: 54.08% permanent crops: 12.1% other: 33.82% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 3,070 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: landslides (57 cases in 1998) Environment - current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone People Moldova Population: 4,439,502 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.1% (male 477,063; female 459,992) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 1,465,248; female 1,584,402) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 168,068; female 284,729) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 32 years male: 29.8 years female: 34.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.13% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 14.31 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 12.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 41.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 38.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 44.81 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.88 years male: 60.63 years female: 69.35 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,500 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 300 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan Ethnic groups: Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989 est.) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000) Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99.6% female: 98.7% (2003 est.) Government Moldova Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local short form: none former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia local long form: Republica Moldova Government type: republic Capital: Chisinau Administrative divisions: 9 counties (judetele, singular - judetul), 1 municipality* (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit** (unitate teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit*** (unitate teritoriala); Balti, Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Edinet, Gagauzia**, Lapusna, Orhei, Soroca, Stinga Nistrului***, Tighina, Ungheni Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August (1991) Constitution: new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979 Legal system: based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since NA 2002), Deputy Prime Minister Stefan ODAGIU (since NA 2002) cabinet: selected by prime minister, subject to approval of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 4 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2005); note - presidential elections were scheduled for December 2000, but in July 2000, Parliament canceled direct, popular elections; Parliament's failure to chose a new president in December 2000 led to early parliamentary elections in February 2001; prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation with Parliament; note - within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote of confidence 19 April 2001 election results: Vladimir VORONIN elected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 71, Dumitru BRAGHIS 15, Valerian CHRISTEA 3; Vasile TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs, as well as independent candidates, elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PCM 50.1%, Braghis Alliance 13.4%, PPCD 8.2%, other parties 28.3%; seats by party - PCM 71, Braghis Alliance 19, PPCD 11 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature) Political parties and leaders: Braghis Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS]; Communist Party or PCM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Social Democratic Union (composed of Braghis Alliance and the Democratic Party of Moldova) [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mihail MANOLI FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela Hyde SMITH embassy: 103 Alexei Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72 FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44 Flag description: same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow Economy Moldova Economy - overview: Moldova remains a very poor country despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. The economy returned to positive growth, of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001, 7.2% in 2002, and 5.3% in 2003. Further reforms will come slowly because of strong political forces backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.51 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28% industry: 23% services: 49% (2000) Population below poverty line: 80% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.7% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.6 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.7 million (1998) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998) Unemployment rate: 8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad) (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $536 million expenditures: $594 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 9% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 3.394 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 3.216 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 60 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk Exports: $590 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, machinery Exports - partners: Russia 35%, Italy 11.7%, Germany 8.8%, Ukraine 8.5%, Romania 5.7%, US 5.2%, Belarus 4.5%, Spain 4.1% (2002) Imports: $980 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: mineral products and fuel 32%, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (2000) Imports - partners: Russia 23.9%, Ukraine 13.4%, Germany 12.6%, Italy 8.3%, Romania 8.2% (2002) Debt - external: $1.3 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $100 million (2000) Currency: Moldovan leu (MDL) Currency code: MDL Exchange rates: lei per US dollar - NA (2002), 12.87 (2001), 12.43 (2000), 10.52 (1999), 5.37 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Moldova Telephones - main lines in use: 627,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,200 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some effort to modernize is under way domestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile cellular telephone service being introduced international: service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 3.22 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 1.26 million (1997) Internet country code: .md Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (1999) Internet users: 15,000 (2000) Transportation Moldova Railways: total: 1,300 km broad gauge: 1,300 km 1.520-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 12,657 km paved: 11,012 km unpaved: 1,645 km (1999) Waterways: 424 km (1994) Pipelines: gas 606 km (2003) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 36 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 28 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Military Moldova Military branches: Ground Forces (includes Air and Air Defense Forces), Republic Security Forces (includes paramilitary Internal Troops and Border Troops) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,180,874 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 936,629 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 44,084 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $6.4 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Moldova Disputes - international: difficulties with the Transnistria region complicate border crossing and customs with Ukraine, facilitating smuggling, arms transfers, and other illegal activities Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Monaco Introduction Monaco Background: Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center. Geography Monaco Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 1.95 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1.95 sq km Area - comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km Coastline: 4.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban People Monaco Population: 32,130 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.5% (male 2,551; female 2,445) 15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,814; female 10,130) 65 years and over: 22.4% (male 2,937; female 4,253) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 45 years male: 43 years female: 47 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.44% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 12.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 7.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.52 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.27 years male: 75.37 years female: 83.37 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) adjective: Monegasque or Monacan Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21% Religions: Roman Catholic 90% Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Government Monaco Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Monaco conventional short form: Monaco local short form: Monaco local long form: Principaute de Monaco Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Monaco Administrative divisions: none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo Independence: 1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi) National holiday: National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November Constitution: 17 December 1962 Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre, son of the monarch (born 14 March 1958) elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch head of government: Minister of State Patrick LECLERCQ (since 5 January 2000) Legislative branch: unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation; to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UNAM 21, UND 3 elections: last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held NA February 2008) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council) Political parties and leaders: National and Democratic Union or UND [Jean-Louis CAMPORA]; Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ECE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNITAR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: Monaco does not have an embassy in the US consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France) is accredited to Monaco Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red Economy Monaco Economy - overview: Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In 2001, a major new construction project will extend the pier used by cruise ships in the main harbor. The principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates below are extremely rough. GDP: purchasing power parity - $870 million (1999 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $27,000 (1999 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 30,540 (January 1994) Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1998) Budget: revenues: $518 million expenditures: $531 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995) Industries: tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh note: electricity supplied by France Agriculture - products: none Exports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France Imports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Monaco Telephones - main lines in use: 31,027 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: modern automatic telephone system domestic: NA international: no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998) Radios: 34,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1998) Televisions: 25,000 (1997) Internet country code: .mc Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Monaco Railways: total: 1.7 km standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Monaco Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: none; linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service (2002) Heliports: 1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice, France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille) (2002) Military Monaco Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Monaco Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Mongolia Introduction Mongolia Background: The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Genghis KHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A Communist regime was installed in 1924. During the early 1990s, the ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) gradually yielded its monopoly on power to the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC), which defeated the MPRP in a national election in 1996. Over the next four years, the DUC put forward a number of key reforms to modernize the economy and to democratize the political system. The former Communists were a strong opposition that stalled additional restructuring and made implementation difficult. In 2000, the MPRP won an overwhelming victory in the legislature - with 72 of the 76 seats - and completely reshuffled the government. While it continues many of the reform policies, the MPRP has focused on social welfare and public order priorities. Geography Mongolia Location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 1.565 million sq km water: 9,600 sq km land: 1,555,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 8,162 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,485 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, phosphate Land use: arable land: 0.84% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.16% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 840 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", which is harsh winter conditions Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia People Mongolia Population: 2,712,315 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.7% (male 423,081; female 408,119) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 890,482; female 892,140) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 42,292; female 56,201) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23.5 years male: 23.2 years female: 23.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.42% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 21.39 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.18 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 57.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 60.75 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.81 years male: 61.63 years female: 66.09 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 100 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian Ethnic groups: Mongol (predominantly Khalkha) 85%, Turkic (of which Kazakh is the largest group) 7%, Tungusic 4.6%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 3.4% (1998) Religions: Tibetan Buddhist Lamaism 96%, Muslim (primarily in the southwest), Shamanism, and Christian 4% (1998) Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99.2% female: 99% (2003 est.) Government Mongolia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Mongolia local short form: Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia local long form: none Government type: parliamentary Capital: Ulaanbaatar Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govi-Sumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs Independence: 11 July 1921 (from China) National holiday: Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921) Constitution: 12 February 1992 Legal system: blend of Soviet, German, and US systems of law that combines aspects of a parliamentary system with some aspects of a presidential system; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20 June 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 26 July 2000) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural in consultation with the president elections: president nominated by parties in the State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural; election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Natsagiyn BAGABANDI reelected president; percent of vote - Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 58.13%, Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJ (DP) 36.58%, Luvsandamba DASHNYAM (CWP) 3.54%, other 1.75%; Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected prime minister by a vote in the State Great Hural of 68 to 3 Legislative branch: unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPRP 72, other 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts for approval by the president) Political parties and leaders: Citizens' Will Party or CWP (also called Civil Will Party or Civil Courage Party) [Sanjaasurengyn OYUN]; Democratic Party or DP [D. DORLIGJAN]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian New Socialist Democratic Party or MNSDP [B. ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian Republican Party or MRP [B. JARGALSAIHAN] note: the MPRP is the ruling party Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP (provisional), EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLD chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. Slutz embassy: Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13 mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [976] (11) 329095 FAX: [976] (11) 320776 Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Economy Mongolia Economy - overview: Economic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and breeding of livestock. Mongolia also has extensive mineral deposits; copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990-1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. Mongolia was driven into deep recession, prolonged by the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party's (MPRP) reluctance to undertake serious economic reform. The Democratic Coalition (DC) government embraced free-market economics, eased price controls, liberalized domestic and international trade, and attempted to restructure the banking system and the energy sector. Major domestic privatization programs were undertaken, as well as the fostering of foreign investment through international tender of the oil distribution company, a leading cashmere company, and banks. Reform was held back by the ex-Communist MPRP opposition and by the political instability brought about through four successive governments under the DC. Economic growth picked up in 1997-1999 after stalling in 1996 due to a series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of copper and cashmere. In August and September 1999, the economy suffered from a temporary Russian ban on exports of oil and oil products, and Mongolia remains vulnerable in this sector. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1997. The international donor community pledged over $300 million per year at the Consultative Group Meeting, held in Ulaanbaatar in June 1999. The MPRP government, elected in July 2000, is anxious to improve the investment climate; it must also deal with a heavy burden of external debt. Falling prices for Mongolia's mainly primary sector exports, widespread opposition to privatization, and adverse effects of weather on agriculture in early 2000 and 2001 restrained real GDP growth in 2000-2001. Despite drought problems in 2002, GDP rose 4.0%, followed by a solid 5.0% increase in 2003. The first applications under the land privatization law have been marked by a number of disputes over particular sites. Russia claims Mongolia owes it $11 billion from the old Soviet period; any settlement could substantially increase Mongolia's foreign debt burden. GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.06 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 23% services: 45% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 36% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.5% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 33.2 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.4 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: primarily herding/agricultural Unemployment rate: 20% (2000) Budget: revenues: $386 million expenditures: $427 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: construction materials, mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages, processing of animal products Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 2.225 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.194 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 25 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 196 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses Exports: $501 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals Exports - partners: China 43.8%, US 33.6%, Russia 9.6% (2002) Imports: $659 million c.i.f. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea Imports - partners: Russia 32%, China 19.4%, South Korea 12.1%, US 9.1%, Germany 4.7%, Japan 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $913 million (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $208.7 million (1999 est.) Currency: togrog/tugrik (MNT) Currency code: MNT Exchange rates: togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,134 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001), 1,076.67 (2000), 1,021.87 (1999), 840.83 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Mongolia Telephones - main lines in use: 104,100 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 110,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: very low density: about 3.5 telephones for each thousand persons domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: 155,900 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus 18 provincial repeaters and many low power repeaters) (1999) Televisions: 168,800 (1999) Internet country code: .mn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001) Internet users: 40,000 (2002) Transportation Mongolia Railways: 1,815 km broad gauge: 1,815 km 1.524-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 49,250 km paved: 1,724 km unpaved: 47,526 km (2000) Waterways: 400 km (1999) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 50 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Military Mongolia Military branches: Mongolian Armed Forces (includes General Purpose Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense Troops); note - Border Troops are under Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs in peacetime Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 796,449 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 516,502 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 32,529 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $23.1 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Mongolia Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Montserrat Introduction Montserrat Background: Much of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of the population has fled abroad due to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Geography Montserrat Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 102 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) 914 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1996) Environment - current issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation Geography - note: the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains seven active volcanoes People Montserrat Population: 8,995 note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.4% (male 1,062; female 1,041) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 2,805; female 3,066) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 537; female 484) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 27.8 years male: 27.7 years female: 27.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 4.5% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 34.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.36 years male: 76.24 years female: 80.59 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian Ethnic groups: black, white Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.) Government Montserrat Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat) Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Constitution: present constitution came into force 19 December 1989 Legal system: English common law and statutory law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony LONGRIGG (since NA May 2001) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister head of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members elections: last held NA April 2001 (next to be held by November 2006) note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPLM 7, NPP 2 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court) Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross Economy Montserrat Economy - overview: Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade. GDP: purchasing power parity - $29 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.4% industry: 13.6% services: 81% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4,521 ; note - lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 6% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $31.4 million expenditures: $31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4 million (1997 est.) Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 2.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.325 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products Exports: $700,000 (2001) Exports - commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle Exports - partners: US, Antigua and Barbuda Imports: $17 million (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials Imports - partners: US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada Debt - external: $8.9 million (1997) Economic aid - recipient: Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year program for spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistance Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Montserrat Telephones - main lines in use: 4,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 70 (1994) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 7,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 3,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ms Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 17 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Montserrat Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 227 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of the road system (2003) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Plymouth (abandoned), Little Bay (anchorages and ferry landing), Carr's Bay Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: none; only airport was destroyed by volcanic activity; a helicopter service to Antigua is used (2002) Military Montserrat Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Montserrat Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Morocco Introduction Morocco Background: Morocco's long struggle for independence from France ended in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier was turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997. Geography Morocco Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 446,550 sq km land: 446,300 sq km water: 250 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 2,017.9 km border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km Coastline: 1,835 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m highest point: Jbel Toubkal 4,165 m Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt Land use: arable land: 20.12% permanent crops: 2.05% other: 77.83% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 12,910 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar People Morocco Population: 31,689,265 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.2% (male 5,360,666; female 5,162,168) 15-64 years: 62% (male 9,766,222; female 9,876,647) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 676,357; female 847,205) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23 years male: 22.5 years female: 23.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.64% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 44.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 48.76 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.04 years male: 67.77 years female: 72.41 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.7% male: 64.1% female: 39.4% (2003 est.) Government Morocco Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local short form: Al Maghrib local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Rabat Administrative divisions: 37 provinces and 2 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit; three additional provinces of Ad Dakhla (Oued Eddahab), Boujdour, and Es Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara note: as part of a 1997 decentralization/regionalization law passed by the legislature 16 new regions (provided below) were created although full details and scope of the reorganization are limited : Casablanca, Chaouia-Ourdigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulmane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tangier-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France) National holiday: Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996 Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003) Executive branch: chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 23 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Driss JETTOU (since 9 October 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 15 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2003); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - USFP 50, PI 48, PJD 42, RNI 41, MP 27, MNP 18, UC 16, FFD 12, PND 12, PPS 11, UD 10, MDS 7, PSD 6, Al Ahd 5, ADL 4, GSU 3, PML 3, PRD 3, FC 2, PDI 2, PED 2, CNI 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Action Party or PA [Muhammad EL IDRISSI]; Alliance of Liberties or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; Annahj Addimocrati or Annahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Avant Garde Social Democratic Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Citizen Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizen's Initiatives for Development [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union or UC [Mohamed ABIED (interim)]; Democratic and Independence Party or PDI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Front of Democratic Forces or FFD [Thami EL KHYARI]; Istiqlal Party (Independence Party) or PI [Abbas El FASSI]; Justice and Development Party (formerly the Constitutional and Democratic Popular Movement) or PJD [Abdelkrim EL KHATIB]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Ahmed OSMAN]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Parti Al Ahd or Al Ahd [Najib EL OUAZZANI, chairman]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Party of Renewal and Equity or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Party of the Unified Socialist Left or GSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abderrahman EL-YOUSSOUFI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK] International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982 chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ms. Margaret TUTWILER embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 90718 telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca Flag description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam Economy Morocco Economy - overview: Morocco faces the problems typical of developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and achieving sustainable economic growth. Following structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is now fully convertible for current account transactions, and reforms of the financial sector have been implemented. Droughts depressed activity in the key agricultural sector and contributed to a stagnant economy in 1999 and 2000. During that time, however, Morocco reported large foreign exchange inflows from the sale of a mobile telephone license and partial privatization of the state-owned telecommunications company. Favorable rainfall in 2001 led to a growth of 6.5%. Good harvest conditions continued to support GDP growth in 2002. Formidable long-term challenges include: servicing the external debt; modernizing the industrial sector; preparing the economy for freer trade with the EU and US; and improving education and attracting foreign investment to boost living standards and job prospects for Morocco's youth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $121.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 33% services: 52% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 19% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.9% (1998-99) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39.5 (1998-99) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 11 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 35%, industry 15% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 19% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $13.8 billion expenditures: $14.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.1 billion (2001 est.) Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 0.5% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 13.35 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 95.4% hydro: 4.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 14.61 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 2.2 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 167,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 900,000 bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 665.4 million cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock Exports: $7.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits, vegetables Exports - partners: France 26.5%, Spain 14.3%, UK 7.9%, Germany 5.8%, Italy 5.6%, US 4.8% (2002) Imports: $10.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics Imports - partners: France 20.9%, Spain 12.6%, Italy 6.3%, Germany 5.5%, US 4.6%, UK 4.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $17.7 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $565.6 million (1995) Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD) Currency code: MAD Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 11.02 (2002), 11.3 (2001), 10.63 (2000), 9.8 (1999), 9.6 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Morocco Telephones - main lines in use: 1.391 million (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 116,645 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities; however density is low with only 4.6 main lines available for each 100 persons domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay international: 7 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (1998) Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998) Radios: 6.64 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 3.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .ma Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 8 (2000) Internet users: 400,000 (2002) Transportation Morocco Railways: total: 1,907 km standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 57,707 km paved: 32,547 km (including 481 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,160 km (2000) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 695 km; oil 285 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Agadir, El Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla Merchant marine: total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 247,591 GRT/268,356 DWT ships by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 7, container 6, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1, Hong Kong 1, Netherlands 2, Norway 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 63 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 11 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 14 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Morocco Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,595,797 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,411,846 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 351,671 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.4 billion (FY99/00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4% (FY99) Transnational Issues Morocco Disputes - international: claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected other proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco also rejected Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands in 2002 to set limits to undersea resource exploration and refugee interdiction; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish; trafficking increasing for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Mozambique Introduction Mozambique Background: Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement with rebel forces ended the fighting in 1992. Heavy flooding in both 1999 and 2000 severely hurt the economy. Political stability and sound economic policies have encouraged recent foreign investment. Geography Mozambique Location: South-eastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania Geographic coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 801,590 sq km water: 17,500 sq km land: 784,090 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km Coastline: 2,470 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical to subtropical Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite Land use: arable land: 3.98% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 95.73% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,070 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods occur in central and southern provinces Environment - current issues: a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country People Mozambique Population: 17,479,266 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.1% (male 3,634,173; female 3,725,396) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 4,712,891; female 4,945,123) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 189,778; female 271,905) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19 years male: 18.7 years female: 19.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.82% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 38.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 30.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 199 deaths/1,000 live births female: 180.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 216.85 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 31.3 years male: 30.98 years female: 31.63 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.87 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 13% 12.6 to 16.4%, estimates vary (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.1 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 60,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican Ethnic groups: indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08% Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% Languages: Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.8% male: 63.5% female: 32.7% (2003 est.) Government Mozambique Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique conventional short form: Mozambique local short form: Mocambique former: Portuguese East Africa local long form: Republica de Mocambique Government type: republic Capital: Maputo Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Maputo City*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975) Constitution: 30 November 1990 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986); note - before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected president by Frelimo's Central Committee on 4 November 1986 (reelected by the Committee 30 July 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since 17 December 1994) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO reelected president; percent of vote - Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO 52.29%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 47.71% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - Frelimo 48.54%, Renamo-UE 38.81%; seats by party - Frelimo 133, Renamo-UE 117 note: Renamo-UE ran as a multiparty coalition; none of the other opposition parties received the 5% required to win parliamentary seats; in September 2000, Renamo-UE member Raul DOMINGOS was expelled from the party; he continues to hold his parliamentary seat as an independent Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts note: although the constitution provides for the creation of a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO, president]; Mozambique National Resistance-Electoral Union (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana-Uniao Eleitoral) or Renamo-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e Democracia) or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Etica [Abdul CARIMO Issa, chairman]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento para Paz e Cidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]; Human Rights and Development (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or DHD [Artemisia FRANCO, secretary general] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 chancery: 1990 M Street NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sharon P. WILKINSON embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (1) 492797 FAX: [258] (1) 490448 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book Economy Mozambique Economy - overview: At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation was brought to single digits during the late 1990s although it returned to double digits in 2000-02. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's workforce. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the MOZAL aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date has increased export earnings. Additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing should further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. GDP: purchasing power parity - $19.52 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 23% services: 55% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 70% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 31.7% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39.6 (1996-97) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 9.2 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $393.1 million expenditures: $1.025 billion, including capital expenditures of $479.4 million (2001 est.) Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (2000) Electricity - production: 7.193 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.39 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 5.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 500 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 8,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 60 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 60 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 63.71 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry Exports: $680 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity Exports - partners: Belgium 24.3%, South Africa 9.1%, Germany 6.2% (2002) Imports: $1.18 billion c.i.f. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: South Africa 27.5%, France 8.9%, US 7%, Australia 6.9%, Japan 6%, Malaysia 4% (2002) Debt - external: $966 million (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $632.8 million (2001) Currency: metical (MZM) Currency code: MZM Exchange rates: meticais per US dollar - 23,678 (2002), 20,703.6 (2001), 15,447.1 (2000), 13,028.6 (1999), 12,110.2 (1998) note: effective October 2000, the exchange rate is determined as the weighted average of buying and selling exchange rates of all transactions of commercial banks and stock exchanges with the public Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Mozambique Telephones - main lines in use: 90,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 287,000 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: fair system but not available generally (telephone density is only 16 telephones for each 1,000 persons) domestic: the system consists of open-wire lines and trunk connection by microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001) Radios: 730,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Televisions: 67,600 (2000) Internet country code: .mz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 11 (2002) Internet users: 22,500 (2000) Transportation Mozambique Railways: total: 3,123 km narrow gauge: 2,983 km 1.067-m gauge; 140 km 0.762-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 3,750 km (navigable routes) Pipelines: gas 189 km; refined products 292 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,125 GRT/7,024 DWT ships by type: cargo 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 165 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 143 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 91 (2002) Military Mozambique Military branches: Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Special Forces, Militia Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 4,142,449 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,373,444 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $35.1 million (2000 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (2000 est.) Transnational Issues Mozambique Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish, South Asian heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Namibia Introduction Namibia Background: South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990 following multi-party elections and the establishment of a constitution. President NUJOMA is currently serving his third term as president. Geography Namibia Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 825,418 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 825,418 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska Land boundaries: total: 3,936 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km Coastline: 1,572 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore Land use: arable land: 0.99% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.01% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 70 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought Environment - current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip People Namibia Population: 1,927,447 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.5% (male 414,559; female 404,346) 15-64 years: 54% (male 517,469; female 522,549) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 30,038; female 38,486) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.3 years male: 17.9 years female: 18.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.49% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 34.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 19.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 68.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 71.72 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.77 years male: 44.27 years female: 41.22 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.71 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 22.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 230,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 13,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian Ethnic groups: black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5% Religions: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84% male: 84.4% female: 83.7% (2003 est.) Government Namibia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa Government type: republic Capital: Windhoek Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Theo-Ben GURIRAB (since 28 August 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77% Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004) note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%, other 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1, Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) Political parties and leaders: Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin J. McGUIRE embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 221601 FAX: [264] (61) 229792 Flag description: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders Economy Namibia Economy - overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides the great inequality of income distribution; nearly one-third of Namibians had annual incomes of less than $1400 in constant 1994 dollars, according to a 1993 study. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged to the South African rand. Privatization of several enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign investment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.15 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 28% services: 61% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (2001) Labor force: 725,000 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 35% (1998) Budget: revenues: $883 million expenditures: $950 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998) Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 26.95 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 603.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 578 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 31.15 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish Exports: $1.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins Exports - partners: EU 79%, US 4% (2001) Imports: $1.38 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals Imports - partners: US 50%, EU 31% (2001) Debt - external: $517 million (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $160 million (2000 est.) Currency: Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR) Currency code: NAD; ZAR Exchange rates: Namibian dollars per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Namibia Telephones - main lines in use: 110,200 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 82,000 (2000 est.) Telephone system: general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital international: fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: 232,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 60,000 (1997) Internet country code: .na Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 45,000 (2002) Transportation Namibia Railways: total: 2,382 km narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 66,467 km paved: 9,172 km unpaved: 57,285 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Luderitz, Walvis Bay Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 135 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 114 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m: 19 (2002) Military Namibia Military branches: National Defense Force (Army, including Air Wing), Police Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 459,474 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 274,015 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $73.1 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Namibia Disputes - international: commission established with Botswana to resolve small residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; Botswana residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge; Angolan rebels and refugees still reside in Namibia This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Nauru Introduction Nauru Background: Nauru's phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium; the island was occupied by Australian forces in World War I. Nauru achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999. Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic. Geography Nauru Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 21 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 21 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 30 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February) Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m Natural resources: phosphates, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: periodic droughts Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater, but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator People Nauru Population: 12,570 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.9% (male 2,517; female 2,368) 15-64 years: 59.3% (male 3,681; female 3,779) 65 years and over: 1.8% (male 116; female 109) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.6 years male: 19.3 years female: 20 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.9% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 26.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.08 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 13 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.95 years male: 58.41 years female: 65.66 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.4 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan Ethnic groups: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8% Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic) Languages: Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Nauru Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru former: Pleasant Island Government type: republic Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Constitution: 29 January 1968 Legal system: acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Rene HARRIS (since 8 August 2003) note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term; election last held 29 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2006) note: Ludwig SCOTTY was removed from the presidency in a no-confidence vote 8 August 2003; Rene HARRIS became president election results: Ludwig SCOTTY elected president 29 May 2003; Ludwig SCOTTY 10 parliamentary votes, Kinza CLODUMAR 7 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of Parliament head of government: President Rene HARRIS (since 8 August 2003) note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held not later than May 2006) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Nauru First Party 3, independents 15 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: loose multiparty system; Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]; Nauru Party (informal) [leader NA]; Naoero Amo (Nauru First) Party [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: Nauru does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a UN office at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, New York 10017; telephone: (212) 937-0074 consulate(s): Hagatna (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru Flag description: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru Economy Nauru Economy - overview: Revenues of this tiny island have come from exports of phosphates, but reserves are expected to be exhausted within a few years. Phosphate production has declined since 1989, as demand has fallen in traditional markets and as the marginal cost of extracting the remaining phosphate increases, making it less internationally competitive. While phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World, few other resources exist with most necessities being imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income have been invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. The government has been borrowing heavily from the trusts to finance fiscal deficits. To cut costs the government has called for a freeze on wages, a reduction of over-staffed public service departments, privatization of numerous government agencies, and closure of some overseas consulates. In recent years Nauru has encouraged the registration of offshore banks and corporations. Tens of billions of dollars have been channeled through their accounts. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist, with estimates of Nauru's GDP varying widely. GDP: purchasing power parity - $60 million (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -3.6% (1993) Labor force - by occupation: employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues: $23.4 million expenditures: $64.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 95/96) Industries: phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 30 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 27.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coconuts Exports: $27 million f.o.b. (1995) Exports - commodities: phosphates Exports - partners: India 46.1%, South Korea 18.3%, Australia 10.6%, New Zealand 7.8%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002) Imports: $33 million c.i.f. (1995) Imports - commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery Imports - partners: Australia 59.3%, US 10.1%, Ireland 7.6%, Malaysia 6% (2002) Debt - external: $33.3 million Economic aid - recipient: $2.25 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.) Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.2641 (2002) 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Nauru Telephones - main lines in use: 2,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 450 (1994) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 7,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 500 (1997) Internet country code: .nr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Nauru Railways: total: 5 km note: gauge unknown; used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast (2001) Highways: total: 30 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 6 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Nauru Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Nauru Military branches: no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,190 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,762 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues Nauru Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: broad-based money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Navassa Island Introduction Navassa Island Background: This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano, and mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge. Geography Navassa Island Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica Geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 75 02 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 5.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 5.2 sq km Area - comparative: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: marine, tropical Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m Natural resources: guano Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus People Navassa Island Population: uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island (July 2003 est.) Government Navassa Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Navassa Island Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Navassa Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Navassa Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Navassa Island Disputes - international: claimed by Haiti This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Nepal Introduction Nepal Background: In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist insurgency, launched in 1996, has gained traction and is threatening to bring down the regime. In 2001, the Crown Prince massacred ten members of the royal family, including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October 2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for "incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing insurgency. The country is now governed by the king and his appointed cabinet, which has negotiated a cease-fire with the Maoist insurgents, until elections can be held at some unspecified future date. Geography Nepal Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 140,800 sq km water: 4,000 sq km land: 136,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arkansas Land boundaries: total: 2,926 km border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999) Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Land use: arable land: 20.27% permanent crops: 0.49% other: 79.24% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 11,350 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons Environment - current issues: deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the world's tallest - on the border with China People Nepal Population: 26,469,569 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.7% (male 5,424,396; female 5,080,171) 15-64 years: 56.7% (male 7,692,134; female 7,320,059) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 468,697; female 484,112) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.7 years male: 19.6 years female: 19.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.26% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 32.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 70.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 72.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 68.95 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59 years male: 59.36 years female: 58.63 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.39 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 58,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,400 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Nepalese (singular and plural) adjective: Nepalese Ethnic groups: Brahman, Chetri, Newar, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tharu, and others (1995) Religions: Hinduism 86.2%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.8%, other 2.2% note: only official Hindu state in the world (1995) Languages: Nepali (official; spoken by 90% of the population), about a dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects; note - many in government and business also speak English (1995) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 45.2% male: 62.7% female: 27.6% (2003 est.) Government Nepal Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal conventional short form: Nepal Government type: parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy Capital: Kathmandu Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah) National holiday: Birthday of King GYANENDRA, 7 July (1946) Constitution: 9 November 1990 Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (succeeded to the throne 4 June 2001 following the death of his nephew, King DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah) head of government: Prime Minister Surya Bahadur THAPA (since 4 June 2003); note - Prime Minister CHAND resigned 30 May 2003 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch note: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev died in a bloody shooting at the royal palace on 1 June 2001 that also claimed the lives of most of the royal family; King BIRENDRA's son, Crown Price DIPENDRA, is believed to have been responsible for the shootings before fatally wounding himself; immediately following the shootings and while still clinging to life, DIPENDRA was crowned king; he died three days later and was succeeded by his uncle Legislative branch: : bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council (60 seats; 35 appointed by the House of Representatives, 10 by the king, and 15 elected by an electoral college; one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (205 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) note: Nepal's Parliament was dissolved on 22 May 2002 election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NC 37.3%, CPN/UML 31.6%, NDP 10.4%, NSP 3.2%, Rastriya Jana Morcha 1.4%, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 0.8%, NWPP 0.5%, others 14.8%; seats by party - NC 113, CPN/UML 69, NDP 11, NSP 5, Rastriya Jana Morcha 5, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 1, NWPP 1 elections: House of Representatives - last held 3 and 17 May 1999 (next election NA) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the other judges are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Judicial Council) Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML [Madhav Kumar NEPAL, general secretary]; National Democratic Party or NDP (also called Rastriya Prajantra Party or RPP) [Surya Bahadur THAPA, chairman]; National People's Front (Rastriya Jana Morcha) [Chitra Bahadur, chairman]; Nepal Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party or NSP [Bhadri Prasad MANDAL, acting party president]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE, party chairman]; Nepali Congress or NC [Girija Prasad KOIRALA, party president; Sushil KOIRALA, general secretary]; Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal [Lila Mani POKHAREL, general secretary] Political pressure groups and leaders: Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL also known as Prahanda, chairman; and chief negotiator, Dr. Baburam BHATTARAI, from Communist Party of Nepal/Maoist]; numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups International organization participation: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Jai Pratap RANA FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534 consulate(s) general: New York telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550 chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael E. MALINOWSKI embassy: Panipokhari, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [977] (1) 411179 FAX: [977] (1) 419963 Flag description: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun Economy Nepal Economy - overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with 42% of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population and accounting for 40% of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Textile and carpet production, accounting for about 80% of foreign exchange earnings in recent years, contracted in 2001-02 due to the overall slowdown in the world economy and pressures by Maoist insurgents on factory owners and workers. Security concerns in the wake of the Maoist conflict and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US have led to a decrease in tourism, another key source of foreign exchange. Since 1991, the government has been moving forward with economic reforms, e.g., by reducing business licenses and registration requirements to simplify investment procedures, reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries, and laying off civil servants. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. The international community's role of funding more than 60% of Nepal's development budget and more than 28% of total budgetary expenditures will likely continue as a major ingredient of growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $37.32 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 20% services: 40% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 42% (1995-96) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 29.8% (1995-96) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.7 (FY 95/96) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2001 est.) Labor force: 10 million note: severe lack of skilled labor (1996 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 81%, services 16%, industry 3% Unemployment rate: 47% (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $665 million expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00 est.) Industries: tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette; cement and brick production Industrial production growth rate: 8.7% (FY 99/00) Electricity - production: 1.755 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.5% hydro: 91.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.764 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 95 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 227 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat Exports: $720 million f.o.b., but does not include unrecorded border trade with India (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain Exports - partners: India 47.5%, US 27.6%, Germany 7.5% (2002) Imports: $1.6 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer Imports - partners: India 21.2%, China 13%, UAE 11.1%, Singapore 8.5%, Hong Kong 5.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.9%, Kuwait 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $2.55 billion (FY 00/01) Economic aid - recipient: $424 million (FY 00/01) Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR) Currency code: NPR Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees per US dollar - 77.88 (2002), 74.95 (2001), 71.09 (2000), 68.24 (1999), 65.98 (1998) Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July Communications Nepal Telephones - main lines in use: 236,816 (January 2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network domestic: NA international: radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (January 2000) Radios: 840,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998) Televisions: 130,000 (1997) Internet country code: .np Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000) Internet users: 60,000 (2002) Transportation Nepal Railways: total: 59 km narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 13,223 km paved: 4,073 km unpaved: 9,150 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: 45 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 28 (2002) Military Nepal Military branches: Royal Nepalese Army (includes Royal Nepalese Army Air Service), Nepalese Police Force Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,674,014 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,467,511 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 303,222 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $57.22 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY02) Transnational Issues Nepal Disputes - international: joint border commission continues to work on small disputed sections of boundary with India; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Netherlands Introduction Netherlands Background: The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 1999. Geography Netherlands Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany Geographic coordinates: 52 30 N, 5 45 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 41,526 sq km water: 7,643 sq km land: 33,883 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Coastline: 451 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, arable land Land use: arable land: 26.53% other: 72.44% (1998 est.) permanent crops: 1.03% Irrigated land: 5,650 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Geography - note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde) People Netherlands Population: 16,150,511 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.2% (male 1,501,127; female 1,436,453) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 5,576,141; female 5,389,764) 65 years and over: 13.9% (male 929,087; female 1,317,939) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.6 years male: 37.7 years female: 39.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.5% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.31 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.66 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.74 years male: 75.85 years female: 81.76 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 17,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 110 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch Ethnic groups: Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese and Indonesians) (1999 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40% (1998) Languages: Dutch (official language), Frisian (official language) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (2000 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Netherlands Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands conventional short form: Netherlands local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden local short form: Nederland Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles Independence: 1579 (from Spain); note - the northern provinces of the Low Country concluded the Union of Utrecht, but it was 1648 before Spain finally recognized their independence National holiday: Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April Constitution: adopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 February 1983 Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22 July 2002) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gerrit ZALM (since 27 May 2003) and Thom DE GRAAF (since 27 May 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the prime minister on legislative and administrative policy Legislative branch: bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: First Chamber - last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); Second Chamber - last held 22 January 2003 (next to be held NA January 2007) election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 23, PvdA 19, VVD 15, Green Party 5, Socialist Party 4, D66 3, other 6; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - CDA 28.6%, PvdA 27.3%, VVD 12.9%, Socialist Party 6.3%, List Pim Fortuyn 5.7%, Green Party 5.1%, D66 4.1%; seats by party - CDA 44, PvdA 42, VVD 28, Socialist Party 9, List Pim Fortuyn 8, Green Party 8, D66 6, other 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Maxime Jacques Marcel VERHAGEN]; Christian Union Party [Andre ROUVOET]; Democrats 66 or D66 [Boris DITTRICH]; Green Party [Femke HALSEMA]; Labor Party or PvdA [Wouter BOS]; List Pim Fortuyn [Mat HERBEN]; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Gerrit ZALM]; Socialist Party [Jan MARIJNISSEN]; a host of minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Boudewijn J. VAN EENENNAAM consulate(s): Boston consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300 chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209 FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with William I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century Economy Netherlands Economy - overview: The Netherlands is a prosperous and open economy depending heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-03, as part of the global economic slowdown, but for the four years before that, annual growth averaged nearly 4%, well above the EU average. The government is wrestling with a deteriorating budget position, and is moving toward the EU 3% limit. GDP: purchasing power parity - $437.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $27,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.1% industry: 25.7% services: 71.2% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.6 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 7.2 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: services 73%, industry 23%, agriculture 4% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 3% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $134 billion expenditures: $134 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 0% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 88.32 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 89.9% hydro: 0.1% other: 5.7% (2001) nuclear: 4.3% Electricity - consumption: 99.42 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 4.209 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 21.49 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 46,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 895,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 1.418 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 2.284 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 88.06 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 77.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 49.72 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 49.28 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 20.78 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.693 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock Exports: $243.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs Exports - partners: Germany 25.1%, Belgium 12.7%, UK 10.7%, France 10.2%, Italy 6%, US 4.6% (2002) Imports: $201.1 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs, clothing Imports - partners: Germany 17.8%, Belgium 9.7%, US 9.1%, UK 6.9%, France 5.5%, China 5.1%, Japan 4% (2002) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $3.5 billion (2000 est.) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Netherlands Telephones - main lines in use: 9,132,400 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,081,891 (April 1999) Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed and well maintained domestic: the existing system of multi-conductor cables is gradually being replaced by fiber-optic cables; the density of cellular telephone traffic is rapidly increasing and further modernization of the system is expected in 2001, with the introduction of the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (1996) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 58, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 15.3 million (1996) Television broadcast stations: 21 (plus 26 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 8.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .nl Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 52 (2000) Internet users: 9.73 million (2002) Transportation Netherlands Railways: total: 2,808 km standard gauge: 2,808 km 1.435-m gauge (2,061 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 116,500 km paved: 104,850 km (including 2,235 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,650 km (1999) Waterways: 5,046 km (of which 3,745 km are canals) note: 47% of total route length is usable by craft of 1,000-metric-ton capacity or larger Pipelines: condensate 325 km; gas 6,998 km; oil 590 km; refined products 716 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, IJmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht, Vlissingen Merchant marine: total: 616 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,664,711 GRT/5,226,912 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, Canada 1, Denmark 5, Finland 5, Germany 55, Ireland 12, Norway 12, Sweden 17, UK 33, US 12 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 371, chemical tanker 51, container 70, liquefied gas 13, livestock carrier 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 15, passenger 10, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 34, roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 6 Airports: 28 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Netherlands Military branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (note - age 17 for cadets and midshipmen) (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 4,071,891 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,536,586 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 94,034 note: Netherlands has an all-volunteer, 74,100 force in 2001 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $6.5 billion (FY00/01 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (FY00/01 est.) Transnational Issues Netherlands Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major European producer of illicit amphetamine and other synthetic drugs; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Netherlands Antilles Introduction Netherlands Antilles Background: Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is shared with France; its northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe, and its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Geography Netherlands Antilles Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - one includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela; the other is east of the Virgin Islands Geographic coordinates: 12 15 N, 68 45 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 960 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin) water: 0 sq km land: 960 sq km Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 10.2 km border countries: Guadeloupe (Saint Martin) 10.2 km Coastline: 364 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only) Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% other: 90% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao) People Netherlands Antilles Population: 216,226 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.7% (male 27,383; female 26,122) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 69,233; female 75,956) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 7,244; female 10,288) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 31.8 years male: 30.3 years female: 33.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.9% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 15.76 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 11.54 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.38 years male: 73.16 years female: 77.7 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.04 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Dutch Antillean(s) adjective: Dutch Antillean Ethnic groups: mixed black 85%, Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) predominates, English widely spoken, Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.7% male: 96.7% female: 96.8% (2003 est.) Government Netherlands Antilles Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none former: Curacao and Dependencies local short form: Nederlandse Antillen Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Government type: parliamentary Capital: Willemstad Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: each island has its own government Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) National holiday: Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Mirna LOUISA-GODETT (since 11 August 2003) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 18 January 2002 (next to be held by NA 2006) note: government coalition - PDB, DP-St. M, FOL, PLKP, PNP cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten Legislative branch: unicameral States or Staten (22 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FOL 5, PAR 4, PNP 3, PLKP 2, DP-St.M 2, UPB 2, DP 1, MAN 1, PDB 1, WIPM 1 note: the government of Prime Minister Mirna LOUISA-GODETT is a coalition of several parties; current seats by party - PAR 4, PNP 3, FOL 2, MAN 2, UPB 2, DP-St. M 2, PDB 1, SEA 1, WIPM 1, other 4 elections: last held 18 January 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Antillean Restructuring Party or PAR [Miguel POURIER]; C 93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi ABRAHAM]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ]; Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY]; Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Foundation Energetic Management Anti-Narcotics or FAME [Eric LODEWIJKS]; Labor Party People's Crusade or PLKP [Errol COVA]; National People's Party or PNP [Susanne F. C. CAMELIA-ROMER]; New Antilles Movement or MAN [Kenneth GIJSBERTHA]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB [Ramon BOOI]; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten or SPA [Vance JAMES, Jr.]; People's Party or PAPU [Richard Hodi]; Pro Curacao Party or PPK [Winston LOURENS]; Saba Democratic Labor Movement [Steve HASSELL]; Saba Unity Party [Carmen SIMMONDS]; St. Eustatius Alliance or SEA [Kenneth VAN PUTTEN]; Serious Alternative People's Party or Sapp [Julian ROLLOCKS]; Social Action Cause or KAS [Benny DEMEI]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Will JOHNSTON]; Workers' Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT, Rignald LAK, Editha WRIGHT] note: political parties are indigenous to each island Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Deborah A. BOLTON consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad AN, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: [599] (9) 4613066 FAX: [599] (9) 4616489 Flag description: white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten Economy Netherlands Antilles Economy - overview: Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined or remained even in each of the past six years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, the US and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 89,000 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $710.8 million expenditures: $741.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.061 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 986.8 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit Exports: $553 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: petroleum products Exports - partners: US 20.9%, Guatemala 12%, Venezuela 10.5%, Guyana 6.6%, Singapore 4.4%, Cuba 4% (2002) Imports: $1.43 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, food, manufactures Imports - partners: Venezuela 60.8%, Mexico 11.7%, US 9.7% (2002) Debt - external: $1.35 billion (1996) Economic aid - recipient: IMF provided $61 million in 2000, and the Netherlands continued its support with $40 million Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) Currency code: ANG Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Netherlands Antilles Telephones - main lines in use: 76,000 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: 13,977 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: generally adequate facilities domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international: submarine cables - 2; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 217,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (there is also a cable service, which supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and two Venezuelan channels) (1997) Televisions: 69,000 (1997) Internet country code: .an Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 Internet users: 2,000 (2000) Transportation Netherlands Antilles Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 600 km paved: 300 km unpaved: 300 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad Merchant marine: total: 147 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,122,189 GRT/1,398,649 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 56, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 3, container 27, liquefied gas 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 15, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 27, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 1 note: includes foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 3, Denmark 2, Germany 43, Monaco 8, Netherlands 52, New Zealand 1, Norway 3, Peru 1, Spain 1, Sweden 3, UK 5 (2002 est.) Airports: 5 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2038 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Netherlands Antilles Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force, National Guard, Police Force Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 55,155 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 30,840 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,643 (2003 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Transnational Issues Netherlands Antilles Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @New Caledonia Introduction New Caledonia Background: Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s seems to have dissipated. Geography New Caledonia Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 165 30 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 19,060 sq km water: 485 sq km land: 18,575 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,254 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper Land use: arable land: 0.38% permanent crops: 0.33% other: 99.29% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1991) Natural hazards: cyclones, most frequent from November to March Environment - current issues: erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires Geography - note: consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls People New Caledonia Population: 210,798 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.7% (male 31,990; female 30,695) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 68,093; female 67,205) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 6,016; female 6,799) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.9 years male: 26.7 years female: 27.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.38% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 8.76 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.52 years male: 70.57 years female: 76.62 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.39 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian Ethnic groups: Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10% Languages: French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92% female: 90% (1976 est.) Government New Caledonia Country name: conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies conventional short form: New Caledonia local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances Dependency status: overseas territory of France since 1956 Government type: NA Capital: Noumea Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sud Independence: none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014 National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner Daniel CONSTANTIN (since 3 July 2002) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress; note - last election held 28 November 2002 when Pierre FROGIER was reelected head of government: President of the Government Pierre FROGIER (since 5 April 2001) cabinet: Consultative Committee Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres Territorial (54 seats; members are members of the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 May 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPCR 24, FLNKS 12, UNI 6, FCCI 4, FN 4, Alliance pour la Caledonie 3, LKS 1 note: New Caledonia elects 1 seat to the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; New Caledonia also elects 2 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 and 16 June 2002 (next to be held by June 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance pour la Caledonie or APLC [Didier LE ROUX]; Federation des Comites de Coordination des Independantistes or FCCI [Francois BURCK]; Front National or FN [Guy GEORGE]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK [Ernest UNE]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS [leader NA] (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE and Elie POIGOUNE]; Rally for Caledonia in the Republic (anti independent) or RPCR [Jacques LAFLEUR]; Union Nationale pour l'Independance or UNI [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; note - may no longer exist, but Paul NEAOUTYINE has since become a president of Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM [Victor TUTUGORO] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy New Caledonia Economy - overview: New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than one-fourth of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $14,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 30% services: 65% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.6% (2000 est.) Labor force: 79,395 (including 15,018 unemployed, 1996) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 7%, industry 23%, services 70% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 19% (1996) Budget: revenues: $861.3 million expenditures: $735.3 million, including capital expenditures of $52 million (1996 est.) Industries: nickel mining and smelting Industrial production growth rate: -0.6% (1996) Electricity - production: 1.613 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 76.3% hydro: 23.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.5 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products Exports: $400 million f.o.b. (2000) Exports - commodities: ferronickels, nickel ore, fish Exports - partners: Japan 20.6%, France 20.4%, Taiwan 16.3%, South Africa 11.3%, Spain 7.7%, South Korea 5.4%, Australia 5.4%, Italy 5.3% (2002) Imports: $1 billion f.o.b. (2000) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 52.8%, Australia 12.7%, Singapore 9.8% (2002) Debt - external: $79 million (1998 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $880 million annual subsidy from France Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt the euro in 2003 Currency code: XPF Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 135.04 (January 2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications New Caledonia Telephones - main lines in use: 47,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 13,040 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 107,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 6 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 52,000 (1997) Internet country code: .nc Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 24,000 (2001) Transportation New Caledonia Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 4,825 km paved: 2,287 km unpaved: 2,538 km (1999) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Mueo, Noumea, Thio Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,261 GRT/1,600 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Malaysia 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 30 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Heliports: 5 (2002) Military New Caledonia Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; French Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $192.3 million (FY96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.3% (FY96) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues New Caledonia Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @New Zealand Introduction New Zealand Background: The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances. Geography New Zealand Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 268,680 sq km note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands water: NA sq km land: NA sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Colorado Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 15,134 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone Land use: arable land: 5.8% permanent crops: 6.44% other: 87.76% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 2,850 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world People New Zealand Population: 3,951,307 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 443,837; female 423,118) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,318,751; female 1,307,796) 65 years and over: 11.6% (male 199,722; female 258,083) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 33.1 years male: 32.4 years female: 33.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.09% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 14.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 4.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.96 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.32 years male: 75.34 years female: 81.44 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,200 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand Ethnic groups: New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4% Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33% (1986) Languages: English (official), Maori (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government New Zealand Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand abbreviation: NZ Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Wellington Administrative divisions: 16 regions; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, West Coast Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK) National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Constitution: consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments and The Constitution Act 1986 which is the principal formal charter Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since 4 April 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December 1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Michael CULLEN (since NA July 2002) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (120 seats; 69 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, and 51 proportional seats chosen from party lists, all to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 27 July 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NZLP 52, NP 27, NZFP 13, ACT New Zealand 9, Green Party 9, UF 8, other 2 Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: ACT New Zealand [Richard PREBBLE]; Alliance (a coalition of the New Labor Party, Democratic Party, New Zealand Liberal Party, and Mana Motuhake) [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; Green Party [Jeanette FITZSIMONS and Rod DONALD]; National Party or NP [Don BRASH]; New Zealand First Party or NZFP [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Helen CLARK]; United Future or UF [Peter DUNNE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, C, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador L. John WOOD consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles J. SWINDELLS embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034 telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000 FAX: [64] (4) 472-3478 consulate(s) general: Auckland Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation Economy New Zealand Economy - overview: Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring, transforming New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes (but left behind many at the bottom of the ladder), broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. While per capita incomes have been rising, however, they remain below the level of the four largest EU economies, and there is some government concern that New Zealand is not closing the gap. New Zealand is heavily dependent on trade - particularly in agricultural products - to drive growth, and it has been affected by the global economic slowdown and the slump in commodity prices. Thus far the New Zealand economy has been relatively resilient, although growth may slow to 2.5% in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $78.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 23% services: 69% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.92 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 65%, industry 25%, agriculture 10% (1995) Unemployment rate: 5.3% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $29.2 billion expenditures: $31.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002) Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 37.51 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 31.6% hydro: 57.8% other: 10.7% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 34.88 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 42,160 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 132,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 30,220 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 119,700 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 89.62 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 6.504 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 6.504 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 58.94 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish Exports: $15 billion (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery Exports - partners: Australia 20.3%, US 15.5%, Japan 11.5%, UK 4.8%, China 4.6%, South Korea 4.4% (2002) Imports: $12.5 billion (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics Imports - partners: Australia 22.1%, US 13.6%, Japan 12%, China 8%, Germany 5.2% (2002) Debt - external: $33 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $99.7 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD) Currency code: NZD Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.16 (2002), 2.38 (2001), 2.2 (2000), 1.89 (1999), 1.87 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications New Zealand Telephones - main lines in use: 1.92 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.2 million (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 3.75 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 1.926 million (1997) Internet country code: .nz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 36 (2000) Internet users: 2.06 million (2002) Transportation New Zealand Railways: total: 3,898 km narrow gauge: 3,898 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 92,053 km paved: 57,809 km (including at least 190 km of expressways) unpaved: 34,244 km (2000) Waterways: 1,609 km note: of little importance in satisfying total transportation requirements Pipelines: gas 2,213 km; liquid petroleum gas 79 km; oil 160 km; refined products 304 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington Merchant marine: total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 69,685 GRT/106,627 DWT note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 Airports: 113 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 5 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 67 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 26 under 914 m: 39 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military New Zealand Military branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,021,770 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 859,505 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 26,803 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $605.7 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY02) Transnational Issues New Zealand Disputes - international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Nicaragua Introduction Nicaragua Background: The Pacific Coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and again in 2001 saw the Sandinistas defeated. The country has slowly rebuilt its economy during the 1990s, but was hard hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Geography Nicaragua Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 129,494 sq km water: 9,240 sq km land: 120,254 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the state of New York Land boundaries: total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km Coastline: 910 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: natural prolongation territorial sea: 200 NM Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish Land use: arable land: 20.24% permanent crops: 2.38% other: 77.38% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 880 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua People Nicaragua Population: 5,128,517 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.7% (male 984,719; female 949,282) 15-64 years: 59.2% (male 1,510,352; female 1,527,991) 65 years and over: 3% (male 68,332; female 87,841) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 20.4 years male: 20 years female: 20.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.03% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 26.29 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 31.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 35.08 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.68 years male: 67.68 years female: 71.79 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,800 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 400 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant Languages: Spanish (official) note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.5% male: 67.2% female: 67.8% (2003 est.) Government Nicaragua Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form: Nicaragua local short form: Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua Government type: republic Capital: Managua Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonomista); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 9 January 1987, with reforms in 1995 and 2000 Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10 January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January 2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10 January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January 2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 4 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2006) election results: Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (PLC) elected president - 56.3%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 42.3%, Alberto SABORIO (PC) 1.4%; Jose RIZO Castellon elected vice president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (93 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance (ruling party - includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, FSLN 36.55%, PCCN 3.73%, PCN 2.12%, MRS 1.33%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 42, FSLN 36, PCCN 4, PCN 3, PRONAL 2, MRS 1, PRN 1, PC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (16 judges elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Conservative Party of Nicaragua or PCN [Dr. Fernando AGUERO Rocha]; Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Virgilio GODOY]; Liberal Alliance (ruling alliance including Liberal Constitutional Party or PLC, New Liberal Party or PALI, Independent Liberal Party for National Unity or PLIUN, and Central American Unionist Party or PUCA) [leader NA]; National Conservative Party or PC [Pedro SOLARZANO, Noel VIDAURRE]; National Project or PRONAL [Benjamin LANZAS]; Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Path or PCCN [Guillermo OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ]; Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN [Salvador TALAVERA]; Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]; Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Sergio RAMIREZ]; Unity Alliance or AU [Alejandro SERRANO]; Union Nacional Opositora 96 or UNO-96 [Alfredo CESAR Aguirre] Political pressure groups and leaders: National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions including - Farm Workers Association or ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG, Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including - Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; Nicaraguan Workers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of business groups International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Salvador STADTHAGEN (since 5 December 2003) consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York FAX: [1] (202) 939-6542 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570 chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara Calandra MOORE embassy: Apartado Postal 327, Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] 266-6010, 266-2298, 266-6013 FAX: [505] 266-9074 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Economy Nicaragua Economy - overview: Nicaragua, one of the hemisphere's poorest countries, faces low per capita income, flagging socio-economic indicators, and huge external debt. Distribution of income is one of the most unequal on the globe. While the country has made progress toward macroeconomic stability over the past few years, a banking crisis and scandal has shaken the economy. Nicaragua will continue to be dependent on international aid and debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Donors have made aid conditional on the openness of government financial operation, poverty alleviation, and human rights. Nicaragua met the conditions for additional debt service relief in December 2000. Growth should move up moderately in 2003 because of increased private investment and exports. GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.16 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 26% services: 44% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 48.8% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 60.3 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.7 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: services 43%, agriculture 42%, industry 15% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 24% plus considerable underemployment (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $726 million expenditures: $908 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood Industrial production growth rate: 4.4% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 2.549 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 83.9% hydro: 7.7% other: 8.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.388 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 17 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 24,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products Exports: $637 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, shrimp and lobster, cotton, tobacco, bananas, beef, sugar, gold Exports - partners: US 59.4%, El Salvador 7.5%, Honduras 4.8% (2002) Imports: $1.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products, consumer goods Imports - partners: US 23.7%, Costa Rica 10.3%, Venezuela 10.1%, Guatemala 7.8%, Mexico 6.7%, El Salvador 6%, South Korea 4.6% (2002) Debt - external: $5.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: Substantial foreign support Currency: gold cordoba (NIO) Currency code: NIO Exchange rates: gold cordobas per US dollar - 14.25 (2002), 13.37 (2001), 12.68 (2000), 11.81 (1999), 10.58 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Nicaragua Telephones - main lines in use: 140,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 7,911 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate system being upgraded by foreign investment domestic: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 63, FM 32, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 1.24 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 320,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ni Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: 20,000 (2000) Transportation Nicaragua Railways: total: 6 km narrow gauge: 6 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 19,032 km paved: 2,094 km unpaved: 16,938 km (2000) Waterways: 2,220 km (including 2 large lakes) Pipelines: oil 54 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 176 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 165 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 141 (2002) Military Nicaragua Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,347,033 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 825,906 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 59,903 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $26 million (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY98) Transnational Issues Nicaragua Disputes - international: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank region; with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; legal dispute over navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Rica Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Niger Introduction Niger Background: Not until 1993, 33 years after independence from France, did Niger hold it's first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord ended a five-year Tuareg insurgency in the north. Coups in 1996 and 1999 were followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation Council that effected a transition to civilian rule by December 1999. Geography Niger Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1.267 million sq km water: 300 sq km land: 1,266,700 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,697 km border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Niger River 200 m highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum Land use: arable land: 3.94% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.06% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 660 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts Environment - current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world: northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture People Niger Population: 11,058,590 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47.6% (male 2,686,169; female 2,581,785) 15-64 years: 50.2% (male 2,710,554; female 2,842,319) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 125,505; female 112,258) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.1 years male: 15.6 years female: 16.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.71% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 49.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 21.71 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 123.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 119.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 127.99 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.21 years male: 42.29 years female: 42.12 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: 6,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French expatriates Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 17.6% male: 25.8% female: 9.7% (2003 est.) Government Niger Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local short form: Niger local long form: Republique du Niger Government type: republic Capital: Niamey Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular - departement) and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958) Constitution: the constitution of January 1993 was revised by national referendum on 12 May 1996 and again by referendum on 18 July 1999 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) was appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president cabinet: 23-member Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; last held 24 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: TANDJA Mamadou elected president; percent of vote - TANDJA Mamadou 59.9%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 40.1% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (83 seats, members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 24 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNSD-Nassara 38, CDS-Rahama 17, PNDS-Tarayya 16, RDP-Jama'a 8, ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya 4 Judicial branch: State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Democratic Rally of the People-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Mamadou TANDJA, chairman]; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya or PNDS-Tarayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; Union of Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua or UPDP-Chamoua [Professor Andre' SALIFOU, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA FAX: [1] (202)483-3169 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gail Dennise Thomas MATHIEU embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: [227] 73 31 67, 72-31-46 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band Economy Niger Economy - overview: Niger is a poor, landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, because of declining world demand. The 50% devaluation of the West African franc in January 1994 boosted exports of livestock, cowpeas, onions, and the products of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid - which was suspended following the April 1999 coup d'etat - for operating expenses and public investment. In 2000-01, the World Bank approved a structural adjustment loan of $105 million to help support fiscal reforms. However, reforms could prove difficult given the government's bleak financial situation. The IMF approved a $73 million poverty reduction and growth facility for Niger in 2000 and announced $115 million in debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Further disbursements of aid occurred in 2002. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.713 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39% industry: 17% services: 44% (2001) Population below poverty line: 63% (1993 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 35.4% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.5 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 70,000 receive regular wages or salaries Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $320 million - including $134 million from foreign sources expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $178 million (2002 est.) Industries: uranium mining, cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 242 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 325.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 100 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry Exports: $293 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions Exports - partners: France 39%, Nigeria 33.2%, Japan 17.1% (2002) Imports: $368 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals Imports - partners: France 16.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 14.9%, China 9.8%, Nigeria 7.4%, US 5.2%, Japan 4.6%, India 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $1.6 billion (1999 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $341 million (1997) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Niger Telephones - main lines in use: 20,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6,700 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger domestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: 680,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (2002) Televisions: 125,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ne Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 12,000 (2002) Transportation Niger Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 10,100 km paved: 798 km unpaved: 9,302 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 300 km note: the Niger River is navigable from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March Ports and harbors: none Airports: 27 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Niger Military branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Intervention and Security Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,379,485 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,288,396 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 119,367 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $20.54 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY02) Transnational Issues Niger Disputes - international: Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over the lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Nigeria Introduction Nigeria Background: Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The president faces the daunting task of rebuilding a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the OBASANJO administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth and political stability. Despite some irregularities the April 2003 elections marked the first civilian transfer of power in Nigeria's history. Geography Nigeria Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 923,768 sq km water: 13,000 sq km land: 910,768 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,047 km border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, arable land Land use: arable land: 30.96% permanent crops: 2.79% other: 66.25% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 2,330 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; flooding Environment - current issues: soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil; has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land; rapid urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea People Nigeria Population: 133,881,703 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.6% (male 29,322,774; female 28,990,702) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 36,513,700; female 35,254,333) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 1,890,043; female 1,910,151) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18 years male: 18.1 years female: 17.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.53% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 38.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13.76 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 71.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 74.44 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.01 years male: 50.89 years female: 51.14 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.4 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 5.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3.5 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 170,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian Ethnic groups: Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5% Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68% male: 75.7% female: 60.6% (2003 est.) Government Nigeria Country name: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria conventional short form: Nigeria Government type: republic transitioning from military to civilian rule Capital: Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal government offices have now made the move to Abuja Administrative divisions: 36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Federal Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960) Constitution: new constitution adopted May 1999 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (only in some northern states), and traditional law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Executive Council elections: president is elected by popular vote for no more than two four-year terms; election last held 19 April 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: Olusegun OBASANJO elected president; percent of vote - Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) 61.9%, Muhammadu BUHARI (ANPP) 31.2%, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJUKWU (APGA) 3.3%, other 3.6% Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of Senate (107 seats, three from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (346 seats, members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held NA 2007); House of Representatives - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.6%, ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%; seats by party - PDP 73, ANPP 28, AD 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP 27.4%, AD 9.3%, other 8.8%; seats by party - PDP 213, ANPP 95, AD 31, other 7; note - two constituencies are not reported Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the President); Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice of the Advisory Judicial Committee) Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or AD [Alhaji Adamu ABDULKADIR]; All Nigeria Peoples' Party or ANPP [Don ETIEBET]; All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Chekwas OKORIE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Audu OGBEH]; Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples Party or UNPP [Saleh JAMBO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC [Adams OSHIOMOLE] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jibril Muhammad AMINU consulate(s) general: Atlanta and New York FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385 telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400 chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Howard Franklin JETER embassy: 7 Mambilla Drive, Abuja mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos telephone: [234] (9) 523-0916/0906/5857/2235/2205 FAX: [234] (9) 523-0353 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green Economy Nigeria Economy - overview: The oil-rich Nigerian economy, long hobbled by political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management, is undergoing substantial reform under the new civilian administration. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65% of budgetary revenues. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms. The agreement was allowed to expire by the IMF in November 2001, however, and Nigeria apparently received much less multilateral assistance than expected in 2002. Nonetheless, increases in foreign oil investment and oil production kept growth at 3% in 2002. The government lacks the strength to implement the market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as modernization of the banking system; to curb inflation by blocking excessive wage demands; and to resolve regional disputes over the distribution of earnings from the oil industry. When the uncertainties in the global economy are added in, estimates of Nigeria's prospects for 2003 must have a wide margin of error. GDP: purchasing power parity - $112.5 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 20% services: 35% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 60% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 40.8% (1996-97) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.6 (1996-97) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 66 million (1999 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 70%, industry 10%, services 20% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 28% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.4 billion expenditures: $3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 15.67 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 14.55 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 20 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 2.256 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 275,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 27 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 15.68 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 7.85 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 7.83 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 4.007 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish Exports: $17.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber Exports - partners: US 32.3%, Brazil 8.3%, Spain 7.2%, Indonesia 5.9%, France 5.6%, India 4.6% (2002) Imports: $13.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals Imports - partners: UK 9.6%, US 9.4%, China 9.3%, France 8.7%, Germany 6.8%, South Korea 6.1%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.7% (2002) Debt - external: $29.7 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $250 million (1998) Currency: naira (NGN) Currency code: NGN Exchange rates: nairas per US dollar - NA (2002), 111.23 (2001), 101.7 (2000), 92.34 (1999), 21.89 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Nigeria Telephones - main lines in use: 500,000 (2000 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: 200,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: an inadequate system, further limited by poor maintenance; major expansion is required and a start has been made domestic: intercity traffic is carried by coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, a domestic communications satellite system with 19 earth stations, and a coastal submarine cable; mobile cellular facilities and the Internet are available international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); coaxial submarine cable SAFE (South African Far East) Radio broadcast stations: AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001) Radios: 23.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2002) Televisions: 6.9 million (1997) Internet country code: .ng Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 11 (2000) Internet users: 100,000 (2000) Transportation Nigeria Railways: total: 3,557 km narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge standard gauge: 52 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 194,394 km paved: 60,068 km (including 1,194 km of expressways) unpaved: 134,326 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 8,575 km note: consisting of the Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks Pipelines: condensate 105 km; gas 1,660 km; oil 3,634 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri Merchant marine: total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 327,689 GRT/607,560 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Bulgaria 1, Greece 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 1, Togo 1, US 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 7, chemical tanker 5, petroleum tanker 29, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 Airports: 70 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Nigeria Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 31,790,482 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 18,259,696 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,418,099 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $417.9 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY02) Transnational Issues Nigeria Disputes - international: ICJ ruled in 2002 on the Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime boundary by awarding the potentially petroleum-rich Bakassi Peninsula and offshore region to Cameroon; Nigeria rejected the cession of the peninsula but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission to peaceably resolve the dispute and commence with demarcation in other less-contested sections of the boundary; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Benin; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias; Nigeria agreed to ratify the treaty and relinquish sovereignty of disputed lands to Cameroon by December 2003 Illicit drugs: a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets; safehaven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity, along with unwillingness of the government to address the deficiencies in its anti-money-laundering regime make money laundering a major problem This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Niue Introduction Niue Background: Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to about 2,100 in 2002), with substantial emigration to New Zealand, 2,400 km to the southwest. Geography Niue Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga Geographic coordinates: 19 02 S, 169 52 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 260 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 260 sq km Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 64 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m Natural resources: fish, arable land Land use: arable land: 19.23% permanent crops: 7.69% other: 73.08% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons Environment - current issues: increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: one of world's largest coral islands People Niue Population: 2,145 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: 0.01% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Niuean(s) adjective: Niuean Ethnic groups: Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans) Religions: Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 75%, Latter-Day Saints 10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist) Languages: Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% Government Niue Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue former: Savage Island Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy Capital: Alofi Administrative divisions: none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order Independence: on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act) Legal system: English common law note: Niue is self-governing, with the power to make its own laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since NA May 2000) election results: Young VIVIAN elected premier; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - Young VIVIAN (NPP) 70%, Hunukitama HUNUKI (AI) 30% elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2005) head of government: Premier Young VIVIAN (since 1 May 2002) cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 9, independents 11; note - all 20 seats were reelected elections: last held 21 March 2002 (next to be held in March 2005) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue Political parties and leaders: Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]; Alliance of Independents or AI [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ESCAP (associate), FAO, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Flag description: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross Economy Niue Economy - overview: The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although Premier LAKATANI announced in February 2002 that Niue will shut down the offshore banking industry. Economic aid from New Zealand in 2002 was about $2.6 million. GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.6 million (2000 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.3% (2000 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 55% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (1995) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: tourism, handicrafts, food processing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.79 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 20 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle Exports: $137,200 (1999) Exports - commodities: canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts Exports - partners: NZ mainly, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia (2000) Imports: $2.38 million (1999) Imports - commodities: food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs Imports - partners: NZ mainly, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Australia, US (2000) Debt - external: $418,000 (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $2.6 million from New Zealand (2002) Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD) Currency code: NZD Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.162 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Niue Telephones - main lines in use: 376 (1991) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1991) Telephone system: domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 1,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .nu Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Niue Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 234 km paved: 86 km unpaved: 148 km (2001) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Niue Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Transnational Issues Niue Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Norfolk Island Introduction Norfolk Island Background: Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Geography Norfolk Island Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Geographic coordinates: 29 02 S, 167 57 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 34.6 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 34.6 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 32 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons (especially May to July) Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: most of the 32-km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated People Norfolk Island Population: 1,853 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: 0.01% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s) Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesians Religions: Anglican 37.4%, Uniting Church in Australia 14.5%, Roman Catholic 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, none 12.2%, unknown 17.4%, other 3.9% (1996) Languages: English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian Literacy: NA Government Norfolk Island Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island conventional short form: Norfolk Island Dependency status: territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport, and Territories Government type: NA Capital: Kingston Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day, 8 June (1856) Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1979 Legal system: based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator Anthony J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997) election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA% elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years; election last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December 2004) head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Geoffrey Robert GARDNER (since 5 December 2001) cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the administrator Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band Economy Norfolk Island Economy - overview: Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: tourism NA%, subsistence agriculture NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $4.6 million expenditures: $4.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 92/93) Industries: tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2002) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Agriculture - products: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry Exports: $1.5 million f.o.b. (FY 91/92) Exports - commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados Exports - partners: Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe Imports: $17.9 million c.i.f. (FY 91/92) Imports - commodities: NA Imports - partners: Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.8406 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Norfolk Island Telephones - main lines in use: 1,087 (1983) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1983) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic: NA international: radiotelephone service with Sydney (Australia) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 2,500 (1996) Television broadcast stations: 1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring in Australian programs by satellite) (1998) Televisions: 1,200 (1996) Internet country code: .nf Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Norfolk Island Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2001) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Norfolk Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues Norfolk Island Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Northern Mariana Islands Introduction Northern Mariana Islands Background: Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. Geography Northern Mariana Islands Location: Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 477 sq km note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian water: 0 sq km land: 477 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,482 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land: 15.22% permanent crops: 6.52% other: 78.26% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) Environment - current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean People Northern Mariana Islands Population: 80,006 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.3% (male 9,483; female 9,168) 15-64 years: 74.8% (male 27,839; female 32,041) 65 years and over: 1.8% (male 748; female 727) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 30.4 years male: 31 years female: 30.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.37% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.97 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 2.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 16.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.16 years male: 73.06 years female: 79.44 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Languages: English, Chamorro, Carolinian note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 96% (1980 est.) Government Northern Mariana Islands Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands former: Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Dependency status: commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs Government type: commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature Capital: Saipan Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order; Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US) National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978 Legal system: based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Juan N. BABAUTA (since NA January 2002); Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENEVENTE (since NA January 2002) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held NA November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: Juan N. BABAUTA elected governor in a four-way race; percent of vote - Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican Party) 49% Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 4, Democratic Party 3, Reform Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 9, Republican Party 7, Democratic Party 1, independent 1 note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO) elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2003); House of Representatives - last held 1 November 2003 (next to be held NA November 2005) Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Benigno R. FITIAL] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), SPC Flag description: blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath Economy Northern Mariana Islands Economy - overview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. GDP: purchasing power parity - $900 million note: $900 million $900 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.2% (1997 est.) Labor force: 6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $193 million expenditures: $223 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY 01/02 est.) Industries: tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh Electricity - imports: 0 kWh Agriculture - products: coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: garments Exports - partners: US (2000) Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products Imports - partners: US, Japan (2000) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: extensive funding from US Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Northern Mariana Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 21,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,200 (1995) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, two cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (1997) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .mp Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2001) Internet users: NA Transportation Northern Mariana Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 362 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1991) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Saipan, Tinian Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 6 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Northern Mariana Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Northern Mariana Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Norway Introduction Norway Background: Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that was to last for more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Norway remained neutral in World War I and proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II. Nevertheless, it was not able to avoid a five-year occupation by Nazi Germany (1940-1945). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Geography Norway Location: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 324,220 sq km land: 307,860 sq km water: 16,360 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,544 km border countries: Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km Coastline: 21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 10 NM territorial sea: 4 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m Natural resources: petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.94% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.06% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,270 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: rockslides, avalanches Environment - current issues: water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world People Norway Population: 4,546,123 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.9% (male 465,320; female 439,095) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 1,501,608; female 1,462,590) 65 years and over: 14.9% (male 281,554; female 395,956) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 37.7 years male: 36.7 years female: 38.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.46% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.17 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.72 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.32 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.09 years male: 76.15 years female: 82.22 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,800 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian Ethnic groups: Norwegian, Sami 20,000 Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and unknown 10% (1997) Languages: Norwegian (official) note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Government Norway Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway conventional short form: Norway local short form: Norge local long form: Kongeriket Norge Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Oslo Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard Independence: 7 June 1905 Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved; 26 October 1905 Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814); note - on 14 January 1814 Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden; resisting Swedish domination, Norwegians adopted a new constitution four months later; on 14 August 1814 Norway was proclaimed independent but in union with Sweden; on 7 June 1905 Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884 Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973) head of government: Prime Minister Kjell Magne BONDEVIK (since 19 October 2001) cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the Parliament Legislative branch: modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (165 seats; members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2005) note: for certain purposes, the Parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house or Lagting election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 24.3%, Conservative Party 21.2%, Progress Party 14.6%, Socialist Left Party 12.5%, Christian People's Party 12.4%, Center Party 5.6%, Liberal Party 3.9%, Coastal Party 1.7%, other 3.8%; seats by party - Labor Party 43, Conservative Party 38, Progress Party 26, Socialist Left Party 23, Christian People's Party 22, Center Party 10, Liberal Party 2, Coastal Party 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [Valgerd Svarstad HAUGLAND]; Coastal Party [Steinar BASTESEN]; Conservative Party [Jan PETERSEN]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ONG embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63 Flag description: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Norway Economy - overview: The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises). The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil production and international oil prices; in 1999, oil and gas accounted for 35% of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia export more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994. The government has moved ahead with privatization. With arguably the highest quality of life worldwide, Norwegians still worry about that time in the next two decades when the oil and gas begin to run out. Accordingly, Norway has been saving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $43 billion. GDP growth was a lackluster 1% in 2002 and 2003 against the background of a faltering European economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $149.1 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $33,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.9% industry: 30.8% services: 67.3% (2000) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.8% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 25.8 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (2001 est.) Labor force: 2.4 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 74%, industry 22%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4% (1995) Unemployment rate: 3.9% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $71.7 billion expenditures: $57.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 120.1 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 115.3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 7.162 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 10.76 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 3.408 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 171,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 3.466 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 88,870 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 9.859 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 54.6 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.716 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish Exports: $68.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish Exports - partners: UK 18.1%, Germany 13.8%, France 11%, US 9.2%, Netherlands 8.2%, Sweden 8% (2002) Imports: $37.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Sweden 17.7%, Germany 13.4%, UK 7.8%, Denmark 7.7%, US 5.7%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 4.2%, Italy 4% (2002) Debt - external: $0 (Norway is a net external creditor) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.4 billion (1998) Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK) Currency code: NOK Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 7.98 (2002), 8.99 (2001), 8.8 (2000), 7.8 (1999), 7.55 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Norway Telephones - main lines in use: 2.735 million (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,080,408 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobile systems instead of fixed-wire systems international: 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 4.03 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 2.03 million (1997) Internet country code: .no Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (2000) Internet users: 2.68 million (2002) Transportation Norway Railways: total: 4,178 km standard gauge: 4,178 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 91,454 km paved: 69,505 km (including 143 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,949 km (2000) Waterways: 1,577 km (along west coast) note: navigable by 2.4 m maximum draft vessels Pipelines: condensate 411 km; gas 6,199 km; oil 2,213 km; oil/gas/water 746 km; unknown (oil/water) 38 km; water 96 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bergen, Drammen, Floro, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger, Tromso, Trondheim Merchant marine: total: 714 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,247,207 GRT/30,860,236 DWT ships by type: bulk 68, cargo 136, chemical tanker 125, combination bulk 5, combination ore/oil 32, container 19, liquefied gas 86, multi-function large load carrier 1, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 127, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 44, short-sea passenger 20, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 34 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Denmark 14, Germany 11, Greece 10, Hong Kong 7, Iceland 2, Japan 11, Lithuania 1, Monaco 42, Poland 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 10, Sweden 42, Switzerland 2, UK 4, US 5 (2002 est.) Airports: 102 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 66 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 26 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 29 (2002) Military Norway Military branches: Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (including Coast Artillery and Coast Guard), Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home Guard Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,099,314 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 910,628 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 27,249 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.113 billion (FY98/99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.13% (2002) Transnational Issues Norway Disputes - international: Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Oman Introduction Oman Background: In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Geography Oman Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 212,460 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 212,460 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km Coastline: 2,092 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Terrain: central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0.08% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 99.7% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil People Oman Population: 2,807,125 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 603,664; female 580,469) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 934,621; female 620,158) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 36,504; female 31,709) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.4 years male: 22.3 years female: 16.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.38% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 37.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 3.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.51 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female total population: 1.28 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 24.03 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.58 years male: 70.4 years female: 74.86 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.94 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,300 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects Literacy: definition: NA total population: 75.8% male: 83.1% female: 67.2% (2003 est.) Government Oman Country name: conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman former: Muscat and Oman local short form: Uman Government type: monarchy Capital: Muscat Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, but this has not been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) National holiday: Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) Constitution: none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for the Majlis al-Shura Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis al-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats; members elected by limited suffrage for three-year term, however, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers) elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has non-Islamic judges as well as traditional Islamic judges Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Ali bin Thani AL-KHUSSAIBY chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Lewis BALTIMORE III embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 698989, extension 203 FAX: [968] 699771 Flag description: three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band Economy Oman Economy - overview: Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000. GDP growth improved in 2001 despite the global slowdown and then fell back to 2.2% in 2002. In order to reduce unemployment, the government is trying to replace expatriate workers with local workers. Another government objective is the development of the nation's gas resources. GDP: purchasing power parity - $22.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 55% services: 42% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 920,000 (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $9.2 billion expenditures: $6.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 9.274 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 8.625 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 963,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 53,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 5.703 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 13.77 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 6.34 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 7.43 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 846.4 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish Exports: $10.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles Exports - partners: Japan 20.5%, South Korea 18.5%, China 14.1%, Thailand 11.7%, UAE 9.2%, Singapore 4.3%, US 4.1% (2002) Imports: $5.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants Imports - partners: UAE 27.5%, Japan 16.7%, UK 7.4%, US 6.9%, Germany 5% (2002) Debt - external: $5.7 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $76.4 million (1995) Currency: Omani rial (OMR) Currency code: OMR Exchange rates: Omani rials per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000), 0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Oman Telephones - main lines in use: 201,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 59,822 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable domestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Radios: 1.4 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999) Televisions: 1.6 million (1997) Internet country code: .om Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 120,000 (2002) Transportation Oman Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 34,965 km paved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,292 km (2001) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 3,599 km; oil 3,187 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 17,291 GRT/9,457 DWT ships by type: container 1, passenger 2 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Singapore 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 139 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 133 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 32 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 55 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Oman Military branches: Royal Omani Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Royal Omani Police Military manpower - military age: 14 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 788,429 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 438,326 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 29,485 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.424 billion (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 12.2% (FY01) Transnational Issues Oman Disputes - international: boundary agreement signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Pacific Ocean Introduction Pacific Ocean Background: The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. Geography Pacific Ocean Location: body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 160 00 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 155.557 million sq km note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world Coastline: 135,663 km Climate: planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December Terrain: surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish Natural hazards: surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea Geography - note: the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean Economy Pacific Ocean Economy - overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings. Transportation Pacific Ocean Ports and harbors: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Transportation - note: Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to Puget Sound (Washington state) Transnational Issues Pacific Ocean Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Pakistan Introduction Pakistan Background: The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved. A third war between these countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan seceding and becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. A dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. Geography Pakistan Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 803,940 sq km land: 778,720 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km Coastline: 1,046 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 27.81% permanent crops: 0.79% other: 71.4% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 180,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Environment - current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent People Pakistan Population: 150,694,740 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.3% (male 30,463,958; female 28,726,776) 15-64 years: 56.5% (male 43,571,093; female 41,651,872) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,051,674; female 3,229,367) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.8 years male: 19.7 years female: 20 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.01% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 29.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.79 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 76.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 76.95 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.2 years male: 61.3 years female: 63.14 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.1 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 78,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,500 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani Ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India at the time of partition and their descendants) Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3% Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 45.7% male: 59.8% female: 30.6% (2003 est.) Government Pakistan Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan Government type: federal republic Capital: Islamabad Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 23 March (1956) Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored on 31 December 2002 note: selected provisions of the Constitution pertaining to changes President MUSHARRAF made while the Constitution was suspended, remain contested by political opponents Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims Executive branch: note: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999, Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended Pakistan's constitution and assumed the additional title of Chief Executive; exercising the powers of the head of the government, he appointed an eight-member National Security Council to function as Pakistan's supreme governing body; on 12 May 2000, Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously validated the October 1999 coup and granted MUSHARRAF executive and legislative authority for three years from the coup date; on 20 June 2001, MUSHARRAF named himself as president and was sworn in, replacing Mohammad Rafiq TARAR; in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's presidency was extended by five more years chief of state: President Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan JAMALI (since 23 November 2002) elections: the president is elected by Parliament for a five-year term; note - in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's presidency was extended by five more years (next to be held NA 2007); the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly for a four-year term (next to be held NA 2006) election results: results are for the 10 October 2002 election for prime minister - Mir Zafarullah Khan JAMALI elected prime minister cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100 seats - formerly 87; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies to serve four-year terms; and the National Assembly (342 seats - formerly 217; 60 seats represent women; 10 seats represent minorities; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/Q 40, PPPP 11, MMA 21, MQM/A 6, PML/N 4, NA 3, PML/F 1, PkMAP 2, ANP 2, PPP/S 2, JWP 1, BNP-Awami 1, BNP-Mengal 1, BNM/H 1, independents 4; National Assembly results - percent of votes by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/Q 126, PPPP 81, MMA 63, PML/N 19, MQM/A 17, NA 16, PML/F 5, PML/J 3, PPP/S 2, BNP 1, JWP 1, PAT 1, PML/Z 1, PTI 1, MQM/H 1, PkMAP 1, independents 3 elections: Senate - last held 24 and 27 February 2003 (next to be held by February 2007); National Assembly - last held 10 October 2002 (next to be held by October 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Shari'a Court Political parties and leaders: Awami National Party or ANP [Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Movement/Hayee Group or BNM/H [Dr. Hayee BALUCH]; Baluch National Party or BNP [Sardar Akhtar MENGAL]; Baluch National Party/Awami or BNP/Awami [Moheem Kahn BALOCH]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP [Akbar Khan BUGTI]; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-HAQ faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani faction or JUP/NO [Shah Ahmad NOORANI]; Millat Party or MP [Farooq LEGHARI]; Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction or MQM/A [Altaf HUSSAIN]; Muhajir Quami Movement, Haqiqi faction or MQM/H [Afaq AHMAD]; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan or MMA [leader NA]; National Alliance or NA [Farooq Ahmad Khan LEGHARI]; National People's Party or NPP [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI]; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakhtun Quami Party or PQP [Mohammed Afzal KHAN]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Democratic Party or PDP [Nawabadzada KHAN]; Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League, Junejo faction or PML/J [Hamid Nasir CHATTHA]; Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League, Quaid-l-Azam faction or PML/Q [Chaudhry Shujjat HUSSEIN]; Pakistan Muslim League, Zia-ul-HAQ or PML/Z [Ejaz ul-Haq]; Pakistan National Party or PNP [Hasil BIZENJO]; Pakistan People's Party or PPP [Benazir BHUTTO]; Pakistan People's Party/Sherpao or PPP/S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan People's Party/Shaheed Bhutto or PPP/SB [Ghinva BHUTTO]; Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Amin FAHIM]; Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i-Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI]; Tehrik-i-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN] note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently Political pressure groups and leaders: military remains most important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential International organization participation: AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), C (suspended), CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir QAZI chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, and Sunnyvale (California) telephone: [1] (202) 939-6205 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy J. POWELL embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 2080-0000 FAX: [92] (51) 2276427 consulate(s): Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy Pakistan Economy - overview: Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, suffers from internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring India. Pakistan's economic prospects, although still marred by poor human development indicators, continued to improve in 2002 following unprecedented inflows of foreign assistance beginning in 2001. Foreign exchange reserves have grown to record levels, supported largely by fast growth in recorded worker remittances. Trade levels rebounded after a sharp decline in late 2001. The government has made significant inroads in macroeconomic reform since 2000, but progress is beginning to slow. Although it is in the second year of its $1.3 billion IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, Islamabad continues to require waivers for politically difficult reforms. Long-term prospects remain uncertain as development spending remains low, regional tensions remain high, and political tensions weaken Pakistan's commitment to lender-recommended economic reforms. GDP growth will continue to hinge on crop performance; dependence on foreign oil leaves the import bill vulnerable to fluctuating oil prices; and efforts to open and modernize the economy remain uneven. GDP: purchasing power parity - $295.3 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (FY01/02 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,000 (FY01/02 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 25% services: 51% (FY01/02 est.) Population below poverty line: 35% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 27.6% (1996-97) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 41 (FY98/99) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 40.4 million note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 44%, industry 17%, services 39% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.8% plus substantial underemployment (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $12.6 billion expenditures: $14.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY02/03 est.) Industries: textiles, and apparel, food processing, beverages, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (FY01/02 est.) Electricity - production: 66.96 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 3% Electricity - consumption: 62.27 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 62,870 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 365,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 297.1 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 695.6 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs Exports: $9.8 billion f.o.b. (FY02/03 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles (garments, cotton cloth, and yarn), rice, leather, sports goods, and carpets and rugs Exports - partners: US 24.5%, UAE 8.5%, UK 7.2%, Germany 4.9%, Hong Kong 4.8% (2002) Imports: $11.1 billion f.o.b. (FY02/03 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, transportation equipment, edible oils, pulses, iron an steel, tea Imports - partners: UAE 11.7%, Saudi Arabia 11.7%, Kuwait 6.7%, US 6.4%, China 6.2%, Japan 6%, Malaysia 4.5%, Germany 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $32.3 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $2.4 billion (FY01/02) Currency: Pakistani rupee (PKR) Currency code: PKR Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 59.72 (2002), 61.93 (2001), 53.65 (2000), 49.12 (1999), 44.94 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Pakistan Telephones - main lines in use: 2.861 million (March 1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 158,000 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: the domestic system is mediocre, but improving; service is adequate for government and business use, in part because major businesses have established their own private systems; since 1988, the government has promoted investment in the national telecommunications system on a priority basis, significantly increasing network capacity; despite major improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services are still not readily available to the majority of the rural population domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998) Radios: 13.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 22 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 3.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .pk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 30 (2000) Internet users: 1.2 million (2000) Transportation Pakistan Railways: total: 8,163 km broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified) narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 254,410 km paved: 109,396 km (including 339 km of expressways) unpaved: 145,014 km (1999) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 9,945 km; oil 1,821 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim Merchant marine: total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 247,675 GRT/375,435 DWT ships by type: cargo 14, container 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 124 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 87 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 3 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 19 (2002) Heliports: 13 (2002) Military Pakistan Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 38,133,733 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 23,328,575 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,767,502 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.964 billion (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.6% (FY02) Transnational Issues Pakistan Disputes - international: thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Pakistan; isolating terrain and close ties among Pashtuns in Pakistan make cross-border activities difficult to control; armed stand-off with India over the status and sovereignty of Kashmir continues - India objects to Pakistan ceding lands to China in 1965 boundary agreement that India believes are part of disputed Kashmir; disputes with India over Indus River water sharing and the terminus of the Rann of Kutch, which prevents maritime boundary delimitation Illicit drugs: opium poppy cultivation practically eliminated; key transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western markets; Afghan narcotics continue to transit Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Balochistan Province, and Karachi; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Palau Introduction Palau Background: After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year, when the islands gained independence. Geography Palau Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 458 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 458 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,519 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 3 NM extended fishing zone: 200 NM Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 21.74% permanent crops: 0% other: 78.26% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December) Environment - current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands People Palau Population: 19,717 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 2,714; female 2,552) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 7,352; female 6,197) 65 years and over: 4.6% (male 429; female 473) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 30.8 years male: 31.8 years female: 29.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.54% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 17.55 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.5 years male: 66.37 years female: 72.82 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.47 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan Ethnic groups: Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.) Religions: Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this religion, which is indigenous to Palau) Languages: English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92% male: 93% female: 90% (1980 est.) Government Palau Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Palau conventional short form: Palau local short form: Belau former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) local long form: Beluu er a Belau Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 Capital: Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror Administrative divisions: 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Constitution: 1 January 1981 Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 chancery: 1800 K Street NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20006 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau embassy: address NA, Koror mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990 FAX: [680] 488-2911 Flag description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side Economy Palau Economy - overview: The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in FY00/01. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. GDP: purchasing power parity - $174 million note: $174 million $174 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2000 est.) Labor force: 9,845 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 20%, industry NA%, services NA% (1990) Unemployment rate: 2.3% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $57.7 million expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1 million (FY 98/99 est.) Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production by source: 0% Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes Exports: $18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: shellfish, tuna, copra, garments Exports - partners: US, Japan, Singapore (2000) Imports: $99 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs Imports - partners: US, Guam, Japan, Singapore, Korea (2000) Debt - external: $0 (FY 99/00) Economic aid - recipient: $155.8 million ; note - the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Palau Telephones - main lines in use: 6,700 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,000 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002) Radios: 12,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 11,000 (1997) Internet country code: .pw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Transportation Palau Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: 25 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Koror Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Military Palau Military branches: NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years Transnational Issues Palau Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Palmyra Atoll Introduction Palmyra Atoll Background: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now privately owned by the Nature Conservancy. This organization is managing the atoll as a nature preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nautical mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge in January 2001. Geography Palmyra Atoll Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Geographic coordinates: 5 52 N, 162 06 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 11.9 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 11.9 sq km Area - comparative: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 14.5 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy Terrain: very low Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (forests and woodlands) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall People Palmyra Atoll Population: no indigenous inhabitants; 4 to 20 Nature Conservancy staff, US Fish and Wildlife staff (July 2003 est.) Government Palmyra Atoll Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll Dependency status: incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 NM territorial sea or within the lagoon Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Palmyra Atoll Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Palmyra Atoll Highways: most of the roads and many causeways built during World War II are unserviceable and overgrown (2001) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: West Lagoon Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Palmyra Atoll Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Palmyra Atoll Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Panama Introduction Panama Background: With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by or on 31 December 1999. Geography Panama Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 78,200 sq km water: 2,210 sq km land: 75,990 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km Coastline: 2,490 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower Land use: arable land: 6.72% permanent crops: 2.08% other: 91.2% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean People Panama Population: 2,960,784 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.6% (male 461,670; female 443,671) 15-64 years: 63.3% (male 950,089; female 924,038) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 86,006; female 95,310) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.6 years male: 25.4 years female: 25.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.36% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 20.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.32 years male: 69.97 years female: 74.79 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 25,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,900 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% Languages: Spanish (official), English 14% note: many Panamanians bilingual Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 93.2% female: 91.9% (2003 est.) Government Panama Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: Panama Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903) Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) note: government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change, MORENA, PLN, PS election results: Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin TORRIJOS (PRD) 37% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (71 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 34, PA 18, PDC 5, PS 4, MOLIRENA 3, PLN 3, Democratic Change 2, PRC 1, MORENA 1 note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula elections: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal Political parties and leaders: Arnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Civic Renewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA]; Democratic Change [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo]; National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES]; Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo] Political pressure groups and leaders: Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP International organization participation: ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ALFARO Estripeaut FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 207-7000 FAX: [507] 227-1964 Flag description: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center Economy Panama Economy - overview: Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000-02. The government has been backing public works programs, tax reforms, new regional trade agreements, and development of tourism in order to stimulate growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.06 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 37% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 35.7% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 48.5 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (2001 est.) Labor force: 1.1 million note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 16% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.9 billion expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $471 million (2000 est.) Industries: construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling Industrial production growth rate: 0.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 4.039 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% other: 1.7% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 3.681 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 118 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 43 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 52,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp Exports: $5.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999) Exports - partners: US 47.8%, Sweden 5.8%, Costa Rica 4.8%, Honduras 4.4% (2002) Imports: $6.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals (1999) Imports - partners: US 34.3%, Colombia 5.9%, Japan 5.4%, Costa Rica 4.2%, Venezuela 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $7 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $197.1 million (1995) Currency: balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD) Currency code: PAB; USD Exchange rates: balboas per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Panama Telephones - main lines in use: 396,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 17,000 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed domestic: NA international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System Radio broadcast stations: AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 815,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 38 (including repeaters) (1998) Televisions: 510,000 (1997) Internet country code: .pa Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000) Internet users: 45,000 (2000) Transportation Panama Railways: total: 355 km broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 11,400 km paved: 3,944 km (including 30 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,456 km (1999) Waterways: 882 km note: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal Pipelines: crude oil 130 km (2001) Ports and harbors: Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area), Vacamonte Merchant marine: total: 4,860 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,543,755 GRT/184,910,607 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 5, bulk 1,443, cargo 846, chemical tanker 376, combination bulk 72, combination ore/oil 17, container 588, liquefied gas 207, livestock carrier 6, multi-functional large-load carrier 12, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 537, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 287, roll on/roll off 107, short-sea passenger 41, specialized tanker 33, vehicle carrier 240 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Angola 1, Antigua and Barbuda 1, Argentina 11, Australia 13, Austria 2, The Bahamas 5, Belgium 2, Belize 6, Brazil 6, British Virgin Islands 8, Cambodia 1, Canada 9, Chile 12, China 259, Colombia 14, Croatia 2, Cuba 20, Cyprus 3, Denmark 3, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 3, Egypt 16, Equatorial Guinea 1, France 9, Germany 72, Greece 523, Haiti 1, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 299, Iceland 1, India 18, Indonesia 48, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy 9, Japan 1,642, Kenya 1, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Liberia 5, Lithuania 1, Malaysia 18, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 8, Monaco 112, Netherlands 19, Netherlands Antilles 1, Nigeria 3, Norway 98, Paraguay 1, Peru 15, Philippines 49, Poland 5, Portugal 7, Puerto Rico 2, Romania 7, Russia 12, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Saudi Arabia 4, Seychelles 1, Singapore 112, South Africa 3, South Korea 342, Spain 52, Sri Lanka 3, Sudan 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 81, Taiwan 334, Thailand 14, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 4, Ukraine 1, UAE 54, UK 73, US 115, Venezuela 6 (2002 est.) Airports: 103 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 41 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 50 (2002) Military Panama Military branches: an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 797,456 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 544,967 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $128 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY99) Military - note: on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression" Transnational Issues Panama Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and primary money laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Papua New Guinea Introduction Papua New Guinea Background: The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997, after claiming some 20,000 lives. Geography Papua New Guinea Location: Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km Coastline: 5,152 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries Land use: arable land: 0.13% permanent crops: 1.35% other: 98.52% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis Environment - current issues: rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast People Papua New Guinea Population: 5,295,816 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,034,219; female 1,000,505) 15-64 years: 57.8% (male 1,582,983; female 1,479,436) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 93,604; female 105,069) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 20.8 years male: 21 years female: 20.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.34% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 31.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 54.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 59.14 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.19 years male: 62.07 years female: 66.42 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.13 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 17,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 880 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs 34% Languages: English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region note: 715 indigenous languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66% male: 72.3% female: 59.3% (2003 est.) Government Papua New Guinea Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea abbreviation: PNG former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea Government type: constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Moresby Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975) Constitution: 16 September 1975 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Albert KIPALAN (since 13 November 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2 August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Andrew BAING (since 15 November 2003) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003; completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was not completed during the June 2002 election period); next to be held not later than June 2007 election results: percent of vote by party - PPP 15%, Pangu Pati 14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%, independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note - association with political parties is very fluid (2002) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission) Political parties and leaders: Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Bernard NAROKOBI]; National Alliance or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; George MANOA, party president]; National Front Party [leader NA]; National Party or NP [leader NA]; Papua New Guinea Revival Party [John PUNDARI]; Papua New Guinea United Party or Pangu Pati [Pate WAMP, party leader; Chris HAIVETA, parliamentary leader]; People's Action Party or PAP [Ted DIRO]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Labor Party or PLP [Peter YAMA]; People's National Congress or PNC [Bill SKATE]; People's Progress Party or PPP [Michael NALI]; People's Unity Party or PUP [leader NA]; United Party or UP [Rimbiuk PATO] note: 43 political parties registered to participate in the June 2002 elections Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (associate member), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. Fitts embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423 Flag description: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered Economy Papua New Guinea Economy - overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The economy has faltered over the past three years but will probably improve slightly in 2003. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had tried to restore integrity to state institutions, stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national budget, privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville. The government has had considerable success in attracting international support, specifically gaining the backing of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistance loans. Significant challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE, including gaining further investor confidence, continuing efforts to privatize government assets, and maintaining the support of members of Parliament. GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.86 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -3.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.1% industry: 35.8% services: 32.1% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 37% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.9 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.3 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $894 million expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $344 million (2000 est.) Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production; construction, tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 1.496 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 54.1% hydro: 45.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.391 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 67,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 345.2 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 110 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 110 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 385.5 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork Exports: $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns Exports - partners: Australia 23.7%, Japan 9.3%, China 5.3% (2002) Imports: $1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Australia 49.3%, Singapore 18.8%, New Zealand 4.4%, Japan 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $2.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $400 million (1999 est.) Currency: kina (PGK) Currency code: PGK Exchange rates: kina per US dollar - 3.8 (2002), 3.39 (2001), 2.78 (2000), 2.57 (1999), 2.07 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Papua New Guinea Telephones - main lines in use: 61,152 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,053 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services domestic: mostly radiotelephone international: submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998) Radios: 410,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (all in the Port Moresby area) note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned (2002) Televisions: 59,841 (1999) Internet country code: .pg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000) Internet users: 135,000 (2001) Transportation Papua New Guinea Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 10,940 km Pipelines: oil 264 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul Merchant marine: total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 45,203 GRT/63,238 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Singapore 2, UK 7 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, combination ore/oil 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3 Airports: 491 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 4 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 470 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 403 (2002) Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Papua New Guinea Military branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Ground Force, Maritime Operations Element, and Air Operations Element) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,370,419 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 757,421 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $40.21 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea Disputes - international: Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Paracel Islands Introduction Paracel Islands Background: The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Geography Paracel Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: NA sq km water: 0 sq km land: NA sq km Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 518 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: tropical Terrain: mostly low and flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group People Paracel Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2003 est.) Government Paracel Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands Economy Paracel Islands Economy - overview: China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. Transportation Paracel Islands Waterways: none Ports and harbors: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Paracel Islands Military - note: occupied by China Transnational Issues Paracel Islands Disputes - international: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Paraguay Introduction Paraguay Background: In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then. Geography Paraguay Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina Geographic coordinates: 23 00 S, 58 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 406,750 sq km water: 9,450 sq km land: 397,300 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone Land use: arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 94.25% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 670 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country People Paraguay Population: 6,036,900 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,179,084; female 1,141,420) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 1,721,867; female 1,707,918) 65 years and over: 4.7% (male 132,145; female 154,466) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 20.9 years male: 20.7 years female: 21.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.54% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 30.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 32.63 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.4 years male: 71.89 years female: 77.03 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.02 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.11% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,000 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 220 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant Languages: Spanish (official), Guarani (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 94.9% female: 93% (2003 est.) Government Paraguay Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay Government type: constitutional republic Capital: Asuncion Administrative divisions: 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1811) Constitution: promulgated 20 June 1992 Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75 Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August 2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August 2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA April 2008) election results: Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS elected president; percent of vote - Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCO Gomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, Guillermo SANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2% Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA May 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA May 2008) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, MPQ 7, PPS 2, PEN 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, MPQ 10, PPS 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura) Political parties and leaders: Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS]; Movimiento Patria Querida or MPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Colorados Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Diego ABENTE Brun]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Julio Cesar FRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Political pressure groups and leaders: Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT International organization participation: ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Leila Teresa RACHID COWLES consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728 Flag description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles) Economy Paraguay Economy - overview: Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3% annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and 2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure. GDP: purchasing power parity - $25.19 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -2.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 27% services: 46% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 36% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.8% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 57.7 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 45% Unemployment rate: 18.2% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.3 billion expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (1999 est.) Industries: sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products Industrial production growth rate: 0% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 44.89 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 99.9% other: 0.1% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.637 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 39.11 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber Exports: $2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity Exports - partners: Brazil 25.1%, Argentina 23%, Chile 5.5%, Bermuda 4% (2002) Imports: $2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery Imports - partners: Brazil 32.7%, Argentina 22.7%, US 18.1%, Hong Kong 4.7% (2002) Debt - external: $3.2 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: guarani (PYG) Currency code: PYG Exchange rates: guarani per US dollar - 5,720.44 (2002), 4,105.92 (2001), 3,486.35 (2000), 3,119.07 (1999), 2,726.49 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Paraguay Telephones - main lines in use: 290,475 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 510,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching center is Asuncion domestic: fair microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998) Radios: 925,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2001) Televisions: 990,000 (2001) Internet country code: .py Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4 (2000) Internet users: 20,000 (2000) Transportation Paraguay Railways: total: 441 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est) Waterways: 3,100 km Ports and harbors: Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion Merchant marine: total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,475 GRT/36,101 DWT ships by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 2, Japan 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 879 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 868 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 323 under 914 m: 518 (2002) Military Paraguay Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,465,781 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,056,437 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 61,706 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $125 million (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY98) Transnational Issues Paraguay Disputes - international: unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in South America; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, Europe, and US; corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Peru Introduction Peru Background: Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government. Geography Peru Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,285,220 sq km water: 5,220 sq km land: 1.28 million sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 5,536 km border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km, Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km Coastline: 2,414 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM territorial sea: 200 NM Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.38% other: 96.77% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 11,950 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River People Peru Population: 28,409,897 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,828,531; female 4,678,008) 15-64 years: 61.5% (male 8,794,799; female 8,689,072) 65 years and over: 5% (male 652,375; female 767,112) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23.5 years male: 23.2 years female: 23.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.61% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 22.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 36.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 42.04 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.88 years male: 68.45 years female: 73.43 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 53,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,900 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian Ethnic groups: Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 90% Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.9% male: 95.2% female: 86.8% (2003 est.) Government Peru Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Peru conventional short form: Peru local long form: Republica del Peru local short form: Peru Government type: constitutional republic Capital: Lima Administrative divisions: 24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali note: some reports indicate that the 24 departments and 1 constitutional province are now being referred to as regions; Peru is implementing a decentralization program whereby these 25 administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmental authority over their territories; in November 2002, voters chose their new regional presidents and other regional leaders; the authority that the regional government will exercise has not yet been clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions over the course of several years Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821) Constitution: 31 December 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001) head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001) note: Prime Minister Carlos FERRERO Costa (since 15 December 2003) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president; note - Beatriz MERINO was asked to resign on 12 December 2003 and was replaced by Carlos FERRERO Costa three days later elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001, with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006 election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9% cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Peru Posible 26.3%, APRA 19.7%, Unidad Nacional 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats by party - Peru Posible 47, APRA 28, Unidad Nacional 17, FIM 11, others 17 elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary) Political parties and leaders: Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP [Alan GARCIA]; Independent Moralizing Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru Posible or PP [Luis SOLARI]; Popular Action or AP [Javier DIAZ Orihuela]; Solucion Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP [Alberto ANDRADE]; Union for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia] Political pressure groups and leaders: leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned), Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)] International organization participation: ABEDA, APEC, CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington (DC) FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124 telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John R. DAWSON embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33 mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000 telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000 FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037 Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath Economy Peru Economy - overview: Thanks to foreign investment and the cooperation between the government and the IMF and World Bank, growth was strong in 1994-97 and inflation was brought under control. In 1998, El Nino's impact on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in Brazilian markets undercut growth. The following year was again lean year for Peru, with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financial crisis working its way through the economy. Political instability resulting from the presidential election and FUJIMORI's subsequent departure from office limited growth in 2000. The downturn in the global economy further curtailed growth in 2001. President TOLEDO, who assumed the presidency in July 2001, has been working to reinvigorate the economy and reduce unemployment. Economic growth in 2002 is estimated at 4.8%, led by construction in the retail and gas sectors. GDP: purchasing power parity - $138.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 27% services: 63% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 35.4% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 46.2 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 7.5 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services Unemployment rate: 9.4%; widespread underemployment (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $10.4 billion expenditures: $10.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 20.59 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% other: 0.8% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 19.15 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 614.7 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 370 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 370 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 245.1 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish Exports: $7.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton Exports - partners: US 28.1%, China 10.5%, UK 7%, Switzerland 6.1%, Japan 5.6% (2002) Imports: $7.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: US 26.1%, Chile 7.9%, Spain 5.1%, Colombia 5%, Brazil 4.7%, Venezuela 4.7%, Argentina 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $29.2 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $895.1 million (1995) Currency: nuevo sol (PEN) Currency code: PEN Exchange rates: nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.52 (2002), 3.51 (2001), 3.49 (2000), 3.38 (1999), 2.93 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Peru Telephones - main lines in use: 1.8 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 504,995 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate for most requirements domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999) Radios: 6.65 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 3.06 million (1997) Internet country code: .pe Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 10 (2000) Internet users: 3 million (2002) Transportation Peru Railways: total: 1,829 km standard gauge: 1,515 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 314 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 72,900 km paved: 9,331 km unpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 8,808 km note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca Pipelines: gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado, Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reaches of the Amazon and its tributaries Merchant marine: total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,470 GRT/45,451 DWT note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 Airports: 233 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 49 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 184 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 100 (2002) Military Peru Military branches: Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru; FAP), National Police (includes General Police, Security Police, and Technical Police) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 7,510,882 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,045,619 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 281,717 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1 billion (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.8% (FY01) Transnational Issues Peru Disputes - international: Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884 Illicit drugs: until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opium producer; cultivation of coca in Peru increased by 8% to 36,600 hectares between 2001 and the end of 2002; much of the cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine, while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Philippines Introduction Philippines Background: The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential transitions since the removal of MARCOS. In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass resignations from his government and administered the oath of office to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional successor. The government continues to struggle with Muslim insurgencies in the south. Geography Philippines Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 300,000 sq km water: 1,830 sq km land: 298,170 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 36,289 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: to depth of exploitation territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 NM from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 NM in breadth exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Land use: arable land: 18.45% permanent crops: 14.76% other: 66.79% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 15,500 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis Environment - current issues: uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait People Philippines Population: 84,619,974 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.2% (male 15,625,480; female 15,028,498) 15-64 years: 59.9% (male 25,206,467; female 25,485,482) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,427,238; female 1,846,809) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 21.8 years male: 21.3 years female: 22.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.92% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 26.3 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 24.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 27.9 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.29 years male: 66.44 years female: 72.28 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.29 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,400 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 720 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine Ethnic groups: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% Languages: two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.9% male: 96% female: 95.8% (2003 est.) Government Philippines Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines conventional short form: Philippines local short form: Pilipinas local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas Government type: republic Capital: Manila Administrative divisions: 73 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City*, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur Independence: 12 June 1898 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of independence from the US Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 16 May 2004) election results: results of the last presidential election - Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA elected president; percent of vote - approximately 40%; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected vice president; percent of vote - 55%; note - on 20 January 2001, Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was sworn in as the constitutional successor to President Joseph ESTRADA after the Supreme Court declared that ESTRADA was unable to rule in view of the mass resignations from his government; according to the Constitution, only in cases of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the president, can the vice president serve for the unexpired term Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (214 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - additional members may be appointed by the president but the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) elections: Senate - last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May 2004); House of Representatives - elections last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 13, PDP-Laban/LDP 11; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 86, NPC 51, LDP 21, LP 20, independents 10, other 26 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age) Political parties and leaders: Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president, Agapito AQUINO, secretary general]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president]; Liberal Party or LP [Florencio ABAD, president; Franklin DRILON, chairman]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN, president; Faustino DY, chairman]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL, chairman; Jejomar BINAY, president]; PMP [Horacio MORALES, president]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO consulate(s): San Diego consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam) FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: [63] (2) 523-1001 FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star Economy Philippines Economy - overview: In 1998, the Philippine economy - a mixture of agriculture, light industry, and supporting services - deteriorated as a result of spillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weather conditions. Growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but recovered to about 3.3% in 1999, 4.5% in 2000, and 4.5% in 2001. In 2002, the Philippines recorded GDP growth of 4.4% but also incurred a record budget deficit. As a result, the Philippines is burdened with a public sector debt equal to more than 100% of GDP. Growth eased to 3.8% in 2003. The government has promised economic reforms including going forward with privatization, reforming the tax system, and promoting additional trade integration within its region. Considerable drive is required to update the educational system and the road network. GDP: purchasing power parity - $379.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 31% services: 54% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 39.3% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 46.2 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 33.7 million (2002) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.2% (2002) Budget: revenues: $10.9 billion expenditures: $15 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 45.21 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% other: 26.9% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 42.04 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 164 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 10 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 10 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 104.6 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish Exports: $35.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, coconut products, chemicals Exports - partners: US 26.2%, Japan 14.9%, China 7.4%, Taiwan 5.8%, Singapore 5.7%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Malaysia 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.6%, South Korea 4.3% (2002) Imports: $33.5 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Japan 21.6%, US 18.6%, Singapore 7.8%, South Korea 7.5%, China 5.2%, Hong Kong 4.5%, Taiwan 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $60.3 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $1.1 billion (1998) Currency: Philippine peso (PHP) Currency code: PHP Exchange rates: Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.67 (2002), 50.99 (2001), 44.19 (2000), 39.09 (1999), 40.89 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Philippines Telephones - main lines in use: 6.98 million (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.35 million (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and inter-island service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations international: 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan Radio broadcast stations: AM 366, FM 290, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2002) Radios: 11.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 75 (2000) Televisions: 3.7 million (1997) Internet country code: .ph Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 33 (2000) Internet users: 4.5 million (2002) Transportation Philippines Railways: total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (405 km are not in operation) (2002) Highways: total: 201,994 km paved: 42,419 km unpaved: 159,575 km (2000) Waterways: 3,219 km note: limited to vessels with a draft of less than 1.5 m Pipelines: gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga Merchant marine: total: 393 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,664,718 GRT/6,699,666 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 2, Canada 1, Germany 3, Greece 8, Hong Kong 13, Japan 47, Malaysia 19, Netherlands 14, Norway 8, Panama 3, Singapore 12, South Korea 1, Taiwan 2, UK 7 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 111, cargo 105, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 8, container 8, liquefied gas 8, livestock carrier 9, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 21, roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 27, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 18 Airports: 257 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 82 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 13 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 175 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m: 99 (2002) Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Philippines Military branches: Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force, paramilitary units Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 21,923,324 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 15,428,043 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 846,994 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $995 million (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (FY98) Transnational Issues Philippines Disputes - international: involved in complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; Sultanate of Sulu granted Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue its sovereignty claim over Malaysia's Sabah State but Malaysia rejects claim Illicit drugs: exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Pitcairn Islands Introduction Pitcairn Islands Background: Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in 1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the South Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today. Geography Pitcairn Islands Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 06 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 47 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 47 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 51 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: tropical, hot, humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons (especially November to March) Environment - current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement) Geography - note: Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore People Pitcairn Islands Population: 47 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: NA% Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100% Languages: English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect) Literacy: NA Government Pitcairn Islands Country name: conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: Adamstown Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Constitution: 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964 Legal system: local island by-laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL (since NA December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA); serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council election results: Steve CHRISTIAN elected mayor; percent of vote - NA% elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island magistrate elected by popular vote for a three-year term; election last held NA December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2002) head of government: Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Steve CHRISTIAN (since 7 December 1999) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 6 elected by popular vote, 1 appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor, and 1 seat for the Island Secretary; members serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents Judicial branch: Island Court (island magistrate presides over the court and is elected every three years) Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: SPC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor Economy Pitcairn Islands Economy - overview: The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 12 able-bodied men (1997) Labor force - by occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $729,884 expenditures: $878,119, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 94/95 est.) Industries: postage stamps, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered generator Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Agriculture - products: wide variety of fruits and vegetables, goats, chickens Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps Exports - partners: NA (2000) Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs Imports - partners: NA (2000) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD) Currency code: NZD Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.162 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Pitcairn Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line) (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: only party line telephone service is available for this small, closely related community domestic: party line service only international: radiotelephone Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .pn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: NA Transportation Pitcairn Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 6.4 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 6.4 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Adamstown (on Bounty Bay) Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: none (2002) Military Pitcairn Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Pitcairn Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Poland Introduction Poland Background: Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived around the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation, until an agreement in 1772 between Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland currently suffers low GDP growth and high unemployment. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and is scheduled to accede to the European Union along with nine other states on 1 May 2004. Geography Poland Location: Central Europe, east of Germany Geographic coordinates: 52 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 312,685 sq km water: 8,220 sq km land: 304,465 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,788 km border countries: Belarus 407 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia 444 km, Ukraine 526 km Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers Terrain: mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border Elevation extremes: lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m highest point: Rysy 2,499 m Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land Land use: arable land: 45.81% permanent crops: 1.23% other: 52.96% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to European Union code, but at substantial cost to business and the government Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain People Poland Population: 38,622,660 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.5% (male 3,458,844; female 3,284,995) 15-64 years: 69.8% (male 13,407,012; female 13,547,728) 65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,879,445; female 3,044,636) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 36 years male: 34.1 years female: 38 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.96 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 10.04 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.91 years male: 69.77 years female: 78.28 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Pole(s) adjective: Polish Ethnic groups: Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Belarusian 0.5% (1990 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5% Languages: Polish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) Government Poland Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Poland conventional short form: Poland local short form: Polska local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska Government type: republic Capital: Warsaw Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie, Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie, Zachodniopomorskie Independence: 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed) National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791) Constitution: 16 October 1997; adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 23 May 1997 Legal system: mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December 1995) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm head of government: Prime Minister Leszek MILLER (SLD) (since 19 October 2001), Deputy Prime Ministers Marek POL (since 19 October 2001), Jerzy HAUSNER (since 11 June 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers election results: Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president; percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzej OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1% Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe consists of the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) and the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms) elections: Sejm elections last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held by September 2005); Senate - last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held by September 2005) election results: Sejm - percent of vote by party - SLD-UP 41%, PO 12.7%, Samoobrona 10.2%, PiS 9.5%, PSL 9%, LPR 7.9%, AWSP 5.6% UW 3.1%, other 1%; seats by party (as of 25 April 2003) - SLD 193, PO 57, Samoobrona 39, PiS 43, PSL 39, LPR 28, UP 16, SKL 8, PLD 6, PBL 5, RKN 5, PP 3, ROP 3, German minorities 2, independents 13; note - SLD and UP ran together on electoral lists in the 2001 elections, but constitute separate parliamentary clubs in the Sejm; several other deputies have left their parties and set up other parliamentary factions; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SLD-UP 75, AWSP (an electoral alliance of some 36 parties) 15, PSL 4, Samoobrona 2, LPR 2, independents 2 note: two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Catholic-National Movement or RKN [Antoni MACIEREWICZ]; Citizens Platform or PO [Donald TUSK]; Conservative Peasants Party or SKL-RNP [Artur BALAZS]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Leszek MILLER]; Freedom Union or UW [Wladyslaw FRASYNIUK]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Henryk KROLL]; Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI]; League of Polish Families or LPR [Marek KOTLINOWSKI]; Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland or ROP [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Peasant-Democratic Party or PLD [Roman JAGIELINSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [Jan LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish Peasant Bloc or PBL [Wojciech MOJZESOWICZ]; Polish Peasant Party or PSL [Jaroslaw KALINOWSKI]; Samoobrona [Andrzej LEPPER]; Social Movement or RS [Krzysztof PIESIEWICZ]; Union of Labor or UP [Marek POL] Political pressure groups and leaders: All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Maciej MANICKI]; Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity Trade Union [Janusz SNIADEK] International organization participation: ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 FAX: [1] (202) 328-6270 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw P1 mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, 5010 Warsaw Place, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000 FAX: [48] (22) 504-2951 consulate(s) general: Krakow Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white Economy Poland Economy - overview: Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalization throughout the 1990s and today stands out as a success story among transition economies. Even so, much remains to be done. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has encouraged the development of the private business sector, but legal and bureaucratic obstacles alongside persistent corruption are hampering its further development. Poland's agricultural sector remains handicapped by structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, railroads, and energy), while recently initiated, have stalled due to a lack of political will on the part of the government. Structural reforms in health care, education, the pension system, and state administration have resulted in larger than expected fiscal pressures. Further progress in public finance depends mainly on privatization of Poland's remaining state sector, the reduction of state employment, and an overhaul of the tax code to incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers most of whom pay no tax. The government's determination to enter the EU has shaped most aspects of its economic policy and new legislation; in June 2003, 77% of the voters approved membership, now scheduled for May 2004. Improving Poland's export competitiveness and containing the internal budget deficit are top priorities. Due to political uncertainty, the zloty has recently depreciated in relation to the euro and the dollar while currencies of the other euro-zone aspirants have been appreciating. GDP per capita equals that of the 3 Baltic states. GDP: purchasing power parity - $373.2 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 35% services: 61.2% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 18.4% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 24.7% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31.6 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 17.6 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: industry 22.1%, agriculture 27.5%, services 50.4% (1999) Unemployment rate: 18.1% (2002) Budget: revenues: $49.6 billion expenditures: $52.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999) Industries: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 0.3% (2001) Electricity - production: 135 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.1% hydro: 1.5% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 118.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 11.04 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 4.306 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 17,180 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 424,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 53,000 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 413,700 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 116.4 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 5.471 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 13.85 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 41 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 8.782 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 154.4 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork Exports: $32.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 30.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 25.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 20.9%, food and live animals 8.5% (1999) Exports - partners: Germany 33%, Italy 5.7%, France 5%, UK 4.8%, Czech Republic 4.3% (2002) Imports: $43.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 20.8%, chemicals 14.3%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999) Imports - partners: Germany 29.9%, Italy 8.1%, Russia 7.4%, France 7.2%, Netherlands 5.3% (2002) Debt - external: $64 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: EU structural adjustment funds Currency: zloty (PLN) Currency code: PLN Exchange rates: zlotych per US dollar - 3.99 (2002), 4.09 (2001), 4.35 (2000), 3.97 (1999), 3.48 (1998) note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Poland Telephones - main lines in use: 8.07 million (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 13 million (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: underdeveloped and outmoded system in the process of being overhauled; partial privatization of the state-owned telephone monopoly is underway; the long waiting list for main line telephone service has resulted in a boom in mobile cellular telephone use domestic: cable, open-wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular networks; local exchanges 56.6% digital international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 20.2 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 179 (plus 256 repeaters) (September 1995) Televisions: 13.05 million (1997) Internet country code: .pl Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 19 (2000) Internet users: 6.4 million (2001) Transportation Poland Railways: total: 23,420 km broad gauge: 646 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 21,639 km 1.435-m gauge (11,626 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,135 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m, 0.750-m, and 0.600-m (2002) Highways: total: 364,656 km paved: 249,060 km (including 358 km of expressways) unpaved: 115,596 km (2000) Waterways: 3,812 km (navigable rivers and canals) (1996) Pipelines: gas 12,901 km; oil 737 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Ustka, Warsaw, Wroclaw Merchant marine: total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 199,186 GRT/275,476 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 150 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 88 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 9 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 62 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 43 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 15 Heliports: 3 (2002) Military Poland Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 10,354,978 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 8,077,706 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 343,500 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.5 billion (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.71% (2002) Transnational Issues Poland Disputes - international: small boundary changes made with Slovakia in 2003 Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of amphetamine for the international market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Portugal Introduction Portugal Background: Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986. Geography Portugal Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain Geographic coordinates: 39 30 N, 8 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 92,391 sq km land: 91,951 sq km note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands water: 440 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km Coastline: 1,793 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 20.57% permanent crops: 7.74% other: 71.69% (1999 est.) Irrigated land: 6,320 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakes Environment - current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar People Portugal Population: 10,102,022 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 874,198; female 825,742) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 3,326,957; female 3,461,425) 65 years and over: 16% (male 651,697; female 962,003) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 37.6 years male: 35.8 years female: 39.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.17% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 11.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.35 years male: 72.86 years female: 80.07 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 27,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Portuguese (singular and plural) adjective: Portuguese Ethnic groups: homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995) Languages: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.3% male: 95.5% female: 91.3% (2003 est.) Government Portugal Country name: conventional long form: Portuguese Republic conventional short form: Portugal local long form: Republica Portuguesa local short form: Portugal Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Lisbon Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu Independence: 1143 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910) National holiday: Portugal Day, 10 June (1580) Constitution: 25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982, 1 June 1989, 5 November 1992, and 3 September 1997 Legal system: civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996) note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president head of government: Prime Minister Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO (since 6 April 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA January 2006); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Jorge SAMPAIO reelected president; percent of vote - Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral (Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - PSD 40.1%, PS 37.8%, PP 8.7%, PCP/PEV 6.9%, The Left Bloc 2.7%; seats by party - PSD 105, PS 96, PP 14, PCP/PEV 12, The Left Bloc 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura) Political parties and leaders: The Greens or PEV [no leader]; Popular Party or PP [Paulo PORTAS]; Portuguese Communist Party/The Greens or PCP/PEV [Carlos CARVALHAS]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Eduardo Ferro RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO]; United Democratic Coalition or CDU [Carlos CARVALHAS]; The Left Bloc [no leader] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Manuel Dos Reis Alves CATARINO consulate(s): Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island) consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726 telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610 chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John N. PALMER embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon mailing address: PSC 83, APO AE 09726 telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300 FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109 consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores) Flag description: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line Economy Portugal Economy - overview: Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past decade, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies. Economic growth has been above the EU average for much of the past decade, but fell back in 2001-03. GDP per capita stands at 70% of that of the leading EU economies. A poor educational system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. The coalition government faces tough choices in its attempts to boost Portugal's economic competitiveness and to keep the budget deficit within the 3% EU ceiling. GDP: purchasing power parity - $195.2 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 28.7% services: 67.7% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 35.6 (1994-95) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2002 est.) Labor force: 5.1 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: services 60%, industry 30%, agriculture 10% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.7% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $45 billion expenditures: $48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 44.32 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 64.5% hydro: 31.3% other: 4.1% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 41.48 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 3.479 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 3.743 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 339,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 28,830 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 357,300 bbl/day (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.542 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.553 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, beef, dairy products Exports: $25.9 billion f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper products, hides Exports - partners: Spain 20.3%, Germany 18.4%, France 12.6%, UK 10.5%, US 5.8%, Italy 4.8%, Belgium 4.5% (2002) Imports: $39 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles, agricultural products Imports - partners: Spain 28.1%, Germany 15%, France 10.2%, Italy 6.5%, UK 5.2%, Netherlands 4.5% (2002) Debt - external: $13.1 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $271 million (1995) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Portugal Telephones - main lines in use: 5.3 million (yearend 1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,074,194 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: undergoing rapid development in recent years, Portugal's telephone system, by the end of 1998, achieved a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities and a main line telephone density of 53% domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations international: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region) is planned Radio broadcast stations: AM 47, FM 172 (many are repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 3.02 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 62 (plus 166 repeaters) note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands (1995) Televisions: 3.31 million (1997) Internet country code: .pt Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: 4.4 million (2002) Transportation Portugal Railways: total: 2,850 km broad gauge: 2,576 km 1.668-m gauge (623 km electrified) narrow gauge: 274 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 68,732 km paved: 59,110 km (including 1441 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,622 km (2000) Waterways: 820 km note: relatively unimportant to national economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton or less cargo capacity Pipelines: gas 482 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castelo Merchant marine: total: 132 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 993,325 GRT/1,533,255 DWT ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 62, chemical tanker 18, container 7, liquefied gas 8, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 5, short-sea passenger 3, vehicle carrier 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, British Virgin Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 6, Germany 20, Greece 1, Iceland 1, Italy 16, Lebanon 1, Liberia 1, Monaco 2, Norway 5, Panama 5, Spain 22, Switzerland 8, UK 1, Virgin Islands (UK) 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 66 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 25 (2002) Military Portugal Military branches: Army, Navy (PON) (includes Marines), Air Force, Republican Guard (includes Fiscal Guard) Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,520,852 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,017,678 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 67,816 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.286 billion (FY99/00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.2% (FY99/00) Transnational Issues Portugal Disputes - international: Portugal has periodically reasserted claims to territories around the town of Olivenza, Spain Illicit drugs: gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Puerto Rico Introduction Puerto Rico Background: Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917 and popularly elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998 voters chose to retain commonwealth status. Geography Puerto Rico Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 9,104 sq km water: 145 sq km land: 8,959 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 501 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil Land use: arable land: 3.72% permanent crops: 5.07% other: 91.21% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 400 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; hurricanes Environment - current issues: erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages Geography - note: important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north People Puerto Rico Population: 3,885,877 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.9% (male 454,908; female 434,555) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 1,212,764; female 1,322,356) 65 years and over: 11.9% (male 200,669; female 260,625) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 33.3 years male: 31.6 years female: 34.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.58% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 10.3 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.26 years male: 73.27 years female: 81.44 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.02 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,397 (1997) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) adjective: Puerto Rican Ethnic groups: white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15% Languages: Spanish, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.8% male: 93.7% female: 94% (2001) Government Puerto Rico Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico conventional short form: Puerto Rico Dependency status: commonwealth associated with the US Government type: commonwealth Capital: San Juan Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US) National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952 Legal system: based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) election results: Sila M. CALDERON (PPD) elected governor; percent of vote - 48.6% note: residents of Puerto Rico do not vote for US president and vice president elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004) head of government: Governor Sila M. CALDERON (since 2 January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPD 19, PNP 8, PIP 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPD 30, PNP 20, PIP 1 note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor, he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004); results - percent of vote by party - PPD 49.3%; seats by party - PPD 1; Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA elected resident commissioner elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate) Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party [Celeste BENITEZ]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP (pro-US statehood) [Carlos PESQUERA]; Popular Democratic Party or PPD (pro-commonwealth) [Sila M. CALDERON]; Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP (pro-independence) [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] Political pressure groups and leaders: Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed Forces of Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate), WToO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (commonwealth associated with the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (commonwealth associated with the US) Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed Economy Puerto Rico Economy - overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-02, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $43.01 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 45% services: 54% (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.3 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (2002) Budget: revenues: $6.7 billion expenditures: $9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00) Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 20.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.2% hydro: 0.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 19.44 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 190,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 630 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 630 million cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens Exports: $46.9 billion f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment Exports - partners: US 88.2%, UK 1.5%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2001) Imports: $29.1 billion c.i.f. (2001) Imports - commodities: chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products Imports - partners: US 53.5%, Ireland 16.3%, Japan 4.5% (2001) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Puerto Rico Telephones - main lines in use: 1.322 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 169,265 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system, integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable to US Radio broadcast stations: AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 2.7 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 18 (plus three stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service) (1997) Televisions: 1.021 million (1997) Internet country code: .pr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 76 (2000) Internet users: 600,000 (2002) Transportation Puerto Rico Railways: total: 96 km narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 14,400 km paved: 14,400 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Aguadilla, Arecibo, Fajardo, Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Mayaguez, Playa de Ponce, San Juan Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 19,203 GRT/20,904 DWT ships by type: container 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 31 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Military Puerto Rico Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Puerto Rico Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Qatar Introduction Qatar Background: Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. He was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe. Geography Qatar Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 11,437 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 11,437 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km Coastline: 563 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish Land use: arable land: 1.27% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 98.46% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 130 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits People Qatar Population: 817,052 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.7% (male 102,938; female 98,934) 15-64 years: 72.4% (male 415,302; female 176,183) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 17,199; female 6,496) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 31.2 years male: 36.4 years female: 21.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.87% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 15.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.43 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 17.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.36 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.65 male(s)/female total population: 1.9 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.14 years male: 70.65 years female: 75.76 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.02 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.09% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% Religions: Muslim 95% Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.5% male: 81.4% female: 85% (2003 est.) Government Qatar Country name: conventional long form: State of Qatar conventional short form: Qatar local short form: Qatar note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar local long form: Dawlat Qatar Government type: traditional monarchy Capital: Doha Administrative divisions: 10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971) Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution; in the 29 April 2003 referendum, 96.6% of Qatari voters approved the new constitution Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince JASIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected crown prince by the monarch 22 October 1996); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the armed forces head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999 Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed) note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since; the new constitution provides for a 45-member Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the remaining members Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 consulate(s) general: Houston FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061 chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Maureen E. QUINN embassy: Al-Luqtas District, 22 February Road, Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 488 4101 FAX: [974] 488 4298 Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side Economy Qatar Economy - overview: Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 14.5 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important to the economy. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 17.9 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves. Since 2000, Qatar has consistently posted trade surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, and Qatar's economy is expected to receive an added boost as it begins to increase liquid natural gas exports. GDP: purchasing power parity - $15.91 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% industry: 67.6% services: 32% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2002) Labor force: 280,122 (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.7% (2001) Budget: revenues: $5 billion expenditures: $5.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (FY 02/03 est.) Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 9.264 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 8.616 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 864,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 29,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 14.51 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 32.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 15.86 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 16.54 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 17.93 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish Exports: $10.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum products, fertilizers, steel Exports - partners: Japan 40.1%, South Korea 16.6%, Singapore 8.2%, US 4.1% (2002) Imports: $3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals Imports - partners: France 17.8%, Japan 10.1%, US 8.5%, UK 8.3%, Germany 8%, Italy 6.7%, UAE 5.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.1%, South Korea 4% (2002) Debt - external: $15.4 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Qatari rial (QAR) Currency code: QAR Exchange rates: Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000), 3.64 (1999), 3.64 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Qatar Telephones - main lines in use: 142,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 43,476 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system centered in Doha domestic: NA international: tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 256,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus three repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 230,000 (1997) Internet country code: .qa Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 75,000 (2001) Transportation Qatar Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,230 km paved: 1,107 km unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: condensate 90 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 902 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 722 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id (Musay'id) Merchant marine: total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 638,815 GRT/995,096 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, combination ore/oil 2, container 7, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Kuwait 1, UAE 3 (2002 est.) Airports: 4 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Qatar Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 320,835 note: includes non-nationals (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 168,416 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 7,192 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $723 million (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 10% (FY00) Transnational Issues Qatar Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Reunion Introduction Reunion Background: The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration, supplemented by influxes of Africans, Chinese, Malays, and Malabar Indians, gave the island its ethnic mix. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cost the island its importance as a stopover on the East Indies trade route. Geography Reunion Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 21 06 S, 55 36 E Map references: World Area: total: 2,517 sq km water: 10 sq km land: 2,507 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 207 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry from May to November, hot and rainy from November to April Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m Natural resources: fish, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 13.2% permanent crops: 2% other: 84.8% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: this mountainous, volcanic island has an active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise; there is a tropical cyclone center at Saint-Denis, which is the monitoring station for the whole of the Indian Ocean People Reunion Population: 755,171 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.3% (male 121,119; female 115,501) 15-64 years: 62.8% (male 233,607; female 240,502) 65 years and over: 5.9% (male 18,036; female 26,406) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.4 years male: 25.2 years female: 27.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.47% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 20.17 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 8.89 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.43 years male: 70.03 years female: 77 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Reunionese (singular and plural) adjective: Reunionese Ethnic groups: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian Religions: Roman Catholic 86%, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist (1995) Languages: French (official), Creole widely used Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.9% male: 87% female: 90.8% (2003 est.) Government Reunion Country name: conventional long form: Department of Reunion conventional short form: Reunion local short form: Ile de la Reunion local long form: none former: Bourbon Island Dependency status: overseas department of France Government type: NA Capital: Saint-Denis Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons Independence: none (overseas department of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Gonthier FRIEDERICI (since NA) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils head of government: President of the General Council Jean-Luc POUDROUX (since NA March 1998) and President of the Regional Council Paul VERGES (since NA March 1993) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral General Council (49 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council (45 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held 15 and 22 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - various right-wing candidates 13, PCR 10, PS 10, UDF 8, RPR 6, other left-wing candidates 2; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PCR 19, UDF 9, RPR 8, various right-wing candidates 4, various left-wing candidates 5 note: Reunion elects three representatives to the French Senate; elections last held NA 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Reunion also elects five deputies to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, UMP 1, PCR 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Reunion or PCR [Paul VERGES]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Andre Maurice PIHOUEE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jean-Claude FRUTEAU]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Gilbert GERARD] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: FZ, InOC, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Reunion Economy - overview: The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, but services now dominate. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to relieve high unemployment, which amounts to one-third of the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better off than other segments of the population, often approaching European standards, whereas minority groups suffer the poverty and unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent. The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from France. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.174 billion (1999 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 19% services: 73% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 309,900 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 13%, industry 12%, services 75% (2000) Unemployment rate: 36% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.26 billion expenditures: $2.62 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998) Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oil extraction Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.08 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.5% hydro: 44.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.005 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits, vegetables, corn Exports: $214 million f.o.b. (1997) Exports - commodities: sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%, lobster 3%, (1993) Exports - partners: France 74%, Japan 6%, Comoros 4% (2000) Imports: $2.5 billion c.i.f. (1997) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products Imports - partners: France 64%, Bahrain 3%, Germany 3%, Italy 3% (2000) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA; note - substantial annual subsidies from France Currency: euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Reunion Telephones - main lines in use: 268,500 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 197,000 (September 2000) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis domestic: modern open-wire and microwave radio relay network international: radiotelephone communication to Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 55, shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: 173,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 35 (plus 18 low-power repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 127,000 (1997) Internet country code: .re Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 10,000 (2000) Transportation Reunion Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,724 km paved: 1,300 km (including 73 km of four-lane road) unpaved: 1,424 km (1994) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Le Port, Pointe des Galets Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Reunion Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; French forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 198,341 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 101,116 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 6,795 (2003 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Reunion Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Romania Introduction Romania Background: Soviet occupation following World War II led to the formation of a Communist "peoples republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996, when they were swept from power by a fractious coalition of centrist parties. Currently, the Social Democratic Party forms a nominally minority government, which governs with the support of the opposition Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania. Bucharest must address rampant corruption, while invigorating lagging economic and democratic reforms, before Romania can achieve its hope of joining the European Union. Geography Romania Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 237,500 sq km land: 230,340 sq km water: 7,160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 2,508 km border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia and Montenegro 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 40.57% permanent crops: 2.4% other: 57.03% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 28,800 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides Environment - current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Geography - note: controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine People Romania Population: 22,271,839 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.9% (male 1,932,204; female 1,838,240) 15-64 years: 69% (male 7,634,481; female 7,739,232) 65 years and over: 14% (male 1,290,343; female 1,837,339) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 35.4 years male: 34 years female: 37.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.21% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 12.25 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 20.31 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.62 years male: 66.88 years female: 74.59 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,500 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 350 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian Ethnic groups: Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002) Religions: Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 87%, Protestant 6.8%, Catholic 5.6%, other (mostly Muslim) 0.4%, unaffiliated 0.2% (2002) Languages: Romanian (official), Hungarian, German Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 99.1% female: 97.7% (2003 est.) Government Romania Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local short form: Romania local long form: none Government type: republic Capital: Bucharest Administrative divisions: 41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea Independence: 9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from Turkey; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin; kingdom proclaimed 26 March 1881; republic proclaimed 30 December 1947) National holiday: Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918) Constitution: 8 December 1991 Legal system: former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ion ILIESCU (since 20 December 2000) elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 November 2000, with runoff between the top two candidates held 10 December 2000 (next to be held NA November/December 2004); prime minister appointed by the president head of government: Prime Minister Adrian NASTASE (since 29 December 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister election results: percent of vote - Ion ILIESCU 66.84%, Corneliu Vadim TUDOR 33.16% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (140 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Adunarea Deputatilor (345 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2004); Chamber of Deputies - last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDSR (now PSD) 37.1%, PRM 21.0%, PD 7.6%, PNL 7.5%, UDMR 6.9%; seats by party - PSD 65, PRM 36, PNL 13, UDMR 12, PD 9, independents 5; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PDSR (now PSD) 36.6%, PRM 19.5%, PD 7.0%, PNL, 6.9%, UDMR 6.8%; seats by party - PSD 171, PRM 69, PD 29, PNL 27, UDMR 27, ethnic minorities 18, independents 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistrates) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or PD [Traian BASESCU]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Theodor STOLOJAN]; Romania Mare Party (Greater Romanian Party) or PRM [Corneliu Vadim TUDOR]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Adrian NASTASE], formerly known as the Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR Political pressure groups and leaders: various human rights and professional associations International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sorin Dumitru DUCARU consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851 chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael E. GUEST embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 210-4042 FAX: [40] (21) 210-0395 branch office(s): Cluj-Napoca Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova Economy Romania Economy - overview: Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept growth above 4%. An IMF Standby Agreement, signed in 2001, has been accompanied by slow but palpable gains in privatization, deficit reduction, and the curbing of inflation. Nonetheless, recent macroeconomic gains have done little to address Romania's widespread poverty, while corruption and red tape hinder foreign investment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $169.3 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 35% services: 50% (2001) Population below poverty line: 44.5% (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 25% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31.1 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 9.9 million (1999 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry 25%, services 35% (1998) Unemployment rate: 8.3% (2002) Budget: revenues: $11.7 billion expenditures: $12.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Industries: textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2002) Electricity - production: 50.86 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.5% hydro: 27.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 9.9% Electricity - consumption: 46.1 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 400 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 127,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 215,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 1.055 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 14.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 19.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 5.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 111.1 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep Exports: $13.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels Exports - partners: Italy 24.4%, Germany 15.5%, France 7.7%, UK 5.4%, US 5%, Turkey 4.4% (2002) Imports: $16.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 23%, fuels and minerals 12%, chemicals 9%, textile and products 19% (1999) Imports - partners: Italy 20.2%, Germany 18.1%, France 6.6%, Russia 5.6%, Austria 4.9%, Hungary 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $13.7 billion (2002 est.) Currency: leu (ROL) Currency code: ROL Exchange rates: lei per US dollar - 33,055.4 (2002), 29,060.8 (2001), 21,708.7 (2000), 15,332.8 (1999), 8,875.58 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Romania Telephones - main lines in use: 3.777 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 645,500 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: poor domestic service, but improving domestic: 90% of telephone network is automatic; trunk network is mostly microwave radio relay, with some fiber-optic cable; about one-third of exchange capacity is digital; roughly 3,300 villages have no service international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; new digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest; note - Romania is an active participant in several international telecommunication network projects (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 40, FM 202, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 7.2 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 48 (plus 392 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 5.25 million (1997) Internet country code: .ro Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 38 (2000) Internet users: 1 million (2002) Transportation Romania Railways: total: 11,385 km (3,888 km electrified) standard gauge: 10,898 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2002) broad gage: 60 km 1.524-m gauge Highways: total: 198,603 km paved: 98,308 km (including 113 km of expressways) unpaved: 100,295 km (2000) Waterways: 1,724 km (1984) Pipelines: gas 3,508 km; oil 2,427 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Braila, Constanta, Galati, Mangalia, Sulina, Tulcea Merchant marine: total: 61 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 494,670 GRT/650,863 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 1, Italy 5 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 39, container 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 4 Airports: 65 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 39 under 914 m: 25 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 12 Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Romania Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (AMR), Paramilitary Forces, Civil Defense, Border Guards Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 5,912,284 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 4,974,240 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 157,840 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $985 million (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.47% (2002) Transnational Issues Romania Disputes - international: has not resolved claims to Ukrainian-administered Zmyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary despite ongoing talks based on 1997 friendship treaty to find a solution in two years; joint boundary commission is rectifying boundary with Bulgaria based on shifts in Danube since last delimitation in 1920; Hungary has yet to amend status law extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Romania, who protest the law Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Russia Introduction Russia Background: Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the 300-year old Romanov Dynasty. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Josef STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into 15 independent republics. Since then, Russia has struggled in its efforts to build a democratic political system and market economy to replace the strict social, political, and economic controls of the Communist period. A determined guerrilla conflict still plagues Russia in Chechnya. Geography Russia Location: Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 100 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 17,075,200 sq km water: 79,400 sq km land: 16,995,800 sq km Area - comparative: approximately 1.8 times the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 19,990 km border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,485 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576 km Coastline: 37,653 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast Terrain: broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m Natural resources: wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources Land use: arable land: 7.46% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 92.43% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 46,630 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia Environment - current issues: air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount Elbrus is Europe's tallest peak People Russia Population: 144,526,278 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16% (male 11,815,360; female 11,335,715) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 49,399,322; female 52,367,194) 65 years and over: 13.6% (male 6,394,411; female 13,214,276) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 37.6 years male: 34.7 years female: 40.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.3% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 13.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 21.53 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.66 years male: 62.46 years female: 73.11 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.33 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.9% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 700,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 9,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Russian(s) adjective: Russian Ethnic groups: Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Belarusian 0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1% (1989) Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other Languages: Russian, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.5% (2003 est.) Government Russia Country name: conventional long form: Russian Federation conventional short form: Russia local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic local short form: Rossiya Government type: federation Capital: Moscow Administrative divisions: 49 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics* (respublik, singular - respublika), 10 autonomous okrugs**(avtonomnykh okrugov, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 6 krays*** (krayev, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (singular - gorod)****, and 1 autonomous oblast*****(avtonomnaya oblast'); Adygeya (Maykop)*, Aginskiy Buryatskiy (Aginskoye)**, Altay (Gorno-Altaysk)*, Altayskiy (Barnaul)***, Amurskaya (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'skaya, Astrakhanskaya, Bashkortostan (Ufa)*, Belgorodskaya, Bryanskaya, Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude)*, Chechnya (Groznyy)*, Chelyabinskaya, Chitinskaya, Chukotskiy (Anadyr')**, Chuvashiya (Cheboksary)*, Dagestan (Makhachkala)*, Evenkiyskiy (Tura)**, Ingushetiya (Nazran')*, Irkutskaya, Ivanovskaya, Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik)*, Kaliningradskaya, Kalmykiya (Elista)*, Kaluzhskaya, Kamchatskaya (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk)*, Kareliya (Petrozavodsk)*, Kemerovskaya, Khabarovskiy***, Khakasiya (Abakan)*, Khanty-Mansiyskiy (Khanty-Mansiysk)**, Kirovskaya, Komi (Syktyvkar)*, Koryakskiy (Palana)**, Kostromskaya, Krasnodarskiy***, Krasnoyarskiy***, Kurganskaya, Kurskaya, Leningradskaya, Lipetskaya, Magadanskaya, Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola)*, Mordoviya (Saransk)*, Moskovskaya, Moskva (Moscow)****, Murmanskaya, Nenetskiy (Nar'yan-Mar)**, Nizhegorodskaya, Novgorodskaya, Novosibirskaya, Omskaya, Orenburgskaya, Orlovskaya (Orel), Penzenskaya, Permskaya, Komi-Permyatskiy (Kudymkar)**, Primorskiy (Vladivostok)***, Pskovskaya, Rostovskaya, Ryazanskaya, Sakha (Yakutiya)*, Sakhalinskaya (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samarskaya, Sankt-Peterburg (Saint Petersburg)****, Saratovskaya, Severnaya Osetiya-Alaniya [North Ossetia] (Vladikavkaz)*, Smolenskaya, Stavropol'skiy***, Sverdlovskaya (Yekaterinburg), Tambovskaya, Tatarstan (Kazan')*, Taymyrskiy (Dudinka)**, Tomskaya, Tul'skaya, Tverskaya, Tyumenskaya, Tyva (Kyzyl)*, Udmurtiya (Izhevsk)*, Ul'yanovskaya, Ust'-Ordynskiy Buryatskiy (Ust'-Ordynskiy)**, Vladimirskaya, Volgogradskaya, Vologodskaya, Voronezhskaya, Yamalo-Nenetskiy (Salekhard)**, Yaroslavskaya, Yevreyskaya*****; note - when using a place name with an adjectival ending 'skaya' or 'skiy,' the word Oblast' or Avonomnyy Okrug or Kray should be added to the place name note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Russia Day, 12 June (1990) Constitution: adopted 12 December 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (acting president since 31 December 1999, president since 7 May 2000) head of government: Premier Mikhail Mikhaylovich KASYANOV (since 7 May 2000); Deputy Premiers Viktor Borisovich KHRISTENKO (since 31 May 1999), Aleksey Leonidovich KUDRIN (since 18 May 2000), Aleksey Vasilyevich GORDEYEV (since 20 May 2000), Boris Sergeyevich ALESHIN (since 24 April 2003), Galina Nikolayevna KARELOVA (since 24 April 2003), Vladimir Anatolyevich YAKOVLEV (since 16 June 2003) cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of the premier and his deputies, ministers, and selected other individuals; all are appointed by the president note: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a Security Council also reports directly to the president election results: Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN elected president; percent of vote - Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN 52.9%, Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV 29.2%, Grigoriy Alekseyevich YAVLINSKIY 5.8% elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 March 2000 (next to be held March 2004); note - no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns, the premier succeeds him; the premier serves as acting president until a new presidential election is held, which must be within three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval of the Duma Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of the Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (178 seats; as of July 2000, members appointed by the top executive and legislative officials in each of the 89 federal administrative units - oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg; members serve four-year terms) and the State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats; 225 seats elected by proportional representation from party lists winning at least 5% of the vote, and 225 seats from single-member constituencies; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: State Duma - percent of vote received by parties clearing the 5% threshold entitling them to a proportional share of the 225 party list seats - United Russia 37.1%, KPRF 12.7%, LDPR 11.6%, Motherland 9.1%; seats by party - United Russia 222, KPRF 53, LDPR 38, Motherland 37, People's Party 19, Yabloko 4, Union of Rightist Forces 2, other 7, independents 65, repeat election required 3 elections: State Duma - last held 7 December 2003 (next to be held NA December 2007) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Superior Court of Arbitration; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the president Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of the Russian Federation or KPRF [Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR [Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Motherland Bloc (Rodina) [Sergey GLAZYEV and Dmitriy ROGOZIN]; People's Party [Gennadiy RAYKOV]; Union of Rightist Forces or SPS [Anatoliy Borisovich CHUBAYS, Yegor Timurovich GAYDAR, Irina Mutsuovna KHAKAMADA, Boris Yefimovich NEMTSOV]; United Russia [Boris Vyacheslavovich GRYZLOV]; Yabloko Party [Grigoriy Alekseyevich YAVLINSKIY] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN (observer), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, G- 8, GEF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer), ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yuriy Viktorovich USHAKOV chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco, and Seattle FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander VERSHBOW embassy: Bolshoy Devyatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, 121099 Moscow mailing address: PSC-77, APO AE 09721 telephone: [7] (095) 728-5000 FAX: [7] (095) 728-5090 consulate(s) general: Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red Economy Russia Economy - overview: A decade after the implosion of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Russia is still struggling to establish a modern market economy and achieve strong economic growth. In contrast to its trading partners in Central Europe - which were able within 3 to 5 years to overcome the initial production declines that accompanied the launch of market reforms - Russia saw its economy contract for five years, as the executive and legislature dithered over the implementation of many of the basic foundations of a market economy. Russia achieved a slight recovery in 1997, but the government's stubborn budget deficits and the country's poor business climate made it vulnerable when the global financial crisis swept through in 1998. The crisis culminated in the August depreciation of the ruble, a debt default by the government, and a sharp deterioration in living standards for most of the population. The economy subsequently has rebounded, growing by an average of more than 6% annually in 1999-2002 on the back of higher oil prices and the 60% depreciation of the ruble in 1998. These GDP numbers, along with a renewed government effort to advance lagging structural reforms, have raised business and investor confidence over Russia's prospects in its second decade of transition. Yet serious problems persist. Oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices. Russia's industrial base is increasingly dilapidated and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to maintain vigorous economic growth. Other problems include a weak banking system, a poor business climate that discourages both domestic and foreign investors, corruption, local and regional government intervention in the courts, and widespread lack of trust in institutions. In 2003 President PUTIN further tightened his control over the "oligarchs," especially in the realm of political expression. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.409 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.8% industry: 34.6% services: 59.6% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (37622 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 5.9% highest 10%: 47% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39.9 (2001) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (2002 est.) Labor force: 71.8 million (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 12.3%, industry 22.7%, services 65% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.9% plus considerable underemployment (2002) Budget: revenues: $70 billion expenditures: $62 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 846.5 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 64.3% hydro: 20.5% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 14.8% Electricity - consumption: 773 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 21.16 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 7 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 7.286 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.595 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 51.22 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 580.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 408.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 205.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 32.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 47.86 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables, fruits; beef, milk Exports: $104.6 billion (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures Exports - partners: Germany 7.5%, Italy 6.9%, Netherlands 6.7%, China 6.3%, US 6.1%, Ukraine 5.5%, Belarus 5.4%, Switzerland 5% (2002) Imports: $60.7 billion (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, medicines, meat, sugar, semifinished metal products Imports - partners: Germany 14.3%, Belarus 8.9%, Ukraine 7.1%, US 6.4%, China 5.2%, Italy 4.8%, Kazakhstan 4.3%, France 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $153.5 billion (yearend 2002) Economic aid - recipient: in FY01 from US, $979 million (including $750 million in non-proliferation subsidies); in 2001 from EU, $200 million Currency: Russian ruble (RUR) Currency code: RUR Exchange rates: Russian rubles per US dollar - 31.27 (2002), 29.17 (2001), 28.13 (2000), 24.62 (1999), 9.71 (1998) note: the post-1 January 1998 ruble is equal to 1,000 of the pre-1 January 1998 rubles Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Russia Telephones - main lines in use: 30 million (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 19 million (January 2003) Telephone system: general assessment: the telephone system has undergone significant changes in the 1990s; there are more than 1,000 companies licensed to offer communication services; access to digital lines has improved, particularly in urban centers; Internet and e-mail services are improving; Russia has made progress toward building the telecommunications infrastructure necessary for a market economy; however, a large demand for main line service remains unsatisfied domestic: cross-country digital trunk lines run from Saint Petersburg to Khabarovsk, and from Moscow to Novorossiysk; the telephone systems in 60 regional capitals have modern digital infrastructures; cellular services, both analog and digital, are available in many areas; in rural areas, the telephone services are still outdated, inadequate, and low density international: Russia is connected internationally by three undersea fiber-optic cables; digital switches in several cities provide more than 50,000 lines for international calls; satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systems Radio broadcast stations: AM 420, FM 447, shortwave 56 (1998) Radios: 61.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 7,306 (1998) Televisions: 60.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .ru; Russia also has responsibility for a legacy domain ".su" that was allocated to the Soviet Union, its legal status and ownership are contested by the Russian Government, ICANN, and several Russian commercial entities Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 300 (June 2000) Internet users: 18 million (2002) Transportation Russia Railways: total: 87,157 km broad gauge: 86,200 km 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified) narrow gauge: 957 km 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island) note:: an additional 30,000 km of non-common carrrier lines serve industries (2002) Highways: total: 532,393 km paved: 358,833 km unpaved: 173,560 km (2000) Waterways: 95,900 km (total routes in general use) note: routes with navigation guides serving the Russian River Fleet - 95,900 km; routes with night navigational aids - 60,400 km; man-made navigable routes - 16,900 km (January 1994) Pipelines: gas 135,771 km; oil 70,833 km; refined products 11,536 km; water 23 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', De-Kastri, Indigirskiy, Kaliningrad, Kandalaksha, Kazan', Khabarovsk, Kholmsk, Krasnoyarsk, Lazarev, Mago, Mezen', Moscow, Murmansk, Nakhodka, Nevel'sk, Novorossiysk, Onega, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Rostov, Shakhtersk, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Taganrog, Tuapse, Uglegorsk, Vanino, Vladivostok, Volgograd, Vostochnyy, Vyborg Merchant marine: total: 933 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,495,122 GRT/5,490,103 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 22, cargo 553, chemical tanker 12, combination bulk 21, combination ore/oil 36, container 30, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 167, refrigerated cargo 21, roll on/roll off 20, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belize 1, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 9, Denmark 1, Estonia 4, Greece 3, Honduras 1, Latvia 4, Lithuania 3, Moldova 3, Netherlands 1, South Korea 1, Turkey 18, Turkmenistan 2, Ukraine 10, UK 5, US 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 2,743 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 471 over 3,047 m: 56 2,438 to 3,047 m: 178 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 69 under 914 m: 92 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2,272 over 3,047 m: 28 2,438 to 3,047 m: 118 1,524 to 2,437 m: 204 914 to 1,523 m: 324 under 914 m: 1,598 (2002) Military Russia Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Forces; Airborne troops, Strategic Rocket Forces, and Military Space Forces are classified as independent combat arms, not subordinate to any of the three branches : Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 36 million (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 24 million (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1.243 million (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Russia Disputes - international: China continues to seek a mutually acceptable solution to the disputed alluvial islands at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri rivers and a small island on the Argun River as part of the 2001 Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation; the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai group identified by the Russians as the "Southern Kurils" and by Japan as the "Northern Territories" occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; boundary with Georgia has been largely delimited but not demarcated with several small, strategic segments remaining in dispute and OSCE observers monitoring volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; equidistant seabed treaties have been signed with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the Caspian Sea but no resolution on dividing the water column among any of the littoral states; Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone; Russia continues to reject signing and ratifying the joint 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia; the Russian Parliament refuses to consider ratification of the boundary treaties with Estonia and Latvia, but in May 2003, ratified land and maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, which ratified the 1997 treaty in 1999, legalizing limits of former Soviet republic borders; discussions are still ongoing among Russia, Lithuania and the EU concerning a simplified transit document for residents of the Kaliningrad coastal exclave to transit through Lithuania to Russia; land delimitation with Ukraine is ratified, but maritime regime of the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait is unresolved; delimitation with Kazakhstan is scheduled for completion in 2003; Russian Duma has not yet ratified 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement with the US in the Bering Sea Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are key concerns; heroin increasingly popular in domestic market This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Rwanda Introduction Rwanda Background: In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda. Despite substantial international assistance and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in March 1999 - the country continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output and to foster reconciliation. A series of massive population displacements, a nagging Hutu extremist insurgency, and Rwandan involvement in two wars over the past four years in the neighboring DROC continue to hinder Rwanda's efforts. Geography Rwanda Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 26,338 sq km water: 1,390 sq km land: 24,948 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 893 km border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land Land use: arable land: 32.43% permanent crops: 10.13% other: 57.44% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo Environment - current issues: deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural People Rwanda Population: 7,810,056 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.5% (male 1,667,128; female 1,651,422) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 2,128,495; female 2,148,694) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 85,576; female 128,741) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.1 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.84% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 40.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 21.72 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 102.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 97.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 107.66 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 39.33 years male: 38.51 years female: 40.18 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.6 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 8.9% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 500,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 49,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan Ethnic groups: Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001) Languages: Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write female: 64.7% (2003 est.) male: 76.3% total population: 70.4% People - note: Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa Government Rwanda Country name: conventional long form: Rwandese Republic conventional short form: Rwanda local short form: Rwanda former: Ruanda local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda Government type: republic; presidential, multiparty system Capital: Kigali Administrative divisions: 12 prefectures (in French - prefectures, singular - prefecture; in Kinyarwanda - plural - NA, singular - prefegitura); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali Rurale, Kigali-ville, Umutara, Ruhengeri Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: on 5 May 1995, the Transitional National Assembly adopted as Fundamental Law the constitution of 18 June 1991, provisions of the 1993 Arusha peace accord, the July 1994 Declaration by the Rwanda Patriotic Front, and the November 1994 multiparty protocol of understanding Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state: President Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME (FPR) (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008) election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct popular vote; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%, Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (53 seats; members elected by direct vote) elections: last held 29 September 2003 (next to be held NA) election results: seats by party under the Arusha peace accord - FPR 40, PSD 7, PL 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; communal courts; appeals courts Political parties and leaders: Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Jean-Nipomuscene NAYINZIRA]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [J. Damascene NTAWUKURIRYAYO]; Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [leader NA]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR [Celestin KABANDA]; Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal Party or PL [Pie MUGABO]; Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned) [Pasteur BIZIMUNGU and Charles NTAKARUTINKA]; Rwanda Patriotic Front or FPR [Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME]; Rwandan Socialist Party or PSR [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: IBUKA - association of genocide survivors International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Zac NSENGA FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544 telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882 chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret K. McMILLION embassy: #337 Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali telephone: [250] 50 56 01 through 03 FAX: [250] 57 2128 Flag description: three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band Economy Rwanda Economy - overview: Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa; landlocked with few natural resources and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange earners are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels, although poverty levels are higher now. GDP has rebounded, and inflation has been curbed. Export earnings, however, have been hindered by low beverage prices, depriving the country of much needed hard currency. Attempts to diversify into non-traditional agriculture exports such as flowers and vegetables have been stymied by a lack of adequate transportation infrastructure. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with population growth, requiring food to be imported. Rwanda continues to receive substantial amounts of aid money and was approved for IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in late 2000. But Kigali's high defense expenditures cause tension between the government and international donors and lending agencies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.92 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 20% services: 35% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 60% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 24.2% (1985) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 28.9 (1985) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.6 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 90% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $199.3 million expenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 96.78 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.3% hydro: 97.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 140 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 50 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 28.32 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock Exports: $68 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, tea, hides, tin ore Exports - partners: Indonesia 30.8%, Germany 14.6%, Hong Kong 9%, South Africa 5.5% (2002) Imports: $253 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material Imports - partners: Kenya 21.8%, Germany 8.4%, Belgium 7.9%, Israel 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $1.3 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $372.9 million (1999) Currency: Rwandan franc (RWF) Currency code: RWF Exchange rates: Rwandan francs per US dollar - 475.37 (2002), 442.99 (2001), 389.7 (2000), 333.94 (1999), 312.31 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Rwanda Telephones - main lines in use: 600,000 note - 90% in Kigali (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 81,000 (2001) note: Rwanda has mobile cellular service between Kigali and several prefecture capitals (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: telephone system primarily serves business and government domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the prefectures by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone international: international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a system of repeaters and the third FM program is a 24 hour BBC program), shortwave 1 (2002) Radios: 601,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: NA; probably less than 1,000 (1997) Internet country code: .rw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2002) Internet users: 20,000 (2002) Transportation Rwanda Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 12,000 km paved: 996 km unpaved: 11,004 km (1999 est.) Waterways: note: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft Ports and harbors: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye Airports: 9 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Military Rwanda Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,932,637 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 982,909 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $59.57 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3% (FY02) Transnational Issues Rwanda Disputes - international: Tutsi, Hutu, and other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources - government heads pledge to end conflicts, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Saint Helena Introduction Saint Helena Background: Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile, from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Ascension Island is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield; Gough Island has a meteorological station. Geography Saint Helena Location: islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa Geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 42 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 410 sq km note: includes Saint Helena Island, Ascension, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha, which consists of Tristan da Cunha Island, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, and the three Nightingale Islands water: 0 sq km land: 410 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 60 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: Saint Helena - tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Tristan da Cunha - temperate; marine, mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena) Terrain: Saint Helena - rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains note: the other islands of the group have a volcanic origin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 12.9% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.1% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns People Saint Helena Population: 7,367 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.9% (male 704; female 685) 15-64 years: 71.6% (male 2,732; female 2,545) 65 years and over: 9.5% (male 309; female 392) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 34.2 years male: 34.4 years female: 33.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.67% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.9 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 24.66 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.38 years male: 74.49 years female: 80.42 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.54 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian Ethnic groups: African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25% Religions: Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 20 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 98% (1987 est.) Government Saint Helena Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Helena Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: Jamestown Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha* Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Constitution: 1 January 1989 Legal system: NA Suffrage: NA years of age Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Michael CLANCY (since NA October 2003) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (16 seats, including the speaker, 3 ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 June 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court; Small Debts Court; Juvenile Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship Economy Saint Helena Economy - overview: The economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $5 million in 1997 or almost one-half of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK. GDP: purchasing power parity - $18 million (1998 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,500 (1998 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (1997 est.) Labor force: 3,500 note: 1,200 work offshore (1998 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and fishing 6%, industry (mainly construction) 48%, services 46% (1987 est.) Unemployment rate: 14% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $11.2 million expenditures: $11 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92) Industries: construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 4.65 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, crawfish (on Tristan da Cunha) Exports: $704,000 f.o.b. (1995) Exports - commodities: fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts Exports - partners: US 23.7%, Japan 20.5%, Netherlands 16%, Tanzania 15.4%, Spain 6.4%, UK 5.1%, Indonesia 4.5% (2002) Imports: $14.434 million c.i.f. (1995) Imports - commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts Imports - partners: UK 47.6%, Tanzania 14.6%, Italy 12.1%, South Africa 10.9%, US 5.3% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $12.6 million (1995); note - $5.3 million from UK (1997) Currency: Saint Helenian pound (SHP) Currency code: SHP Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Saint Helena Telephones - main lines in use: 2,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: can communicate worldwide domestic: automatic network international: HF radiotelephone from Saint Helena to Ascensionm, which is a major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 3,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 note: television programs are received in Saint Helena via satellite and distributed by cable (2002) Televisions: 2,000 (1997) Internet country code: .sh Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Communications - note: Gough Island has a meteorological station Transportation Saint Helena Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km) paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Georgetown (on Ascension), Jamestown Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Military Saint Helena Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Saint Helena Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Saint Kitts and Nevis Introduction Saint Kitts and Nevis Background: First settled by the British in 1623, the islands became an associated state with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. Geography Saint Kitts and Nevis Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 17 20 N, 62 45 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km) water: 0 sq km land: 261 sq km Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 135 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 2.78% other: 80.55% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to October) Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a three-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island People Saint Kitts and Nevis Population: 38,763 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29% (male 5,754; female 5,499) 15-64 years: 62.4% (male 12,098; female 12,105) 65 years and over: 8.5% (male 1,365; female 1,942) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 27.1 years male: 26.3 years female: 27.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.13% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 18.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.85 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -8.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 17.19 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.57 years male: 68.76 years female: 74.56 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s) adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian Ethnic groups: predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese Religions: Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 98% (1980 est.) Government Saint Kitts and Nevis Country name: conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Government type: constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament Capital: Basseterre Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983) Constitution: 19 September 1983 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member constituencies; members serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SKNLP 8, CCM 2, NRP 1 elections: last held 6 March 2000 (next to be held by July 2005) Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts and Nevis) Political parties and leaders: Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Vance AMORY]; Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]; People's Action Movement or PAM [Lindsey GRANT]; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Izben Cordinal WILLIAMS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636 FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador in Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red Economy Saint Kitts and Nevis Economy - overview: Sugar was the traditional mainstay of the Saint Kitts economy until the 1970s. Although the crop still dominates the agricultural sector, activities such as tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking have assumed larger roles in the economy. As tourism revenues are now the chief source of the islands' foreign exchange, a decline in stopover tourist arrivals following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has eroded government finances. The opening of a 1,000+ bed Marriott hotel in February 2003 is expected to bring in much-needed revenue. GDP: purchasing power parity - $339 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 25.8% services: 70.7% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (2001 est.) Labor force: 18,172 (June 1995) Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: 4.5% (1997) Budget: revenues: $89.7 million expenditures: $128.2 million, including capital expenditures of $19.5 million (2003 est.) Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 100.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 93.26 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 710 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish Exports: $47 million (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco Exports - partners: US 66.5%, UK 7.6%, Canada 6.8%, Portugal 6% (2002) Imports: $152 million (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, manufactures, food, fuels Imports - partners: US 41.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 16.2%, Canada 9.8%, UK 6.9%, Japan 4% (2002) Debt - external: $171 million (2001) Economic aid - recipient: $8 million (2001) Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Saint Kitts and Nevis Telephones - main lines in use: 17,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 205 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: good interisland and international connections domestic: inter island links to Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) are handled by VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone international: international calls are carried by radiotelephone to Antigua and Barbuda and switched there to submarine cable or to Intelsat; or carried to Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) by radiotelephone and switched to Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 28,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus three repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 10,000 (1997) Internet country code: .kn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: 2,000 (2000) Transportation Saint Kitts and Nevis Railways: total: 50 km narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane plantations during harvest season (2002) Highways: total: 320 km paved: 136 km unpaved: 184 km (1999 est) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Basseterre, Charlestown Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Saint Kitts and Nevis Military branches: Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (including Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (including Special Service Unit) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Saint Kitts and Nevis Disputes - international: protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Saint Lucia Introduction Saint Lucia Background: The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979. Geography Saint Lucia Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 68 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 616 sq km water: 10 sq km land: 606 sq km Area - comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 158 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Land use: arable land: 4.92% permanent crops: 22.95% other: 72.13% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes and volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean People Saint Lucia Population: 162,157 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 25,883; female 24,569) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 50,711; female 52,508) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 3,147; female 5,339) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 24.1 years male: 23.3 years female: 24.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.25% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 20.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.24 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 15.51 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.08 years male: 69.52 years female: 76.9 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian Ethnic groups: black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 3%, other Protestant 7% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 67% male: 65% female: 69% (1980 est.) Government Saint Lucia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia Government type: Westminster-style parliamentary democracy Capital: Castries Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Constitution: 22 February 1979 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dr. Perlette LOUISY (since September 1997) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth Davis ANTHONY (since 24 May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - SLP 55%, UWP 37%, NA 3.5%; seats by party - SLP 14, UWP 3 elections: House of Assembly - last held 3 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006) Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) Political parties and leaders: National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Dr. Morella JOSEPH] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia Merlyn JOHNNY chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador in Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia Flag description: blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border Economy Saint Lucia Economy - overview: The recent changes in the EU import preference regime and the increased competition from Latin American bananas have made economic diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry. Economic fundamentals remain solid. GDP: purchasing power parity - $866 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 20% services: 73% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2001 est.) Labor force: 43,800 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 21.7%, services 53.6%, industry, commerce, and manufacturing 24.7% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.5% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $141.2 million expenditures: $146.7 million, including capital expenditures of $25.1 million (2000 est.) Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing Industrial production growth rate: -8.9% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 120.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 111.8 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa Exports: $68.3 million (2000 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil Exports - partners: UK 48.6%, US 27.8%, Barbados 7.6% (2002) Imports: $319.4 million (2000 est.) Imports - commodities: food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels Imports - partners: Brazil 41.7%, US 21.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.9% (2002) Debt - external: $214 million (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $51.8 million (1995) Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Saint Lucia Telephones - main lines in use: 37,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,600 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: system is automatically switched international: direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados; international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsat from Martinique Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 7 (plus 3 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 111,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (of which two are commercial stations and one is a community antenna television or CATV channel) (1997) Televisions: 32,000 (1997) Internet country code: .lc Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 15 (2000) Internet users: 3,000 (2000) Transportation Saint Lucia Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,210 km paved: 63 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Castries, Vieux Fort Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Saint Lucia Military branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit and Coast Guard) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: $NA Transnational Issues Saint Lucia Disputes - international: protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Saint Pierre and Miquelon Introduction Saint Pierre and Miquelon Background: First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions. Geography Saint Pierre and Miquelon Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada) Geographic coordinates: 46 50 N, 56 20 W Map references: North America Area: total: 242 sq km note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups water: 0 sq km land: 242 sq km Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy Terrain: mostly barren rock Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land: 13.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 86.96% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment Geography - note: vegetation scanty People Saint Pierre and Miquelon Population: 6,976 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25% (male 891; female 851) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,306; female 2,210) 65 years and over: 10.3% (male 310; female 408) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 32.9 years male: 32.7 years female: 33.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.3% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 14.62 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -4.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 9.15 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.11 years male: 75.82 years female: 80.51 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic groups: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Religions: Roman Catholic 99% Languages: French (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1982 est.) Government Saint Pierre and Miquelon Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Dependency status: self-governing territorial collectivity of France Government type: NA Capital: Saint-Pierre Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France); note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are two communes - Saint Pierre, Miquelon at the second order Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law with special adaptations for local conditions, such as housing and taxation Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Claude VALLEIX (since 9 October 2002) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held, first round - 21 April 2002, second round - 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the General Council is elected by the members of the council head of government: President of the General Council Marc PLANTAGENEST (since NA) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats - 15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: elections last held 19 and 26 March 2000 (next to be held NA April 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PS 12, PRG 2, UDF-RPR 5 note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September 2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French National Assembly; elections last held, first round - 9 June 2002, second round - 16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UDF 1 Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Political parties and leaders: PRG [leader NA]; Rassemblement pour la Republique or RPR (now UMP) [leader NA]; Socialist Party or PS [leader NA]; Union pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: FZ, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial collectivity of France) Flag description: a yellow sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a dark blue background with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the flag of France is used for official occasions Economy Saint Pierre and Miquelon Economy - overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. The islands are heavily subsidized by France to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. GDP: purchasing power parity - $74 million - supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1991-96 average) Labor force: 3,261 (1999) Labor force - by occupation: fishing 18%, industry (mainly fish-processing) 41%, services 41% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.8% (1997) Budget: revenues: $70 million expenditures: $60 million, including capital expenditures of $24 million (1996 est.) Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 42.03 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 39.08 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Exports: $12 million f.o.b. (1999) Exports - commodities: fish and fish products, soybeans, animal feed, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink pelts Exports - partners: US 33.3%, Zambia 30.3%, Ecuador 16.2%, France 5.1%, Canada 4%, Spain 4% (2002) Imports: $55 million f.o.b. (1999) Imports - commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials Imports - partners: Zambia 61.5%, France 21.8%, Canada 13% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: approximately $60 million in annual grants from France Currency: euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.93863 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Saint Pierre and Miquelon Telephones - main lines in use: 4,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic: NA international: radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 4,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (there are, however, two repeaters which rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997) Televisions: 4,000 (1997) Internet country code: .pm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Saint Pierre and Miquelon Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 114 km paved: 69 km unpaved: 45 km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Saint Pierre Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Saint Pierre and Miquelon Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Saint Pierre and Miquelon Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Introduction Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Background: Disputed between France and the United Kingdom in the 18th century, Saint Vincent was ceded to the latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. Geography Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) water: 0 sq km land: 389 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 84 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m Natural resources: hydropower, cropland Land use: arable land: 10.26% permanent crops: 17.95% other: 71.79% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays People Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Population: 116,812 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.2% (male 16,755; female 16,163) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 39,308; female 37,149) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 3,215; female 4,222) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 25.1 years female: 25.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.34% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.08 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -7.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 17.08 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.08 years male: 71.3 years female: 74.92 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian Ethnic groups: black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 7% Religions: Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, Hindu Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant Languages: English, French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% (1970 est.) Government Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Government type: parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth Capital: Kingstown Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Constitution: 27 October 1979 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001) Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3 elections: last held 28 March 2001 (next to be held by March 2006) Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) Political parties and leaders: National Reform Party or NRP [Joel MIGUEL]; New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Ken BOYEA]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [leader NA]; United People's Movement or UPM [Adrian SAUNDERS]; Unity Labor Party or ULP [Ralph GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ellsworth I. A. JOHN chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador in Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern Economy Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Economy - overview: Bananas and other agricultural products remain the staple of this lower-middle income country's economy. Although tourism and other services have been growing moderately in recent years, the government has been ineffective at introducing new industries. Unemployment remains high, and economic growth hinges upon seasonal variations in the agricultural and tourism sectors. Tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002, and tourism in the Eastern Caribbean has suffered low arrivals following 11 September 2001. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking sector, but its restrictive secrecy laws have come under international review. As of June 2001, it remained on the Financial Action Task Force's list of noncooperative jurisdictions. Saint Vincent is also the largest producer of marijuana in the Eastern Caribbean and is increasingly being used as a transshipment point for illegal narcotics from South America. GDP: purchasing power parity - $339 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 26% services: 64% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.4% (2001 est.) Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 26%, industry 17%, services 57% (1980 est.) Unemployment rate: 22% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $94.6 million expenditures: $85.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch Industrial production growth rate: -0.9% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 92.48 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 69.3% hydro: 30.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 86 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish Exports: $53.7 million (2000 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquets Exports - partners: France 25.2%, Greece 19.1%, Spain 16.4%, UK 9.5%, US 7.1% (2002) Imports: $185.6 million (2000 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels Imports - partners: France 32.7%, US 11.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 10.4%, Singapore 10.1%, Spain 7.9%, Greece 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $167.2 million (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $47.5 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (1998) Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Telephones - main lines in use: 20,500 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines international: VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 77,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus three repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 18,000 (1997) Internet country code: .vc Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 15 (2000) Internet users: 3,500 (2001) Transportation Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,040 km paved: 320 km unpaved: 720 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Kingstown Merchant marine: total: 769 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,365,887 GRT/9,665,937 DWT ships by type: bulk 133, cargo 376, chemical tanker 21, combination bulk 7, container 58, liquefied gas 8, livestock carrier 4, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 43, refrigerated cargo 46, roll on/roll off 45, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 1, Anguilla 1, Argentina 1, Australia 2, The Bahamas 1, Bangladesh 1, Barbados 2, Belgium 4, Bulgaria 14, Canada 1, Cayman Islands 1, China 135, Colombia 1, Croatia 12, Cyprus 6, Denmark 16, Egypt 7, Estonia 6, France 27, Germany 12, Greece 156, Guyana 7, Hong Kong 23, Iceland 1, India 11, Indonesia 3, Israel 2, Italy 19, Japan 1, Kenya 4, Latvia 5, Lebanon 9, Liberia 5, Lithuania 1, Malta 1, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 3, Mexico 1, Monaco 6, Netherlands 14, Netherlands Antilles 1, Nigeria 3, Norway 33, Pakistan 5, Panama 2, Poland 2, Portugal 2, Puerto Rico 2, Russia 8, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 4, Slovenia 7, South Korea 4, Spain 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 10, Syria 2, Taiwan 1, Thailand 1, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 8, UAE 45, UK 16, US 25, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 6 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Military branches: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Disputes - international: protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Samoa Introduction Samoa Background: New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997. Geography Samoa Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 2,944 sq km water: 10 sq km land: 2,934 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 403 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October) Terrain: narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 19.43% permanent crops: 23.67% other: 56.9% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: occasional typhoons; active volcanism Environment - current issues: soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia People Samoa Population: 178,173 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.4% (male 26,613; female 25,715) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 72,135; female 42,903) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 4,980; female 5,827) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 23.7 years male: 26.3 years female: 20.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.27% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 15.41 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -11.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.68 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 34.98 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.11 years male: 67.35 years female: 73 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.21 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3 Nationality: noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4% Religions: Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist) Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.6% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) Government Samoa Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa conventional short form: Samoa former: Western Samoa Government type: constitutional monarchy under native chief Capital: Apia Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated Constitution: 1 January 1962 Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963) head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA (since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from 1992 until he assumed the prime ministership in 1996, when former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health; TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister after TOFILAU died; the post of deputy prime minister is currently vacant cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister's advice elections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected by voters affiliated with traditional village-based electoral districts, 2 elected by independent, mostly Eurasian, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish a village affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Fono; members serve five-year terms) elections: election last held 3 March 2001 (next election to be held not later than March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - HRPP 30, SNDP 13, independents 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Land and Titles Court Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party [leader NA]; Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA, chairman]; Samoa All People's Party or SAPP [Matatumua MAIMOANA]; Samoan National Development Party or SNDP [LE MAMEA Ropati, chairman] (opposition); Samoa National Party [FETU Tiatia, party secretary]; Samoan Progressive Conservative Party [LEOTA Ituau Ale]; Samoan United Independents Party or SUIP [Dr. Saleimoa VAAI] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Feturi ELISAIA FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197 chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: the Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa embassy: Vailima mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apia telephone: [685] 21631/22696 FAX: [685] 22030 Flag description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation Economy Samoa Economy - overview: The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, and agriculture and fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. The decline of fish stocks in the area is a continuing problem. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for 25% of GDP; about 88,000 tourists visited the islands in 2001. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, meantime protecting the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 23% services: 63% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2001 est.) Labor force: 90,000 (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: NA%; note - substantial underemployment Budget: revenues: $105 million expenditures: $119 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001/2002) Industries: food processing, building materials, auto parts Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2000) Electricity - production: 105.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 97.74 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa Exports: $15.5 million f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments, beer Exports - partners: Australia 66.1%, US 10%, Japan 3.7% (2002) Imports: $130.1 million f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs Imports - partners: New Zealand 23.3%, Fiji 20.2%, Australia 15.7%, Japan 13.1%, Taiwan 6.4%, US 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $197 million (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $42.9 million (1995) Currency: tala (SAT) Currency code: SAT (former WST code is still in wide use) Exchange rates: tala per US dollar - 3.37 (2002), 3.48 (2001), 3.29 (2000), 3.01 (1999), 2.95 (1998) Fiscal year: June 1 - May 31 Communications Samoa Telephones - main lines in use: 8,183 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,545 (February 1998) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 174,849 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2002) Televisions: 8,634 (1999) Internet country code: .ws Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 3,000 (2002) Transportation Samoa Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 790 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 458 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 7,091 GRT/8,127 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 4 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Samoa Military branches: no regular armed services; Samoa Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship Transnational Issues Samoa Disputes - international: none; note - some EEZ demarcations, including the one with American Samoa, are undefined This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @San Marino Introduction San Marino Background: The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco) also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor. Geography San Marino Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy Geographic coordinates: 43 46 N, 12 25 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 61.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 61.2 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers Terrain: rugged mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m Natural resources: building stone Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution Geography - note: landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines People San Marino Population: 28,119 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.3% (male 2,364; female 2,220) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 9,149; female 9,731) 65 years and over: 16.6% (male 2,009; female 2,646) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 39.6 years male: 39.2 years female: 40 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.38% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.49 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 11.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.41 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.43 years male: 77.9 years female: 85.26 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.31 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural) adjective: Sammarinese Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97% female: 95% (1976 est.) Government San Marino Country name: conventional long form: Republic of San Marino conventional short form: San Marino local short form: San Marino local long form: Repubblica di San Marino Government type: independent republic Capital: San Marino Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle Independence: 3 September 301 National holiday: Founding of the Republic, 3 September (301) Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent Giovanni LONFERNINI and Captain Regent Valeria CIAVATTA (for the period 1 October 2003-31 March 2004) elections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held NA September 2003 (next to be held NA March 2004); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held 17 December 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council) selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of the prerogatives of a prime minister election results: Giovanni LONFERNINI and Valeria CIAVATTA elected captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Fiorenzo STOLFI elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of legislative vote - 40% cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Fiorenzo STOLFI (since 17 December 2002) Legislative branch: unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 10 June 2001 (next to be held by June 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - PDCS 41.4%, PSS 24.2%, PD 20.8%, APDS 8.2%, RC 3.4%, AN 1.9%; seats by party - PDCS 25, PSS 15, PD 12, APDS 5, RC 2, AN 1 Judicial branch: Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII Political parties and leaders: Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Ideas in Movement or IM [Alessandro ROSSI]; National Alliance or AN [leader NA]; Party of Democrats or PD [Claudio FELICI]; San Marino Christian Democratic Party or PDCS [Giovanni LONFERNINI]; San Marino Popular Alliance of Democrats or APDS [Roberto GIORGETTI]; San Marino Socialist Party or PSS [Alberto CECCHETTI]; Socialists for Reform or SR [Renzo GIARDI] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: San Marino does not have an embassy in the US honorary consulate(s) general: Washington, DC and New York honorary consulate(s): Detroit and Honolulu Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the US Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty) Economy San Marino Economy - overview: The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 2000 more than 3 million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries are banking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food. GDP: purchasing power parity - $940 million (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.5% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $34,600 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2001) Labor force: 18,500 (1999) Labor force - by occupation: services 57%, industry 42%, agriculture 1% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.6% (2001) Budget: revenues: $400 million expenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: NA Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.18% other: 0% nuclear: 0% hydro: 58.82% Electricity - consumption: NA (2000) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh note: electric power supplied by Italy Electricity - imports: 0 kWh note: electricity supplied by Italy Agriculture - products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides Exports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy Exports - commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics Imports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy Imports - commodities: wide variety of consumer manufactures, food Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications San Marino Telephones - main lines in use: 18,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,010 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate connections domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system international: connected to Italian international network Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 16,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997) Televisions: 9,000 (1997) Internet country code: .sm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation San Marino Railways: 0 km; note - there is a 1.5-km cable railway connecting the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore Highways: total: 220 km paved: 220 km unpaved: 0 km (2001) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: none (2002) Military San Marino Military branches: Voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari Voluntar), Gendarmerie; note - the Voluntary Military Force performs ceremonial duties and limited police assistance Military expenditures - dollar figure: $700,000 (FY00/01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues San Marino Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Sao Tome and Principe Introduction Sao Tome and Principe Background: Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy. Geography Sao Tome and Principe Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,001 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1,001 sq km Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 209 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m Natural resources: fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 41% other: 57% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous People Sao Tome and Principe Population: 175,883 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47.7% (male 42,480; female 41,411) 15-64 years: 48.3% (male 41,043; female 43,986) 65 years and over: 4% (male 3,197; female 3,766) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.1 years male: 15.5 years female: 16.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.18% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 41.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -2.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 46.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 48.07 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.28 years male: 64.79 years female: 67.82 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.88 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean Ethnic groups: mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese) Religions: Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist) Languages: Portuguese (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.3% male: 85% female: 62% (1991 est.) Government Sao Tome and Principe Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe Government type: republic Capital: Sao Tome Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995 Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975) Constitution: approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990 Legal system: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001) election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA% elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held NA July 2006); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president head of government: Prime Minister Maria das NEVES (since 7 October 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force for Change Democratic Movement 39.4%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seats by party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23, Ue-Kedadji coalition 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands Flag description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Sao Tome and Principe Economy - overview: This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 28 years ago. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices brighten prospects for 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Sao Tome's success in implementing structural reforms has been rewarded by international donors, who pledged increased assistance in 2001. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic that substantial petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea; production could begin as early as 2004. GDP: purchasing power parity - $200 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 10% services: 65% (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing note: shortages of skilled workers Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $58 million expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.) Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 17 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.2% hydro: 58.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 15.81 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish Exports: $5.5 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil Exports - partners: Netherlands 30.1%, Poland 11.8%, Canada 9.7%, Germany 7.5%, Philippines 7.5%, Spain 7.5%, Belgium 6.5%, France 4.3%, Portugal 4.3% (2002) Imports: $24.8 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products Imports - partners: Portugal 51.4%, Germany 10.1%, UK 7.6%, Belgium 6.3% (2002) Debt - external: $253.8 million (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program Currency: dobra (STD) Currency code: STD Exchange rates: dobras per US dollar - NA (2002), 8,842.11 (2001), 7,978.17 (2000), 7,118.96 (1999), 6,883.24 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Sao Tome and Principe Telephones - main lines in use: 4,600 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6,942 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate facilities domestic: minimal system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002) Radios: 38,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2002) Televisions: 23,000 (1997) Internet country code: .st Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 9,000 (2002) Transportation Sao Tome and Principe Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Santo Antonio, Sao Tome Merchant marine: total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 78,595 GRT/99,873 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 15, chemical tanker 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 1, Greece 1, Kenya 1, Portugal 1, Syria 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Sao Tome and Principe Military branches: Army, Navy, Security Police Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 36,905 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 19,443 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $400,000 (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.8% (FY01) Transnational Issues Sao Tome and Principe Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Saudi Arabia Introduction Saudi Arabia Background: In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. In the 1930s, the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major governmental concerns. Geography Saudi Arabia Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 1,960,582 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1,960,582 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 4,431 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km Coastline: 2,640 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 NM continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper Land use: arable land: 1.72% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 98.22% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 16,200 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal People Saudi Arabia Population: 24,293,844 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 5,245,413; female 5,028,595) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 7,700,121; female 5,622,099) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 393,173; female 304,443) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 20.9 years female: 16.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.27% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 37.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.37 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.29 male(s)/female total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 47.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 50.1 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.73 years male: 66.99 years female: 70.55 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.15 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.01% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saudi(s) adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Arabic Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78.8% male: 84.7% female: 70.8% (2003 est.) Government Saudi Arabia Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conventional short form: Saudi Arabia local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah Government type: monarchy Capital: Riyadh Administrative divisions: 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk Independence: 23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom) National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Constitution: governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993 Legal system: based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: none Executive branch: chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government elections: none; the monarch is hereditary head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members Legislative branch: Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms) Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice Political parties and leaders: none allowed Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BIS, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. JORDAN embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah) Flag description: green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam Economy Saudi Arabia Economy - overview: This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 25% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is supporting private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Priorities for government spending in the short term include additional funds for the water and sewage systems and for education. Water shortages and rapid population growth constrain the government's efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products. GDP: purchasing power parity - $268.9 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.2% industry: 51.2% services: 43.6% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 7 million note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (2002) Budget: revenues: $46 billion expenditures: $56.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 est.) Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 122.4 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 113.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 8.711 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.452 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 261.7 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 53.69 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 53.69 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.339 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk Exports: $71 billion f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90% Exports - partners: US 18.6%, Japan 15.6%, South Korea 10.1%, Singapore 5.1%, China 4.6% (2002) Imports: $39.5 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles Imports - partners: US 11.2%, Japan 8.8%, Germany 7.6%, UK 4.9%, France 4.9%, Italy 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $25.9 billion (2003 est.) Economic aid - donor: pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 2000, Saudi Arabia has committed $307 million for assistance to the Palestinians; pledged $240 million to development in Afghanistan Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR) Currency code: SAR Exchange rates: Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.75 (2002), 3.75 (2001), 3.75 (2000), 3.75 (1999), 3.75 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Saudi Arabia Telephones - main lines in use: 3.9 million (2002 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.9 million (2002 est.) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems international: microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 6.25 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 117 (1997) Televisions: 5.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .sa Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 22 (2003) Internet users: 1.453 million (2002) Transportation Saudi Arabia Railways: total: 1,392 km standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2002) Highways: total: 151,470 km paved: 45,592 km unpaved: 105,878 km (1999) Waterways: none Pipelines: condensate 212 km; gas 837 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,187 km; oil 5,062 km; refined products 69 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al Sinaiyah Merchant marine: total: 71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,461,964 GRT/2,301,258 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 11, container 4, livestock carrier 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 3, Finland 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 1, Sudan 1, UAE 1, UK 3 (2002 est.) Airports: 209 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 71 over 3,047 m: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 138 under 914 m: 13 (2002) over 3047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 79 Heliports: 5 (2002) Military Saudi Arabia Military branches: Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,123,784 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,431,281 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 253,685 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $18.3 billion (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 13% (FY00) Transnational Issues Saudi Arabia Disputes - international: nomadic groups on border region with Yemen resist demarcation of boundary; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been negotiating a long-contested maritime boundary with Iran; because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with the UAE is still unknown and labeled approximate Illicit drugs: death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin, cocaine, and hashish This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Senegal Introduction Senegal Background: Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982. However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks, a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping. Geography Senegal Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania Geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 14 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 196,190 sq km land: 192,000 sq km water: 4,190 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: total: 2,640 km border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land: 11.58% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 88.23% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 710 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping Geography - note: westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal People Senegal Population: 10,580,307 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.7% (male 2,330,395; female 2,289,706) 15-64 years: 53.3% (male 2,707,195; female 2,929,998) 65 years and over: 3% (male 156,514; female 166,499) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.8 years male: 17.2 years female: 18.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.56% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 36.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.88 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 57.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 61.34 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.37 years male: 54.83 years female: 57.95 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.93 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 27,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,500 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese Ethnic groups: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4% Religions: Muslim 94%, indigenous beliefs 1%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.2% male: 50% female: 30.7% (2003 est.) Government Senegal Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal Government type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Dakar Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor note: there may be another region called Matam Independence: 4 April 1960 (from France); complete independence was achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Constitution: a new constitution was adopted 7 January 2001 Legal system: based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government's accounting office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Idrissa SECK (since 4 November 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president election results: Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of vote in the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.49%, Abdou DIOUF (PS) 41.51% elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term under new constitution; election last held 27 February and 19 March 2000 (next to be held 27 February 2005); prime minister appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 29 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SOPI Coalition 89, AFP 11, PS 10, other 10 note: the former National Assembly, dissolved in the spring of 2001, had 140 seats Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals; note - the judicial system was reformed in 1992 Political parties and leaders: African Party for Democracy and Socialism or And Jef (also known as PADS/AJ) [Landing SAVANE, secretary general]; African Party of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic and Patriotic Convention or CDP (also known as Garab-Gi) [Dr. Iba Der THIAM]; Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for Socialism and Democracy or FSD [Cheikh Abdoulaye DIEYE]; Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madier DIOUF]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE]; Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition (a coalition led by the PDS) [Abdoulaye WADE]; Union for Democratic Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA]; other small parties Political pressure groups and leaders: labor; Muslim brotherhoods; students; teachers International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOVIC, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amadou Lamine BA FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315 consulate(s) general: New York telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540 chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Harriet L. ELAM-THOMAS embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar telephone: [221] 823-4296 FAX: [221] 822-2991 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Senegal Economy - overview: In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which was linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging 5% annually during 1995-2002. Annual inflation had been pushed down to less than 1%, but rose to an estimated 3.3% in 2001 and 3.0% in 2002. Investment rose steadily from 13.8% of GDP in 1993 to 16.5% in 1997. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff. Senegal also realized full Internet connectivity in 1996, creating a miniboom in information technology-based services. Private activity now accounts for 82% of GDP. In 2003, GDP will probably again grow at about 5%. On the negative side, Senegal faces deep-seated urban problems of chronic unemployment, trade union militancy, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction. GDP: purchasing power parity - $15.64 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 27% services: 55% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 54% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.5% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 41.3 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 70% Unemployment rate: 48% (urban youth 40%) (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.373 billion expenditures: $1.373 billion, including capital expenditures of $357 million (2002 est.) Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 8.1% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 1.518 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.412 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish Exports: $1.15 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cotton Exports - partners: India 20.7%, France 13%, Mali 8.9%, Greece 7.7%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Imports: $1.46 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foods and beverages, capital goods, fuels Imports - partners: France 25.6%, Nigeria 8.7%, Thailand 7.2%, US 5.4%, Germany 5.4%, Italy 4.5%, Spain 4% (2002) Debt - external: $3.1 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $362.6 million (2002 est.) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Senegal Telephones - main lines in use: 234,916 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 373,965 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: good system domestic: above-average urban system; microwave radio relay, coaxial cable and fiber-optic cable in trunk system international: 4 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 1.24 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 361,000 (1997) Internet country code: .sn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 100,000 (2002) Transportation Senegal Railways: total: 906 km narrow gauge: 906 km 1.000-meter gauge (2002) Highways: total: 14,576 km paved: 4,271 km including 7 km of expressways unpaved: 10,305 km (2000) Waterways: 897 km note: 785 km on the Senegal river, and 112 km on the Saloum river Pipelines: gas 564 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Dakar, Kaolack, Matam, Podor, Richard Toll, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor Airports: 20 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Senegal Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police (Surete Nationale) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,404,838 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,256,973 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 116,688 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $68.6 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Senegal Disputes - international: separatist war in Casamance region results in refugees and cross-border raids, arms smuggling, other illegal activities, and political instability in Guinea-Bissau Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Serbia and Montenegro Introduction Serbia and Montenegro Background: The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Occupation by Nazi Germany in 1941 was resisted by various paramilitary bands that fought themselves as well as the invaders. The group headed by Marshal TITO took full control upon German expulsion in 1945. Although Communist, his new government successfully steered its own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In the early 1990s, post-TITO Yugoslavia began to unravel along ethnic lines: Slovenia, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia all declared their independence in 1991; Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" (FRY) in 1992 and, under President Slobodan MILOSEVIC, Serbia led various military intervention efforts to unite Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." All of these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. In 1999, massive expulsions by FRY forces and Serb paramilitaries of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo provoked an international response, including the NATO bombing of Serbia and the stationing of NATO, Russian, and other peacekeepers in Kosovo. Federal elections in the fall of 2000, brought about the ouster of MILOSEVIC and installed Vojislav KOSTUNICA as president. The arrest of MILOSEVIC in 2001 allowed for his subsequent transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague to be tried for crimes against humanity. In 2001, the country's suspension was lifted, and it was once more accepted into UN organizations under the name of Yugoslavia. Kosovo has been governed by the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) since June 1999, under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. In 2002, the Serbian and Montenegrin components of Yugoslavia began negotiations to forge a looser relationship. These talks became a reality in February 2003 when lawmakers restructured the country into a loose federation of two republics called Serbia and Montenegro. An agreement was also reached to hold a referendum in each republic in three years on full independence. Geography Serbia and Montenegro Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina Geographic coordinates: 44 00 N, 21 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 102,350 sq km water: 214 sq km land: 102,136 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kentucky Land boundaries: total: 2,246 km border countries: Albania 287 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 527 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 241 km, Croatia (south) 25 km, Hungary 151 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km Coastline: 199 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall); central portion, continental and Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland Terrain: extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands off the coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Daravica 2,656 m Natural resources: oil, gas, coal, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite, chrome, hydropower, arable land Land use: arable land: 36.34% permanent crops: 3.44% other: 60.22% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 570 sq km Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity Geography - note: controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast People Serbia and Montenegro Population: 10,655,774 note: a census was taken in Serbia 1-15 April 2002 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.3% (male 1,062,625; female 990,071) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 3,422,543; female 3,548,058) 65 years and over: 15.3% (male 696,716; female 935,761) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 36.2 years male: 34.3 years female: 37.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.07% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.74 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.62 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.57 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.97 years male: 71.03 years female: 77.16 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.77 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Serb(s); Montenegrin(s) adjective: Serbian; Montenegrin Ethnic groups: Serb 62.6%, Albanian 16.5%, Montenegrin 5%, Hungarian 3.3%, other 12.6% (1991) Religions: Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 11% Languages: Serbian 95%, Albanian 5% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 97.2% female: 88.9% (1991) Government Serbia and Montenegro Country name: conventional long form: Serbia and Montenegro conventional short form: none local short form: none local long form: Srbija i Crna Gora Government type: republic Capital: Belgrade; note - Podgorica is the judicial capital Administrative divisions: 2 republics (republike, singular - republika); and 2 nominally autonomous provinces* (autonomn pokrajine, singular - autonomna pokrajina); Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina* Independence: 27 April 1992 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or FRY formed as self-proclaimed successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or SFRY) National holiday: National Day, 27 April Constitution: 4 February 2003 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Dragisa PESIC (since 24 July 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub LABUS (since 25 January 2001) cabinet: Federal Ministries act as Cabinet elections: president elected by the Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 7 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Svetozar MAROVIC elected president by the Parliament; vote was Svetozar MAROVIC 65, other 47 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (126 seats - 91 Serbian, 35 Montenegrin - filled by nominees of the two state parliaments for the first two years, after which the president will call for public elections elections: last held 25 February 2003 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - DOS 37, DLECG 19, DSS 17, ZP 14, SPS 12, SRS 8, SDP 5, SSJ 5, other 9 Judicial branch: Federal Court or Savezni Sud; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts are elected by the Federal Assembly for nine-year terms note: after the promulgation of the new Constitution, the Federal Court will have constitutional and administrative functions; it will have an equal number of judges from each republic Political parties and leaders: Democratic Opposition of Serbia or DOS (a coalition of many small parties including DSS) [leader NA]; Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Jozsef KASZA]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Dr. Ibrahim RUGOVA, president]; Democratic List for European Montenegro or DLECG [Milo DJUKANOVIC, Ranko KRIVOKAPIC]; Democratic Party or DS [collective interim leadership led by Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC]; Party of Serb Unity or SSJ [Borislav PELEVIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Socialist Party or SPS (former Communist Party and party of Slobodan MILOSEVIC) [Zoran ANDJELKOVIC, general secretary]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Rasim LJAJIC]; Together for Changes or ZP [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Ibrahim RUGOVA]; Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]; Group of 17 Independent Economists or G-17 [leader NA]; National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo or LKCK [Sabit GASHI]; Otpor Student Resistance Movement [leader NA]; Political Council for Presevo, Meveda and Bujanovac or PCPMB [leader NA]; The People's Movement for Kosovo or LPK [Emrush XHEMAJLI] International organization participation: ABEDA, BIS, CE (guest), CEI, EBRD, FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ivan VUJACIC chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933 telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William D. MONTGOMERY embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344 FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and red Economy Serbia and Montenegro Economy - overview: MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of economic sanctions, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the war in Kosovo have left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. Since the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in October 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government has implemented stabilization measures and embarked on an aggressive market reform program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A World Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors' Conference held in June 2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic restructuring. An agreement rescheduling the country's $4.5 billion Paris Club government debts was concluded in November 2001; it will write off 66% of the debt; a similar debt relief agreement on its $2.8 billion London Club commercial debt is still pending. The smaller republic of Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and continues to maintain its own central bank, uses the euro instead of the Yugoslav dinar as official currency, collects customs tariffs, and manages its own budget. Kosovo, while technically still part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia and Montenegro) according to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, is moving toward local autonomy under United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and is dependent on the international community for financial and technical assistance. The euro and the Yugoslav dinar are official currencies, and UNMIK collects taxes and manages the budget. The complexity of Serbia and Montenegro political relationships, slow progress in privatization, and stagnation in the European economy are holding back the economy. Arrangements with the IMF, especially requirements for fiscal discipline, are an important element in policy formation. Severe unemployment remains a key political economic problem. GDP: purchasing power parity - $23.15 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 36% services: 38% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 30% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 32% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.9 billion expenditures: $4.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; tanks and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery); metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium); mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone); consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs, appliances); electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals Industrial production growth rate: 1.7% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 31.71 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.9% hydro: 37.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 32.37 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 446 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 3.33 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 64,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 38.75 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 602 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 602 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 24.07 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cereals, fruits, vegetables, tobacco, olives; cattle, sheep, goats Exports: $2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, food and live animals, raw materials Exports - partners: Italy 32%, Germany 19.5%, Greece 7%, Austria 6.1%, France 4.6% (2002) Imports: $6.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, manufactured goods, chemicals, food and live animals, raw materials Imports - partners: Germany 19.4%, Italy 18%, Austria 8.5%, Slovenia 5.6%, Greece 4.4%, France 4.3%, Bulgaria 4.2%, Romania 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $9.2 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $2 billion pledged in 2001 (disbursements to follow for several years) Currency: new Yugoslav dinar (YUM); note - in Montenegro the euro is legal tender; in Kosovo both the euro and the Yugoslav dinar are legal (2002) Currency code: YUM Exchange rates: new Yugoslav dinars per US dollar - official rate: 65 (2002), 10.0 (December 1998); black market rate: 14.5 (December 1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Serbia and Montenegro Telephones - main lines in use: 2.017 million (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: 87,000 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 113, FM 194, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 3.15 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: more than 771 (including 86 strong stations and 685 low-power stations, plus 20 repeaters in the principal networks; also numerous local or private stations in Serbia and Vojvodina) (1997) Televisions: 2.75 million (1997) Internet country code: .yu Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 9 (2000) Internet users: 400,000 (2001) Transportation Serbia and Montenegro Railways: total: 4,059 km standard gauge: 4,059 km 1.435-m gauge (1,364 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 49,805 km paved: 31,029 km (including 560 km of expressways) unpaved: 18,776 km (2000) Waterways: 587 km note: the Danube River, central Europe's connection to the Black Sea, runs through Serbia; since early 2000, a pontoon bridge, replacing a destroyed conventional bridge, has obstructed river traffic at Novi Sad; the obstruction is bypassed by a canal system, but the inadequate lock size limits the size of vessels which may pass; the pontoon bridge can be opened for large ships but has slowed river traffic (2001) Pipelines: gas 3,177 km; oil 393 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bar, Belgrade, Kotor, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Tivat, Zelenika Airports: 45 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Heliports: 4 (2002) Military Serbia and Montenegro Military branches: Army (VJ) (including ground forces with border troops, naval forces, air and air defense forces) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,579,620 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,077,660 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 81,547 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $654 million (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Serbia and Montenegro Disputes - international: the Albanian government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside its borders in the Kosovo region of Serbia and Montenegro while continuing to seek regional cooperation; several ethnic Albanian groups in Kosovo voice union with Albania; has delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute; in late 2002, Serbia and Montenegro and Croatia adopted an interim agreement to settle the disputed Prevlaka Peninsula, allowing the withdrawal of the UN monitoring mission (UNMOP), but discussions could be complicated by the inability of Serbia and Montenegro to come to an agreement on the economic aspects of the new federal union Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Seychelles Introduction Seychelles Background: A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. The most recent presidential elections were held 31 August-2 September 2001. President RENE, who has served since 1977, was re-elected. Geography Seychelles Location: Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 4 35 S, 55 40 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 455 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees Land use: arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 13.33% other: 84.45% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible Environment - current issues: water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands People Seychelles Population: 80,469 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.3% (male 11,116; female 10,844) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 26,068; female 27,425) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,654; female 3,362) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.9 years male: 25.8 years female: 27.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.46% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -5.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.25 years male: 65.78 years female: 76.88 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois Ethnic groups: mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab Religions: Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1% Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58% male: 56% female: 60% (1971 est.) Government Seychelles Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles Government type: republic Capital: Victoria Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK) National holiday: Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993) Constitution: 18 June 1993 Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: France Albert RENE reelected president; percent of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO) 44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that presidential elections have been held separately from legislative elections cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president head of government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats - 25 elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4-6 December 2002 (next held by 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 54.3%, SNP 42.6%, DP 3.1%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11 note: the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to the percentage that each party won of the total vote Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Daniel BELLE]; Mouvement Seychellois pour la Democratie [Jacques HODOUL]; Seychelles National Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [Wavel RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] - the governing party Political pressure groups and leaders: Roman Catholic Church; trade unions International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles Flag description: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side Economy Seychelles Economy - overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. A sharp drop illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war, and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Other issues facing the government are the curbing of the budget deficit, including the containment of social welfare costs, and further privatization of public enterprises. Growth slowed in 1998-2002, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors. Also, tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official exchange rate; without a devaluation of the currency the tourist sector should remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar. GDP: purchasing power parity - $626 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.4% industry: 24.4% services: 73.2% (2000) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 30,900 (1996) Labor force - by occupation: industry 19%, services 71%, agriculture 10% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $249 million expenditures: $262 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 160 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 148.8 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish Exports: $235 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports) Exports - partners: UK 28.6%, France 20%, Italy 8.7%, US 8.4%, Spain 6.7%, Japan 6.7%, Netherlands 6.6%, Thailand 6.4% (2002) Imports: $380 million f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 15.6%, France 12.8%, Spain 9.9%, Italy 9.7%, South Africa 8.4%, Singapore 7.3%, UK 6.1%, Taiwan 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $170 million (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $16.4 million (1995) Currency: Seychelles rupee (SCR) Currency code: SCR Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.48 (2002), 5.86 (2001), 5.71 (2000), 5.34 (1999), 5.26 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Seychelles Telephones - main lines in use: 19,635 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 16,316 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: effective system domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago international: direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 42,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 11,000 (1997) Internet country code: .sc Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 9,000 (2002) Transportation Seychelles Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 373 km paved: 315 km unpaved: 58 km (1997 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Victoria Merchant marine: total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 37,281 GRT/55,702 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: South Africa 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 14 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Military Seychelles Military branches: Army, Coast Guard (includes Air Wing), Presidential Protection Unit (includes Presidential Guard), Police Force (includes Police Mobile Unit, a special weapons and tactics unit capable of assisting the Army in maintaining internal stability) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 23,444 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 11,639 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $12.8 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.8% (FY02) Transnational Issues Seychelles Disputes - international: claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Sierra Leone Introduction Sierra Leone Background: Since 1991, civil war between the government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well over one-third of the population), many of whom are now refugees in neighboring countries. After several setbacks, the end to the 11-year conflict in Sierra Leone may finally be near at hand. With the support of the UN peacekeeping force and contributions from the World Bank and international community, demobilization and disarmament of the RUF and Civil Defense Forces (CDF) combatants has been completed. National elections were held in May 2002 and the government continues to slowly reestablish its authority. Geography Sierra Leone Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 71,740 sq km land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use: arable land: 6.76% permanent crops: 0.78% other: 92.46% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 290 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms Environment - current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa People Sierra Leone Population: 5,732,681 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,259,421; female 1,310,516) 15-64 years: 52% (male 1,420,900; female 1,557,597) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 89,078; female 95,169) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.5 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.94% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 43.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 20.66 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 146.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 128.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 164.23 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.84 years male: 40.33 years female: 45.42 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.86 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 170,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean Ethnic groups: 20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians Religions: Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10% Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic total population: 31.4% male: 45.4% female: 18.2% (1995 est.) Government Sierra Leone Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: Freetown Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western* Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1961) Constitution: 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC 22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court Political parties and leaders: All People's Congress or APC [Alhaji Sat KOROMA, interim chairman]; Citizens United for Peace and Progress or CUPP [Alfred Musa CONTEH, interim chairman]; Coalition for Progress Party or CPP [Jeridine WILLIAM-SARHO, interim leader]; Democratic Center Party or DCP [Adu Aiah KOROMA]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [George E. L. PALMER]; Democratic Party or DP [Henry BALO, acting chairman]; National Alliance Democratic Party or NADP [Mohamed Yahya SILLAH, chairman]; National Democratic Alliance or NDA [Amadu M. B. JALLOH]; National People's Party or NPP [Andrew TURAY]; National Republican Party or NRP [Stephen Sahr MAMBU]; National Unity Movement or NUM [Sam LEIGH, interim chairman]; National Unity Party or NUP [John BENJAMINE, interim leader]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman]; People's Democratic Alliance or PDA [Cpl. (Ret.) Abdul Rahman KAMARA, interim chairman]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Osman KAMARA]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward John KARGBO]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Abass Chernok BUNDU, chairman]; Revolutionary United Front Party or RUFP [Foday Saybana SANKOH, chairman]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Andrew Victor LUNGAY]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Ahmad Tejan KABBAH, chairman]; United National People's Party or UNPP [John KAREFA-SMART in exile, Raymond KAMARA, acting leader]; Young People's Party or YPP [Cornelius DEVEAUS, interim chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: Trade Unions and Student Unions International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARA FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263 chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Russell CHAVEAS embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue Economy Sierra Leone Economy - overview: Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development, following a 11-year civil war. About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Plans continue to reopen bauxite and rutile mines shut down during the conflict. The major source of hard currency consists of the mining of diamonds. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and to supplement government revenues. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.826 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 31% services: 21% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 68% (1989 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.6% (1989) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 62.9 (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $96 million expenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: mining (diamonds); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 250.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 232.6 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Exports: $35 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish (1999) Exports - partners: Belgium 41.9%, Germany 28.1%, UK 3.6% (2002) Imports: $190 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals (1995) Imports - partners: Germany 25%, UK 10.9%, Netherlands 7.5%, US 5.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.9%, Italy 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $1.5 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $103 million (2001 est.) Currency: leone (SLL) Currency code: SLL Exchange rates: leones per US dollar - 2,099.03 (2002), 1,986.15 (2001), 2,092.12 (2000), 1,804.19 (1999), 1,563.62 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Sierra Leone Telephones - main lines in use: 25,000 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 30,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: marginal telephone and telegraph service domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999) Radios: 1.12 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1999) Televisions: 53,000 (1997) Internet country code: .sl Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2001) Internet users: 20,000 (2001) Transportation Sierra Leone Railways: total: 84 km narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge note: Sierra Leone has no common carrier railroads; the existing railroad is private and used on a limited basis while the mine at Marampa is closed (2001) Highways: total: 11,330 km paved: 895 km unpaved: 10,435 km (1999) Waterways: 800 km (of which 600 km is navigable year round) Ports and harbors: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,435 GRT/8,750 DWT ships by type: cargo 2 Airports: 10 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 7 Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Sierra Leone Military branches: Army (RSLAF) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,228,664 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 596,617 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $10.26 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (FY02) Transnational Issues Sierra Leone Disputes - international: large UN peacekeeping presence ended civil war but rebel gang fighting, ethnic rivalries, illegal diamond trading, corruption, and refugees spill over into neighboring states beset with their own civil disorder, refugees, and violence This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Singapore Introduction Singapore Background: Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Geography Singapore Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 692.7 sq km water: 10 sq km land: 682.7 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice territorial sea: 3 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve Elevation extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0% other: 98.36% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes People Singapore Population: 4,608,595 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 411,656; female 385,575) 15-64 years: 75.5% (male 1,687,217; female 1,793,783) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 144,277; female 186,087) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 34.5 years male: 34.3 years female: 34.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.42% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 25.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.42 years male: 77.46 years female: 83.6 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,400 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 140 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore Ethnic groups: Chinese 76.7%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% Religions: Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist Languages: Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.2% male: 96.7% female: 89.7% (2003 est.) Government Singapore Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: Singapore Administrative divisions: none Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 August (1965) Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution) Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN (since 1 September 1999) head of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers Brig. Gen. (Ret.) LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990) and TAN Keng Yam Tony (since 1 August 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 28 August 1999 (next to be held by August 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN elected president unopposed Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; the losing opposition candidate who came closest to winning a seat may be appointed as a "nonconstituency" member elections: last held 3 November 2001 (next to be held 25 June 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 75.3% (in contested constituencies), other 24.7%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals Political parties and leaders: governing party: People's Action Party or PAP [GOH Chok Tong]; opposition parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [leader NA]; National Solidarity Party or NSP [Steve CHIA]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong] (includes SPP, PKMS, NSP, SJP); Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Singapore Justice Party or SJP [leader NA]; Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS [Muhammad ALI Aman]; Singapore People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong]; Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Kiang] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee consulate(s): New York consulate(s) general: San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Franklin L. LAVIN embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: PSC Box 470, FPO AP 96507-0001 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle Economy Singapore Economy - overview: Singapore, a highly developed and successful free market economy, enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hard hit in 2001-2002 by the global recession and the slump in the technology sector. The government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to the external business cycle than the current export-led model but is unlikely to abandon efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. GDP: purchasing power parity - $112.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NEGL% industry: 33% services: 67% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.19 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: financial, business, and other services 35%, manufacturing 21%, construction 13%, transportation and communication 9%, other 22% Unemployment rate: 4.6% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $27.9 billion expenditures: $19.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.4 billion (FY 00/01 est.) Industries: electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, biotechnology Industrial production growth rate: -9.8% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 30.48 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 28.35 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 700,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs, fish, ornamental fish Exports: $127 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, chemicals, mineral fuels Exports - partners: Malaysia 17.4%, US 15.3%, Hong Kong 9.2%, Japan 7.1%, China 5.5%, Taiwan 4.9%, Thailand 4.6%, South Korea 4.2% (2002) Imports: $113 billion (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Malaysia 18.2%, US 14.3%, Japan 12.5%, China 7.6%, Thailand 4.6%, Taiwan 4.6% (2002) Debt - external: $8.2 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD) Currency code: SGD Exchange rates: Singapore dollars per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.69 (1999), 1.67 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Singapore Telephones - main lines in use: 1.95 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.74 million (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: major consideration given to serving business interests; excellent international service domestic: excellent domestic facilities international: submarine cables to Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 16, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 2.6 million (2000) Television broadcast stations: 6 (2000) Televisions: 1.33 million (1997) Internet country code: .sg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 9 (2000) Internet users: 2.31 million (2002) Transportation Singapore Railways: total: 38.6 km narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge note: there is also an 83 km mass transit system with 48 stations Highways: total: 3,066 km paved: 3,066 km (including 150 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 139 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Singapore Merchant marine: total: 859 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,836,021 GRT/32,765,063 DWT ships by type: bulk 125, cargo 85, chemical tanker 87, combination bulk 6, combination ore/oil 8, container 176, liquefied gas 38, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, petroleum tanker 277, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 31 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 7, Belgium 6, China 12, Denmark 27, Germany 17, Greece 4, Hong Kong 44, Indonesia 8, Japan 52, Malaysia 4, Monaco 22, Netherlands 2, Norway 42, Philippines 6, Russia 3, Slovenia 1, South Korea 10, Sweden 13, Switzerland 7, Taiwan 46, Tanzania 2, Thailand 22, UAE 4, UK 14, US 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 9 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Singapore Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,392,740 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,012,498 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.47 billion (FY01 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.9% (FY01) Transnational Issues Singapore Disputes - international: disputes with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation works on Johor, maritime boundaries, and Singapore-occupied Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih persist - parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute within three years Illicit drugs: as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, to be used as a transit point for Golden Triangle heroin and as a venue for money laundering This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Slovakia Introduction Slovakia Background: In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Geography Slovakia Location: Central Europe, south of Poland Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 48,845 sq km water: 45 sq km land: 48,800 sq km Area - comparative: about twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries: total: 1,524 km border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land Land use: arable land: 30.74% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 66.62% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,740 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys People Slovakia Population: 5,430,033 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.8% (male 495,316; female 471,823) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 1,903,335; female 1,924,065) 65 years and over: 11.7% (male 238,912; female 396,582) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 35 years male: 33.3 years female: 36.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.14% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.22 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 9.39 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.43 years male: 70.44 years female: 78.64 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 100 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak Ethnic groups: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.6%, Roma 1.6% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which is about 500,000), Czech, Moravian, Silesian 1.1%, Ruthenian and Ukrainian 0.6%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.2% (1996) Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5% Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Slovakia Country name: conventional long form: Slovak Republic conventional short form: Slovakia local short form: Slovensko local long form: Slovenska Republika Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Bratislava Administrative divisions: 8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky Independence: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 September (1992) Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Rudolf SCHUSTER (since 15 June 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30 October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pavol RUSKO (since 24 September 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 May 1999 (next to be held NA May/June 2004); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president note: government coalition - SDKU, SMK, KDH, ANO election results: Rudolf SCHUSTER elected president in the first direct, popular election; percent of vote - Rudolf SCHUSTER 57%; Mikulas DZURINDA reelected prime minister October 2002 Legislative branch: unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - HZDS-LS 19.5%, SDKU 15.1%, SMER 13.5%, SMK 11.2%, KDH 8.3%, ANO 8%, KSS 6.3%; seats by party - governing coalition 78 (SDKU 28, SMK 20, KDH 15, ANO 15), opposition 72 (HZDS 36, SMER 25, KSS 11) (as of February 2003, 12 deputies had split from HZDS and formed an independent faction) elections: last held 20-21 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Democratic Party or DS [Ludovit KANIK]; Direction (Smer) [Robert FICO]; Movement for a Democratic Slovakia-People's Party or HZDS-LS [Vladimir MECIAR]; New Citizens Alliance or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Bela BUGAR]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef SEVC]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union or SDKU [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Metal Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURG International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMISET, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rastislav KACER chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald WEISER embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338 FAX: [421] (2) 5441-5148 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue Economy Slovakia Economy - overview: Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDA government has made excellent progress in 2001-03 in macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands, and foreign investment has picked up. Slovakia's economy exceeded expectations in 2001-03, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an unacceptable 15% in 2003, remains the economy's Achilles heel. The government faces other strong challenges in 2004, especially the cutting of budget and current account deficits, the containment of inflation, and the strengthening of the health care system. GDP: purchasing power parity - $67.34 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $12,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.5% industry: 34.1% services: 61.4% (2000) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 18.2% (1992) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 26.3 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 3 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: industry 29.3%, agriculture 8.9%, construction 8%, transport and communication 8.2%, services 45.6% (1994) Unemployment rate: 17.2% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $5.2 billion expenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999) Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products Industrial production growth rate: 4.4% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 30.29 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 30.3% hydro: 16% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 53.6% Electricity - consumption: 24.41 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 5.141 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1.381 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 82,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 4.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 292 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 7.932 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 7.205 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 7.504 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products Exports: $12.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 39.4%, intermediate manufactured goods 27.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 13%, chemicals 8% (1999) Exports - partners: Germany 30.1%, Czech Republic 16.4%, Austria 10.7%, Italy 7.2%, Poland 5.7%, Hungary 4.6% (2002) Imports: $15.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 37.7%, intermediate manufactured goods 18%, fuels 13%, chemicals 11%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999) Imports - partners: Germany 24.8%, Czech Republic 16%, Russia 13.5%, Austria 7%, Italy 6.4%, France 4% (2002) Debt - external: $9.6 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $113 million (2000),; $92 million EU structural adjustment funds (2000 est.) Currency: Slovak koruna (SKK) Currency code: SKK Exchange rates: koruny per US dollar - 45.33 (2002), 48.35 (2001), 46.04 (2000), 41.36 (1999), 35.23 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Slovakia Telephones - main lines in use: 1,934,558 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 736,662 (April 1999) Telephone system: general assessment: a modernization and privatization program is increasing accessibility to telephone service, reducing the waiting time for new subscribers, and generally improving service quality domestic: predominantly an analog system that is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; mobile cellular capability has been added international: three international exchanges (one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 3.12 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 38 (plus 864 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 2.62 million (1997) Internet country code: .sk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000) Internet users: 700,000 (2000) Transportation Slovakia Railways: total: 3,668 km broad gauge: 106 km 1.520-m gauge narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (2002) standard gauge: 3,511 km 1.435-m gauge (1,567 km electrified) Highways: total: 42,717 km paved: 37,036 km (including 296 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,681 km (2000) Waterways: 172 km (all on the Danube) Pipelines: gas 6,769 km; oil 449 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bratislava, Komarno Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 11,574 GRT/16,330 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 37 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 9 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Slovakia Military branches: Army (Ground Forces), Air and Air Defense Forces, Home Guards (Territorial Defense Forces), Civil Defense Force, Railway Armed Forces (subordinate to the Ministry of Transportation, Post, and Telecommunications) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,484,950 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,135,612 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 44,287 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $406 million (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.89% (2002) Transnational Issues Slovakia Disputes - international: small boundary changes made with Poland in 2003; Hungary has yet to amend status law extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia, who protest the law Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Slovenia Introduction Slovenia Background: The Slovene lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria until 1918 when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new nation, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power of the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modern state. In December 2002, Slovenia received an invitation to join NATO, and it is scheduled to accede to the EU along with nine other states on 1 May 2004. In a March 2003 referendum on NATO and EU membership, Slovenes voted 90% in favor of joining the EU and 66% in favor of joining NATO. Geography Slovenia Location: Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia Geographic coordinates: 46 07 N, 14 49 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 20,273 sq km water: 122 sq km land: 20,151 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,334 km border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km, Hungary 102 km Coastline: 46.6 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower, forests Land use: arable land: 11.48% permanent crops: 2.68% other: 85.84% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding and earthquakes Environment - current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes People Slovenia Population: 1,935,677 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.3% (male 152,341; female 144,189) 15-64 years: 70% (male 687,939; female 666,194) 65 years and over: 14.7% (male 105,837; female 179,177) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.6 years male: 37.1 years female: 40.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.14% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.15 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.51 years male: 71.65 years female: 79.58 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 280 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian Ethnic groups: Slovene 88%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Bosniak 1%, Yugoslav 0.6%, Hungarian 0.4%, other 5% (1991) Religions: Roman Catholic (Uniate 2%) 70.8%, Lutheran 1%, Muslim 1%, atheist 4.3%, other 22.9% Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 6%, other 3% Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2003 est.) Government Slovenia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia conventional short form: Slovenia local short form: Slovenija local long form: Republika Slovenija Government type: parliamentary democratic republic Capital: Ljubljana Administrative divisions: 182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina ) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse, Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zuzemberk, Zrece note: there may be 45 more municipalities Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991) Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Executive branch: chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Anton ROP (since 11 December 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote - Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Anton ROP elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 63 to 24 elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2007); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held 6 December 2002 (next National Assembly elections to be held NA October 2004) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats, 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on a proportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - LDS 36%, SDS 16%, ZLSD 12%, SLS/SKD 10%, NSi 9%, SMS 4%, SNS 4%, DeSUS 5%, other 4%; seats by party - LDS 34, SDS 13, ZLSD 11, SLS 10, NSi 8, SMS 4, SNS 4, DeSUS 4, Hungarian and Italian minorities 1 each note: the National Council or Drzavni Svet is an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws and ask to review any National Assembly decisions; in the election of November 1997, 40 members were elected to represent local, professional, and socioeconomic interests elections: National Assembly - last held 15 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court (judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and nominated by the president) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS [Anton ROUS]; Liberal Democratic or LDS [Anton ROP]; New Slovenia or NSi [Andrej BAJUK]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People's Party or SLS [Franc BUT]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [Dominic CERNJAK]; Social Democratic Party of Slovenia or SDS [Janez JANSA]; United List of Social Democrats or ZLSD [Borut PAHOR] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (observer), BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Davorin KRACUN FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: New York and Cleveland telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands Economy Slovenia Economy - overview: Slovenia, with its historical ties to Western Europe, enjoys a GDP per capita substantially higher than that of the other transitioning economies of Central Europe. Privatization of the economy proceeded at an accelerated pace in 2002-3, and the budget deficit dropped from 3.0% of GDP in 2002 to 1.9% in 2003. Despite the economic slowdown in Europe in 2001-03, Slovenia maintained 3% growth. Structural reforms to improve the business environment allow for greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and help to lower unemployment. Further measures to curb inflation are also needed. Corruption and the high degree of coordination between government, business, and central bank policy are issues of concern in the run-up to Slovenia's scheduled 1 May 2004 accession to the European Union. GDP: purchasing power parity - $37.06 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.2% industry: 36.3% services: 60.5% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 28.4 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 857,400 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 11% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $8.11 billion expenditures: $8.32 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2002) Electricity - production: 13.69 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 35.2% hydro: 27.3% other: 0.7% (2001) nuclear: 36.8% Electricity - consumption: 13.83 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 3 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 4.1 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 20 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 53,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry Exports: $10.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Exports - partners: Germany 23.9%, Italy 12.7%, Austria 9.5%, Croatia 8%, France 7.4%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.4% (2002) Imports: $11.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food Imports - partners: Germany 20%, Italy 19%, Austria 11.3%, France 10.5% (2002) Debt - external: $7.9 billion (2001) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $62 million (2000 est.) Currency: tolar (SIT) Currency code: SIT Exchange rates: tolars per US dollar - 240.25 (2002), 242.75 (2001), 222.66 (2000), 181.77 (1999), 166.13 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Slovenia Telephones - main lines in use: 722,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1 million (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: 100% digital (2000) international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 160, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 805,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 48 (2001) Televisions: 710,000 (1997) Internet country code: .si Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 11 (2000) Internet users: 600,000 (2001) Transportation Slovenia Railways: total: 1,201 km standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (499 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 20,177 km paved: 20,157 km (including 427 km of expressways) unpaved: 20 km (2000) Waterways: NA Pipelines: gas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Izola, Koper, Piran Airports: 16 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Military Slovenia Military branches: Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 520,037 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 413,453 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 13,704 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $370 million (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (FY00) Transnational Issues Slovenia Disputes - international: parliamentarians are far from ratifying the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia Illicit drugs: minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Solomon Islands Introduction Solomon Islands Background: The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. Geography Solomon Islands Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 28,450 sq km water: 910 sq km land: 27,540 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 5,313 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel Land use: arable land: 1.5% permanent crops: 0.64% other: 97.86% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea People Solomon Islands Population: 509,190 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 111,333; female 107,062) 15-64 years: 54% (male 139,072; female 135,721) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 7,754; female 8,248) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.2 years male: 18.1 years female: 18.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.83% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 32.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.12 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 26.03 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.1 years male: 69.64 years female: 74.68 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander Ethnic groups: Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4% Religions: Anglican 45%, Roman Catholic 18%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 12%, Baptist 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, other Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs 4% Languages: Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population note: 120 indigenous languages Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Solomon Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Solomon Islands former: British Solomon Islands Government type: parliamentary democracy tending toward anarchy Capital: Honiara Administrative divisions: 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul (Lauru), Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell/Bellona, Temotu, Western Independence: 7 July 1978 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978) Constitution: 7 July 1978 Legal system: English common law, which is widely disregarded Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir John LAPLI (since NA 1999) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17 December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December 2001) Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 40%, SIACC 40%, PPP 20%; seats by party - PAP 16, SIACC 13, PPP 2, SILP 1, independents 18 elections: last held 5 December 2001 (next to be held not later than December 2005) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Association of Independents [Snyder RINI]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [Allan KEMAKEZA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Alliance for Change Coalition or SIACC [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU] note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Colin BECK chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193 FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands Flag description: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green Economy Solomon Islands Economy - overview: The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. However, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key business enterprises, and an empty government treasury have led to serious economic disarray, indeed near collapse. Tanker deliveries of crucial fuel supplies (including those for electrical generation) have become sporadic due to the government's inability to pay and attacks against ships. Telecommunications are threatened by the nonpayment of bills and by the lack of technical and maintenance staff many of whom have left the country. GDP: purchasing power parity - $800 million (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -10% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 11% services: 47% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2001 est.) Labor force: 26,842 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $38 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Industries: fish (tuna), mining, timber Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 32 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 29.76 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish Exports: $47 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa Exports - partners: Japan 21.2%, China 18.8%, South Korea 16.3%, Philippines 8.9%, Thailand 7.6%, Singapore 4.1% (2002) Imports: $82 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Australia 31.3%, Singapore 19.7%, New Zealand 5.1%, Fiji 4.6%, Papua New Guinea 4.5% (2002) Debt - external: $137 million (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $28 million mainly from Japan, Australia, China, and NZ (2001 est.) Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) Currency code: SBD Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - NA (2002), NA (2001), 5.09 (2000), 4.84 (1999), 4.82 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Solomon Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 8,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 658 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 57,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: 3,000 (1997) Internet country code: .sb Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 8,400 (2002) Transportation Solomon Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,360 km paved: 34 km unpaved: 1,326 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 32 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Military Solomon Islands Military branches: no regular military forces; Solomon Islands National Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Solomon Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Somalia Introduction Somalia Background: The SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed for twelve years. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and Nugaal and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides towards reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, but has suffered civil strife in 2002. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. The mandate of the Transitional National Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti, expires in August 2003 and a new interim government was being created at peace talks held in Kenya. Numerous warlords and factions are still fighting for control of Mogadishu and the other southern regions. Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism further complicates the picture. Geography Somalia Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 49 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 637,657 sq km water: 10,320 sq km land: 627,337 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km Coastline: 3,025 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 NM Climate: principally desert; December to February - northeast monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October - southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves Land use: arable land: 1.66% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.3% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 2,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season Environment - current issues: famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal People Somalia Population: 8,025,190 note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,802,154; female 1,792,749) 15-64 years: 52.5% (male 2,120,934; female 2,093,699) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 93,682; female 121,972) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.6 years male: 17.6 years female: 17.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.43% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 46.42 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 17.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 5.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 120.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 110.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 129.84 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.34 years male: 45.67 years female: 49.05 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 43,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000) Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.8% male: 49.7% female: 25.8% (2001 est.) Government Somalia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Somalia former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic Government type: no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary national government Capital: Mogadishu Administrative divisions: 18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic) National holiday: Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland Constitution: 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the Transitional National Government formed in August 2000 has a mandate to create a new constitution and hold elections within three years Legal system: no national system; Shari'a and secular courts are in some localities Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: ABDIKASSIM Salad Hassan (since 26 August 2000); note - as of December 2002, there was no executive branch in southern Somalia; Interim President ABDIKASSIM was chosen for a three-year term by a 245-member National Assembly serving as a transitional government but has little power and was due to leave office in August 2003; the political situation, particularly in the south, with interclan fighting and random banditry, remains fluid election results: ABDIKASSIM Salad Hassan was elected president of an interim government at the Djibouti-sponsored Arta Peace Conference on 26 August 2000 by a broad representation of Somali clans that comprised a transitional National Assembly head of government: Prime Minister HASSAN Abshir Farah (since 12 November 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and sworn in on 20 October 2000; as of 1 January 2002, the Cabinet was in caretaker status following a no-confidence vote in October 2001 that ousted HASSAN's predecessor Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly note: fledgling parliament; a transitional 245-member National Assembly began to meet on 13 August 2000 in the town of Arta, Djibouti and is now based in Mogadishu Judicial branch: following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to either Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences, or traditional clan-based arbitration Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for power International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991); note - the TNG and other factions have representatives in Washington and at the United Nations Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at Mombasa Road; mailing address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (2) 537800; FAX [254] (2) 537810 Flag description: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN Government - note: although an interim government was created in 2000 other governing bodies continue to exist and control various cities and regions of the country, including Somaliland, Puntland, and traditional clan and faction strongholds Economy Somalia Economy - overview: Somalia's economic fortunes are being driven by its deep political divisions. The northern area has declared its independence as "Somaliland"; the central area, Puntland, is a self-declared autonomous state; and the remaining southern portion is riddled with the struggles of rival factions. Economic life continues, in part because much activity is local and relatively easily protected. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings, but Saudi Arabia's recent ban on Somali livestock, because of Rift Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the sector. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and sold as scrap metal. Despite the seeming anarchy, Somalia's service sector has managed to survive and grow. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money exchange services have sprouted throughout the country, handling between $200 million and $500 million in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate, and security is provided by militias. The ongoing civil disturbances and clan rivalries, however, have interfered with any broad-based economic development and international aid arrangements. In 2002 Somalia's overdue financial obligations to the IMF continued to grow. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.27 billion (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 65% industry: 10% services: 25% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): over 100% (businesses print their own money) Labor force: 3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and services 29% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down), wireless communication Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 245.1 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 227.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.832 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cattle, sheep, goats; bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; fish Exports: $126 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal Exports - partners: UAE 45.6%, Yemen 24.3%, Oman 9.5% (2002) Imports: $343 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat Imports - partners: Djibouti 29.8%, Kenya 13.6%, Brazil 10.5%, Thailand 4.7%, UK 4.4%, UAE 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $2.6 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $60 million (1999 est.) Currency: Somali shilling (SOS) Currency code: SOS Exchange rates: Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000), 2,620 (January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January 1996 est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995) note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling Fiscal year: NA Communications Somalia Telephones - main lines in use: 15,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers international: international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 11, shortwave 1 in Mogadishu; 1 FM in Puntland, 1 FM in Somaliland (2001) Radios: 470,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 note: two in Mogadishu; two in Hargeisa (2001) Televisions: 135,000 (1997) Internet country code: .so Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (one each in Boosaaso, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu) (2000) Internet users: 200 (2000) Transportation Somalia Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 22,100 km paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: crude oil 15 km Ports and harbors: Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 60 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 54 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Military Somalia Military branches: A Somali National Army was attempted under the interim government; numerous factions and clans maintain independent militias, and the Somaliland and Puntland regional governments maintain their own security and police forces Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,942,244 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,072,689 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $17.1 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (FY02) Transnational Issues Somalia Disputes - international: "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities to land-locked Ethiopia and establish commercial ties with regional states; "Puntland" secessionists clash with "Somaliland" secessionists to establish territorial limits and clan loyalties, each seeking support from neighboring states; Ethiopia maintains only an administrative line with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains alliances with local Somali clans opposed to the unrecognized Transitional National Government in Mogadishu This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @South Africa Introduction South Africa Background: After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule. Geography South Africa Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Geographic coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,219,912 sq km land: 1,219,912 sq km note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island) water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,862 km border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km Coastline: 2,798 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas Land use: arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.77% other: 87.1% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 13,500 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts Environment - current issues: lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland People South Africa Population: 42,768,678 note: South Africa took a census October 1996 that showed a population of 40,583,611 (after an official adjustment for a 6.8% underenumeration based on a postenumeration survey); estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 6,460,273; female 6,377,090) 15-64 years: 65% (male 13,807,922; female 13,970,088) 65 years and over: 5% (male 864,441; female 1,288,864) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 24.5 years male: 24 years female: 25 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.01% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 18.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 18.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 60.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 56.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 64.73 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.56 years male: 46.57 years female: 46.54 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 20.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 360,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: South African(s) adjective: South African Ethnic groups: black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6% Religions: Christian 68% (includes most whites and Coloreds, about 60% of blacks and about 40% of Indians), Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5% (60% of Indians), indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5% Languages: 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.) Government South Africa Country name: conventional long form: Republic of South Africa conventional short form: South Africa former: Union of South Africa abbreviation: RSA Government type: republic Capital: Pretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative center and Bloemfontein the judicial center Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape, Western Cape Independence: 31 May 1910 (from UK); note - South Africa became a republic in 1961 following an October 1960 referendum National holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) Constitution: 10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 3 February 1997; it is being implemented in phases Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 2 June 1999 (next scheduled for sometime between May and July 2004) head of government: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation) note: ANC-IFP is the governing coalition Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) and the National Council of Provinces (90 seats, 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has special powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities); note - following the implementation of the new constitution on 3 February 1997 the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the National Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership and party affiliations, although the new institution's responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new constitution elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held 2 June 1999 (next to be held by 2 August 2004) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 66.4%, DP 9.6%, IFP 8.6%, NNP 6.9%, UDM 3.4%, ACDP 1.4%, FF 0.8%, other 2.9%; seats by party - ANC 266, DP 38, IFP 34, NNP 28, UDM 14, ACDP 6, FF 3, other 11; National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ANC 61, NNP 17, FF 4, IFP 5, DP 3 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE, president]; African National Congress or ANC [Thabo MBEKI, president]; Democratic Alliance (formed from the merger of the Democratic Party or DP and the New National Party or NNP; note - NNP split from DP in 2001) [Anthony LEON]; Freedom Front or FF [Dr. Pieter MULDER, president]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president]; New National Party or NNP [Marthinus VAN SCHALKWYK]; Pan-Africanist Congress or PAC [Stanley MOGOBA, president]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU [Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African Communist Party or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national president]; note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the ANC International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, BIS, C, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, NSG, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara Joyce Mosima MASEKELA consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607 telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400 chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron H. HUME embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria mailing address: P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001 telephone: [27] (12) 342-1048 FAX: [27] (12) 342-2244 consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg Flag description: two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes Economy South Africa Economy - overview: South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in the world; and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. However, growth has not been strong enough to lower South Africa's high unemployment rate; and daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era, especially poverty and lack of economic empowerment among the disadvantaged groups. High crime and HIV/AIDS infection rates also deter investment. South African economic policy is fiscally conservative, but pragmatic, focusing on targeting inflation and liberalizing trade as means to increase job growth and household income. GDP: purchasing power parity - $427.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.4% industry: 28.9% services: 66.7% (2001) Population below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 45.9% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 59.3 (1993-94) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 17 million economically active Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 37% (includes workers no longer looking for employment) (2001 est.) Budget: revenues: $22.6 billion expenditures: $24.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA billion (FY 02/03) Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 195.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 93.5% hydro: 1.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 5.5% Electricity - consumption: 181.2 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 6.91 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 6.2 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 196,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 460,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 7.84 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 1.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 14.16 million cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products Exports: $31.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment (1998 est.) Exports - partners: UK 12.8%, US 12.7%, Germany 9%, Japan 8.8%, Italy 5.8% (2002) Imports: $26.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs (2000 est.) Imports - partners: Germany 15.4%, US 9.4%, UK 9%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, Japan 5.8%, France 5%, China 4.9%, Iran 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $24.7 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $487.5 million (2000) Currency: rand (ZAR) Currency code: ZAR Exchange rates: rand per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications South Africa Telephones - main lines in use: more than 5 million (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 7.06 million (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa domestic: consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 17 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 6 million (2000) Internet country code: .za Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 150 (2001) Internet users: 3.068 million (2002) Transportation South Africa Railways: total: 22,298 km narrow gauge: 21,984 km 1.065-m gauge (10,436 km electrified); 314 km 0.610-m gauge note: includes a 2,228 km commuter rail system (2002) Highways: total: 362,099 km paved: 73,506 km (including 2,032 km of expressways) unpaved: 288,593 km (2000) Waterways: NA Pipelines: condensate 100 km; gas 741 km; oil 847 km; refined products 1,354 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,235 GRT/35,904 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 3, Netherlands 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: container 1, petroleum tanker 2 Airports: 727 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 143 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 67 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 584 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 298 under 914 m: 252 (2002) Military South Africa Military branches: South African National Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air Force, and Medical Services), South African Police Service Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 11,865,280 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 7,211,075 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 471,578 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.746 billion (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (FY02) Military - note: with the end of Apartheid and the establishment of majority rule, former military, black homelands forces, and ex-opposition forces were integrated into the South African National Defense Force (SANDF); as of 2003 the integration process was considered complete Transnational Issues South Africa Disputes - international: managed dispute with Namibia over the location of the boundary in the Orange River Illicit drugs: transshipment center for heroin, hashish, marijuana, and possibly cocaine; cocaine consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries; illicit cultivation of marijuana; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Southern Ocean Introduction Southern Ocean Background: A decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 delimited a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - from the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude, which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit. The Southern Ocean is now the fourth largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean). Geography Southern Ocean Location: body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica Geographic coordinates: 65 00 S, 0 00 E (nominally), but the Southern Ocean has the unique distinction of being a large circumpolar body of water totally encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring of water lies between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of Antarctica and encompasses 360 degrees of longitude Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 20.327 million sq km note: includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of the US Coastline: 17,968 km Climate: sea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winter Terrain: the Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 meters over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep, its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 meters (the global mean is 133 meters); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million square kilometers in March to about 18.8 million square kilometers in September, better than a sixfold increase in area; the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (21,000 km in length) moves perpetually eastward; it is the world's largest ocean current, transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100 times the flow of all the world's rivers Elevation extremes: lowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trench highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: probable large and possible giant oil and gas fields on the continental margin, manganese nodules, possible placer deposits, sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs; squid, whales, and seals - none exploited; krill, fishes Natural hazards: huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue Environment - current issues: increased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent years, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish note: the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries Environment - international agreements: the Southern Ocean is subject to all international agreements regarding the world's oceans; in addition, it is subject to these agreements specific to the Antarctic region: International Whaling Commission (prohibits commercial whaling south of 40 degrees south [south of 60 degrees south between 50 degrees and 130 degrees west]); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (limits sealing); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (regulates fishing) note: many nations (including the US) prohibit mineral resource exploration and exploitation south of the fluctuating Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) which is in the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and serves as the dividing line between the very cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the north Geography - note: the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the very cold polar surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum westerly winds Economy Southern Ocean Economy - overview: Fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July to 30 June) landed 112,934 metric tons, of which 87% was krill and 11% Patagonian toothfish. International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 2000-01 season landed, by one estimate, 8,376 metric tons of Patagonian and antarctic toothfish. In the 2000-01 antarctic summer 12,248 tourists, most of them seaborne, visited the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, compared to 14,762 the previous year. Transportation Southern Ocean Ports and harbors: McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica note: few ports or harbors exist on the southern side of the Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most of them to short periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without icebreaker escort; most antarctic ports are operated by government research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to commercial or private vessels; vessels in any port south of 60 degrees south are subject to inspection by Antarctic Treaty observers (see Article 7) Transportation - note: Drake Passage offers alternative to transit through the Panama Canal Transnational Issues Southern Ocean Disputes - international: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctica entry), but Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK assert claims (some overlapping), including the continental shelf in the Southern Ocean; several states have expressed an interest in extending those continental shelf claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) to include undersea ridges; the US and most other states do not recognize the land or maritime claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @South Georgia and the South Sandwich Introduction South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Background: The islands lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908, except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. The islands have large bird and seal populations, and, recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 NM to 200 NM around each island. Geography South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America Geographic coordinates: 54 30 S, 37 00 W Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 3,903 sq km note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of some nine islands water: 0 sq km land: 3,903 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: NA km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Terrain: most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in the 21st century, live on South Georgia People South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March 2001, to be replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the British Antarctic Survey, which also has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Government South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Country name: conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands conventional short form: none Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II; Grytviken, formerly a whaling station on South Georgia, is a scientific base National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: adopted 3 October 1985 Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate from the Falkland Islands presides over the Magistrates Court Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land) Economy South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Economy - overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting finfish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Communications South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: coastal radiotelephone station at Grytviken Radio broadcast stations: 0 (2003) Television broadcast stations: 0 (2003) Internet country code: .gs Transportation South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Grytviken Airports: none (2002) Military South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Disputes - international: briefly occupied by military force in 1982 - claimed by Argentina in constitution but declares it will no longer seek settlement by force This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Spain Introduction Spain Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing concerns are Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment. Geography Spain Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 4 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 504,782 sq km water: 5,240 sq km note: there are 19 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera land: 499,542 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Land boundaries: total: 1,917.8 km border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km Coastline: 4,964 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean) territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Terrain: large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury, pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum, zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land Land use: arable land: 28.6% permanent crops: 9.56% other: 61.84% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 36,400 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts Environment - current issues: pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification Geography - note: strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar People Spain Population: 40,217,413 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 2,985,705; female 2,808,791) 15-64 years: 68% (male 13,721,053; female 13,626,121) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 2,962,646; female 4,113,097) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.7 years male: 37.4 years female: 40.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.16% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.08 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.94 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.23 years male: 75.87 years female: 82.8 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.26 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 130,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,300 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6% Languages: Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% note: Castilian is the official language nationwide; the other languages are official regionally Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 98.7% female: 97.2% (2003 est.) Government Spain Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain conventional short form: Spain local short form: Espana Government type: parliamentary monarchy Capital: Madrid Administrative divisions: 19 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Ceuta, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Communidad Valencian, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country) note: three small Spanish possessions are located off the coast of Morocco: Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera; Ceuta and Melilla gained limited autonomous status in 1994 Independence: the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Moslem occupation that began in the early 8th Century A. D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain National holiday: Hispanic Day, 12 October Constitution: 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978 Legal system: civil law system, with regional applications; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968 head of government: President of the Government Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (since 5 May 1996); First Vice President (and Minister of Economy) Rodrigo RATO Figaredo (since 4 September 2003) and Second Vice President (and Minister of the Presidency) Javier ARENAS (since 4 September 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government election results: Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (PP) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 44.54%; note - the Popular Party (PP) obtained an absolute majority of seats in both the Congress of Deputies and the Senate as a result of the March 2000 elections elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly; election last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president Legislative branch: bicameral; General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes Generales consists of the Senate or Senado (259 seats - 208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 51 appointed by the regional legislatures to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; members are elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PP 44.6%, PSOE 34.1%, CiU 4.2%, PNV 1.5%, CC 1.1%, PIL 0%; seats by party - PP 127, PSOE 61, CiU 8, PNV 6, CC 5, PIL 1; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PP 44.5%, PSOE 34%, CiU 4.2%, IU 5.4%, PNV 1.5%, CC 1%, BNG 1.3%; seats by party - PP 183, PSOE 125, CiU 15, IU 8, PNV 7, CC 4, BNG 3, other 5 elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); Congress of Deputies - last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Political parties and leaders: Basque Nationalist Party or PNV [Xabier ARZALLUS Antia]; Canarian Coalition or CC (a coalition of five parties) [Paulino RIVERO]; Convergence and Union or CiU [Jordi PUJOL i Soley, secretary general] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Jordi PUJOL i Soley] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN y LLEIDA]); Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Xose Manuel BEIRAS]; Party of Independents from Lanzarote or PIL [Dimas MARTIN Martin]; Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO]; United Left or IU (a coalition of parties including the PCE and other small parties) [Gaspar LLAMAZARES] Political pressure groups and leaders: business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO; university students; Workers Confederation or CC.OO; Nunca Mais (Galician for "Never Again"; formed in response to the oil tanker Prestige oil spill) International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Javier RUPEREZ Rubio chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George L. ARGYROS embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid mailing address: PSC 61, APO AE 09642 telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200 FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303 consulate(s) general: Barcelona Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar Economy Spain Economy - overview: Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is 80% that of the four leading West European economies. Its center-right government successfully worked to gain admission to the first group of countries launching the European single currency (the euro) on 1 January 1999. The AZNAR administration has continued to advocate liberalization, privatization, and deregulation of the economy and has introduced some tax reforms to that end. Unemployment has been steadily falling under the AZNAR administration but remains high at 11.7%. The government intends to make further progress in changing labor laws and reforming pension schemes, which are key to the sustainability of both Spain's internal economic advances and its competitiveness in a single currency area. A general strike in mid-2002 reduced cooperation between labor and government. Growth of 2.4% in 2003 was satisfactory given the background of a faltering European economy. Adjusting to the monetary and other economic policies of an integrated Europe - and reducing unemployment - will pose challenges to Spain over the next few years. GDP: purchasing power parity - $850.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $21,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 31% services: 65% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.2% (1990) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.5 (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 17.1 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: services 64%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 29%, agriculture 7% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.3% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $105 billion expenditures: $109 billion, including capital expenditures of $12.8 billion (2000 est.) Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 222.5 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 50.4% hydro: 18.2% other: 4.1% (2001) nuclear: 27.2% Electricity - consumption: 210.4 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 4.138 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 7.588 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 7,099 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.497 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 135,100 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 1.582 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 10.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 516 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 17.96 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 17.26 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 254.9 million cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish Exports: $122.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, other consumer goods Exports - partners: France 19%, Germany 11.4%, UK 9.6%, Portugal 9.5%, Italy 9.3%, US 4.6% (2002) Imports: $156.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods; foodstuffs, consumer goods (1997) Imports - partners: France 17%, Germany 16.5%, Italy 8.6%, UK 6.4%, Netherlands 4.8% (2002) Debt - external: $90 billion (1993 est.) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.33 billion (1999) Currency: euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions with the member countries Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Spain Telephones - main lines in use: 17.336 million (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.394 million (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: generally adequate, modern facilities; teledensity is 44 main lines for each 100 persons domestic: NA international: 22 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 208, FM 715, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 13.1 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 224 (plus 2,105 repeaters) note: these figures include 11 television broadcast stations and 88 repeaters in the Canary Islands (1995) Televisions: 16.2 million (1997) Internet country code: .es Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 56 (2000) Internet users: 7.89 million (2002) Transportation Spain Railways: total: 14,189 km broad gauge: 11,804 km 1.668-m gauge (6,409 km electrified) standard gauge: 455 km 1.435-m gauge (455 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,902 km 1.000-m gauge (781 km electrified); 28 km 0.914-m gauge (28 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 663,795 km paved: 657,157 km (including 10,317 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,638 km (1999) Waterways: 1,045 km (of minor economic importance) Pipelines: gas 7,290 km; oil 730 km; refined products 3,110 km; unknown (oil/water) 397 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Aviles, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Cartagena, Castellon de la Plana, Ceuta, Huelva, La Coruna, Las Palmas (Canary Islands), Malaga, Melilla, Pasajes, Gijon, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Santander, Tarragona, Valencia, Vigo Merchant marine: total: 140 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,585,563 GRT/2,022,104 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 31, chemical tanker 10, container 13, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 33, short-sea passenger 6, vehicle carrier 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Cuba 2, Denmark 1, Germany 7, Italy 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 6, Uruguay 3 (2002 est.) Airports: 152 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 93 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 27 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 59 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 43 (2002) Heliports: 7 (2002) Military Spain Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard, National Police, Coastal Civil Guard Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 10,524,715 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 8,391,612 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 255,826 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $8.6 billion (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.15% (2002) Transnational Issues Spain Disputes - international: Gibraltar residents vote overwhelmingly in referendum against "total shared sovereignty" arrangement worked out between Spain and UK to change 300-year rule over colony; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco also rejected Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands in 2002 to set limits to undersea resource exploration and refugee interdiction; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds; Portugal has periodically reasserted claims to territories around the town of Olivenza, Spain Illicit drugs: key European gateway country for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish entering the European market; destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Spratly Islands Introduction Spratly Islands Background: The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 50 islands are occupied by China (about 450 soldiers), Malaysia (70-90), the Philippines (about 100), and Vietnam (about 1,500). Brunei is a claimant but has no outposts. Geography Spratly Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines Geographic coordinates: 8 38 N, 111 55 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: less than 5 sq km note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea water: 0 sq km land: less than 5 sq km Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 926 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: tropical Terrain: flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m Natural resources: fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs People Spratly Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states (July 2003 est.) Government Spratly Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Spratly Islands Economy Spratly Islands Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. Transportation Spratly Islands Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Spratly Islands Military - note: Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs, of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam Transnational Issues Spratly Islands Disputes - international: all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not publicly claimed the island; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct" This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Sri Lanka Introduction Sri Lanka Background: The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced beginning in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa 1000 A.D.) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty seized power in the north and established a Tamil kingdom. Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted in violence in the mid-1980s. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic war that continues to fester. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam began a ceasefire in December 2001, with Norway brokering peace negotiations. Geography Sri Lanka Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 81 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 65,610 sq km water: 870 sq km land: 64,740 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,340 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower Land use: arable land: 13.43% permanent crops: 15.78% other: 70.79% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 6,510 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional cyclones and tornadoes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes People Sri Lanka Population: 19,742,439 (2003 est.) note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island; as of yearend 2000, approximately 65,000 were housed in 131 refugee camps in south India, another 40,000 lived outside the Indian camps, and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought refuge in the West (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.2% (male 2,543,336; female 2,431,223) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 6,518,145; female 6,890,424) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 641,708; female 717,603) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 28.7 years male: 27.7 years female: 29.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.83% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.12 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 16.45 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.62 years male: 70.09 years female: 75.29 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,800 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 250 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan Ethnic groups: Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1% Religions: Buddhist 70%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 7% (1999) Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.3% male: 94.8% female: 90% (2003 est.) Government Sri Lanka Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka conventional short form: Sri Lanka former: Serendib, Ceylon Government type: republic Capital: Colombo; note - Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital Administrative divisions: 8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western; note - North Eastern province may have been divided in two - Northern and Eastern Independence: 4 February 1948 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 February (1948) Constitution: adopted 16 August 1978 Legal system: a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Ranil WICKREMASINGHE (since 9 December 2001) is the prime minister; the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Ranil WICKREMASINGHE (since 9 December 2001) is the prime minister; the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelected president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (PA) 51%, Ranil WICKREMASINGHE (UNP) 42%, other 7% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of a modified proportional representation system by district to serve six-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2007) election results: percent of vote by party or electoral alliance - UNP, SLMC and CWC 46.8%, PA and EPDP 38%, JVP 9.1%, TNA 3.89%, PLOTE 0.19%; seats by party or electoral alliance - UNP, SLMC and CWC 114, PA and EPDP 79, JVP 16, TNA 15, PLOTE 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: All Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [KUMARGURUPARAM]; Ceylon Workers Congress or CWC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party or CP [D. GUNASEKERA]; Democratic United National (Lalith) Front or DUNLF [Shrimani ATULATHMUDALI]; Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Tilvan SILVA]; National Unity Alliance or NUA [Ferial ASHRAFF]; People's Alliance or PA [Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [leader NA]; Sihala Urumaya or SU [Tilak KARUNARATNE]; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM]; Sri Lanka Progressive Front or SLPF [P. Nelson PERERA]; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [SABARATNAM]; Tamil National Alliance or TNA [Nadarajah RAVIRAJ]; Tamil United Liberation Front or TULF [R. SAMPATHAN]; United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Upcountry People's Front or UPF [P. CHANDRASEKARAN]; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim parties, represented in either Parliament or provincial councils Political pressure groups and leaders: Buddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for a separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups International organization participation: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Devinda R. SUBASINGHE consulate(s): New York consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 (through 4028) chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador E. Ashley WILLS embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo telephone: [94] (1) 448007 FAX: [94] (1) 437345 Flag description: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels Economy Sri Lanka Economy - overview: In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy for market-oriented policies and export-oriented trade. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. By 1996 plantation crops made up only 20% of exports (compared with 93% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for 63%. GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.5% in the early 1990s until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The economy rebounded in 1997-2000 with average growth of 5.3%, but 2001 saw the first contraction in the country's history, -1.4%, due to a combination of power shortages, severe budgetary problems, the global slowdown, and continuing civil strife. Growth recovered to 3.2% in 2002. About 800,000 Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% in the Middle East. They send home about $1 billion a year. GDP: purchasing power parity - $73.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 26% services: 54% (2001) Population below poverty line: 22% (1997 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 28% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34.4 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 6.6 million (1998) Labor force - by occupation: services 45%, agriculture 38%, industry 17% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 8% (2002) Budget: revenues: $2.8 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: rubber processing, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 1.1% (2002) Electricity - production: 6.36 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 51.7% hydro: 48.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 5.915 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 75,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef Exports: $4.6 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: textiles and apparel, tea, diamonds, coconut products, petroleum products Exports - partners: US 39.1%, UK 12.9%, Belgium 4.7%, Germany 4.5% (2002) Imports: $5.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: textiles, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment Imports - partners: India 11%, Hong Kong 7.6%, Singapore 7.1%, China 6.3%, Taiwan 5.9%, South Korea 5.7%, Japan 5.3%, Iran 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $9.8 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $577 million (1998) Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) Currency code: LKR Exchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees per US dollar - 95.66 (2002), 89.38 (2001), 77.01 (2000), 70.64 (1999), 64.45 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Sri Lanka Telephones - main lines in use: 494,509 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 228,604 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: very inadequate domestic service, particularly in rural areas; likely improvement with privatization of national telephone company and encouragement to private investment; good international service (1999) domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and two fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems; telephone density remains low at 2.6 main lines per 100 persons (1999) international: submarine cables to Indonesia and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 45, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 3.85 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 21 (1997) Televisions: 1.53 million (1997) Internet country code: .lk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2000) Internet users: 121,500 (2001) Transportation Sri Lanka Railways: total: 1,508 km broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 96,695 km paved: 91,860 km unpaved: 4,835 km (1999) Waterways: 430 km (navigable by shallow-draft craft) Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987) Ports and harbors: Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee Merchant marine: total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 62,157 GRT/84,898 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, container 1, petroleum tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 9, Hong Kong 1, UAE 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 15 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Sri Lanka Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 5,383,661 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 4,172,921 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 186,691 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $719 million (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.2% (FY98) Transnational Issues Sri Lanka Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Sudan Introduction Sudan Background: Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956. Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war for all but 10 years of this period (1972-82). The wars are rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. Since 1983, the war and war- and famine-related effects have led to more than 2 million deaths and over 4 million people displaced. The ruling regime is a mixture of military elite and an Islamist party that came to power in a 1989 coup. Some northern opposition parties have made common cause with the southern rebels and entered the war as a part of an anti-government alliance. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-03 with the signing of several accords, including a cease-fire agreement. Geography Sudan Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,505,810 sq km water: 129,810 sq km land: 2.376 million sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 7,687 km border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies by region (April to November) Terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south, northeast and west; desert dominates the north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Red Sea 0 m highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower Land use: arable land: 7.03% permanent crops: 0.08% other: 92.89% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 19,500 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms and periodic persistent droughts Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries People Sudan Population: 38,114,160 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 8,562,412; female 8,195,201) 15-64 years: 53.8% (male 10,260,581; female 10,246,045) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 468,898; female 381,023) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.7 years male: 17.5 years female: 17.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.71% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 36.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.59 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 65.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 66.3 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.73 years male: 56.59 years female: 58.93 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.6% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 450,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 23,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Sudanese (singular and plural) adjective: Sudanese Ethnic groups: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum) Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English note: program of "Arabization" in process Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61.1% male: 71.8% female: 50.5% (2003 est.) Government Sudan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan conventional short form: Sudan local short form: As-Sudan local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Government type: authoritarian regime - ruling military junta took power in 1989; government is run by an alliance of the military and the National Congress Party (NCP), formerly the National Islamic Front (NIF), which espouses an Islamist platform Capital: Khartoum Administrative divisions: 26 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A'ali an Nil, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrat, Al Jazirah, Al Khartum, Al Qadarif, Al Wahdah, An Nil al Abyad, An Nil al Azraq, Ash Shamaliyah, Bahr al Jabal, Gharb al Istiwa'iyah, Gharb Bahr al Ghazal, Gharb Darfur, Gharb Kurdufan, Janub Darfur, Janub Kurdufan, Junqali, Kassala, Nahr an Nil, Shamal Bahr al Ghazal, Shamal Darfur, Shamal Kurdufan, Sharq al Istiwa'iyah, Sinnar, Warab Independence: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1956) Constitution: 12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interim constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June 1989; new constitution implemented on 30 June 1998 partially suspended 12 December 1999 by President BASHIR Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents of the northern states regardless of their religion; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal, but noncompulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) note: Lt. Gen. al-BASHIR assumed supreme executive power in 1989 and retained it through several transitional governments in the early and mid-1990s before being popularly elected for the first time in March 1996 election results: Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR 86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged; all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack of guarantees for a free and fair election cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet head of government: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (360 seats; 270 popularly elected, 90 elected by supra assembly of interest groups known as National Congress; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 13-22 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004) note: on 12 December 1999, BASHIR dismissed the National Assembly during an internal power struggle between the president and the speaker of the National Assembly Hassan al-TURABI election results: NCP 355, others 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Special Revolutionary Courts Political parties and leaders: the government allows political "associations" under a 1998 law revised in 2000; to obtain government approval parties must accept the constitution and refrain from advocating or using violence against the regime; approved parties include the National Congress Party or NCP [Ibrahim Ahmed UMAR], Popular National Congress or PNC [Hassan al-TURABI], and over 20 minor, pro-government parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Democratic Unionist Party [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI]; National Congress Party [Ibrahim Ahmed UMAR]; National Democratic Alliance [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI, chairman]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army [Dr. John GARANG]; Umma [Sadiq al-MAHDI] International organization participation: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affairs, Ad Interim Khidir Haroun AHMED (since April 2001) telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406 chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: US Embassy in Khartoum is located on Sharia Abdul Latif Avenue; mailing address - P. O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829; telephone - [249] (11) 774611 or 774700; FAX - [249] (11) 774137 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side Economy Sudan Economy - overview: Sudan has turned around a struggling economy with sound economic policies and infrastructure investments, but it still faces formidable economic problems, notably the low level of per capita output. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMF macroeconomic reforms. In 1999 Sudan began exporting crude oil and in the last quarter of 1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which, along with monetary policy, has stabilized the exchange rate. Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded export processing zones helped maintain GDP growth at 5.1% in 2002. Agriculture production remains Sudan's most important sector, employing 80% of the work force and contributing 43% of GDP, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Chronic domestic instability, lagging reforms, adverse weather, and weak world agricultural prices - but, above all, the low starting point - ensure that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years. GDP: purchasing power parity - $52.9 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 43% industry: 17% services: 40% (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 11 million (1996 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 7%, government 13% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 18.7% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.6 billion expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly Industrial production growth rate: 8.5% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 2.389 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 52.1% hydro: 47.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.222 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 209,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 50,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 631.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 99.11 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock Exports: $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar Exports - partners: China 55.7%, Japan 14%, Saudi Arabia 4.9% (2002) Imports: $1.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat Imports - partners: China 19.7%, Saudi Arabia 7.4%, Germany 5.5%, India 5.5%, UK 5.4%, Indonesia 4.7%, Australia 4% (2002) Debt - external: $15.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $187 million (1997) Currency: Sudanese dinar (SDD) Currency code: SDD Exchange rates: Sudanese dinars per US dollar - 263.31 (2002), 258.7 (2001), 257.12 (2000), 252.55 (1999), 200.8 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Sudan Telephones - main lines in use: 400,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 20,000 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: large, well-equipped system by regional standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in 1996 and have expanded substantially domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 7.55 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1997) Televisions: 2.38 million (1997) Internet country code: .sd Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2002) Internet users: 56,000 (2002) Transportation Sudan Railways: total: 5,978 km narrow gauge: 4,578 km 1.067-m gauge; 1,400 km 0.600-m gauge plantation line (2002) Highways: total: 11,900 km paved: 4,320 km unpaved: 7,580 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 5,310 km Pipelines: gas 156 km; oil 2,297 km; refined products 810 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Juba, Khartoum, Kusti, Malakal, Nimule, Port Sudan, Sawakin Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,854 GRT/39,084 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, livestock carrier 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 63 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 51 under 914 m: 10 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 24 Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Sudan Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Popular Defense Force Militia Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 9,032,834 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,558,462 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 429,334 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $581 million (2001 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.5% (1999) Transnational Issues Sudan Disputes - international: the north-south civil war has drawn Sudan's neighbors into the fighting, sheltering refugees, and infiltration by rebel groups - Kenya and Uganda have acted as mediators; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia have been delayed by fighting in Sudan; Kenya's administrative boundary still extends into the Sudan, creating the "Ilemi triangle"; Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the triangular areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt is economically developing the "Hala'ib triangle" This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Suriname Introduction Suriname Background: Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to rule through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991. Geography Suriname Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 163,270 sq km land: 161,470 sq km water: 1,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore Land use: arable land: 0.37% permanent crops: 0.06% note: there are 95,000 hectares of arable land, 7,000 hectares of permanent crops, and 15,000 hectares of permanent pastures (1998 est.) other: 99.57% Irrigated land: 490 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast People Suriname Population: 435,449 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.7% (male 68,536; female 65,165) 15-64 years: 63.3% (male 141,048; female 134,699) 65 years and over: 6% (male 11,686; female 14,315) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 25.5 years male: 25.1 years female: 26 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.37% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -8.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 24.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.23 years male: 66.79 years female: 71.78 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.2% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,700 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 330 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese Ethnic groups: Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2% Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5% Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 95% female: 91% (1995 est.) Government Suriname Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana local long form: Republiek Suriname Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: Paramaribo Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975) Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987 Legal system: based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger People's Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 6 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN elected president by the National Assembly; percent of legislative vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 72.5%; Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 19.6%; total votes cast - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes, Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 10 votes note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a year early Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NF 33, MC 10, DNP 2000 3, DA '91 2, PVF 2, PALU 1 note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a year early elections: last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) Judicial branch: Court of Justice (justices are nominated for life) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Alternative '91 or DA '91 (a coalition of the Alternative Forum or AF and Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP, formed in January 1991) [Winston JESSURUN]; Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP 2000 (coalition of two parties, Democratic Party and Democrats of the 21st Century) [Jules WIJDENBOSCH]; Independent Progressive Democratic Alternative or OPDA [Joginder RAMKHILAWAN]; Millennium Combination or MC (a coalition of three parties, Democratic Alternative, Party for National Unity and Solidarity, and National Democratic Party) [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; Naya Kadam or NK [leader NA]; Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN]; Party of National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]; Pertjaja Luhur [Paul SOMOHARDJO]; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union or PALU [Ir Iwan KROLIS]; The New Front or NF (a coalition of four parties Suriname National Party or NPS, Progressive Reform Party or VHP, Suriname Labor Party or SPA, and Pertjaja Luhur) [Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN]; The Progressive Development Alliance (a combination of three parties, Renewed Progressive Party or HPP, Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF, and Suriname Progressive People's Party or PSV) [Harry KISOENSINGH] Political pressure groups and leaders: General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement [Leendert ADAMS]; Tucayana Amazonica [Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO]; Union for Liberation and Democracy [Kofi AFONGPONG] International organization participation: ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488 chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel A. JOHNSON embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900 FAX: [597] 420800 Flag description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band Economy Suriname Economy - overview: The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on renewed commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending. However, in 2002, President VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raise for civil servants, which threatens his earlier gains in stabilizing the economy. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development financing. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.469 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 22% services: 65% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 70% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17% (2002 est.) Labor force: 100,000 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 17% (2000) Budget: revenues: $393 million expenditures: $403 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (1997 est.) Industries: bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (1994 est.) Electricity - production: 1.959 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 25.2% hydro: 74.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.822 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 37 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp Exports: $445 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas Exports - partners: US 25.3%, Norway 20.4%, France 8.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.4%, Iceland 6%, Canada 5.9%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002) Imports: $300 million f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods Imports - partners: US 22.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, China 11.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.2%, France 7.5%, Netherlands Antilles 7.2%, Japan 5.7% (2002) Debt - external: $321 million (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (1998) Currency: Surinamese guilder (SRG) Currency code: SRG Exchange rates: Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2,346.75 (2002), 2,178.5 (2001), 1,322.47 (2000), 859.44 (1999), 401 (1998) note: during 1998, the exchange rate splintered into four distinct rates; in January 1999 the government floated the guilder, but subsequently fixed it when the black-market rate plunged; the government currently allows trading within a band of SRG 500 around the official rate Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Suriname Telephones - main lines in use: 64,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,090 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: international facilities are good domestic: microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 300,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000) Televisions: 63,000 (1997) Internet country code: .sr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 14,500 (2002) Transportation Suriname Railways: total: 166 km (single-track) standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge note: Suriname railroads are not in operation (2001) narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 4,492 km paved: 1,168 km unpaved: 3,324 km (2000) Waterways: 1,200 km note: most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways Pipelines: oil 51 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 46 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (2002) Military Suriname Military branches: National Army (including small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 123,159 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 72,039 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY97 est.) Transnational Issues Suriname Disputes - international: area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed by Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with Guyana is in dispute Illicit drugs: growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Svalbard Introduction Svalbard Background: First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five years later it officially took over the territory. Geography Svalbard Location: Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway Geographic coordinates: 78 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 62,049 sq km note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island) water: 0 sq km land: 62,049 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,587 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia territorial sea: 4 NM Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coasts Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (no trees, and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area People Svalbard Population: 2,811 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: -0.02% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0% (2001) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 0 (2001) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 0 (2001) Ethnic groups: Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998) Languages: Russian, Norwegian Literacy: NA Government Svalbard Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen) Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was awarded to Norway Government type: NA Capital: Longyearbyen Independence: none (territory of Norway) National holiday: NA Legal system: NA Executive branch: chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991) head of government: Governor Morten RUUD (since NA November 1998) and Assistant Governor Odd Redar HUMLEGAARD (since NA) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice International organization participation: none Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy Svalbard Economy - overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Budget: revenues: $11.5 million expenditures: $11.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% other: 0% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Exports: $NA Imports: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $8.2 million from Norway (1998) Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK) Currency code: NOK Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000), 7.7992 (1999), 7.5451 (1998) Communications Svalbard Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: probably adequate domestic: local telephone service international: satellite earth station - 1 of unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (plus 2 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: NA Internet country code: .sj Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (Svalbard and Jan Mayen) (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Svalbard Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 4 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Svalbard Military - note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920) Transnational Issues Svalbard Disputes - international: despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Swaziland Introduction Swaziland Background: Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy. Geography Swaziland Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa Geographic coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 17,363 sq km water: 160 sq km land: 17,203 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc Land use: arable land: 9.77% permanent crops: 0.7% other: 89.53% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 690 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: drought Environment - current issues: limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa People Swaziland Population: 1,161,219 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.4% (male 242,762; female 238,141) 15-64 years: 55.1% (male 317,526; female 321,709) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 18,040; female 23,041) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.5 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.83% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 29.37 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 21.08 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 67.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 70.79 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 39.47 years male: 41.02 years female: 37.87 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.92 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 33.4% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 170,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 12,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi Ethnic groups: African 97%, European 3% Religions: Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30% Languages: English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.6% male: 82.6% female: 80.8% (2003 est.) Government Swaziland Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland conventional short form: Swaziland Government type: monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth Capital: Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 September (1968) Constitution: none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but was not formally presented to the people; since then a few more outlines for a constitution have been compiled under the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), but so far none have been accepted Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age Executive branch: chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Themba DLAMINI (since 14 November 2003) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of the Senate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 18 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008) election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch Political parties and leaders: political parties are banned by the constitution - the following are considered political associations; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]; Swaziland National Front or SWANAFRO [Elmond SHONGWE, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA FAX: [1] (202) 244-8059 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683 chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James D. McGEE embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-6441 through 404-6445 FAX: [268] 404-5959 Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally Economy Swaziland Economy - overview: In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends more than two-thirds of its exports. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2002 because of drought, and more than one-third of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS. GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.542 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 44% services: 39% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (1995) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 50.2% (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 383,200 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: 34% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $448 million expenditures: $506.9 million, including capital expenditures of $147 million (FY 01/02) Industries: mining (coal), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textile and apparel Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (FY 95/96) Electricity - production: 348.3 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 962.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 639 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep Exports: $820 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit Exports - partners: South Africa 72%, EU 14.2%, Mozambique 3.7%, US 3.5%, UK (1999) Imports: $938 million f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Imports - partners: South Africa 88.8%, EU 5.6%, Japan 0.6%, Singapore 0.4% (1999) Debt - external: $320 million (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $104 million (2001) Currency: lilangeni (SZL) Currency code: SZL Exchange rates: emalangeni per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Swaziland Telephones - main lines in use: 38,500 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 45,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system domestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2001) Radios: 170,000 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 5 plus 7 relay stations (2001) Televisions: 23,000 (2000) Internet country code: .sz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2002) Internet users: 7,000 (2002) Transportation Swaziland Railways: total: 301 km narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 3,247 km paved: NA unpaved: NA (1998) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: 18 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Military Swaziland Military branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), Royal Swaziland Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 284,530 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 165,005 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $20 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.75% (FY00) Transnational Issues Swaziland Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Sweden Introduction Sweden Background: A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment, rising maintenance costs, and a declining position in world markets. Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999. Geography Sweden Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 449,964 sq km water: 39,030 sq km land: 410,934 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 2,205 km border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km Coastline: 3,218 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines territorial sea: 12 NM (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas) Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower Land use: arable land: 6.8% permanent crops: 0% other: 93.2% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic Environment - current issues: acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas People Sweden Population: 8,878,085 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.7% (male 804,296; female 763,213) 15-64 years: 65% (male 2,933,183; female 2,835,835) 65 years and over: 17.3% (male 654,575; female 886,983) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 40.1 years male: 39 years female: 41.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.01% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.97 years male: 77.31 years female: 82.78 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.54 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,300 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish Ethnic groups: indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Religions: Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist Languages: Swedish note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1979 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Sweden Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local short form: Sverige local long form: Konungariket Sverige Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Stockholm Administrative divisions: 21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands Independence: 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king) National holiday: Flag Day, 6 June Constitution: 1 January 1975 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the Parliament; election last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131 out of 349 votes Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 39.8%, Moderates 15.2%, Liberal Party 13.3%, Christian Democrats 9.1%, Left Party 8.3%, Center Party 6.1%, Greens 4.6%; seats by party - Social Democrats 144, Moderates 55, Liberal Party 48, Christian Democrats 33, Left Party 30, Center Party 22, Greens 17 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Alf SVENSSON]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or VP (formerly Communist) [Ulla HOFFMAN (acting)]; Liberal People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jan ELIASSON consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles A. HEIMBOLD, Jr. embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch) telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64 Flag description: blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Sweden Economy - overview: Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown, revenue declines, and spending increases. The Swedish central bank (the Riksbank) is focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003. On September 14, 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty. GDP: purchasing power parity - $230.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $26,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 29% services: 69% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.1% (1992) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 25 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.4 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $119 billion expenditures: $110 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 152.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 4% hydro: 50.8% other: 2.3% (2001) nuclear: 43% Electricity - consumption: 134.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 18.45 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 11.14 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 328,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 203,700 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 553,100 bbl/day (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 949 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 968 million cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk Exports: $80.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals Exports - partners: US 11.6%, Germany 10.1%, Norway 9%, UK 8.2%, Denmark 5.9%, Finland 5.6%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 5.1%, Belgium 4.7% (2002) Imports: $68.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing Imports - partners: Germany 18.5%, Denmark 8.8%, UK 8.6%, Norway 8.2%, Netherlands 6.7%, France 5.4%, Finland 5.2%, US 5% (2002) Debt - external: $66.5 billion (1994) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.7 billion (1997) Currency: Swedish krona (SEK) Currency code: SEK Exchange rates: Swedish kronor per US dollar - 9.74 (2002), 10.33 (2001), 9.16 (2000), 8.26 (1999), 7.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Sweden Telephones - main lines in use: 6.017 million (December 1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.835 million (October 1998) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels international: 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 8.25 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 4.6 million (1997) Internet country code: .se Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 29 (2000) Internet users: 6.02 million (2002) Transportation Sweden Railways: total: 11,481 km standard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 212,402 km paved: 166,523 km (including 1,499 km of expressways) unpaved: 45,879 km (2000) Waterways: 2,052 km note: navigable to small steamers and barges Pipelines: gas 798 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall Merchant marine: total: 166 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,329,925 GRT/1,609,986 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 8, Finland 8, Germany 3, Italy 3, Japan 2, Norway 7 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 35, chemical tanker 31, combination ore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 35, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 21 Airports: 245 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 145 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 25 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2002) Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Sweden Military branches: Army, Royal Navy (including Coast Artillery and Naval Helicopter Service), Air Force Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,060,044 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,800,376 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 52,692 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.395 billion (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.1% (FY01) Transnational Issues Sweden Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Switzerland Introduction Switzerland Background: Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Geography Switzerland Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 41,290 sq km water: 1,520 sq km land: 39,770 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt Land use: arable land: 10.57% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 88.82% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides, flash floods Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps People Switzerland Population: 7,318,638 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.6% (male 623,428; female 591,709) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,519,302; female 2,439,560) 65 years and over: 15.6% (male 470,257; female 674,382) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 40.2 years male: 39.3 years female: 41.2 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.21% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.99 years male: 77.11 years female: 83.02 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.48 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 19,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss Ethnic groups: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Religions: Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990) Languages: German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch (official) 0.6%, other 8.9% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male: female: Government Switzerland Country name: conventional long form: Swiss Confederation conventional short form: Switzerland local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian) local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian) Government type: federal republic Capital: Bern Administrative divisions: 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich Independence: 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation) National holiday: Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Constitution: 18 December 1998 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003) election results: Pascal COUCHEPIN elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - NA%; Ruth METZLER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - NA% Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of States - last held NA 1999 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2007) election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 18, CVP 15, SVP 7, SPS 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 27.7%, SPS 24.2%, FDP 16%, CVP 12.9%, Greens 7.7%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 52, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13, other small parties 16 Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic People's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Philipp STAEHELIN, president]; Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER and Patrice MUGNY, co-presidents]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Christiane LANGENBERGER, president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christiane BRUNNER, president]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER consulate(s): Boston consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mercer REYNOLDS III embassy: Jubilaeumsstrasse 93, 3005 Bern mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11 FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44 Flag description: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag Economy Switzerland Economy - overview: Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $233.4 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $32,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 34% services: 64% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 25.2% (1992) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 33.1 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: services 69.1%, industry 26.3%, agriculture 4.6% (1998) Unemployment rate: 1.9% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $30 billion expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (2001) Electricity - production: 68.68 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 59.5% other: 2% (2001) nuclear: 37.1% Electricity - consumption: 53.43 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 34.54 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 24.1 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 290,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 10,420 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 289,500 bbl/day (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 3.093 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 3.093 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs Exports: $100.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products Exports - partners: Germany 19.2%, US 10.2%, Italy 9.6%, France 8.9%, UK 7.7% (2002) Imports: $94.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles Imports - partners: Germany 27.4%, France 11.4%, Italy 9.7%, US 8.5%, Russia 5.8%, UK 5.4%, Austria 4.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.1 billion (1995) Currency: Swiss franc (CHF) Currency code: CHF Exchange rates: Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.56 (2002), 1.69 (2001), 1.69 (2000), 1.5 (1999), 1.45 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Switzerland Telephones - main lines in use: 4.82 million (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.967 million (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international services domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 7.1 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 3.31 million (1997) Internet country code: .ch Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000) Internet users: 3.85 million (2002) Transportation Switzerland Railways: total: 4,511 km standard gauge: 3,483 km 1.435-m gauge (3,472 km electrified) narrow gauge: 982 km 1.000-m gauge (975 km electrified); 46 km 0.800-m gauge (46 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 71,011 km paved: 71,011 km (including 1,638 of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Waterways: 65 km note: The Rhine carries heavy traffic on the Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee stretches; there are also 12 navigable lakes Pipelines: gas 1,831 km; oil 212 km; refined products 7 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Basel Merchant marine: total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 597,049 GRT/1,051,380 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 6, US 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, specialized tanker 1 Airports: 66 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 41 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 14 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 1524 to 2437 m: 1 under 914 m: 24 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Switzerland Military branches: Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,834,638 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,552,728 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 42,761 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.548 billion (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY01) Transnational Issues Switzerland Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: because of more stringent government regulations, used significantly less as a money-laundering center; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Syria Introduction Syria Background: Following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, Syria was administered by the French until independence in 1946. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. Since 1976, Syrian troops have been stationed in Lebanon, ostensibly in a peacekeeping capacity. In recent years, Syria and Israel have held occasional peace talks over the return of the Golan Heights. Geography Syria Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 185,180 sq km note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory water: 1,130 sq km land: 184,050 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than North Dakota Land boundaries: total: 2,253 km border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 41 NM territorial sea: 35 NM Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower Land use: arable land: 25.96% permanent crops: 4.08% other: 69.96% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 12,130 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (February 2002 est.) People Syria Population: 17,585,540 (July 2002 est.) note: in addition, about 40,000 people live in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 20,000 Arabs (18,000 Druze and 2,000 Alawites) and about 20,000 Israeli settlers (February 2003 est.) (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.6% (male 3,494,473; female 3,290,699) 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 5,238,026; female 4,991,588) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 274,744; female 296,010) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.7 years male: 19.6 years female: 19.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.45% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 29.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 31.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 31.89 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.39 years male: 68.18 years female: 70.67 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.72 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.01% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian Ethnic groups: Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7% Religions: Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo) Languages: Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.9% male: 89.7% female: 64% (2003 est.) Government Syria Country name: conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic conventional short form: Syria local short form: Suriyah former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt) local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah Government type: republic under military regime since March 1963 Capital: Damascus Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 17 April (1946) Constitution: 13 March 1973 Legal system: based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice Presidents Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984) and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003), Deputy Prime Ministers Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984), Farouk al-SHARA (since 13 December 2001), Dr. Muhammad al-HUSAYN (since 13 December 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; referendum/election last held 10 July 2000 - after the death of President Hafez al-ASAD, father of Bashar al-ASAD - (next to be held NA 2007); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president note: Hafiz al-ASAD died on 10 June 2000; on 20 June 2000, the Ba'th Party nominated Bashar al-ASAD for president and presented his name to the People's Council on 25 June 2000 election results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.29% Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NPF 67%, independents 33%; seats by party - NPF 167, independents 83; note - the constitution guarantees that the Ba'th Party (part of the NPF alliance) receives one-half of the seats elections: last held 2-3 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court (justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president); High Judicial Council; Court of Cassation; State Security Courts Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Front or NPF (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party (governing party) [President Bashar al-ASAD, secretary general], Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Ahmad al ASAD], Syrian Communist Party [leader NA], Unionist Socialist Party [leader NA], Arab Socialist Party [Abd al-Ghani QANNUT], and Arab Socialist Unionist Movement [Sami SUFAN]) [President Bashar al-ASAD, chairman]; Syrian Arab Socialist Party or ASP [Safwan QUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party or SCP [Yusuf FAYSAL]; Syrian Social National Party [Jubran URAYJI] Political pressure groups and leaders: conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood (operates in exile in Jordan and Yemen); non-Ba'th parties have little effective political influence International organization participation: AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (acting) Imad MUSTAFA chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Theodore H. KATTOUF embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street, No. 2, Damascus mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus telephone: [963] (11) 333-1342 FAX: [963] (11) 331-9678 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band Economy Syria Economy - overview: Syria's predominantly statist economy has been growing, on average, more slowly than its 2.4% annual population growth rate, causing a persistent decline in per capita GDP. Recent legislation allows private banks to operate in Syria, although a private banking sector will take years and further government cooperation to develop. External factors such as the international war on terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the war between the US-led coalition and Iraq probably will drive real annual GDP growth levels back below their 3.5% spike in 2002. A long-run economic constraint is the pressure on water supplies caused by rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and increased water pollution. GDP: purchasing power parity - $63.48 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.6% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 23% services: 50% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 15%-25% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 5.2 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, industry, services NA (2002) Unemployment rate: 20% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $6 billion expenditures: $7 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.6 billion (2002 est.) Industries: petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 23.26 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 57.6% hydro: 42.4% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 21.63 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 522,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 265,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 2.4 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 5.84 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 5.84 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 240.7 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk Exports: $6.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 70%, petroleum products 7%, fruits and vegetables 5%, cotton fiber 4%, clothing 3%, meat and live animals 2% (2000 est.) Exports - partners: Germany 19.1%, Italy 17.5%, Turkey 7.8%, France 7.5%, Lebanon 5.2% (2002) Imports: $4.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 21%, food and livestock 18%, metal and metal products 15%, chemicals and chemical products 10% (2000 est.) Imports - partners: Italy 8.3%, Germany 7.4%, China 5.7%, South Korea 4.8%, France 4.6%, US 4.4%, Turkey 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $22 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $199 million (1997 est.) Currency: Syrian pound (SYP) Currency code: SYP Exchange rates: Syrian pounds per US dollar - (Official rate): 11.23 (2002), 11.23 (2001), 11.23 (2000), 11.23 (1999), 11.23 (1998), (Free market rate): 49.65 (2001), 49.4 (2000), 51.7 (1999), 52 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Syria Telephones - main lines in use: 1.313 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 4.15 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 44 (plus 17 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 1.05 million (1997) Internet country code: .sy Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 60,000 (2002) Transportation Syria Railways: total: 2,743 km standard gauge: 2,425 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 318 km 1.050-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 43,381 km paved: 10,021 km (including 877 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,360 km (1999) Waterways: 870 km (minimal economic importance) Pipelines: gas 2,300 km; oil 2,183 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Baniyas, Jablah, Latakia, Tartus Merchant marine: total: 129 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 450,135 GRT/645,296 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 1, Greece 2, Italy 1, Lebanon 10 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 109, container 2, livestock carrier 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 Airports: 92 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 2 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 68 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 55 (2002) Heliports: 7 (2002) Military Syria Military branches: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), Police and Security Force Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 4,715,386 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,629,148 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 210,941 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $858 million (FY00 est.); note - based on official budget data that may understate actual spending Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.9% (FY00) Transnational Issues Syria Disputes - international: Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied; Lebanon claims Shaba'a farms in Golan Heights; Syrian troops have been stationed in Lebanon since October 1976; Syria protests Turkish hydrological projects regulating upper Euphrates waters; Turkey is quick to rebuff any perceived Syrian claim to Hatay province Illicit drugs: a transit point for opiates and hashish bound for regional and Western markets This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Taiwan Introduction Taiwan Background: In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. It reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform. Geography Taiwan Location: Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China Geographic coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 35,980 sq km note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy water: 3,720 sq km land: 32,260 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,566.3 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% other: 75% Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: earthquakes and typhoons Environment - current issues: air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait People Taiwan Population: 22,603,001 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.1% (male 2,366,560; female 2,175,886) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 8,095,741; female 7,871,954) 65 years and over: 9.3% (male 1,074,112; female 1,018,747) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 33.2 years male: 32.9 years female: 33.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.65% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.74 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 7.34 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.87 years male: 74.12 years female: 79.88 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.57 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Chinese/Taiwanese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese/Taiwanese Ethnic groups: Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2% Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5% Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86% male: 93% female: 79% (1980) note: literacy for the total population has reportedly increased to 94% (1998) Government Taiwan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local short form: T'ai-wan local long form: none former: Formosa Government type: multiparty democratic regime headed by popularly-elected president and unicameral legislature Capital: Taipei Administrative divisions: the central administrative divisions include the provinces of Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu) and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); Taiwan is further subdivided into 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua, Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**, T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un note: Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization National holiday: Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911) Constitution: 1 January 1947, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, and 1999 Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President CHEN Shui-bian (since 20 May 2000) and Vice President Annette LU (LU Hsiu-lien) (since 20 May 2000) election results: CHEN Shui-bian elected president; percent of vote - CHEN Shui-bian (DPP) 39.3%, James SOONG (SOONG Chu-yu) (PFP) 36.84%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 23.1%, HSU Hsin-liang (independent) 0.63%, LEE Ao (CNP) 0.13% elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 18 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) YU Shyi-kun (since 1 February 2002) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) LIN Hsin-yi (since 1 February 2002) cabinet: Executive Yuan appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Yuan (225 seats - 168 elected by popular vote, 41 elected on the basis of the proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected from overseas Chinese constituencies on the basis of the proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected by popular vote among the aboriginal populations; members serve three-year terms) and unicameral National Assembly (300 seat nonstanding body; delegates nominated by parties and elected by proportional representation within three months of a Legislative Yuan call to amend the Constitution, impeach the president, or change national borders) elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 8 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2004); note - the National Assembly is a nonstanding body and is called into session election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - DPP 39%, KMT 30%, PFP 20%, TSU 6%, independents and other parties 5%; seats by party - DPP 87, KMT 68, PFP 46, TSU 13, independents and other parties 11 Judicial branch: Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly; note - beginning in 2003, justices will be appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [CHEN Shui-bian, chairman]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [LIEN Chan, chairman]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG (SOONG Chu-yu), chairman]; Taiwan Solidarity Union or TSU [HUANG Chu-wen, chairman]; other minor parties including the Chinese New Party or CNP Political pressure groups and leaders: Taiwan independence movement, various business and environmental groups note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that Taiwan currently enjoys de facto independence and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan Nation Building International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, ICFTU, IFRCS, IOC, WCL, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the US with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 12 other US cities Diplomatic representation from the US: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality - the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) - which has offices in the US and Taiwan; US office located at 1700 N. Moore St., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-1996, telephone: [1] (703) 525-8474, FAX: [1] (703) 841-1385); Taiwan offices located at #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (2) 2709-2000, FAX: [886] (2) 2702-7675; #2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, Kao-hsiung, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, FAX: [886] (7) 223-8237; and the American Trade Center, Room 3208 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei, Taiwan 10548, telephone: [886] (2) 2720-1550, FAX: [886] (2) 2757-7162 Flag description: red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays Economy Taiwan Economy - overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by government authorities. In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The trade surplus is substantial, and foreign reserves are the world's third largest. Agriculture contributes 2% to GDP, down from 32% in 1952. While Taiwan is a major investor throughout Southeast Asia, China has become the largest destination for investment and has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market. Because of its conservative financial approach and its entrepreneurial strengths, Taiwan suffered little compared with many of its neighbors from the Asian financial crisis in 1998. The global economic downturn, combined with problems in policy coordination by the administration and bad debts in the banking system, pushed Taiwan into recession in 2001, the first year of negative growth ever recorded. Unemployment also reached record levels. Output recovered moderately in 2002 in the face of continued global slowdown, fragile consumer confidence, and bad bank loans. Growing economic ties with China are a dominant long-term factor. Exports to China - mainly parts and equipment for the assembly of goods for export to developed countries - drove Taiwan's economic recovery in 2002. GDP: purchasing power parity - $406 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $18,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 31% services: 67% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 1% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 6.4% highest 10%: 41.1% (2002 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.6 (2000) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 10 million (2003) Labor force - by occupation: services 58%, industry 35%, agriculture 7% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $36 billion expenditures: $36.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2002) Electricity - production: 151.1 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 22.6% Electricity - consumption: 140.5 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 1,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 988,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 2 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 750 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 6.64 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 410 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 6.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 38.23 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish Exports: $130 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment 54%, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicals (2002) Exports - partners: Hong Kong 23.9%, US 20.8%, Japan 9.3%, China 7.7% (2002) Imports: $113 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment 44.5%, minerals, precision instruments (2002) Imports - partners: Japan 24.3%, US 16.1%, China 7.1%, South Korea 6.9% (2002) Debt - external: $24.7 billion (2002) Currency: new Taiwan dollar (TWD) Currency code: TWD Exchange rates: 34.88 (2002), 34.74 (2001), 33.09 (2000), 31.6 (1999) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00) Communications Taiwan Telephones - main lines in use: 12.49 million (September 2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 16 million (September 2000) Telephone system: general assessment: provides telecommunications service for every business and private need domestic: thoroughly modern; completely digitalized international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 218, FM 333, shortwave 50 (1999) Radios: 16 million (1994) Television broadcast stations: 29 (plus two repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 8.8 million (1998) Internet country code: .tw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 8 (2000) Internet users: 11.6 million (2001) Transportation Taiwan Railways: total: 1,108 km narrow gauge: 1,108 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified) note: there also are 1,255 km of 1.067-m gauge routes belonging to the Taiwan Sugar Corporation and to the Taiwan Forestry Bureau used to haul products and limited numbers of passengers (2002) Highways: total: 35,931 km paved: 31,583 km (including 608 km of expressways) unpaved: 4,348 km (2000) Waterways: NA Pipelines: condensate 25 km; gas 435 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung Merchant marine: total: 142 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,973,958 GRT/6,306,361 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Hong Kong 3, Japan 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 41, cargo 22, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 3, container 45, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 2 Airports: 39 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Heliports: 3 (2002) Military Taiwan Military branches: Army, Navy (including Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,583,604 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,019,268 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 189,967 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $7.574 billion (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY02) Transnational Issues Taiwan Disputes - international: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does China Illicit drugs: regional transit point for heroin and methamphetamine; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Tajikistan Introduction Tajikistan Background: Tajikistan has experienced three changes in government and a five-year civil war since it gained independence in 1991 from the USSR. A peace agreement among rival factions was signed in 1997, and implemented in 2000. The central government's less than total control over some areas of the country has forced it to compromise and forge alliances among factions. Attention by the international community in the wake of the war in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development assistance, which could create jobs and increase stability in the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace. Geography Tajikistan Location: Central Asia, west of China Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 143,100 sq km water: 400 sq km land: 142,700 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Wisconsin Land boundaries: total: 3,651 km border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Terrain: Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m Natural resources: hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold Land use: arable land: 5.41% permanent crops: 0.92% other: 93.67% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 7,200 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes and floods Environment - current issues: inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR People Tajikistan Population: 6,863,752 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.8% (male 1,376,244; female 1,353,108) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 1,896,509; female 1,915,334) 65 years and over: 4.7% (male 140,993; female 181,564) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.3 years male: 19 years female: 19.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.13% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 32.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -3.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 113.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 99.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 126.58 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.37 years male: 61.39 years female: 67.5 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.17 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 200 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Tajikistani(s) adjective: Tajikistani Ethnic groups: Tajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining because of emigration), other 6.6% Religions: Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5% Languages: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.6% female: 99.1% (2003 est.) Government Tajikistan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan conventional short form: Tajikistan local short form: Tojikiston former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston Government type: republic Capital: Dushanbe Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor); Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni Badakhshon* (Khorugh), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa), Viloyati Sughd (Khujand) note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991) Constitution: 6 November 1994 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly election results: Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMONOV 97%, Davlat USMON 2% elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 6 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister appointed by the president; Tajikistan held a constitutional referendum on 22 June 2003 that, among other things, set a term limit of two seven-year terms for the president Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy (33 seats; members are indirectly elected, 25 selected by local deputies, 8 appointed by the president; all serve five-year terms) election results: Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 65%, Communist Party 20%, Islamic Rebirth Party 7.5%, other 7.5%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA elections: last held 27 February and 12 March 2000 for the Assembly of Representatives (next to be held NA 2005) and 23 March 2000 for the National Assembly (next to be held NA 2005) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DPT [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV, chairman]; Islamic Revival Party [Said Abdullo NURI, chairman]; People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMONOV]; Social Democratic Party or SDPT [Rahmatullo ZOIROV]; Socialist Party or SPT [Sherali KENJAYEV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV] Political pressure groups and leaders: there are two unregistered political parties with 1,000 or more members: Progressive Party [Suton QUVVATOV]; Unity Party [Hikmatuko SAIDOV] International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IOC, IOM, ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Khamrokhon ZARIPOV chancery: 1725 K Sreet NW, Suite 409, Washington, DC 20006 FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091 telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND embassy: 10 Pavlova Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734003; note - the embassy in Dushanbe is not yet fully operational; most business is still handled in Almaty at 531 Sayfullin Street, Almaty, Kazakhstan, telephone 7-3272-58-79-61, FAX 7-3272-58-79-68 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [992] (372) 21-03-48 (Dushanbe) FAX: [992] (372) 21-03-62 Flag description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe Economy Tajikistan Economy - overview: Tajikistan has the lowest per capita GDP among the 15 former Soviet republics. Only 8% to 10% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Even though 60% of its people continue to live in abject poverty, Tajikistan has experienced steady economic growth since 1997. Continued privatization of medium and large state-owned enterprises will further increase productivity. Tajikistan's economic situation, however, remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural reforms, weak governance, widespread unemployment, and the external debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia in December 2002, including an interest rate of 4%, a 3-year grace period, and a US $49.8 million credit to the Central Bank of Tajikistan. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.476 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 60% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 25.2% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34.7 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (2001 est.) Labor force: 3.187 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 67.2%, industry 7.5%, services 25.3% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $502 million expenditures: $520 million, including capital expenditures of $86 million (2002 est.) Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers Industrial production growth rate: 10.3% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 14.18 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.9% hydro: 98.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 14.52 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 3.909 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 5.242 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 250 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.25 billion cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Exports: $710 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles Exports - partners: Netherlands 29.4%, Turkey 16.1%, Russia 11.9%, Uzbekistan 9.9%, Switzerland 9.3%, Hungary 5.4%, Latvia 4.2% (2002) Imports: $830 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Russia 22.7%, Uzbekistan 18.4%, Ukraine 11.2%, Kazakhstan 10%, Turkmenistan 6.5%, Azerbaijan 5.7%, India 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $1 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $60.7 million from US (2001) Currency: somoni Currency code: TJS Exchange rates: Tajikistani somoni per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.37 (2001), 2.08 (2000), 1.24 (1999), 0.78 (1998) note: the new unit of exchange was introduced on 30 October 2000, with one somoni equal to 1,000 of the old Tajikistani rubles Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Tajikistan Telephones - main lines in use: 363,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,500 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: poorly developed and not well maintained; many towns are not reached by the national network domestic: cable and microwave radio relay international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 2 Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2002) Radios: 1.291 million (1991) Television broadcast stations: 13 (2001) Televisions: 820,000 (1997) Internet country code: .tj Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4 (2002) Internet users: 5,000 (2002) Transportation Tajikistan Railways: total: 482 km broad gauge: 482 km 1.520-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 27,767 km paved: NA unpaved: NA (2000) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 540 km; oil 38 km (2003) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 66 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 53 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 36 (2002) Military Tajikistan Military branches: Army, Air Force and Air Defense Force, Presidential National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,704,457 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,397,188 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 82,490 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $35.4 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.9% (FY01) Transnational Issues Tajikistan Disputes - international: prolonged regional drought creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; boundary agreements signed in 2002 cede 1,000 sq km of Pamir Mountain range to China in return for China relinquishing claims to 28,000 sq km of Tajikistani lands; negotiations with China resolved the longstanding boundary dispute; talks have begun with Uzbekistan to demine and delimit border; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Kyrgyzstan Illicit drugs: major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80 percent of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third world-wide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Tanzania Introduction Tanzania Background: Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. Geography Tanzania Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 945,087 sq km note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar water: 59,050 sq km land: 886,037 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 3,861 km border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km Coastline: 1,424 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel Land use: arable land: 4.24% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 94.74% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,550 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought Environment - current issues: soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest People Tanzania Population: 35,922,454 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.3% (male 7,988,898; female 7,938,979) 15-64 years: 53.1% (male 9,429,959; female 9,634,102) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 405,803; female 524,713) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.5 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.72% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 39.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 17.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -4.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 103.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 93.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 113.29 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.56 years male: 43.33 years female: 45.83 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 7.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.5 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 140,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian Ethnic groups: mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African Religions: mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic total population: 78.2% male: 85.9% female: 70.7% (2003 est.) Government Tanzania Country name: conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania conventional short form: Tanzania former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Government type: republic Capital: Dar es Salaam; note - legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on regular basis Administrative divisions: 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964 National holiday: Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964) Constitution: 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was elected to that office on 29 October 2000 cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly election results: Benjamin William MKAPA reelected president; percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 71.7%, Ibrahim Haruna LIPUMBA 16.3%, Augustine Lyatonga MREME 7.8%, John Momose CHEYO 4.2% elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats - 232 elected by popular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the president, five to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives; members serve five-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats, directly elected by universal suffrage to serve five-year terms) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CCM 244, CUF 16, CHADEMA 4, TLP 3, UDP 2, Zanzibar representatives 5; Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CCM 34, CUF 16 elections: last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005) Judicial branch: Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court of Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court (consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts; Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the higher courts) Political parties and leaders: Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party of Democracy and Development) or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM (Revolutionary Party) [Benjamin William MKAPA]; Civic United Front or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]; Democratic Party (unregistered) [Christopher MTIKLA]; Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine Lyatonga MREMA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, EADB, ECA, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew Mhando DARAJA chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert V. ROYALL embassy: 140 Msese Road, Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam telephone: [255] (22) 2666-010 through 2666-015 FAX: [255] (22) 2666-701, 2668-501 Flag description: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue Economy Tanzania Economy - overview: Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Growth in 1991-2002 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Oil and gas exploration and development played an important role in this growth. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment. Continued donor support and solid macroeconomic policies should support continued real GDP growth of 5% in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $20.42 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 48.1% industry: 15.4% services: 36.5% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 36% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 30.1% (1993) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38.2 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 13.495 million Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.01 billion expenditures: $1.38 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Industries: agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer, salt Industrial production growth rate: 8.4% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 2.906 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 18.9% hydro: 81.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.752 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 50 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 17,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (37257) Natural gas - proved reserves: 11.33 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Exports: $863 million f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton Exports - partners: India 15.2%, Japan 12.4%, Netherlands 9.2%, UK 6.8%, Belgium 6.5%, Kenya 5.9%, Germany 4.8% (2002) Imports: $1.67 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil Imports - partners: South Africa 12.7%, China 7.9%, Kenya 6.6%, India 6.3%, UK 6%, Japan 4.5%, US 4%, Australia 4% (2002) Debt - external: $6.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $963 million (1997) Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS) Currency code: TZS Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings per US dollar - NA (2002), 876.41 (2001), 800.41 (2000), 744.76 (1999), 664.67 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Tanzania Telephones - main lines in use: 127,000 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 30,000 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: fair system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service; VSAT (very small aperture terminal) system under construction domestic: trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 8.8 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1999) Televisions: 103,000 (1997) Internet country code: .tz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000) Internet users: 300,000 (2002) Transportation Tanzania Railways: total: 3,690 km narrow gauge: 2,721 km 1.000-m gauge; 969 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 88,200 km paved: 3,704 km unpaved: 84,496 km (1999 est.) Waterways: note: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa are principal avenues of commerce between Tanzania and its neighbors on those lakes Pipelines: gas 5 km; oil 866 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar Merchant marine: total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,781 GRT/33,805 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 123 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 112 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Military Tanzania Military branches: Tanzanian People's Defense Force (including Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit (including Police Marine Unit and Police Air Wing), territorial militia Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,477,193 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 4,911,235 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $19.68 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Tanzania Disputes - international: disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant Illicit drugs: growing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for South African, European, and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for Southern Africa; money laundering remains a problem This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Thailand Introduction Thailand Background: A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Geography Thailand Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 514,000 sq km water: 2,230 sq km land: 511,770 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Coastline: 3,219 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land Land use: arable land: 32.88% permanent crops: 7% other: 60.12% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 47,490 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore People Thailand Population: 64,265,276 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.2% (male 7,955,597; female 7,604,652) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 21,819,445; female 22,362,085) 65 years and over: 7% (male 2,081,768; female 2,441,729) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 30.1 years male: 29.4 years female: 30.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.95% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.37 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.24 years male: 69.07 years female: 73.53 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.8% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 670,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 55,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Religions: Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991) Languages: Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97.5% female: 94.6% (2003 est.) Government Thailand Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand former: Siam Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Bangkok Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) National holiday: Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927) Constitution: new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997 Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) note: there is also a Privy Council head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9 February 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gen. (Ret.) CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut, KON Thappharansi, SUWIT Khunkitti, CHATURON Chaisaeng, VISHANU Krua-ngam, and PROMMIN Lertsuridej (since 18 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following national elections for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the king Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 4 March, 29 April, 4 June, 9 July, and 22 July 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); House of Representatives - last held 6 January 2001 (next to be held NA January 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TRT 248, DP 128, TNP 41, NDP 29, other 54 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [BANTADTAN Banyat]; National Development Party or NDP (Chat Phattana) [KORN Dabbaransi]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BANHAN Sinlapa-acha]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [THAKSIN Chinnawat] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMISET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SAKTHIP Krairiksh consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Darryl N. JOHNSON embassy: 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai Flag description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red Economy Thailand Economy - overview: Thailand has a free enterprise economy and welcomes foreign investment. Exports feature computers and electrical appliances. After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand's currency in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the baht. Long pegged at 25 to the dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the dollar in January 1998, and the economy contracted by 10.2% that same year. Thailand then entered a recovery stage, expanding by 4.2% in 1999 and 4.4% in 2000, largely due to strong exports. An ailing financial sector and the slow pace of corporate debt restructuring, combined with a softening of global demand, slowed growth to 1.4% in 2001. Increased consumption and investment spending pushed GDP growth up to 5.2% in 2002 despite a sluggish global economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $445.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 40% services: 49% (2001) Population below poverty line: 12.5% (1998 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 41.4 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 33.4 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services 31% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.9% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $19 billion expenditures: $21 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 97.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 91.3% hydro: 6.4% other: 2.4% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 90.91 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 200 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 350 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 173,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 785,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 551.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 18.73 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 23.93 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 5.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 368.2 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans Exports: $67.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: computers, transistors, seafood, clothing, rice (2000) Exports - partners: US 19.6%, Japan 14.5%, Singapore 8.1%, Hong Kong 5.4%, China 5.2%, Malaysia 4.1% (2002) Imports: $58.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels (2000) Imports - partners: Japan 23%, US 9.6%, China 7.6%, Malaysia 5.6%, Singapore 4.5%, Taiwan 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $62.5 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $131.5 million (1998 est.) Currency: baht (THB) Currency code: THB Exchange rates: baht per US dollar - 42.96 (2002), 44.43 (2001), 40.11 (2000), 37.81 (1999), 41.36 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Thailand Telephones - main lines in use: 5.6 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.1 million (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: service to general public adequate, but investment in technological upgrades reduced by recession; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999) Radios: 13.96 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 5 (all in Bangkok; plus 131 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 15.19 million (1997) Internet country code: .th Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 15 (2000) Internet users: 1.2 million (2001) Transportation Thailand Railways: total: 4,071 km narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 64,600 km paved: 62,985 km unpaved: 1,615 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 4,000 km note: 3,701 km are navigable throughout the year by boats with drafts up to 0.9 meters; numerous minor waterways serve shallow-draft native craft Pipelines: gas 3,066 km; refined products 265 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla Merchant marine: total: 317 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,744,103 GRT/2,657,666 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1, Greece 1, Indonesia 1, Japan 1, Norway 24, Panama 1, Singapore 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 33, cargo 136, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 1, container 17, liquefied gas 21, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 74, refrigerated cargo 17, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 1 Airports: 111 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 62 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 5 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 49 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 31 (2002) Heliports: 2 (2002) Military Thailand Military branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes the Border Patrol Police [including Police Aerial Reinforcement Unit], Thahan Phran, Special Action Forces, Police Aviation Division, Thai Marine Police, and the Volunteer Defense Corps) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 17,904,298 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 10,724,565 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 520,472 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.775 billion (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY00) Transnational Issues Thailand Disputes - international: completion of boundary demarcation with Cambodia hampered by accusations of moving and destroying boundary markers, encroachments, initiating border incidents, and sealing off Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; demarcation complete except for a 1 kilometer segment at the mouth of the Kolok River in dispute with Malaysia; demarcation with Laos complete except for certain Mekong River islets and complaints of Thai squatters; despite continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain with Burma over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Togo Introduction Togo Background: French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, is Africa's longest-serving head of state. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government continues to be dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967. In addition, Togo has come under fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is plagued by political unrest. Most bilateral and multilateral aid to Togo remains frozen. Geography Togo Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 56,785 sq km water: 2,400 sq km land: 54,385 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km Coastline: 56 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 30 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Agou 986 m Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land Land use: arable land: 41.37% permanent crops: 1.84% other: 56.79% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 70 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna People Togo Population: 5,429,299 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,211,252; female 1,203,564) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,404,763; female 1,473,360) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 57,535; female 78,825) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.3 years male: 16.9 years female: 17.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 2.37% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 35.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 11.51 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 68.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 76.58 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.43 years male: 51.47 years female: 55.45 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.97 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 150,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 12,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese Ethnic groups: native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Muslim 20% Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.9% male: 75.4% female: 46.9% (2003 est.) Government Togo Country name: conventional long form: Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local short form: none former: French Togoland local long form: Republique Togolaise Government type: republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule Capital: Lome Administrative divisions: 5 regions (regions, singular - region); De La Kara, Des Plateaux, Des Savanes, Centrale, Maritime Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960) Constitution: multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992 Legal system: French-based court system Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Koffi SAMA (since 29 June 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 1 June 2003 (next to be held NA June 2008); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Gnassingbe EYADEMA reelected president; percent of vote - Gnassingbe EYADEMA 57.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 34.1%, Yawovi AGBOYIBO 5.2%, Maurice Dahuku PERE 2.3%, Edem KODJO 1.0% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 October 2002 (next NA 2007) note: two opposition parties boycotted the election, the Union of the Forces for Change, and the Action Committee for Renewal election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPT 72, RSD 3, UDPS 2, Juvento 2, MOCEP 1, independents 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and Equality or MOCEP [leader NA]; Rally for the Support for Development and Democracy or RSDD [Hanay OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [President Gnassingbe EYADEMA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU] note: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President EYADEMA, was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12 April 1991 Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIPONUH, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Akoussoulelou BODJONA FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gregory ENGLE embassy: Angle Rue Kouenou and Rue 15 Beniglato, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome telephone: [228] 221 29 91 through 221 29 94 FAX: [228] 221 79 52 Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Togo Economy - overview: This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings, with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate, but production fell an estimated 22% in 2002 due to power shortages and the cost of developing new deposits. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Progress depends on following through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.594 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 21% services: 37% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 32% (1989 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.74 million (1996) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $232 million expenditures: $252 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts, textiles, beverages Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 101.6 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.7% hydro: 1.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 614.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 520 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish Exports: $449 million f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa Exports - partners: Ghana 17.7%, Benin 13.3%, Burkina Faso 8.2%, Philippines 4.9%, Niger 4.1% (2002) Imports: $561 million f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products Imports - partners: France 21.3%, China 17%, Netherlands 6.5%, Germany 5.3%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $1.4 billion (2000) Economic aid - recipient: ODA $80 million (2000 est.) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Togo Telephones - main lines in use: 25,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,995 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; cellular system has capacity of 10,000 telephones international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 940,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus two repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 73,000 (1997) Internet country code: .tg Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2001) Internet users: 50,000 (2002) Transportation Togo Railways: total: 525 km narrow gauge: 525 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 50 km (Mono river) Ports and harbors: Kpeme, Lome Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,918 GRT/3,852 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 9 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Togo Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,270,146 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 666,132 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $23.72 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.8% (FY02) Transnational Issues Togo Disputes - international: in 2001 Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary Illicit drugs: transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Tokelau Introduction Tokelau Background: Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Geography Tokelau Location: Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 10 sq km Area - comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Terrain: low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt Environment - current issues: very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand Geography - note: consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over three meters above sea level People Tokelau Population: 1,418 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% 15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: 0.01% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: 68 years female: 70 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan Ethnic groups: Polynesian Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English Literacy: NA Government Tokelau Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau Dependency status: self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are drafting a constitution and developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand Government type: NA Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand) Independence: none (territory of New Zealand) National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970 Legal system: New Zealand and local statutes Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term head of government: Aliki Faipule Pio TUIA (since NA 2002) cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders - one from each atoll - functions as a cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (48 seats; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power on the General Fono Judicial branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: SPC, UNESCO (associate), WHO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of New Zealand) Flag description: the flag of New Zealand is used Economy Tokelau Economy - overview: Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public services, with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $430,830 expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.) Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats Exports: $98,000 f.o.b. (1983) Exports - commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts Exports - partners: NZ (2000) Imports: $323,000 c.i.f. (1983) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel Imports - partners: NZ (2000) Debt - external: $0 Economic aid - recipient: from New Zealand about $4 million annually Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD) Currency code: NZD Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.154 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Tokelau Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with 3 satellite earth stations, established in 1997 Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of unknown type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports (1998) Radios: 1,000 (1997) Internet country code: .tk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Tokelau Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: none; lagoon landings are possible by amphibious aircraft (2002) Military Tokelau Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Transnational Issues Tokelau Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Tonga Introduction Tonga Background: The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. Geography Tonga Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 748 sq km water: 30 sq km land: 718 sq km Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 419 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m Natural resources: fish, fertile soil Land use: arable land: 23.61% permanent crops: 43.06% other: 33.33% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou Environment - current issues: deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited) People Tonga Population: 108,141 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.2% (male 21,085; female 20,265) 15-64 years: 57.6% (male 30,785; female 31,532) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,973; female 2,501) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 19.8 years male: 19.3 years female: 20.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.9% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 24.51 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.88 years male: 66.43 years female: 71.44 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan Ethnic groups: Polynesian, Europeans about 300 Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents) Languages: Tongan, English Literacy: definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 98.5% male: 98.4% female: 98.7% (1996 est.) Government Tonga Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy Capital: Nuku'alofa Administrative divisions: 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u Independence: 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 June (1970) Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967 Legal system: based on English law Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the Cabinet, and two governors elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the monarch, consists of 12 members head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU (since NA January 2001) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held 7 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote - pro-democratic 70%; seats - pro-democratic 7, traditionalist 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court) Political parties and leaders: there are no political parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [Akilisi POHIVA, president] International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sonatane T. T. TUPOU chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1136 consulate(s) general: San Francisco FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga Flag description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner Economy Tonga Economy - overview: Tonga has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. GDP: purchasing power parity - $236 million (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.4% (2001 est.) Labor force: 33,908 (1996) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 65% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 13.3% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $39.9 million expenditures: $52.4 million, including capital expenditures of $1.9 million (FY 99/00 est.) Industries: tourism, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 8.6% (FY 98/99) Electricity - production: 27.27 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 25.36 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish Exports: $8.9 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops Exports - partners: Japan 43.2%, US 41.2%, Greece 4% (2002) Imports: $70 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: New Zealand 30.8%, Fiji 20.7%, US 14.2%, Australia 13.2%, China 6.1% (2002) Debt - external: $57.5 million (June 2001) Economic aid - recipient: Australia $5.5 million, New Zealand $2.3 million (FY01/02) Currency: pa'anga (TOP) Currency code: TOP Exchange rates: pa'anga per US dollar NA (2002), 2.12 (2001), 1.76 (2000), 1.6 (1999), 1.49 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Tonga Telephones - main lines in use: 8,000 (1996) Telephones - mobile cellular: 302 (1996) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (1996) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 61,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2001) Televisions: 2,000 (1997) Internet country code: .to Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 1,000 (2000) Transportation Tonga Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai Merchant marine: total: 78 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 250,020 GRT/350,055 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 44, chemical tanker 4, container 1, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 2, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 1, Australia 4, Austria 1, Bolivia 1, Cyprus 1, Djibouti 1, Egypt 2, Greece 4, Lebanon 2, Liberia 2, Marshall Islands 2, Morocco 1, Norway 1, Panama 1, Romania 3, Russia 1, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 3, Syria 5, Ukraine 1, UAE 16, US 4 (2002 est.) Airports: 6 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Tonga Military branches: Tonga Defense Services (made up of three operational command components and two support elements, including the Royal Marines, Royal Guards, Maritime Force, a support/logistics group, and a training group), Police; note - a new air wing that will be subordinate to the Ministry of Defense is being developed Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Tonga Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Trinidad and Tobago Introduction Trinidad and Tobago Background: The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. Geography Trinidad and Tobago Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 5,128 sq km land: 5,128 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin contiguous zone: 24 NM Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December) Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt Land use: arable land: 14.62% permanent crops: 9.16% other: 76.22% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt People Trinidad and Tobago Population: 1,104,209 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.2% (male 125,470; female 119,270) 15-64 years: 70% (male 402,137; female 370,600) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 38,928; female 47,804) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 29.9 years male: 29.5 years female: 30.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.68% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 12.74 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.71 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -10.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 24.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 26.93 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.59 years male: 67.07 years female: 72.23 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 17,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,200 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian Ethnic groups: black 39.5%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2% Religions: Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7% Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.1% female: 98% (2003 est.) Government Trinidad and Tobago Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port-of-Spain Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962) Constitution: 1 August 1976 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24 December 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term; election last held 14 February 2003 (next to be held NA 2008); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 43% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; members appointed by the president for a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 October 2002 (next to be held by October 2007) note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly, with 15 members serving four-year terms election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 55.5%, UNC 44.5%; seats by party - PNM 20, UNC 16 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); High Court of Justice; Court of Appeals the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London Political parties and leaders: National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Hochoy CHARLES]; People's Empowerment Party or PEP [leader NA]; People's National Movement or PNM [Patrick MANNING]; Team Unity or TUN [Ramesh MAHARAJ]; United National Congress or UNC [Basdeo PANDAY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Jamaat-al Musilmeen [Yasin BAKR] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marina Annette VALERE (as of February 2003) chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roy L. AUSTIN embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone: [1] (868) 622-6372 through 6376, 622-6176 FAX: [1] (868) 628-5462 Flag description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side Economy Trinidad and Tobago Economy - overview: Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. A leading performer the past four years has been the booming natural gas sector. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from low inflation and a trade surplus. The year 2002 was marked by solid growth in the oil sector, offset in part by domestic political uncertainty. GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.07 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.6% industry: 43.2% services: 55.2% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 21% (1992 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 564,000 (2000) Labor force - by occupation: construction and utilities 12.4%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 9.5%, services 64.1% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.8% (2002) Budget: revenues: $1.54 billion expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $117.3 million (1998) Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles Industrial production growth rate: 2.6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 5.315 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.8% hydro: 0% other: 0.2% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 4.943 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 125,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 716 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 15.19 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 11.54 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 3.65 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 610.6 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry Exports: $4.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers Exports - partners: US 56.9%, Jamaica 7.3%, France 4.4% (2002) Imports: $3.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals Imports - partners: US 42%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.5%, UK 5%, Japan 4.5%, Brazil 4.3% (2002) Debt - external: $2.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $24 million (1999 est.) Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD) Currency code: TTD Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars per US dollar - 6.24 (2002), 6.23 (2001), 6.3 (2000), 6.3 (1999), 6.3 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Trinidad and Tobago Telephones - main lines in use: 252,000 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 17,411 (1997) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent international service; good local service domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 680,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997) Televisions: 425,000 (1997) Internet country code: .tt Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 17 (2000) Internet users: 120,000 (2002) Transportation Trinidad and Tobago Railways: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; common carrier railway service was discontinued in 1968 (2001) Highways: total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: condensate 253 km; gas 1,117 km; oil 478 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora Merchant marine: total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,032 GRT/5,106 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 6 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Trinidad and Tobago Military branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (including Ground Force, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 327,823 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 233,488 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $90 million (1999) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (1999) Transnational Issues Trinidad and Tobago Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Tromelin Island Introduction Tromelin Island Background: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. Geography Tromelin Island Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1 sq km Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3.7 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) People Tromelin Island Population: uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2003 est.) Government Tromelin Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local short form: Ile Tromelin local long form: none Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Tromelin Island Economy - overview: no economic activity Communications Tromelin Island Communications - note: important meteorological station Transportation Tromelin Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Tromelin Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Tromelin Island Disputes - international: claimed by Mauritius This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Tunisia Introduction Tunisia Background: Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGUIBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society. Geography Tunisia Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 163,610 sq km water: 8,250 sq km land: 155,360 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km Coastline: 1,148 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Elevation extremes: lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Land use: arable land: 18.67% permanent crops: 12.87% other: 68.46% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 3,800 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration People Tunisia Population: 9,924,742 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 1,388,839; female 1,297,313) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 3,306,782; female 3,299,883) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 309,103; female 322,822) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.2 years male: 25.7 years female: 26.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.09% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 16.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 26.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 29.89 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.4 years male: 72.77 years female: 76.15 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.04% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1% Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.2% male: 84% female: 64.4% (2003 est.) Government Tunisia Country name: conventional long form: Tunisian Republic conventional short form: Tunisia local short form: Tunis local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah Government type: republic Capital: Tunis Administrative divisions: 24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan) Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 March (1956) Constitution: 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988 Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a third term without opposition; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI nearly 100% Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (182 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - RCD 92%; seats by party - RCD 148, MDS 13, UDU 7, PUP 7, Al-Tajdid 5, PSL 2; note - reforms enabled opposition parties to win up to 20% of seats, increasing the number of seats they hold from 19 in the last election to 34 now Judicial branch: Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation Political parties and leaders: Al-Tajdid Movement [Adel CHAOUCH]; Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD [President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (official ruling party)]; Liberal Social Party or PSL [Mounir BEJI]; Movement of Democratic Socialists or MDS [Khamis CHAMMARI]; Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed Belhaj AMOR]; Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Abderrahmane TLILI] Political pressure groups and leaders: the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hatem ATALLAH FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858 telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850 chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rust M. DEMING embassy: Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis, 2045 La Goulette, Tunisia mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [216] 71 782-566 FAX: [216] 71 789-719 Flag description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam Economy Tunisia Economy - overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Real growth averaged 5.4% in 1997-2001 but slowed to 1.9% in 2002 because of agricultural drought, slow investment, and lackluster tourism. Increased rainfall portends higher growth levels for 2003, but continued regional tension from the war in Iraq will most likely continue to suppress tourism earnings. Tunisia has agreed to gradually remove barriers to trade with the European Union over the next decade. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are among the challenges for the future. GDP: purchasing power parity - $67.13 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 32% services: 56% (2003 est.) Population below poverty line: 6% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.8% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 41.7 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.69 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 15.4% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $5.2 billion expenditures: $5.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (2002 est.) Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 10.48 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 9.748 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 72,580 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 87,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 417 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 2.25 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 3.83 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.58 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 77.16 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds Exports: $6.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural products, hydrocarbons Exports - partners: France 31.3%, Italy 21.6%, Germany 11.5%, Spain 4.8%, Libya 4.7%, Belgium 4.3% (2002) Imports: $8.7 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, food Imports - partners: France 25.6%, Italy 19.5%, Germany 8.9%, Spain 5% (2002) Debt - external: $13.6 billion (2003 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $222.7 million (2000) Currency: Tunisian dinar (TND) Currency code: TND Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars per US dollar - 1.42 (2002), 1.44 (2001), 1.37 (2000), 1.19 (1999), 1.14 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Tunisia Telephones - main lines in use: 654,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 50,000 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet access available domestic: trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and microwave radio relay international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; two international gateway digital switches Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 2.06 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 920,000 (1997) Internet country code: .tn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 400,000 (2002) Transportation Tunisia Railways: total: 2,152 km standard gauge: 468 km 1.435-m gauge dual gauge: 10 km 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rails) (2002) narrow gauge: 1,674 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) Highways: total: 18,997 km paved: 12,310 km (including 142 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,687 km (2000) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 3,059 km; oil 1,203 km; refined products 345 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis Merchant marine: total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 139,990 GRT/148,394 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 3, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 30 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Military Tunisia Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National Guard Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,866,984 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,629,241 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 106,513 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $356 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (FY99) Transnational Issues Tunisia Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Turkey Introduction Turkey Background: Present-day Turkey was created in 1923 from the Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Soon thereafter, the country instituted secular laws to replace traditional religious fiats. In 1945 Turkey joined the UN, and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to protect Turkish Cypriots and prevent a Greek takeover of the island; the northern 37 percent of the island remains under Turkish Cypriot control. Relations between the two countries remain strained, but have begun to improve over the past few years. In 1984, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a Marxist-Leninist, separatist group, initiated an insurgency in southeast Turkey, often using terrorist tactics to try to attain its goal of an independent Kurdistan. The group - whose leader, Abdullah OCALAN, was captured in Kenya in February 1999 - has observed a unilateral cease-fire since September 1999, although there have been occasional clashes between Turkish military units and some of the 4,000-5,000 armed PKK militants, most of whom currently are encamped in northern Iraq. The PKK changed its name to the Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress (KADEK) in April 2002. Geography Turkey Location: southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 780,580 sq km water: 9,820 sq km land: 770,760 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: total: 2,648 km border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km Coastline: 7,200 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR territorial sea: 6 NM in the Aegean Sea; 12 NM in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Terrain: high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulfur, iron ore, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 34.53% permanent crops: 3.36% other: 62.11% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 42,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van Environment - current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Environmental Modification Geography - note: strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country People Turkey Population: 68,109,469 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.2% (male 9,422,242; female 9,082,840) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 22,978,251; female 22,243,477) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 2,013,926; female 2,368,733) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 26.8 years male: 26.7 years female: 27 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.16% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 44.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 47.91 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.8 years male: 69.41 years female: 74.3 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish Ethnic groups: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% (estimated) Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 94.3% female: 78.7% (2003 est.) Government Turkey Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Turkey conventional short form: Turkey local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti local short form: Turkiye Government type: republican parliamentary democracy Capital: Ankara Administrative divisions: 81 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 29 October (1923) Constitution: 7 November 1982 Legal system: derived from various European continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ahmet Necdet SEZER (since 16 May 2000) elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2007); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president note: a National Security Council serves as an advisory body to the government composed of top military and cabinet officials and presided over by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (14 March 2003); note - Abdullah GUL resigned 11 March 2003; Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN was given a mandate to form a new government election results: Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president on the third ballot; percent of National Assembly vote - 60% note: president must have a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly on the first two ballots and a simple majority on the third ballot Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); note - a special rerun of the General Election in the province of Siirt on 9 March 2003 resulted in the election of Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN to a seat in parliament, a prerequisite for becoming prime minister on 13 March 2003 election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 34.3%, CHP 19.4%, DYP 9.6%, MHP 8.3%, ANAP 5.1%, DSP 1.1%, and others; seats by party - AKP 363, CHP 178, independents 9; note - parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeals and Council of State (judges are elected by the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Left Party or DSP [Bulent ECEVIT]; Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayip ERDOGAN]; Motherland Party or ANAP [Ahmet Mesut YILMAZ]; Nationalist Action Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI]; Republican People's Party or CHP [Deniz BAYKAL]; True Path Party (sometimes translated as Correct Way Party) or DYP [Tansu CILLER]; Young Party or GP [Cem UZAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Sami EVREN]; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Suleyman CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD [Erol YARAR]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim USLU]; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Muharrem KAYHAN]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or TISK [Refik BAYDUR]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is [Bayram MERAL]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or TESK [Dervis GUNDAY; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU] International organization participation: AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Osman Faruk LOGOGLU FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eric S. EDELMAN embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555 FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019 consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir Flag description: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening Economy Turkey Economy - overview: Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that in 2001 still accounted for 40% of employment. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The most important industry - and largest exporter - is textiles and clothing, which is almost entirely in private hands. In recent years the economic situation has been marked by erratic economic growth and serious imbalances. Real GNP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001. Meanwhile, the public sector fiscal deficit has regularly exceeded 10% of GDP - due in large part to the huge burden of interest payments, which account for more than 50% of central government spending. Inflation, in recent years in the high double-digit range, fell to 26% in 2003. Perhaps because of these problems, foreign direct investment in Turkey remains low - less than $1 billion annually. In late 2000 and early 2001 a growing trade deficit and serious weaknesses in the banking sector plunged the economy into crisis - forcing Turkey to float the lira and pushing the country into recession. Results in 2002-03 were much better, because of strong financial support from the IMF and tighter fiscal policy. Continued slow global growth and serious political tensions in the Middle East could result in negative growth in 2004. GDP: purchasing power parity - $489.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12.9% industry: 30.4% services: 56.7% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 32.3% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 41.5 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 45.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 23.8 million note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2001 3rd quarter) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 39.7%, services 37.9%, industry 22.4% (3rd quarter, 2001) Unemployment rate: 10.8% (plus underemployment of 6.1%) (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $42.4 billion expenditures: $69.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Industries: textiles, food processing, autos, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Industrial production growth rate: 8.5% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 116.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 79.3% hydro: 20.4% other: 0.3% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 112.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 433 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 4.579 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 48,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 619,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 46,110 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 616,500 bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 288.4 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 312 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 15.94 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 8.685 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus; livestock Exports: $35.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment Exports - partners: Germany 16.6%, US 9.2%, UK 8.5%, Italy 6.4%, France 6% (2002) Imports: $50.8 billion c.i.f. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment Imports - partners: Germany 13.7%, Italy 8.1%, Russia 7.6%, US 6%, France 5.9%, UK 4.8%, Switzerland 4.1% (2002) Debt - external: $118.3 billion (Yearend 2001) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $300 million (2000) Currency: Turkish lira (TRL) Currency code: TRL Exchange rates: NA (2002), 1,225,590 (2001), 625,218 (2000), 418,783 (1999), 260,724 (1998), 151,865 (1997) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Turkey Telephones - main lines in use: 19.5 million (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 17.1 million (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially with cellular telephones domestic: additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; the number of subscribers to mobile cellular telephone service is growing rapidly international: international service is provided by three submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, linking Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; also by 12 Intelsat earth stations, and by 328 mobile satellite terminals in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 107, shortwave 6 (2001) Radios: 11.3 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 635 (plus 2,934 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 20.9 million (1997) Internet country code: .tr Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 50 (2001) Internet users: 2.5 million (2002) Transportation Turkey Railways: total: 8,607 km standard gauge: 8,607 km 1.435-m gauge (2,131 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 385,960 km paved: 131,226 km (including 1,749 km of expressways) unpaved: 254,734 km (1999) Waterways: 1,200 km (approximately) Pipelines: gas 3,177 km; oil 3,562 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Gemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun, Istanbul, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Icel (Mersin), Samsun, Trabzon Merchant marine: total: 525 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,306,506 GRT/8,424,837 DWT ships by type: bulk 125, cargo 229, chemical tanker 44, combination bulk 3, combination ore/oil 3, container 34, liquefied gas 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 35, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 26, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker 5 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belize 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 2, Greece 1, Italy 1, Thailand 1, UK 11 (2002 est.) Airports: 120 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 86 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 5 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 24 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 8 Heliports: 8 (2002) Military Turkey Military branches: Land Forces, Navy (includes Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 19,534,455 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 11,801,267 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 679,882 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $8.1 billion (2002 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.5% (2002 est.) Transnational Issues Turkey Disputes - international: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question remains with Greece; Syria and Iraq protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper Euphrates waters; Turkey is quick to rebuff any perceived Syrian claim to Hatay province; border with Armenia remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh Illicit drugs: key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and - to a far lesser extent the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Turkmenistan Introduction Turkmenistan Background: Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1925. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President NIYAZOV retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects can be worked out. Geography Turkmenistan Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 488,100 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 488,100 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 3,736 km border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km; note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: subtropical desert Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m; note - Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt Land use: arable land: 3.47% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 96.39% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 17,500 sq km (2003 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salination, water-logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; the western and central low-lying, desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau People Turkmenistan Population: 4,775,544 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.8% (male 899,954; female 855,293) 15-64 years: 59.2% (male 1,386,606; female 1,438,333) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 74,958; female 120,400) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 21.1 years male: 20.2 years female: 22 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.82% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 28.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.87 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 73.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 69.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 76.9 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.19 years male: 57.72 years female: 64.84 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 100 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Turkmen(s) adjective: Turkmen Ethnic groups: Turkmen 77%, Uzbek 9.2%, Russian 6.7%, Kazakh 2%, other 5.1% (1995) Religions: Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2% Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 99% female: 97% (1989 est.) Government Turkmenistan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turkmenistan local long form: none former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic local short form: Turkmenistan Government type: republic Capital: Ashgabat Administrative divisions: 5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat): Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991) Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA); note - President NIYAZOV was unanimously approved as president for life by the Assembly on 28 December 1999); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without opposition; percent of vote - Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5% note: NIYAZOV's term in office was extended indefinitely on 28 December 1999 by the Assembly (Majlis) during a session of the People's Council (Halk Maslahaty) Legislative branch: under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (more than 100 seats, some of which are elected by popular vote and some of which are appointed; meets at least yearly) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election results: Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - all 50 elected officials preapproved by President NIYAZOV; most are from the DPT elections: People's Council - NA; Assembly - last held 12 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Saparmurat NIYAZOV] note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries; the two most prominent opposition groups-in-exile have been Gundogar and Erkin; Gundogar was led by former Foreign Minister Boris SHIKHUMRADOV until his arrest and imprisonment in the wake of the 25 November 2002 assassination attempt on President NIYAZOV; Erkin is led by former Foreign Minister Abdy KULIEV and is based out of Moscow Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mered Bairamovich ORAZOV FAX: [1] (202) 588-0697 telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500 chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tracey A. JACOBSON embassy: 9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 774000 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [9] (9312) 35-00-45 FAX: [9] (9312) 39-26-14 Flag description: green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to the olive branches on the UN flag; a white crescent moon and five white stars appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe Economy Turkmenistan Economy - overview: Turkmenistan is largely desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton, making it the world's tenth-largest producer. With an authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. In 1998-2003, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by 38% in 2003, largely because of higher international oil and gas prices. Overall prospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty, the burden of foreign debt, and the unwillingness of the government to adopt market-oriented reforms. However, Turkmenistan's cooperation with the international community in transporting humanitarian aid to Afghanistan may foreshadow a change in the atmosphere for foreign investment, aid, and technological support. Turkmenistan's economic statistics are state secrets, and GDP and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. In any event, GDP increased substantially in 2003 because of a strong recovery in agriculture and rapid industrial growth. GDP: purchasing power parity - $31.34 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 21.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 50% services: 23% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 34.4% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 31.7% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.8 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.34 million (1996) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 48%, industry 15%, services 37% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $588.6 million expenditures: $658.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Industries: natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 10.18 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 8.509 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 980 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 20 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 162,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 63,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 273 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 48.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 9.6 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 38.6 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.43 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cotton, grain; livestock Exports: $2.97 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: gas 57%, oil 26%, cotton fiber 3%, textiles 2% (2001) Exports - partners: Ukraine 49.7%, Italy 18%, Iran 13.1%, Turkey 6.2% (2002) Imports: $2.25 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 60%, foodstuffs 15% (1999) Imports - partners: Russia 19.8%, Turkey 12.8%, Ukraine 11.7%, UAE 10%, US 7.5%, China 6%, Germany 5.7%, Iran 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $2.4 billion to $5 billion (2001 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $16 million from the US (2001) Currency: Turkmen manat (TMM) Currency code: TMM Exchange rates: Turkmen manats per US dollar - 5,200 (2002), 5,200 (2001), 5,200 (2000), 5,200 (1999), 4,890.17 (1998); note - the official exchange rate has not varied for the last four years; the unofficial rate has fluctuated slightly, hovering around 21,000 manats to the dollar Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Turkmenistan Telephones - main lines in use: 363,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,300 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: poorly developed domestic: NA international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; a new telephone link from Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 8, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 1.225 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3 (much programming relayed from Russia and Turkey) (1997) Televisions: 820,000 (1997) Internet country code: .tm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 Internet users: 2,000 (2000) Transportation Turkmenistan Railways: total: 2,440 km broad gauge: 2,440 km 1.520-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 24,000 km paved: 19,488 km unpaved: 4,512 km (1999 est.) Waterways: the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway for Turkmenistan, as is the man-made Kara Kum canal Pipelines: gas 6,634 km; oil 853 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Turkmenbasy Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,873 GRT/8,345 DWT ships by type: combination ore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 76 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 63 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 41 (2002) Military Turkmenistan Military branches: Ministry of Defense (Army, Air and Air Defense, Navy, Border Troops, and Internal Troops), National Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,239,737 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,005,686 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 53,825 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $90 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.4% (FY99) Transnational Issues Turkmenistan Disputes - international: prolonged regional drought creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; Turkmenistan has not committed to follow either Iran or the other littoral states in the division of the Caspian Sea seabed and water column; ICJ decision expected to resolve dispute with Azerbaijan over sovereignty over Caspian oilfields; demarcation of land boundary with Kazakhstan is underway - maritime boundary not resolved Illicit drugs: transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; small-scale government-run eradication of illicit crops; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Turks and Caicos Islands Introduction Turks and Caicos Islands Background: The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands are presently a British overseas territory. Geography Turks and Caicos Islands Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 430 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 389 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch Land use: arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater Geography - note: about 40 islands (eight inhabited) People Turks and Caicos Islands Population: 19,350 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.5% (male 3,202; female 3,094) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 6,484; female 5,848) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 321; female 401) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 27 years male: 27.7 years female: 26.3 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.14% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 23.51 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 12.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 19.48 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74 years male: 71.82 years female: 76.3 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.15 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: none adjective: none Ethnic groups: black 90%, mixed, European, or north American 10% Religions: Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990) Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school female: 98% (1970 est.) male: 99% total population: 98% People - note: destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US Government Turks and Caicos Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) Constitution: introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988 Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Jim POSTON (since 16 December 2002) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor head of government: Chief Minister Derek H. TAYLOR (since 31 January 1995) cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats, of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%; seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August 2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now has 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Wendal SWANN] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus Economy Turks and Caicos Islands Economy - overview: The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than half of the 93,000 visitors in 1998. Major sources of government revenue include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts. Tourism fell by 6% in 2002 but appeared to be picking up at yearend. GDP: purchasing power parity - $231 million (2000 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.9% (2000 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,600 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995) Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.) Labor force - by occupation: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services Unemployment rate: 10% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $47 million expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997-98 est.) Industries: tourism, offshore financial services Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 4.65 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day NA (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 0 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish Exports: $169.2 million (2000) Exports - commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells Exports - partners: US, UK Imports: $175.6 million (2000) Imports - commodities: food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials Imports - partners: US, UK Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $4.1 million (1997) Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Turks and Caicos Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 3,000 (1994) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994) Telephone system: general assessment: fair cable and radiotelephone services domestic: NA international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3 (one inactive), FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 8,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; cable television is established) (1997) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .tc Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 14 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Turks and Caicos Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2000) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Grand Turk, Providenciales Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 8 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Military Turks and Caicos Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Turks and Caicos Islands Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Tuvalu Introduction Tuvalu Background: In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over the next dozen years. Geography Tuvalu Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 178 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 26 sq km Area - comparative: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 24 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Terrain: very low-lying and narrow coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level Environment - current issues: since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea Geography - note: one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon People Tuvalu Population: 11,305 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.9% (male 1,838; female 1,772) 15-64 years: 63% (male 3,432; female 3,687) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 231; female 345) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 24.2 years male: 22.9 years female: 25.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.42% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 21.58 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 24.35 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.32 years male: 65.15 years female: 69.59 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.05 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan Ethnic groups: Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4% Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6% Languages: Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) Literacy: definition: NA% total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Tuvalu Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight," referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands former: Ellice Islands Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began debating republic status in 1992 Capital: Funafuti Administrative divisions: none Independence: 1 October 1978 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Constitution: 1 October 1978 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Faimalaga LUKA (since 9 September 2003) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 2 August 2002 (next to be held NA) election results: Saufatu SOPOANGA elected prime minister; Parliamentary vote - Saufatu SOPOANGA 8, Amasone KILEI 7 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Saufatu SOPOANGA (since 2 August 2002) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15 Judicial branch: High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction) Political parties and leaders: there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, IFRCS (associate), ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, New York 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands Economy Tuvalu Economy - overview: Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Government revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. About 1,000 Tuvaluans work in Nauru in the phosphate mining industry. Nauru has begun repatriating Tuvaluans, however, as phosphate resources decline. Substantial income is received annually from an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this Fund has grown from an initial $17 million to over $35 million in 1999. The US government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu, because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign aid, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts of up to 7%. In 1998, Tuvalu began deriving revenue from use of its area code for "900" lines and in 2000, from the lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name. Royalties from these new technology sources could increase substantially over the next decade. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and investment income from overseas assets. GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.2 million (2000 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2000 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2000 est.) Labor force: 7,000 (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $22.5 million expenditures: $11.2 million, including capital expenditures of $4.2 million (2000 est.) Industries: fishing, tourism, copra Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Agriculture - products: coconuts; fish Exports: $276,000 f.o.b. (1997) Exports - commodities: copra, fish Exports - partners: UK 58.3%, Italy 16.7%, Denmark 8.3%, Fiji 8.3% (2002) Imports: $7.2 million c.i.f. (1998) Imports - commodities: food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods Imports - partners: Hungary 68.2%, Japan 12.9%, Fiji 11.9% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $13 million ; note - major donors are Australia, Japan, and the US (1999 est.) Currency: Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.8406 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Tuvalu Telephones - main lines in use: 1,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994) Telephone system: general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1999) Radios: 4,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: 800 Internet country code: .tv Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Tuvalu Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 8 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 8 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Funafuti, Nukufetau Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 33,199 GRT/56,187 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 5 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1 Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Military Tuvalu Military branches: no regular military forces; Police Force (includes Maritime Surveillance Unit for search and rescue missions and surveillance operations) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Tuvalu Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Uganda Introduction Uganda Background: Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. Geography Uganda Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 32 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 236,040 sq km water: 36,330 sq km land: 199,710 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 2,698 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast Terrain: mostly plateau with rim of mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m Natural resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land Land use: arable land: 25.34% permanent crops: 8.77% other: 65.89% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 90 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; poaching is widespread Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers People Uganda Population: 25,632,794 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 50.8% (male 6,528,724; female 6,486,736) 15-64 years: 46.8% (male 5,985,911; female 6,024,798) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 266,930; female 339,695) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 14.7 years female: 14.8 years (2002) male: 14.6 years Population growth rate: 2.96% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 46.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 16.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: according to the UNHCR, by the end of 2001, Uganda was host to 178,815 refugees from a number of neighboring countries, including: Sudan 155,996, Rwanda 14,375, and Democratic Republic of the Congo 7,459 (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 87.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 95.41 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.88 years male: 43.42 years female: 46.38 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.72 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 600,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 84,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan Ethnic groups: Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro 3%, Alur 2%, Bagwere 2%, Bakonjo 2%, Jopodhola 2%, Karamojong 2%, Rundi 2%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 8% Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18% Languages: English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.9% male: 79.5% female: 60.4% (2003 est.) Government Uganda Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda Government type: republic Capital: Kampala Administrative divisions: 56 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe Independence: 9 October 1962 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 October (1962) Constitution: 8 October 1995; adopted by the interim, 284-member Constituent Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that had been proposed in May 1993; the Constituent Assembly was dissolved upon the promulgation of the constitution in October 1995 Legal system: in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 29 January 1986); Prime Minister Apollo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); note - first popular election for president since independence in 1962 was held in 1996; prime minister appointed by the president election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 69.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 27.8% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (303 members - 214 directly elected by popular vote, 81 nominated by legally established special interest groups [women 56, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 8 ex officio members; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 June 2001 (next to be held May or June 2006); election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - election campaigning by party was not permitted Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: only one political organization, the Movement (formerly the NRM)[President MUSEVENI, chairman] is allowed to operate unfettered; note - the president maintains that the Movement is not a political party, but a mass organization, which claims the loyalty of all Ugandans note: the constitution requires the suspension of political parties while the Movement organization is in governance; of the political parties that exist but are prohibited from sponsoring candidates, the most important are the Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Milton OBOTE]; Democratic Party or DP [Paul SSEMOGERERE]; Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Justice Forum [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]; and National Democrats Forum [Chapaa KARUHANGA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edith Grace SSEMPALA chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jimmy KOLKER embassy: 1577 Ggaba Rd., Kampala mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala telephone: [256] (41) 234-142 FAX: [256] (41) 258-451 Flag description: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side Economy Uganda Economy - overview: Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Ongoing Ugandan involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, corruption within the government, and slippage in the government's determination to press reforms raise doubts about the continuation of strong growth. In 2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC debt relief added up to about $2 billion. Growth for 2001-02 was solid despite continued decline in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export. Prospects for 2003 are mixed, with probable strengthening of coffee prices yet with halting growth in the economies of major export customers. GDP: purchasing power parity - $30.49 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 43% industry: 19% services: 38% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 35% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 21% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37.4 (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 12 million (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 82%, industry 5%, services 13% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $959 million expenditures: $1.04 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.) Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 1.928 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.9% hydro: 99.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 1.62 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 174 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 1 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, cut flowers Exports: $476 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, fish and fish products, tea; gold, cotton, flowers, horticultural products Exports - partners: Belgium 16.2%, Netherlands 13.7%, Germany 7.5%, Spain 5.5%, Hong Kong 4.9%, US 4.6%, UK 4.3%, Italy 4.1%, Portugal 4.1% (2002) Imports: $1.14 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals Imports - partners: Kenya 45.3%, South Africa 6.8%, India 5.7%, UK 5.5% (2002) Debt - external: $2.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $1.4 billion (2000) Currency: Ugandan shilling (UGX) Currency code: UGX Exchange rates: Ugandan shillings per US dollar - 1,797.55 (2002), 1,755.66 (2001), 1,644.48 (2000), 1,454.83 (1999), 1,240.31 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Communications Uganda Telephones - main lines in use: 50,074; however, 80,868 main lines have been installed (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 9,000 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: seriously inadequate; two cellular systems have been introduced, but a sharp increase in the number of main lines is essential; e-mail and Internet services are available domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile cellular systems for short-range traffic international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and Tanzania Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001) Radios: 5 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 8 (plus one low-power repeater) (2001) Televisions: 500,000 (2001) Internet country code: .ug Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet users: 60,000 (2002) Transportation Uganda Railways: total: 1,241 km narrow gauge: 1,241 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 27,000 km paved: 1,809 km unpaved: 25,191 km (1999 est.) Waterways: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward, Victoria Nile, Albert Nile Ports and harbors: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,091 GRT/8,229 DWT ships by type: roll on/roll off 3 note: these ships are in cargo and passenger (ferry) service on Uganda's inland waterways (2002 est.) Airports: 27 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Military Uganda Military branches: Ugandan Peoples' Defense Force (including Army, Marine unit, Air Wing) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 5,476,612 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,974,259 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $124.7 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.1% (FY02) Transnational Issues Uganda Disputes - international: Tutsi, Hutu, and other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources; government heads pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; conflict in Sudan has extended rebel forces and refugees into Uganda This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Ukraine Introduction Ukraine Background: Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kievan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kievan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of independence (1917-1920), but was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although independence was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, true freedom remains elusive, as many of the former Soviet elite remain entrenched, stalling efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. Geography Ukraine Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and Russia Geographic coordinates: 49 00 N, 32 00 E Map references: Asia, Europe Area: total: 603,700 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 603,700 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,663 km border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 526 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 97 km Coastline: 2,782 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 57.1% permanent crops: 1.73% other: 41.17% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 24,540 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe People Ukraine Population: 48,055,439 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.3% (male 4,004,948; female 3,832,931) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 15,779,735; female 17,225,103) 65 years and over: 15% (male 2,419,612; female 4,793,110) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38 years male: 34.8 years female: 40.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: -0.69% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 9.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 16.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 22.2 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.5 years male: 61.1 years female: 72.17 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 250,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Ukrainian(s) adjective: Ukrainian Ethnic groups: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001) Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.8% female: 99.6% (2003 est.) Government Ukraine Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ukraine local long form: none former: Ukrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic local short form: Ukrayina Government type: republic Capital: Kiev (Kyyiv) Administrative divisions: 24 oblasti (singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika), and 2 municipalities (mista, singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkas'ka (Cherkasy), Chernihivs'ka (Chernihiv), Chernivets'ka (Chernivtsi), Dnipropetrovs'ka (Dnipropetrovs'k), Donets'ka (Donets'k), Ivano-Frankivs'ka (Ivano-Frankivs'k), Kharkivs'ka (Kharkiv), Khersons'ka (Kherson), Khmel'nyts'ka (Khmel'nyts'kyy), Kirovohrads'ka (Kirovohrad), Kyyiv**, Kyyivs'ka (Kiev), Luhans'ka (Luhans'k), L'vivs'ka (L'viv), Mykolayivs'ka (Mykolayiv), Odes'ka (Odesa), Poltavs'ka (Poltava), Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'), Rivnens'ka (Rivne), Sevastopol'**, Sums'ka (Sumy), Ternopil's'ka (Ternopil'), Vinnyts'ka (Vinnytsya), Volyns'ka (Luts'k), Zakarpats'ka (Uzhhorod), Zaporiz'ka (Zaporizhzhya), Zhytomyrs'ka (Zhytomyr); note - when using a place name with an adjectival ending "s'ka" or "z'ka," the word Oblast' should be added to the place name note: oblasts have the administrative center name following in parentheses Independence: 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991); the date of 22 January (1918), the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet Russia), is now celebrated as Unity Day Constitution: adopted 28 June 1996 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Leonid D. KUCHMA (since 19 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Viktor YANUKOVYCH (since 21 November 2002); First Deputy Prime Minister Mykola AZAROV (since 26 November 2002) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 October and 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council election results: Leonid D. KUCHMA elected president; percent of vote - Leonid KUCHMA 57.7%, Petro SYMONENKO 38.8% note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council, but significantly revamped and strengthened under President KUCHMA; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a Presidential Administration that helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president; and a Council of Regions that serves as an advisory body created by President KUCHMA in September 1994 that includes chairmen of the Kiev (Kyyiv) and Sevastopol' municipalities and chairmen of the oblasti Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council or Verkhovna Rada (450 seats; under Ukraine's new election law, 225 of the Supreme Council's seats are allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that gain 4% or more of the national electoral vote; the other 225 members are elected by popular vote in single-mandate constituencies; all serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Our Ukraine 24%, CPU 20%, United Ukraine 12%, United Social Democratic Party 6%, SPU 7%, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 7%, other 24%; seats by party - Our Ukraine 102, CPU 60, Regions of Ukraine 42, Working Ukraine-Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 41, United Social Democratic Party 39, Democratic Initiatives 22, SPU 20, People's Power 19, European Choice 18, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 18, Agrarian Party 17, People's Democratic Party 16, People's Choice 15, others 21 note: following the election, United Ukraine splintered into the Agrarian Party, European Choice, People's Choice, People's Democratic Party, Regions of Ukraine, and Working Ukraine-Industrialists and Entrepreneurs elections: last held 31 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party [Kateryna VASHCHUK]; Communist Party of Ukraine or CPU [Petro SYMONENKO]; Democratic Initiatives [Stepan HAVRYSH]; European Choice [Volodymyr STASYUK]; Our Ukraine [Viktor YUSHCHENKO]; People's Choice [Mykola HAPOCHKA]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Valeriy PUSTOVOYTENKO, chairman]; People's Power [Bohdan HUBSKYY]; Regions of Ukraine [Viktor YANUKOVYCH]; Socialist Party of Ukraine or SPU [Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman]; United Social Democratic Party [Leonid KRAVCHUK]; Working Ukraine-Industrialists and Entrepreneurs [Ihor SHAROV]; Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO] note: and numerous smaller parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNMOVIC, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer), ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sergiy KORSUNSKYI FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York telephone: [1] (202) 349-2920 chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos E. PASCUAL embassy: 10 Yurii Kotsiubynskyi Street, Kiev 01901 mailing address: 5850 Kiev Place, Washington, DC 20521-5850 telephone: [380] (44) 490-4000 FAX: [380] (44) 244-7350 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grainfields under a blue sky Economy Ukraine Economy - overview: After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially natural gas, to meet some 85% of its annual energy requirements. Shortly after independence in December 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Now in his second term, President KUCHMA has pledged to reduce the number of government agencies, streamline the regulatory process, create a legal environment to encourage entrepreneurs, and enact a comprehensive tax overhaul. Reforms in the more politically sensitive areas of structural reform and land privatization are still lagging. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms. GDP in 2000 showed strong export-based growth of 6% - the first growth since independence - and industrial production grew 12.9%. The economy continued to expand in 2001 as real GDP rose 9% and industrial output grew by over 14%. Growth of 4.1% in 2002 was more moderate, in part a reflection of faltering growth in the developed world. In general, growth has been undergirded by strong domestic demand, low inflation, and solid consumer and investor confidence. Growth was a sturdy 6% in 2003 despite a loss of mementum in needed economic reforms. GDP: purchasing power parity - $218 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 42% services: 35% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 29% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 23.2% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 29 (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 22.8 million (yearend 1997) Labor force - by occupation: industry 32%, agriculture 24%, services 44% (1996) Unemployment rate: 3.8% officially registered; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers (2002) Budget: revenues: $10.2 billion expenditures: $11.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar) Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 164.7 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 48.6% hydro: 7.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 43.5% Electricity - consumption: 152.4 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 800 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 86,490 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 290,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 197.5 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 18.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 74.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 55.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 560.7 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk Exports: $18.1 billion (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: ferrous and nonferrous metals, fuel and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, food products Exports - partners: Russia 18.6%, Italy 7.4%, Turkey 5.6%, Germany 4.1%, China 4.1% (2002) Imports: $18 billion (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: energy, machinery and equipment, chemicals Imports - partners: Russia 32.3%, Germany 11.7%, Turkmenistan 7.4%, Poland 6%, Italy 4% (2002) Debt - external: $14.2 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $637.7 million (1995); IMF Extended Funds Facility $2.2 billion (1998) Currency: hryvnia (UAH) Currency code: UAH Exchange rates: hryvnia per US dollar - 5.33 (2002), 5.37 (2001), 5.44 (2000), 4.13 (1999), 2.45 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Ukraine Telephones - main lines in use: 9.45 million (April 1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 236,000 (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: Ukraine's telecommunication development plan, running through 2005, emphasizes improving domestic trunk lines, international connections, and the mobile cellular system domestic: at independence in December 1991, Ukraine inherited a telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair; more than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied; telephone density is now rising slowly and the domestic trunk system is being improved; the mobile cellular telephone system is expanding at a high rate international: two new domestic trunk lines are a part of the fiber-optic Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) system and three Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic Trans-European Lines (TEL) project which connects 18 countries; additional international service is provided by the Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and by earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems Radio broadcast stations: AM 134, FM 289, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 45.05 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: at least 33 (plus 21 repeaters that relay broadcasts from Russia) (1997) Televisions: 18.05 million (1997) Internet country code: .ua Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 260 (2001) Internet users: 750,000 (2001) Transportation Ukraine Railways: total: 22,473 km broad gauge: 22,473 km 1.524-m gauge (9,250 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 169,491 km paved: 163,898 km unpaved: 5,593 km (2000) Waterways: 4,499 km note: 1,672 km are on the Pryp'yat' and Dniester (Dnister) (1990) Pipelines: gas 20,069 km; oil 4,435 km; refined products 4,098 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Berdyans'k, Feodosiya, Illichivs'k, Izmayil, Kerch, Kherson, Kiev (Kyyiv), Kiliya, Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa, Reni, Sevastopol', Yalta, Yuzhnyy Merchant marine: total: 131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 633,932 GRT/640,743 DWT ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 89, container 5, liquefied gas 2, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 10, railcar carrier 2, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cyprus 1, Greece 1, Panama 1, Russia 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 790 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 182 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 81 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 608 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 466 (2002) Military Ukraine Military branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Interior Troops, Border Troops Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 12,236,811 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 9,597,172 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 389,499 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $617.9 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Ukraine Disputes - international: 1997 boundary treaty with Belarus remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and encouraging illegal cross-border activities; land delimitation of boundary with Russia is complete, but maritime regime of the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait remains unresolved; difficulties in the Transnistria region of Moldova complicate border crossing and customs, facilitating smuggling, arms transfers, and other illegal activities; has not resolved Romanian claims to Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary despite ongoing talks based on 1997 friendship treaty to find a solution in two years Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; drug-related money laundering a minor, but growing, problem; lax anti-money-laundering regime This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @United Arab Emirates Introduction United Arab Emirates Background: The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. Geography United Arab Emirates Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 82,880 sq km land: 82,880 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km Coastline: 1,318 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0.48% permanent crops: 0.49% other: 99.03% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 720 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil People United Arab Emirates Population: 2,484,818 note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December 1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 338,245; female 324,866) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 1,087,927; female 661,349) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 52,059; female 20,372) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 27.6 years male: 36.1 years female: 21.9 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.57% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 18.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.65 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.56 male(s)/female total population: 1.47 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.32 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.75 years male: 72.28 years female: 77.35 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.09 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.18% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati Ethnic groups: Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982) Religions: Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) Government United Arab Emirates Country name: conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah abbreviation: UAE former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States local short form: none Government type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates Capital: Abu Dhabi Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn Independence: 2 December 1971 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 December (1971) Constitution: 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996) Legal system: federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts Suffrage: none Executive branch: chief of state: President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held 2 December 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms) elections: none note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20037 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcelle M. WAHBA embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 4436691 FAX: [971] (2) 4435441 consulate(s) general: Dubai Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side Economy United Arab Emirates Economy - overview: The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement. GDP: purchasing power parity - $53.97 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $22,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 46% services: 51% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.6 million (2000 est.) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 2002 est.) (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: services 78%, industry 15%, agriculture 7% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $20 billion expenditures: $22 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2000) Electricity - production: 37.74 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 35.1 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 2.566 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 310,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 80.31 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 44.94 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 37.86 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 7.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.892 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish Exports: $44.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates Exports - partners: Japan 27.8%, South Korea 10.1%, Singapore 3.8% (2002) Imports: $30.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Imports - partners: US 8.1%, China 7.8%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.5%, India 5.7%, France 5.6%, UK 5.4%, South Korea 5.1%, Iran 4.2% (2002) Debt - external: $18.5 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - donor: $NA Currency: Emirati dirham (AED) Currency code: AED Exchange rates: Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.67 (2002), 3.67 (2001), 3.67 (2000), 3.67 (1999), 3.67 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications United Arab Emirates Telephones - main lines in use: 915,223 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1 million (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 7, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 820,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 15 (1997) Televisions: 310,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ae Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 900,000 (2002) Transportation United Arab Emirates Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,088 km paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: condensate 383 km; gas 1,765 km; liquid petroleum gas 186 km; oil 1,266 km (2003) Ports and harbors: 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn Merchant marine: total: 61 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 815,428 GRT/1,207,346 DWT ships by type: cargo 12, chemical tanker 4, container 7, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 2, Italy 1, Kuwait 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 41 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 under 914 m: 5 (2002) over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 Heliports: 2 (2002) Military United Arab Emirates Military branches: Army, Navy (including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense, paramilitary forces (includes Federal Police Force) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 764,413 note: includes non-nationals (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 416,963 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 26,636 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.6 billion (FY00) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.1% (FY00) Transnational Issues United Arab Emirates Disputes - international: because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still unknown and labeled approximate; boundary agreement signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves; UAE engage direct talks and Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Lesser and Greater Tunb islands and Abu Musa island Illicit drugs: the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to southwest Asian drug producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering legislation was signed into law by the president on 25 January 2002 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @United Kingdom Introduction United Kingdom Background: Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the European Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999. Geography United Kingdom Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 54 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 244,820 sq km water: 3,230 sq km note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands land: 241,590 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Ireland 360 km Coastline: 12,429 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: The Fens -4 m highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica, arable land Land use: arable land: 26.41% permanent crops: 0.18% other: 73.41% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,080 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: winter windstorms; floods Environment - current issues: continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target and move towards a domestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government aims to reduce the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and to recycle or compost at least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015; between 1998-99 and 1999-2000, household recycling increased from 8.8% to 10.3% Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters People United Kingdom Population: 60,094,648 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 5,621,590; female 5,350,319) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 20,067,529; female 19,626,123) 65 years and over: 15.6% (male 3,987,457; female 5,441,630) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 38.4 years male: 37.3 years female: 39.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.3% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 10.99 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 10.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.16 years male: 75.74 years female: 80.7 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 34,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 460 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural) adjective: British Ethnic groups: English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8% Religions: Anglican and Roman Catholic 40 million, Muslim 1.5 million, Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 500,000, Hindu 500,000, Jewish 350,000 Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 99% (2000 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government United Kingdom Country name: conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland conventional short form: United Kingdom abbreviation: UK Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: London Administrative divisions: England - 47 boroughs, 36 counties*, 29 London boroughs**, 12 cities and boroughs***, 10 districts****, 12 cities*****, 3 royal boroughs******; Barking and Dagenham**, Barnet**, Barnsley, Bath and North East Somerset****, Bedfordshire*, Bexley**, Birmingham***, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton, Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Bradford***, Brent**, Brighton and Hove, City of Bristol*****, Bromley**, Buckinghamshire*, Bury, Calderdale, Cambridgeshire*, Camden**, Cheshire*, Cornwall*, Coventry***, Croydon**, Cumbria*, Darlington, Derby*****, Derbyshire*, Devon*, Doncaster, Dorset*, Dudley, Durham*, Ealing**, East Riding of Yorkshire****, East Sussex*, Enfield**, Essex*, Gateshead, Gloucestershire*, Greenwich**, Hackney**, Halton, Hammersmith and Fulham**, Hampshire*, Haringey**, Harrow**, Hartlepool, Havering**, Herefordshire*, Hertfordshire*, Hillingdon**, Hounslow**, Isle of Wight*, Islington**, Kensington and Chelsea******, Kent*, City of Kingston upon Hull*****, Kingston upon Thames******, Kirklees, Knowsley, Lambeth**, Lancashire*, Leeds***, Leicester*****, Leicestershire*, Lewisham**, Lincolnshire*, Liverpool***, City of London*****, Luton, Manchester***, Medway, Merton**, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newcastle upon Tyne***, Newham**, Norfolk*, Northamptonshire*, North East Lincolnshire****, North Lincolnshire****, North Somerset****, North Tyneside, Northumberland*, North Yorkshire*, Nottingham*****, Nottinghamshire*, Oldham, Oxfordshire*, Peterborough*****, Plymouth*****, Poole, Portsmouth*****, Reading, Redbridge**, Redcar and Cleveland, Richmond upon Thames**, Rochdale, Rotherham, Rutland****, Salford***, Shropshire*, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield***, Slough, Solihull, Somerset*, Southampton*****, Southend-on-Sea, South Gloucestershire****, South Tyneside, Southwark**, Staffordshire*, St. Helens, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent*****, Suffolk*, Sunderland***, Surrey*, Sutton**, Swindon, Tameside, Telford and Wrekin****, Thurrock, Torbay, Tower Hamlets**, Trafford, Wakefield***, Walsall, Waltham Forest**, Wandsworth**, Warrington, Warwickshire*, West Berkshire****, Westminster***, West Sussex*, Wigan, Wiltshire*, Windsor and Maidenhead******, Wirral, Wokingham****, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire*, York*****; Northern Ireland - 24 districts, 2 cities*, 6 counties**; Antrim, County Antrim**, Ards, Armagh, County Armagh**, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast*, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down, County Down**, Dungannon, Fermanagh, County Fermanagh**, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, County Londonderry**, Derry*, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane, County Tyrone**; Scotland - 32 council areas; Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, The Scottish Borders, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), West Lothian; Wales - 11 county boroughs, 9 counties*, 2 cities and counties**; Isle of Anglesey*, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff**, Ceredigion*, Carmarthenshire*, Conwy, Denbighshire*, Flintshire*, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire*, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire*, Powys*, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea**, Torfaen, The Vale of Glamorgan*, Wrexham Dependent areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands Independence: England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927 National holiday: Official Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, celebrated on the second Saturday in June (1926) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; has judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister Anthony (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament comprised of House of Lords (consists of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers and 26 clergy) and House of Commons (659 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier) elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain there; pending further reforms, elections are held only as vacancies in the hereditary peerage arise); House of Commons - last held 7 June 2001 (next to be held by NA May 2006) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Labor 42.1%, Conservative and Unionist 32.7%, Liberal Democrats 18.8%, other 6.4%; seats by party - Labor 412, Conservative and Unionist 166, Liberal Democrat 52, other 29; note - seating as of 15 February 2002: Labor 410, Conservative 164, Liberal Democrats 53, other 32 note: in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Parliament (because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of 1999 and has been rescinded three times the latest occurring in October 2002; since October 2002 the Northern Ireland Parliament has been suspended); in 1999 there were elections for a new Scottish Parliament and a new Welsh Assembly Judicial branch: House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life); Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown Courts); Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary Political parties and leaders: Conservative and Unionist Party [Michael HOWARD]; Democratic Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Rev. Ian PAISLEY]; Labor Party [Anthony (Tony) BLAIR]; Liberal Democrats [Charles KENNEDY]; Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Ieuan Wyn Jones]; Scottish National Party or SNP [John SWINNEY]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Gerry ADAMS]; Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [Mark DURKAN]; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [David TRIMBLE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David G. MANNING chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870 consulate(s): Dallas, Denver, Miami, and Seattle consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William S. FARISH embassy: 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A1AE mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040 telephone: [44] (0) 7499-9000 FAX: [44] (0) 7629-9124 consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh Flag description: blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, as well as British overseas territories Economy United Kingdom Economy - overview: The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quartet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. GDP growth slipped in 2001-03 as the global downturn, the high value of the pound, and the bursting of the "new economy" bubble hurt manufacturing and exports. Still, the economy is one of the strongest in Europe; inflation, interest rates, and unemployment remain low. The relatively good economic performance has complicated the BLAIR government's efforts to make a case for Britain to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Critics point out, however, that the economy is doing well outside of EMU, and they point to public opinion polls that continue to show a majority of Britons opposed to the single currency. Meantime, the government has been speeding up the improvement of education, transport, and health services, at a cost in higher taxes. The war in March-April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, together with the subsequent problems of restoring the economy and the polity, involve a heavy commitment of British military forces. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.528 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,500 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 24.9% services: 73.7% (2000) Population below poverty line: 17% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 27.7% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.8 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 29.7 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry 25%, services 74% (1999) Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $565 billion expenditures: $540 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 01) Industries: machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: -3.4% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 360.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 73.8% hydro: 0.9% other: 1.6% (2001) nuclear: 23.7% Electricity - consumption: 346.1 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 264 million kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 10.66 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 2.541 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.71 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: 2.205 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 1.418 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 4.741 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 105.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 92.85 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 714.9 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish Exports: $286.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco Exports - partners: US 15.5%, Germany 11.2%, France 9.4%, Ireland 8%, Netherlands 7.1%, Belgium 5.2%, Italy 4.4%, Spain 4.3% (2002) Imports: $330.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 12.9%, US 11.9%, France 7.8%, Netherlands 6.3%, Belgium 5%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - donor: ODA, $4.5 billion (2000) Currency: British pound (GBP) Currency code: GBP Exchange rates: British pounds per US dollar - 0.67 (2002), 0.69 (2001), 0.66 (2000), 0.62 (1999), 0.6 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications United Kingdom Telephones - main lines in use: 34.878 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 43.5 million (yearend 1998) Telephone system: general assessment: technologically advanced domestic and international system domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and fiber-optic systems international: 40 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large international switching centers Radio broadcast stations: AM 219, FM 431, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 84.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 228 (plus 3,523 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 30.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .uk Internet Service Providers (ISPs): more than 400 (2000) Internet users: 34.3 million (2002) Transportation United Kingdom Railways: total: 16,893 km standard gauge: 16,536 km 1.435-m gauge (4,928 km electrified) broad gauge: 357 km 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) (2002) Highways: total: 371,913 km paved: 371,913 km (including 3,358 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999) Waterways: 3,200 km Pipelines: condensate 370 km; gas 21,263 km; liquid petroleum gas 59 km; oil 6,420 km; oil/gas/water 63 km; refined products 4,474 km; water 650 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Dover, Falmouth, Felixstowe, Glasgow, Grangemouth, Hull, Leith, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Peterhead, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Scapa Flow, Southampton, Sullom Voe, Teesport, Tyne Merchant marine: total: 295 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,752,179 GRT/6,963,112 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 43, chemical tanker 19, combination ore/oil 1, container 95, liquefied gas 4, livestock carrier 1, passenger 18, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 50, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 37, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Bermuda 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 21, Germany 6, Greece 3, Hong Kong 4, Italy 1, Monaco 4, Netherlands 1, Norway 9, Russia 1, South Africa 2, Sweden 11, Taiwan 2, US 5 (2002 est.) Airports: 470 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 334 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 914 to 1,523 m: 83 under 914 m: 59 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 151 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 136 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 112 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 22 Heliports: 11 (2002) Military United Kingdom Military branches: Army, Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), Royal Air Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 14,877,666 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 12,353,942 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $31.7 billion (2002) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.32% (2002) Transnational Issues United Kingdom Disputes - international: Gibraltar residents vote overwhelmingly in referendum against "total shared sovereignty" arrangement worked out between Spain and UK to change 300-year rule over colony; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory) and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but in 2001 were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation since eviction in 1965; Argentina claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark and Iceland; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; disputes with Iceland, Denmark, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM Illicit drugs: gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; major consumer of synthetic drugs, producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @United States Introduction United States Background: Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation-state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology. Geography United States Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico Geographic coordinates: 38 00 N, 97 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 9,629,091 sq km land: 9,158,960 sq km water: 470,131 sq km note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia Area - comparative: about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two and a half times the size of Western Europe Land boundaries: total: 12,034 km border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,141 km note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba; the base boundary is 29 km Coastline: 19,924 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: not specified exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii Elevation extremes: lowest point: Death Valley -86 m highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 19.32% other: 80.46% (1998 est.) permanent crops: 0.22% Irrigated land: 214,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development Environment - current issues: air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; very limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes Geography - note: world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent People United States Population: 290,342,554 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 31,098,473; female 29,675,712) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 96,628,469; female 97,061,559) 65 years and over: 12.4% (male 14,888,185; female 20,990,156) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 35.8 years male: 34.5 years female: 37.1 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.92% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 14.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 3.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.14 years female: 80.05 years (2003 est.) male: 74.37 years Total fertility rate: 2.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 900,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 15,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: American(s) adjective: American Ethnic groups: white 77.1%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1.5%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.3%, other 4% (2000) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.) Religions: Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10% (1989) Languages: English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write female: 97% (1979 est.) total population: 97% male: 97% People - note: data for the US are based on projections that do not take into consideration the results of the 2000 census Government United States Country name: conventional long form: United States of America conventional short form: United States abbreviation: US or USA Government type: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition Capital: Washington, DC Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986) Independence: 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004) election results: George W. BUSH elected president; percent of popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 48%, Albert A. GORE, Jr. (Democratic Party) 48%, Ralph NADER (Green Party) 3%, other 1% Legislative branch: bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two years; two members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 51, Democratic Party 48, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 226, Democratic Party 204, independent 1, undecided 4 elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for life by the president with confirmation by the Senate); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Terence McAULIFFE]; Green Party [leader NA]; Libertarian Party [Steve DASBACH]; Republican Party [Governor Marc RACICOT] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, FAO, G-5, G-7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Flag description: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico Economy United States Economy - overview: The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $37,600. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment, although their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The years 1994-2000 witnessed solid increases in real output, low inflation rates, and a drop in unemployment to below 5%. The year 2001 saw the end of boom psychology and performance, with output increasing only 0.3% and unemployment and business failures rising substantially. The response to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 showed the remarkable resilience of the economy. Moderate recovery took place in 2002, with the GDP growth rate rising to 2.45%. A major short-term problem in first half 2002 was a sharp decline in the stock market, fueled in part by the exposure of dubious accounting practices in some major corporations. The war in March/April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq shifted resources to military industries and introduced uncertainties about investment and employment in other sectors of the economy. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.45 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $36,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 18% services: 80% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 12.7% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 30.5% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.8 (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (2002) Labor force: 141.8 million (includes unemployed) (2001) Labor force - by occupation: managerial and professional 31%, technical, sales and administrative support 28.9%, services 13.6%, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and crafts 24.1%, farming, forestry, and fishing 2.4% note: figures exclude the unemployed (2001) Unemployment rate: 5.8% (2002) Budget: revenues: $1.946 trillion expenditures: $2.052 trillion, including capital expenditures of NA (2002 est.) Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining Industrial production growth rate: -0.4% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 3.719 trillion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 5.6% other: 2.3% (2001) nuclear: 20.7% Electricity - consumption: 3.602 trillion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 18.17 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 38.48 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 8.054 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 19.65 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 22.45 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 548.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 640.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 11.16 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 114.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.195 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish Exports: $687 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products Exports - partners: Canada 23.2%, Mexico 14.1%, Japan 7.4%, UK 4.8% (2002) Imports: $1.165 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages Imports - partners: Canada 17.8%, Mexico 11.3%, China 11.1%, Japan 10.4%, Germany 5.3% (2002) Debt - external: $862 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $6.9 billion (1997) Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: British pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.5693 (2002), 1.5488 (2001), 1.4851 (2000), 1.4857 (1999), 1.4835 (1998), Japanese yen per US dollar - 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000), 113.91 (1999), 130.91 (1998), euros per US dollar - 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.93863 (1999) note: financial institutions in France, Italy, and Germany and eight other European countries started using the euro on 1 January 1999 with the euro replacing the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002 Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications United States Telephones - main lines in use: 194 million (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 69.209 million (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: a very large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country international: 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4,762, FM 5,542, shortwave 18 (1998) Radios: 575 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: more than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations affiliated with the five major networks - NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems) (1997) Televisions: 219 million (1997) Internet country code: .us Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 7,000 (2002 est.) Internet users: 165.75 million (2002) Transportation United States Railways: total: 194,731 km mainline routes standard gauge: 194,731 km 1.435-m gauge note: represents the aggregate length of roadway of all line-haul railroads including an estimate for class II and III railroads; excludes 135,185 km of yard tracks, sidings, and parallel lines (2000) Highways: total: 6,334,859 km paved: 3,737,567 km (including 89,426 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,597,292 km (2000) Waterways: 41,009 km note: navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes Pipelines: petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon), Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo Merchant marine: total: 348 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 9,414,676 GRT/12,207,346 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 71, cargo 26, chemical tanker 13, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 79, freighter 15, heavy lift carrier 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 73, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 46, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 9 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Canada 4, Denmark 15, France 1, Germany 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 7, Puerto Rico 4, Singapore 11, Sweden 1, United Kingdom 3; also, the US owns 549 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 29,616,347 DWT that operate under the registries of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Finland, Gibraltar, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Isle of Man, Italy, Liberia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, Norway, Norway (NIS), Panama, Peru, Philippines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Tonga, UK, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna (2002 est.) Airports: 14,801 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5,131 over 3,047 m: 185 2,438 to 3,047 m: 222 914 to 1,523 m: 2,390 under 914 m: 969 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,365 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9,670 under 914 m: 7,802 (2002) over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1,702 1,524 to 2,437 m: 158 Heliports: 149 (2002) Military United States Military branches: Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 73,597,731 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: NA Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 2,116,002 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $276.7 billion (FY99 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.2% (FY99 est.) Military - note: note: 2002 estimates for military manpower are based on projections that do not take into consideration the results of the 2000 census Transnational Issues United States Disputes - international: prolonged drought in the Mexico border region has strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea awaits Russian Duma ratification; maritime boundary disputes with Canada at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; The Bahamas have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other state; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island Illicit drugs: consumer of cocaine shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and increasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Uruguay Introduction Uruguay Background: A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to military control of his administration in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold throughout the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. Geography Uruguay Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 176,220 sq km land: 173,620 sq km water: 2,600 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the state of Washington Land boundaries: total: 1,564 km border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km Coastline: 660 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries Land use: arable land: 7.21% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 92.52% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,800 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts Environment - current issues: water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising People Uruguay Population: 3,413,329 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.3% (male 425,642; female 404,987) 15-64 years: 62.6% (male 1,057,187; female 1,079,549) 65 years and over: 13.1% (male 182,696; female 263,268) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 31.8 years male: 30.2 years female: 33.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 0.79% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 17.19 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 15.61 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.87 years male: 72.54 years female: 79.38 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,300 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 500 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan Ethnic groups: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian, practically nonexistent Religions: Roman Catholic 66% (less than half of the adult population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, nonprofessing or other 31% Languages: Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 97.6% female: 98.4% (2003 est.) Government Uruguay Country name: conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay Government type: constitutional republic Capital: Montevideo Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Independence: 25 August 1825 (from Brazil) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1825) Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October 1999, with runoff election on 28 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Jorge BATLLE Ibanez elected president; percent of vote - Jorge BATLLE Ibanez 52% in a runoff against Tabare VAZQUEZ 44% Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 12, Colorado Party 10, Blanco 7, New Sector/Space Coalition 1; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 40, Colorado Party 33, Blanco 22, New Sector/Space Coalition 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE Ibanez]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera]; New Sector/Space Coalition or Nuevo Espacio [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or Encuentro Progresista/Frente Amplio [Tabare VAZQUEZ] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo FERNANDEZ-FAINGOLD consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin J. SILVERSTEIN embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611 Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy Economy Uruguay Economy - overview: Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn, stemming largely from lower demand in Argentina and Brazil, which together account for nearly half of Uruguay's exports. Total GDP in these four years dropped by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year. Unemployment rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF and the US has limited the damage, which is still extensive. Moves to reschedule debt and promote economic recovery may help limit a further decline in output in 2003. GDP: purchasing power parity - $26.82 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -10.8% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 27% services: 67% (2001) Population below poverty line: 6% (1997) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1997) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 42.3 (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.1% (2002 est.) Labor force: 1.2 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 14%, industry 16%, services 70% Unemployment rate: 19.4% (2002) Budget: revenues: $3.7 billion expenditures: $4.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million (2000) Industries: food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages Industrial production growth rate: -12% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 7.963 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.7% hydro: 99.1% other: 0.3% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 6.152 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.377 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 123 million kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 41,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 40 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 40 million cu m (2001 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish Exports: $2.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: meat, rice, leather products, wool, vehicles, dairy products Exports - partners: Brazil 21%, Argentina 15%, US 8.1%, Germany 5.1%, Italy 4% (2002) Imports: $1.87 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum Imports - partners: Argentina 25.6%, Brazil 22.7%, US 7.7%, Venezuela 6.2% (2002) Debt - external: $11.8 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Uruguayan peso (UYU) Currency code: UYU Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 21.26 (2002), 13.32 (2001), 12.1 (2000), 11.34 (1999), 10.47 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Uruguay Telephones - main lines in use: 929,141 (2001) Telephones - mobile cellular: 350,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: fully digitalized domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 149, shortwave 7 (2001) Radios: 1.97 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 20 (2001) Televisions: 782,000 (1997) Internet country code: .uy Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 14 (2001) Internet users: 400,000 (2002) Transportation Uruguay Railways: total: 2,073 km standard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gauge note: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are in partial use (2002) Highways: total: 8,983 km paved: 8,081 km unpaved: 902 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 1,600 km (used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft) Pipelines: gas 192 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Colonia, Fray Bentos, Juan La Caze, La Paloma, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Punta del Este, Piriapolis Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,918 GRT/9,775 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 4, Greece 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 Airports: 64 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 49 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 31 (2002) Military Uruguay Military branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force, Police (Coracero Guard, Grenadier Guard) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 831,297 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 672,030 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $250 million (1999) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (2000) Transnational Issues Uruguay Disputes - international: uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Uzbekistan Introduction Uzbekistan Background: Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, a nonconvertible currency, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization. Geography Uzbekistan Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 447,400 sq km water: 22,000 sq km land: 425,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 6,221 km border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline Maritime claims: none (doubly landlocked) Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum Land use: arable land: 10.8% permanent crops: 0.91% other: 88.29% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 42,810 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world People Uzbekistan Population: 25,981,647 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.7% (male 4,594,721; female 4,431,653) 15-64 years: 60.5% (male 7,781,739; female 7,945,641) 65 years and over: 4.7% (male 497,692; female 730,201) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 21.8 years male: 21.2 years female: 22.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.63% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 26.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 7.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -1.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 71.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 67.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 75.27 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64 years male: 60.53 years female: 67.64 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 740 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Uzbek(s) adjective: Uzbek Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.) Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.3% male: 99.6% female: 99% (2003 est.) Government Uzbekistan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local short form: Ozbekiston former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi Government type: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent) Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qaraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Constitution: new constitution adopted 8 December 1992 Legal system: evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11 December 2003) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2% elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministers appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - 2002 amendment to the constitution creates a second chamber to be established via elections in 2004 election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 48, Self-Sacrificers Party 34, Fatherland Progress Party 20, Adolat Social Democratic Party 11, MTP 10, citizens' groups 16, local government 110, vacant 1 note: not all seats in the last Supreme Assembly election were contested; all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV elections: last held 5 December and 19 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2004) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Anwar JURABAYEV, first secretary]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or MTP [Aziz KAYUMOV, chairman]; People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Abdulkhafiz JALALOV, first secretary]; Self-Sacrificers Party or Fidokorlar National Democratic Party [Ahtam TURSUNOV, first secretary]; note - Fatherland Progress Party merged with Self-Sacrificers Party Political pressure groups and leaders: Birlik (Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Tolib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Abduhoshim GHAFUROV, chairman]; Ezgulik [Vasilia INOYATOVA] International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804 consulate(s) general: New York telephone: [1] (202) 293-6803 chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Edward HERBST embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450 FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant Economy Uzbekistan Economy - overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter, a large producer of gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Following independence in December 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Uzbekistan responded to the negative external conditions generated by the Asian and Russian financial crises by emphasizing import substitute industrialization and by tightening export and currency controls within its already largely closed economy. The government, while aware of the need to improve the investment climate, sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, the government's control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. GDP: purchasing power parity - $66.06 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 36% industry: 21% services: 43% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 32.8% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 44.7 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 26% (2001 est.) Labor force: 11.9 million (1998 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 44%, industry 20%, services 36% (1995) Unemployment rate: 10% plus another 20% underemployed (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas, chemicals Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2000 est.) Electricity - production: 44.49 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 88.2% hydro: 11.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 47.07 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 3.998 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 9.7 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 142,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 142,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 297 million bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 63.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 45.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 17.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 937.3 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock Exports: $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles (1998 est.) Exports - partners: Russia 17.7%, Ukraine 11%, Italy 7.6%, Tajikistan 6.8%, Poland 5.1%, South Korea 5%, Kazakhstan 4.5%, US 4.2% (2002) Imports: $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals (1998 est.) Imports - partners: Russia 22.6%, Germany 9.8%, South Korea 9.4%, Kazakhstan 8.1%, US 6.9%, Ukraine 6.8%, China 5.2%, Turkey 4.6% (2002) Debt - external: $4.6 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: approximately $150 million from the US (2001) Currency: Uzbekistani sum (UZS) Currency code: UZS Exchange rates: Uzbekistani sums per US dollar - 970 (2002), 325 (2001), 236.61 (2000), 124.63 (1999), 94.49 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Uzbekistan Telephones - main lines in use: 1.98 million (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 130,000 (2003) Telephone system: general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernization domestic: the domestic telephone system is being expanded and technologically improved, particularly in Tashkent (Toshkent) and Samarqand, under contracts with prominent companies in industrialized countries; moreover, by 1998, six cellular networks had been placed in operation - four of the GSM type (Global System for Mobile Communication), one D-AMPS type (Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System), and one AMPS type (Advanced Mobile Phone System) international: linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian facilities for international communications; Inmarsat also provides an international connection, albeit an expensive one; satellite earth stations - NA (1998) Radio broadcast stations: AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 10 (1998) Radios: 10.8 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus two repeaters that relay Russian programs), 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals (2003) Televisions: 6.4 million (1997) Internet country code: .uz Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 42 (2000) Internet users: 100,000 (2002) Transportation Uzbekistan Railways: total: 3,950 km broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2002) Highways: total: 81,600 km paved: 71,237 km unpaved: 10,363 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 1,100 km (1990) Pipelines: gas 9,012 km; oil 869 km; refined products 33 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Termiz (Amu Darya) Airports: 273 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 27 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,523 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 246 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 211 (2002) Military Uzbekistan Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Security Forces (internal security and border troops) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,940,031 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,635,099 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 310,915 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $200 million (FY97) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (FY97) Transnational Issues Uzbekistan Disputes - international: prolonged regional drought creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; delimitation with Kazakhstan complete with demarcation underway; serious disputes with Kyrgyzstan around Uzbek enclaves mar progress on delimitation efforts; talks have begun with Tajikistan to determine and delimit border Illicit drugs: transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Vanuatu Introduction Vanuatu Background: The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980. Geography Vanuatu Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 16 00 S, 167 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 12,200 sq km land: 12,200 sq km note: includes more than 80 islands water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,528 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin contiguous zone: 24 NM Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land: 2.46% permanent crops: 7.38% other: 90.16% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis Environment - current issues: a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes People Vanuatu Population: 199,414 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 35,499; female 33,992) 15-64 years: 61.8% (male 63,021; female 60,149) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 3,605; female 3,148) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 21.9 years male: 22 years female: 21.8 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.61% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 24.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.13 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 58.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 60.76 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.71 years male: 60.28 years female: 63.21 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic groups: indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders Religions: Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% (including Jon Frum Cargo cult) Languages: three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 53% male: 57% female: 48% (1979 est.) Government Vanuatu Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: Port-Vila Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Constitution: 30 July 1980 Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and British systems Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Father John BANI (since 25 March 1999) elections: president elected for a four-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils for a five-year term; election for president last held 25 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 2 August 2002 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: Father John BANI elected president on second vote (24 March 1999) after the first (17 March 1999) did not have any candidate with the required two-thirds majority; percent of electoral college vote - NA% cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament head of government: Prime Minister Edward Nipake NATAPEI (since 13 April 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Ham LINI (since NA) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 15, VP 14, VRP 3, MPP 2, other and independent 18; note - political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission) Political parties and leaders: Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [Dinh Van THAN]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuaaku Party (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow Economy Vanuatu Economy - overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with about 50,000 visitors in 1997, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. A severe earthquake in November 1999 followed by a tsunami, caused extensive damage to the northern island of Pentecote and left thousands homeless. Another powerful earthquake in January 2002 caused extensive damage in the capital, Port-Vila, and surrounding areas, and also was followed by a tsunami. GDP growth rose less than 3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of foreign aid. GDP: purchasing power parity - $563 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (2001 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $94.4 million expenditures: $99.8 million, including capital expenditures of $30.4 million (1996 est.) Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 43.46 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 40.42 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef Exports: $22 million f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee Exports - partners: India 32.5%, Thailand 22.8%, South Korea 10.5%, Indonesia 6.3%, Japan 4.9% (2002) Imports: $93 million c.i.f. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels Imports - partners: Australia 22.1%, Japan 19.2%, New Zealand 10.1%, Singapore 8.1%, Fiji 6.6%, Taiwan 5%, India 5% (2002) Debt - external: $68.6 million (2000 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $45.8 million (1995) Currency: vatu (VUV) Currency code: VUV Exchange rates: vatu per US dollar - 139.2 (2002), 145.31 (2001), 137.64 (2000), 129.08 (1999), 127.52 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Vanuatu Telephones - main lines in use: 5,500 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 310 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2002) Radios: 67,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Televisions: 2,300 (1999) Internet country code: .vu Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 3,000 (2000) Transportation Vanuatu Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) Merchant marine: total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,181,463 GRT/1,552,813 DWT ships by type: bulk 26, cargo 5, combination bulk 3, container 3, liquefied gas 2, multi-function large-load carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 7, vehicle carrier 5 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 3, Canada 2, China 1, Japan 25, Monaco 4, Netherlands 1, NZ 5, Panama 1, Poland 1, Switzerland 2, UK 4, US 2, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 30 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1524 to 2437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 17 (2002) Military Vanuatu Military branches: no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; including the paramilitary Mobile Force or VMF) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Vanuatu Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Venezuela Introduction Venezuela Background: Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: an embattled president who is losing his once solid support among Venezuelans, a divided military, drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. Geography Venezuela Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 66 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 912,050 sq km land: 882,050 sq km water: 30,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km Coastline: 2,800 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 15 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds Land use: arable land: 2.99% permanent crops: 0.96% other: 96.05% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 540 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping Geography - note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall People Venezuela Population: 24,654,694 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31% (male 3,944,749; female 3,700,799) 15-64 years: 64.1% (male 7,931,194; female 7,864,697) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 552,291; female 660,964) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 24.8 years male: 24.3 years female: 25.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.48% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 27.05 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.81 years male: 70.78 years female: 77.07 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.36 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 62,000 (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan Ethnic groups: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.4% male: 93.8% female: 93.1% (2003 est.) Government Venezuela Country name: conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela Government type: federal republic Capital: Caracas Administrative divisions: 23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 federal district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811) Constitution: 30 December 1999 Legal system: based on organic laws as of July 1999; open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - 60% elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - pro-government 108 (MVR 92, MAS 6, indigenous 3, other 7), opposition 57 (AD 33, COPEI 6, Justice First 5, other 13) elections: last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Action or AD [Claudio FERMIN]; Fifth Republic Movement or MVR [Garcia PONCE]; Homeland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNIZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; National Convergence or Convergencia [Juan Jose CALDERA]; Radical Cause or La Causa R [Antonio HERRERA]; Social Christian Party or COPEI [Oswaldo ALVAREZ Paz]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer] Political pressure groups and leaders: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action) International organization participation: CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles S. SHAPIRO embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080 mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (212) 975-9234, 975-6411 FAX: [58] (212) 975-8991 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band Economy Venezuela Economy - overview: Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. Despite higher oil prices at the end of 2002 and into 2003, domestic political instability, culminating in a two-month national oil strike from December 2002 to February 2003, temporarily halted economic activity. The economy is likely to remain in a recession in 2003, after sinking an estimated 8.9 percent in 2002. GDP: purchasing power parity - $131.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -8.9% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 50% services: 45% (2001) Population below poverty line: 47% (1998 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 36.5% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 49.5 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 31.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: 9.9 million (1999) Labor force - by occupation: services 64%, industry 23%, agriculture 13% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 17% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $21.5 billion expenditures: $27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Industries: petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly Industrial production growth rate: -5.4% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 87.6 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 31.7% hydro: 68.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 81.47 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 3.08 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 505,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 63.95 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 31.71 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 31.71 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 4.202 trillion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Exports: $28.6 billion f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures Exports - partners: US 53.4%, Netherlands Antilles 17.3%, Canada 2.9% (2002) Imports: $18.8 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials Imports - partners: US 27.5%, Colombia 6.9%, Brazil 5.7%, Mexico 4.4% (2002) Debt - external: $38.2 billion (2000) Economic aid - recipient: $74 million (2000) Currency: bolivar (VEB) Currency code: VEB Exchange rates: bolivares per US dollar - 1,160.44 (2002), 723.67 (2001), 679.96 (2000), 605.72 (1999), 547.56 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Venezuela Telephones - main lines in use: 2.6 million (however, 3,500,000 have been installed) (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2 million (1998) Telephone system: general assessment: modern and expanding domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services international: 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network Radio broadcast stations: AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998) Radios: 10.75 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 4.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .ve Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000) Internet users: 1.3 million (2002) Transportation Venezuela Railways: total: 682 km standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Highways: total: 96,155 km paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 7,100 km note: Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vessels Pipelines: extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,262 km; oil 7,484 km; refined products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon Merchant marine: total: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 714,073 GRT/1,256,667 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1, Greece 1, Italy 1, UK 1, US 2 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea passenger 1 Airports: 373 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 127 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 18 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 246 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 97 under 914 m: 139 (2002) Heliports: 1 (2002) Military Venezuela Military branches: National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN) includes Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada - including marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,767,862 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 4,870,751 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 249,319 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $934 million (FY99) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (FY99) Transnational Issues Venezuela Disputes - international: claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea; US, France and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest the claim and other states' recognition of it Illicit drugs: small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Vietnam Introduction Vietnam Background: France occupied all of Vietnam by 1884. Independence was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH, who took control of the North. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South. Economic reconstruction of the reunited country has proven difficult as aging Communist Party leaders have only grudgingly initiated reforms necessary for a free market. Geography Vietnam Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 106 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 329,560 sq km land: 325,360 sq km water: 4,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March) Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower Land use: arable land: 17.41% permanent crops: 4.71% other: 77.88% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 30,000 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta Environment - current issues: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point People Vietnam Population: 81,624,716 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 12,699,002; female 11,967,674) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 25,776,600; female 26,599,005) 65 years and over: 5.6% (male 1,902,464; female 2,679,971) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 24.5 years male: 23.6 years female: 25.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.29% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 19.58 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: -0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 30.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 34.71 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.05 years male: 67.58 years female: 72.7 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 130,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 6,600 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese Ethnic groups: Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese, Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, mountain groups Religions: Buddhist, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic, some Protestant), indigenous beliefs, Muslim Languages: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 95.8% female: 92.3% (2003 est.) Government Vietnam Country name: conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam conventional short form: Vietnam local short form: Viet Nam abbreviation: SRV local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam Government type: Communist state Capital: Hanoi Administrative divisions: 58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), and 3 municipalities* (thu do, singular and plural); An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Can Tho, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Da Nang, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Hai Duong, Hai Phong*, Ha Nam, Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hoa Binh, Ho Chi Minh*, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Constitution: 15 April 1992 Legal system: based on communist legal theory and French civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Tran Duc LUONG (since 24 September 1997) elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a five-year term; election last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative elections in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 25 September 1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 29 September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Vu KHOAN (since NA) and Pham Gia KHIEM (since 29 September 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly election results: Tran Duc LUONG elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (498 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 May 2002 (next to be held 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - CPV 90%, other 10% (the 10% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand for election); seats by party - CPV 447, CPV-approved 51 Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president) Political parties and leaders: only party - Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH, general secretary] Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ACCT, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Tam CHIEN consulate(s) general: San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond F. BURGHARDT embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 772-1500 FAX: [84] (4) 772-1510 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center Economy Vietnam Economy - overview: Vietnam is a poor, densely-populated country that has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally planned economy. Substantial progress was achieved from 1986 to 1996 in moving forward from an extremely low starting point - growth averaged around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asian financial crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economy but, rather than prompting reform, reaffirmed the government's belief that shifting to a market-oriented economy would lead to disaster. GDP growth of 8.5% in 1997 fell to 6% in 1998 and 5% in 1999. Growth then rose to 6% to 7% in 2000-02 even against the background of global recession. These numbers mask some major difficulties in economic performance. Many domestic industries, including coal, cement, steel, and paper, have reported large stockpiles of inventory and tough competition from more efficient foreign producers. Meanwhile, Vietnamese authorities have moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement entered into force near the end of 2001 and is expected to significantly increase Vietnam's exports to the US. The US is assisting Vietnam with implementing the legal and structural reforms called for in the agreement. GDP: purchasing power parity - $183.8 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 37% services: 39% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 37% (1998 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 29.9% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.1 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (2002 est.) Labor force: 38.2 million (1998 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 63%, industry and services 37% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1995 est.) Budget: revenues: $5.3 billion expenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8 billion (1999 est.) Industries: food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel, paper Industrial production growth rate: 10.2% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 29.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 43.7% hydro: 56.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 27.71 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 356,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 185,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 1.4 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 192.6 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas, sugar; poultry, pigs; fish Exports: $16.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes Exports - partners: US 15.2%, Japan 14.9%, Australia 7.6%, China 6.6%, Germany 6.5%, Singapore 5.5%, UK 4.3% (2002) Imports: $16.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles Imports - partners: South Korea 12.7%, China 12.2%, Japan 12.1%, Singapore 11.8%, Taiwan 10.6%, Thailand 5.4% (2002) Debt - external: $14.1 billion (2001) Economic aid - recipient: $2.1 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000 Currency: dong (VND) Currency code: VND Exchange rates: dong per US dollar - 15,325.8 (2002), 14,725.2 (2001), 14,167.7 (2000), 13,943.2 (1999), 13,268 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Vietnam Telephones - main lines in use: 2.6 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 730,155 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but its performance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighbors domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; since 1991, main lines in use have been substantially increased and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999) Radios: 8.2 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: at least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998) Televisions: 3.57 million (1997) Internet country code: .vn Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2000) Internet users: 400,000 (2002) Transportation Vietnam Railways: total: 3,142 km standard gauge: 209 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,625 km 1.000-m gauge dual gauge: 308 km three-rail track combining 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (2002) Highways: total: 93,300 km paved: 23,418 km unpaved: 69,882 km (1999 est.) Waterways: 17,702 km note: more than 5,149 km are navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 m draft Pipelines: condensate/gas 432 km; gas 210 km; oil 3 km; refined products 206 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Vinh, Vung Tau Merchant marine: total: 180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,054,423 GRT/1,588,732 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cambodia 1, Japan 1, Singapore 1, UK 2 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 128, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 9, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 21, refrigerated cargo 3 Airports: 47 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Military Vietnam Military branches: People's Army of Vietnam (includes Ground Forces, People's Navy Command [including Naval Infantry], Air and Air Defense Force, Coast Guard) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 22,888,109 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 14,366,732 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 871,036 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $650 million (FY98) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY98) Transnational Issues Vietnam Disputes - international: demarcation of the land boundary with China continues, but maritime boundary and joint fishing zone agreement remains unratified; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; China occupies Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in a complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct" Illicit drugs: minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Virgin Islands Introduction Virgin Islands Background: During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. Geography Virgin Islands Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 352 sq km water: 3 sq km land: 349 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 6% other: 79% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources Geography - note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean People Virgin Islands Population: 124,778 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26% (male 16,685; female 15,794) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 36,241; female 44,157) 65 years and over: 9.5% (male 5,078; female 6,823) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 31.2 years male: 28.6 years female: 33.7 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.02% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 15.8 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.59 years male: 74.73 years female: 82.68 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: black 78%, white 10%, other 12% note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%, other 2% Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Virgin Islands Country name: conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies Dependency status: organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Government type: NA Capital: Charlotte Amalie Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas National holiday: Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January 2001) election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de JONGH 24.4% elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006) head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Vargrave RICHARDS (since NA January 2003) cabinet: NA Legislative branch: unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NA note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected Judicial branch: US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel Economy Virgin Islands Economy - overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1992) Labor force: 49,000 (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.9% (March 1999) Budget: revenues: $364.4 million expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.03 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 957.9 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: refined petroleum products Exports - partners: US, Puerto Rico Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials Imports - partners: US, Puerto Rico Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Communications Virgin Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 65,000 (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,000 (1992) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002) Radios: 107,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2002) Televisions: 68,000 (1997) Internet country code: .vi Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 50 (2000) Internet users: 12,000 (2000) Transportation Virgin Islands Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 856 km paved: NA km note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000) unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix Merchant marine: none (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Military Virgin Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Virgin Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Wake Island Introduction Wake Island Background: The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military and some commercial cargo planes, as well as for emergency landings. There are over 700 landings a year on the island. Geography Wake Island Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands Geographic coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 36 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 6.5 sq km Area - comparative: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights People Wake Island Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: US military personnel have left the island, but contractor personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were present (July 2003 est.) Government Wake Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the island are managed by the US Air Force Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Wake Island Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity - production: NA Communications Wake Island Telephone system: general assessment: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (1998) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Transportation Wake Island Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships Airports: 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Transportation - note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency landings Military Wake Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Wake Island Disputes - international: claimed by Marshall Islands This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Wallis and Futuna Introduction Wallis and Futuna Background: Although discovered by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory. Geography Wallis and Futuna Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 274 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets water: 0 sq km land: 274 sq km Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 20% other: 75% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources Geography - note: both island groups have fringing reefs People Wallis and Futuna Population: 15,734 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: NA (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic groups: Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.) Government Wallis and Futuna Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna Dependency status: overseas territory of France Government type: NA Capital: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis Independence: none (overseas territory of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Christian JOB (since 6 August 2002) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione KANIMOA (since NA January 2001) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2007) note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats - RPR (now UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 16 June 2002 (next to be held by NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats - RPR (UMP) 1 election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7 Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu Political parties and leaders: Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) [leader NA]; Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG [leader NA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: FZ, SPC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: a large white modified Maltese cross - shifted a little off center toward the fly and slightly downward - on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions Economy Wallis and Futuna Economy - overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. GDP: purchasing power parity - $30 million (2000 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $20 million expenditures: $17 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Agriculture - products: breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats Exports: $250,000 f.o.b. (1999) Exports - commodities: copra, chemicals, construction materials Exports - partners: Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13% Imports: $300,000 f.o.b. (1999) Imports - commodities: chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods Imports - partners: France 97%, Australia 2%, New Zealand 1% Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: assistance from France Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt the euro in 2003 Currency code: XPF Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 126.41 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Wallis and Futuna Telephones - main lines in use: 1,125 (1994) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 (2000) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .wf Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Wallis and Futuna Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) paved: 16 km (all on Ile Uvea) unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Leava, Mata-Utu Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 85,572 GRT/9,004 DWT ships by type: passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 3, US 1 (2002 est.) Airports: 2 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Wallis and Futuna Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Wallis and Futuna Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @West Bank Introduction West Bank Background: The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank had begun in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, but have been derailed by a second intifadah that broke out in September 2000. The resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel's military response, and instability within the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine progress toward a permanent agreement. Geography West Bank Location: Middle East, west of Jordan Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 35 15 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 5,860 sq km note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967 water: 220 sq km land: 5,640 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: arable land: NEGL% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: droughts Environment - current issues: adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment Geography - note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.) People West Bank Population: 2,237,194 (July 2002 est.) note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.) (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.1% (male 505,880; female 481,369) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 598,992; female 572,511) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 33,688; female 44,754) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 17.9 years male: 17.7 years female: 18 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.3% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 34.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 4.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 3.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 22.86 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.68 years male: 70.95 years female: 74.51 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17% Religions: Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government West Bank Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank Economy West Bank Economy - overview: Real per capita GDP for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) declined by about one-third between 1992 and 1996 due to the combined effect of falling aggregate incomes and rapid population growth. The downturn in economic activity was largely the result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of border closures in response to security incidents in Israel - which disrupted labor and commodity market relationships between Israel and the WBGS. The most serious social effect of this downturn was rising unemployment; unemployment in the WBGS during the 1980s was generally under 5%; by 1995 it had risen to over 20%. Israel's use of comprehensive closures during the next five years decreased and, in 1998, Israel implemented new policies to reduce the impact of closures and other security procedures on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor. These changes fueled an almost three-year-long economic recovery in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; real GDP grew by 5% in 1998 and 6% in 1999. Recovery was upended in the last quarter of 2000 with the outbreak of violence, which triggered tight Israeli closures of Palestinian self-rule areas and severely disrupted trade and labor movements. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in Palestinian Authority areas have resulted in the destruction of much capital plant and administrative structure, widespread business closures, and a sharp drop in GDP. Another major loss has been the decline in earnings of Palestinian workers in Israel. International aid of $2 billion in 2001-02 to the West Bank and Gaza Strip have prevented the complete collapse of the economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -22% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% note: includes Gaza Strip (1999 est.) Population below poverty line: 60% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (includes Gaza Strip) (2001 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: services 66%, industry 21%, agriculture 13% (1996) Unemployment rate: 50% (includes Gaza Strip) (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $930 million note: includes Gaza Strip (2000 est.) expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $15 million Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh Agriculture - products: olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products Exports: $603 million f.o.b., includes Gaza Strip Exports - commodities: olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone Exports - partners: Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000) Imports: $1.9 billion c.i.f., includes Gaza Strip Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials Imports - partners: Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000) Debt - external: $108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $800 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2001 est.) Currency: new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD) Currency code: ILS; JOD Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997); Jordanian dinars per US dollar - fixed rate of 0.7090 (from 1996) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992) Communications West Bank Telephones - main lines in use: 95,729 (total for West Bank and Gaza Strip) (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA note: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for communication services in the West Bank Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 note: the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts from an AM station in Ramallah on 675 kHz; numerous local, private stations are reported to be in operation (2000) Radios: NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: NA; note - many Palestinian households have televisions (1999) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 8 (1999) Internet users: 60,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2001) Transportation West Bank Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 4,500 km paved: 2,700 km unpaved: 1,800 km note: Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish settlements (1997 est.) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none Airports: 3 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military West Bank Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues West Bank Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Western Sahara Introduction Western Sahara Background: Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed. Geography Western Sahara Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Geographic coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 266,000 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Colorado Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km Coastline: 1,110 km Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed location 463 m Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility Environment - current issues: sparse water and lack of arable land Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas People Western Sahara Population: 261,794 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Population growth rate: NA% (2003 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian Ethnic groups: Arab, Berber Religions: Muslim Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Government Western Sahara Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara former: Spanish Sahara Government type: legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR),led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991 Capital: none Administrative divisions: none (under de facto control of Morocco) Suffrage: none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed Executive branch: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none Diplomatic representation from the US: none Economy Western Sahara Economy - overview: Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 40% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 12,000 Labor force - by occupation: animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 90 million kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 83.7 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads) Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: phosphates 62% Exports - partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2000) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD) Currency code: MAD Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 11.584 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Western Sahara Telephones - main lines in use: about 2,000 (1999 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1999) Telephone system: general assessment: sparse and limited system domestic: NA international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 56,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: 6,000 (1997) Internet country code: .eh Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: NA Transportation Western Sahara Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 6,200 km paved: 1,350 km unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) Airports: 11 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Military Western Sahara Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Western Sahara Disputes - international: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties have rejected other proposals; Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @World Introduction World Background: Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and water, the decline in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6 billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war). Geography World Map references: Physical Map of the World, Political Map of the World, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total: 510.072 million sq km land: 148.94 million sq km water: 361.132 million sq km note: 70.8% of the world's surface is water, 29.2% is land Area - comparative: land area about 16 times the size of the US Land boundaries: the land boundaries in the world total 250,472 km (not counting shared boundaries twice) Coastline: 356,000 km Maritime claims: a variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make the following claims: contiguous zone - 24 NM; continental shelf - 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation, or 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin; exclusive fishing zone - 200 NM; exclusive economic zone - 200 NM; territorial sea - 12 NM; boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 NM; 43 nations and other areas that are landlocked include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked Climate: two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather narrow temperate zones form a wide equatorial band of tropical to subtropical climates Terrain: the greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in the Pacific Ocean Elevation extremes: lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m note: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific Ocean highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.) Natural resources: the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality (especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only beginning to address Land use: arable land: 10.58% permanent crops: 1% other: 88.42% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 2,714,320 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions) Environment - current issues: large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion Geography - note: the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just about one-third of the 13-billion-year age estimated for the universe People World Population: 6,302,309,691 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.2% (male 932,581,592; female 885,688,851) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 2,009,997,089; female 1,964,938,201) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 193,549,180; female 247,067,032) (2003 est.) note: some countries do not maintain age structure information, thus a slight discrepancy exists between the total world population and the total for world age structure Population growth rate: 1.17% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 20.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 8.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 51.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.95 years male: 62 years female: 70.23 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Religions: Christians 32.79% (of which Roman Catholics 17.33%, Protestants 5.62%, Orthodox 3.51%, Anglicans 1.31%), Muslims 19.6%, Hindus 13.31%, Buddhists 5.88%, Sikhs 0.38%, Jews 0.24%, other religions 12.83%, non-religious 12.53%, atheists 2.44% (2001 est.) Languages: Chinese, Mandarin 14.37%, Hindi 6.02%, English 5.61%, Spanish 5.59%, Bengali 3.4%, Portuguese 2.63%, Russian 2.75%, Japanese 2.06%, German, Standard 1.64%, Korean 1.28%, French 1.27% (2000 est.) note: percents are for "first language" speakers only Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77% male: 83% female: 71% (1995 est.) Government World Administrative divisions: 268 nations, dependent areas, other, and miscellaneous entries Legal system: all members of the UN plus Switzerland are parties to the statute that established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court Economy World Economy - overview: Growth in global output (gross world product, GWP) fell from 4.8% in 2000 to 2.2% in 2001 and 2.7% in 2002. The causes: sluggishness in the US economy (21% of GWP) and in the 15 EU economies (19% of GWP); continued stagnation in the Japanese economy (7.2% of GWP); and spillover effects in the less developed regions of the world. China, the second-largest economy in the world (12% of GWP), proved an exception, continuing its rapid annual growth, officially announced as 8% but estimated by many observers as perhaps two percentage points lower. Russia (2.6% of GWP), with 4% growth, continued to make uneven progress, its GDP per capita still only one-third that of the leading industrial nations. The other 14 successor nations of the USSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations again experienced widely divergent growth rates; the three Baltic nations continued as strong performers, in the 5% range of growth. The developing nations also varied in their growth results, with many countries facing population increases that erode gains in output. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government often finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, in Indonesia, and in Canada. Externally, the central government is losing decision-making powers to international bodies. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from the economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses economic risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political differences among the participating nations. The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuate a further growing risk to global prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the reallocation of resources away from investment to anti-terrorist programs. The opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq added new uncertainties to global economic prospects. (For specific economic developments in each country of the world in 2002, see the individual country entries.) GDP: GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power parity - $49 trillion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.7% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,900 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 32% services: 64% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): developed countries 1% to 4% typically; developing countries 5% to 60% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from declining prices in Japan to hyperinflation in several Third World countries Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Unemployment rate: 30% combined unemployment and underemployment in many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 4%-12% unemployment Industries: dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to these technological forces; the accelerated development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 14.85 trillion kWh (2001 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA% Electricity - consumption: 13.93 trillion kWh (2001 est.) Oil - production: 75.46 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 76.21 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 1.025 trillion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 2.569 trillion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.556 trillion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 703.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 697.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 161.2 trillion cu m (37257) Exports: $6.6 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services Exports - partners: US 17.4%, Germany 7.6%, UK 5.4%, France 5.1%, Japan 4.8%, China 4% (2002) Imports: $6.6 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services Imports - partners: US 11.2%, Germany 9.2%, China 7%, Japan 6.8%, France 4.7%, UK 4% (2002) Debt - external: $2 trillion for less developed countries (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: official development assistance (ODA) $50 billion Communications World Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: NA Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 10,350 (2000 est.) Internet users: 604,111,719 (2002 est.) Transportation World Railways: total: 1,122,650 km includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km of electrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in the Far East, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and 4,160 km in North America; note - fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained by France's Societe Nationale des Chemins-de-Fer Francais (SNCF) Le Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) - Atlantique line broad gauge: 251,153 km narrow gauge: 239,430 km standard gauge: 710,754 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, Mina' al Ahmadi (Kuwait), New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohama Military World Military expenditures - dollar figure: aggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide in 1999 remained at approximately the 1998 level, about three-quarters of a trillion dollars (1999 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: roughly 2% of gross world product (1999 est.) Transnational Issues World Disputes - international: Globally, there are over 250,000 km of international land boundaries that separate the world's 192 independent states, along with 70 dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and other miscellaneous entities. Maritime states have claimed limits and have so far established over 130 maritime boundaries and joint development zones to allocate ocean resources and to provide for their national security at sea. On land, ethnicity, culture, race, religion, and language have divided states into separate political entities as much as history, physical terrain, political fiat, or conquest, resulting in sometimes arbitrary and imposed boundaries. All of these factors have contributed to a wide array of boundary, borderland, and territorial disagreements that vary in intensity from unresolved or dormant to outright war. Territorial disputes may evolve from historical and/or cultural animosities, or they may be brought on by resource competition. Ethnic clashes continue to be responsible for territorial fragmentation around the world. Undemarcated, indefinite, porous, and unmanaged boundaries encourage illegal cross-border activities, uncontrolled migration, and political confrontation over boundary allocations. Other sources of contention include the use of water and mineral (especially petroleum) resources, fisheries, dams, and nuclear power plants. Many islands or island groups are also disputed, including those at sea and in streams. Nonetheless, many nations are actively cooperating to clarify, delineate, and demarcate their international borders. The tragic aspect of international discord is the impact on the sustenance and welfare of populations caught in the conflict. It is frequently left to members of the world community to cope with enormous refugee situations, and the resultant hunger, disease, and impoverishment that they create. Illicit drugs: cocaine: worldwide, coca is grown on an estimated 205,450 hectares - almost exclusively in South America with 70% in Colombia; potential cocaine production during 2002 is estimated at 938 metric tons (or 1,200 metric tons of export quality cocaine at an average of 78% purity); coca eradication programs continue in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, and 292 metric tons of export quality cocaine are documented to have been seized in 2002; consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to have been 875 metric tons opiates: cultivation of opium poppy occurred on an estimated 141,213 hectares in 2002 and potentially produced 2,183 metric tons of opium - which conceivably could be converted to the equivalent of 238 metric tons of pure heroin; opium eradication programs have been undertaken in Afghanistan, Burma, Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam, and the annual average for opiates seized worldwide over the past five years (1998-2002) has been 45 metric tons of pure heroin equivalent; estimates for average annual consumption over this time period are 315 metric tons pure heroin equivalent This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Yemen Introduction Yemen Background: North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border. Geography Yemen Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 48 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 527,970 sq km land: 527,970 sq km note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen) water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: total: 1,746 km border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km Coastline: 1,906 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east Terrain: narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in west Land use: arable land: 2.75% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 97.04% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 4,900 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: sandstorms and dust storms in summer Environment - current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes People Yemen Population: 19,349,881 (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.8% (male 4,606,110; female 4,446,229) 15-64 years: 50.4% (male 4,972,946; female 4,778,034) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 272,921; female 273,641) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.4 years male: 16.4 years female: 16.4 years (2002) Population growth rate: 3.42% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 43.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 9.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 65.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 69.98 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.97 years male: 59.16 years female: 62.87 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.82 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,900 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni Ethnic groups: predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans Religions: Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu Languages: Arabic Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50.2% male: 70.5% female: 30% (2003 est.) Government Yemen Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Yemen conventional short form: Yemen local short form: Al Yaman local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah Government type: republic Capital: Sanaa Administrative divisions: 19 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan, Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, 'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa'dah, San'a', Shabwah, Ta'izz note: there may be one additional governorate of the capital city of Sanaa Independence: 22 May 1990, Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; previously North Yemen had become independent on NA November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK) National holiday: Unification Day, 22 May (1990) Constitution: 16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001 Legal system: based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Field Marshall Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Qadir BA JAMAL (since 4 April 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 96.3%, Najib Qahtan AL-SHAABI 3.7% elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a seven-year term (recently extended from a five-year term by constitutional amendment); election last held 23 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Legislative branch: a new constitutional amendment ratified on 20 February 2001 created a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats; members appointed by the president) and a House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GPC 238, Islah 46, YSP 8, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Baath Party 2, independents 4 elections: last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA April 2009) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: there are over 12 political parties active in Yemen, some of the more prominent are: General People's Congress or GPC [President Ali Abdallah SALIH]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah [Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR]; National Arab Socialist Baath Party [Dr. Qassim SALAAM]; Nasserite Unionist Party [Abdel Malik al-MAKHLAFI]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Ali Salih MUQBIL] note: President SALIH's General People's Congress or GPC won a landslide victory in the April 1997 legislative election and no longer governs in coalition with Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR's Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah - the two parties had been in coalition since the end of the civil war in 1994; the YSP, a loyal opposition party, boycotted the April 1997 legislative election, but announced that it would participate in Yemen's first local elections, held in February 2001; these local elections aim to decentralize political power and are a key element of the government's political reform program Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahhab Abdallah al-HAJRI FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017 telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760 chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edmund J. HULL embassy: Dhahar Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa telephone: [967] (1) 303-161 FAX: [967] (1) 303-182 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars and of Iraq which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band Economy Yemen Economy - overview: Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, reported strong growth in the mid-1990s with the onset of oil production, but has been harmed by periodic declines in oil prices. Yemen has embarked on an IMF-supported structural adjustment program designed to modernize and streamline the economy, which has led to substantial foreign debt relief and restructuring. International donors, meeting in Paris in October 2002, agreed on a further $2.3 billion economic support package. Yemen has worked to maintain tight control over spending and implement additional components of the IMF program. A high population growth rate and internal political dissension complicate the government's task. GDP: purchasing power parity - $15.07 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 38% services: 40% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 25.9% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 33.4 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.2% (2002 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force Unemployment rate: 30% (1995 est.) Budget: revenues: $3 billion expenditures: $3.1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2001 est.) Industries: crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 3.01 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 2.8 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 438,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 74,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 3.2 billion bbl (37257) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 480 billion cu m (37257) Agriculture - products: grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish Exports: $3.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish Exports - partners: India 21.1%, Thailand 16.9%, South Korea 11.2%, China 11.1%, Malaysia 7.7%, US 6.7%, Singapore 4% (2002) Imports: $2.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals Imports - partners: US 10.4%, Saudi Arabia 9.5%, China 8.7%, UAE 6.9%, Russia 5.8%, France 4.7% (2002) Debt - external: $6.2 billion (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $2.3 billion to be disbursed 2003-07 (2003-07 disbursements) Currency: Yemeni rial (YER) Currency code: YER Exchange rates: Yemeni rials per US dollar - NA (2002), 168.67 (2001), 161.72 (2000), 155.72 (1999), 135.88 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Yemen Telephones - main lines in use: 291,359 (1999) Telephones - mobile cellular: 32,042 (2000) Telephone system: general assessment: since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, and GSM cellular mobile telephone systems international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 1.05 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 7 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 470,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ye Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000) Internet users: 17,000 (2002) Transportation Yemen Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 67,000 km paved: 7,705 km unpaved: 59,295 km (1999 est.) Waterways: none Pipelines: gas 88 km; oil 1,174 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, As Salif, Ras Issa, Mocha, Nishtun Merchant marine: total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,623 GRT/23,752 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Hong Kong 2 (2002 est.) Airports: 44 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Military Yemen Military branches: Army (includes Special Forces, established in 1999), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Republican Guard Military manpower - military age: 14 years of age (2003 est.) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 4,443,312 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,493,612 (2003 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 249,292 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $482.5 million (FY01) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.2% (FY01) Military - note: establishment of a Coast Guard, scheduled for May 2001, has been delayed Transnational Issues Yemen Disputes - international: Eritrea protests Yemeni fishing around the Hanish islands awarded to Eritrea by the ICJ in 1999; nomadic groups in border region with Saudi Arabia resist demarcation of boundary This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Zambia Introduction Zambia Background: The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign in 2002, which resulted in the 2003 arrest of the previous president Frederick CHILUBA and many of his supporters. Opposition parties currently hold a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Geography Zambia Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 752,614 sq km water: 11,890 sq km land: 740,724 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,664 km border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower Land use: arable land: 7.08% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 92.89% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 460 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April) Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe People Zambia Population: 10,307,333 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.3% (male 2,396,313; female 2,378,567) 15-64 years: 50.9% (male 2,626,961; female 2,621,818) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 131,196; female 152,478) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 16.5 years male: 16.4 years female: 16.6 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.52% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 39.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 24.3 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 99.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 91.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 106.58 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 35.25 years male: 35.25 years female: 35.25 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 21.5% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.2 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 120,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Zambian(s) adjective: Zambian Ethnic groups: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2% Religions: Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 80.6% male: 86.8% female: 74.8% (2003 est.) Government Zambia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia Government type: republic Capital: Lusaka Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Constitution: 2 August 1991 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Nevers MUMBA (since May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Nevers MUMBA (since May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006); vice president appointed by the president election results: Levy MWANAWASA elected president; percent of vote - Levy MWANAWASA 29%, Anderson MAZOKA 27%, Christon TEMBO 13%, Tilyenji KAUNDA 10%, Godfrey MIYANDA 8%, Benjamin MWILA 5%, Michael SATA 3%, other 5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - MMD 45.9%, UPND 32.4%, UNIP 8.8%, FDD 8.1%, HP 2.7%, PF 0.7%, ZRP 0.7%, independents 0.7%; seats by party - MMD 68, UPND 48, UNIP 13, FDD 12, HP 4, PF 1, ZRP 1, independents 1; seats not determined 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases) Political parties and leaders: Agenda for Zambia or AZ [Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA]; Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Christon TEMBO]; Heritage Party or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Liberal Progressive Front or LPF [Roger CHONGWE, president]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Levy MWANAWASA, acting president]; National Leadership for Development or NLD [Yobert SHAMAPANDE]; National Party or NP [Dr. Sam CHIPUNGU]; Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Zambian Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin MWILA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Gwendoline KONIE]; United National Independence Party or UNIP [Francis NKHOMA, president]; United Party for National Development or UPND [Anderson MAZOKA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719 chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin George BRENNAN embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: [260] (1) 250-955 FAX: [260] (1) 252-225 Flag description: green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag Economy Zambia Economy - overview: Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's economic growth remains below the 5% to 7% necessary to reduce poverty significantly. Privatization of government-owned copper mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. However, low mineral prices have slowed the benefits of privatizing the mines and have reduced incentives for further private investment in the sector. Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.24 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 26% services: 52% (2001) Population below poverty line: 86% (1993) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 41% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 52.6 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21% (2002 est.) Labor force: 4.29 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9% Unemployment rate: 50% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.2 billion expenditures: $1.25 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture Industrial production growth rate: 5.1% (2001 est.) Electricity - production: 7.751 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.5% hydro: 99.5% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 5.458 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 1.75 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides; coffee Exports: $709 million f.o.b. (2001) Exports - commodities: copper 55%, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers, cotton Exports - partners: Malawi 10.3%, Thailand 9.2%, Japan 9.1%, Saint Pierre and Miquelon 9.1%, Taiwan 8.5%, South Africa 7.8%, Egypt 6.4%, China 6.3%, Netherlands 5.5%, Tanzania 4.5% (2002) Imports: $1.123 billion f.o.b. (2001) Imports - commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing Imports - partners: South Africa 64.4%, US 3.7%, China 3.6% (2002) Debt - external: $5.8 billion (2001) Economic aid - recipient: $651 million (2000 est.) Currency: Zambian kwacha (ZMK) Currency code: ZMK Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha per US dollar - NA (2002), 3,610.93 (2001), 3,110.84 (2000), 2,388.02 (1999), 1,862.07 (1998) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Zambia Telephones - main lines in use: 130,000 (including approximately 40,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 90,000 (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: 1.2 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 9 (2002) Televisions: 277,000 (1997) Internet country code: .zm Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001) Internet users: 25,000 (2002) Transportation Zambia Railways: total: 2,173 km narrow gauge: 2,173 km 1.067-m gauge note: includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) (2002) Highways: total: 66,781 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1999 est.) Waterways: 2,250 km note: includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers Pipelines: oil 771 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Mpulungu Airports: 109 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 98 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 30 (2002) Military Zambia Military branches: Army, Air Force, Police, paramilitary forces Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,418,776 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,279,846 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $33.46 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (FY02) Transnational Issues Zambia Disputes - international: dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge Illicit drugs: transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @Zimbabwe Introduction Zimbabwe Background: The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. Opposition and labor groups launched general strikes in 2003 to pressure MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued their brutal repression of regime opponents. Geography Zimbabwe Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 390,580 sq km water: 3,910 sq km land: 386,670 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Montana Land boundaries: total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals Land use: arable land: 8.4% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 91.26% (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 1,170 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water People Zimbabwe Population: 12,576,742 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.7% (male 2,517,608; female 2,471,342) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 3,600,832; female 3,542,497) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 224,631; female 219,832) (2003 est.) Median age: total: 18.9 years female: 18.9 years (2002) male: 18.9 years Population growth rate: 0.83% (2003 est.) Birth rate: 30.34 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Death rate: 22.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Net migration rate: NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2003 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 66.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 69.17 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 39.01 years male: 40.09 years female: 37.89 years (2003 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.66 children born/woman (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 33.7% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2.3 million (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 200,000 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean Ethnic groups: African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1% Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 90.7% male: 94.2% female: 87.2% (2003 est.) Government Zimbabwe Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Harare Administrative divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980) Constitution: 21 December 1979 Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote; election last held 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2008); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9% Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (150 seats - 120 elected by popular vote for five-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10 occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied by provincial governors appointed by the president) elections: last held 24-25 June 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 48.6%, MDC 47.0%, other 4.4%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 62, MDC 57, ZANU-Ndonga 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; National Alliance for Good Governance or NAGG [Shakespeare MAYA]; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA] Political pressure groups and leaders: National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]; Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Brian KAGORO]; Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions or ZCTU [Lovemore MATOMBO] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Simbi Veke MUBAKO FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 and 250-594 FAX: [263] (4) 796488 Flag description: seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native people Economy Zimbabwe Economy - overview: The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable fiscal deficit, an overvalued exchange rate, soaring inflation, and bare shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspended because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 59% in 1999, to 60% in 2000, to over 100% by yearend 2001, to 228% in early 2003. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has nearly destroyed the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs. GDP: purchasing power parity - $26.07 billion (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -13% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2001) Population below poverty line: 70% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.97% highest 10%: 40.42% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.1 (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 134.5% (2002 est.) Labor force: 5.8 million (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 24%, industry 10% (1996) Unemployment rate: 70% (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Industries: mining (coal, gold, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages Industrial production growth rate: -3.1% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 6.735 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 53% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% Electricity - consumption: 9.813 billion kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 3.55 billion kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Agriculture - products: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs Exports: $1.57 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Exports - commodities: tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing Exports - partners: China 6%, South Africa 5.7%, Germany 5.4%, UK 4.8%, Japan 4.7%, Netherlands 4.4%, US 4.1% (2002) Imports: $1.739 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels Imports - partners: South Africa 47.7%, Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.7%, Mozambique 5.3% (2002) Debt - external: $3.9 billion (2002 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $178 million (2000 est.) Currency: Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD) Currency code: ZWD Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars per US dollar - 55 (2002), 55.05 (2001), 44.42 (2000), 38.3 (1999), 23.68 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 January - 31 December Communications Zimbabwe Telephones - main lines in use: 212,000 (in addition, there are about 20,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (1997) Telephones - mobile cellular: 111,000 (2001) Telephone system: general assessment: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed but unused main lines domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, and a substantial mobile cellular network; Internet connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns and for some of the smaller ones international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; two international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and Gweru) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 1.14 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 16 (1997) Televisions: 370,000 (1997) Internet country code: .zw Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000) Internet users: 100,000 (2002) Transportation Zimbabwe Railways: total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) note: includes the 318 km Bulawayo-Beitbridge Railway Company line (2002) Highways: total: 18,338 km paved: 8,692 km unpaved: 9,646 km (1999 est.) Waterways: chrome ore is transported from Harare - by way of the Mazoe River - to the Zambezi River in Mozambique Pipelines: refined products 261 km (2003) Ports and harbors: Binga, Kariba Airports: 430 (2002) Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 413 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 197 under 914 m: 212 (2002) Military Zimbabwe Military branches: Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,236,042 (2003 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,003,572 (2003 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $625.1 million (FY02) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Zimbabwe Disputes - international: dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge Illicit drugs: transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European markets This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2001 GDP Afghanistan purchasing power parity - $19 billion (2002 est.) Albania purchasing power parity - $15.69 billion (2002 est.) Algeria purchasing power parity - $173.8 billion (2002 est.) American Samoa purchasing power parity - $500 million (2000 est.) Andorra purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (2000 est.) Angola purchasing power parity - $18.36 billion (2002 est.) Anguilla purchasing power parity - $104 million (2001 est.) Antigua and Barbuda purchasing power parity - $750 million (2002 est.) Argentina purchasing power parity - $403.8 billion (2002 est.) Armenia purchasing power parity - $12.13 billion (2002 est.) Aruba purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.) Australia purchasing power parity - $525.5 billion (2002 est.) Austria purchasing power parity - $227.7 billion (2002 est.) Azerbaijan purchasing power parity - $28.61 billion (2002 est.) Bahamas, The purchasing power parity - $4.59 billion (2002 est.) Bahrain purchasing power parity - $9.91 billion (2002 est.) Bangladesh purchasing power parity - $238.2 billion (2002 est.) Barbados purchasing power parity - $4.153 billion (2002 est.) Belarus purchasing power parity - $90.19 billion (2002 est.) Belgium purchasing power parity - $299.7 billion (2002 est.) Belize purchasing power parity - $1.28 billion (2002 est.) Benin purchasing power parity - $7.38 billion (2002 est.) Bermuda purchasing power parity - $2.25 billion (2002 est.) Bhutan purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.) Bolivia purchasing power parity - $21.15 billion (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina purchasing power parity - $7.3 billion (2002 est.) Botswana purchasing power parity - $13.48 billion (2002 est.) Brazil purchasing power parity - $1.376 trillion (2002 est.) British Virgin Islands purchasing power parity - $320 million (2002 est.) Brunei purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (2002 est.) Bulgaria purchasing power parity - $49.23 billion (2002 est.) Burkina Faso purchasing power parity - $14.51 billion (2002 est.) Burma purchasing power parity - $73.69 billion (2002 est.) Burundi purchasing power parity - $3.146 billion (2002 est.) Cambodia purchasing power parity - $20.42 billion (2002 est.) Cameroon purchasing power parity - $26.84 billion (2002 est.) Canada purchasing power parity - $934.1 billion (2002 est.) Cape Verde purchasing power parity - $600 million (2002 est.) Cayman Islands purchasing power parity - $1.27 billion (2002 est.) Central African Republic purchasing power parity - $4.296 billion (2002 est.) Chad purchasing power parity - $9.297 billion (2002 est.) Chile purchasing power parity - $156.1 billion (2002 est.) China purchasing power parity - $5.989 trillion (2002 est.) Christmas Island purchasing power parity - $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands purchasing power parity - $NA Colombia purchasing power parity - $251.6 billion (2002 est.) Comoros purchasing power parity - $441 million (2002 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the purchasing power parity - $34 billion (2002 est.) Congo, Republic of the purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (2002 est.) Cook Islands purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.) Costa Rica purchasing power parity - $32 billion (2002 est.) Cote d'Ivoire purchasing power parity - $24.03 billion (2002 est.) Croatia purchasing power parity - $43.12 billion (2002 est.) Cuba purchasing power parity - $30.69 billion (2002 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $9.4 billion (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $787 million (2002 est.) Czech Republic purchasing power parity - $157.1 billion (2002 est.) Denmark purchasing power parity - $155.3 billion (2002 est.) Djibouti purchasing power parity - $619 million (2002 est.) Dominica purchasing power parity - $380 million (2002 est.) Dominican Republic purchasing power parity - $53.78 billion (2002 est.) East Timor purchasing power parity - $440 million (2001 est.) Ecuador purchasing power parity - $42.65 billion (2002 est.) Egypt purchasing power parity - $289.8 billion (2002 est.) El Salvador purchasing power parity - $29.41 billion (2002 est.) Equatorial Guinea purchasing power parity - $1.27 billion (2002 est.) Eritrea purchasing power parity - $3.3 billion (2002 est.) Estonia purchasing power parity - $15.52 billion (2002 est.) Ethiopia purchasing power parity - $48.53 billion (2002 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) purchasing power parity - $75 million (2002 est.) Faroe Islands purchasing power parity - $1 billion (2001 est.) Fiji purchasing power parity - $4.822 billion (2002 est.) Finland purchasing power parity - $133.8 billion (2002 est.) France purchasing power parity - $1.558 trillion (2002 est.) French Guiana purchasing power parity - $2.26 billion (2002 est.) French Polynesia purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (2001 est.) Gabon purchasing power parity - $8.354 billion (2002 est.) Gambia, The purchasing power parity - $2.582 billion (2002 est.) Gaza Strip purchasing power parity - $735 million (2002 est.) Georgia purchasing power parity - $16.05 billion (2002 est.) Germany purchasing power parity - $2.16 trillion (2002 est.) Ghana purchasing power parity - $41.25 billion (2002 est.) Gibraltar purchasing power parity - $500 million (1997 est.) Greece purchasing power parity - $203.3 billion (2002 est.) Greenland purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (2001 est.) Grenada purchasing power parity - $440 million (2002 est.) Guadeloupe purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1997 est.) Guam purchasing power parity - $3.2 billion (2000 est.) Guatemala purchasing power parity - $53.2 billion (2002 est.) Guernsey purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1999 est.) Guinea purchasing power parity - $18.69 billion (2002 est.) Guinea-Bissau purchasing power parity - $901.4 million (2002 est.) Guyana purchasing power parity - $2.628 billion (2002 est.) Haiti purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (2002 est.) Honduras purchasing power parity - $16.29 billion (2002 est.) Hong Kong purchasing power parity - $198.5 billion (2002 est.) Hungary purchasing power parity - $134 billion (2002 est.) Iceland purchasing power parity - $8.444 billion (2002 est.) India purchasing power parity - $2.664 trillion (2002 est.) Indonesia purchasing power parity - $714.2 billion (2002 est.) Iran purchasing power parity - $458.3 billion (2002 est.) Iraq purchasing power parity - $58 billion (2002 est.) Ireland purchasing power parity - $113.7 billion (2002 est.) Israel purchasing power parity - $117.4 billion (2002 est.) Italy purchasing power parity - $1.455 trillion (2002 est.) Jamaica purchasing power parity - $10.08 billion (2002 est.) Japan purchasing power parity - $3.651 trillion (2002 est.) Jersey purchasing power parity - $2.2 billion (1999 est.) Jordan purchasing power parity - $22.63 billion (2002 est.) Kazakhstan purchasing power parity - $120 billion (2002 est.) Kenya purchasing power parity - $32.89 billion (2002 est.) Kiribati purchasing power parity - $79 million - supplemented by a nearly equal amount from external sources (2001 est.) Korea, North purchasing power parity - $22.26 billion (2002 est.) Korea, South purchasing power parity - $941.5 billion (2002 est.) Kuwait purchasing power parity - $36.85 billion (2002 est.) Kyrgyzstan purchasing power parity - $13.88 billion (2002 est.) Laos purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion (2002 est.) Latvia purchasing power parity - $20.99 billion (2002 est.) Lebanon purchasing power parity - $17.61 billion (2002 est.) Lesotho purchasing power parity - $5.106 billion (2002 est.) Liberia purchasing power parity - $3.116 billion (2002 est.) Libya purchasing power parity - $33.36 billion (2002 est.) Liechtenstein purchasing power parity - $825 million (1999 est.) Lithuania purchasing power parity - $30.08 billion (2002 est.) Luxembourg purchasing power parity - $21.94 billion (2002 est.) Macau purchasing power parity - $8.6 billion (2002 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of purchasing power parity - $10.57 billion (2002 est.) Madagascar purchasing power parity - $12.59 billion (2002) Malawi purchasing power parity - $6.811 billion (2002 est.) Malaysia purchasing power parity - $198.4 billion (2002 est.) Maldives purchasing power parity - $1.25 billion (2002 est.) Mali purchasing power parity - $9.775 billion (2002 est.) Malta purchasing power parity - $6.818 billion (2002 est.) Man, Isle of purchasing power parity - $1.6 billion (2001 est.) Marshall Islands purchasing power parity - $115 million (2001 est.) Martinique purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (2001 est.) Mauritania purchasing power parity - $4.891 billion (2002 est.) Mauritius purchasing power parity - $12.15 billion (2002 est.) Mayotte purchasing power parity - $85 million (1998 est.) Mexico purchasing power parity - $924.4 billion (2002 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of purchasing power parity - $277 million note: $277 million $277 million GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.) Moldova purchasing power parity - $11.51 billion (2002 est.) Monaco purchasing power parity - $870 million (1999 est.) Mongolia purchasing power parity - $5.06 billion (2002 est.) Montserrat purchasing power parity - $29 million (2002 est.) Morocco purchasing power parity - $121.8 billion (2002 est.) Mozambique purchasing power parity - $19.52 billion (2002 est.) Namibia purchasing power parity - $13.15 billion (2002 est.) Nauru purchasing power parity - $60 million (2001 est.) Nepal purchasing power parity - $37.32 billion (2002 est.) Netherlands purchasing power parity - $437.8 billion (2002 est.) Netherlands Antilles purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2002 est.) New Caledonia purchasing power parity - $3 billion (2002 est.) New Zealand purchasing power parity - $78.4 billion (2002 est.) Nicaragua purchasing power parity - $11.16 billion (2002 est.) Niger purchasing power parity - $8.713 billion (2002 est.) Nigeria purchasing power parity - $112.5 billion (2002 est.) Niue purchasing power parity - $7.6 million (2000 est.) Norfolk Island purchasing power parity - $NA Northern Mariana Islands purchasing power parity - $900 million note: $900 million $900 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.) Norway purchasing power parity - $149.1 billion (2002 est.) Oman purchasing power parity - $22.4 billion (2002 est.) Pakistan purchasing power parity - $295.3 billion (2002 est.) Palau purchasing power parity - $174 million note: $174 million $174 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2001 est.) Panama purchasing power parity - $18.06 billion (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea purchasing power parity - $10.86 billion (2002 est.) Paraguay purchasing power parity - $25.19 billion (2002 est.) Peru purchasing power parity - $138.8 billion (2002 est.) Philippines purchasing power parity - $379.7 billion (2002 est.) Pitcairn Islands purchasing power parity - $NA Poland purchasing power parity - $373.2 billion (2002 est.) Portugal purchasing power parity - $195.2 billion (2002 est.) Puerto Rico purchasing power parity - $43.01 billion (2002 est.) Qatar purchasing power parity - $15.91 billion (2002 est.) Reunion purchasing power parity - $4.174 billion (1999 est.) Romania purchasing power parity - $169.3 billion (2002 est.) Russia purchasing power parity - $1.409 trillion (2002 est.) Rwanda purchasing power parity - $8.92 billion (2002 est.) Saint Helena purchasing power parity - $18 million (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis purchasing power parity - $339 million (2002 est.) Saint Lucia purchasing power parity - $866 million (2002 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon purchasing power parity - $74 million - supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million (1996 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines purchasing power parity - $339 million (2002 est.) Samoa purchasing power parity - $1 billion (2002 est.) San Marino purchasing power parity - $940 million (2001 est.) Sao Tome and Principe purchasing power parity - $200 million (2002 est.) Saudi Arabia purchasing power parity - $268.9 billion (2002 est.) Senegal purchasing power parity - $15.64 billion (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro purchasing power parity - $23.15 billion (2002 est.) Seychelles purchasing power parity - $626 million (2002 est.) Sierra Leone purchasing power parity - $2.826 billion (2002 est.) Singapore purchasing power parity - $112.4 billion (2002 est.) Slovakia purchasing power parity - $67.34 billion (2002 est.) Slovenia purchasing power parity - $37.06 billion (2002 est.) Solomon Islands purchasing power parity - $800 million (2001 est.) Somalia purchasing power parity - $4.27 billion (2001 est.) South Africa purchasing power parity - $427.7 billion (2002 est.) Spain purchasing power parity - $850.7 billion (2002 est.) Sri Lanka purchasing power parity - $73.7 billion (2002 est.) Sudan purchasing power parity - $52.9 billion (2002 est.) Suriname purchasing power parity - $1.469 billion (2002 est.) Svalbard purchasing power parity - $NA Swaziland purchasing power parity - $5.542 billion (2002 est.) Sweden purchasing power parity - $230.7 billion (2002 est.) Switzerland purchasing power parity - $233.4 billion (2002 est.) Syria purchasing power parity - $63.48 billion (2002 est.) Taiwan purchasing power parity - $406 billion (2002 est.) Tajikistan purchasing power parity - $8.476 billion (2002 est.) Tanzania purchasing power parity - $20.42 billion (2002 est.) Thailand purchasing power parity - $445.8 billion (2002 est.) Togo purchasing power parity - $7.594 billion (2002 est.) Tokelau purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.) Tonga purchasing power parity - $236 million (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago purchasing power parity - $11.07 billion (2002 est.) Tunisia purchasing power parity - $67.13 billion (2002 est.) Turkey purchasing power parity - $489.7 billion (2002 est.) Turkmenistan purchasing power parity - $31.34 billion (2002 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands purchasing power parity - $231 million (2000 est.) Tuvalu purchasing power parity - $12.2 million (2000 est.) Uganda purchasing power parity - $30.49 billion (2002 est.) Ukraine purchasing power parity - $218 billion (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates purchasing power parity - $53.97 billion (2002 est.) United Kingdom purchasing power parity - $1.528 trillion (2002 est.) United States purchasing power parity - $10.45 trillion (2002 est.) Uruguay purchasing power parity - $26.82 billion (2002 est.) Uzbekistan purchasing power parity - $66.06 billion (2002 est.) Vanuatu purchasing power parity - $563 million (2002 est.) Venezuela purchasing power parity - $131.7 billion (2002 est.) Vietnam purchasing power parity - $183.8 billion (2002 est.) Virgin Islands purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2001 est.) Wallis and Futuna purchasing power parity - $30 million (2000 est.) West Bank purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (2002 est.) Western Sahara purchasing power parity - $NA World GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power parity - $49 trillion (2002 est.) Yemen purchasing power parity - $15.07 billion (2002 est.) Zambia purchasing power parity - $8.24 billion (2002 est.) Zimbabwe purchasing power parity - $26.07 billion (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2002 Population growth rate (%) Afghanistan 3.38% note: this rate does not take into consideration the recent war and its continuing impact (2003 est.) Albania 1.03% (2003 est.) Algeria 1.65% (2003 est.) American Samoa 2.22% (2003 est.) Andorra 1.06% (2003 est.) Angola 1.97% (2003 est.) Anguilla 2.21% (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0.64% (2003 est.) Argentina 1.05% (2003 est.) Armenia -0.07% (2003 est.) Aruba 0.55% (2003 est.) Australia 0.93% (2003 est.) Austria 0.22% (2003 est.) Azerbaijan 0.44% (2003 est.) Bahamas, The 0.77% (2003 est.) Bahrain 1.61% (2003 est.) Bangladesh 2.06% (2003 est.) Barbados 0.38% (2003 est.) Belarus -0.12% (2003 est.) Belgium 0.14% (2003 est.) Belize 2.44% (2003 est.) Benin 2.95% (2003 est.) Bermuda 0.72% (2003 est.) Bhutan 2.14% (2003 est.) Bolivia 1.63% (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.48% (2003 est.) Botswana -0.55% (2003 est.) Brazil 1.15% (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands 2.1% (2003 est.) Brunei 2% (2003 est.) Bulgaria -1.09% (2003 est.) Burkina Faso 2.6% (2003 est.) Burma 0.52% (2003 est.) Burundi 2.18% (2003 est.) Cambodia 1.8% (2003 est.) Cameroon 2.02% (2003 est.) Canada 0.94% (2003 est.) Cape Verde 0.79% (2003 est.) Cayman Islands 2.79% (2003 est.) Central African Republic 1.62% (2003 est.) Chad 3.07% (2003 est.) Chile 1.05% (2003 est.) China 0.6% (2003 est.) Christmas Island -9% (2003 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0% (2003 est.) Colombia 1.56% (2003 est.) Comoros 2.96% (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.9% (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 1.53% (2003 est.) Cook Islands NA% (2003 est.) Costa Rica 1.56% (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 2.15% (2003 est.) Croatia 0.31% (2003 est.) Cuba 0.34% (2003 est.) Cyprus 0.56% (2003 est.) Czech Republic -0.08% (2003 est.) Denmark 0.28% (2003 est.) Djibouti 2.13% (2003 est.) Dominica -0.63% (2003 est.) Dominican Republic 1.36% (2003 est.) East Timor 2.13% (2003 est.) Ecuador 1.91% (2003 est.) Egypt 1.88% (2003 est.) El Salvador 1.81% (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea 2.44% (2003 est.) Eritrea 1.28% (2003 est.) Estonia -0.49% (2003 est.) Ethiopia 1.96% (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2.44% (2003 est.) Faroe Islands 0.7% (2003 est.) Fiji 1.41% (2003 est.) Finland 0.14% (2003 est.) France 0.42% (2003 est.) French Guiana 2.4% (2003 est.) French Polynesia 1.62% (2003 est.) Gabon 2.54% (2003 est.) Gambia, The 3.03% (2003 est.) Gaza Strip 3.89% (2003 est.) Georgia -0.52% (2003 est.) Germany 0.04% (2003 est.) Ghana 1.45% (2003 est.) Gibraltar 0.22% (2003 est.) Greece 0.19% (2003 est.) Greenland 0.01% (2003 est.) Grenada 0.08% (2003 est.) Guadeloupe 1% (2003 est.) Guam 1.89% (2003 est.) Guatemala 2.66% (2003 est.) Guernsey 0.34% (2003 est.) Guinea 2.37% (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau 2.02% (2003 est.) Guyana 0.44% (2003 est.) Haiti 1.67% (2003 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) 0.01% (2003 est.) Honduras 2.32% (2003 est.) Hong Kong 1.22% (2003 est.) Hungary -0.29% (2003 est.) Iceland 0.49% (2003 est.) India 1.47% (2003 est.) Indonesia 1.52% (2003 est.) Iran 1.08% (2003 est.) Iraq 2.78% (2003 est.) Ireland 1.03% (2003 est.) Israel 1.39% (2003 est.) Italy 0.11% (2003 est.) Jamaica 0.61% (2003 est.) Japan 0.11% (2003 est.) Jersey 0.4% (2003 est.) Jordan 2.78% (2003 est.) Kazakhstan 0.17% (2003 est.) Kenya 1.27% (2003 est.) Kiribati 2.26% (2003 est.) Korea, North 1.07% (2003 est.) Korea, South 0.66% (2003 est.) Kuwait 3.34% note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan 1.46% (2003 est.) Laos 2.45% (2003 est.) Latvia -0.73% (2003 est.) Lebanon 1.34% (2003 est.) Lesotho 0.19% (2003 est.) Liberia 1.67% (2003 est.) Libya 2.39% (2003 est.) Liechtenstein 0.9% (2003 est.) Lithuania -0.23% (2003 est.) Luxembourg 1.23% (2003 est.) Macau 1.72% (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0.4% (2003 est.) Madagascar 3.03% (2003 est.) Malawi 2.21% (2003 est.) Malaysia 1.86% (2003 est.) Maldives 2.91% (2003 est.) Mali 2.82% (2003 est.) Malta 0.73% (2003 est.) Man, Isle of 0.53% (2003 est.) Marshall Islands 2.3% (2003 est.) Martinique 0.85% (2003 est.) Mauritania 2.91% (2003 est.) Mauritius 0.84% (2003 est.) Mayotte 4.25% (2003 est.) Mexico 1.43% (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 0.04% (2003 est.) Moldova 0.13% (2003 est.) Monaco 0.44% (2003 est.) Mongolia 1.42% (2003 est.) Montserrat 4.5% (2003 est.) Morocco 1.64% (2003 est.) Mozambique 0.82% (2003 est.) Namibia 1.49% (2003 est.) Nauru 1.9% (2003 est.) Nepal 2.26% (2003 est.) Netherlands 0.5% (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0.9% (2003 est.) New Caledonia 1.38% (2003 est.) New Zealand 1.09% (2003 est.) Nicaragua 2.03% (2003 est.) Niger 2.71% (2003 est.) Nigeria 2.53% (2003 est.) Niue 0.01% (2003 est.) Norfolk Island 0.01% (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 3.37% (2003 est.) Norway 0.46% (2003 est.) Oman 3.38% (2003 est.) Pakistan 2.01% (2003 est.) Palau 1.54% (2003 est.) Panama 1.36% (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea 2.34% (2003 est.) Paraguay 2.54% (2003 est.) Peru 1.61% (2003 est.) Philippines 1.92% (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA% Poland 0% (2003 est.) Portugal 0.17% (2003 est.) Puerto Rico 0.58% (2003 est.) Qatar 2.87% (2003 est.) Reunion 1.47% (2003 est.) Romania -0.21% (2003 est.) Russia -0.3% (2003 est.) Rwanda 1.84% (2003 est.) Saint Helena 0.67% (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.13% (2003 est.) Saint Lucia 1.25% (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.3% (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.34% (2003 est.) Samoa -0.27% (2003 est.) San Marino 1.38% (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 3.18% (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia 3.27% (2003 est.) Senegal 2.56% (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 0.07% (2003 est.) Seychelles 0.46% (2003 est.) Sierra Leone 2.94% (2003 est.) Singapore 3.42% (2003 est.) Slovakia 0.14% (2003 est.) Slovenia 0.14% (2003 est.) Solomon Islands 2.83% (2003 est.) Somalia 3.43% (2003 est.) South Africa 0.01% (2003 est.) Spain 0.16% (2003 est.) Sri Lanka 0.83% (2003 est.) Sudan 2.71% (2003 est.) Suriname 0.37% (2003 est.) Svalbard -0.02% (2003 est.) Swaziland 0.83% (2003 est.) Sweden 0.01% (2003 est.) Switzerland 0.21% (2003 est.) Syria 2.45% (2003 est.) Taiwan 0.65% (2003 est.) Tajikistan 2.13% (2003 est.) Tanzania 1.72% (2003 est.) Thailand 0.95% (2003 est.) Togo 2.37% (2003 est.) Tokelau 0.01% (2003 est.) Tonga 1.9% (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago -0.68% (2003 est.) Tunisia 1.09% (2003 est.) Turkey 1.16% (2003 est.) Turkmenistan 1.82% (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 3.14% (2003 est.) Tuvalu 1.42% (2003 est.) Uganda 2.96% (2003 est.) Ukraine -0.69% (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates 1.57% (2003 est.) United Kingdom 0.3% (2003 est.) United States 0.92% (2003 est.) Uruguay 0.79% (2003 est.) Uzbekistan 1.63% (2003 est.) Vanuatu 1.61% (2003 est.) Venezuela 1.48% (2003 est.) Vietnam 1.29% (2003 est.) Virgin Islands 1.02% (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA (2003 est.) West Bank 3.3% (2003 est.) Western Sahara NA% (2003 est.) World 1.17% (2003 est.) Yemen 3.42% (2003 est.) Zambia 1.52% (2003 est.) Zimbabwe 0.83% (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2003 GDP - real growth rate (%) Afghanistan NA% Albania 7.3% (2002 est.) Algeria 3.3% (2002 est.) American Samoa NA% Andorra 3.8% (2000 est.) Angola 9.4% (2002 est.) Anguilla 2.8% (2001 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 3% (2002 est.) Argentina -10.9% (2002 est.) Armenia 12.9% (2002 est.) Aruba -1.5% (2002 est.) Australia 3.6% (2002 est.) Austria 1.1% (2002 est.) Azerbaijan 10.6% (2002 est.) Bahamas, The 0.1% (2002 est.) Bahrain 2.9% (2002 est.) Bangladesh 4.8% (2002 est.) Barbados -2.8% (2002 est.) Belarus 4.7% (2002 est.) Belgium 0.7% (2002 est.) Belize 3.7% (2002 est.) Benin 6% (2002 est.) Bermuda 0.5% (2002 est.) Bhutan 7.7% (2002 est.) Bolivia 2.8% (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.3% (2002 est.) Botswana 4.2% (2002 est.) Brazil 1.5% (2002 est.) British Virgin Islands 1% (2002 est.) Brunei 3% (2002 est.) Bulgaria 4.8% (2002 est.) Burkina Faso 4.6% (2002 est.) Burma 5.3% (2002 est.) Burundi 4.5% (2002 est.) Cambodia 4.5% (2002 est.) Cameroon 4% (2002 est.) Canada 3.3% (2002 est.) Cape Verde 4% (2002 est.) Cayman Islands 1.7% (2002 est.) Central African Republic 1.5% (2002 est.) Chad 7.4% (2002 est.) Chile 2.1% (2002 est.) China 8% (official data) (2002 est.) Christmas Island NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA% Colombia 1.5% (2002 est.) Comoros 2% (2002 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3.5% (2002 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0% (2002 est.) Cook Islands 7.1% (2001 est.) Costa Rica 2.8% (2002 est.) Cote d'Ivoire -1.6% (2002 est.) Croatia 5.2% (2002 est.) Cuba 1.1% (2002 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 1.7% (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 2.6% (2002 est.) Czech Republic 2% (2002 est.) Denmark 1.6% (2002 est.) Djibouti 3.5% (2002 est.) Dominica 1.2% (2002 est.) Dominican Republic 4.1% (2002 est.) East Timor 18% (2001 est.) Ecuador 3.4% (2002 est.) Egypt 3.2% (2002 est.) El Salvador 2.1% (2002 est.) Equatorial Guinea 20% (2002 est.) Eritrea 2% (2002 est.) Estonia 6% (2002 est.) Ethiopia 3% (2002 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA% Faroe Islands 10% (2001 est.) Fiji 4.6% (2002 est.) Finland 1.6% (2002 est.) France 1.2% (2002 est.) French Guiana NA% French Polynesia 4% (2001 est.) Gabon 0.2% (2002 est.) Gambia, The 5.7% (2001 est.) Gaza Strip -15% (2002 est.) Georgia 5.4% (2002 est.) Germany 0.2% (2002 est.) Ghana 4.5% (2002 est.) Gibraltar NA% Greece 4% (2002 est.) Greenland 1.8% (2001 est.) Grenada 2.5% (2002 est.) Guadeloupe NA% Guam NA% Guatemala 2.2% (2002 est.) Guernsey 5.7% (1999 est.) Guinea 3.7% (2002 est.) Guinea-Bissau -4.3% (2002 est.) Guyana 1.1% (2002 est.) Haiti -0.9% (2002 est.) Honduras 2.5% (2002 est.) Hong Kong 2.3% (2002 est.) Hungary 3.3% (2002 est.) Iceland -0.6% (2002 est.) India 4.3% (2002 est.) Indonesia 3.7% (2002 est.) Iran 7.6% (2002 est.) Iraq -3% (2002 est.) Ireland 6.9% (2002 est.) Israel -0.8% (2002 est.) Italy 0.4% (2002 est.) Jamaica 1% (2002 est.) Japan 0.2% (2002 est.) Jersey NA% Jordan 4.9% (2002 est.) Kazakhstan 9.5% (2002 est.) Kenya 1.1% (2002 est.) Kiribati 1.5% (2001 est.) Korea, North 1% (2002 est.) Korea, South 6.3% (2002 est.) Kuwait -2% (2002 est.) Kyrgyzstan 5.3% (2002 est.) Laos 5.7% (2002 est.) Latvia 6.1% (2002 est.) Lebanon 2% (2002 est.) Lesotho 4% (2002 est.) Liberia 2% (2002 est.) Libya 1.2% (2002 est.) Liechtenstein 11% (1999 est.) Lithuania 6.7% (2002 est.) Luxembourg 0.4% (2002 est.) Macau 9.5% (2002 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0.7% (2002 est.) Madagascar -11.9% (2002 est.) Malawi 1.7% (2002 est.) Malaysia 4.1% (2002 est.) Maldives 2.3% (2002 est.) Mali 4.5% (2002 est.) Malta 1.2% (2002 est.) Man, Isle of 13.5% Marshall Islands 1% (2001 est.) Martinique NA% Mauritania 3.3% (2002 est.) Mauritius 2.3% (2002 est.) Mayotte NA% Mexico 0.7% (2002 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 1% (2002 est.) Moldova 6.5% (2002 est.) Monaco NA% Mongolia 3.9% (2002 est.) Montserrat -1% (2002 est.) Morocco 4.6% (2002 est.) Mozambique 7.7% (2002 est.) Namibia 2.3% (2002 est.) Nauru NA% Nepal -0.6% (2002 est.) Netherlands 0.2% (2002 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0% (2002 est.) New Caledonia NA New Zealand 3.3% (2002 est.) Nicaragua 1.1% (2002 est.) Niger 2.9% (2002 est.) Nigeria 3.2% (2002 est.) Niue -0.3% (2000 est.) Norfolk Island NA% Northern Mariana Islands NA% Norway 1% (2002 est.) Oman 2.2% (2002 est.) Pakistan 4.4% (FY01/02 est.) Palau 1% (2001 est.) Panama 0.7% (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea -3.1% (2002 est.) Paraguay -2.7% (2002 est.) Peru 5.3% (2002 est.) Philippines 4.4% (2002 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA% Poland 1.4% (2002 est.) Portugal 0.4% (2002 est.) Puerto Rico -0.2% (2002 est.) Qatar 4.6% (2002 est.) Reunion 2.5% (2002 est.) Romania 4.9% (2002 est.) Russia 4.3% (2002 est.) Rwanda 9.7% (2002 est.) Saint Helena NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis -1.9% (2002 est.) Saint Lucia 3.3% (2002 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.5% (2002 est.) Samoa 5% (2002 est.) San Marino 7.5% (2001 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 4% (2002 est.) Saudi Arabia 1% (2002 est.) Senegal 2.4% (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 4% (2002 est.) Seychelles 1.5% (2002 est.) Sierra Leone 6.6% (2002 est.) Singapore 2.2% (2002 est.) Slovakia 4.4% (2002 est.) Slovenia 3.2% (2002 est.) Solomon Islands -10% (2001 est.) Somalia 3.5% (2002 est.) South Africa 3% (2002 est.) Spain 2% (2002 est.) Sri Lanka 3.2% (2002 est.) Sudan 5.1% (2002 est.) Suriname 1.2% (2002 est.) Svalbard NA% Swaziland 1.6% (2002 est.) Sweden 1.9% (2002 est.) Switzerland 0.1% (2002 est.) Syria 3.6% (2002 est.) Taiwan 3.5% (2002 est.) Tajikistan 9.1% (2002 est.) Tanzania 6.1% (2002 est.) Thailand 5.3% (2002 est.) Togo 2.9% (2002 est.) Tokelau NA% Tonga 3% (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 3.2% (2002 est.) Tunisia 4.8% (2002 est.) Turkey 7.8% (2002 est.) Turkmenistan 21.1% (2002 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 4.9% (2000 est.) Tuvalu 3% (2000 est.) Uganda 5.5% (2002 est.) Ukraine 4.8% (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates 1.8% (2002 est.) United Kingdom 1.8% (2002 est.) United States 2.4% (2002 est.) Uruguay -10.8% (2002 est.) Uzbekistan 4.2% (2002 est.) Vanuatu -0.3% (2002 est.) Venezuela -8.9% (2002 est.) Vietnam 7% (2002 est.) Virgin Islands 2% (2001 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank -22% (2002 est.) Western Sahara NA% World 2.7% (2001 est.) Yemen 4.1% (2002 est.) Zambia 2.3% (2002 est.) Zimbabwe -13% (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2004 GDP - per capita Afghanistan purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) Albania purchasing power parity - $4,400 (2002 est.) Algeria purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.) American Samoa purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.) Andorra purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2000 est.) Angola purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) Anguilla purchasing power parity - $8,600 (2001 est.) Antigua and Barbuda purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.) Argentina purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2002 est.) Armenia purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2002 est.) Aruba purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.) Australia purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2002 est.) Austria purchasing power parity - $27,900 (2002 est.) Azerbaijan purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.) Bahamas, The purchasing power parity - $15,300 (2002 est.) Bahrain purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2002 est.) Bangladesh purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.) Barbados purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2002 est.) Belarus purchasing power parity - $8,700 (2002 est.) Belgium purchasing power parity - $29,200 (2002 est.) Belize purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2002 est.) Benin purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) Bermuda purchasing power parity - $35,200 (2002 est.) Bhutan purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) Bolivia purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2002 est.) Botswana purchasing power parity - $8,500 (2002 est.) Brazil purchasing power parity - $7,600 (2002 est.) British Virgin Islands purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2002 est.) Brunei purchasing power parity - $18,600 (2002 est.) Bulgaria purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2002 est.) Burkina Faso purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) Burma purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) Burundi purchasing power parity - $500 (2002 est.) Cambodia purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2002 est.) Cameroon purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) Canada purchasing power parity - $29,300 (2002 est.) Cape Verde purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) Cayman Islands purchasing power parity - $35,000 (2002 est.) Central African Republic purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) Chad purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2002 est.) Chile purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2002 est.) China purchasing power parity - $4,700 (2002 est.) Christmas Island purchasing power parity - $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands purchasing power parity - $NA Colombia purchasing power parity - $6,100 (2002 est.) Comoros purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) Congo, Republic of the purchasing power parity - $900 (2002 est.) Cook Islands purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) Costa Rica purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.) Cote d'Ivoire purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) Croatia purchasing power parity - $9,800 (2002 est.) Cuba purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2002 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $6,000 (2002 est.) Czech Republic purchasing power parity - $15,300 (2002 est.) Denmark purchasing power parity - $28,900 (2002 est.) Djibouti purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) Dominica purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.) Dominican Republic purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2002 est.) East Timor purchasing power parity - $500 (2001 est.) Ecuador purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2002 est.) Egypt purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2002 est.) El Salvador purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.) Equatorial Guinea purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2002 est.) Eritrea purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) Estonia purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.) Ethiopia purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) purchasing power parity - $25,000 (2002 est.) Faroe Islands purchasing power parity - $22,000 (2001 est.) Fiji purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.) Finland purchasing power parity - $25,800 (2002 est.) France purchasing power parity - $26,000 (2002 est.) French Guiana purchasing power parity - $14,400 (2000 est.) French Polynesia purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) Gabon purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2002 est.) Gambia, The purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.) Gaza Strip purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) Georgia purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2001 est.) Germany purchasing power parity - $26,200 (2002 est.) Ghana purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.) Gibraltar purchasing power parity - $17,500 (1997 est.) Greece purchasing power parity - $19,100 (2002 est.) Greenland purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2001 est.) Grenada purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.) Guadeloupe purchasing power parity - $9,000 (1997 est.) Guam purchasing power parity - $21,000 (2000 est.) Guatemala purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.) Guernsey purchasing power parity - $20,000 (1999 est.) Guinea purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.) Guinea-Bissau purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) Guyana purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2002 est.) Haiti purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) Honduras purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2002 est.) Hong Kong purchasing power parity - $27,200 (2002 est.) Hungary purchasing power parity - $13,300 (2002 est.) Iceland purchasing power parity - $30,200 (2002 est.) India purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.) Indonesia purchasing power parity - $3,100 (2002 est.) Iran purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2002 est.) Iraq purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2002 est.) Ireland purchasing power parity - $29,300 (2002 est.) Israel purchasing power parity - $19,500 (2002 est.) Italy purchasing power parity - $25,100 (2002 est.) Jamaica purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2002 est.) Japan purchasing power parity - $28,700 (2002 est.) Jersey purchasing power parity - $24,800 (1999 est.) Jordan purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.) Kazakhstan purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2002 est.) Kenya purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) Kiribati purchasing power parity - $800 (2001 est.) Korea, North purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2002 est.) Korea, South purchasing power parity - $19,600 (2002 est.) Kuwait purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2002 est.) Kyrgyzstan purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.) Laos purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.) Latvia purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.) Lebanon purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2002 est.) Lesotho purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2002 est.) Liberia purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2002 est.) Libya purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2002 est.) Liechtenstein purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.) Lithuania purchasing power parity - $8,400 (2002 est.) Luxembourg purchasing power parity - $48,900 (2002 est.) Macau purchasing power parity - $18,500 (2002 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of purchasing power parity - $5,100 (2002 est.) Madagascar purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) Malawi purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) Malaysia purchasing power parity - $8,800 (2002 est.) Maldives purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.) Mali purchasing power parity - $900 (2002 est.) Malta purchasing power parity - $17,200 (2002 est.) Man, Isle of purchasing power parity - $21,000 (2001 est.) Marshall Islands purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2001 est.) Martinique purchasing power parity - $10,700 (2001 est.) Mauritania purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) Mauritius purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2002 est.) Mayotte purchasing power parity - $600 (1998 est.) Mexico purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.) Moldova purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.) Monaco purchasing power parity - $27,000 (1999 est.) Mongolia purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2002 est.) Montserrat purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.) Morocco purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.) Mozambique purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) Namibia purchasing power parity - $6,900 (2002 est.) Nauru purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) Nepal purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) Netherlands purchasing power parity - $27,200 (2002 est.) Netherlands Antilles purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2002 est.) New Caledonia purchasing power parity - $14,000 (2002 est.) New Zealand purchasing power parity - $20,100 (2002 est.) Nicaragua purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2002 est.) Niger purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) Nigeria purchasing power parity - $900 (2002 est.) Niue purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2000 est.) Norfolk Island purchasing power parity - $NA Northern Mariana Islands purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.) Norway purchasing power parity - $33,000 (2002 est.) Oman purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.) Pakistan purchasing power parity - $2,000 (FY01/02 est.) Palau purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.) Panama purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.) Paraguay purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.) Peru purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.) Philippines purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.) Pitcairn Islands purchasing power parity - $NA Poland purchasing power parity - $9,700 (2002 est.) Portugal purchasing power parity - $19,400 (2002 est.) Puerto Rico purchasing power parity - $11,100 (2002 est.) Qatar purchasing power parity - $20,100 (2002 est.) Reunion purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.) Romania purchasing power parity - $7,600 (2002 est.) Russia purchasing power parity - $9,700 (2002 est.) Rwanda purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) Saint Helena purchasing power parity - $2,500 (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis purchasing power parity - $8,800 (2002 est.) Saint Lucia purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon purchasing power parity - $11,000 (1996 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.) Samoa purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.) San Marino purchasing power parity - $34,600 (2001 est.) Sao Tome and Principe purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) Saudi Arabia purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2002 est.) Senegal purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2002 est.) Seychelles purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2002 est.) Sierra Leone purchasing power parity - $500 (2002 est.) Singapore purchasing power parity - $25,200 (2002 est.) Slovakia purchasing power parity - $12,400 (2002 est.) Slovenia purchasing power parity - $19,200 (2002 est.) Solomon Islands purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2001 est.) Somalia purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) South Africa purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2002 est.) Spain purchasing power parity - $21,200 (2002 est.) Sri Lanka purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.) Sudan purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) Suriname purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.) Svalbard purchasing power parity - $NA Swaziland purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2002 est.) Sweden purchasing power parity - $26,000 (2002 est.) Switzerland purchasing power parity - $32,000 (2002 est.) Syria purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.) Taiwan purchasing power parity - $18,000 (2002 est.) Tajikistan purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) Tanzania purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.) Thailand purchasing power parity - $7,000 (2002 est.) Togo purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) Tokelau purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.) Tonga purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2002 est.) Tunisia purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2002 est.) Turkey purchasing power parity - $7,300 (2002 est.) Turkmenistan purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2002 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands purchasing power parity - $9,600 (2000 est.) Tuvalu purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.) Uganda purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) Ukraine purchasing power parity - $4,500 (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates purchasing power parity - $22,100 (2002 est.) United Kingdom purchasing power parity - $25,500 (2002 est.) United States purchasing power parity - $36,300 (2002 est.) Uruguay purchasing power parity - $7,900 (2002 est.) Uzbekistan purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.) Vanuatu purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.) Venezuela purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.) Vietnam purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2002 est.) Virgin Islands purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2001 est.) Wallis and Futuna purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.) West Bank purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) Western Sahara purchasing power parity - $NA World purchasing power parity - $7,900 (2002 est.) Yemen purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) Zambia purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.) Zimbabwe purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2006 Dependency status American Samoa unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Anguilla overseas territory of the UK Aruba part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Ashmore and Cartier Islands territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services Baker Island unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Bassas da India possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Bermuda overseas territory of the UK Bouvet Island territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo British Indian Ocean Territory overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London British Virgin Islands overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing Cayman Islands overseas territory of the UK Christmas Island territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services Clipperton Island possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic Cocos (Keeling) Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services Cook Islands self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands Coral Sea Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories Europa Island possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina Faroe Islands part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 French Guiana overseas department of France French Polynesia overseas territory of France since 1946 French Southern and Antarctic Lands overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by Administrateur Superieur Francois GARDE (since 24 May 2000), assisted by Secretary General Jean-Yves HERMOSO (since NA) Gibraltar overseas territory of the UK Glorioso Islands possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Greenland part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979 Guadeloupe overseas department of France Guam organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Guernsey British crown dependency Heard Island and McDonald Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage Hong Kong special administrative region of China Howland Island unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Jan Mayen territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service Jarvis Island unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Jersey British crown dependency Johnston Atoll unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Honolulu, HI, by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Juan de Nova Island possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Kingman Reef unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior note: on 1 September 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef from the Department of the Navy; Executive Order 3223 signed 18 January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be administered by the Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this refuge is managed to protect the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of Kingman Reef out to the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea limit Macau special administrative region of China Man, Isle of British crown dependency Martinique overseas department of France Mayotte territorial collectivity of France Midway Islands unincorporated territory of the US; formerly administered from Washington, DC, by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993; on 31 October 1996, through a presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and control of the atoll was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Montserrat overseas territory of the UK Navassa Island unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island Netherlands Antilles part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs New Caledonia overseas territory of France since 1956 Niue self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue Norfolk Island territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport, and Territories Northern Mariana Islands commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs Palmyra Atoll incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 NM territorial sea or within the lagoon Pitcairn Islands overseas territory of the UK Puerto Rico commonwealth associated with the US Reunion overseas department of France Saint Helena overseas territory of the UK Saint Pierre and Miquelon self-governing territorial collectivity of France South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II; Grytviken, formerly a whaling station on South Georgia, is a scientific base Svalbard territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was awarded to Norway Tokelau self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are drafting a constitution and developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand Tromelin Island possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Turks and Caicos Islands overseas territory of the UK Virgin Islands organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Wake Island unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the island are managed by the US Air Force Wallis and Futuna overseas territory of France This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2007 Diplomatic representation from the US Afghanistan chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Patrick John FINN; note - embassy in Kabul reopened 16 December 2001, following closure in January 1989 embassy: Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180 telephone: [93] (2) 290002, 290005, 290154 FAX: 00932290153 Albania chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Washington, DC 20521-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 247285 FAX: [355] (4) 232222 Algeria chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. ERDMAN (as of 10 July 2003) embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers telephone: [213] (21) 691-425/255/186 FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79 American Samoa none (territory of the US) Andorra the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: (3493) 280-2227; FAX: (3493) 205-7705 Angola chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELL embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224 FAX: [244] (2) 446-924 Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda Argentina chief of mission: Ambassador James D. WALSH; note - Lino GUTIERREZ is designated to replace Ambassador WALSH embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240 Armenia chief of mission: Ambassador John M. ORDWAY embassy: 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-177, 542-132, 524-661, 527-001, 524-840 FAX: [374](1) 520-800 Aruba the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba Ashmore and Cartier Islands none (territory of Australia) Australia chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Austria chief of mission: Ambassador William Lee LYONS BROWN, Jr. embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [43] (1) 31339, 31375, 31335 FAX: [43] (1) 5125835 Azerbaijan chief of mission: Ambassador Ross L. WILSON embassy: 83 Azadliq Prospekt, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37 FAX: [9] (9412) 90-66-71 Bahamas, The chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Robert M. WITAJEWSKI embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222 Bahrain chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 321, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 273-300 FAX: [973] 272-594 Bangladesh chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann PETERS embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 8824700 through 8824722 FAX: [880] (2) 8823744 Barbados chief of mission: Ambassador Earl N. PHILLIPS, Jr. embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown; (courier) ALICO Building-Cheapside, Bridgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055 telephone: [1] (246) 436-4950 FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246, 429-3379 Belarus chief of mission: Ambassador Michael G. KOZAK embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002 mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83 FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853 Belgium chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725 Belize chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163 FAX: [501] 30802 Benin chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50 FAX: [229] 30-06-70 Bermuda chief of mission: Consul General Denis Patrick COLEMAN, Jr. consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233 Bhutan the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) Bolivia chief of mission: Ambassador David N. GREENLEE embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 2430120, 2430251 FAX: [591] (2) 2433900 Bosnia and Herzegovina chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford G. BOND embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: use street address telephone: [387] (33) 445-700 FAX: [387] (33) 659-722 branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar Botswana chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph HUGGINS embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 312782 Brazil chief of mission: Ambassador Donna J. HRINAK embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife British Indian Ocean Territory none (overseas territory of the UK) British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei chief of mission: Ambassador Gene B. CHRISTY embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507 telephone: [673] (2) 229670 FAX: [673] (2) 225293 Bulgaria chief of mission: Ambassador James William PARDEW embassy: 1 Suborna Street, Sofia 1000 mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 981-89-77 Burkina Faso chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony HOLMES embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4 mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - U. S. Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440 telephone: [226] 306723 FAX: [226] 303890 Burma chief of mission: Permanent Charge d'Affaires Carmen M. MARTINEZ embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521) mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546 telephone: [95] (1) 379 880, 379 881 FAX: [95] (1) 256 018 Burundi chief of mission: Ambassador James Howard YELLIN embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone: [257] 223454 FAX: [257] 222926 Cambodia chief of mission: Ambassador Charles Aaron RAY embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 216-436/438 FAX: [855] (23) 216-437/811 Cameroon chief of mission: Ambassador George McDade STAPLES embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 223-05-12, 222-25-89, 222-17-94, 223-40-14 FAX: [237] 223-07-53 branch office(s): Douala Canada chief of mission: Ambassador Paul CELLUCCI embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 688-3097 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver Cape Verde chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSON embassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 61 56 16, 61 56 17 FAX: [238] 61 13 55 Cayman Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Central African Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Mattie R. SHARPLESS embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 Chad chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher E. GOLDTHWAIT embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 70-09 FAX: [235] (51) 56-54 Chile chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710 China chief of mission: Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr. embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 6532-3831 FAX: [86] (10) 6532-6929 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenyang Christmas Island none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia) Colombia chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: Carrera 45 #22D-45, Bogota, D.C., APO AA 34038 telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197 Comoros the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the chief of mission: Ambassador Aubrey HOOKS embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 telephone: [243] (88) 43608 FAX: [243] (88) 43467 Congo, Republic of the chief of mission: Ambassador Robin R. SANDERS embassy: NA mailing address: NA telephone: [243] (88) 43608 note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa) Cook Islands none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Coral Sea Islands none (territory of Australia) Costa Rica chief of mission: Ambassador John J. DANILOVICH embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 220-3939 FAX: [506] 220-2305 Cote d'Ivoire chief of mission: Ambassador Arlene RENDER embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01 telephone: [225] 20 21 09 79 FAX: [225] 20 22 32 59 Croatia chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph FRANK embassy: Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb mailing address: use street address telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200 FAX: [385] (1) 661-2373 Cuba none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer James C. CASON; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53] (7) 33-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX: [53] (7) 33-3700; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland Cyprus chief of mission: Ambassador Michael KLOSSON embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, 2407 Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nikosia telephone: [357] (22) 776400 FAX: [357] (22) 780944 Czech Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Craig R. STAPLETON embassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [420] (2) 5753-0663 FAX: [420] (2) 5753-0583 Denmark chief of mission: Ambassador Stuart A. BERNSTEIN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] 35 55 31 44 FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23 Djibouti chief of mission: Ambassador Donald YAMAMOTO embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40 Dominica the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; US interests are served by the embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados Dominican Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Hans H. HERTELL embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437 East Timor chief of mission: Ambassador Grover Joseph REES embassy: Vila 10, Avenida de Portugal, Farol, Dili mailing address: Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684, 331-3205/3160/3472 FAX: (670) 331-3206 Ecuador chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie Anne KENNEY embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039 telephone: [593] (2) 256-2890 FAX: [593] (2) 250-2052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil Egypt chief of mission: Ambassador C. David WELCH embassy: 5 Latin America St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900 telephone: [20] (2) 797-3300 FAX: [20] (2) 797-3200 El Salvador chief of mission: Ambassador Rose M. LIKINS embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023 telephone: [503] 278-4444 FAX: [503] 278-6011 Equatorial Guinea the US does not have an embassy in Equatorial Guinea (embassy closed September 1995); the US ambassador to Cameroon is accredited to Equatorial Guinea; the US State Department is considering opening a Consulate Agency in Malabo Eritrea chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. McCONNELL embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmara mailing address: P. O. Box 211, Asmara telephone: [291] (1) 120004 FAX: [291] (1) 127584 Estonia chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. DeTHOMAS embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8134 Ethiopia chief of mission: Ambassador Aurelia A. BRAZEAL embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 550666 FAX: [251] (1) 551328 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Fiji chief of mission: Ambassador David L. LYON embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-0081 Finland chief of mission: Ambassador Bonnie McELVEEN-HUNTER embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 616250 FAX: [358] (9) 174681 France chief of mission: Ambassador Howard H. LEACH embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777 telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22 FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83 consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg French Guiana none (overseas department of France) French Polynesia none (overseas territory of France) French Southern and Antarctic Lands none (overseas territory of France) Gabon chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth P. MOOREFIELD embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 74 34 92 FAX: [241] 74 55 07 Gambia, The chief of mission: Ambassador Jackson McDONALD embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391971 FAX: [220] 392475 Georgia chief of mission: Ambassador Richard M. MILES embassy: #25 Atoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 989-967/68 FAX: [995] (32) 933-759 Germany chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel R. COATS embassy: Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, 10117 Berlin; note - a new embassy will be built near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265 telephone: [49] (30) 238-5174 FAX: [49] (30) 238-6290 consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich Ghana chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Carlin YATES embassy: 6th and 10th Lanes, 798/1 Osu, Accra mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra telephone: [233] (21) 775-347, 775-348 FAX: [233] (21) 701-813 Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK) Glorioso Islands none (possession of France) Greece chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. MILLER embassy: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 101 60 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki Greenland none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Grenada chief of mission: the ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada embassy: Point Salines, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, West Indies telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1176 FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820 Guadeloupe none (overseas department of France) Guam none (territory of the US) Guatemala chief of mission: Ambassador John Randle HAMILTON embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 331-1541/55 FAX: [502] 334-8477 Guernsey none (British crown dependency) Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 FAX: [224] 41 15 22 Guinea-Bissau the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and military-led junta; for the time being, US embassy Dakar is responsible for covering Guinea-Bissau: telephone - [221] 823-4296; FAX - [221] 822-5903 Guyana chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald D. GODARD embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 Haiti chief of mission: Ambassador James B. Foley embassy: 5 Harry S Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince telephone: [509] 222-0354, 222-0368, 222-0200, 222-0612 FAX: [509] 223-1641 Heard Island and McDonald Islands none (territory of Australia) Holy See (Vatican City) chief of mission: Ambassador R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 5758346 Honduras chief of mission: Ambassador Larry Leon PALMER embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 238-5114, 236-9320 FAX: [504] 236-9037 Hong Kong chief of mission: Consul General James KEITH consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2524-0860 Hungary chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy Goodman BRINKER embassy: 1054 Szabadsag ter 12, Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764 Iceland chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDEN embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340 telephone: [354] 5629100 FAX: [354] 5629118 India chief of mission: Ambassador Robert D. BLACKWILL embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [91] (11) 419-8000 FAX: [91] (11) 419-0017 consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) Indonesia chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCE embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 3-5, Jakarta 10110 mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520 telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000 FAX: [62] (21) 385-7189 consulate(s) general: Surabaya Iran none; note - protecting power in Iran is Switzerland Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland chief of mission: Ambassador Richard J. EGAN embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946 Israel chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZER embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830 telephone: [972] (3) 519-7457/7369/7454/7458/7453 FAX: [972] (3) 517-4390 consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government Italy chief of mission: Ambassador Melvin F. SEMBLER embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 46741 FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356 consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples Jamaica chief of mission: Ambassador Sue McCourt COBB embassy: Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor, Kingston 5 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [1] (876) 929-4850 through 4859 FAX: [1] (876) 935-6001 Japan chief of mission: Ambassador Howard H. BAKER, Jr. embassy: 10-5 Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, APO AP 96337-5004 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Jersey none (British crown dependency) Jordan chief of mission: Ambassador Edward William GNEHM, Jr. embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, APO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 5920101 FAX: [962] (6) 5920121 Juan de Nova Island none (possession of France) Kazakhstan chief of mission: Ambassador Larry C. NAPPER embassy: 99/97A Furmanova Street, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan 480091 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (3272) 63-39-21, 63-13-75, 50-76-23, 50-76-27 (emergency number) FAX: [7] (3272) 63-38-83 Kenya chief of mission: Ambassador Johnnie CARSON embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Ave., Gigiti; P. O. Box 606 Village Market Nairobi mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (2) 537-800 FAX: [254] (2) 537-810 Kiribati the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the ambassador to the Marshall Islands is accredited to Kiribati Korea, North none (Swedish Embassy in P'yongyang represents the US as consular protecting power) Korea, South chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. HUBBARD embassy: 82 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845 Kuwait chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: [965] 539-5307, ext. 2240 FAX: [965] 538-0282 Kyrgyzstan chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNG embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264 Laos chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas A. HARTWICK embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585 FAX: [856] (21) 212584 Latvia chief of mission: Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510 mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: [371] 703-6200 FAX: [371] 781-0047 Lebanon chief of mission: Ambassador Vincent Martin BATTLE embassy: Awkar, Lebanon mailing address: P. O. Box 70840, Awkar, Lebanon; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO AE 09836-0002 telephone: 011-961-4-543-600/542-600 FAX: 011-961-4-544-136 Lesotho chief of mission: Ambassador Robert G. LOFTIS embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho telephone: [266] 312666 FAX: [266] 310116 Liberia chief of mission: Ambassador John William BLANEY III embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [231] 226-370 through 226-380 FAX: [231] 226-148 Libya the US suspended all embassy activities in Tripoli on 2 May 1980 Liechtenstein the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein Lithuania chief of mission: Ambassador John F. TEFFT embassy: Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723 telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500 FAX: [370] (5) 266 5510 Luxembourg chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TERPELUK, Jr. embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01 Macau the US has no offices in Macau; US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence Edward BUTLER embassy: Bul. Ilinden bb, 91000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 116-180 FAX: [389] 117-103 Madagascar chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101 mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39 Malawi chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen BROWN embassy: Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Road mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] (1) 773 166 FAX: [265] (1) 770 471 Malaysia chief of mission: Ambassador Marie T. HUHTALA embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207 Maldives the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there Mali chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki HUDDLESTONE embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] (2) 223-833 FAX: [223] (2) 223-712 Malta chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony H. GIOIA embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta telephone: [356] 21-235-960 FAX: [356] 2124-3229 Man, Isle of none (British crown dependency) Marshall Islands chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. SENKO embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 Martinique none (overseas department of France) Mauritania chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON embassy: Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63, 25-11-41, 25-11-45 FAX: [222] 25-25-92 Mauritius chief of mission: Ambassador John PRICE embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450 telephone: [230] 202-4400 FAX: [230] 208-9534 Mayotte none (territorial collectivity of France) Mexico chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio O. GARZA embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, Distrito Federal mailing address: P. O. Box 9000, Brownsville, TX 78520-0900 telephone: [52] (55) 5080-2000 FAX: [52] (55) 5080-2005, 5080-2834 consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales Micronesia, Federated States of chief of mission: Ambassador Larry M. DINGER embassy: address NA, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186 Moldova chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela Hyde SMITH embassy: 103 Alexei Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72 FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44 Monaco the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France) is accredited to Monaco Mongolia chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. Slutz embassy: Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13 mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [976] (11) 329095 FAX: [976] (11) 320776 Montserrat none (overseas territory of the UK) Morocco chief of mission: Ambassador Ms. Margaret TUTWILER embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 90718 telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca Mozambique chief of mission: Ambassador Sharon P. WILKINSON embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (1) 492797 FAX: [258] (1) 490448 Namibia chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin J. McGUIRE embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 221601 FAX: [264] (61) 229792 Nauru the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru Nepal chief of mission: Ambassador Michael E. MALINOWSKI embassy: Panipokhari, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [977] (1) 411179 FAX: [977] (1) 419963 Netherlands chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209 FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam Netherlands Antilles chief of mission: Consul General Deborah A. BOLTON consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad AN, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: [599] (9) 4613066 FAX: [599] (9) 4616489 New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France) New Zealand chief of mission: Ambassador Charles J. SWINDELLS embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034 telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000 FAX: [64] (4) 472-3478 consulate(s) general: Auckland Nicaragua chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara Calandra MOORE embassy: Apartado Postal 327, Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] 266-6010, 266-2298, 266-6013 FAX: [505] 266-9074 Niger chief of mission: Ambassador Gail Dennise Thomas MATHIEU embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: [227] 73 31 67, 72-31-46 Nigeria chief of mission: Ambassador Howard Franklin JETER embassy: 7 Mambilla Drive, Abuja mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos telephone: [234] (9) 523-0916/0906/5857/2235/2205 FAX: [234] (9) 523-0353 Niue none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia) Norway chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ONG embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63 Oman chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Lewis BALTIMORE III embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 698989, extension 203 FAX: [968] 699771 Pakistan chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy J. POWELL embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 2080-0000 FAX: [92] (51) 2276427 consulate(s): Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar Palau chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau embassy: address NA, Koror mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990 FAX: [680] 488-2911 Panama chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 207-7000 FAX: [507] 227-1964 Papua New Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. Fitts embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423 Paraguay chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728 Peru chief of mission: Ambassador John R. DAWSON embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33 mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000 telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000 FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037 Philippines chief of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: [63] (2) 523-1001 FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361 Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw P1 mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, 5010 Warsaw Place, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000 FAX: [48] (22) 504-2951 consulate(s) general: Krakow Portugal chief of mission: Ambassador John N. PALMER embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon mailing address: PSC 83, APO AE 09726 telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300 FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109 consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores) Puerto Rico none (commonwealth associated with the US) Qatar chief of mission: Ambassador Maureen E. QUINN embassy: Al-Luqtas District, 22 February Road, Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 488 4101 FAX: [974] 488 4298 Reunion none (overseas department of France) Romania chief of mission: Ambassador Michael E. GUEST embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 210-4042 FAX: [40] (21) 210-0395 branch office(s): Cluj-Napoca Russia chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander VERSHBOW embassy: Bolshoy Devyatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, 121099 Moscow mailing address: PSC-77, APO AE 09721 telephone: [7] (095) 728-5000 FAX: [7] (095) 728-5090 consulate(s) general: Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg Rwanda chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret K. McMILLION embassy: #337 Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali telephone: [250] 50 56 01 through 03 FAX: [250] 57 2128 Saint Helena none (overseas territory of the UK) Saint Kitts and Nevis the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador in Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador in Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial collectivity of France) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador in Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa chief of mission: the Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa embassy: Vailima mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apia telephone: [685] 21631/22696 FAX: [685] 22030 San Marino the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the US Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino Sao Tome and Principe the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands Saudi Arabia chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. JORDAN embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah) Senegal chief of mission: Ambassador Harriet L. ELAM-THOMAS embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar telephone: [221] 823-4296 FAX: [221] 822-2991 Serbia and Montenegro chief of mission: Ambassador William D. MONTGOMERY embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344 FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230 Seychelles the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles Sierra Leone chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Russell CHAVEAS embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471 Singapore chief of mission: Ambassador Franklin L. LAVIN embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: PSC Box 470, FPO AP 96507-0001 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340 Slovakia chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald WEISER embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338 FAX: [421] (2) 5441-5148 Slovenia chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555 Solomon Islands the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands Somalia the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at Mombasa Road; mailing address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (2) 537800; FAX [254] (2) 537810 South Africa chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron H. HUME embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria mailing address: P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001 telephone: [27] (12) 342-1048 FAX: [27] (12) 342-2244 consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Spain chief of mission: Ambassador George L. ARGYROS embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid mailing address: PSC 61, APO AE 09642 telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200 FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303 consulate(s) general: Barcelona Sri Lanka chief of mission: Ambassador E. Ashley WILLS embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo telephone: [94] (1) 448007 FAX: [94] (1) 437345 Sudan US Embassy in Khartoum is located on Sharia Abdul Latif Avenue; mailing address - P. O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829; telephone - [249] (11) 774611 or 774700; FAX - [249] (11) 774137 Suriname chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel A. JOHNSON embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900 FAX: [597] 420800 Swaziland chief of mission: Ambassador James D. McGEE embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-6441 through 404-6445 FAX: [268] 404-5959 Sweden chief of mission: Ambassador Charles A. HEIMBOLD, Jr. embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch) telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64 Switzerland chief of mission: Ambassador Mercer REYNOLDS III embassy: Jubilaeumsstrasse 93, 3005 Bern mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11 FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44 Syria chief of mission: Ambassador Theodore H. KATTOUF embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street, No. 2, Damascus mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus telephone: [963] (11) 333-1342 FAX: [963] (11) 331-9678 Taiwan none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality - the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) - which has offices in the US and Taiwan; US office located at 1700 N. Moore St., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-1996, telephone: [1] (703) 525-8474, FAX: [1] (703) 841-1385); Taiwan offices located at #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (2) 2709-2000, FAX: [886] (2) 2702-7675; #2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, Kao-hsiung, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, FAX: [886] (7) 223-8237; and the American Trade Center, Room 3208 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei, Taiwan 10548, telephone: [886] (2) 2720-1550, FAX: [886] (2) 2757-7162 Tajikistan chief of mission: Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND embassy: 10 Pavlova Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734003; note - the embassy in Dushanbe is not yet fully operational; most business is still handled in Almaty at 531 Sayfullin Street, Almaty, Kazakhstan, telephone 7-3272-58-79-61, FAX 7-3272-58-79-68 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [992] (372) 21-03-48 (Dushanbe) FAX: [992] (372) 21-03-62 Tanzania chief of mission: Ambassador Robert V. ROYALL embassy: 140 Msese Road, Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam telephone: [255] (22) 2666-010 through 2666-015 FAX: [255] (22) 2666-701, 2668-501 Thailand chief of mission: Ambassador Darryl N. JOHNSON embassy: 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai Togo chief of mission: Ambassador Gregory ENGLE embassy: Angle Rue Kouenou and Rue 15 Beniglato, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome telephone: [228] 221 29 91 through 221 29 94 FAX: [228] 221 79 52 Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga Trinidad and Tobago chief of mission: Ambassador Roy L. AUSTIN embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone: [1] (868) 622-6372 through 6376, 622-6176 FAX: [1] (868) 628-5462 Tunisia chief of mission: Ambassador Rust M. DEMING embassy: Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis, 2045 La Goulette, Tunisia mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [216] 71 782-566 FAX: [216] 71 789-719 Turkey chief of mission: Ambassador Eric S. EDELMAN embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555 FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019 consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir Turkmenistan chief of mission: Ambassador Tracey A. JACOBSON embassy: 9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 774000 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [9] (9312) 35-00-45 FAX: [9] (9312) 39-26-14 Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu Uganda chief of mission: Ambassador Jimmy KOLKER embassy: 1577 Ggaba Rd., Kampala mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala telephone: [256] (41) 234-142 FAX: [256] (41) 258-451 Ukraine chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos E. PASCUAL embassy: 10 Yurii Kotsiubynskyi Street, Kiev 01901 mailing address: 5850 Kiev Place, Washington, DC 20521-5850 telephone: [380] (44) 490-4000 FAX: [380] (44) 244-7350 United Arab Emirates chief of mission: Ambassador Marcelle M. WAHBA embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 4436691 FAX: [971] (2) 4435441 consulate(s) general: Dubai United Kingdom chief of mission: Ambassador William S. FARISH embassy: 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A1AE mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040 telephone: [44] (0) 7499-9000 FAX: [44] (0) 7629-9124 consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh Uruguay chief of mission: Ambassador Martin J. SILVERSTEIN embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611 Uzbekistan chief of mission: Ambassador John Edward HERBST embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450 FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335 Vanuatu the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Venezuela chief of mission: Ambassador Charles S. SHAPIRO embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080 mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (212) 975-9234, 975-6411 FAX: [58] (212) 975-8991 Vietnam chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond F. BURGHARDT embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 772-1500 FAX: [84] (4) 772-1510 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City Virgin Islands none (territory of the US) Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France) Western Sahara none Yemen chief of mission: Ambassador Edmund J. HULL embassy: Dhahar Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa telephone: [967] (1) 303-161 FAX: [967] (1) 303-182 Zambia chief of mission: Ambassador Martin George BRENNAN embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: [260] (1) 250-955 FAX: [260] (1) 252-225 Zimbabwe chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 and 250-594 FAX: [263] (4) 796488 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2008 Transportation - note Arctic Ocean sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways Atlantic Ocean Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US Baker Island there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Georgia transportation network is in poor condition resulting from ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and repair Howland Island Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART Jarvis Island there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Pacific Ocean Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to Puget Sound (Washington state) Southern Ocean Drake Passage offers alternative to transit through the Panama Canal Wake Island formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency landings This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2010 Age structure (%) Afghanistan 0-14 years: 41.8% (male 6,123,971; female 5,868,013) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 8,240,743; female 7,671,242) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 427,710; female 385,534) (2003 est.) Albania 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 520,714; female 486,911) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 1,115,887; female 1,196,477) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 115,754; female 146,462) (2003 est.) Algeria 0-14 years: 32.8% (male 5,485,197; female 5,285,434) 15-64 years: 63% (male 10,460,475; female 10,224,389) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 624,839; female 738,166) (2003 est.) American Samoa 0-14 years: 37.5% (male 13,557; female 12,818) 15-64 years: 57% (male 19,712; female 20,346) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 2,081; female 1,746) (2003 est.) Andorra 0-14 years: 15.1% (male 5,473; female 4,974) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 26,063; female 23,542) 65 years and over: 13.2% (male 4,543; female 4,555) (2003 est.) Angola 0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,363,829; female 2,317,610) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,941,999; female 2,842,923) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 134,330; female 165,780) (2003 est.) Anguilla 0-14 years: 24.3% (male 1,575; female 1,526) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 4,504; female 4,262) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 387; female 484) (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 9,706; female 9,371) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 22,929; female 22,845) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,218; female 1,828) (2003 est.) Argentina 0-14 years: 26.2% (male 5,185,548; female 4,955,551) 15-64 years: 63.4% (male 12,274,625; female 12,282,772) 65 years and over: 10.4% (male 1,659,641; female 2,382,670) (2003 est.) Armenia 0-14 years: 21.1% (male 356,587; female 346,648) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,113,241; female 1,158,245) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 147,156; female 204,571) (2003 est.) Aruba 0-14 years: 20.7% (male 7,540; female 7,121) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 23,427; female 24,955) 65 years and over: 11% (male 3,215; female 4,586) (2003 est.) Australia 0-14 years: 20.2% (male 2,045,783; female 1,949,864) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 6,680,531; female 6,553,141) 65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,099,275; female 1,403,390) (2003 est.) Austria 0-14 years: 16.2% (male 678,944; female 646,390) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 2,827,736; female 2,768,480) 65 years and over: 15.5% (male 490,979; female 775,678) (2003 est.) Azerbaijan 0-14 years: 27.7% (male 1,101,320; female 1,064,214) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,468,772; female 2,601,312) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 236,683; female 358,463) (2003 est.) Bahamas, The 0-14 years: 28.8% (male 42,799; female 42,730) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 95,718; female 98,875) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 7,092; female 10,263) (2003 est.) Bahrain 0-14 years: 28.8% (male 97,294; female 94,930) 15-64 years: 68% (male 266,351; female 187,473) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 10,807; female 10,383) (2003 est.) Bangladesh 0-14 years: 34.1% (male 24,255,300; female 23,007,632) 15-64 years: 62.5% (male 44,261,739; female 42,281,331) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 2,506,606; female 2,135,602) (2003 est.) Barbados 0-14 years: 21.2% (male 29,621; female 29,207) 15-64 years: 70% (male 94,840; female 99,230) 65 years and over: 8.8% (male 9,355; female 15,011) (2003 est.) Belarus 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 885,265; female 848,516) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 3,456,769; female 3,652,766) 65 years and over: 14.3% (male 490,529; female 988,306) (2003 est.) Belgium 0-14 years: 17.2% (male 905,856; female 865,589) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,400,419; female 3,346,182) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 725,162; female 1,045,880) (2003 est.) Belize 0-14 years: 41.1% (male 55,880; female 53,706) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 74,612; female 72,813) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,571; female 4,858) (2003 est.) Benin 0-14 years: 47% (male 1,668,817; female 1,638,291) 15-64 years: 50.7% (male 1,739,517; female 1,834,231) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 67,504; female 93,130) (2003 est.) Bermuda 0-14 years: 19.2% (male 6,195; female 6,205) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 22,110; female 22,574) 65 years and over: 11.5% (male 3,215; female 4,183) (2003 est.) Bhutan 0-14 years: 39.6% (male 438,784; female 407,919) 15-64 years: 56.4% (male 621,666; female 585,550) 65 years and over: 4% (male 43,262; female 42,368) (2003 est.) Bolivia 0-14 years: 37.1% (male 1,624,366; female 1,562,501) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 2,452,892; female 2,561,873) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 172,292; female 212,519) (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-14 years: 19.4% (male 397,810; female 377,005) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 1,439,383; female 1,372,891) 65 years and over: 10.1% (male 171,643; female 230,286) (2003 est.) Botswana 0-14 years: 39.5% (male 314,764; female 307,024) 15-64 years: 56% (male 424,726; female 455,967) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 30,599; female 40,187) (2003 est.) Brazil 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 25,151,855; female 24,196,506) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 60,667,014; female 61,683,580) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 4,232,784; female 6,100,865) (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 2,401; female 2,358) 15-64 years: 73.1% (male 8,181; female 7,709) 65 years and over: 5% (male 578; female 503) (2003 est.) Brunei 0-14 years: 29.6% (male 54,118; female 51,902) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 128,421; female 113,480) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 4,804; female 5,373) (2003 est.) Bulgaria 0-14 years: 14.2% (male 549,142; female 520,057) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 2,551,548; female 2,632,978) 65 years and over: 17% (male 535,165; female 749,039) (2003 est.) Burkina Faso 0-14 years: 46.1% (male 3,057,855; female 3,036,705) 15-64 years: 51% (male 3,296,726; female 3,455,817) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 161,914; female 219,443) (2003 est.) Burma 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 6,091,220; female 5,840,968) 15-64 years: 67% (male 14,162,190; female 14,347,751) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 916,702; female 1,151,706) (2003 est.) Burundi 0-14 years: 46.7% (male 1,438,759; female 1,409,567) 15-64 years: 50.6% (male 1,516,833; female 1,564,513) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 66,355; female 100,129) (2003 est.) Cambodia 0-14 years: 39.3% (male 2,606,568; female 2,557,736) 15-64 years: 57.6% (male 3,599,216; female 3,962,520) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 148,287; female 250,437) (2003 est.) Cameroon 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 3,372,129; female 3,291,295) 15-64 years: 54.5% (male 4,315,672; female 4,265,286) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 227,444; female 274,353) (2003 est.) Canada 0-14 years: 18.5% (male 3,052,005; female 2,903,007) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 11,099,907; female 10,984,903) 65 years and over: 12.9% (male 1,774,262; female 2,393,029) (2003 est.) Cape Verde 0-14 years: 41% (male 85,254; female 83,716) 15-64 years: 52.3% (male 103,690; female 111,992) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 10,498; female 16,987) (2003 est.) Cayman Islands 0-14 years: 21.6% (male 4,525; female 4,541) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 14,463; female 15,157) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 1,515; female 1,733) (2003 est.) Central African Republic 0-14 years: 43.1% (male 799,241; female 788,370) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 969,581; female 1,000,740) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 53,322; female 72,284) (2003 est.) Chad 0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,228,605; female 2,201,368) 15-64 years: 49.3% (male 2,171,169; female 2,393,184) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 105,686; female 153,481) (2003 est.) Chile 0-14 years: 26.4% (male 2,112,251; female 2,018,099) 15-64 years: 66% (male 5,151,551; female 5,180,607) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 499,441; female 703,267) (2003 est.) China 0-14 years: 23.1% (male 155,473,656; female 141,737,406) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 461,223,219; female 433,154,970) 65 years and over: 7.4% (male 44,954,643; female 50,431,574) (2003 est.) Christmas Island 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Colombia 0-14 years: 31.3% (male 6,601,581; female 6,447,679) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 12,931,093; female 13,626,333) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 913,798; female 1,141,589) (2003 est.) Comoros 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 136,060; female 135,277) 15-64 years: 54.2% (male 169,121; female 173,822) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,863; female 9,805) (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0-14 years: 48.3% (male 13,734,706; female 13,624,579) 15-64 years: 49.2% (male 13,648,155; female 14,203,077) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 583,366; female 831,156) (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 570,491; female 563,079) 15-64 years: 58% (male 844,655; female 868,851) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 44,166; female 63,016) (2003 est.) Cook Islands 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Costa Rica 0-14 years: 30.1% (male 600,812; female 573,375) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 1,269,667; female 1,241,097) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 98,156; female 112,985) (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 0-14 years: 45.4% (male 3,796,393; female 3,902,210) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 4,541,997; female 4,347,531) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 179,323; female 195,037) (2003 est.) Croatia 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 415,873; female 394,414) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,465,488; female 1,454,778) 65 years and over: 15.6% (male 258,943; female 432,752) (2003 est.) Cuba 0-14 years: 20.1% (male 1,164,376; female 1,103,061) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 3,932,604; female 3,909,523) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 531,608; female 622,257) (2003 est.) Cyprus 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 86,446; female 82,769) 15-64 years: 67% (male 261,404; female 255,409) 65 years and over: 11.1% (male 37,345; female 48,284) (2003 est.) Czech Republic 0-14 years: 15.4% (male 809,697; female 768,747) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 3,617,214; female 3,614,060) 65 years and over: 14% (male 554,922; female 884,576) (2003 est.) Denmark 0-14 years: 18.7% (male 516,872; female 490,543) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 1,809,138; female 1,762,577) 65 years and over: 15% (male 338,141; female 467,113) (2003 est.) Djibouti 0-14 years: 43.1% (male 98,796; female 98,202) 15-64 years: 53.9% (male 129,492; female 116,953) 65 years and over: 3% (male 6,933; female 6,754) (2003 est.) Dominica 0-14 years: 27.8% (male 9,807; female 9,571) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 23,024; female 21,768) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 2,226; female 3,259) (2003 est.) Dominican Republic 0-14 years: 33.6% (male 1,497,777; female 1,431,104) 15-64 years: 61.2% (male 2,719,505; female 2,614,495) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 212,045; female 240,676) (2003 est.) East Timor NA (2003 est.) Ecuador 0-14 years: 34.9% (male 2,430,303; female 2,351,166) 15-64 years: 60.6% (male 4,116,289; female 4,198,667) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 284,082; female 329,727) (2003 est.) Egypt 0-14 years: 33.9% (male 12,964,852; female 12,346,808) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 23,375,037; female 22,865,190) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 1,359,685; female 1,807,225) (2003 est.) El Salvador 0-14 years: 37.1% (male 1,224,024; female 1,173,667) 15-64 years: 57.9% (male 1,777,522; female 1,966,064) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 147,482; female 181,620) (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 108,179; female 107,164) 15-64 years: 54% (male 132,342; female 143,509) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 8,576; female 10,703) (2003 est.) Eritrea 0-14 years: 44.7% (male 977,447; female 972,068) 15-64 years: 52% (male 1,121,077; female 1,147,109) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 71,620; female 72,933) (2003 est.) Estonia 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 113,239; female 108,876) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 467,041; female 501,805) 65 years and over: 15.4% (male 71,512; female 146,083) (2003 est.) Ethiopia 0-14 years: 44.8% (male 14,944,168; female 14,871,164) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 17,474,403; female 17,384,817) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 840,057; female 1,042,944) (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% Faroe Islands 0-14 years: 22% (male 5,103; female 5,077) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 15,822; female 14,002) 65 years and over: 13.7% (male 2,842; female 3,499) (2003 est.) Fiji 0-14 years: 32% (male 141,979; female 136,378) 15-64 years: 64.1% (male 278,759; female 278,150) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 15,329; female 17,936) (2003 est.) Finland 0-14 years: 17.7% (male 468,077; female 450,785) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 1,753,760; female 1,719,253) 65 years and over: 15.4% (male 312,883; female 486,027) (2003 est.) France 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 5,725,170; female 5,449,991) 15-64 years: 65.1% (male 19,619,994; female 19,583,850) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 4,006,857; female 5,794,667) (2003 est.) French Guiana 0-14 years: 29.9% (male 28,565; female 27,280) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 64,836; female 55,498) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 5,455; female 5,283) (2003 est.) French Polynesia 0-14 years: 28.3% (male 37,804; female 36,249) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 90,421; female 83,304) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 7,226; female 7,121) (2003 est.) Gabon 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 280,218; female 278,808) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 352,363; female 355,315) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 22,786; female 32,070) (2003 est.) Gambia, The 0-14 years: 44.9% (male 338,497; female 335,503) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 390,150; female 396,763) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 20,836; female 19,301) (2003 est.) Gaza Strip 0-14 years: 49.4% (male 322,658; female 307,026) 15-64 years: 47.9% (male 310,910; female 299,724) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 14,645; female 19,905) (2003 est.) Georgia 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 466,743; female 449,440) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 1,628,757; female 1,744,922) 65 years and over: 13% (male 252,031; female 392,520) (2003 est.) Germany 0-14 years: 14.9% (male 6,312,614; female 5,988,681) 15-64 years: 67.3% (male 28,213,316; female 27,240,648) 65 years and over: 17.8% (male 5,842,457; female 8,800,610) (2003 est.) Ghana 0-14 years: 38.9% (male 4,021,570; female 3,938,454) 15-64 years: 57.5% (male 5,859,940; female 5,909,910) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 350,045; female 387,828) (2003 est.) Gibraltar 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 2,593; female 2,482) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 9,458; female 8,946) 65 years and over: 15.4% (male 1,873; female 2,424) (2003 est.) Greece 0-14 years: 14.7% (male 811,080; female 761,728) 15-64 years: 67% (male 3,578,320; female 3,557,800) 65 years and over: 18.3% (male 866,425; female 1,090,636) (2003 est.) Greenland 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 7,463; female 7,161) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 20,885; female 17,605) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 1,508; female 1,763) (2003 est.) Grenada 0-14 years: 35.1% (male 15,840; female 15,492) 15-64 years: 61.3% (male 28,941; female 25,735) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 1,502; female 1,748) (2003 est.) Guadeloupe 0-14 years: 24.7% (male 55,521; female 53,137) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 144,764; female 147,449) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 16,443; female 22,875) (2003 est.) Guam 0-14 years: 35.1% (male 30,334; female 27,264) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 50,258; female 45,538) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,269; female 5,278) (2003 est.) Guatemala 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 3,052,658; female 2,908,428) 15-64 years: 53.8% (male 3,779,688; female 3,706,315) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 215,653; female 246,642) (2003 est.) Guernsey 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 5,216; female 5,061) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 21,433; female 21,835) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 4,705; female 6,568) (2003 est.) Guinea 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,027,970; female 1,986,300) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 2,358,566; female 2,372,384) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 124,382; female 160,618) (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0-14 years: 41.9% (male 284,150; female 285,370) 15-64 years: 55.2% (male 358,891; female 392,703) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 17,285; female 22,428) (2003 est.) Guyana 0-14 years: 27% (male 96,775; female 93,077) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 240,305; female 236,378) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 15,755; female 19,810) (2003 est.) Haiti 0-14 years: 42.7% (male 1,637,853; female 1,575,893) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 1,962,975; female 2,073,353) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 131,784; female 145,959) (2003 est.) Honduras 0-14 years: 41.6% (male 1,414,791; female 1,357,537) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 1,811,757; female 1,843,456) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 114,791; female 127,457) (2003 est.) Hong Kong 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 680,973; female 599,309) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 2,619,929; female 2,679,430) 65 years and over: 11% (male 375,058; female 439,471) (2003 est.) Hungary 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 832,033; female 787,336) 15-64 years: 69% (male 3,406,046; female 3,523,118) 65 years and over: 14.9% (male 544,099; female 952,775) (2003 est.) Iceland 0-14 years: 22.7% (male 32,902; female 30,952) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 92,519; female 91,000) 65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,973; female 18,452) (2003 est.) India 0-14 years: 32.2% (male 173,973,350; female 163,979,116) 15-64 years: 63% (male 342,620,712; female 319,259,867) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 25,281,756; female 24,585,317) (2003 est.) Indonesia 0-14 years: 29.7% (male 35,437,274; female 34,232,824) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 76,743,613; female 76,845,245) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 5,086,465; female 6,548,032) (2003 est.) Iran 0-14 years: 29.3% (male 10,279,588; female 9,727,668) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 22,916,431; female 22,095,124) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 1,625,113; female 1,634,902) (2003 est.) Iraq 0-14 years: 40.7% (male 5,103,669; female 4,946,443) 15-64 years: 56.3% (male 7,033,268; female 6,855,644) 65 years and over: 3% (male 348,790; female 395,499) (2003 est.) Ireland 0-14 years: 21.2% (male 427,017; female 404,191) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 1,322,982; female 1,322,429) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 194,724; female 252,797) (2003 est.) Israel 0-14 years: 26.9% (male 842,885; female 803,864) 15-64 years: 63.2% (male 1,941,440; female 1,922,512) 65 years and over: 9.9% (male 260,315; female 345,517) (2003 est.) Italy 0-14 years: 14% (male 4,193,412; female 3,947,679) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 19,625,428; female 19,337,861) 65 years and over: 18.8% (male 4,516,995; female 6,376,978) (2003 est.) Jamaica 0-14 years: 28.6% (male 395,074; female 376,870) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 870,486; female 869,431) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 82,022; female 101,984) (2003 est.) Japan 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 9,368,132; female 8,906,024) 15-64 years: 67% (male 42,852,204; female 42,368,109) 65 years and over: 18.6% (male 9,945,638; female 13,774,392) (2003 est.) Jersey 0-14 years: 17.8% (male 8,292; female 7,744) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 30,178; female 30,410) 65 years and over: 15% (male 5,858; female 7,674) (2003 est.) Jordan 0-14 years: 35.9% (male 1,001,174; female 959,157) 15-64 years: 60.5% (male 1,764,061; female 1,541,453) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 95,566; female 98,854) (2003 est.) Kazakhstan 0-14 years: 25.4% (male 2,161,510; female 2,089,780) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 5,425,545; female 5,769,457) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 458,379; female 859,124) (2003 est.) Kenya 0-14 years: 41.3% (male 6,609,904; female 6,461,945) 15-64 years: 55.8% (male 8,900,615; female 8,766,698) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 389,918; female 510,011) (2003 est.) Kiribati 0-14 years: 39.7% (male 19,839; female 19,333) 15-64 years: 57% (male 27,705; female 28,438) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 1,385; female 1,849) (2003 est.) Korea, North 0-14 years: 25% (male 2,845,727; female 2,763,800) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 7,485,310; female 7,746,603) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 541,155; female 1,083,886) (2003 est.) Korea, South 0-14 years: 20.6% (male 5,256,451; female 4,703,853) 15-64 years: 71.5% (male 17,527,407; female 16,991,229) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 1,512,157; female 2,297,940) (2003 est.) Kuwait 0-14 years: 27.9% (male 310,008; female 298,474) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 970,282; female 547,753) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 36,306; female 20,338) (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan 0-14 years: 33.8% (male 836,593; female 819,615) 15-64 years: 59.9% (male 1,436,371; female 1,492,884) 65 years and over: 6.3% (male 117,405; female 189,940) (2003 est.) Laos 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 1,255,172; female 1,242,823) 15-64 years: 54.6% (male 1,592,697; female 1,639,431) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 87,192; female 104,230) (2003 est.) Latvia 0-14 years: 15.1% (male 180,976; female 172,988) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 774,133; female 844,856) 65 years and over: 16% (male 122,850; female 252,981) (2003 est.) Lebanon 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 514,447; female 494,166) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,177,773; female 1,286,433) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 115,693; female 139,191) (2003 est.) Lesotho 0-14 years: 37.7% (male 353,554; female 349,092) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 516,017; female 541,694) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 41,735; female 59,867) (2003 est.) Liberia 0-14 years: 43.4% (male 724,960; female 716,831) 15-64 years: 53% (male 858,191; female 898,851) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 59,539; female 58,804) (2003 est.) Libya 0-14 years: 34.5% (male 970,026; female 929,174) 15-64 years: 61.4% (male 1,744,992; female 1,630,399) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 109,262; female 115,221) (2003 est.) Liechtenstein 0-14 years: 18.1% (male 2,979; female 3,008) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 11,646; female 11,740) 65 years and over: 11.3% (male 1,538; female 2,234) (2003 est.) Lithuania 0-14 years: 17.6% (male 323,776; female 310,087) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 1,188,171; female 1,268,035) 65 years and over: 14% (male 169,513; female 332,979) (2003 est.) Luxembourg 0-14 years: 18.9% (male 44,182; female 41,640) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 152,963; female 151,061) 65 years and over: 14.2% (male 26,060; female 38,251) (2003 est.) Macau 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 51,078; female 47,118) 15-64 years: 71.8% (male 159,500; female 178,043) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 13,930; female 20,234) (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 235,102; female 217,574) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 700,929; female 691,552) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 96,039; female 121,926) (2003 est.) Madagascar 0-14 years: 45% (male 3,822,823; female 3,807,958) 15-64 years: 51.9% (male 4,366,748; female 4,452,686) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 243,411; female 286,118) (2003 est.) Malawi 0-14 years: 46.8% (male 2,748,058; female 2,698,052) 15-64 years: 50.5% (male 2,911,892; female 2,973,723) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 128,722; female 190,792) (2003 est.) Malaysia 0-14 years: 33.7% (male 4,001,507; female 3,777,896) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 7,163,252; female 7,131,745) 65 years and over: 4.4% (male 447,230; female 571,310) (2003 est.) Maldives 0-14 years: 44.9% (male 75,991; female 71,826) 15-64 years: 52.1% (male 87,734; female 84,150) 65 years and over: 3% (male 5,073; female 4,910) (2003 est.) Mali 0-14 years: 47.2% (male 2,759,802; female 2,727,226) 15-64 years: 49.8% (male 2,771,532; female 3,017,348) 65 years and over: 3% (male 161,983; female 188,328) (2003 est.) Malta 0-14 years: 19.5% (male 40,448; female 37,623) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 136,221; female 134,142) 65 years and over: 13% (male 21,730; female 30,256) (2003 est.) Man, Isle of 0-14 years: 17.5% (male 6,637; female 6,337) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 24,373; female 24,165) 65 years and over: 17.1% (male 5,102; female 7,647) (2003 est.) Marshall Islands 0-14 years: 39.1% (male 11,233; female 10,819) 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 16,857; female 16,003) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 726; female 791) (2003 est.) Martinique 0-14 years: 22.8% (male 49,310; female 47,908) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 142,242; female 142,688) 65 years and over: 10.3% (male 19,656; female 24,162) (2003 est.) Mauritania 0-14 years: 46% (male 671,080; female 668,408) 15-64 years: 51.8% (male 743,573; female 764,358) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 26,669; female 38,496) (2003 est.) Mauritius 0-14 years: 25.1% (male 153,401; female 150,399) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 413,660; female 415,534) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 30,673; female 46,780) (2003 est.) Mayotte 0-14 years: 46.5% (male 41,632; female 41,301) 15-64 years: 51.8% (male 50,373; female 42,118) 65 years and over: 1.7% (male 1,502; female 1,511) (2003 est.) Mexico 0-14 years: 32.3% (male 17,298,964; female 16,617,728) 15-64 years: 63.1% (male 32,217,513; female 33,932,603) 65 years and over: 4.6% (male 2,145,252; female 2,695,931) (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 21,163; female 20,335) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 31,746; female 31,477) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 1,558; female 1,864) (2003 est.) Moldova 0-14 years: 21.1% (male 477,063; female 459,992) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 1,465,248; female 1,584,402) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 168,068; female 284,729) (2003 est.) Monaco 0-14 years: 15.5% (male 2,551; female 2,445) 15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,814; female 10,130) 65 years and over: 22.4% (male 2,937; female 4,253) (2003 est.) Mongolia 0-14 years: 30.7% (male 423,081; female 408,119) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 890,482; female 892,140) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 42,292; female 56,201) (2003 est.) Montserrat 0-14 years: 23.4% (male 1,062; female 1,041) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 2,805; female 3,066) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 537; female 484) (2003 est.) Morocco 0-14 years: 33.2% (male 5,360,666; female 5,162,168) 15-64 years: 62% (male 9,766,222; female 9,876,647) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 676,357; female 847,205) (2003 est.) Mozambique 0-14 years: 42.1% (male 3,634,173; female 3,725,396) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 4,712,891; female 4,945,123) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 189,778; female 271,905) (2003 est.) Namibia 0-14 years: 42.5% (male 414,559; female 404,346) 15-64 years: 54% (male 517,469; female 522,549) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 30,038; female 38,486) (2003 est.) Nauru 0-14 years: 38.9% (male 2,517; female 2,368) 15-64 years: 59.3% (male 3,681; female 3,779) 65 years and over: 1.8% (male 116; female 109) (2003 est.) Nepal 0-14 years: 39.7% (male 5,424,396; female 5,080,171) 15-64 years: 56.7% (male 7,692,134; female 7,320,059) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 468,697; female 484,112) (2003 est.) Netherlands 0-14 years: 18.2% (male 1,501,127; female 1,436,453) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 5,576,141; female 5,389,764) 65 years and over: 13.9% (male 929,087; female 1,317,939) (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0-14 years: 24.7% (male 27,383; female 26,122) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 69,233; female 75,956) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 7,244; female 10,288) (2003 est.) New Caledonia 0-14 years: 29.7% (male 31,990; female 30,695) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 68,093; female 67,205) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 6,016; female 6,799) (2003 est.) New Zealand 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 443,837; female 423,118) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,318,751; female 1,307,796) 65 years and over: 11.6% (male 199,722; female 258,083) (2003 est.) Nicaragua 0-14 years: 37.7% (male 984,719; female 949,282) 15-64 years: 59.2% (male 1,510,352; female 1,527,991) 65 years and over: 3% (male 68,332; female 87,841) (2003 est.) Niger 0-14 years: 47.6% (male 2,686,169; female 2,581,785) 15-64 years: 50.2% (male 2,710,554; female 2,842,319) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 125,505; female 112,258) (2003 est.) Nigeria 0-14 years: 43.6% (male 29,322,774; female 28,990,702) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 36,513,700; female 35,254,333) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 1,890,043; female 1,910,151) (2003 est.) Niue 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Norfolk Island 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 0-14 years: 23.3% (male 9,483; female 9,168) 15-64 years: 74.8% (male 27,839; female 32,041) 65 years and over: 1.8% (male 748; female 727) (2003 est.) Norway 0-14 years: 19.9% (male 465,320; female 439,095) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 1,501,608; female 1,462,590) 65 years and over: 14.9% (male 281,554; female 395,956) (2003 est.) Oman 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 603,664; female 580,469) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 934,621; female 620,158) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 36,504; female 31,709) (2003 est.) Pakistan 0-14 years: 39.3% (male 30,463,958; female 28,726,776) 15-64 years: 56.5% (male 43,571,093; female 41,651,872) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,051,674; female 3,229,367) (2003 est.) Palau 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 2,714; female 2,552) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 7,352; female 6,197) 65 years and over: 4.6% (male 429; female 473) (2003 est.) Panama 0-14 years: 30.6% (male 461,670; female 443,671) 15-64 years: 63.3% (male 950,089; female 924,038) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 86,006; female 95,310) (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,034,219; female 1,000,505) 15-64 years: 57.8% (male 1,582,983; female 1,479,436) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 93,604; female 105,069) (2003 est.) Paraguay 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,179,084; female 1,141,420) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 1,721,867; female 1,707,918) 65 years and over: 4.7% (male 132,145; female 154,466) (2003 est.) Peru 0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,828,531; female 4,678,008) 15-64 years: 61.5% (male 8,794,799; female 8,689,072) 65 years and over: 5% (male 652,375; female 767,112) (2003 est.) Philippines 0-14 years: 36.2% (male 15,625,480; female 15,028,498) 15-64 years: 59.9% (male 25,206,467; female 25,485,482) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,427,238; female 1,846,809) (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Poland 0-14 years: 17.5% (male 3,458,844; female 3,284,995) 15-64 years: 69.8% (male 13,407,012; female 13,547,728) 65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,879,445; female 3,044,636) (2003 est.) Portugal 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 874,198; female 825,742) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 3,326,957; female 3,461,425) 65 years and over: 16% (male 651,697; female 962,003) (2003 est.) Puerto Rico 0-14 years: 22.9% (male 454,908; female 434,555) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 1,212,764; female 1,322,356) 65 years and over: 11.9% (male 200,669; female 260,625) (2003 est.) Qatar 0-14 years: 24.7% (male 102,938; female 98,934) 15-64 years: 72.4% (male 415,302; female 176,183) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 17,199; female 6,496) (2003 est.) Reunion 0-14 years: 31.3% (male 121,119; female 115,501) 15-64 years: 62.8% (male 233,607; female 240,502) 65 years and over: 5.9% (male 18,036; female 26,406) (2003 est.) Romania 0-14 years: 16.9% (male 1,932,204; female 1,838,240) 15-64 years: 69% (male 7,634,481; female 7,739,232) 65 years and over: 14% (male 1,290,343; female 1,837,339) (2003 est.) Russia 0-14 years: 16% (male 11,815,360; female 11,335,715) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 49,399,322; female 52,367,194) 65 years and over: 13.6% (male 6,394,411; female 13,214,276) (2003 est.) Rwanda 0-14 years: 42.5% (male 1,667,128; female 1,651,422) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 2,128,495; female 2,148,694) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 85,576; female 128,741) (2003 est.) Saint Helena 0-14 years: 18.9% (male 704; female 685) 15-64 years: 71.6% (male 2,732; female 2,545) 65 years and over: 9.5% (male 309; female 392) (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0-14 years: 29% (male 5,754; female 5,499) 15-64 years: 62.4% (male 12,098; female 12,105) 65 years and over: 8.5% (male 1,365; female 1,942) (2003 est.) Saint Lucia 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 25,883; female 24,569) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 50,711; female 52,508) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 3,147; female 5,339) (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0-14 years: 25% (male 891; female 851) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,306; female 2,210) 65 years and over: 10.3% (male 310; female 408) (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0-14 years: 28.2% (male 16,755; female 16,163) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 39,308; female 37,149) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 3,215; female 4,222) (2003 est.) Samoa 0-14 years: 29.4% (male 26,613; female 25,715) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 72,135; female 42,903) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 4,980; female 5,827) (2003 est.) San Marino 0-14 years: 16.3% (male 2,364; female 2,220) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 9,149; female 9,731) 65 years and over: 16.6% (male 2,009; female 2,646) (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0-14 years: 47.7% (male 42,480; female 41,411) 15-64 years: 48.3% (male 41,043; female 43,986) 65 years and over: 4% (male 3,197; female 3,766) (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 5,245,413; female 5,028,595) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 7,700,121; female 5,622,099) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 393,173; female 304,443) (2003 est.) Senegal 0-14 years: 43.7% (male 2,330,395; female 2,289,706) 15-64 years: 53.3% (male 2,707,195; female 2,929,998) 65 years and over: 3% (male 156,514; female 166,499) (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 0-14 years: 19.3% (male 1,062,625; female 990,071) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 3,422,543; female 3,548,058) 65 years and over: 15.3% (male 696,716; female 935,761) (2003 est.) Seychelles 0-14 years: 27.3% (male 11,116; female 10,844) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 26,068; female 27,425) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,654; female 3,362) (2003 est.) Sierra Leone 0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,259,421; female 1,310,516) 15-64 years: 52% (male 1,420,900; female 1,557,597) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 89,078; female 95,169) (2003 est.) Singapore 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 411,656; female 385,575) 15-64 years: 75.5% (male 1,687,217; female 1,793,783) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 144,277; female 186,087) (2003 est.) Slovakia 0-14 years: 17.8% (male 495,316; female 471,823) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 1,903,335; female 1,924,065) 65 years and over: 11.7% (male 238,912; female 396,582) (2003 est.) Slovenia 0-14 years: 15.3% (male 152,341; female 144,189) 15-64 years: 70% (male 687,939; female 666,194) 65 years and over: 14.7% (male 105,837; female 179,177) (2003 est.) Solomon Islands 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 111,333; female 107,062) 15-64 years: 54% (male 139,072; female 135,721) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 7,754; female 8,248) (2003 est.) Somalia 0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,802,154; female 1,792,749) 15-64 years: 52.5% (male 2,120,934; female 2,093,699) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 93,682; female 121,972) (2003 est.) South Africa 0-14 years: 30% (male 6,460,273; female 6,377,090) 15-64 years: 65% (male 13,807,922; female 13,970,088) 65 years and over: 5% (male 864,441; female 1,288,864) (2003 est.) Spain 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 2,985,705; female 2,808,791) 15-64 years: 68% (male 13,721,053; female 13,626,121) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 2,962,646; female 4,113,097) (2003 est.) Sri Lanka 0-14 years: 25.2% (male 2,543,336; female 2,431,223) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 6,518,145; female 6,890,424) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 641,708; female 717,603) (2003 est.) Sudan 0-14 years: 44% (male 8,562,412; female 8,195,201) 15-64 years: 53.8% (male 10,260,581; female 10,246,045) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 468,898; female 381,023) (2003 est.) Suriname 0-14 years: 30.7% (male 68,536; female 65,165) 15-64 years: 63.3% (male 141,048; female 134,699) 65 years and over: 6% (male 11,686; female 14,315) (2003 est.) Svalbard 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) Swaziland 0-14 years: 41.4% (male 242,762; female 238,141) 15-64 years: 55.1% (male 317,526; female 321,709) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 18,040; female 23,041) (2003 est.) Sweden 0-14 years: 17.7% (male 804,296; female 763,213) 15-64 years: 65% (male 2,933,183; female 2,835,835) 65 years and over: 17.3% (male 654,575; female 886,983) (2003 est.) Switzerland 0-14 years: 16.6% (male 623,428; female 591,709) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,519,302; female 2,439,560) 65 years and over: 15.6% (male 470,257; female 674,382) (2003 est.) Syria 0-14 years: 38.6% (male 3,494,473; female 3,290,699) 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 5,238,026; female 4,991,588) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 274,744; female 296,010) (2003 est.) Taiwan 0-14 years: 20.1% (male 2,366,560; female 2,175,886) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 8,095,741; female 7,871,954) 65 years and over: 9.3% (male 1,074,112; female 1,018,747) (2003 est.) Tajikistan 0-14 years: 39.8% (male 1,376,244; female 1,353,108) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 1,896,509; female 1,915,334) 65 years and over: 4.7% (male 140,993; female 181,564) (2003 est.) Tanzania 0-14 years: 44.3% (male 7,988,898; female 7,938,979) 15-64 years: 53.1% (male 9,429,959; female 9,634,102) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 405,803; female 524,713) (2003 est.) Thailand 0-14 years: 24.2% (male 7,955,597; female 7,604,652) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 21,819,445; female 22,362,085) 65 years and over: 7% (male 2,081,768; female 2,441,729) (2003 est.) Togo 0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,211,252; female 1,203,564) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,404,763; female 1,473,360) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 57,535; female 78,825) (2003 est.) Tokelau 0-14 years: 42% 15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5% (2003 est.) Tonga 0-14 years: 38.2% (male 21,085; female 20,265) 15-64 years: 57.6% (male 30,785; female 31,532) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,973; female 2,501) (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 0-14 years: 22.2% (male 125,470; female 119,270) 15-64 years: 70% (male 402,137; female 370,600) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 38,928; female 47,804) (2003 est.) Tunisia 0-14 years: 27% (male 1,388,839; female 1,297,313) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 3,306,782; female 3,299,883) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 309,103; female 322,822) (2003 est.) Turkey 0-14 years: 27.2% (male 9,422,242; female 9,082,840) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 22,978,251; female 22,243,477) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 2,013,926; female 2,368,733) (2003 est.) Turkmenistan 0-14 years: 36.8% (male 899,954; female 855,293) 15-64 years: 59.2% (male 1,386,606; female 1,438,333) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 74,958; female 120,400) (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0-14 years: 32.5% (male 3,202; female 3,094) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 6,484; female 5,848) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 321; female 401) (2003 est.) Tuvalu 0-14 years: 31.9% (male 1,838; female 1,772) 15-64 years: 63% (male 3,432; female 3,687) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 231; female 345) (2003 est.) Uganda 0-14 years: 50.8% (male 6,528,724; female 6,486,736) 15-64 years: 46.8% (male 5,985,911; female 6,024,798) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 266,930; female 339,695) (2003 est.) Ukraine 0-14 years: 16.3% (male 4,004,948; female 3,832,931) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 15,779,735; female 17,225,103) 65 years and over: 15% (male 2,419,612; female 4,793,110) (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 338,245; female 324,866) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 1,087,927; female 661,349) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 52,059; female 20,372) (2003 est.) United Kingdom 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 5,621,590; female 5,350,319) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 20,067,529; female 19,626,123) 65 years and over: 15.6% (male 3,987,457; female 5,441,630) (2003 est.) United States 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 31,098,473; female 29,675,712) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 96,628,469; female 97,061,559) 65 years and over: 12.4% (male 14,888,185; female 20,990,156) (2003 est.) Uruguay 0-14 years: 24.3% (male 425,642; female 404,987) 15-64 years: 62.6% (male 1,057,187; female 1,079,549) 65 years and over: 13.1% (male 182,696; female 263,268) (2003 est.) Uzbekistan 0-14 years: 34.7% (male 4,594,721; female 4,431,653) 15-64 years: 60.5% (male 7,781,739; female 7,945,641) 65 years and over: 4.7% (male 497,692; female 730,201) (2003 est.) Vanuatu 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 35,499; female 33,992) 15-64 years: 61.8% (male 63,021; female 60,149) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 3,605; female 3,148) (2003 est.) Venezuela 0-14 years: 31% (male 3,944,749; female 3,700,799) 15-64 years: 64.1% (male 7,931,194; female 7,864,697) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 552,291; female 660,964) (2003 est.) Vietnam 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 12,699,002; female 11,967,674) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 25,776,600; female 26,599,005) 65 years and over: 5.6% (male 1,902,464; female 2,679,971) (2003 est.) Virgin Islands 0-14 years: 26% (male 16,685; female 15,794) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 36,241; female 44,157) 65 years and over: 9.5% (male 5,078; female 6,823) (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) West Bank 0-14 years: 44.1% (male 505,880; female 481,369) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 598,992; female 572,511) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 33,688; female 44,754) (2003 est.) Western Sahara 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) World 0-14 years: 29.2% (male 932,581,592; female 885,688,851) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 2,009,997,089; female 1,964,938,201) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 193,549,180; female 247,067,032) (2003 est.) note: some countries do not maintain age structure information, thus a slight discrepancy exists between the total world population and the total for world age structure Yemen 0-14 years: 46.8% (male 4,606,110; female 4,446,229) 15-64 years: 50.4% (male 4,972,946; female 4,778,034) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 272,921; female 273,641) (2003 est.) Zambia 0-14 years: 46.3% (male 2,396,313; female 2,378,567) 15-64 years: 50.9% (male 2,626,961; female 2,621,818) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 131,196; female 152,478) (2003 est.) Zimbabwe 0-14 years: 39.7% (male 2,517,608; female 2,471,342) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 3,600,832; female 3,542,497) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 224,631; female 219,832) (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2011 Geographic coordinates Afghanistan 33 00 N, 65 00 E Albania 41 00 N, 20 00 E Algeria 28 00 N, 3 00 E American Samoa 14 20 S, 170 00 W Andorra 42 30 N, 1 30 E Angola 12 30 S, 18 30 E Anguilla 18 15 N, 63 10 W Antarctica 90 00 S, 0 00 E Antigua and Barbuda 17 03 N, 61 48 W Arctic Ocean 90 00 N, 0 00 E Argentina 34 00 S, 64 00 W Armenia 40 00 N, 45 00 E Aruba 12 30 N, 69 58 W Ashmore and Cartier Islands 12 14 S, 123 05 E Atlantic Ocean 0 00 N, 25 00 W Australia 27 00 S, 133 00 E Austria 47 20 N, 13 20 E Azerbaijan 40 30 N, 47 30 E Bahamas, The 24 15 N, 76 00 W Bahrain 26 00 N, 50 33 E Baker Island 0 13 N, 176 31 W Bangladesh 24 00 N, 90 00 E Barbados 13 10 N, 59 32 W Bassas da India 21 30 S, 39 50 E Belarus 53 00 N, 28 00 E Belgium 50 50 N, 4 00 E Belize 17 15 N, 88 45 W Benin 9 30 N, 2 15 E Bermuda 32 20 N, 64 45 W Bhutan 27 30 N, 90 30 E Bolivia 17 00 S, 65 00 W Bosnia and Herzegovina 44 00 N, 18 00 E Botswana 22 00 S, 24 00 E Bouvet Island 54 26 S, 3 24 E Brazil 10 00 S, 55 00 W British Indian Ocean Territory 6 00 S, 71 30 E British Virgin Islands 18 30 N, 64 30 W Brunei 4 30 N, 114 40 E Bulgaria 43 00 N, 25 00 E Burkina Faso 13 00 N, 2 00 W Burma 22 00 N, 98 00 E Burundi 3 30 S, 30 00 E Cambodia 13 00 N, 105 00 E Cameroon 6 00 N, 12 00 E Canada 60 00 N, 95 00 W Cape Verde 16 00 N, 24 00 W Cayman Islands 19 30 N, 80 30 W Central African Republic 7 00 N, 21 00 E Chad 15 00 N, 19 00 E Chile 30 00 S, 71 00 W China 35 00 N, 105 00 E Christmas Island 10 30 S, 105 40 E Clipperton Island 10 17 N, 109 13 W Cocos (Keeling) Islands 12 30 S, 96 50 E Colombia 4 00 N, 72 00 W Comoros 12 10 S, 44 15 E Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 00 N, 25 00 E Congo, Republic of the 1 00 S, 15 00 E Cook Islands 21 14 S, 159 46 W Coral Sea Islands 18 00 S, 152 00 E Costa Rica 10 00 N, 84 00 W Cote d'Ivoire 8 00 N, 5 00 W Croatia 45 10 N, 15 30 E Cuba 21 30 N, 80 00 W Cyprus 35 00 N, 33 00 E Czech Republic 49 45 N, 15 30 E Denmark 56 00 N, 10 00 E Djibouti 11 30 N, 43 00 E Dominica 15 25 N, 61 20 W Dominican Republic 19 00 N, 70 40 W East Timor 8 50 S, 125 55 E Ecuador 2 00 S, 77 30 W Egypt 27 00 N, 30 00 E El Salvador 13 50 N, 88 55 W Equatorial Guinea 2 00 N, 10 00 E Eritrea 15 00 N, 39 00 E Estonia 59 00 N, 26 00 E Ethiopia 8 00 N, 38 00 E Europa Island 22 20 S, 40 22 E Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 51 45 S, 59 00 W Faroe Islands 62 00 N, 7 00 W Fiji 18 00 S, 175 00 E Finland 64 00 N, 26 00 E France 46 00 N, 2 00 E French Guiana 4 00 N, 53 00 W French Polynesia 15 00 S, 140 00 W French Southern and Antarctic Lands 43 00 S, 67 00 E Gabon 1 00 S, 11 45 E Gambia, The 13 28 N, 16 34 W Gaza Strip 31 25 N, 34 20 E Georgia 42 00 N, 43 30 E Germany 51 00 N, 9 00 E Ghana 8 00 N, 2 00 W Gibraltar 36 8 N, 5 21 W Glorioso Islands 11 30 S, 47 20 E Greece 39 00 N, 22 00 E Greenland 72 00 N, 40 00 W Grenada 12 07 N, 61 40 W Guadeloupe 16 15 N, 61 35 W Guam 13 28 N, 144 47 E Guatemala 15 30 N, 90 15 W Guernsey 49 28 N, 2 35 W Guinea 11 00 N, 10 00 W Guinea-Bissau 12 00 N, 15 00 W Guyana 5 00 N, 59 00 W Haiti 19 00 N, 72 25 W Heard Island and McDonald Islands 53 06 S, 72 31 E Holy See (Vatican City) 41 54 N, 12 27 E Honduras 15 00 N, 86 30 W Hong Kong 22 15 N, 114 10 E Howland Island 0 48 N, 176 38 W Hungary 47 00 N, 20 00 E Iceland 65 00 N, 18 00 W India 20 00 N, 77 00 E Indian Ocean 20 00 S, 80 00 E Indonesia 5 00 S, 120 00 E Iran 32 00 N, 53 00 E Iraq 33 00 N, 44 00 E Ireland 53 00 N, 8 00 W Israel 31 30 N, 34 45 E Italy 42 50 N, 12 50 E Jamaica 18 15 N, 77 30 W Jan Mayen 71 00 N, 8 00 W Japan 36 00 N, 138 00 E Jarvis Island 0 22 S, 160 03 W Jersey 49 15 N, 2 10 W Johnston Atoll 16 45 N, 169 31 W Jordan 31 00 N, 36 00 E Juan de Nova Island 17 03 S, 42 45 E Kazakhstan 48 00 N, 68 00 E Kenya 1 00 N, 38 00 E Kingman Reef 6 24 N, 162 24 W Kiribati 1 25 N, 173 00 E Korea, North 40 00 N, 127 00 E Korea, South 37 00 N, 127 30 E Kuwait 29 30 N, 45 45 E Kyrgyzstan 41 00 N, 75 00 E Laos 18 00 N, 105 00 E Latvia 57 00 N, 25 00 E Lebanon 33 50 N, 35 50 E Lesotho 29 30 S, 28 30 E Liberia 6 30 N, 9 30 W Libya 25 00 N, 17 00 E Liechtenstein 47 16 N, 9 32 E Lithuania 56 00 N, 24 00 E Luxembourg 49 45 N, 6 10 E Macau 22 10 N, 113 33 E Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 41 50 N, 22 00 E Madagascar 20 00 S, 47 00 E Malawi 13 30 S, 34 00 E Malaysia 2 30 N, 112 30 E Maldives 3 15 N, 73 00 E Mali 17 00 N, 4 00 W Malta 35 50 N, 14 35 E Man, Isle of 54 15 N, 4 30 W Marshall Islands 9 00 N, 168 00 E Martinique 14 40 N, 61 00 W Mauritania 20 00 N, 12 00 W Mauritius 20 17 S, 57 33 E Mayotte 12 50 S, 45 10 E Mexico 23 00 N, 102 00 W Micronesia, Federated States of 6 55 N, 158 15 E Midway Islands 28 13 N, 177 22 W Moldova 47 00 N, 29 00 E Monaco 43 44 N, 7 24 E Mongolia 46 00 N, 105 00 E Montserrat 16 45 N, 62 12 W Morocco 32 00 N, 5 00 W Mozambique 18 15 S, 35 00 E Namibia 22 00 S, 17 00 E Nauru 0 32 S, 166 55 E Navassa Island 18 25 N, 75 02 W Nepal 28 00 N, 84 00 E Netherlands 52 30 N, 5 45 E Netherlands Antilles 12 15 N, 68 45 W New Caledonia 21 30 S, 165 30 E New Zealand 41 00 S, 174 00 E Nicaragua 13 00 N, 85 00 W Niger 16 00 N, 8 00 E Nigeria 10 00 N, 8 00 E Niue 19 02 S, 169 52 W Norfolk Island 29 02 S, 167 57 E Northern Mariana Islands 15 12 N, 145 45 E Norway 62 00 N, 10 00 E Oman 21 00 N, 57 00 E Pacific Ocean 0 00 N, 160 00 W Pakistan 30 00 N, 70 00 E Palau 7 30 N, 134 30 E Palmyra Atoll 5 52 N, 162 06 W Panama 9 00 N, 80 00 W Papua New Guinea 6 00 S, 147 00 E Paracel Islands 16 30 N, 112 00 E Paraguay 23 00 S, 58 00 W Peru 10 00 S, 76 00 W Philippines 13 00 N, 122 00 E Pitcairn Islands 25 04 S, 130 06 W Poland 52 00 N, 20 00 E Portugal 39 30 N, 8 00 W Puerto Rico 18 15 N, 66 30 W Qatar 25 30 N, 51 15 E Reunion 21 06 S, 55 36 E Romania 46 00 N, 25 00 E Russia 60 00 N, 100 00 E Rwanda 2 00 S, 30 00 E Saint Helena 15 56 S, 5 42 W Saint Kitts and Nevis 17 20 N, 62 45 W Saint Lucia 13 53 N, 60 68 W Saint Pierre and Miquelon 46 50 N, 56 20 W Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13 15 N, 61 12 W Samoa 13 35 S, 172 20 W San Marino 43 46 N, 12 25 E Sao Tome and Principe 1 00 N, 7 00 E Saudi Arabia 25 00 N, 45 00 E Senegal 14 00 N, 14 00 W Serbia and Montenegro 44 00 N, 21 00 E Seychelles 4 35 S, 55 40 E Sierra Leone 8 30 N, 11 30 W Singapore 1 22 N, 103 48 E Slovakia 48 40 N, 19 30 E Slovenia 46 07 N, 14 49 E Solomon Islands 8 00 S, 159 00 E Somalia 10 00 N, 49 00 E South Africa 29 00 S, 24 00 E South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 54 30 S, 37 00 W Southern Ocean 65 00 S, 0 00 E (nominally), but the Southern Ocean has the unique distinction of being a large circumpolar body of water totally encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring of water lies between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of Antarctica and encompasses 360 degrees of longitude Spain 40 00 N, 4 00 W Spratly Islands 8 38 N, 111 55 E Sri Lanka 7 00 N, 81 00 E Sudan 15 00 N, 30 00 E Suriname 4 00 N, 56 00 W Svalbard 78 00 N, 20 00 E Swaziland 26 30 S, 31 30 E Sweden 62 00 N, 15 00 E Switzerland 47 00 N, 8 00 E Syria 35 00 N, 38 00 E Taiwan 23 30 N, 121 00 E Tajikistan 39 00 N, 71 00 E Tanzania 6 00 S, 35 00 E Thailand 15 00 N, 100 00 E Togo 8 00 N, 1 10 E Tokelau 9 00 S, 172 00 W Tonga 20 00 S, 175 00 W Trinidad and Tobago 11 00 N, 61 00 W Tromelin Island 15 52 S, 54 25 E Tunisia 34 00 N, 9 00 E Turkey 39 00 N, 35 00 E Turkmenistan 40 00 N, 60 00 E Turks and Caicos Islands 21 45 N, 71 35 W Tuvalu 8 00 S, 178 00 E Uganda 1 00 N, 32 00 E Ukraine 49 00 N, 32 00 E United Arab Emirates 24 00 N, 54 00 E United Kingdom 54 00 N, 2 00 W United States 38 00 N, 97 00 W Uruguay 33 00 S, 56 00 W Uzbekistan 41 00 N, 64 00 E Vanuatu 16 00 S, 167 00 E Venezuela 8 00 N, 66 00 W Vietnam 16 00 N, 106 00 E Virgin Islands 18 20 N, 64 50 W Wake Island 19 17 N, 166 36 E Wallis and Futuna 13 18 S, 176 12 W West Bank 32 00 N, 35 15 E Western Sahara 24 30 N, 13 00 W Yemen 15 00 N, 48 00 E Zambia 15 00 S, 30 00 E Zimbabwe 20 00 S, 30 00 E This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2012 GDP - composition by sector (%) Afghanistan agriculture: 60% industry: 20% services: 20% (1990 est.) Albania agriculture: 49% industry: 27% services: 24% (2002 est.) Algeria agriculture: 8% industry: 60% services: 32% (2002 est.) American Samoa agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Andorra agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Angola agriculture: 8% industry: 67% services: 25% (2001 est.) Anguilla agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (1997 est.) Antigua and Barbuda agriculture: 3.9% industry: 19.2% services: 76.8% (2002) Argentina agriculture: 5% industry: 28% services: 66% (2000 est.) Armenia agriculture: 30% industry: 26% services: 44% (2001 est.) Aruba agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Australia agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (2001 est.) Austria agriculture: 2% industry: 33% services: 65% (2002 est.) Azerbaijan agriculture: 20% industry: 33% services: 47% (2001 est.) Bahamas, The agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (1999 est.) Bahrain agriculture: 1% industry: 35% services: 64% (2001 est.) Bangladesh agriculture: 35% industry: 19% services: 46% (2001 est.) Barbados agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.) Belarus agriculture: 15% industry: 40% services: 45% (2002 est.) Belgium agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.4% services: 74.3% (2001) Belize agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2001 est.) Benin agriculture: 38% industry: 15% services: 47% (2002 est.) Bermuda agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.) Bhutan agriculture: 45% industry: 10% services: 45% (2002 est.) Bolivia agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina agriculture: 13% industry: 40.9% services: 46.1% (2001 est.) Botswana agriculture: 4% industry: 44% (including 36% mining) services: 52% (2001 est.) Brazil agriculture: 8% industry: 36% services: 56% (2001 est.) British Virgin Islands agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.) Brunei agriculture: 5% industry: 45% services: 50% (2001 est.) Bulgaria agriculture: 13.7% industry: 28.5% services: 57.9% (2001) Burkina Faso agriculture: 35% industry: 17% services: 48% (2001) Burma agriculture: 60% industry: 9% services: 31% (2002 est.) Burundi agriculture: 50% industry: 19% services: 31% (2002 est.) Cambodia agriculture: 40% industry: 20% services: 40% (2001 est.) Cameroon agriculture: 46% industry: 21% services: 33% (2001 est.) Canada agriculture: 2.3% industry: 26.5% services: 71.2% (2001 est.) Cape Verde agriculture: 11% industry: 17% services: 72% (2001) Cayman Islands agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.) Central African Republic agriculture: 55% industry: 20% services: 25% (2001 est.) Chad agriculture: 38% industry: 13% services: 49% (2001 est.) Chile agriculture: 11% industry: 34% services: 56% (2001) China agriculture: 15.2% industry and construction: 51.2% services: 33.6% (2001) Christmas Island agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Colombia agriculture: 13% industry: 30% services: 57% (2001 est.) Comoros agriculture: 40% industry: 4% services: 56% (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the agriculture: 55% industry: 11% services: 34% (2000 est.) Congo, Republic of the agriculture: 10% industry: 48% services: 42% (2001 est.) Cook Islands agriculture: 17% industry: 7.8% services: 75.2% (2000 est.) Costa Rica agriculture: 9% industry: 30% services: 61% (2002 est.) Cote d'Ivoire agriculture: 29% industry: 22% services: 49% (2001 est.) Croatia agriculture: 9% industry: 33% services: 58% (2002 est.) Cuba agriculture: 7.6% industry: 34.5% services: 57.9% (2000 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: agriculture 4.6%; industry 19.9%; services 19.9% Turkish Cypriot area: agriculture 75.5%; industry 20.7%; services 71% (2001) Czech Republic agriculture: 3.8% industry: 41% services: 55.2% (2001) Denmark agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (2002 est.) Djibouti agriculture: 3.5% industry: 15.8% services: 80.7% (2001 est.) Dominica agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2002 est.) Dominican Republic agriculture: 11% industry: 34% services: 55% (2001) East Timor agriculture: 25.4% industry: 17.2% services: 57.4% (2001) Ecuador agriculture: 11% industry: 33% services: 56% (2001 est.) Egypt agriculture: 17% industry: 34% services: 49% (2001) El Salvador agriculture: 10% industry: 30% services: 60% (2001) Equatorial Guinea agriculture: 20% industry: 60% services: 20% (1999 est.) Eritrea agriculture: 17% industry: 29% services: 54% (2001 est.) Estonia agriculture: 5.8% industry: 28.6% services: 65.6% (2001) Ethiopia agriculture: 52% industry: 11% services: 37% (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Faroe Islands agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999) Fiji agriculture: 17% industry: 25% services: 58% (2000 est.) Finland agriculture: 4% industry: 34% services: 62% (2002 est.) France agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (2002 est.) French Guiana agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% French Polynesia agriculture: 6% industry: 18% services: 76% (1997) Gabon agriculture: 15% industry: 60% services: 25% (2001 est.) Gambia, The agriculture: 33% industry: 13% services: 54% (1999 est.) Gaza Strip agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% (includes West Bank) Georgia agriculture: 20% industry: 25% services: 55% (2002 est.) Germany agriculture: 1% industry: 31% services: 68% (2002 est.) Ghana agriculture: 36% industry: 25% services: 39% (2000 est.) Gibraltar agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Greece agriculture: 8.1% industry: 22.3% services: 69.3% (2002 est.) Greenland agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Grenada agriculture: 7.7% industry: 23.9% services: 68.4% (2000) Guadeloupe agriculture: 15% industry: 17% services: 68% (1997 est.) Guam agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2002 est.) Guatemala agriculture: 23% industry: 20% services: 57% (2001 est.) Guernsey agriculture: 3% industry: 10% services: 87% (2000) Guinea agriculture: 25% industry: 37% services: 38% (2001 est.) Guinea-Bissau agriculture: 62% industry: 12% services: 26% (1999 est.) Guyana agriculture: 35% industry: 21% services: 44% (2002 est.) Haiti agriculture: 30% industry: 20% services: 50% (2001 est.) Honduras agriculture: 14% industry: 32% services: 54% (2002 est.) Hong Kong agriculture: 0.1% industry: 13.4% services: 86.5% (2001 est.) Hungary agriculture: 4.1% industry: 33.8% services: 62.1% (2000 est.) Iceland agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%) industry: 21% services: 65% (2001 est.) India agriculture: 25% industry: 25% services: 50% (2002 est.) Indonesia agriculture: 17% industry: 41% services: 42% (2001 est.) Iran agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% (2002 est.) Iraq agriculture: 6% industry: 13% services: 81% (1993 est.) Ireland agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.) Israel agriculture: 3% industry: 30% services: 67% (2001 est.) Italy agriculture: 2.4% industry: 30% services: 67.6% (2001 est.) Jamaica agriculture: 6% industry: 31% services: 63% (2002 est.) Japan agriculture: 1.4% industry: 30.9% services: 67.7% (2001 est.) Jersey agriculture: 5% industry: 2% services: 93% (1996) Jordan agriculture: 3.7% industry: 26% services: 70.3% (2001 est.) Kazakhstan agriculture: 9% industry: 40% services: 51% (2002 est.) Kenya agriculture: 24% industry: 13% services: 63% (2001 est.) Kiribati agriculture: 30% industry: 7% services: 63% (1998 est.) Korea, North agriculture: 30.4% industry: 32.3% services: 37.3% (2000 est.) Korea, South agriculture: 4.4% industry: 41.6% services: 54% (2001 est.) Kuwait agriculture: 60% industry: 39.7% services: 0.3% (2000) Kyrgyzstan agriculture: 35% industry: 25% services: 40% (2002 est.) Laos agriculture: 53% industry: 23% services: 24% (2001 est.) Latvia agriculture: 4.5% industry: 26% services: 69.5% (2001) Lebanon agriculture: 12% industry: 21% services: 67% (2000) Lesotho agriculture: 20% industry: 46% services: 34% (2001) Liberia agriculture: 74% industry: 7% services: 19% (2001 est.) Libya agriculture: 9% industry: 45% services: 46% (2001 est.) Liechtenstein agriculture: NA% industry: 40% services: NA% (1999) Lithuania agriculture: 8% industry: 31% services: 61% (2001 est.) Luxembourg agriculture: 1% industry: 30% services: 69% (2000 est.) Macau agriculture: 1% industry: 12% services: 87% (2002 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of agriculture: 11% industry: 31% services: 58% (2001 est.) Madagascar agriculture: 25% industry: 12% services: 63% (2001 est.) Malawi agriculture: 37% industry: 16% services: 47% (2001 est.) Malaysia agriculture: 12% industry: 40% services: 48% (2001) Maldives agriculture: 20% industry: 18% services: 62% (2000 est.) Mali agriculture: 45% industry: 17% services: 38% (2001 est.) Malta agriculture: 2.8% industry: 25.5% services: 71.7% (1999) Man, Isle of agriculture: 1% industry: 13% services: 86% (2000 est.) Marshall Islands agriculture: 14% industry: 16% services: 70% (2000 est.) Martinique agriculture: 6% industry: 11% services: 83% (1997 est.) Mauritania agriculture: 25% industry: 29% services: 46% (2001 est.) Mauritius agriculture: 6% industry: 33% services: 61% (1999 est.) Mayotte agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Mexico agriculture: 5% industry: 26% services: 69% (2001 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of agriculture: 50% industry: 4% services: 46% (2000 est.) Moldova agriculture: 28% industry: 23% services: 49% (2000) Monaco agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Mongolia agriculture: 32% industry: 23% services: 45% (2001 est.) Montserrat agriculture: 5.4% industry: 13.6% services: 81% (1996 est.) Morocco agriculture: 15% industry: 33% services: 52% (2000 est.) Mozambique agriculture: 22% industry: 23% services: 55% (2001 est.) Namibia agriculture: 11% industry: 28% services: 61% (2001 est.) Nauru agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Nepal agriculture: 40% industry: 20% services: 40% (2002 est.) Netherlands agriculture: 3.1% industry: 25.7% services: 71.2% (2001 est.) Netherlands Antilles agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000 est.) New Caledonia agriculture: 5% industry: 30% services: 65% (1997 est.) New Zealand agriculture: 8% industry: 23% services: 69% (2001) Nicaragua agriculture: 30% industry: 26% services: 44% (2002 est.) Niger agriculture: 39% industry: 17% services: 44% (2001) Nigeria agriculture: 45% industry: 20% services: 35% (2002 est.) Niue agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 55% Norfolk Island agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Northern Mariana Islands agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Norway agriculture: 1.9% industry: 30.8% services: 67.3% (2000) Oman agriculture: 3% industry: 55% services: 42% (2001 est.) Pakistan agriculture: 24% industry: 25% services: 51% (FY01/02 est.) Palau agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Panama agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea agriculture: 32.1% industry: 35.8% services: 32.1% (2001 est.) Paraguay agriculture: 27% industry: 27% services: 46% (2001 est.) Peru agriculture: 10% industry: 27% services: 63% (2001 est.) Philippines agriculture: 15% industry: 31% services: 54% (2001 est.) Pitcairn Islands agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Poland agriculture: 3.8% industry: 35% services: 61.2% (2000 est.) Portugal agriculture: 3.6% industry: 28.7% services: 67.7% (2001) Puerto Rico agriculture: 1% industry: 45% services: 54% (1999 est.) Qatar agriculture: 0.4% industry: 67.6% services: 32% (2000 est.) Reunion agriculture: 8% industry: 19% services: 73% (2000 est.) Romania agriculture: 15% industry: 35% services: 50% (2001) Russia agriculture: 5.8% industry: 34.6% services: 59.6% (2002 est.) Rwanda agriculture: 45% industry: 20% services: 35% (2002 est.) Saint Helena agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis agriculture: 3.5% industry: 25.8% services: 70.7% (2001) Saint Lucia agriculture: 7% industry: 20% services: 73% (2002 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines agriculture: 10% industry: 26% services: 64% (2001 est.) Samoa agriculture: 14% industry: 23% services: 63% (2001 est.) San Marino agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Sao Tome and Principe agriculture: 25% industry: 10% services: 65% (1999 est.) Saudi Arabia agriculture: 5.2% industry: 51.2% services: 43.6% (2001 est.) Senegal agriculture: 18% industry: 27% services: 55% (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro agriculture: 26% industry: 36% services: 38% (2001 est.) Seychelles agriculture: 2.4% industry: 24.4% services: 73.2% (2000) Sierra Leone agriculture: 49% industry: 31% services: 21% (2001 est.) Singapore agriculture: NEGL% industry: 33% services: 67% (2001 est.) Slovakia agriculture: 4.5% industry: 34.1% services: 61.4% (2000) Slovenia agriculture: 3.2% industry: 36.3% services: 60.5% (2001 est.) Solomon Islands agriculture: 42% industry: 11% services: 47% (2000 est.) Somalia agriculture: 65% industry: 10% services: 25% (2000 est.) South Africa agriculture: 4.4% industry: 28.9% services: 66.7% (2001) Spain agriculture: 4% industry: 31% services: 65% (2000 est.) Sri Lanka agriculture: 20% industry: 26% services: 54% (2001) Sudan agriculture: 43% industry: 17% services: 40% (1999 est.) Suriname agriculture: 13% industry: 22% services: 65% (2001 est.) Swaziland agriculture: 17% industry: 44% services: 39% (2001 est.) Sweden agriculture: 2% industry: 29% services: 69% (2001) Switzerland agriculture: 2% industry: 34% services: 64% (2002 est.) Syria agriculture: 27% industry: 23% services: 50% (2000 est.) Taiwan agriculture: 2% industry: 31% services: 67% (2002 est.) Tajikistan agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% (2002 est.) Tanzania agriculture: 48.1% industry: 15.4% services: 36.5% (2001 est.) Thailand agriculture: 11% industry: 40% services: 49% (2001) Togo agriculture: 42% industry: 21% services: 37% (2001 est.) Tokelau agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Tonga agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago agriculture: 1.6% industry: 43.2% services: 55.2% (2000 est.) Tunisia agriculture: 12% industry: 32% services: 56% (2003 est.) Turkey agriculture: 12.9% industry: 30.4% services: 56.7% (2001) Turkmenistan agriculture: 27% industry: 50% services: 23% (2001 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Tuvalu agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Uganda agriculture: 43% industry: 19% services: 38% (2001 est.) Ukraine agriculture: 23% industry: 42% services: 35% (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates agriculture: 3% industry: 46% services: 51% (2000 est.) United Kingdom agriculture: 1.4% industry: 24.9% services: 73.7% (2000) United States agriculture: 2% industry: 18% services: 80% (2002 est.) Uruguay agriculture: 6% industry: 27% services: 67% (2001) Uzbekistan agriculture: 36% industry: 21% services: 43% (2001 est.) Vanuatu agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2000 est.) Venezuela agriculture: 5% industry: 50% services: 45% (2001) Vietnam agriculture: 24% industry: 37% services: 39% (2001 est.) Virgin Islands agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Wallis and Futuna agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% West Bank agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% note: includes Gaza Strip (1999 est.) Western Sahara agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 40% (1996 est.) World agriculture: 4% industry: 32% services: 64% (2002 est.) Yemen agriculture: 22% industry: 38% services: 40% (2001) Zambia agriculture: 22% industry: 26% services: 52% (2001) Zimbabwe agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2013 Radio broadcast stations Afghanistan AM 7 (6 are inactive; the active station is in Kabul), FM 1, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan Persian (Dari), Urdu, and English) (1999) Albania AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 2 (2001) Algeria AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999) American Samoa AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Andorra AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998) Angola AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000) Anguilla AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) Antarctica AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1 note: information for US bases only (2002) Antigua and Barbuda AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Argentina AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998) Armenia AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) Aruba AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998) Australia AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998) Austria AM 2, FM 160 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001) Azerbaijan AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998) Bahamas, The AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Bahrain AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Bangladesh AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999) Barbados AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Belarus AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998) Belgium FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) Belize AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) Benin AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000) Bermuda AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Bhutan AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Bolivia AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999) Bosnia and Herzegovina AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998) Botswana AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001) Brazil AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999) British Indian Ocean Territory AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) British Virgin Islands AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Brunei AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998) Bulgaria AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001) Burkina Faso AM 3, FM 17, shortwave 3 (2002) Burma AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 3 (1998) Burundi AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Cambodia AM 7, FM 3, shortwave 3 (1999) Cameroon AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2002) Canada AM 535, FM 53, shortwave 6 (1998) Cape Verde AM 0, FM 15 (and 17 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2002) Cayman Islands AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Central African Republic AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002) Chad AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2002) Chile AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998) China AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998) Christmas Island AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Cocos (Keeling) Islands AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000) Colombia AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999) Comoros AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001) Congo, Republic of the AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001) Cook Islands AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Costa Rica AM 50, FM 43, shortwave 19 (1998) Cote d'Ivoire AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998) Croatia AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999) Cuba AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: AM 7, FM 60, shortwave 1 (1998); Turkish Cypriot area: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998) Czech Republic AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000) Denmark AM 2, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998) Djibouti AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Dominica AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998) Dominican Republic AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998) East Timor AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA Ecuador AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001) Egypt AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999) El Salvador AM 61 (plus 24 repeaters), FM 30, shortwave 0 (1998) Equatorial Guinea AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2002) Eritrea AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000) Estonia AM 0, FM 98, shortwave 0 (2001) Ethiopia AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998) Faroe Islands AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Fiji AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) Finland AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998) France AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) French Guiana AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6 (including 5 repeaters) (1998) French Polynesia AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) Gabon AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001) Gambia, The AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Gaza Strip AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Georgia AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998) Germany AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998) Ghana AM 0, FM 49, shortwave 3 (2001) Gibraltar AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Greece AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998) Greenland AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) Grenada AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Guadeloupe AM 1, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998) Guam AM 4, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2003) Guatemala AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000) Guernsey AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Guinea AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2001) Guinea-Bissau AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2002) Guyana AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) Haiti AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999) Holy See (Vatican City) AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998) Honduras AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998) Hong Kong AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Hungary AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998) Iceland AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) India AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998) Indonesia AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998) Iran AM 72, FM 5, shortwave 5 (1998) Iraq AM 19 (5 are inactive), FM 51, shortwave 4 (1998) Ireland AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998) Israel AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998) Italy AM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998) Jamaica AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Jan Mayen AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) Japan AM 215 plus 370 repeaters, FM 89 plus 485 repeaters, shortwave 21 (2001) Jersey AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Johnston Atoll AM NA, FM 7 (1 island-run morale, welfare, and recreation station and 6 all-music digital radio stations broadcast over FM band), shortwave NA (2002) Jordan AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1999) Kazakhstan AM 60, FM 17, shortwave 9 (1998) Kenya AM 24, FM 18, shortwave 6 (2001) Kiribati AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 note: the shortwave station may be inactive (2002) Korea, North AM 16, FM 14, shortwave 12 (1999) Korea, South AM 104, FM 136, shortwave 5 (2001) Kuwait AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998) Kyrgyzstan AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) Laos AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) Latvia AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998) Lebanon AM 20, FM 22, shortwave 4 (1998) Lesotho AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) Liberia AM 0, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2001) Libya AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2002) Liechtenstein AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Lithuania AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001) Luxembourg AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Macau AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998) Madagascar AM 2 (plus a number of repeater stations), FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001) Malawi AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus a third station held in standby status) (2001) Malaysia AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001) Maldives AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Mali AM 1, FM 28, shortwave 1 note: the shortwave station in Bamako has seven frequencies and five transmitters and relays broadcasts for China Radio International (2001) Malta AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999) Man, Isle of AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Marshall Islands AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 note: additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein (2002) Martinique AM 0, FM 14, shortwave 0 (1998) Mauritania AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001) Mauritius AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2002) Mayotte AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2001) Mexico AM 851, FM 598, shortwave 16 (2000) Micronesia, Federated States of AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Moldova AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998) Monaco AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998) Mongolia AM 7, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2001) Montserrat AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Morocco AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998) Mozambique AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001) Namibia AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) Nauru AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Nepal AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (January 2000) Netherlands AM 4, FM 58, shortwave 3 (1998) Netherlands Antilles AM 9, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) New Caledonia AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) New Zealand AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998) Nicaragua AM 63, FM 32, shortwave 1 (1998) Niger AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001) Nigeria AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001) Niue AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Norfolk Island AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Northern Mariana Islands AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) Norway AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998) Oman AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Pakistan AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998) Palau AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002) Panama AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998) Papua New Guinea AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998) Paraguay AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998) Peru AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999) Philippines AM 366, FM 290, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2002) Pitcairn Islands AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Poland AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998) Portugal AM 47, FM 172 (many are repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) Puerto Rico AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998) Qatar AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998) Reunion AM 2, FM 55, shortwave 0 (2001) Romania AM 40, FM 202, shortwave 3 (1998) Russia AM 420, FM 447, shortwave 56 (1998) Rwanda AM 0, FM 3 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a system of repeaters and the third FM program is a 24 hour BBC program), shortwave 1 (2002) Saint Helena AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Saint Kitts and Nevis AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Saint Lucia AM 2, FM 7 (plus 3 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998) Saint Pierre and Miquelon AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Samoa AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) San Marino AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Sao Tome and Principe AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002) Saudi Arabia AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) Senegal AM 8, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2001) Serbia and Montenegro AM 113, FM 194, shortwave 2 (1998) Seychelles AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998) Sierra Leone AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999) Singapore AM 0, FM 16, shortwave 2 (1998) Slovakia AM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998) Slovenia AM 17, FM 160, shortwave 0 (1998) Solomon Islands AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Somalia AM 0, FM 11, shortwave 1 in Mogadishu; 1 FM in Puntland, 1 FM in Somaliland (2001) South Africa AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 0 (2003) Spain AM 208, FM 715, shortwave 1 (1998) Sri Lanka AM 26, FM 45, shortwave 1 (1998) Sudan AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Suriname AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998) Svalbard AM 1, FM 1 (plus 2 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998) Swaziland AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2001) Sweden AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998) Switzerland AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998) Syria AM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) Taiwan AM 218, FM 333, shortwave 50 (1999) Tajikistan AM 8, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2002) Tanzania AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998) Thailand AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999) Togo AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998) Tokelau AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of unknown type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports (1998) Tonga AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2001) Trinidad and Tobago AM 2, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) Tunisia AM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998) Turkey AM 16, FM 107, shortwave 6 (2001) Turkmenistan AM 16, FM 8, shortwave 2 (1998) Turks and Caicos Islands AM 3 (one inactive), FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998) Tuvalu AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1999) Uganda AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001) Ukraine AM 134, FM 289, shortwave 4 (1998) United Arab Emirates AM 13, FM 7, shortwave 2 (1998) United Kingdom AM 219, FM 431, shortwave 3 (1998) United States AM 4,762, FM 5,542, shortwave 18 (1998) Uruguay AM 91, FM 149, shortwave 7 (2001) Uzbekistan AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 10 (1998) Vanuatu AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2002) Venezuela AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998) Vietnam AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999) Virgin Islands AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002) Wake Island AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (1998) Wallis and Futuna AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000) West Bank AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 note: the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts from an AM station in Ramallah on 675 kHz; numerous local, private stations are reported to be in operation (2000) Western Sahara AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) World AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA Yemen AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998) Zambia AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001) Zimbabwe AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2015 Television broadcast stations Afghanistan at least 10 (one government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 32 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998) Albania 3 (plus 58 repeaters) (2001) Algeria 46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995) American Samoa 1 (1997) Andorra 0 (1997) Angola 6 (2000) Anguilla 1 (1997) Antarctica 1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo) note: information for US bases only (2002) Antigua and Barbuda 2 (1997) Argentina 42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997) Armenia 3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters); (1998) Aruba 1 (1997) Australia 104 (1997) Austria 45 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001) Azerbaijan 2 (1997) Bahamas, The 1 (1997) Bahrain 4 (1997) Bangladesh 15 (1999) Barbados 1 (plus two cable channels) (1997) Belarus 47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995) Belgium 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) Belize 2 (1997) Benin 1;; (2001) Bermuda 3 (1997) Bhutan 0 (1997) Bolivia 48 (1997) Bosnia and Herzegovina 33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995) Botswana 1 (2001) Brazil 138 (1997) British Indian Ocean Territory 1 (1997) British Virgin Islands 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) Brunei 2 (1997) Bulgaria 39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001) Burkina Faso 1 (2002) Burma 2 (1998) Burundi 1 (2001) Cambodia 6 (2003) Cameroon 1 (2002) Canada 80 (plus many repeaters) (1997) Cape Verde 1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002) Cayman Islands 1 with cable system Central African Republic 1 (2001) Chad 1 (2002) Chile 63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997) China 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997) Comoros NA Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4 (2001) Congo, Republic of the 1 (2002) Cook Islands 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) Costa Rica 6 (plus 11 repeaters) (1997) Cote d'Ivoire 14 (1999) Croatia 36 (plus 321 repeaters) (September 1995) Cuba 58 (1997) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 4 (plus 225 low-power repeaters) (September 1995);; Turkish Cypriot area: 4 (plus 5 repeaters) (September 1995) Czech Republic 150 (plus 1,434 repeaters) (2000) Denmark 26 (plus 51 repeaters) (1998) Djibouti 1 (2002) Dominica 0 (however, there is one cable television company) (1997) Dominican Republic 25 (1997) East Timor NA Ecuador 7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2001) Egypt 98 (September 1995) El Salvador 5 (1997) Equatorial Guinea 1 (2002) Eritrea 1 (2000) Estonia 3 (2001) Ethiopia 1 plus 24 repeaters (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service) note: cable television is available in Stanley (2002) Faroe Islands 3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995) Fiji NA Finland 120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999) France 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995) French Guiana 3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) French Polynesia 7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997) Gabon 4 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001) Gambia, The 1 (government-owned) (1997) Gaza Strip 2 (operated by the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation) (1997) Georgia 12 (plus repeaters) (1998) Germany 373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995) Ghana 10 (2001) Gibraltar 1 (plus three low-power repeaters) (1997) Greece 36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995) Greenland 1 publicly-owned station, some local low-power stations, and three AFRTS (US Air Force) stations (1997) Grenada 2 (1997) Guadeloupe 5 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997) Guam 5 (1997) Guatemala 26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997) Guernsey 1 (1997) Guinea 6 low-power stations (2001) Guinea-Bissau NA (1997) Guyana 3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997) Haiti 2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997) Holy See (Vatican City) 1 (1996) Honduras 11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) Hong Kong 4 (plus two repeaters) (1997) Hungary 35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995) Iceland 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997) India 562 (of which 82 stations have 1 kW or greater power and 480 stations have less than 1 kW of power) (1997) Indonesia 41 (1999) Iran 28 (plus 450 low-power repeaters) (1997) Iraq 13 (1997); note - unknown number were destroyed during the March-April 2003 war Ireland 4 (many low-power repeaters) (2001) Israel 17 (plus 36 low-power repeaters) (1995) Italy 358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995) Jamaica 7 (1997) Japan 211 plus 7,341 repeaters note: in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999) Jersey 2 (1997) Johnston Atoll commercial satellite television system, with 30 channels (2002) Jordan 20 (plus 96 repeaters) (1995) Kazakhstan 12 (plus nine repeaters) (1998) Kenya 8 (2002) Kiribati 1 (not reported to be active) (2002) Korea, North 38 (1999) Korea, South 121 (plus 850 repeater stations and the eight-channel American Forces Korea Network) (1999) Kuwait 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997) Kyrgyzstan NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997) Laos 4 (1999) Latvia 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) Lebanon 15 (plus 5 repeaters) (1995) Lesotho 1 (2000) Liberia 1 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001) Libya 12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1999) Liechtenstein NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) Lithuania 27 note: Lithuania has approximately 27 broadcasting stations, but may have as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations (2001) Luxembourg 5 (1999) Macau 1 (2003) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995) Madagascar 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001) Malawi 1 (2001) Malaysia 1 (plus 15 high-power repeaters) (2001) Maldives 1 (1997) Mali 1 (plus repeaters) (2001) Malta 6 (2000) Man, Isle of 0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999) Marshall Islands 2 (both are US military stations) (2002) Martinique 11 (plus nine repeaters) (1997) Mauritania 1 (2002) Mauritius 2 (plus several repeaters) (1997) Mayotte 3 (2001) Mexico 236 (plus repeaters) (1997) Micronesia, Federated States of 2 (1997) Moldova 1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995) Monaco 5 (1998) Mongolia 4 (plus 18 provincial repeaters and many low power repeaters) (1999) Montserrat 1 (1997) Morocco 35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995) Mozambique 1 (2001) Namibia 8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997) Nauru 1 (1997) Nepal 1 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998) Netherlands 21 (plus 26 repeaters) (1995) Netherlands Antilles 3 (there is also a cable service, which supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and two Venezuelan channels) (1997) New Caledonia 6 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1997) New Zealand 41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997) Nicaragua 3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997) Niger 3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (2002) Nigeria 3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2002) Niue 1 (1997) Norfolk Island 1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring in Australian programs by satellite) (1998) Northern Mariana Islands 1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, two cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (1997) Norway 360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995) Oman 13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999) Pakistan 22 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997) Palau 1 (1997) Panama 38 (including repeaters) (1998) Papua New Guinea 3 (all in the Port Moresby area) note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned (2002) Paraguay 4 (2001) Peru 13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997) Philippines 75 (2000) Pitcairn Islands 0 (1997) Poland 179 (plus 256 repeaters) (September 1995) Portugal 62 (plus 166 repeaters) note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands (1995) Puerto Rico 18 (plus three stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service) (1997) Qatar 1 (plus three repeaters) (2001) Reunion 35 (plus 18 low-power repeaters) (2001) Romania 48 (plus 392 repeaters) (1995) Russia 7,306 (1998) Rwanda NA Saint Helena 0 note: television programs are received in Saint Helena via satellite and distributed by cable (2002) Saint Kitts and Nevis 1 (plus three repeaters) (1997) Saint Lucia 3 (of which two are commercial stations and one is a community antenna television or CATV channel) (1997) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 (there are, however, two repeaters which rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1 (plus three repeaters) (1997) Samoa 2 (2002) San Marino 1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997) Sao Tome and Principe 2 (2002) Saudi Arabia 117 (1997) Senegal 1 (1997) Serbia and Montenegro more than 771 (including 86 strong stations and 685 low-power stations, plus 20 repeaters in the principal networks; also numerous local or private stations in Serbia and Vojvodina) (1997) Seychelles 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997) Sierra Leone 2 (1999) Singapore 6 (2000) Slovakia 38 (plus 864 repeaters) (1995) Slovenia 48 (2001) Solomon Islands 0 (1997) Somalia 4 note: two in Mogadishu; two in Hargeisa (2001) South Africa 556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 0 (2003) Spain 224 (plus 2,105 repeaters) note: these figures include 11 television broadcast stations and 88 repeaters in the Canary Islands (1995) Sri Lanka 21 (1997) Sudan 3 (1997) Suriname 3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000) Svalbard NA Swaziland 5 plus 7 relay stations (2001) Sweden 169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995) Switzerland 115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995) Syria 44 (plus 17 repeaters) (1995) Taiwan 29 (plus two repeaters) (1997) Tajikistan 13 (2001) Tanzania 3 (1999) Thailand 5 (all in Bangkok; plus 131 repeaters) (1997) Togo 3 (plus two repeaters) (1997) Tonga 2 (2001) Trinidad and Tobago 4 (1997) Tunisia 26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995) Turkey 635 (plus 2,934 repeaters) (1995) Turkmenistan 3 (much programming relayed from Russia and Turkey) (1997) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; cable television is established) (1997) Tuvalu 0 (1997) Uganda 8 (plus one low-power repeater) (2001) Ukraine at least 33 (plus 21 repeaters that relay broadcasts from Russia) (1997) United Arab Emirates 15 (1997) United Kingdom 228 (plus 3,523 repeaters) (1995) United States more than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations affiliated with the five major networks - NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems) (1997) Uruguay 20 (2001) Uzbekistan 4 (plus two repeaters that relay Russian programs), 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals (2003) Vanuatu 1 (2002) Venezuela 66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997) Vietnam at least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998) Virgin Islands 2 (2002) Wake Island 0 (1997) Wallis and Futuna 2 (2000) West Bank NA Western Sahara NA World NA Yemen 7 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997) Zambia 9 (2002) Zimbabwe 16 (1997) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2018 Sex ratio (male(s)/female) Afghanistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Albania at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Algeria at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) American Samoa at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.19 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Andorra at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Angola at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Anguilla at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Argentina at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Armenia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Aruba at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Australia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Austria at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Azerbaijan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Bahamas, The at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Bahrain at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.42 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.28 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Bangladesh at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.17 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Barbados at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Belarus at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Belgium at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Belize at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Benin at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Bermuda at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Bhutan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Bolivia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Botswana at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Brazil at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Brunei at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Bulgaria at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Burkina Faso at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Burma at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Burundi at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Cambodia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Cameroon at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Canada at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Cape Verde at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Cayman Islands at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Central African Republic at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Chad at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Chile at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) China at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Christmas Island NA (2003 est.) Colombia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Comoros at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Cook Islands NA (2003 est.) Costa Rica at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Croatia at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Cuba at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Cyprus at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Czech Republic at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Denmark at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Djibouti at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Dominica at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Dominican Republic at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) East Timor at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Ecuador at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Egypt at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) El Salvador at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Eritrea at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Estonia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Ethiopia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Faroe Islands at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Fiji at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Finland at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) France at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) French Guiana at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2003 est.) French Polynesia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Gabon at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Gambia, The at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Gaza Strip at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Georgia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Germany at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Ghana at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Gibraltar at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Greece at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Greenland at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Grenada at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Guadeloupe at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Guam at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Guatemala at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Guernsey at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Guinea at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Guyana at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Haiti at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Honduras at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Hong Kong at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Hungary at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Iceland at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) India at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Indonesia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Iran at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Iraq at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Ireland at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Israel at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Italy at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Jamaica at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Japan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Jersey at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Jordan at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Kazakhstan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Kenya at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Kiribati at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Korea, North at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Korea, South at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Kuwait at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Laos at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Latvia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Lebanon at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Lesotho at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Liberia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Libya at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Liechtenstein at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Lithuania at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Luxembourg at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Macau at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Madagascar at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Malawi at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Malaysia at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Maldives at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Mali at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Malta at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Man, Isle of at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Marshall Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Martinique at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Mauritania at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Mauritius at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Mayotte at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.2 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Mexico at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Moldova at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Monaco at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Mongolia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Montserrat at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Morocco at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Mozambique at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Namibia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nauru at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nepal at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Netherlands at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2003 est.) New Caledonia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) New Zealand at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nicaragua at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Niger at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nigeria at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Niue NA (2003 est.) Norfolk Island NA (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Norway at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Oman at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.51 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female total population: 1.28 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Pakistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Palau at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Panama at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Paraguay at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Peru at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Philippines at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA (2003 est.) Poland at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Portugal at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Puerto Rico at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Qatar at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.36 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.65 male(s)/female total population: 1.9 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Reunion at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Romania at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Russia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Rwanda at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Saint Helena at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Saint Lucia at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Samoa at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.68 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2003 est.) San Marino at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.37 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.29 male(s)/female total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Senegal at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Seychelles at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Sierra Leone at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Singapore at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Slovakia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Slovenia at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Solomon Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Somalia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) South Africa at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Spain at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Sri Lanka at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Sudan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Suriname at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Svalbard NA (2003 est.) Swaziland at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Sweden at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Switzerland at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Syria at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Taiwan at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Tajikistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Tanzania at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Thailand at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Togo at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Tokelau NA (2003 est.) Tonga at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Tunisia at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Turkey at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Turkmenistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Tuvalu at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Uganda at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Ukraine at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.65 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.56 male(s)/female total population: 1.47 male(s)/female (2003 est.) United Kingdom at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) United States at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Uruguay at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Uzbekistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Vanuatu at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Venezuela at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Vietnam at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Virgin Islands at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2003 est.) West Bank at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Western Sahara NA (2003 est.) World at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Yemen at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Zambia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Zimbabwe at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2019 Heliports Afghanistan 5 (2002) Albania 1 (2002) Algeria 1 (2002) Antarctica 27 stations have helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2002) Austria 1 (2002) Bahamas, The 1 (2002) Bahrain 1 (2002) Belgium 1 (2002) Bosnia and Herzegovina 5 (2002) Brunei 3 (2002) Bulgaria 1 (2002) Burma 1 (2002) Cambodia 2 (2002) Canada 12 (2002) Colombia 1 (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1 (2002) Croatia 1 (2002) Cyprus 10 (2002) Czech Republic 2 (2002) East Timor 1 (2002) Ecuador 1 (2002) Egypt 2 (2002) El Salvador 1 (2002) France 3 (2002) Germany 40 (2002) Greece 7 (2002) Holy See (Vatican City) 1 (2002) Hong Kong 2 (2002) Hungary 5 (2002) India 19 (2002) Indonesia 9 (2002) Iran 13 (2002) Iraq 5 (2002) Israel 3 (2002) Italy 4 (2002) Japan 15 (2002) Jordan 2 (2002) Korea, South 204 (2002) Kuwait 3 (2002) Libya 1 (2002) Luxembourg 1 (2002) Malaysia 1 (2002) Mexico 2 (2002) Monaco 1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice, France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille) (2002) Morocco 1 (2002) Netherlands 1 (2002) New Caledonia 5 (2002) New Zealand 1 (2002) Nigeria 1 (2002) Northern Mariana Islands 1 (2002) Oman 1 (2002) Pakistan 13 (2002) Papua New Guinea 2 (2002) Philippines 2 (2002) Poland 3 (2002) Qatar 1 (2002) Romania 1 (2002) Saudi Arabia 5 (2002) Serbia and Montenegro 4 (2002) Sierra Leone 2 (2002) Slovakia 1 (2002) Spain 7 (2002) Sudan 2 (2002) Sweden 2 (2002) Switzerland 1 (2002) Syria 7 (2002) Taiwan 3 (2002) Thailand 2 (2002) Turkey 8 (2002) United Arab Emirates 2 (2002) United Kingdom 11 (2002) United States 149 (2002) Venezuela 1 (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2020 Elevation extremes (m) Afghanistan lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m Albania lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,753 m Algeria lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m highest point: Tahat 3,003 m American Samoa lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Lata 966 m Andorra lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m Angola lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m Anguilla lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m Antarctica lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater Antigua and Barbuda lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m Arctic Ocean lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m highest point: sea level 0 m Argentina lowest point: Salinas Chicas -40 m (located on Peninsula Valdes) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m Armenia lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m Aruba lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m Ashmore and Cartier Islands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Atlantic Ocean lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m highest point: sea level 0 m Australia lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m Austria lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m Azerbaijan lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m Bahamas, The lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m Bahrain lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m Baker Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 8 m Bangladesh lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m Barbados lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m Bassas da India lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m Belarus lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m Belgium lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m Belize lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m Benin lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m Bermuda lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m Bhutan lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m Bolivia lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m Bosnia and Herzegovina lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maglic 2,386 m Botswana lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m Bouvet Island lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m Brazil lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m British Indian Ocean Territory lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m British Virgin Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m Brunei lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m Bulgaria lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Musala 2,925 m Burkina Faso lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m Burma lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m Burundi lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Mount Heha 2,670 m Cambodia lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m Cameroon lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako (on Cameroon Mountain) 4,095 m Canada lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m Cape Verde lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) Cayman Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m Central African Republic lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m Chad lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m Chile lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m China lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.) Christmas Island lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m Clipperton Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m Cocos (Keeling) Islands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Colombia lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation Comoros lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m Congo, Democratic Republic of the lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m Congo, Republic of the lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m Cook Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m Coral Sea Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m Costa Rica lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m Cote d'Ivoire lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Croatia lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Dinara 1,830 m Cuba lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m Cyprus lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Olympus 1,951 m Czech Republic lowest point: Elbe River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m Denmark lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m Djibouti lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m Dominica lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m Dominican Republic lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m East Timor lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m Ecuador lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m Egypt lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m El Salvador lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m Equatorial Guinea lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m Eritrea lowest point: near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 m highest point: Soira 3,018 m Estonia lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m Ethiopia lowest point: Denakil Depression -125 m highest point: Ras Dejen 4,620 m Europa Island lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 24 m Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m Faroe Islands lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m Fiji lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m Finland lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Halti 1,328 m France lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m French Guiana lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m French Polynesia lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m French Southern and Antarctic Lands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m Gabon lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m Gambia, The lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m Gaza Strip lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m Georgia lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m Germany lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m Ghana lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m Gibraltar lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m Glorioso Islands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m Greece lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m Greenland lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m Grenada lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m Guadeloupe lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,484 m Guam lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m Guatemala lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m Guernsey lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m Guinea lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Guinea-Bissau lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m Guyana lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m Haiti lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m Heard Island and McDonald Islands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m Holy See (Vatican City) lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m Honduras lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m Hong Kong lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m Howland Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Hungary lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m Iceland lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier) India lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m Indian Ocean lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m highest point: sea level 0 m Indonesia lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m Iran lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m Iraq lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unamed peak 3,611 m; note - this peak is not Gundah Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m Ireland lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m Israel lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m Italy lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) Jamaica lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m Jan Mayen lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m Japan lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m Jarvis Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m Jersey lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m Johnston Atoll lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Summit Peak 5 m Jordan lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m Juan de Nova Island lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 10 m Kazakhstan lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m Kenya lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m Kingman Reef lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 1 m Kiribati lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m Korea, North lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m Korea, South lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m Kuwait lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m Kyrgyzstan lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m Laos lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m Latvia lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m Lebanon lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m Lesotho lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m Liberia lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m Libya lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m Liechtenstein lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m Lithuania lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m Luxembourg lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m Macau lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 m Madagascar lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m Malawi lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m Malaysia lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m Maldives lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m Mali lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m Malta lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli) Man, Isle of lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m Marshall Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m Martinique lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m Mauritania lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m Mauritius lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m Mayotte lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Benara 660 m Mexico lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m highest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m Micronesia, Federated States of lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m Midway Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 13 m Moldova lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m Monaco lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m Mongolia lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m Montserrat lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) 914 m Morocco lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m highest point: Jbel Toubkal 4,165 m Mozambique lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m Namibia lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m Nauru lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m Navassa Island lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m Nepal lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999) Netherlands lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m Netherlands Antilles lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m New Caledonia lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m New Zealand lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m Nicaragua lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m Niger lowest point: Niger River 200 m highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m Nigeria lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m Niue lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m Norfolk Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m Northern Mariana Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m Norway lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m Oman lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m Pacific Ocean lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m highest point: sea level 0 m Pakistan lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m Palau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m Palmyra Atoll lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m Panama lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m Papua New Guinea lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m Paracel Islands lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m Paraguay lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m Peru lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m Philippines lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m Pitcairn Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m Poland lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m highest point: Rysy 2,499 m Portugal lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m Puerto Rico lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m Qatar lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m Reunion lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m Romania lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m Russia lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m Rwanda lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m Saint Helena lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m Saint Kitts and Nevis lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m Saint Lucia lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m Saint Pierre and Miquelon lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m Saint Vincent and the Grenadines lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m Samoa lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m San Marino lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m Sao Tome and Principe lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m Saudi Arabia lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m Senegal lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m Serbia and Montenegro lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Daravica 2,656 m Seychelles lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m Sierra Leone lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m Singapore lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m Slovakia lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m Slovenia lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m Solomon Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m Somalia lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m South Africa lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m Southern Ocean lowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trench highest point: sea level 0 m Spain lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m Spratly Islands lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m Sri Lanka lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m Sudan lowest point: Red Sea 0 m highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m Suriname lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m Svalbard lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m Swaziland lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m Sweden lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m Switzerland lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m Syria lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m Taiwan lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m Tajikistan lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m Tanzania lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m Thailand lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m Togo lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Agou 986 m Tokelau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Tonga lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m Trinidad and Tobago lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m Tromelin Island lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m Tunisia lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m Turkey lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m Turkmenistan lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m; note - Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m Turks and Caicos Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m Tuvalu lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Uganda lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m Ukraine lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m United Arab Emirates lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m United Kingdom lowest point: The Fens -4 m highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m United States lowest point: Death Valley -86 m highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m Uruguay lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m Uzbekistan lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m Vanuatu lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m Venezuela lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m Vietnam lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m Virgin Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m Wake Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m Wallis and Futuna lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m West Bank lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m Western Sahara lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed location 463 m World lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m note: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific Ocean highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.) Yemen lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m Zambia lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m Zimbabwe lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2021 Natural hazards Afghanistan damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts Albania destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought Algeria mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season American Samoa typhoons common from December to March Andorra avalanches Angola locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau Anguilla frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) Antarctica katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf Antigua and Barbuda hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts Arctic Ocean ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May Argentina San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast; heavy flooding Armenia occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts Aruba lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt Ashmore and Cartier Islands surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards Atlantic Ocean icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December) Australia cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires Austria landslides; avalanches; earthquakes Azerbaijan droughts Bahamas, The hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage Bahrain periodic droughts; dust storms Baker Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Bangladesh droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season Barbados infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides Bassas da India maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones Belarus NA Belgium flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes Belize frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) Benin hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March Bermuda hurricanes (June to November) Bhutan violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season Bolivia flooding in the northeast (March-April) Bosnia and Herzegovina destructive earthquakes Botswana periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility Bouvet Island NA Brazil recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south British Indian Ocean Territory NA British Virgin Islands hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) Brunei typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare Bulgaria earthquakes, landslides Burkina Faso recurring droughts Burma destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts Burundi flooding, landslides, drought Cambodia monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts Cameroon volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes Canada continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains Cape Verde prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active Cayman Islands hurricanes (July to November) Central African Republic hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common Chad hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues Chile severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis China frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence Christmas Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Clipperton Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands cyclone season is October to April Colombia highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts Comoros cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano Congo, Democratic Republic of the periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes Congo, Republic of the seasonal flooding Cook Islands typhoons (November to March) Coral Sea Islands occasional tropical cyclones Costa Rica occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes Cote d'Ivoire coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible Croatia destructive earthquakes Cuba the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common Cyprus moderate earthquake activity; droughts Czech Republic flooding Denmark flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes Djibouti earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods Dominica flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months Dominican Republic lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts East Timor floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones Ecuador frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts Egypt periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms El Salvador known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes Equatorial Guinea violent windstorms, flash floods Eritrea frequent droughts; locust swarms Estonia sometimes flooding occurs in the spring Ethiopia geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts Europa Island NA Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) strong winds persist throughout the year Faroe Islands NA Fiji cyclonic storms can occur from November to January Finland NA France flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean French Guiana high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding French Polynesia occasional cyclonic storms in January French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes Gabon NA Gambia, The drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) Gaza Strip droughts Georgia earthquakes Germany flooding Ghana dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts Gibraltar NA Glorioso Islands periodic cyclones Greece severe earthquakes Greenland continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island Grenada lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November Guadeloupe hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an active volcano Guam frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December) Guatemala numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms Guernsey NA Guinea hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season Guinea-Bissau hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires Guyana flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons Haiti lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts Heard Island and McDonald Islands Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast Hong Kong occasional typhoons Howland Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Iceland earthquakes and volcanic activity India droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes Indian Ocean occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches Indonesia occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires Iran periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes along western border and in the northeast Iraq dust storms, sandstorms, floods Ireland NA Israel sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes Italy regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice Jamaica hurricanes (especially July to November) Jan Mayen dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 Japan many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons Jarvis Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard Jersey NA Johnston Atoll NA Jordan droughts; periodic earthquakes Juan de Nova Island periodic cyclones Kazakhstan earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty Kenya recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons Kingman Reef wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard Kiribati typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level Korea, North late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall Korea, South occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest Kuwait sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August Kyrgyzstan NA Laos floods, droughts Latvia NA Lebanon dust storms, sandstorms Lesotho periodic droughts Liberia dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March) Libya hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms Liechtenstein NA Lithuania NA Luxembourg NA Macau typhoons Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of high seismic risks Madagascar periodic cyclones Malawi NA Malaysia flooding, landslides, forest fires Maldives low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise Mali hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding Malta NA Man, Isle of NA Marshall Islands infrequent typhoons Martinique hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years) Mauritania hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts Mauritius cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards Mayotte cyclones during rainy season Mexico tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts Micronesia, Federated States of typhoons (June to December) Midway Islands NA Moldova landslides (57 cases in 1998) Monaco NA Mongolia dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", which is harsh winter conditions Montserrat severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1996) Morocco northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts Mozambique severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods occur in central and southern provinces Namibia prolonged periods of drought Nauru periodic droughts Navassa Island NA Nepal severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons Netherlands flooding Netherlands Antilles Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October New Caledonia cyclones, most frequent from November to March New Zealand earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity Nicaragua destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes Niger recurring droughts Nigeria periodic droughts; flooding Niue typhoons Norfolk Island typhoons (especially May to July) Northern Mariana Islands active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) Norway rockslides, avalanches Oman summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts Pacific Ocean surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December Pakistan frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Palau typhoons (June to December) Palmyra Atoll NA Panama occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area Papua New Guinea active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis Paracel Islands typhoons Paraguay local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) Peru earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity Philippines astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis Pitcairn Islands typhoons (especially November to March) Poland flooding Portugal Azores subject to severe earthquakes Puerto Rico periodic droughts; hurricanes Qatar haze, dust storms, sandstorms common Reunion periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano Romania earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides Russia permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia Rwanda periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo Saint Helena active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis hurricanes (July to October) Saint Lucia hurricanes and volcanic activity Saint Pierre and Miquelon persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat Samoa occasional typhoons; active volcanism San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia frequent sand and dust storms Senegal lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts Serbia and Montenegro destructive earthquakes Seychelles lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible Sierra Leone dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms Singapore NA Slovakia NA Slovenia flooding and earthquakes Solomon Islands typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity Somalia recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season South Africa prolonged droughts South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism Southern Ocean huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue Spain periodic droughts Spratly Islands typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals Sri Lanka occasional cyclones and tornadoes Sudan dust storms and periodic persistent droughts Suriname NA Svalbard ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic Swaziland drought Sweden ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic Switzerland avalanches, landslides, flash floods Syria dust storms, sandstorms Taiwan earthquakes and typhoons Tajikistan earthquakes and floods Tanzania flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought Thailand land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts Togo hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts Tokelau lies in Pacific typhoon belt Tonga cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou Trinidad and Tobago outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms Tromelin Island NA Tunisia NA Turkey very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van Turkmenistan NA Turks and Caicos Islands frequent hurricanes Tuvalu severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level Uganda NA Ukraine NA United Arab Emirates frequent sand and dust storms United Kingdom winter windstorms; floods United States tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development Uruguay seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts Uzbekistan NA Vanuatu tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis Venezuela subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts Vietnam occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta Virgin Islands several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes Wake Island occasional typhoons Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank droughts Western Sahara hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility World large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions) Yemen sandstorms and dust storms in summer Zambia periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April) Zimbabwe recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2022 People - note Afghanistan large numbers of Afghan refugees create burdens on neighboring states Ashmore and Cartier Islands the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem Cuba illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; some 2,500 Cubans took to the Straits of Florida in 2002; the US Coast Guard interdicted about 60% of these migrants; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US; some 1,500 Cubans arrived overland via the southwest border and direct flights to Miami in 2002 Ghana there are 9,500 Liberians, 2,000 Sierra Leoneans, and 1,000 Togolese refugees residing in Ghana (2002) Rwanda Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa Turks and Caicos Islands destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US United States data for the US are based on projections that do not take into consideration the results of the 2000 census This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2023 Area - comparative Afghanistan slightly smaller than Texas Albania slightly smaller than Maryland Algeria slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas American Samoa slightly larger than Washington, DC Andorra 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Angola slightly less than twice the size of Texas Anguilla about half the size of Washington, DC Antarctica slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Antigua and Barbuda 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Arctic Ocean slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Argentina slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US Armenia slightly smaller than Maryland Aruba slightly larger than Washington, DC Ashmore and Cartier Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Atlantic Ocean slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US Australia slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states Austria slightly smaller than Maine Azerbaijan slightly smaller than Maine Bahamas, The slightly smaller than Connecticut Bahrain 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Baker Island about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Bangladesh slightly smaller than Iowa Barbados 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Bassas da India about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Belarus slightly smaller than Kansas Belgium about the size of Maryland Belize slightly smaller than Massachusetts Benin slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Bermuda about one-third the size of Washington, DC Bhutan about half the size of Indiana Bolivia slightly less than three times the size of Montana Bosnia and Herzegovina slightly smaller than West Virginia Botswana slightly smaller than Texas Bouvet Island about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Brazil slightly smaller than the US British Indian Ocean Territory about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC British Virgin Islands about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Brunei slightly smaller than Delaware Bulgaria slightly larger than Tennessee Burkina Faso slightly larger than Colorado Burma slightly smaller than Texas Burundi slightly smaller than Maryland Cambodia slightly smaller than Oklahoma Cameroon slightly larger than California Canada somewhat larger than the US Cape Verde slightly larger than Rhode Island Cayman Islands 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Central African Republic slightly smaller than Texas Chad slightly more than three times the size of California Chile slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana China slightly smaller than the US Christmas Island about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Clipperton Island about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Cocos (Keeling) Islands about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Colombia slightly less than three times the size of Montana Comoros slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Congo, Democratic Republic of the slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US Congo, Republic of the slightly smaller than Montana Cook Islands 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC Coral Sea Islands NA Costa Rica slightly smaller than West Virginia Cote d'Ivoire slightly larger than New Mexico Croatia slightly smaller than West Virginia Cuba slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Cyprus about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut Czech Republic slightly smaller than South Carolina Denmark slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts Djibouti slightly smaller than Massachusetts Dominica slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Dominican Republic slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire East Timor slightly larger than Connecticut Ecuador slightly smaller than Nevada Egypt slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico El Salvador slightly smaller than Massachusetts Equatorial Guinea slightly smaller than Maryland Eritrea slightly larger than Pennsylvania Estonia slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined Ethiopia slightly less than twice the size of Texas Europa Island about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) slightly smaller than Connecticut Faroe Islands eight times the size of Washington, DC Fiji slightly smaller than New Jersey Finland slightly smaller than Montana France slightly less than twice the size of Colorado French Guiana slightly smaller than Indiana French Polynesia slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut French Southern and Antarctic Lands slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware Gabon slightly smaller than Colorado Gambia, The slightly less than twice the size of Delaware Gaza Strip slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Georgia slightly smaller than South Carolina Germany slightly smaller than Montana Ghana slightly smaller than Oregon Gibraltar about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Glorioso Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Greece slightly smaller than Alabama Greenland slightly more than three times the size of Texas Grenada twice the size of Washington, DC Guadeloupe 10 times the size of Washington, DC Guam three times the size of Washington, DC Guatemala slightly smaller than Tennessee Guernsey about one-half the size of Washington, DC Guinea slightly smaller than Oregon Guinea-Bissau slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Guyana slightly smaller than Idaho Haiti slightly smaller than Maryland Heard Island and McDonald Islands slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC Holy See (Vatican City) about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Honduras slightly larger than Tennessee Hong Kong six times the size of Washington, DC Howland Island about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Hungary slightly smaller than Indiana Iceland slightly smaller than Kentucky India slightly more than one-third the size of the US Indian Ocean about 5.5 times the size of the US Indonesia slightly less than three times the size of Texas Iran slightly larger than Alaska Iraq slightly more than twice the size of Idaho Ireland slightly larger than West Virginia Israel slightly smaller than New Jersey Italy slightly larger than Arizona Jamaica slightly smaller than Connecticut Jan Mayen slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Japan slightly smaller than California Jarvis Island about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Jersey about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Johnston Atoll about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Jordan slightly smaller than Indiana Juan de Nova Island about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Kazakhstan slightly less than four times the size of Texas Kenya slightly more than twice the size of Nevada Kingman Reef about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Kiribati four times the size of Washington, DC Korea, North slightly smaller than Mississippi Korea, South slightly larger than Indiana Kuwait slightly smaller than New Jersey Kyrgyzstan slightly smaller than South Dakota Laos slightly larger than Utah Latvia slightly larger than West Virginia Lebanon about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut Lesotho slightly smaller than Maryland Liberia slightly larger than Tennessee Libya slightly larger than Alaska Liechtenstein about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Lithuania slightly larger than West Virginia Luxembourg slightly smaller than Rhode Island Macau about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of slightly larger than Vermont Madagascar slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Malawi slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Malaysia slightly larger than New Mexico Maldives about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC Mali slightly less than twice the size of Texas Malta slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Man, Isle of slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Marshall Islands about the size of Washington, DC Martinique slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Mauritania slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Mauritius almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC Mayotte slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Mexico slightly less than three times the size of Texas Micronesia, Federated States of four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) Midway Islands about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Moldova slightly larger than Maryland Monaco about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Mongolia slightly smaller than Alaska Montserrat about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC Morocco slightly larger than California Mozambique slightly less than twice the size of California Namibia slightly more than half the size of Alaska Nauru about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Navassa Island about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Nepal slightly larger than Arkansas Netherlands slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Netherlands Antilles more than five times the size of Washington, DC New Caledonia slightly smaller than New Jersey New Zealand about the size of Colorado Nicaragua slightly smaller than the state of New York Niger slightly less than twice the size of Texas Nigeria slightly more than twice the size of California Niue 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Norfolk Island about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Northern Mariana Islands 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Norway slightly larger than New Mexico Oman slightly smaller than Kansas Pacific Ocean about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world Pakistan slightly less than twice the size of California Palau slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Palmyra Atoll about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Panama slightly smaller than South Carolina Papua New Guinea slightly larger than California Paracel Islands NA Paraguay slightly smaller than California Peru slightly smaller than Alaska Philippines slightly larger than Arizona Pitcairn Islands about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Poland slightly smaller than New Mexico Portugal slightly smaller than Indiana Puerto Rico slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island Qatar slightly smaller than Connecticut Reunion slightly smaller than Rhode Island Romania slightly smaller than Oregon Russia approximately 1.8 times the size of the US Rwanda slightly smaller than Maryland Saint Helena slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Saint Lucia 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Saint Vincent and the Grenadines twice the size of Washington, DC Samoa slightly smaller than Rhode Island San Marino about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Sao Tome and Principe more than five times the size of Washington, DC Saudi Arabia slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US Senegal slightly smaller than South Dakota Serbia and Montenegro slightly smaller than Kentucky Seychelles 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Sierra Leone slightly smaller than South Carolina Singapore slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Slovakia about twice the size of New Hampshire Slovenia slightly smaller than New Jersey Solomon Islands slightly smaller than Maryland Somalia slightly smaller than Texas South Africa slightly less than twice the size of Texas South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands slightly larger than Rhode Island Southern Ocean slightly more than twice the size of the US Spain slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Spratly Islands NA Sri Lanka slightly larger than West Virginia Sudan slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US Suriname slightly larger than Georgia Svalbard slightly smaller than West Virginia Swaziland slightly smaller than New Jersey Sweden slightly larger than California Switzerland slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Syria slightly larger than North Dakota Taiwan slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined Tajikistan slightly smaller than Wisconsin Tanzania slightly larger than twice the size of California Thailand slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Togo slightly smaller than West Virginia Tokelau about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Tonga four times the size of Washington, DC Trinidad and Tobago slightly smaller than Delaware Tromelin Island about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Tunisia slightly larger than Georgia Turkey slightly larger than Texas Turkmenistan slightly larger than California Turks and Caicos Islands 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Tuvalu 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Uganda slightly smaller than Oregon Ukraine slightly smaller than Texas United Arab Emirates slightly smaller than Maine United Kingdom slightly smaller than Oregon United States about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two and a half times the size of Western Europe Uruguay slightly smaller than the state of Washington Uzbekistan slightly larger than California Vanuatu slightly larger than Connecticut Venezuela slightly more than twice the size of California Vietnam slightly larger than New Mexico Virgin Islands twice the size of Washington, DC Wake Island about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Wallis and Futuna 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC West Bank slightly smaller than Delaware Western Sahara about the size of Colorado World land area about 16 times the size of the US Yemen slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming Zambia slightly larger than Texas Zimbabwe slightly larger than Montana This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2024 Military manpower - military age (years of age) Afghanistan 22 years of age (2003 est.) Albania 19 years of age (2003 est.) Algeria 19 years of age (2003 est.) Angola 18 years of age (2003 est.) Argentina 20 years of age (2003 est.) Armenia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Australia 17 years of age (2003 est.) Austria 19 years of age (2003 est.) Azerbaijan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Bahrain 15 years of age (2003 est.) Belarus 18 years of age (2003 est.) Belgium 19 years of age (2003 est.) Belize 18 years of age (2003 est.) Benin 18 years of age (2003 est.) Bhutan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Bolivia 19 years of age (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 19 years of age (2003 est.) Botswana 18 years of age (2003 est.) Brazil 18 years of age (2003 est.) Brunei 18 years of age (2003 est.) Bulgaria 19 years of age (2003 est.) Burma 18 years of age (2003 est.) Burundi 16 years of age (2003 est.) Cambodia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Cameroon 18 years of age (2003 est.) Canada 16 years of age (2003 est.) Chad 20 years of age (2003 est.) Chile 19 years of age (2003 est.) China 18 years of age (2003 est.) Colombia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 20 years of age (2003 est.) Costa Rica 18 years of age (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 18 years of age (2003 est.) Croatia 19 years of age (2003 est.) Cuba 17 years of age (2003 est.) Cyprus 18 years of age (2003 est.) Czech Republic 18 years of age (2003 est.) Denmark 18 years of age (2003 est.) Dominican Republic 18 years of age (2003 est.) East Timor 18-21 years of age (2003 est.) Ecuador 20 years of age (2003 est.) Egypt 20 years of age (2003 est.) El Salvador 18 years of age (2003 est.) Estonia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Ethiopia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Fiji 18 years of age (2003 est.) Finland 18 years of age (2003 est.) France 18 years of age (2003 est.) Gabon 20 years of age (2003 est.) Georgia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Germany 18 years of age (2003 est.) Ghana 18 years of age (2003 est.) Greece 21 years of age (2003 est.) Guatemala 18 years of age (2003 est.) Haiti 18 years of age (2003 est.) Honduras 18 years of age (2003 est.) Hong Kong 18 years of age (2003 est.) Hungary 18 years of age (2003 est.) India 17 years of age (2003 est.) Indonesia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Iran 21 years of age (2003 est.) Iraq 18 years of age (2003 est.) Ireland 17 years of age (2003 est.) Israel 18 years of age (2003 est.) Italy 18 years of age (2003 est.) Jamaica 18 years of age (2003 est.) Japan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Jordan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Kazakhstan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Korea, North 18 years of age (2003 est.) Korea, South 18 years of age (2003 est.) Kuwait 18 years of age (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Laos 18 years of age (2003 est.) Latvia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Libya 17 years of age (2003 est.) Lithuania 18 years of age (2003 est.) Luxembourg 19 years of age (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 19 years of age (2003 est.) Madagascar 20 years of age (2003 est.) Malaysia 21 years of age (2003 est.) Mexico 18 years of age note: starting in 2000, females were allowed to volunteer for military service (2003 est.) Moldova 18 years of age (2003 est.) Mongolia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Morocco 18 years of age (2003 est.) Nepal 17 years of age (2003 est.) Netherlands 20 years of age (note - age 17 for cadets and midshipmen) (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles 20 years of age (2003 est.) New Zealand 20 years of age (2003 est.) Nicaragua 18 years of age (2003 est.) Niger 18 years of age (2003 est.) Nigeria 18 years of age (2003 est.) Norway 20 years of age (2003 est.) Oman 14 years of age (2003 est.) Pakistan 17 years of age (2003 est.) Paraguay 17 years of age (2003 est.) Peru 17 years of age (2003 est.) Philippines 20 years of age (2003 est.) Poland 19 years of age (2003 est.) Portugal 20 years of age (2003 est.) Qatar 18 years of age (2003 est.) Reunion 18 years of age (2003 est.) Romania 20 years of age (2003 est.) Russia 18 years of age (2003) Saudi Arabia 17 years of age (2003 est.) Senegal 18 years of age (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 19 years of age (2003 est.) Slovakia 18 years of age (2003 est.) Slovenia 19 years of age (2003 est.) South Africa 18 years of age (2003 est.) Spain 20 years of age (2003 est.) Sri Lanka 18 years of age (2003 est.) Sudan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Sweden 19 years of age (2003 est.) Switzerland 20 years of age (2003 est.) Syria 19 years of age (2003 est.) Taiwan 19 years of age (2003 est.) Tajikistan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Thailand 18 years of age (2003 est.) Tunisia 20 years of age (2003 est.) Turkey 20 years of age (2003 est.) Turkmenistan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Ukraine 18 years of age (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates 18 years of age (2003 est.) United States 18 years of age (2003 est.) Uzbekistan 18 years of age (2003 est.) Venezuela 18 years of age (2003 est.) Vietnam 17 years of age (2003 est.) Yemen 14 years of age (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2025 Military manpower - fit for military service Afghanistan males age 15-49: 3,837,646 (2003 est.) Albania males age 15-49: 742,837 (2003 est.) Algeria males age 15-49: 5,646,418 (2003 est.) Angola males age 15-49: 1,290,884 (2003 est.) Argentina males age 15-49: 7,942,837 (2003 est.) Armenia males age 15-49: 727,770 (2003 est.) Australia males age 15-49: 4,339,011 (2003 est.) Austria males age 15-49: 1,725,123 (2003 est.) Azerbaijan males age 15-49: 1,727,340 (2003 est.) Bahrain males age 15-49: 121,739 (2003 est.) Bangladesh males age 15-49: 22,807,339 (2003 est.) Barbados males age 15-49: 53,282 (2003 est.) Belarus males age 15-49: 2,158,875 (2003 est.) Belgium males age 15-49: 2,059,131 (2003 est.) Belize males age 15-49: 39,337 (2003 est.) Benin males age 15-49: 805,603 females age 15-49: 809,961 (2003 est.) Bhutan males age 15-49: 283,493 (2003 est.) Bolivia males age 15-49: 1,380,883 (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina males age 15-49: 897,856 (2003 est.) Botswana males age 15-49: 201,402 (2003 est.) Brazil males age 15-49: 34,347,078 (2003 est.) Brunei males age 15-49: 63,966 (2003 est.) Bulgaria males age 15-49: 1,551,485 (2003 est.) Burkina Faso males age 15-49: 1,506,944 (2003 est.) Burma males age 15-49: 6,566,122 females age 15-49: 6,553,458 (2003 est.) Burundi males age 15-49: 723,516 (2003 est.) Cambodia males age 15-49: 1,829,535 (2003 est.) Cameroon males age 15-49: 1,928,285 (2003 est.) Canada males age 15-49: 7,158,016 (2003 est.) Cape Verde males age 15-49: 53,842 (2003 est.) Central African Republic males age 15-49: 449,466 (2003 est.) Chad males age 15-49: 1,015,982 (2003 est.) Chile males age 15-49: 3,070,140 (2003 est.) China males age 15-49: 206 million (2003 est.) Colombia males age 15-49: 7,403,433 (2003 est.) Comoros males age 15-49: 89,090 (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 15-49: 6,267,752 (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the males age 15-49: 381,556 (2003 est.) Costa Rica males age 15-49: 722,043 (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire males age 15-49: 2,110,276 (2003 est.) Croatia males age 15-49: 856,946 (2003 est.) Cuba males age 15-49: 1,923,967 females age 15-49: 1,875,412 (2003 est.) Cyprus males age 15-49: 138,336 (2003 est.) Czech Republic males age 15-49: 2,002,202 (2003 est.) Denmark males age 15-49: 1,094,611 (2003 est.) Djibouti males age 15-49: 63,459 (2003 est.) Dominican Republic males age 15-49: 1,453,705 (2003 est.) East Timor NA Ecuador males age 15-49: 2,395,178 (2003 est.) Egypt males age 15-49: 12,867,160 (2003 est.) El Salvador males age 15-49: 973,884 (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea males age 15-49: 59,110 (2003 est.) Estonia males age 15-49: 283,278 (2003 est.) Ethiopia males age 15-49: 8,040,381 (2003 est.) Fiji males age 15-49: 129,432 (2003 est.) Finland males age 15-49: 1,016,693 (2003 est.) France males age 15-49: 12,079,413 (2003 est.) French Guiana males age 15-49: 33,345 (2003 est.) Gabon males age 15-49: 158,226 (2003 est.) Gambia, The males age 15-49: 170,904 (2003 est.) Georgia males age 15-49: 1,028,913 (2003 est.) Germany males age 15-49: 17,399,936 (2003 est.) Ghana males age 15-49: 2,911,474 (2003 est.) Greece males age 15-49: 2,026,409 (2003 est.) Guatemala males age 15-49: 2,167,270 (2003 est.) Guinea males age 15-49: 1,038,428 (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau males age 15-49: 181,318 (2003 est.) Guyana males age 15-49: 156,174 (2003 est.) Haiti males age 15-49: 944,474 (2003 est.) Honduras males age 15-49: 948,957 (2003 est.) Hong Kong males age 15-49: 1,524,903 (2003 est.) Hungary males age 15-49: 2,026,912 (2003 est.) Iceland males age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 est.) India males age 15-49: 169 million (2003 est.) Indonesia males age 15-49: 38,290,550 (2003 est.) Iran males age 15-49: 12,094,551 (2003 est.) Iraq males age 15-49: 3,541,467 (2003 est.) Ireland males age 15-49: 821,378 (2003 est.) Israel males age 15-49: 1,279,277 females age 15-49: 1,237,926 (2003 est.) Italy males age 15-49: 12,349,356 (2003 est.) Jamaica males age 15-49: 528,689 (2003 est.) Japan males age 15-49: 25,405,779 (2003 est.) Jordan males age 15-49: 1,113,787 (2003 est.) Kazakhstan males age 15-49: 3,658,815 (2003 est.) Kenya males age 15-49: 5,017,501 (2003 est.) Korea, North males age 15-49: 3,654,223 (2003 est.) Korea, South males age 15-49: 8,994,941 (2003 est.) Kuwait males age 15-49: 508,399 (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan males age 15-49: 1,026,063 (2003 est.) Laos males age 15-49: 759,499 (2003 est.) Latvia males age 15-49: 465,788 (2003 est.) Lebanon males age 15-49: 630,657 (2003 est.) Lesotho males age 15-49: 250,560 (2003 est.) Liberia males age 15-49: 396,725 (2003 est.) Libya males age 15-49: 914,649 (2003 est.) Lithuania males age 15-49: 735,536 (2003 est.) Luxembourg males age 15-49: 93,994 (2003 est.) Macau males age 15-49: 71,826 (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of males age 15-49: 446,726 (2003 est.) Madagascar males age 15-49: 2,300,587 (2003 est.) Malawi males age 15-49: 1,347,248 (2003 est.) Malaysia males age 15-49: 3,672,517 (2003 est.) Maldives males age 15-49: 43,386 (2003 est.) Mali males age 15-49: 1,400,711 (2003 est.) Malta males age 15-49: 79,080 (2003 est.) Mauritania males age 15-49: 322,288 (2003 est.) Mauritius males age 15-49: 171,556 (2003 est.) Mexico males age 15-49: 20,123,970 (2003 est.) Moldova males age 15-49: 936,629 (2003 est.) Mongolia males age 15-49: 516,502 (2003 est.) Morocco males age 15-49: 5,411,846 (2003 est.) Mozambique males age 15-49: 2,373,444 (2003 est.) Namibia males age 15-49: 274,015 (2003 est.) Nauru males age 15-49: 1,762 (2003 est.) Nepal males age 15-49: 3,467,511 (2003 est.) Netherlands males age 15-49: 3,536,586 (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles males age 15-49: 30,840 (2003 est.) New Zealand males age 15-49: 859,505 (2003 est.) Nicaragua males age 15-49: 825,906 (2003 est.) Niger males age 15-49: 1,288,396 (2003 est.) Nigeria males age 15-49: 18,259,696 (2003 est.) Norway males age 15-49: 910,628 (2003 est.) Oman males age 15-49: 438,326 (2003 est.) Pakistan males age 15-49: 23,328,575 (2003 est.) Panama males age 15-49: 544,967 (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea males age 15-49: 757,421 (2003 est.) Paraguay males age 15-49: 1,056,437 (2003 est.) Peru males age 15-49: 5,045,619 (2003 est.) Philippines males age 15-49: 15,428,043 (2003 est.) Poland males age 15-49: 8,077,706 (2003 est.) Portugal males age 15-49: 2,017,678 (2003 est.) Qatar males age 15-49: 168,416 (2003 est.) Reunion males age 15-49: 101,116 (2003 est.) Romania males age 15-49: 4,974,240 (2003 est.) Russia males age 15-49: 24 million (2003 est.) Rwanda males age 15-49: 982,909 (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe males age 15-49: 19,443 (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia males age 15-49: 3,431,281 (2003 est.) Senegal males age 15-49: 1,256,973 (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro males age 15-49: 2,077,660 (2003 est.) Seychelles males age 15-49: 11,639 (2003 est.) Sierra Leone males age 15-49: 596,617 (2003 est.) Singapore males age 15-49: 1,012,498 (2003 est.) Slovakia males age 15-49: 1,135,612 (2003 est.) Slovenia males age 15-49: 413,453 (2003 est.) Somalia males age 15-49: 1,072,689 (2003 est.) South Africa males age 15-49: 7,211,075 (2003 est.) Spain males age 15-49: 8,391,612 (2003 est.) Sri Lanka males age 15-49: 4,172,921 (2003 est.) Sudan males age 15-49: 5,558,462 (2003 est.) Suriname males age 15-49: 72,039 (2003 est.) Swaziland males age 15-49: 165,005 (2003 est.) Sweden males age 15-49: 1,800,376 (2003 est.) Switzerland males age 15-49: 1,552,728 (2003 est.) Syria males age 15-49: 2,629,148 (2003 est.) Taiwan males age 15-49: 5,019,268 (2003 est.) Tajikistan males age 15-49: 1,397,188 (2003 est.) Tanzania males age 15-49: 4,911,235 (2003 est.) Thailand males age 15-49: 10,724,565 (2003 est.) Togo males age 15-49: 666,132 (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago males age 15-49: 233,488 (2003 est.) Tunisia males age 15-49: 1,629,241 (2003 est.) Turkey males age 15-49: 11,801,267 (2003 est.) Turkmenistan males age 15-49: 1,005,686 (2003 est.) Uganda males age 15-49: 2,974,259 (2003 est.) Ukraine males age 15-49: 9,597,172 (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates males age 15-49: 416,963 (2003 est.) United Kingdom males age 15-49: 12,353,942 (2003 est.) United States NA Uruguay males age 15-49: 672,030 (2003 est.) Uzbekistan males age 15-49: 5,635,099 (2003 est.) Venezuela males age 15-49: 4,870,751 (2003 est.) Vietnam males age 15-49: 14,366,732 (2003 est.) Yemen males age 15-49: 2,493,612 (2003 est.) Zambia males age 15-49: 1,279,846 (2003 est.) Zimbabwe males age 15-49: 2,003,572 (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2026 Military manpower - reaching military age annually Afghanistan males: 275,223 (2003 est.) Albania males: 36,985 (2003 est.) Algeria males: 412,545 (2003 est.) Angola males: 109,752 (2003 est.) Argentina males: 331,011 (2003 est.) Armenia males: 37,209 (2003 est.) Australia males: 142,377 (2003 est.) Austria males: 49,090 (2003 est.) Azerbaijan males: 82,925 (2003 est.) Bahrain males: 6,126 (2003 est.) Belarus males: 86,654 (2003 est.) Belgium males: 60,921 (2003 est.) Belize males: 3,046 (2003 est.) Benin males: 75,021 females: 78,998 (2003 est.) Bhutan males: 22,755 (2003 est.) Bolivia males: 96,003 (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina males: 29,861 (2003 est.) Botswana males: 20,476 (2003 est.) Brazil males: 1,744,148 (2003 est.) Brunei males: 3,277 (2003 est.) Bulgaria males: 54,107 (2003 est.) Burma males: 453,420 females: 455,422 (2003 est.) Burundi males: 79,462 (2003 est.) Cambodia males: 165,395 (2003 est.) Cameroon males: 179,586 (2003 est.) Canada males: 216,488 (2003 est.) Chad males: 86,953 (2003 est.) Chile males: 131,324 (2003 est.) China males: 10,973,761 (2003 est.) Colombia males: 392,468 (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the males: 31,644 (2003 est.) Costa Rica males: 41,453 (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire males: 198,115 (2003 est.) Croatia males: 30,096 (2003 est.) Cuba males: 81,095 females: 87,780 (2003 est.) Cyprus males: 6,638 (2003 est.) Czech Republic males: 67,777 (2003 est.) Denmark males: 28,198 (2003 est.) Dominican Republic males: 89,073 (2003 est.) East Timor NA Ecuador males: 137,433 (2003 est.) Egypt males: 743,305 (2003 est.) El Salvador males: 69,534 (2003 est.) Estonia males: 11,123 (2003 est.) Ethiopia males: 714,165 (2003 est.) Fiji males: 9,359 (2003 est.) Finland males: 31,926 (2003 est.) France males: 392,824 (2003 est.) Gabon males: 12,853 (2003 est.) Georgia males: 43,359 (2003 est.) Germany males: 472,946 (2003 est.) Ghana males: 239,742 (2003 est.) Greece males: 74,650 (2003 est.) Guatemala males: 151,294 (2003 est.) Haiti males: 94,349 (2003 est.) Honduras males: 74,895 (2003 est.) Hong Kong males: 47,477 (2003 est.) Hungary males: 64,305 (2003 est.) India males: 11,035,174 (2003 est.) Indonesia males: 2,213,727 (2003 est.) Iran males: 870,711 (2003 est.) Iraq males: 292,930 (2003 est.) Ireland males: 31,437 (2003 est.) Israel males: 51,080 females: 53,496 (2003 est.) Italy males: 291,529 (2003 est.) Jamaica males: 27,398 (2003 est.) Japan males: 725,281 (2003 est.) Jordan males: 58,840 (2003 est.) Kazakhstan males: 174,111 (2003 est.) Korea, North males: 180,875 (2003 est.) Korea, South males: 345,331 (2003 est.) Kuwait males: 18,885 (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan males: 54,445 (2003 est.) Laos males: 67,260 (2003 est.) Latvia males: 19,477 (2003 est.) Libya males: 61,511 (2003 est.) Lithuania males: 29,420 (2003 est.) Luxembourg males: 2,636 (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of males: 17,909 (2003 est.) Madagascar males: 163,864 (2003 est.) Malaysia males: 218,216 (2003 est.) Mexico males: 1,093,752 (2003 est.) Moldova males: 44,084 (2003 est.) Mongolia males: 32,529 (2003 est.) Morocco males: 351,671 (2003 est.) Nepal males: 303,222 (2003 est.) Netherlands males: 94,034 note: Netherlands has an all-volunteer, 74,100 force in 2001 (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles males: 1,643 (2003 est.) New Zealand males: 26,803 (2003 est.) Nicaragua males: 59,903 (2003 est.) Niger males: 119,367 (2003 est.) Nigeria males: 1,418,099 (2003 est.) Norway males: 27,249 (2003 est.) Oman males: 29,485 (2003 est.) Pakistan males: 1,767,502 (2003 est.) Paraguay males: 61,706 (2003 est.) Peru males: 281,717 (2003 est.) Philippines males: 846,994 (2003 est.) Poland males: 343,500 (2003 est.) Portugal males: 67,816 (2003 est.) Qatar males: 7,192 (2003 est.) Reunion males: 6,795 (2003 est.) Romania males: 157,840 (2003 est.) Russia males: 1.243 million (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia males: 253,685 (2003 est.) Senegal males: 116,688 (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro males: 81,547 (2003 est.) Slovakia males: 44,287 (2003 est.) Slovenia males: 13,704 (2003 est.) South Africa males: 471,578 (2003 est.) Spain males: 255,826 (2003 est.) Sri Lanka males: 186,691 (2003 est.) Sudan males: 429,334 (2003 est.) Sweden males: 52,692 (2003 est.) Switzerland males: 42,761 (2003 est.) Syria males: 210,941 (2003 est.) Taiwan males: 189,967 (2003 est.) Tajikistan males: 82,490 (2003 est.) Thailand males: 520,472 (2003 est.) Tunisia males: 106,513 (2003 est.) Turkey males: 679,882 (2003 est.) Turkmenistan males: 53,825 (2003 est.) Ukraine males: 389,499 (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates males: 26,636 (2003 est.) United States males: 2,116,002 (2003 est.) Uzbekistan males: 310,915 (2003 est.) Venezuela males: 249,319 (2003 est.) Vietnam males: 871,036 (2003 est.) Yemen males: 249,292 (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2028 Background Afghanistan Afghanistan's recent history is characterized by war and civil unrest. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced to withdraw 10 years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. Fighting subsequently continued among the various mujahidin factions, giving rise to a state of warlordism that eventually spawned the Taliban. Backed by foreign sponsors, the Taliban developed as a political force and eventually seized power. The Taliban were able to capture most of the country, aside from Northern Alliance strongholds primarily in the northeast, until US and allied military action in support of the opposition following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks forced the group's downfall. In late 2001, major leaders from the Afghan opposition groups and diaspora met in Bonn, Germany, and agreed on a plan for the formulation of a new government structure that resulted in the inauguration of Hamid KARZAI as Chairman of the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) on 22 December 2001. The AIA held a nationwide Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) in June 2002, and KARZAI was elected President by secret ballot of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA). The Transitional Authority has an 18-month mandate to hold a nationwide Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and a 24-month mandate to hold nationwide elections. In December 2002, the TISA marked the one-year anniversary of the fall of the Taliban. In addition to occasionally violent political jockeying and ongoing military action to root out remaining terrorists and Taliban elements, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread land mines. Albania Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents. International observers judged legislative elections in 2001 to be acceptable and a step toward democratic development, but identified serious deficiencies that should be addressed through reforms in the Albanian electoral code. Algeria After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962. The surprising first round success of the fundamentalist FIS (Islamic Salvation Front) party in the December 1991 balloting caused the army to intervene, crack down on the FIS, and postpone the subsequent elections. The fundamentalist response has resulted in a continuous low-grade civil conflict with the secular state apparatus, which nonetheless has allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties. The FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000 and many armed militants of other groups surrendered under an amnesty program designed to promote national reconciliation. Nevertheless, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and carrying out isolated attacks on villages and other types of terrorist attacks. Other concerns include Berber unrest, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy. American Samoa Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. Andorra For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes. Angola Civil war has been the norm in Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the government and armed forces. A national unity government was installed in April of 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, rendering hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century. The death of insurgent leader Jonas SAVIMBI in 2002 and a subsequent cease-fire with UNITA may bode well for the country. Anguilla Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. Antarctica Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but no other country recognizes these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961. Antigua and Barbuda The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Arctic Ocean The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean. Argentina Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation. Armenia Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Aruba Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Ashmore and Cartier Islands These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south. Australia Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999. Austria Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. This neutrality, once ingrained as part of the Austrian cultural identity, has been called into question since the Soviet collapse of 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995. A prosperous country, Austria entered the European Monetary Union in 1999. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled. Bahamas, The Arawak Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US. Bahrain Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National Action Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's political liberalization program. In February 2002, Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the National Assembly. Baker Island The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. Bangladesh Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development. Barbados The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Bassas da India This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968. Belarus After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Belgium Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Belize Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime. Benin Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. Bermuda Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995. Bhutan In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions. Bolivia Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, continuing the privatization program, and waging an anticorruption campaign. Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991, was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government was charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing internal functions. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed hostilities. SFOR remains in place although troop levels were reduced to approximately 12,000 by the close of 2002. Botswana Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has the world's highest known rate of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. Bouvet Island This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island. Brazil Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of the interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, Brazil is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. British Indian Ocean Territory Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. British Virgin Islands First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. Brunei The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world. Bulgaria The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878, but having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, it fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into NATO and the EU - with which it began accession negotiations in 2000. Burkina Faso Independence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Every year, several hundred thousand seasonal farm workers seek employment in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana and are adversely affected by instability in those regions. Burma Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence outside of the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as president, and later as political kingmaker. Despite multiparty elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party winning a decisive victory, the ruling military junta refused to hand over power. Key opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, was again placed under house detention from September 2000 to May 2002 and again in May 2003; her supporters are routinely harassed or jailed. Burundi Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only four months in office. Since then, some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread, often intense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced or have become refugees in neighboring countries. Burundi troops, seeking to secure their borders, intervened in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998. More recently, many of these troops have been redeployed back to Burundi to deal with periodic upsurges in rebel activity. A new transitional government, inaugurated on 1 November 2001, was to be the first step toward holding national elections in three years. While the Government of Burundi signed a cease-fire agreement in December 2002 with three of Burundi's four Hutu rebel groups, implementation of the agreement has been problematic and one rebel group refuses to sign on, clouding prospects for a sustainable peace. Cambodia Following a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh in 1975 and ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns; over 1 million displaced people died from execution or enforced hardships. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside and touched off almost 20 years of fighting. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy as did the rapid diminishment of the Khmer Rouge in the mid-1990s. A coalition government, formed after national elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and the surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces in 1998. Cameroon The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy. Canada A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Its paramount political problem continues to be the relationship of the province of Quebec, with its French-speaking residents and unique culture, to the remainder of the country. Cape Verde The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent. Central African Republic The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. In March 2003 a military coup deposed the civilian government of President Ange-Felix PATASSE and has since established a new government. Chad Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-military groups, settled a territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable to Chad, drafted a democratic constitution, and held multiparty presidential and National Assembly elections in 1996 and 1997, respectively. In 1998, a new rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which continued to escalate throughout 2000. A peace agreement, signed in January 2002 between the government and the rebels, provides for the demobilization of the rebels and their reintegration into the political system. Despite movement toward democratic reform, power remains in the hands of a northern ethnic oligarchy. Chile A three-year-old Marxist government was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, first implemented by the PINOCHET dictatorship, led to unprecedented growth in 1991-97 and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. China For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences. But in the 19th and early 20th centuries, China was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established a dictatorship that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping gradually introduced market-oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision-making. Output quadrupled by 2000. Political controls remain tight while economic controls continue to be relaxed. Christmas Island Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. Clipperton Island This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. Cocos (Keeling) Islands There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William Keeling discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. Colombia Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries has grown to be several thousand strong in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of territory and illicit industries such as the drug trade and the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas. While Bogota steps up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. Comoros Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president was sworn in on May 26, 2002. Congo, Democratic Republic of the Since 1997, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC; formerly called Zaire) has been rent by ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow in 1994 of refugees from the fighting in Rwanda and Burundi. The government of former president MOBUTU Sese Seko was toppled by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA in May 1997; his regime was subsequently challenged by a Rwanda- and Uganda-backed rebellion in August 1998. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed on 10 July 1999 by the DROC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda, and Congolese armed rebel groups, but sporadic fighting continued. KABILA was assassinated on 16 January 2001 and his son Joseph KABILA was named head of state ten days later. In October 2002, the new president was successful in getting occupying Rwandan forces to withdraw from eastern Congo; two months later, an agreement was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and set up a government of national unity. Congo, Republic of the Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but ushered in a period of ethnically based unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers with significant potential for offshore development. Cook Islands Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Coral Sea Islands Scattered over some 1 million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. Costa Rica Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. Cote d'Ivoire Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. On 25 December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government led by President Henri Konan BEDIE. Junta leader Robert GUEI held elections in late 2000, but excluded prominent opposition leader Alassane OUATTARA, blatantly rigged the polling results, and declared himself winner. Popular protest forced GUEI to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent GBAGBO into power. GBAGBO spent his first two years in office trying to consolidate power to strengthen his weak mandate, but he was unable to appease his opponents, who launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government. However, the central government has yet to exert control over the northern regions and tension remains high between GBAGBO and rebel leaders. Several thousand French and West African troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to maintain peace and help implement the peace accords. Croatia In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. Cuba Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the country together since then. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, or falsified visas - is a continuing problem. Some 2,500 Cubans attempted the crossing of the Straits of Florida in 2002; the US Coast Guard apprehended about 60% of the individuals. Cyprus Independence from the UK was approved in 1960, with constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish Cypriot minority. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled almost 40% of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. UN-led direct talks between the two sides to reach a comprehensive settlement to the division of the island began in January 2002. Czech Republic Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Now a member of NATO, the Czech Republic has moved toward integration in world markets, a development that poses both opportunities and risks. In December 2002, the Czech Republic was invited to join the European Union (EU). It is expected that the Czech Republic will accede to the EU in 2004. Denmark Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs. Djibouti The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve three consecutive six-year terms as president. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990's led to multi-party elections resulting in President Ismail Omar GUELLEH attaining office in May 1999. A peace accord in 2001 ended the final phases of a ten-year uprising by Afar rebels. Djibouti occupies a very strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. GUELLEH favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country. Dominica Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean. Dominican Republic Explored and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of its subsequent history was brought to an end in 1966 when Joaquin BALAGUER became president. He maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. The Dominican economy has had one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere over the past decade. East Timor The Portuguese colony of Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of East Timor. A campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, the people of East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. During 1999-2001, pro-integrationist militias - supported by Indonesia - conducted indiscriminate violence. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state and the world's newest democracy. Ecuador The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Egypt The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. El Salvador El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. President OBIANG NGUEM MBASOGO has ruled the tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands and one of the smallest countries on the African continent, since he seized power in a coup in 1979. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 legislative elections - were widely seen as being flawed. Eritrea Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices on 12 December 2000. Eritrea currently hosts a UN peacekeeping operation that is monitoring the border region. An international commission, organized to resolve the border dispute, posted its findings in 2002 but final demarcation is on hold due to Ethiopian objections. Estonia After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. Estonia received invitations to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Ethiopia Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, one exception being the Italian occupation of 1936-41. In 1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), in 1991. A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000. Final demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender sensitive territory. Europa Island A French possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station. Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. Faroe Islands The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self-government was attained in 1948. Fiji Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government and gave a mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Finland Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It finally won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now on par with Western Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. France Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of the euro in January 2002. At present, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus. French Guiana First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou. French Polynesia The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. French Southern and Antarctic Lands The Southern Lands consist of two archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen, and two volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna. The Antarctic portion consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840. Gabon Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries. Gambia, The The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Gaza Strip The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external and internal security and for public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank had begun in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, but have been derailed by a second intifadah that broke out in September 2000. The resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel's military response, and instability within the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine progress toward a permanent agreement. Georgia Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Ethnic separation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, poor governance, and Russian military bases deny the government effective control over the entirety of the state's internationally recognized territory. Despite myriad problems, some progress on market reforms and democratization has been made. An attempt by the government to manipulate legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of President Eduard SHEVARDNADZE. Germany As Europe's largest economy and most populous nation, Germany remains a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed the country in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 2002, Germany and 11 other EU countries introduced a common European currency, the euro. Ghana Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning of political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. He was succeeded by John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice President Atta MILLS in a free and fair election. Gibraltar Strategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In referendums held in 1967 and 2002, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. Glorioso Islands A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. Greece Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. Following the defeat of Communist rebels in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. Democratic elections in 1974 and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy; Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992). Greenland The world's largest non-continental island, about 81% ice-capped, Greenland was granted self-government in 1978 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs. Grenada One of the smallest independent countries in the western hemisphere, Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year. Guadeloupe Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island of Saint Martin is shared with the Netherlands; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles and its northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe Guam Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. Guatemala Guatemala was freed of Spanish colonial rule in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had led to the death of more than 100,000 people and had created some 1 million refugees. Guernsey The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Guinea Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998. Unrest in Sierra Leone has spilled over into Guinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency. Guinea-Bissau In 1994, 20 years after independence from Portugal, the country's first multiparty legislative and presidential elections were held. An army uprising that triggered a bloody civil war in 1998 created hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. A military junta ousted the president in May 1999. An interim government turned over power in February 2000 when opposition leader Kumba YALA took office following two rounds of transparent presidential elections. Guinea-Bissau's transition back to democracy will be complicated by its crippled economy, devastated in the civil war. Guyana Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five years later, he was succeeded by his wife Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001. Haiti The native Arawak Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by Columbus in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island - Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history since then, and it is now one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Over three decades of dictatorship followed by military rule ended in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE was elected president. Most of his term was usurped by a military takeover, but he was able to return to office in 1994 and oversee the installation of a close associate to the presidency in 1996. ARISTIDE won a second term as president in 2000, and took office early in 2001. However, a political crisis stemming from fraudulent legislative elections in 2000 has not yet been resolved. Heard Island and McDonald Islands These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. Holy See (Vatican City) Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include the failing health of Pope John Paul II, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. Honduras Part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and one-half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting against leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused almost $1 billion in damage. Hong Kong Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Howland Island Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; it is named in memory of the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National Wildlife Refuge. Hungary Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and is scheduled to accede to the EU along with nine other states on 1 May 2004. In an April 2003 referendum, 84 percent voted in favor of joining the EU. Iceland Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards. India The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, goes back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in 12th were followed by European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife, all this despite impressive gains in economic investment and output. Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb (Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia). The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean south of 60 degrees south. Indonesia Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago; it achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include: alleviating widespread poverty, implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly-elected government after four decades of authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations, and resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Papua. Iran Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar. A group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq over disputed territory. Over the past decade, popular dissatisfaction with the government, driven by demographic changes, restrictive social policies, and poor economic conditions, has created a powerful and enduring pressure for political reform. Iraq Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen have ruled the country since then, the latest being SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years resulted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. Coalition forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government. Ireland Celtic tribes settled on the island in the 4th century B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is currently being implemented. Israel Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives (from the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip) and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. But progress toward a permanent status agreement has been undermined by the outbreak of Palestinian-Israeli violence since September 2000. Italy Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the European Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north. Jamaica Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a dropoff in tourism. Elections in 1980 saw the democratic socialists voted out of office. Subsequent governments have been open market oriented. Political violence marred elections during the 1990s. Jan Mayen This desolate, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; it is the northernmost active volcano on earth. Japan While retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth. Jarvis Island First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889, but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World War II, the island is currently a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. Jersey The island of Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Johnston Atoll Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete. Cleanup and closure of the facility is progressing, with completion anticipated in 2004. Jordan For most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, through several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he resumed parliamentary elections and gradually permitted political liberalization; in 1994 a formal peace treaty was signed with Israel. King ABDALLAH II - the eldest son of King HUSSEIN and Princess MUNA - assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and established his domestic priorities, including an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in January 2000, and signed free trade agreements with the United States in 2000, and with the European Free Trade Association in 2001. Juan de Nova Island Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station. Kazakhstan Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence has caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; achieving a sustainable economic growth outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers. Kenya Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but are viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December of 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition, defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. Kingman Reef The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 NM around the reef were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge. Kiribati The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati. Korea, North Following World War II, Korea was split, with the northern half coming under Communist domination and the southern portion becoming Western-oriented. KIM Chong-il has ruled North Korea since his father and the country's founder, president KIM Il-song, died in 1994. After decades of mismanagement, the North relies heavily on international food aid to feed its population while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and research into nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community. In December 2002, North Korea repudiated a 1994 agreement that shut down its nuclear reactors and expelled UN monitors, further raising fears it would produce nuclear weapons. Korea, South After World War II, a republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north. During the Korean War (1950-1953), US and other UN forces intervened to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 20 times the level of North Korea. South Korea has maintained its commitment to democratize its political processes. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit took place between the South's President KIM Dae-jung and the North's leader KIM Chong-il. Kuwait Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. Kyrgyzstan A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism. Laos In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997. Latvia After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Lebanon Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 16-year civil war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, the radical Shi'a party, retains its weapons. Syria maintains about 16,000 troops in Lebanon, based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Syria's troop deployment was legitimized by the Arab League during Lebanon's civil war and in the Ta'if Accord. Damascus justifies its continued military presence in Lebanon by citing Beirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord. Israel's withdrawal from its security zone in southern Lebanon in May 2000, however, has emboldened some Lebanese Christians and Druze to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. Lesotho Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 23 years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody South African military intervention. Constitutional reforms have since restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002. Liberia Eight years of civil strife were brought to a close in 1997 when free and open presidential and legislative elections were held. President TAYLOR now holds strong executive power with no real political opposition. Years of fighting, coupled with the flight of most businesses, have disrupted formal economic activity. A still unsettled domestic security situation has slowed the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country. In 2001, the UN imposed sanctions on Liberian diamonds, along with an arms embargo and a travel ban on government officials, for Liberia's support of the rebel insurgency in Sierra Leone. Renewed rebel activity has further eroded stability and economic activity. A regional peace initiative commenced in the spring of 2003 but was disrupted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) indictment of President TAYLOR on war crimes charges. Libya Since he took power in a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his own political system - a combination of socialism and Islam - which he calls the Third International Theory. Viewing himself as a revolutionary leader, he used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, even supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. Libyan military adventures failed, e.g., the prolonged foray of Libyan troops into the Aozou Strip in northern Chad was finally repulsed in 1987. Libyan support for terrorism decreased after UN sanctions were imposed in 1992. Those sanctions were suspended in April 1999. Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering. Lithuania Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently has restructured its economy for eventual integration into Western European institutions and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Luxembourg Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area. Macau Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macau and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of International recognition of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (F.Y.R.O.M.) independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols. Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over F.Y.R.O.M.'s use of "Macedonia." F.Y.R.O.M.'s large Albanian minority, an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in F.Y.R.O.M. in 2001, and the status of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension. Madagascar Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. Malawi Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution, which took full effect the following year. National multiparty elections were held again in 1999. Malaysia Malaysia was formed in 1963 through a federation of the former British colonies of Malaya and Singapore, including the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo. The first several years of the country's history were marred by Indonesian efforts to control Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the federation in 1965. Maldives The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago. Mali The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic presidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997, President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE. Malta Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has become a freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership. Man, Isle of Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Celtic language. Marshall Islands After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands have been home to the US Army Base Kwajalein (USAKA) since 1964. Martinique Colonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation. Mauritania Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. Mauritania remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace. Mauritius Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community. Mayotte Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego independence. Mexico The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. Elections held in July 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that the opposition defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) was sworn in on 1 December 2000 as the first chief executive elected in free and fair elections. Micronesia, Federated States of In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. Midway Islands The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a national wildlife refuge. From 1996 to 2001 the refuge was open to the public. It is now temporarily closed. Moldova Formerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. Monaco Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center. Mongolia The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Genghis KHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A Communist regime was installed in 1924. During the early 1990s, the ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) gradually yielded its monopoly on power to the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC), which defeated the MPRP in a national election in 1996. Over the next four years, the DUC put forward a number of key reforms to modernize the economy and to democratize the political system. The former Communists were a strong opposition that stalled additional restructuring and made implementation difficult. In 2000, the MPRP won an overwhelming victory in the legislature - with 72 of the 76 seats - and completely reshuffled the government. While it continues many of the reform policies, the MPRP has focused on social welfare and public order priorities. Montserrat Much of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of the population has fled abroad due to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Morocco Morocco's long struggle for independence from France ended in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier was turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997. Mozambique Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement with rebel forces ended the fighting in 1992. Heavy flooding in both 1999 and 2000 severely hurt the economy. Political stability and sound economic policies have encouraged recent foreign investment. Namibia South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990 following multi-party elections and the establishment of a constitution. President NUJOMA is currently serving his third term as president. Nauru Nauru's phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium; the island was occupied by Australian forces in World War I. Nauru achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999. Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic. Navassa Island This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano, and mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge. Nepal In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist insurgency, launched in 1996, has gained traction and is threatening to bring down the regime. In 2001, the Crown Prince massacred ten members of the royal family, including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October 2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for "incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing insurgency. The country is now governed by the king and his appointed cabinet, which has negotiated a cease-fire with the Maoist insurgents, until elections can be held at some unspecified future date. Netherlands The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 1999. Netherlands Antilles Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is shared with France; its northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe, and its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles. New Caledonia Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s seems to have dissipated. New Zealand The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances. Nicaragua The Pacific Coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and again in 2001 saw the Sandinistas defeated. The country has slowly rebuilt its economy during the 1990s, but was hard hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Niger Not until 1993, 33 years after independence from France, did Niger hold it's first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord ended a five-year Tuareg insurgency in the north. Coups in 1996 and 1999 were followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation Council that effected a transition to civilian rule by December 1999. Nigeria Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The president faces the daunting task of rebuilding a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the OBASANJO administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth and political stability. Despite some irregularities the April 2003 elections marked the first civilian transfer of power in Nigeria's history. Niue Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to about 2,100 in 2002), with substantial emigration to New Zealand, 2,400 km to the southwest. Norfolk Island Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Northern Mariana Islands Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. Norway Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that was to last for more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Norway remained neutral in World War I and proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II. Nevertheless, it was not able to avoid a five-year occupation by Nazi Germany (1940-1945). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Oman In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south. Pakistan The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved. A third war between these countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan seceding and becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. A dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. Palau After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year, when the islands gained independence. Palmyra Atoll The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now privately owned by the Nature Conservancy. This organization is managing the atoll as a nature preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nautical mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge in January 2001. Panama With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by or on 31 December 1999. Papua New Guinea The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997, after claiming some 20,000 lives. Paracel Islands The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Paraguay In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then. Peru Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government. Philippines The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential transitions since the removal of MARCOS. In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass resignations from his government and administered the oath of office to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional successor. The government continues to struggle with Muslim insurgencies in the south. Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in 1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the South Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today. Poland Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived around the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation, until an agreement in 1772 between Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland currently suffers low GDP growth and high unemployment. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and is scheduled to accede to the European Union along with nine other states on 1 May 2004. Portugal Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986. Puerto Rico Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917 and popularly elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998 voters chose to retain commonwealth status. Qatar Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. He was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe. Reunion The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration, supplemented by influxes of Africans, Chinese, Malays, and Malabar Indians, gave the island its ethnic mix. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cost the island its importance as a stopover on the East Indies trade route. Romania Soviet occupation following World War II led to the formation of a Communist "peoples republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996, when they were swept from power by a fractious coalition of centrist parties. Currently, the Social Democratic Party forms a nominally minority government, which governs with the support of the opposition Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania. Bucharest must address rampant corruption, while invigorating lagging economic and democratic reforms, before Romania can achieve its hope of joining the European Union. Russia Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the 300-year old Romanov Dynasty. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Josef STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into 15 independent republics. Since then, Russia has struggled in its efforts to build a democratic political system and market economy to replace the strict social, political, and economic controls of the Communist period. A determined guerrilla conflict still plagues Russia in Chechnya. Rwanda In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda. Despite substantial international assistance and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in March 1999 - the country continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output and to foster reconciliation. A series of massive population displacements, a nagging Hutu extremist insurgency, and Rwandan involvement in two wars over the past four years in the neighboring DROC continue to hinder Rwanda's efforts. Saint Helena Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile, from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Ascension Island is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield; Gough Island has a meteorological station. Saint Kitts and Nevis First settled by the British in 1623, the islands became an associated state with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. Saint Lucia The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979. Saint Pierre and Miquelon First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Disputed between France and the United Kingdom in the 18th century, Saint Vincent was ceded to the latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. Samoa New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997. San Marino The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco) also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor. Sao Tome and Principe Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy. Saudi Arabia In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. In the 1930s, the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major governmental concerns. Senegal Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982. However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks, a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping. Serbia and Montenegro The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Occupation by Nazi Germany in 1941 was resisted by various paramilitary bands that fought themselves as well as the invaders. The group headed by Marshal TITO took full control upon German expulsion in 1945. Although Communist, his new government successfully steered its own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In the early 1990s, post-TITO Yugoslavia began to unravel along ethnic lines: Slovenia, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia all declared their independence in 1991; Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" (FRY) in 1992 and, under President Slobodan MILOSEVIC, Serbia led various military intervention efforts to unite Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." All of these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. In 1999, massive expulsions by FRY forces and Serb paramilitaries of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo provoked an international response, including the NATO bombing of Serbia and the stationing of NATO, Russian, and other peacekeepers in Kosovo. Federal elections in the fall of 2000, brought about the ouster of MILOSEVIC and installed Vojislav KOSTUNICA as president. The arrest of MILOSEVIC in 2001 allowed for his subsequent transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague to be tried for crimes against humanity. In 2001, the country's suspension was lifted, and it was once more accepted into UN organizations under the name of Yugoslavia. Kosovo has been governed by the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) since June 1999, under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. In 2002, the Serbian and Montenegrin components of Yugoslavia began negotiations to forge a looser relationship. These talks became a reality in February 2003 when lawmakers restructured the country into a loose federation of two republics called Serbia and Montenegro. An agreement was also reached to hold a referendum in each republic in three years on full independence. Seychelles A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. The most recent presidential elections were held 31 August-2 September 2001. President RENE, who has served since 1977, was re-elected. Sierra Leone Since 1991, civil war between the government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well over one-third of the population), many of whom are now refugees in neighboring countries. After several setbacks, the end to the 11-year conflict in Sierra Leone may finally be near at hand. With the support of the UN peacekeeping force and contributions from the World Bank and international community, demobilization and disarmament of the RUF and Civil Defense Forces (CDF) combatants has been completed. National elections were held in May 2002 and the government continues to slowly reestablish its authority. Singapore Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Slovakia In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Slovenia The Slovene lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria until 1918 when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new nation, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power of the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modern state. In December 2002, Slovenia received an invitation to join NATO, and it is scheduled to accede to the EU along with nine other states on 1 May 2004. In a March 2003 referendum on NATO and EU membership, Slovenes voted 90% in favor of joining the EU and 66% in favor of joining NATO. Solomon Islands The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. Somalia The SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed for twelve years. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and Nugaal and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides towards reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, but has suffered civil strife in 2002. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. The mandate of the Transitional National Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti, expires in August 2003 and a new interim government was being created at peace talks held in Kenya. Numerous warlords and factions are still fighting for control of Mogadishu and the other southern regions. Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism further complicates the picture. South Africa After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands The islands lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908, except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. The islands have large bird and seal populations, and, recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 NM to 200 NM around each island. Southern Ocean A decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 delimited a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - from the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude, which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit. The Southern Ocean is now the fourth largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean). Spain Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing concerns are Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment. Spratly Islands The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 50 islands are occupied by China (about 450 soldiers), Malaysia (70-90), the Philippines (about 100), and Vietnam (about 1,500). Brunei is a claimant but has no outposts. (2002) Sri Lanka The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced beginning in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa 1000 A.D.) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty seized power in the north and established a Tamil kingdom. Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted in violence in the mid-1980s. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic war that continues to fester. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam began a ceasefire in December 2001, with Norway brokering peace negotiations. Sudan Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956. Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war for all but 10 years of this period (1972-82). The wars are rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. Since 1983, the war and war- and famine-related effects have led to more than 2 million deaths and over 4 million people displaced. The ruling regime is a mixture of military elite and an Islamist party that came to power in a 1989 coup. Some northern opposition parties have made common cause with the southern rebels and entered the war as a part of an anti-government alliance. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-03 with the signing of several accords, including a cease-fire agreement. Suriname Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to rule through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991. Svalbard First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five years later it officially took over the territory. Swaziland Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy. Sweden A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment, rising maintenance costs, and a declining position in world markets. Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999. Switzerland Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Syria Following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, Syria was administered by the French until independence in 1946. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. Since 1976, Syrian troops have been stationed in Lebanon, ostensibly in a peacekeeping capacity. In recent years, Syria and Israel have held occasional peace talks over the return of the Golan Heights. Taiwan In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. It reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform. Tajikistan Tajikistan has experienced three changes in government and a five-year civil war since it gained independence in 1991 from the USSR. A peace agreement among rival factions was signed in 1997, and implemented in 2000. The central government's less than total control over some areas of the country has forced it to compromise and forge alliances among factions. Attention by the international community in the wake of the war in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development assistance, which could create jobs and increase stability in the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace. Tanzania Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. Thailand A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Togo French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, is Africa's longest-serving head of state. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government continues to be dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967. In addition, Togo has come under fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is plagued by political unrest. Most bilateral and multilateral aid to Togo remains frozen. Tokelau Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Tonga The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. Trinidad and Tobago The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. Tromelin Island First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. Tunisia Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGUIBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society. Turkey Present-day Turkey was created in 1923 from the Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Soon thereafter, the country instituted secular laws to replace traditional religious fiats. In 1945 Turkey joined the UN, and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to protect Turkish Cypriots and prevent a Greek takeover of the island; the northern 37 percent of the island remains under Turkish Cypriot control. Relations between the two countries remain strained, but have begun to improve over the past few years. In 1984, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a Marxist-Leninist, separatist group, initiated an insurgency in southeast Turkey, often using terrorist tactics to try to attain its goal of an independent Kurdistan. The group - whose leader, Abdullah OCALAN, was captured in Kenya in February 1999 - has observed a unilateral cease-fire since September 1999, although there have been occasional clashes between Turkish military units and some of the 4,000-5,000 armed PKK militants, most of whom currently are encamped in northern Iraq. The PKK changed its name to the Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress (KADEK) in April 2002. Turkmenistan Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1925. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President NIYAZOV retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects can be worked out. Turks and Caicos Islands The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands are presently a British overseas territory. Tuvalu In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over the next dozen years. Uganda Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. Ukraine Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kievan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kievan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of independence (1917-1920), but was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although independence was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, true freedom remains elusive, as many of the former Soviet elite remain entrenched, stalling efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. United Arab Emirates The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. United Kingdom Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the European Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999. United States Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation-state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology. Uruguay A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to military control of his administration in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold throughout the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. Uzbekistan Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, a nonconvertible currency, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization. Vanuatu The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980. Venezuela Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: an embattled president who is losing his once solid support among Venezuelans, a divided military, drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. Vietnam France occupied all of Vietnam by 1884. Independence was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH, who took control of the North. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South. Economic reconstruction of the reunited country has proven difficult as aging Communist Party leaders have only grudgingly initiated reforms necessary for a free market. Virgin Islands During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. Wake Island The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military and some commercial cargo planes, as well as for emergency landings. There are over 700 landings a year on the island. Wallis and Futuna Although discovered by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory. West Bank The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank had begun in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, but have been derailed by a second intifadah that broke out in September 2000. The resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel's military response, and instability within the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine progress toward a permanent agreement. Western Sahara Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed. World Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and water, the decline in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6 billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war). Yemen North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border. Zambia The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign in 2002, which resulted in the 2003 arrest of the previous president Frederick CHILUBA and many of his supporters. Opposition parties currently hold a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Zimbabwe The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. Opposition and labor groups launched general strikes in 2003 to pressure MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued their brutal repression of regime opponents. This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2030 Airports - with paved runways Afghanistan total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Albania total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Algeria total: 54 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2002) American Samoa total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Angola total: 32 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Anguilla total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Antigua and Barbuda total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Argentina total: 145 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 44 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Armenia total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Aruba total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Australia total: 294 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 126 914 to 1,523 m: 134 under 914 m: 13 (2002) Austria total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 14 (2002) Azerbaijan total: 27 over 3.047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Bahamas, The total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Bahrain total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2002) Bangladesh total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Barbados total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Belarus total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Belgium total: 25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Belize total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Benin total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Bermuda total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Bhutan total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Bolivia total: 12 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Botswana total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Brazil total: 665 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 155 914 to 1,523 m: 435 under 914 m: 45 (2002) British Indian Ocean Territory total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) British Virgin Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Brunei total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Bulgaria total: 128 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 92 (2002) Burkina Faso total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Burma total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002) Burundi total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Cambodia total: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Cameroon total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Canada total: 507 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 149 914 to 1,523 m: 245 under 914 m: 80 (2002) Cape Verde total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2002) Cayman Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Central African Republic total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Chad total: 7 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Chile total: 71 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 15 (2002) China total: 351 over 3,047 m: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 108 1,524 to 2,437 m: 143 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 39 (2002) Christmas Island total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Colombia total: 96 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Comoros total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 24 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Congo, Republic of the total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002) Cook Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Costa Rica total: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Cote d'Ivoire total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002) Croatia total: 16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Cuba total: 70 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 under 914 m: 31 (2002) Cyprus total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Czech Republic total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2002) Denmark total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Djibouti total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2002) Dominica total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Dominican Republic total: 13 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002) East Timor total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,427 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Ecuador total: 61 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Egypt total: 71 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 under 914 m: 3 (2002) El Salvador total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Equatorial Guinea total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Eritrea total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002) Estonia total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Ethiopia total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Faroe Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Fiji total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Finland total: 74 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 12 (2002) France total: 273 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 95 914 to 1,523 m: 80 under 914 m: 57 (2002) French Guiana total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) French Polynesia total: 37 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Gabon total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Gambia, The total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Gaza Strip total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Georgia total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Germany total: 328 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 54 1,524 to 2,437 m: 63 914 to 1,523 m: 69 under 914 m: 131 (2002) Ghana total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Gibraltar total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Greece total: 66 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Greenland total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Grenada total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Guadeloupe total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Guam total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Guatemala total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Guernsey total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Guinea total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002) Guinea-Bissau total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Guyana total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Haiti total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Honduras total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Hong Kong total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2002) Hungary total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Iceland total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002) India total: 232 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m: 78 914 to 1,523 m: 73 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Indonesia total: 153 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 46 914 to 1,523 m: 48 under 914 m: 43 (2002) Iran total: 122 over 3,047 m: 39 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Iraq total: 77 over 3,047 m: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Ireland total: 16 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Israel total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Italy total: 96 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Jamaica total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Japan total: 141 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 32 (2002) Jersey total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Johnston Atoll total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Jordan total: 15 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Kazakhstan total: 60 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Kenya total: 19 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Kiribati total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002) Korea, North total: 34 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Korea, South total: 69 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 21 (2002) Kuwait total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002) Kyrgyzstan total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Laos total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Latvia total: 22 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Lebanon total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Lesotho total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Liberia total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Libya total: 58 over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Lithuania total: 22 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Luxembourg total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Macau total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Madagascar total: 29 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Malawi total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002) Malaysia total: 35 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Maldives total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Mali total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Malta total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Man, Isle of total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Marshall Islands total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Martinique total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Mauritania total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2002) Mauritius total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Mayotte total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Mexico total: 231 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 83 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 27 (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Midway Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Moldova total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Mongolia total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Morocco total: 26 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Mozambique total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Namibia total: 21 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002) Nauru total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Nepal total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2002) Netherlands total: 21 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Netherlands Antilles total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2038 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) New Caledonia total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2002) New Zealand total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Nicaragua total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Niger total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Nigeria total: 36 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Niue total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Norfolk Island total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Northern Mariana Islands total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Norway total: 66 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 26 (2002) Oman total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Pakistan total: 87 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Palau total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Panama total: 41 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2002) Papua New Guinea total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Paracel Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Paraguay total: 11 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002) Peru total: 49 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Philippines total: 82 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 13 (2002) Poland total: 88 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Portugal total: 40 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Puerto Rico total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Qatar total: 2 over 3,047 m: 2 (2002) Reunion total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Romania total: 26 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2002) Russia total: 471 over 3,047 m: 56 2,438 to 3,047 m: 178 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 69 under 914 m: 92 (2002) Rwanda total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Saint Helena total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Saint Lucia total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Samoa total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Sao Tome and Principe total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Saudi Arabia total: 71 over 3,047 m: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Senegal total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Serbia and Montenegro total: 19 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Seychelles total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Sierra Leone total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Singapore total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Slovakia total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 9 (2002) Slovenia total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Solomon Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Somalia total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) South Africa total: 143 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 67 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Spain total: 93 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 27 (2002) Spratly Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Sri Lanka total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2002) Sudan total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002) Suriname total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Svalbard total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2002) Swaziland total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Sweden total: 145 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 25 (2002) Switzerland total: 41 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 14 (2002) Syria total: 24 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Taiwan total: 37 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Tajikistan total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Tanzania total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Thailand total: 62 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Togo total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002) Tonga total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Trinidad and Tobago total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Tunisia total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Turkey total: 86 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Turkmenistan total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Uganda total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Ukraine total: 182 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 81 (2002) United Arab Emirates total: 22 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2002) United Kingdom total: 334 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 151 914 to 1,523 m: 83 under 914 m: 59 (2002) United States total: 5,131 over 3,047 m: 185 2,438 to 3,047 m: 222 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,365 914 to 1,523 m: 2,390 under 914 m: 969 (2002) Uruguay total: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Uzbekistan total: 27 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,523 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Vanuatu total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1524 to 2437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Venezuela total: 127 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Vietnam total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Virgin Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Wake Island total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Wallis and Futuna total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) West Bank total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Western Sahara total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2002) Yemen total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Zambia total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Zimbabwe total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2031 Airports - with unpaved runways Afghanistan total: 37 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Albania total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Algeria total: 82 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 19 (2002) American Samoa total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Angola total: 211 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 80 (2002) Anguilla total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Antarctica total: 19 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Antigua and Barbuda total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Argentina total: 1,197 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 572 under 914 m: 571 (2002) Armenia total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Australia total: 150 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 116 under 914 m: 14 (2002) Austria total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 27 (2002) Azerbaijan total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 27 (2002) Bahamas, The total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 22 (2002) Bahrain total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Bangladesh total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Belarus total: 96 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 67 (2002) Belgium total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 15 (2002) Belize total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 27 (2002) Benin total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002) Bhutan total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Bolivia total: 1,069 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 225 under 914 m: 776 (2002) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Botswana total: 76 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 55 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Brazil total: 2,925 1,524 to 2,437 m: 70 914 to 1,523 m: 1,384 under 914 m: 1,471 (2002) British Virgin Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Brunei total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Bulgaria total: 88 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 74 (2002) Burkina Faso total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 17 (2002) Burma total: 72 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Burundi total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Cambodia total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Cameroon total: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Canada total: 882 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 363 under 914 m: 446 (2002) Cape Verde total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Cayman Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Central African Republic total: 47 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 13 (2002) Chad total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Chile total: 292 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 216 (2002) China total: 149 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 48 under 914 m: 71 (2002) Colombia total: 954 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 315 under 914 m: 587 (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 205 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 91 (2002) Congo, Republic of the total: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Cook Islands total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Costa Rica total: 121 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 93 (2002) Cote d'Ivoire total: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Croatia total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Cuba total: 91 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 63 (2002) Cyprus total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Czech Republic total: 100 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 62 (2002) Denmark total: 76 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 71 (2002) Djibouti total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Dominican Republic total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 10 (2002) East Timor total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Ecuador total: 144 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 113 (2002) Egypt total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (2002) El Salvador total: 78 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 61 (2002) Equatorial Guinea total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Eritrea total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Estonia total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Ethiopia total: 69 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 21 (2002) Europa Island total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Fiji total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Finland total: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 72 (2002) France total: 204 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 74 under 914 m: 128 (2002) French Guiana total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2002) French Polynesia total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Gabon total: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 24 (2002) Gaza Strip total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Georgia total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Germany total: 223 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 189 (2002) Ghana total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Glorioso Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Greece total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Greenland total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Guadeloupe total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Guam total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Guatemala total: 455 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 115 under 914 m: 330 (2002) Guinea total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Guinea-Bissau total: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Guyana total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Haiti total: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 6 (2002) Honduras total: 103 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 83 (2002) Hungary total: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Iceland total: 73 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 49 (2002) India total: 102 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 48 (2002) Indonesia total: 478 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 450 (2002) Iran total: 187 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 138 under 914 m: 39 (2002) Iraq total: 73 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Ireland total: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 17 (2002) Israel total: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Italy total: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Jamaica total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 22 (2002) Jan Mayen total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Japan total: 31 over 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 26 (2002) Jordan total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Juan de Nova Island total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Kazakhstan total: 428 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 103 under 914 m: 251 (2002) Kenya total: 211 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 113 under 914 m: 83 (2002) Kiribati total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Korea, North total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Korea, South total: 33 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 31 (2002) Kuwait total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Kyrgyzstan total: 50 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 36 (2002) Laos total: 42 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 26 (2002) Latvia total: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Lebanon total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Lesotho total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Liberia total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Libya total: 78 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Lithuania total: 65 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 57 (2002) Luxembourg total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Madagascar total: 92 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 46 under 914 m: 44 (2002) Malawi total: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 22 (2002) Malaysia total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 72 (2002) Maldives total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Mali total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2002) Marshall Islands total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Martinique total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Mauritania total: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Mauritius total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Mexico total: 1,592 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 69 914 to 1,523 m: 454 under 914 m: 1,067 (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Moldova total: 28 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Mongolia total: 40 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Morocco total: 37 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 11 (2002) Mozambique total: 143 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 91 (2002) Namibia total: 114 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m: 19 (2002) Nepal total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 28 (2002) Netherlands total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2002) New Caledonia total: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 9 (2002) New Zealand total: 67 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 26 under 914 m: 39 (2002) Nicaragua total: 165 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 141 (2002) Niger total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Nigeria total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 18 (2002) Northern Mariana Islands total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Norway total: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 29 (2002) Oman total: 133 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 55 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 32 (2002) Pakistan total: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 19 (2002) Palau total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Palmyra Atoll total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Panama total: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 50 (2002) Papua New Guinea total: 470 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 403 (2002) Paraguay total: 868 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 323 under 914 m: 518 (2002) Peru total: 184 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 100 (2002) Philippines total: 175 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m: 99 (2002) Poland total: 62 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 43 (2002) Portugal total: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 25 (2002) Puerto Rico total: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Qatar total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Romania total: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 25 (2002) Russia total: 2,272 over 3,047 m: 28 2,438 to 3,047 m: 118 1,524 to 2,437 m: 204 914 to 1,523 m: 324 under 914 m: 1,598 (2002) Rwanda total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Samoa total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Saudi Arabia total: 138 over 3047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 79 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 13 (2002) Senegal total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Serbia and Montenegro total: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Seychelles total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Sierra Leone total: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Slovakia total: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Slovenia total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2002) Solomon Islands total: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 20 (2002) Somalia total: 54 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 3 (2002) South Africa total: 584 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 298 under 914 m: 252 (2002) Spain total: 59 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 43 (2002) Spratly Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Sri Lanka total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Sudan total: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Suriname total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (2002) Svalbard total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Swaziland total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2002) Sweden total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2002) Switzerland total: 25 1524 to 2437 m: 1 under 914 m: 24 (2002) Syria total: 68 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 55 (2002) Taiwan total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Tajikistan total: 53 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 36 (2002) Tanzania total: 112 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 34 (2002) Thailand total: 49 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 31 (2002) Togo total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Tonga total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Trinidad and Tobago total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Tromelin Island total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Tunisia total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Turkey total: 34 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 24 (2002) Turkmenistan total: 63 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 41 (2002) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002) Tuvalu total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Uganda total: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2002) Ukraine total: 608 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 466 (2002) United Arab Emirates total: 19 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 5 (2002) United Kingdom total: 136 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 112 (2002) United States total: 9,670 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 158 914 to 1,523 m: 1,702 under 914 m: 7,802 (2002) Uruguay total: 49 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 31 (2002) Uzbekistan total: 246 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 211 (2002) Vanuatu total: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 17 (2002) Venezuela total: 246 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 97 under 914 m: 139 (2002) Vietnam total: 23 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 12 (2002) Wallis and Futuna total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Western Sahara total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2002) Yemen total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 4 (2002) Zambia total: 98 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 30 (2002) Zimbabwe total: 413 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 197 under 914 m: 212 (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2032 Environment - current issues Afghanistan limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution Albania deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents Algeria soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water American Samoa limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines Andorra deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal Angola overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water Anguilla supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system Antarctica in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light coming through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming Antigua and Barbuda water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly Arctic Ocean endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack Argentina environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets Armenia soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone Aruba NA Ashmore and Cartier Islands NA Atlantic Ocean endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea Australia soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources Austria some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe Azerbaijan local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton Bahamas, The coral reef decay; solid waste disposal Bahrain desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs Baker Island no natural fresh water resources Bangladesh many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation Barbados pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers Bassas da India NA Belarus soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine Belgium the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges Belize deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal Benin inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification Bermuda asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space; sustainable development Bhutan soil erosion; limited access to potable water Bolivia the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation Bosnia and Herzegovina air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife Botswana overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources Bouvet Island NA Brazil deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills British Indian Ocean Territory NA British Virgin Islands limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) Brunei seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Bulgaria air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes Burkina Faso recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation Burma deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease Burundi soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Cambodia illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; toxic waste delivery from Taiwan sparked unrest in Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) in December 1998 Cameroon water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing Canada air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities Cape Verde soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing Cayman Islands no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments Central African Republic tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation Chad inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification Chile widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage China air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species Christmas Island NA Clipperton Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs Colombia deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions Comoros soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation Congo, Democratic Republic of the poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage Congo, Republic of the air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation Cook Islands NA Coral Sea Islands no permanent fresh water resources Costa Rica deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution Cote d'Ivoire deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents Croatia air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife Cuba air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation Cyprus water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization Czech Republic air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution Denmark air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides Djibouti inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species Dominica NA Dominican Republic water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation; Hurricane Georges damage East Timor widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion Ecuador deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Galapagos Islands Egypt agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources El Salvador deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes Equatorial Guinea tap water is not potable; deforestation Eritrea deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare Estonia air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one twentieth the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations Ethiopia deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management Europa Island NA Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster Faroe Islands NA Fiji deforestation; soil erosion Finland air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations France some forest damage from acid rain (major forest damage occurred as a result of severe December 1999 windstorm); air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff French Guiana NA French Polynesia NA French Southern and Antarctic Lands NA Gabon deforestation; poaching Gambia, The deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent Gaza Strip desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources Georgia air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals Germany emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive Ghana recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water Gibraltar limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant Glorioso Islands NA Greece air pollution; water pollution Greenland protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting Grenada NA Guadeloupe NA Guam extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species Guatemala deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution Guernsey NA Guinea deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage Guinea-Bissau deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing Guyana water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation Haiti extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water Heard Island and McDonald Islands NA Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals Hong Kong air and water pollution from rapid urbanization Howland Island no natural fresh water resources Hungary the approximation of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments Iceland water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment India deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources Indian Ocean endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea Indonesia deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires Iran air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization Iraq government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification Ireland water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff Israel limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides Italy air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities Jamaica heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions Jan Mayen NA Japan air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere Jarvis Island no natural fresh water resources Jersey NA Johnston Atoll no natural fresh water resources Jordan limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Juan de Nova Island NA Kazakhstan radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with its former defense industries and test ranges throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices Kenya water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching Kingman Reef none Kiribati heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk Korea, North water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water-borne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation Korea, South air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing Kuwait limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification Kyrgyzstan water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices Laos unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water Latvia Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household and hazardous waste management, and reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010 Lebanon deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills Lesotho population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa Liberia tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage Libya desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities Liechtenstein NA Lithuania contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases Luxembourg air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland Macau NA Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of air pollution from metallurgical plants Madagascar soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered Malawi deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations Malaysia air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires Maldives depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching Mali deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching Malta very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination Man, Isle of waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution Marshall Islands inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels Martinique NA Mauritania overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river Mauritius water pollution, degradation of coral reefs Mayotte NA Mexico scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to urban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion note: the government considers the lack of clean water and deforestation national security issues Micronesia, Federated States of overfishing, climate change, pollution Midway Islands NA Moldova heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods Monaco NA Mongolia limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment Montserrat land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation Morocco land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters Mozambique a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem Namibia very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas Nauru limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater, but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources Navassa Island NA Nepal deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions Netherlands water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires New Zealand deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside Nicaragua deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Niger overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction Nigeria soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil; has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land; rapid urbanization Niue increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development Norway water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions Oman rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources Pacific Ocean endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea Pakistan water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification Palau inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing Palmyra Atoll NA Panama water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources Papua New Guinea rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought Paracel Islands NA Paraguay deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands Peru deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes Philippines uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds Pitcairn Islands deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement) Poland situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to European Union code, but at substantial cost to business and the government Portugal soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas Puerto Rico erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages Qatar limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities Reunion NA Romania soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands Russia air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides Rwanda deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region Saint Pierre and Miquelon recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment Saint Vincent and the Grenadines pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive Samoa soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion Saudi Arabia desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills Senegal wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing Serbia and Montenegro pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube Seychelles water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater Sierra Leone rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing Singapore industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Slovakia air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests Slovenia Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain Solomon Islands deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying Somalia famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification South Africa lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands NA Southern Ocean increased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent years, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish note: the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries Spain pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification Spratly Islands NA Sri Lanka deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo Sudan inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought Suriname deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities Svalbard NA Swaziland limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion Sweden acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Switzerland air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity Syria deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water Taiwan air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal Tajikistan inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides Tanzania soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory Thailand air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting Togo deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas Tokelau very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand Tonga deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations Trinidad and Tobago water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion Tromelin Island NA Tunisia toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Turkey water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic Turkmenistan contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salination, water-logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification Turks and Caicos Islands limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater Tuvalu since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary Uganda draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; poaching is widespread Ukraine inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant United Arab Emirates lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills United Kingdom continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target and move towards a domestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government aims to reduce the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and to recycle or compost at least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015; between 1998-99 and 1999-2000, household recycling increased from 8.8% to 10.3% United States air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; very limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification Uruguay water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal Uzbekistan shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT Vanuatu a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation Venezuela sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations Vietnam logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Virgin Islands lack of natural freshwater resources Wake Island NA Wallis and Futuna deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources West Bank adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment Western Sahara sparse water and lack of arable land World large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion Yemen very limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Zambia air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks Zimbabwe deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2033 Environment - international agreements Afghanistan party to: Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Albania party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Algeria party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Andorra party to: Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Angola party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Antigua and Barbuda party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Argentina party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Armenia party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Australia party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Austria party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Azerbaijan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bahamas, The party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bahrain party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bangladesh party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Barbados party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity Belarus party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Belgium party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Belize party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Benin party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bhutan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Bolivia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection Bosnia and Herzegovina party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Botswana party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Brazil party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Brunei party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bulgaria party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Burkina Faso party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Burma party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Burundi party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Cambodia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Cameroon party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Canada party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Cape Verde party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Central African Republic party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Chad party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Chile party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban China party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Colombia party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Comoros party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Congo, Democratic Republic of the party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Congo, Republic of the party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Cook Islands party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Costa Rica party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Cote d'Ivoire party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Croatia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Cuba party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Cyprus party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Czech Republic party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Denmark party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Djibouti party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Dominica party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Dominican Republic party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea East Timor NA Ecuador party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Egypt party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol El Salvador party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Equatorial Guinea party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Eritrea party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Estonia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Ethiopia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Fiji party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Finland party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol France party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Gabon party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Gambia, The party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Georgia party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Germany party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Ghana party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Greece party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Grenada party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Guatemala party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Guinea party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Guinea-Bissau party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Guyana party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Haiti party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban Holy See (Vatican City) party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification Honduras party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Hong Kong party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) Hungary party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Iceland party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Environmental Protection through Criminal Law, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Oil Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Persistent Organic Pollutants, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation India party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Indonesia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Iran party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Iraq party to: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Ireland party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation Israel party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Italy party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Jamaica party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Japan party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Jordan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Kazakhstan party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Kenya party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Kiribati party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Korea, North party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Korea, South party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Kuwait party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping Kyrgyzstan party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Laos party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Latvia party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Lebanon party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Lesotho party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Liberia party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Libya party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Liechtenstein party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Lithuania party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Luxembourg party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Madagascar party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Malawi party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Malaysia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Maldives party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mali party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban Malta party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Marshall Islands party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Mauritania party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mauritius party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mexico party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Micronesia, Federated States of party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Moldova party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Monaco party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Mongolia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Morocco party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea Mozambique party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Namibia party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Nauru party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Nepal party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Netherlands party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling New Zealand party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Nicaragua party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Niger party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Nigeria party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Niue party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Norway party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Oman party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Pakistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban Palau party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Panama party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Papua New Guinea party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Paraguay party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Peru party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Philippines party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Poland party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Portugal party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban Qatar party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Romania party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Russia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Persistent Organic Pollutants Rwanda party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Saint Kitts and Nevis party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Saint Lucia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Saint Vincent and the Grenadines party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Samoa party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements San Marino party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution Sao Tome and Principe party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Saudi Arabia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Senegal party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping Serbia and Montenegro party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity Seychelles party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Sierra Leone party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Singapore party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Slovakia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Slovenia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Solomon Islands party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Somalia party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban South Africa party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Southern Ocean the Southern Ocean is subject to all international agreements regarding the world's oceans; in addition, it is subject to these agreements specific to the Antarctic region: International Whaling Commission (prohibits commercial whaling south of 40 degrees south [south of 60 degrees south between 50 degrees and 130 degrees west]); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (limits sealing); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (regulates fishing) note: many nations (including the US) prohibit mineral resource exploration and exploitation south of the fluctuating Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) which is in the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and serves as the dividing line between the very cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the north Spain party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification Sri Lanka party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Sudan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Suriname party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Swaziland party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea Sweden party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Switzerland party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Syria party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Taiwan party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status Tajikistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Tanzania party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Thailand party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Togo party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Tonga party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Trinidad and Tobago party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Tunisia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Turkey party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Environmental Modification Turkmenistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Tuvalu party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea Uganda party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Ukraine party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol United Arab Emirates party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea United Kingdom party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol United States party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes Uruguay party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban Uzbekistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Vanuatu party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Venezuela party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping Vietnam party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban Western Sahara party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Yemen party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Zambia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Zimbabwe party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2034 Military expenditures - percent of GDP (%) Afghanistan 7.7% (FY02) Albania 1.49% (FY02) Algeria 4.1% (FY99) Angola 5.4% (FY02) Antigua and Barbuda NA% Argentina 1.3% (FY00) Armenia 6.5% (FY01) Australia 2.9% (FY02) Austria 0.8% (FY01/02) Azerbaijan 2.6% (FY99) Bahamas, The 0.7% (FY99) Bahrain 6.7% (FY01) Bangladesh 1.8% (FY96) Barbados NA% Belarus 1.4% (FY02) Belgium 1.4% (FY01/02) Belize 1.87% (FY00/01) Benin 2.7% (FY02) Bermuda 0.11% (FY00/01) Bhutan 1.9% (FY02) Bolivia 1.8% (FY99) Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.5% (FY02) Botswana 3.5% (FY02) Brazil 1.9% (FY99) Brunei 5% (FY02) Bulgaria 2.7% (FY02) Burkina Faso 1.4% (FY02) Burma 2.1% (FY97) Burundi 5.3% (FY02) Cambodia 3% (FY01 est.) Cameroon 1.4% (FY98) Canada 1.1% (FY01/02) Cape Verde 1.6% (FY02) Central African Republic 1.1% (FY02) Chad 1.9% (FY02) Chile 3.1% (FY99) China 4.3% (FY02) Colombia 3.4% (FY01) Comoros 3% (FY02) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.6% (FY97) Congo, Republic of the 2.8% (FY01) Costa Rica 1.6% (FY99) Cote d'Ivoire 1.4% (FY02) Croatia 2.39% (2002 est.) Cuba roughly 4% (FY95 est.) Cyprus 3.8% (FY02) Czech Republic 2.1% (FY01) Denmark 1.4% (FY99/00) Djibouti 4.4% (FY02) Dominica NA% Dominican Republic 1.1% (FY98) East Timor NA% Ecuador 3.4% (FY98) Egypt 4.1% (FY99) El Salvador 0.7% (FY99) Equatorial Guinea 2.5% (FY02) Eritrea 12% (FY02) Estonia 2% (2002 est.) Ethiopia 12.6% (FY00) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA% Faroe Islands NA% Fiji 2.2% (FY02) Finland 2% (FY98/99) France 2.57% (2002) French Guiana NA% Gabon 2% (FY02) Gambia, The 0.3% (FY02) Gaza Strip NA% Georgia 0.59% (FY00) Germany 1.38% (2002) Ghana 0.6% (FY02) Greece 4.91% (FY99/00 est.) Grenada NA% Guatemala 0.6% (FY99) Guinea 3.3% (FY02) Guinea-Bissau 2.8% (FY02) Guyana NA% Haiti 1.3% (FY00) Honduras 0.6% (FY99) Hong Kong NA% (FY02) Hungary 1.75% (2002 est.) India 2.3% (FY02) Indonesia 1.3% (FY98) Iran 3.1% (FY00) Iraq NA% Ireland 0.9% (FY00/01) Israel 8.75% (FY02) Italy 1.64% (2002) Jamaica NA% Japan 1% (FY02) Jordan 8.6% (FY01) Kazakhstan 0.9% (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02) Kenya 1.8% (FY02) Kiribati NA% Korea, North 33.9% (FY02) Korea, South 2.8% (FY02) Kuwait 5.5% (FY01) Kyrgyzstan 1.4% (FY01) Laos 4.2% (FY96) Latvia 1.2% (FY01) Lebanon 4.8% (FY99) Lesotho NA% Liberia 1.3% (FY02) Libya 3.9% (FY99) Lithuania 1.9% (FY01) Luxembourg 0.8% (FY01/02) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 6% (FY01/02 est.) Madagascar 1.2% (FY02) Malawi 0.7% (FY02) Malaysia 2.03% (FY00) Maldives 8.6% (FY02) Mali 15% (FY02) Malta 1.7% (2000) Marshall Islands NA% Mauritania 3.7% (FY02) Mauritius 0.2% (FY02) Mexico 1% (FY99) Moldova 0.4% (FY02) Mongolia 2.2% (FY02) Morocco 4% (FY99) Mozambique 1% (2000 est.) Namibia 2.4% (FY02) Nauru NA% Nepal 1.1% (FY02) Netherlands 1.5% (FY00/01 est.) New Caledonia 5.3% (FY96) New Zealand 1% (FY02) Nicaragua 1.2% (FY98) Niger 1.1% (FY02) Nigeria 1% (FY02) Norway 2.13% (2002) Oman 12.2% (FY01) Pakistan 4.6% (FY02) Palau NA% Panama 1.3% (FY99) Papua New Guinea 1.4% (FY02) Paraguay 1.4% (FY98) Peru 1.8% (FY01) Philippines 1.5% (FY98) Poland 1.71% (2002) Portugal 2.2% (FY99/00) Qatar 10% (FY00) Romania 2.47% (2002) Russia NA% Rwanda 3% (FY02) Saint Kitts and Nevis NA% Saint Lucia $NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA% Samoa NA% San Marino NA% Sao Tome and Principe 0.8% (FY01) Saudi Arabia 13% (FY00) Senegal 1.4% (FY02) Serbia and Montenegro NA% Seychelles 1.8% (FY02) Sierra Leone 1.5% (FY02) Singapore 4.9% (FY01) Slovakia 1.89% (2002) Slovenia 1.7% (FY00) Solomon Islands NA% Somalia 0.9% (FY02) South Africa 1.7% (FY02) Spain 1.15% (2002) Sri Lanka 4.2% (FY98) Sudan 2.5% (1999) Suriname 1.6% (FY97 est.) Swaziland 4.75% (FY00) Sweden 2.1% (FY01) Switzerland 1% (FY01) Syria 5.9% (FY00) Taiwan 2.7% (FY02) Tajikistan 3.9% (FY01) Tanzania 0.2% (FY02) Thailand 1.4% (FY00) Togo 1.8% (FY02) Tonga NA% Trinidad and Tobago 1.4% (1999) Tunisia 1.5% (FY99) Turkey 4.5% (2002 est.) Turkmenistan 3.4% (FY99) Tuvalu NA% Uganda 2.1% (FY02) Ukraine 1.4% (FY02) United Arab Emirates 3.1% (FY00) United Kingdom 2.32% (2002) United States 3.2% (FY99 est.) Uruguay 1.1% (2000) Uzbekistan 2% (FY97) Vanuatu NA% Venezuela 0.9% (FY99) Vietnam 2.5% (FY98) West Bank NA% Western Sahara NA% World roughly 2% of gross world product (1999 est.) Yemen 5.2% (FY01) Zambia 0.9% (FY02) Zimbabwe 3.2% (FY02) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2038 Electricity - production (kWh) Afghanistan 334.8 million kWh (2001) Albania 5.289 billion kWh (2001) Algeria 24.69 billion kWh (2001) American Samoa 130 million kWh (2001) Andorra NA kWh Angola 1.45 billion kWh (2001) Anguilla NA (2000) Antigua and Barbuda 105.3 million kWh (2001) Argentina 97.17 billion kWh (2001) Armenia 6.479 billion kWh (2001) Aruba 531.9 million kWh (2001) Australia 198.2 billion kWh (2001) Austria 58.75 billion kWh (2001) Azerbaijan 18.23 billion kWh (2001) Bahamas, The 1.56 billion kWh (2001) Bahrain 6.257 billion kWh (2001) Bangladesh 15.33 billion kWh (2001) Barbados 780 million kWh (2001) Belarus 24.4 billion kWh (2001) Belgium 74.28 billion kWh (2001) Belize 199.5 million kWh (2001) Benin 274.3 million kWh (2001) Bermuda 643.7 million kWh (2001) Bhutan 1.896 billion kWh (2001) Bolivia 3.901 billion kWh (2001) Bosnia and Herzegovina 9.979 billion kWh (2001) Botswana 409.8 million kWh (2001) Brazil 321.2 billion kWh (2001) British Indian Ocean Territory NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military British Virgin Islands 38.1 million kWh (2001) Brunei 2.497 billion kWh (2001) Bulgaria 41.38 billion kWh (2001) Burkina Faso 279.2 million kWh (2001) Burma 6.139 billion kWh (2001) Burundi 155.4 million kWh (2001) Cambodia 119 million kWh (2001) Cameroon 3.613 billion kWh (2001) Canada 566.3 billion kWh (2001) Cape Verde 42.03 million kWh (2001) Cayman Islands 381.9 million kWh (2001) Central African Republic 106 million kWh (2001) Chad 94.04 million kWh (2001) Chile 41.66 billion kWh (2001) China 1.42 trillion kWh (2001) Christmas Island NA kWh Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA kWh Colombia 42.99 billion kWh (2001) Comoros 21.27 million kWh (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.243 billion kWh (2001) Congo, Republic of the 358.1 million kWh (2001) Cook Islands 27.43 million kWh (2001) Costa Rica 6.839 billion kWh (2001) Cote d'Ivoire 4.605 billion kWh (2001) Croatia 12.12 billion kWh (2001) Cuba 14.38 billion kWh (2001) Cyprus 3.401 billion kWh; Turkish Cypriot area: NA kWh (2001) Czech Republic 70.04 billion kWh (2001) Denmark 35.47 billion kWh (2001) Djibouti 180 million kWh (2001) Dominica 72.41 million kWh (2001) Dominican Republic 9.186 billion kWh (2001) East Timor NA kWh (2001) Ecuador 75.23 billion kWh (2001) Egypt 75.23 billion kWh (2001) El Salvador 3.729 billion kWh (2001) Equatorial Guinea 23.56 million kWh (2001) Eritrea 220.5 million kWh (2001) Estonia 7.937 billion kWh (2001) Ethiopia 1.713 billion kWh (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 16.33 million kWh (2001) Faroe Islands 160.4 million kWh (2001) Fiji 520.1 million kWh (2001) Finland 71.2 billion kWh (2001) France 520.1 billion kWh (2001) French Guiana 455 million kWh (2001) French Polynesia 428.3 million kWh (2001) Gabon 798.4 million kWh (2001) Gambia, The 85.33 million kWh (2001) Gaza Strip NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israel Georgia 7.27 billion kWh (2001) Germany 544.8 billion kWh (2001) Ghana 8.801 billion kWh (2001) Gibraltar 100 million kWh (2001) Greece 49.79 billion kWh (2001) Greenland 245 million kWh (2001) Grenada 138 million kWh (2001) Guadeloupe 1.155 billion kWh (2001) Guam 830 million kWh (2001) Guatemala 6.237 billion kWh (2001) Guernsey NA kWh Guinea 790.6 million kWh (2001) Guinea-Bissau 55 million kWh (2001) Guyana 852 million kWh (2001) Haiti 580 million kWh (2001) Holy See (Vatican City) NA kWh Honduras 3.778 billion kWh (2001) Hong Kong 30.48 billion kWh (2001) Hungary 34.39 billion kWh (2001) Iceland 7.894 billion kWh (2001) India 533.3 billion kWh (2001) Indonesia 95.78 billion kWh (2001) Iran 124.6 billion kWh (2001) Iraq 36.01 billion kWh (2001) Ireland 23.53 billion kWh (2001) Israel 42.24 billion kWh (2001) Italy 258.8 billion kWh (2001) Jamaica 6.272 billion kWh (2001) Japan 1.037 trillion kWh (2001) Johnston Atoll 44.2 million kWh; note - approximate annual production; there are six 25,000 kWh generators operated by the base operating support contractor (1999) Jordan 7.091 billion kWh (2001) Kazakhstan 52.43 billion kWh (2001) Kenya 4.033 billion kWh (2001) Kiribati 7 million kWh (2001) Korea, North 30.01 billion kWh (2001) Korea, South 290.7 billion kWh (2001) Kuwait 31.49 billion kWh (2001) Kyrgyzstan 13.45 billion kWh (2001) Laos 1.317 billion kWh (2001) Latvia 4.365 billion kWh (2001) Lebanon 6.728 billion kWh (2001) Lesotho 0 kWh NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) Liberia 468.8 million kWh (2001) Libya 20.18 billion kWh (2001) Lithuania 14.62 billion kWh (2001) Luxembourg 457 million kWh (2001) Macau 1.611 billion kWh (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 6.465 billion kWh (2001) Madagascar 830.2 million kWh (2001) Malawi 769.2 million kWh (2001) Malaysia 68.34 billion kWh (2001) Maldives 117 million kWh (2001) Mali 480.2 million kWh (2001) Malta 1.768 billion kWh (2001) Martinique 1.151 billion kWh (2001) Mauritania 157.4 million kWh (2001) Mauritius 1.311 billion kWh (2001) Mayotte NA kWh Mexico 198.6 billion kWh (2001) Micronesia, Federated States of NA kWh Moldova 3.394 billion kWh (2001) Mongolia 2.225 billion kWh (2001) Montserrat 2.5 million kWh (2001) Morocco 13.35 billion kWh (2001) Mozambique 7.193 billion kWh (2001) Namibia 26.95 million kWh (2001) Nauru 30 million kWh (2001) Nepal 1.755 billion kWh (2001) Netherlands 88.32 billion kWh (2001) Netherlands Antilles 1.061 billion kWh (2001) New Caledonia 1.613 billion kWh (2001) New Zealand 37.51 billion kWh (2001) Nicaragua 2.549 billion kWh (2001) Niger 242 million kWh (2001) Nigeria 15.67 billion kWh (2001) Niue 3 million kWh (2001) Norfolk Island NA kWh Northern Mariana Islands NA kWh Norway 120.1 billion kWh (2001) Oman 9.274 billion kWh (2001) Pakistan 66.96 billion kWh (2001) Panama 4.039 billion kWh (2001) Papua New Guinea 1.496 billion kWh (2001) Paraguay 44.89 billion kWh (2001) Peru 20.59 billion kWh (2001) Philippines 45.21 billion kWh (2001) Pitcairn Islands NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered generator Poland 135 billion kWh (2001) Portugal 44.32 billion kWh (2001) Puerto Rico 20.9 billion kWh (2001) Qatar 9.264 billion kWh (2001) Reunion 1.08 billion kWh (2001) Romania 50.86 billion kWh (2001) Russia 846.5 billion kWh (2001) Rwanda 96.78 million kWh (2001) Saint Helena 5 million kWh (2001) Saint Kitts and Nevis 100.3 million kWh (2001) Saint Lucia 120.2 million kWh (2001) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 42.03 million kWh (2001) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 92.48 million kWh (2001) Samoa 105.1 million kWh (2001) San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe 17 million kWh (2001) Saudi Arabia 122.4 billion kWh (2001) Senegal 1.518 billion kWh (2001) Serbia and Montenegro 31.71 billion kWh (2001) Seychelles 160 million kWh (2001) Sierra Leone 250.1 million kWh (2001) Singapore 30.48 billion kWh (2001) Slovakia 30.29 billion kWh (2001) Slovenia 13.69 billion kWh (2001) Solomon Islands 32 million kWh (2001) Somalia 245.1 million kWh (2001) South Africa 195.6 billion kWh (2001) Spain 222.5 billion kWh (2001) Sri Lanka 6.36 billion kWh (2001) Sudan 2.389 billion kWh (2001) Suriname 1.959 billion kWh (2001) Svalbard NA kWh Swaziland 348.3 million kWh (2001) Sweden 152.9 billion kWh (2001) Switzerland 68.68 billion kWh (2001) Syria 23.26 billion kWh (2001) Taiwan 151.1 billion kWh (2001) Tajikistan 14.18 billion kWh (2001) Tanzania 2.906 billion kWh (2001) Thailand 97.6 billion kWh (2001) Togo 101.6 million kWh (2001) Tokelau NA kWh Tonga 27.27 million kWh (2001) Trinidad and Tobago 5.315 billion kWh (2001) Tunisia 10.48 billion kWh (2001) Turkey 116.6 billion kWh (2001) Turkmenistan 10.18 billion kWh (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands 5 million kWh (2001) Uganda 1.928 billion kWh (2001) Ukraine 164.7 billion kWh (2001) United Arab Emirates 37.74 billion kWh (2001) United Kingdom 360.9 billion kWh (2001) United States 3.719 trillion kWh (2001) Uruguay 7.963 billion kWh (2001) Uzbekistan 44.49 billion kWh (2001) Vanuatu 43.46 million kWh (2001) Venezuela 87.6 billion kWh (2001) Vietnam 29.8 billion kWh (2001) Virgin Islands 1.03 billion kWh (2001) Wake Island NA Wallis and Futuna NA kWh West Bank NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants Western Sahara 90 million kWh (2001) World 14.85 trillion kWh (2001 est.) Yemen 3.01 billion kWh (2001) Zambia 7.751 billion kWh (2001) Zimbabwe 6.735 billion kWh (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2042 Electricity - consumption (kWh) Afghanistan 511.4 million kWh (2001) Albania 5.898 billion kWh (2001) Algeria 22.9 billion kWh (2001) American Samoa 120.9 million kWh (2001) Andorra NA kWh Angola 1.348 billion kWh (2001) Anguilla 42.6 million kWh Antigua and Barbuda 97.89 million kWh (2001) Argentina 92.12 billion kWh (2001) Armenia 5.784 billion kWh (2001) Aruba 494.7 million kWh (2001) Australia 184.4 billion kWh (2001) Austria 54.85 billion kWh (2001) Azerbaijan 16.65 billion kWh (2001) Bahamas, The 1.451 billion kWh (2001) Bahrain 5.819 billion kWh (2001) Bangladesh 14.25 billion kWh (2001) Barbados 725.4 million kWh (2001) Belarus 26.69 billion kWh (2001) Belgium 78.18 billion kWh (2001) Belize 185.5 million kWh (2001) Benin 631.1 million kWh (2001) Bermuda 598.6 million kWh (2001) Bhutan 379.5 million kWh (2001) Bolivia 3.634 billion kWh (2001) Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.116 billion kWh (2001) Botswana 1.564 billion kWh (2001) Brazil 335.9 billion kWh (2001) British Indian Ocean Territory NA kWh British Virgin Islands 35.43 million kWh (2001) Brunei 2.322 billion kWh (2001) Bulgaria 32.52 billion kWh (2001) Burkina Faso 259.6 million kWh (2001) Burma 5.709 billion kWh (2001) Burundi 177.5 million kWh (2001) Cambodia 110.6 million kWh (2001) Cameroon 3.36 billion kWh (2001) Canada 504.4 billion kWh (2001) Cape Verde 39.08 million kWh (2001) Cayman Islands 355.2 million kWh (2001) Central African Republic 98.63 million kWh (2001) Chad 87.46 million kWh (2001) Chile 40.13 billion kWh (2001) China 1.312 trillion kWh (2001) Christmas Island NA kWh Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA kWh Colombia 39.81 billion kWh (2001) Comoros 19.78 million kWh (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3.839 billion kWh (2001) Congo, Republic of the 633 million kWh (2001) Cook Islands 25.51 million kWh (2001) Costa Rica 6.109 billion kWh (2001) Cote d'Ivoire 2.983 billion kWh (2001) Croatia 14.27 billion kWh (2001) Cuba 13.38 billion kWh (2001) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 3.163 billion kWh; Turkish Cypriot area: NA kWh (2001) Czech Republic 55.6 billion kWh (2001) Denmark 32.41 billion kWh (2001) Djibouti 167.4 million kWh (2001) Dominica 67.35 million kWh (2001) Dominican Republic 8.543 billion kWh (2001) East Timor NA kWh (2001) Ecuador 69.96 billion kWh (2001) Egypt 69.96 billion kWh (2001) El Salvador 3.777 billion kWh (2001) Equatorial Guinea 21.91 million kWh (2001) Eritrea 205.1 million kWh (2001) Estonia 6.192 billion kWh (2001) Ethiopia 1.594 billion kWh (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 15.19 million kWh (2001) Faroe Islands 149.1 million kWh (2001) Fiji 483.7 million kWh (2001) Finland 76.18 billion kWh (2001) France 415.3 billion kWh (2001) French Guiana 423.2 million kWh (2001) French Polynesia 398.3 million kWh (2001) Gabon 742.5 million kWh (2001) Gambia, The 79.36 million kWh (2001) Gaza Strip NA kWh Georgia 7.611 billion kWh (2001) Germany 506.8 billion kWh (2001) Ghana 8.835 billion kWh (2001) Gibraltar 93 million kWh (2001) Greece 48.8 billion kWh (2001) Greenland 227.9 million kWh (2001) Grenada 128.3 million kWh (2001) Guadeloupe 1.074 billion kWh (2001) Guam 771.9 million kWh (2001) Guatemala 5.559 billion kWh (2001) Guernsey NA kWh Guinea 735.2 million kWh (2001) Guinea-Bissau 51.15 million kWh (2001) Guyana 792.4 million kWh (2001) Haiti 539.4 million kWh (2001) Holy See (Vatican City) NA kWh Honduras 3.822 billion kWh (2001) Hong Kong 37.12 billion kWh (2001) Hungary 35.15 billion kWh (2001) Iceland 7.341 billion kWh (2001) India 497.2 billion kWh (2001) Indonesia 89.08 billion kWh (2001) Iran 115.9 billion kWh (2001) Iraq 33.49 billion kWh (2001) Ireland 21.63 billion kWh (2001) Israel 37.82 billion kWh (2001) Italy 289.1 billion kWh (2001) Jamaica 5.833 billion kWh (2001) Japan 964.2 billion kWh (2001) Johnston Atoll 2.002 million kWh; note - approximate annual consumption Jordan 6.86 billion kWh (2001) Kazakhstan 48.36 billion kWh (2001) Kenya 3.981 billion kWh (2001) Kiribati 6.51 million kWh (2001) Korea, North 27.91 billion kWh (2001) Korea, South 270.3 billion kWh (2001) Kuwait 29.29 billion kWh (2001) Kyrgyzstan 10.46 billion kWh (2001) Laos 824.7 million kWh (2001) Latvia 6.046 billion kWh (2001) Lebanon 7.44 billion kWh (2001) Lesotho 40 million kWh (2001) Liberia 435.9 million kWh (2001) Libya 18.77 billion kWh (2001) Liechtenstein NA kWh Lithuania 8.683 billion kWh (2001) Luxembourg 6.07 billion kWh (2001) Macau 1.688 billion kWh (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 6.112 billion kWh (2001) Madagascar 772.1 million kWh (2001) Malawi 715.3 million kWh (2001) Malaysia 63.48 billion kWh (2001) Maldives 108.8 million kWh (2001) Mali 446.6 million kWh (2001) Malta 1.644 billion kWh (2001) Martinique 1.07 billion kWh (2001) Mauritania 146.3 million kWh (2001) Mauritius 1.219 billion kWh (2001) Mayotte NA kWh Mexico 186.7 billion kWh (2001) Micronesia, Federated States of NA kWh Moldova 3.216 billion kWh (2001) Monaco NA kWh Mongolia 2.194 billion kWh (2001) Montserrat 2.325 million kWh (2001) Morocco 14.61 billion kWh (2001) Mozambique 1.39 billion kWh (2001) Namibia 603.1 million kWh (2001) Nauru 27.9 million kWh (2001) Nepal 1.764 billion kWh (2001) Netherlands 99.42 billion kWh (2001) Netherlands Antilles 986.8 million kWh (2001) New Caledonia 1.5 billion kWh (2001) New Zealand 34.88 billion kWh (2001) Nicaragua 2.388 billion kWh (2001) Niger 325.1 million kWh (2001) Nigeria 14.55 billion kWh (2001) Niue 2.79 million kWh (2001) Norfolk Island NA kWh Northern Mariana Islands NA kWh Norway 115.3 billion kWh (2001) Oman 8.625 billion kWh (2001) Pakistan 62.27 billion kWh (2001) Panama 3.681 billion kWh (2001) Papua New Guinea 1.391 billion kWh (2001) Paraguay 2.637 billion kWh (2001) Peru 19.15 billion kWh (2001) Philippines 42.04 billion kWh (2001) Pitcairn Islands NA kWh Poland 118.8 billion kWh (2001) Portugal 41.48 billion kWh (2001) Puerto Rico 19.44 billion kWh (2001) Qatar 8.616 billion kWh (2001) Reunion 1.005 billion kWh (2001) Romania 46.1 billion kWh (2001) Russia 773 billion kWh (2001) Rwanda 140 million kWh (2001) Saint Helena 4.65 million kWh (2001) Saint Kitts and Nevis 93.26 million kWh (2001) Saint Lucia 111.8 million kWh (2001) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 39.08 million kWh (2001) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 86 million kWh (2001) Samoa 97.74 million kWh (2001) San Marino NA (2000) Sao Tome and Principe 15.81 million kWh (2001) Saudi Arabia 113.8 billion kWh (2001) Senegal 1.412 billion kWh (2001) Serbia and Montenegro 32.37 billion kWh (2001) Seychelles 148.8 million kWh (2001) Sierra Leone 232.6 million kWh (2001) Singapore 28.35 billion kWh (2001) Slovakia 24.41 billion kWh (2001) Slovenia 13.83 billion kWh (2001) Solomon Islands 29.76 million kWh (2001) Somalia 227.9 million kWh (2001) South Africa 181.2 billion kWh (2001) Spain 210.4 billion kWh (2001) Sri Lanka 5.915 billion kWh (2001) Sudan 2.222 billion kWh (2001) Suriname 1.822 billion kWh (2001) Svalbard NA kWh Swaziland 962.9 million kWh (2001) Sweden 134.9 billion kWh (2001) Switzerland 53.43 billion kWh (2001) Syria 21.63 billion kWh (2001) Taiwan 140.5 billion kWh (2001) Tajikistan 14.52 billion kWh (2001) Tanzania 2.752 billion kWh (2001) Thailand 90.91 billion kWh (2001) Togo 614.5 million kWh (2001) Tokelau NA kWh Tonga 25.36 million kWh (2001) Trinidad and Tobago 4.943 billion kWh (2001) Tunisia 9.748 billion kWh (2001) Turkey 112.6 billion kWh (2001) Turkmenistan 8.509 billion kWh (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands 4.65 million kWh (2001) Uganda 1.62 billion kWh (2001) Ukraine 152.4 billion kWh (2001) United Arab Emirates 35.1 billion kWh (2001) United Kingdom 346.1 billion kWh (2001) United States 3.602 trillion kWh (2001) Uruguay 6.152 billion kWh (2001) Uzbekistan 47.07 billion kWh (2001) Vanuatu 40.42 million kWh (2001) Venezuela 81.47 billion kWh (2001) Vietnam 27.71 billion kWh (2001) Virgin Islands 957.9 million kWh (2001) Wallis and Futuna NA kWh West Bank NA kWh Western Sahara 83.7 million kWh (2001) World 13.93 trillion kWh (2001 est.) Yemen 2.8 billion kWh (2001) Zambia 5.458 billion kWh (2001) Zimbabwe 9.813 billion kWh (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2043 Electricity - imports (kWh) Afghanistan 200 million kWh (2001) Albania 1.2 billion kWh (2001) Algeria 275 million kWh (2001) American Samoa 0 kWh (2001) Andorra NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower Angola 0 kWh (2001) Antigua and Barbuda 0 kWh (2001) Argentina 7.417 billion kWh (2001) Armenia 463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2001) Aruba 0 kWh (2001) Australia 0 kWh (2001) Austria 14.47 billion kWh (2001) Azerbaijan 400 million kWh (2001) Bahamas, The 0 kWh (2001) Bahrain 0 kWh (2001) Bangladesh 0 kWh (2001) Barbados 0 kWh (2001) Belarus 4.3 billion kWh (2001) Belgium 15.82 billion kWh (2001) Belize 0 kWh (2001) Benin 376 million kWh (2001) Bermuda 0 kWh (2001) Bhutan 16 million kWh (2001) Bolivia 9 million kWh (2001) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.405 billion kWh (2001) Botswana 1.183 billion kWh (2001) Brazil 37.19 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2001) British Virgin Islands 0 kWh (2001) Brunei 0 kWh (2001) Bulgaria 830 million kWh (2001) Burkina Faso 0 kWh (2001) Burma 0 kWh (2001) Burundi 33 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2001) Cambodia 0 kWh (2001) Cameroon 0 kWh (2001) Canada 16.11 billion kWh (2001) Cape Verde 0 kWh (2001) Cayman Islands 0 kWh (2001) Central African Republic 0 kWh (2001) Chad 0 kWh (2001) Chile 1.386 billion kWh (2001) China 1.55 billion kWh (2001) Colombia 40 million kWh (2001) Comoros 0 kWh (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 60 million kWh (2001) Congo, Republic of the 300 million kWh (2001) Cook Islands 0 kWh (2001) Costa Rica 128 million kWh (2001) Cote d'Ivoire 0 kWh (2001) Croatia 3.386 billion kWh (2001) Cuba 0 kWh (2001) Cyprus 0 kWh (2001) Czech Republic 9.38 billion kWh (2001) Denmark 8.199 billion kWh (2001) Djibouti 0 kWh (2001) Dominica 0 kWh (2001) Dominican Republic 0 kWh (2001) East Timor 0 kWh (2001) Ecuador 0 kWh (2001) Egypt 0 kWh (2001) El Salvador 353 million kWh (2001) Equatorial Guinea 0 kWh (2001) Eritrea 0 kWh NA kWh (2001) Estonia 0 kWh (2001) Ethiopia 0 kWh (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 kWh (2001) Faroe Islands 0 kWh (2001) Fiji 0 kWh (2001) Finland 11.77 billion kWh (2001) France 4.2 billion kWh (2001) French Guiana 0 kWh (2001) French Polynesia 0 kWh (2001) Gabon 0 kWh (2001) Gambia, The 0 kWh (2001) Gaza Strip NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israel (2001) Georgia 850 million kWh (2001) Germany 44 billion kWh (2001) Ghana 950 million kWh (2001) Gibraltar 0 kWh (2001) Greece 3.562 billion kWh (2001) Greenland 0 kWh (2001) Grenada 0 kWh (2001) Guadeloupe 0 kWh (2001) Guam 0 kWh (2001) Guatemala 95 million kWh (2001) Guernsey 0 kWh (2002) Guinea 0 kWh (2001) Guinea-Bissau 0 kWh (2001) Guyana 0 kWh (2001) Haiti 0 kWh (2001) Holy See (Vatican City) NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy Honduras 308 million kWh (2001) Hong Kong 10.36 billion kWh (2001) Hungary 10.43 billion kWh (2001) Iceland 0 kWh (2001) India 1.54 billion kWh (2001) Indonesia 0 kWh (2001) Iran 0 kWh (2001) Iraq 0 kWh (2001) Ireland 38 million kWh (2001) Israel 0 kWh (2001) Italy 48.93 billion kWh (2001) Jamaica 0 kWh (2001) Japan 0 kWh (2001) Jersey NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France Jordan 267 million kWh (2001) Kazakhstan 3.2 billion kWh (2001) Kenya 230 million kWh (2001) Kiribati 0 kWh (2001) Korea, North 0 kWh (2001) Korea, South 0 kWh (2001) Kuwait 0 kWh (2001) Kyrgyzstan 200 million kWh (2001) Laos 0 kWh (2001) Latvia 2.69 billion kWh (2001) Lebanon 1.183 billion kWh (2001) Lesotho 40 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) Liberia 0 kWh (2001) Libya 0 kWh (2001) Liechtenstein 0 kWh (2002) Lithuania 1.389 billion kWh (2001) Luxembourg 6.389 billion kWh (2001) Macau 193 million kWh (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 100 million kWh (2001) Madagascar 0 kWh (2001) Malawi 0 kWh (2001) Malaysia 0 kWh (2001) Maldives 0 kWh (2001) Mali 0 kWh (2001) Malta 0 kWh (2001) Martinique 0 kWh (2001) Mauritania 0 kWh (2001) Mauritius 0 kWh (2001) Mexico 2.068 billion kWh (2001) Moldova 60 million kWh (2001) Monaco NA kWh note: electricity supplied by France Mongolia 196 million kWh (2001) Montserrat 0 kWh (2001) Morocco 2.2 billion kWh (2001) Mozambique 500 million kWh (2001) Namibia 578 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) Nauru 0 kWh (2001) Nepal 227 million kWh (2001) Netherlands 21.49 billion kWh (2001) Netherlands Antilles 0 kWh (2001) New Caledonia 0 kWh (2001) New Zealand 0 kWh (2001) Nicaragua 17 million kWh (2001) Niger 100 million kWh (2001) Nigeria 0 kWh (2001) Niue 0 kWh (2001) Northern Mariana Islands 0 kWh Norway 10.76 billion kWh (2001) Oman 0 kWh (2001) Pakistan 0 kWh (2001) Panama 43 million kWh (2001) Papua New Guinea 0 kWh (2001) Paraguay 0 kWh (2001) Peru 0 kWh (2001) Philippines 0 kWh (2001) Poland 4.306 billion kWh (2001) Portugal 3.743 billion kWh (2001) Puerto Rico 0 kWh (2001) Qatar 0 kWh (2001) Reunion 0 kWh (2001) Romania 400 million kWh (2001) Russia 7 billion kWh (2001) Rwanda 50 million kWh (2001) Saint Helena 0 kWh (2001) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 kWh (2001) Saint Lucia 0 kWh (2001) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 kWh (2001) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 kWh (2001) Samoa 0 kWh (2001) San Marino 0 kWh note: electricity supplied by Italy Sao Tome and Principe 0 kWh (2001) Saudi Arabia 0 kWh (2001) Senegal 0 kWh (2001) Serbia and Montenegro 3.33 billion kWh (2001) Seychelles 0 kWh (2001) Sierra Leone 0 kWh (2001) Singapore 0 kWh (2001) Slovakia 1.381 billion kWh (2001) Slovenia 4.1 billion kWh (2001) Solomon Islands 0 kWh (2001) Somalia 0 kWh (2001) South Africa 6.2 billion kWh (2001) Spain 7.588 billion kWh (2001) Sri Lanka 0 kWh (2001) Sudan 0 kWh (2001) Suriname 0 kWh (2001) Swaziland 639 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) Sweden 11.14 billion kWh (2001) Switzerland 24.1 billion kWh (2001) Syria 0 kWh (2001) Taiwan 0 kWh (2001) Tajikistan 5.242 billion kWh (2001) Tanzania 50 million kWh (2001) Thailand 350 million kWh (2001) Togo 520 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2001) Tonga 0 kWh (2001) Trinidad and Tobago 0 kWh (2001) Tunisia 1 million kWh (2001) Turkey 4.579 billion kWh (2001) Turkmenistan 20 million kWh (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 kWh (2001) Uganda 1 million kWh (2001) Ukraine 0 kWh (2001) United Arab Emirates 0 kWh (2001) United Kingdom 10.66 billion kWh (2001) United States 38.48 billion kWh (2001) Uruguay 123 million kWh (2001) Uzbekistan 9.7 billion kWh (2001) Vanuatu 0 kWh (2001) Venezuela 0 kWh (2001) Vietnam 0 kWh (2001) Virgin Islands 0 kWh (2001) Wallis and Futuna 0 kWh (2002) West Bank NA kWh Western Sahara 0 kWh (2001) Yemen 0 kWh (2001) Zambia 0 kWh (2001) Zimbabwe 3.55 billion kWh (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2044 Electricity - exports (kWh) Afghanistan 0 kWh (2001) Albania 221 million kWh (2001) Algeria 340 million kWh (2001) American Samoa 0 kWh (2001) Andorra 0 kWh (2002) Angola 0 kWh (2001) Antigua and Barbuda 0 kWh (2001) Argentina 5.662 billion kWh (2001) Armenia 704 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2001) Aruba 0 kWh (2001) Australia 0 kWh (2001) Austria 14.25 billion kWh (2001) Azerbaijan 700 million kWh (2001) Bahamas, The 0 kWh (2001) Bahrain 0 kWh (2001) Bangladesh 0 kWh (2001) Barbados 0 kWh (2001) Belarus 300 million kWh (2001) Belgium 6.712 billion kWh (2001) Belize 0 kWh (2001) Benin 0 kWh (2001) Bermuda 0 kWh (2001) Bhutan 1.4 billion kWh (2001) Bolivia 3 million kWh (2001) Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.569 billion kWh (2001) Botswana 0 kWh (2001) Brazil 0 kWh (2001) British Virgin Islands 0 kWh (2001) Brunei 0 kWh (2001) Bulgaria 6.79 billion kWh (2001) Burkina Faso 0 kWh (2001) Burma 0 kWh (2001) Burundi 0 kWh (2001) Cambodia 0 kWh (2001) Cameroon 0 kWh (2001) Canada 38.4 billion kWh (2001) Cape Verde 0 kWh (2001) Cayman Islands 0 kWh (2001) Central African Republic 0 kWh (2001) Chad 0 kWh (2001) Chile 0 kWh (2001) China 10.3 billion kWh (2001) Colombia 210 million kWh (2001) Comoros 0 kWh (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.097 billion kWh (2001) Congo, Republic of the 0 kWh (2001) Cook Islands 0 kWh (2001) Costa Rica 379 million kWh (2001) Cote d'Ivoire 1.3 billion kWh (2001) Croatia 386 million kWh (2001) Cuba 0 kWh (2001) Cyprus 0 kWh (2001) Czech Republic 18.92 billion kWh (2001) Denmark 8.775 billion kWh (2001) Djibouti 0 kWh (2001) Dominica 0 kWh (2001) Dominican Republic 0 kWh (2001) East Timor 0 kWh (2001) Ecuador 0 kWh (2001) Egypt 0 kWh (2001) El Salvador 44 million kWh (2001) Equatorial Guinea 0 kWh (2001) Eritrea 0 kWh NA kWh (2001) Estonia 1.19 billion kWh (2001) Ethiopia 0 kWh (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 kWh (2001) Faroe Islands 0 kWh (2001) Fiji 0 kWh (2001) Finland 1.81 billion kWh (2001) France 72.6 billion kWh (2001) French Guiana 0 kWh (2001) French Polynesia 0 kWh (2001) Gabon 0 kWh (2001) Gambia, The 0 kWh (2001) Gaza Strip 0 kWh (2001) Georgia 0 kWh (2001) Germany 43.9 billion kWh (2001) Ghana 300 million kWh (2001) Gibraltar 0 kWh (2001) Greece 1.062 billion kWh (2001) Greenland 0 kWh (2001) Grenada 0 kWh (2001) Guadeloupe 0 kWh (2001) Guam 0 kWh (2001) Guatemala 336 million kWh (2001) Guernsey 0 kWh (2002) Guinea 0 kWh (2001) Guinea-Bissau 0 kWh (2001) Guyana 0 kWh (2001) Haiti 0 kWh (2001) Holy See (Vatican City) 0 kWh Honduras 0 kWh (2001) Hong Kong 1.581 billion kWh (2001) Hungary 7.261 billion kWh (2001) Iceland 0 kWh (2001) India 321 million kWh (2001) Indonesia 0 kWh (2001) Iran 0 kWh (2001) Iraq 0 kWh (2001) Ireland 285 million kWh (2001) Israel 1.457 billion kWh (2001) Italy 556 million kWh (2001) Jamaica 0 kWh (2001) Japan 0 kWh (2001) Jordan 2 million kWh (2001) Kazakhstan 3.6 billion kWh (2001) Kenya 0 kWh (2001) Kiribati 0 kWh (2001) Korea, North 0 kWh (2001) Korea, South 0 kWh (2001) Kuwait 0 kWh (2001) Kyrgyzstan 2.25 billion kWh (2001) Laos 400 million kWh (2001) Latvia 703 million kWh (2001) Lebanon 0 kWh (2001) Lesotho 0 kWh (2001) Liberia 0 kWh (2001) Libya 0 kWh (2001) Liechtenstein 0 kWh (2002) Lithuania 6.3 billion kWh (2001) Luxembourg 744 million kWh (2001) Macau 1 million kWh (2001) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0 kWh (2001) Madagascar 0 kWh (2001) Malawi 0 kWh (2001) Malaysia 75 million kWh (2001) Maldives 0 kWh (2001) Mali 0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2001) Malta 0 kWh (2001) Martinique 0 kWh (2001) Mauritania 0 kWh (2001) Mauritius 0 kWh (2001) Mexico 77 million kWh (2001) Moldova 0 kWh (2001) Mongolia 25 million kWh (2001) Montserrat 0 kWh (2001) Morocco 0 kWh (2001) Mozambique 5.8 billion kWh (2001) Namibia 0 kWh (2001) Nauru 0 kWh (2001) Nepal 95 million kWh (2001) Netherlands 4.209 billion kWh (2001) Netherlands Antilles 0 kWh (2001) New Caledonia 0 kWh (2001) New Zealand 0 kWh (2001) Nicaragua 0 kWh (2001) Niger 0 kWh (2001) Nigeria 20 million kWh (2001) Niue 0 kWh (2001) Northern Mariana Islands 0 kWh Norway 7.162 billion kWh (2001) Oman 0 kWh (2001) Pakistan 0 kWh (2001) Panama 118 million kWh (2001) Papua New Guinea 0 kWh (2001) Paraguay 39.11 billion kWh (2001) Peru 0 kWh (2001) Philippines 0 kWh (2001) Poland 11.04 billion kWh (2001) Portugal 3.479 billion kWh (2001) Puerto Rico 0 kWh (2001) Qatar 0 kWh (2001) Reunion 0 kWh (2001) Romania 1.6 billion kWh (2001) Russia 21.16 billion kWh (2001) Rwanda 0 kWh (2001) Saint Helena 0 kWh (2001) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 kWh (2001) Saint Lucia 0 kWh (2001) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 kWh (2001) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 kWh (2001) Samoa 0 kWh (2001) San Marino 0 kWh note: electric power supplied by Italy Sao Tome and Principe 0 kWh (2001) Saudi Arabia 0 kWh (2001) Senegal 0 kWh (2001) Serbia and Montenegro 446 million kWh (2001) Seychelles 0 kWh (2001) Sierra Leone 0 kWh (2001) Singapore 0 kWh (2001) Slovakia 5.141 billion kWh (2001) Slovenia 3 billion kWh (2001) Solomon Islands 0 kWh (2001) Somalia 0 kWh (2001) South Africa 6.91 billion kWh (2001) Spain 4.138 billion kWh (2001) Sri Lanka 0 kWh (2001) Sudan 0 kWh (2001) Suriname 0 kWh (2001) Swaziland 0 kWh (2001) Sweden 18.45 billion kWh (2001) Switzerland 34.54 billion kWh (2001) Syria 0 kWh (2001) Taiwan 0 kWh (2001) Tajikistan 3.909 billion kWh (2001) Tanzania 0 kWh (2001) Thailand 200 million kWh (2001) Togo 0 kWh (2001) Tonga 0 kWh (2001) Trinidad and Tobago 0 kWh (2001) Tunisia 0 kWh (2001) Turkey 433 million kWh (2001) Turkmenistan 980 million kWh (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 kWh (2001) Uganda 174 million kWh (2001) Ukraine 800 million kWh (2001) United Arab Emirates 0 kWh (2001) United Kingdom 264 million kWh (2001) United States 18.17 billion kWh (2001) Uruguay 1.377 billion kWh (2001) Uzbekistan 3.998 billion kWh (2001) Vanuatu 0 kWh (2001) Venezuela 0 kWh (2001) Vietnam 0 kWh (2001) Virgin Islands 0 kWh (2001) Wallis and Futuna 0 kWh (2002) Western Sahara 0 kWh (2001) Yemen 0 kWh (2001) Zambia 1.75 billion kWh (2001) Zimbabwe 0 kWh (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2045 Electricity - production by source (%) Afghanistan fossil fuel: 36.3% hydro: 63.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Albania fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Algeria fossil fuel: 99.7% hydro: 0.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) American Samoa fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Andorra fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Angola fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Anguilla fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Antigua and Barbuda fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Argentina fossil fuel: 52.2% hydro: 40.8% nuclear: 6.7% other: 0.2% (2001) Armenia fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% nuclear: 30.7% other: 0% (2001) Aruba fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Australia fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 8.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.9% (2001) Austria fossil fuel: 29.3% hydro: 67.2% nuclear: 0% other: 3.5% (2001) Azerbaijan fossil fuel: 89.7% hydro: 10.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bahamas, The fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bahrain fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bangladesh fossil fuel: 93.7% hydro: 6.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Barbados fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Belarus fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Belgium fossil fuel: 38.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 59.3% other: 1.8% (2001) Belize fossil fuel: 59.9% hydro: 40.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Benin fossil fuel: 14.2% hydro: 85.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bermuda fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bhutan fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bolivia fossil fuel: 44.4% hydro: 54% nuclear: 0% other: 1.5% (2001) Bosnia and Herzegovina fossil fuel: 53.5% hydro: 46.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Botswana fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Brazil fossil fuel: 8.3% hydro: 82.7% nuclear: 4.4% other: 4.6% (2001) British Virgin Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Brunei fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bulgaria fossil fuel: 47.8% hydro: 8.1% nuclear: 44.1% other: 0% (2001) Burkina Faso fossil fuel: 69.9% hydro: 30.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Burma fossil fuel: 44.4% hydro: 55.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Burundi fossil fuel: 0.6% hydro: 99.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Cambodia fossil fuel: 65% hydro: 35% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Cameroon fossil fuel: 2.7% hydro: 97.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Canada fossil fuel: 28% hydro: 57.9% nuclear: 12.9% other: 1.3% (2001) Cape Verde fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Cayman Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Central African Republic fossil fuel: 19.8% hydro: 80.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Chad fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Chile fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 51.5% nuclear: 0% other: 1.4% (2001) China fossil fuel: 80.2% hydro: 18.5% nuclear: 1.2% other: 0.1% (2001) Christmas Island fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Colombia fossil fuel: 26% hydro: 72.7% nuclear: 0% other: 1.3% (2001) Comoros fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the fossil fuel: 1.8% hydro: 98.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Congo, Republic of the fossil fuel: 0.3% hydro: 99.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Cook Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Costa Rica fossil fuel: 1.5% hydro: 81.9% nuclear: 0% other: 16.6% (2001) Cote d'Ivoire fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Croatia fossil fuel: 33.6% hydro: 66% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Cuba fossil fuel: 93.9% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 5.4% (2001) Cyprus fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Czech Republic fossil fuel: 76.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 20% other: 1% (2001) Denmark fossil fuel: 82.7% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 17.3% (2001) Djibouti fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Dominica fossil fuel: 47.1% hydro: 52.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Dominican Republic fossil fuel: 92% hydro: 7.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) East Timor fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Ecuador fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Egypt fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) El Salvador fossil fuel: 44% hydro: 30.9% nuclear: 0% other: 25.1% (2001) Equatorial Guinea fossil fuel: 94.3% hydro: 5.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Eritrea fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Estonia fossil fuel: 99.8% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.2% (2001) Ethiopia fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 97.6% nuclear: 0% other: 1.2% (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Faroe Islands fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Fiji fossil fuel: 18.5% hydro: 81.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Finland fossil fuel: 39% hydro: 18.7% nuclear: 30.4% other: 11.8% (2001) France fossil fuel: 8.2% hydro: 14% nuclear: 77.1% other: 0.7% (2001) French Guiana fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) French Polynesia fossil fuel: 60.7% hydro: 39.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0%; note - sun, wind, biomass (2001) Gabon fossil fuel: 34.5% hydro: 65.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Gambia, The fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Georgia fossil fuel: 19.7% hydro: 80.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Germany fossil fuel: 61.8% hydro: 4.2% nuclear: 29.9% other: 4.1% (2001) Ghana fossil fuel: 5% hydro: 95% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Gibraltar fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Greece fossil fuel: 94.5% hydro: 3.8% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Greenland fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% note: Greenland is shifting its electricity production from fossil fuel to hydropower production (2001) Grenada fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guadeloupe fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guam fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guatemala fossil fuel: 51.9% hydro: 35.2% nuclear: 0% other: 12.9% (2001) Guernsey fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Guinea fossil fuel: 45.5% hydro: 54.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guinea-Bissau fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guyana fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Haiti fossil fuel: 60.3% hydro: 39.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Honduras fossil fuel: 50.2% hydro: 49.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Hong Kong fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Hungary fossil fuel: 60.1% hydro: 0.5% nuclear: 39% other: 0.3% (2001) Iceland fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 82.5% nuclear: 0% other: 17.5% (2001) India fossil fuel: 81.7% hydro: 14.5% nuclear: 3.4% other: 0.3% (2001) Indonesia fossil fuel: 86.9% hydro: 10.5% nuclear: 0% other: 2.5% (2001) Iran fossil fuel: 97.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Iraq fossil fuel: 98.4% hydro: 1.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Ireland fossil fuel: 95.9% hydro: 2.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Israel fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Italy fossil fuel: 78.6% hydro: 18.4% nuclear: 0% other: 3% (2001) Jamaica fossil fuel: 96.8% hydro: 1.8% nuclear: 0% other: 1.5% (2001) Japan fossil fuel: 60% hydro: 8.4% nuclear: 29.8% other: 1.8% (2001) Jordan fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Kazakhstan fossil fuel: 84.3% hydro: 15.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Kenya fossil fuel: 71% hydro: 17.7% nuclear: 0% other: 11.3% (2001) Kiribati fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Korea, North fossil fuel: 29% hydro: 71% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Korea, South fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 0.8% nuclear: 36.6% other: 0.2% (2001) Kuwait fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Kyrgyzstan fossil fuel: 7.6% hydro: 92.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Laos fossil fuel: 1.4% hydro: 98.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Latvia fossil fuel: 29.1% hydro: 70.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Lebanon fossil fuel: 97.2% hydro: 2.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Liberia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Libya fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Liechtenstein fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2002) Lithuania fossil fuel: 16.5% hydro: 5.7% nuclear: 77.7% other: 0% (2001) Luxembourg fossil fuel: 57.3% hydro: 25.2% nuclear: 0% other: 17.5% (2001) Macau fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of fossil fuel: 83.7% hydro: 16.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Madagascar fossil fuel: 36.1% hydro: 63.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Malawi fossil fuel: 3.3% hydro: 96.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Malaysia fossil fuel: 89.5% hydro: 10.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Maldives fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mali fossil fuel: 41.7% hydro: 58.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Malta fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Marshall Islands fossil fuel: 99% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 1% (solar) Martinique fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mauritania fossil fuel: 85.9% hydro: 14.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mauritius fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 9.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mayotte fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Mexico fossil fuel: 78.7% hydro: 14.2% nuclear: 4.2% other: 2.9% (2001) Micronesia, Federated States of fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Moldova fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mongolia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Montserrat fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Morocco fossil fuel: 95.4% hydro: 4.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mozambique fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Namibia fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Nauru fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Nepal fossil fuel: 8.5% hydro: 91.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Netherlands fossil fuel: 89.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 4.3% other: 5.7% (2001) Netherlands Antilles fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) New Caledonia fossil fuel: 76.3% hydro: 23.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) New Zealand fossil fuel: 31.6% hydro: 57.8% nuclear: 0% other: 10.7% (2001) Nicaragua fossil fuel: 83.9% hydro: 7.7% nuclear: 0% other: 8.4% (2001) Niger fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Nigeria fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Niue fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Norfolk Island fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2002) Norway fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Oman fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Pakistan fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% nuclear: 3% other: 0% (2001) Palau 0% Panama fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Papua New Guinea fossil fuel: 54.1% hydro: 45.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Paraguay fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0.1% (2001) Peru fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0.8% (2001) Philippines fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% nuclear: 0% other: 26.9% (2001) Poland fossil fuel: 98.1% hydro: 1.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Portugal fossil fuel: 64.5% hydro: 31.3% nuclear: 0% other: 4.1% (2001) Puerto Rico fossil fuel: 99.2% hydro: 0.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Qatar fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Reunion fossil fuel: 55.5% hydro: 44.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Romania fossil fuel: 62.5% hydro: 27.6% nuclear: 9.9% other: 0% (2001) Russia fossil fuel: 64.3% hydro: 20.5% nuclear: 14.8% other: 0.4% (2001) Rwanda fossil fuel: 2.3% hydro: 97.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Helena fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Kitts and Nevis fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Lucia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Pierre and Miquelon fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines fossil fuel: 69.3% hydro: 30.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Samoa fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) San Marino fossil fuel: 41.18% hydro: 58.82% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Sao Tome and Principe fossil fuel: 41.2% hydro: 58.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saudi Arabia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Senegal fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Serbia and Montenegro fossil fuel: 62.9% hydro: 37.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Seychelles fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Sierra Leone fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Singapore fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Slovakia fossil fuel: 30.3% hydro: 16% nuclear: 53.6% other: 0% (2001) Slovenia fossil fuel: 35.2% hydro: 27.3% nuclear: 36.8% other: 0.7% (2001) Solomon Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Somalia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) South Africa fossil fuel: 93.5% hydro: 1.1% nuclear: 5.5% other: 0% (2001) Spain fossil fuel: 50.4% hydro: 18.2% nuclear: 27.2% other: 4.1% (2001) Sri Lanka fossil fuel: 51.7% hydro: 48.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Sudan fossil fuel: 52.1% hydro: 47.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Suriname fossil fuel: 25.2% hydro: 74.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Svalbard fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Swaziland fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Sweden fossil fuel: 4% hydro: 50.8% nuclear: 43% other: 2.3% (2001) Switzerland fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 59.5% nuclear: 37.1% other: 2% (2001) Syria fossil fuel: 57.6% hydro: 42.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Taiwan fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 6% nuclear: 22.6% other: 0% (2001) Tajikistan fossil fuel: 1.9% hydro: 98.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Tanzania fossil fuel: 18.9% hydro: 81.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Thailand fossil fuel: 91.3% hydro: 6.4% nuclear: 0% other: 2.4% (2001) Togo fossil fuel: 98.7% hydro: 1.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Tokelau fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Tonga fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Trinidad and Tobago fossil fuel: 99.8% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0.2% (2001) Tunisia fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Turkey fossil fuel: 79.3% hydro: 20.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001) Turkmenistan fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Tuvalu fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Uganda fossil fuel: 0.9% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Ukraine fossil fuel: 48.6% hydro: 7.9% nuclear: 43.5% other: 0% (2001) United Arab Emirates fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) United Kingdom fossil fuel: 73.8% hydro: 0.9% nuclear: 23.7% other: 1.6% (2001) United States fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 5.6% nuclear: 20.7% other: 2.3% (2001) Uruguay fossil fuel: 0.7% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001) Uzbekistan fossil fuel: 88.2% hydro: 11.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Vanuatu fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Venezuela fossil fuel: 31.7% hydro: 68.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Vietnam fossil fuel: 43.7% hydro: 56.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Virgin Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Wallis and Futuna fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% West Bank fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Western Sahara fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) World fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Yemen fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Zambia fossil fuel: 0.5% hydro: 99.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Zimbabwe fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 53% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2046 Population below poverty line (%) Afghanistan NA% Albania 30% (2001 est.) Algeria 23% (1999 est.) American Samoa NA% Andorra NA% Angola NA% Anguilla NA% Antigua and Barbuda NA% Argentina 37% (2001 est.) Armenia 50% (2002 est.) Aruba NA% Australia NA% Austria NA% Azerbaijan 49% (2002 est.) Bahamas, The NA% Bahrain NA% Bangladesh 35.6% (FY 95/96 est.) Barbados NA% Belarus 22% (1995 est.) Belgium 4% Belize 33% (1999 est.) Benin 37% (2001 est.) Bermuda NA% Bhutan NA% Bolivia 70% (1999 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina NA% Botswana 47% Brazil 22% (1998 est.) British Virgin Islands NA% Brunei NA% Bulgaria 12.6% (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 45% (2001 est.) Burma 25% (2000 est.) Burundi 70% (2002 est.) Cambodia 36% (1997 est.) Cameroon 48% (2000 est.) Canada NA% Cape Verde 30% (2000) Cayman Islands NA% Central African Republic NA% Chad 80% (2001 est.) Chile 21% (1998 est.) China 10% (2001 est.) Christmas Island NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA% Colombia 55% (2001) Comoros 60% (2002 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA% Congo, Republic of the NA% Cook Islands NA% Costa Rica 20.6% (1999 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 37% (1995) Croatia NA% Cuba NA% Cyprus NA% Czech Republic NA% Denmark NA% Djibouti 50% (2001 est.) Dominica 30% (2002 est.) Dominican Republic 25% East Timor 42% (2002 est.) Ecuador 70% (2001 est.) Egypt 22.9% (FY 95/96 est.) El Salvador 48% (1999 est.) Equatorial Guinea NA% Eritrea 53% (1993/94) Estonia NA% (2000) Ethiopia 45% (2002 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA% Faroe Islands NA% Fiji 25.5% (1990-91) Finland NA% France 6.4% (1999) French Guiana NA% French Polynesia NA% Gabon NA% Gambia, The NA% Gaza Strip 60% (2002 est.) Georgia 54% (2001 est.) Germany NA% Ghana 31.4% (1992 est.) Gibraltar NA% Greece NA% Greenland NA% Grenada 32% (2000) Guadeloupe NA% Guam 23% (2001 est.) Guatemala 75% (2002 est.) Guernsey NA% Guinea 40% (1994 est.) Guinea-Bissau NA% Guyana NA% Haiti 80% (2002 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA% Honduras 53% (1993 est.) Hong Kong NA% Hungary 8.6% (1993 est.) Iceland NA% India 25% (2002 est.) Indonesia 27% (1999) Iran 40% (2002 est.) Iraq NA Ireland 10% (1997 est.) Israel 18% (2001 est.) Italy NA% Jamaica 34.2% (1992 est.) Japan NA% Jersey NA% Jordan 30% (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 26% (2001 est.) Kenya 50% (2000 est.) Kiribati NA% Korea, North NA% Korea, South 4% (2001 est.) Kuwait NA% Kyrgyzstan 55% (2001 est.) Laos 40% (2002 est.) Latvia NA% Lebanon 28% (1999 est.) Lesotho 49% (1999) Liberia 80% Libya NA% Liechtenstein NA% Lithuania NA% Luxembourg NA% Macau NA% Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 24% (2001 est.) Madagascar 71% (1999 est.) Malawi 54% (FY 90/91 est.) Malaysia 8% (1998 est.) Maldives NA% Mali 64% average; 30% of the total population living in urban areas; 70% of the total population living in rural areas) (2001 est.) Malta NA% Man, Isle of NA% Marshall Islands NA% Martinique NA% Mauritania 50% (2001 est.) Mauritius 10% (2001 est.) Mayotte NA% Mexico 40% (2001 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 26.7% Moldova 80% (2001 est.) Monaco NA% Mongolia 36% (2001 est.) Montserrat NA% Morocco 19% (1999 est.) Mozambique 70% (2001 est.) Namibia 50% (2002 est.) Nauru NA% Nepal 42% (1995-96) Netherlands NA% Netherlands Antilles NA% New Caledonia NA% New Zealand NA% Nicaragua 50% (2001 est.) Niger 63% (1993 est.) Nigeria 60% (2000 est.) Niue NA% Norfolk Island NA% Northern Mariana Islands NA% Norway NA% Oman NA% Pakistan 35% (2001 est.) Palau NA% Panama 37% (1999 est.) Papua New Guinea 37% (2002 est.) Paraguay 36% (2001 est.) Peru 50% (2000 est.) Philippines 40% (2001 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA% Poland 18.4% (2000 est.) Portugal NA% Puerto Rico NA% Qatar NA% Reunion NA% Romania 44.5% (2000) Russia 25% (37622 est.) Rwanda 60% (2001 est.) Saint Helena NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis NA% Saint Lucia NA% Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA% Samoa NA% San Marino NA% Sao Tome and Principe NA% Saudi Arabia NA% Senegal 54% (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 30% Seychelles NA% Sierra Leone 68% (1989 est.) Singapore NA% Slovakia NA% Slovenia NA% Solomon Islands NA% Somalia NA% South Africa 50% (2000 est.) Spain NA% Sri Lanka 22% (1997 est.) Sudan NA% Suriname 70% (2002 est.) Svalbard NA% Swaziland 40% (1995) Sweden NA% Switzerland NA% Syria 15%-25% Taiwan 1% (2000 est.) Tajikistan 60% (2001 est.) Tanzania 36% (2002 est.) Thailand 12.5% (1998 est.) Togo 32% (1989 est.) Tokelau NA% Tonga NA% Trinidad and Tobago 21% (1992 est.) Tunisia 6% (2000 est.) Turkey NA% Turkmenistan 34.4% (2001 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA% Tuvalu NA% Uganda 35% (2001 est.) Ukraine 29% (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates NA% United Kingdom 17% United States 12.7% (2001 est.) Uruguay 6% (1997) Uzbekistan NA% Vanuatu NA% Venezuela 47% (1998 est.) Vietnam 37% (1998 est.) Virgin Islands NA% Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank 60% (2002 est.) Western Sahara NA% Yemen NA Zambia 86% (1993) Zimbabwe 70% (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2047 Household income or consumption by percentage share (%) Afghanistan lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Albania lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Algeria lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) American Samoa lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Andorra lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Angola lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Anguilla lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Antigua and Barbuda lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Argentina lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Armenia lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 46.2% (1999) Aruba lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Australia lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994) Austria lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 22.5% (1995) Azerbaijan lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (1995) Bahamas, The lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bahrain lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bangladesh lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 28.6% (1995-96 est.) Barbados lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Belarus lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 20% (1998) Belgium lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996) Belize lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Benin lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bermuda lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bhutan lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bolivia lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 32% (1999) Bosnia and Herzegovina lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Botswana lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Brazil lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 48% (1998) British Virgin Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Brunei lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bulgaria lowest 10%: 4.5% highest 10%: 22.8% (1997) Burkina Faso lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 46.8% (1994) Burma lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) Burundi lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 32.9% (1998) Cambodia lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 33.8% (1997) Cameroon lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 36.6% (1996) Canada lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 23.8% (1994) Cape Verde lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Cayman Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Central African Republic lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (1993) Chad lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Chile lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 45.6% (1998) China lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.4% (1998) Christmas Island lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Colombia lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 44% (1999) Comoros lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Congo, Democratic Republic of the lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Congo, Republic of the lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Cook Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Costa Rica lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 34.6% (2001) Cote d'Ivoire lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.8% (1995) Croatia lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 23.3% (1998) Cuba lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Cyprus lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Czech Republic lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.4% (1996) Denmark lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.) Djibouti lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Dominica lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Dominican Republic lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 37.9% (1998) East Timor lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Ecuador lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 33.8% (1995) Egypt lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 25% (1995) El Salvador lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 39.3% (2001) Equatorial Guinea lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Eritrea lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Estonia lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1998) Ethiopia lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 33.7% (1995) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Faroe Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Fiji lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Finland lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991) France lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1995) French Guiana lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% French Polynesia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Gabon lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Gambia, The lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Gaza Strip lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Georgia lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 27.9% (1996) Germany lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.1% (1997) Ghana lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.1% (1999) Gibraltar lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Greece lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 25.3% (1993 est.) Greenland lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Grenada lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Guadeloupe lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Guam lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Guatemala lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 46% (1998) Guernsey lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Guinea lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 32% (1994) Guinea-Bissau lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 42.4% (1991) Guyana lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Haiti lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Holy See (Vatican City) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Honduras lowest 10%: 0.6% highest 10%: 42.7% (1998) Hong Kong lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Hungary lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 20.5% (1998) Iceland lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% India lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 33.5% (1997) Indonesia lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.7% (1999) Iran lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Iraq lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Ireland lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 27.3% (1997) Israel lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 28.3% (1997) Italy lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 26.6% (2000) Jamaica lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.3% (2000) Japan lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993) Jersey lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Jordan lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1997) Kazakhstan lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.3% (2001) Kenya lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 37.2% (2000) Kiribati lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Korea, North lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Korea, South lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.8% (1998 est.) Kuwait lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Kyrgyzstan lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 27.7% (1999) Laos lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 30.6% (1997) Latvia lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.9% (1998) Lebanon lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Lesotho lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 43.4% Liberia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Libya lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Liechtenstein lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Lithuania lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (1996) Luxembourg lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Macau lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Madagascar lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 29% (1999) Malawi lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Malaysia lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 38.4% (1997 est.) Maldives lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mali lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 40.4% (1994) Malta lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Man, Isle of lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Marshall Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Martinique lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mauritania lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 30.2% (2000) Mauritius lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mayotte lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mexico lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.1% (2001) Micronesia, Federated States of lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Moldova lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.7% (1997) Monaco lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mongolia lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.5% (1995) Montserrat lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Morocco lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.9% (1998-99) Mozambique lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 31.7% (1997) Namibia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Nauru lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Nepal lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 29.8% (1995-96) Netherlands lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1994) Netherlands Antilles lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% New Caledonia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% New Zealand lowest 10%: 0.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1991 est.) Nicaragua lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 48.8% (1998) Niger lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 35.4% (1995) Nigeria lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 40.8% (1996-97) Niue lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Norfolk Island lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Northern Mariana Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Norway lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.8% (1995) Oman lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Pakistan lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 27.6% (1996-97) Palau lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Panama lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 35.7% (1997) Papua New Guinea lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996) Paraguay lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.8% (1998) Peru lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 35.4% (1996) Philippines lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 39.3% (1998) Pitcairn Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Poland lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 24.7% (1998) Portugal lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.) Puerto Rico lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Qatar lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Reunion lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Romania lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 25% (1998) Russia lowest 10%: 5.9% highest 10%: 47% (2001) Rwanda lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 24.2% (1985) Saint Helena lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saint Lucia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saint Pierre and Miquelon lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Samoa lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% San Marino lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Sao Tome and Principe lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saudi Arabia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Senegal lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.5% (1995) Serbia and Montenegro lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Seychelles lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Sierra Leone lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.6% (1989) Singapore lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Slovakia lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 18.2% (1992) Slovenia lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23% (1998) Solomon Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Somalia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% South Africa lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 45.9% (1994) Spain lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.2% (1990) Sri Lanka lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 28% (1995) Sudan lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Suriname lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Svalbard lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Swaziland lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 50.2% (1995) Sweden lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.1% (1992) Switzerland lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 25.2% (1992) Syria lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Taiwan lowest 10%: 6.4% highest 10%: 41.1% (2002 est.) Tajikistan lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 25.2% (1998) Tanzania lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 30.1% (1993) Thailand lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) Togo lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Tokelau lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Tonga lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Trinidad and Tobago lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Tunisia lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.8% (1995) Turkey lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 32.3% (1994) Turkmenistan lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 31.7% (1998) Turks and Caicos Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Tuvalu lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Uganda lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 21% (2000) Ukraine lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 23.2% (1999) United Arab Emirates lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% United Kingdom lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 27.7% (1995) United States lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 30.5% (1997) Uruguay lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1997) Uzbekistan lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 32.8% (1998) Vanuatu lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Venezuela lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 36.5% (1998) Vietnam lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 29.9% (1998) Virgin Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Wallis and Futuna lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% West Bank lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Western Sahara lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% World lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Yemen lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 25.9% (1998) Zambia lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 41% (1998) Zimbabwe lowest 10%: 1.97% highest 10%: 40.42% (1995) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2048 Labor force - by occupation (%) Afghanistan agriculture 80%, industry 10%, services 10% (1990 est.) Albania agriculture 50%, industry and services 50% Algeria government 29%, agriculture 25%, construction and public works 15%, industry 11%, other 20% (1996 est.) American Samoa government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990) Andorra agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (2000 est.) Angola agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.) Anguilla commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4% (2000 est,) Antigua and Barbuda commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983) Argentina agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Armenia agriculture 45%, services 30%, industry 25% (2002 est.) Aruba most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining Australia services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.) Austria services 67%, industry and crafts 29%, agriculture and forestry 4% (2001 est.) Azerbaijan agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52% (2001) Bahamas, The tourism 50%, other services 40%, industry 5%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.) Bahrain industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.) Bangladesh agriculture 63%, services 26%, industry 11% (FY 95/96) Barbados services 75%, industry 15%, agriculture 10% (1996 est.) Belarus industry and construction NA%, agriculture and forestry NA%, services NA% Belgium services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) Belize agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.) Bermuda clerical 22%, services 20%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, agriculture and fishing 3% (2000 est.) Bhutan agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% Bolivia agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Bosnia and Herzegovina agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Botswana NA Brazil services 53%, agriculture 23%, industry 24% British Virgin Islands agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Brunei government 48%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10% (1999 est.) Bulgaria agriculture 26%, industry 31%, services 43% (1998 est.) Burkina Faso agriculture 90% (2000 est.) Burma agriculture 70%, industry 7%, services 23% (2001 est.) Burundi NA Cambodia agriculture 80% (2001 est.) Cameroon agriculture 70%, industry and commerce 13%, other 17% Canada services 74%, manufacturing 15%, construction 5%, agriculture 3%, other 3% (2000) Cayman Islands agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services 86% (1995) Chad agriculture more than 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) Chile agriculture 14%, industry 27%, services 59% (1997 est.) China agriculture 50%, industry 22%, services 28% (2001 est.) Christmas Island tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995) Cocos (Keeling) Islands the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others Colombia services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990) Comoros agriculture 80% Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA Cook Islands agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% note: shortage of skilled labor (1995) Costa Rica agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.) Croatia agriculture 13.2% NA, industry 25.4% NA, services 46.4% NA (2002) Cuba agriculture 24%, industry 25%, services 51% (1999) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (2000); Turkish Cypriot area: services 56.4%, industry 22.8%, agriculture 20.8% (1998) Czech Republic agriculture 5%, industry 35%, services 60% (2001 est.) Denmark services 79%, industry 17%, agriculture 4% (2002 est.) Djibouti NA% Dominica agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% Dominican Republic services and government 58.7%, industry 24.3%, agriculture 17% (1998 est.) East Timor NA Ecuador agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.) Egypt agriculture 29%, industry 22%, services 49% (2000 est.) El Salvador agriculture 30%, industry 15%, services 55% (1999 est.) Eritrea agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% Estonia industry 20%, agriculture 11%, services 69% (1999 est.) Ethiopia agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) Faroe Islands fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34% Fiji agriculture, including subsistence agriculture 70% (2001 est.) Finland public services 32%, industry 22%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, agriculture and forestry 8%, transport and communications 8%, construction 6% France services 71%, industry 25%, agriculture 4% (1997) French Guiana services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980) French Polynesia agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1997) Gabon agriculture 60%, services 25%, industry 15% Gambia, The agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6% Gaza Strip services 66%, industry 21%, agriculture 13% (1996) Georgia industry 20%, agriculture 40%, services 40% (1999 est.) Germany industry 33.4%, agriculture 2.8%, services 63.8% (1999) Ghana agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% (1999 est.) Gibraltar services 60%, industry 40%, agriculture NEGL% Greece industry 20%, agriculture 20%, services 59% (2000 est.) Grenada services 62%, agriculture 24%, industry 14% (1999 est.) Guadeloupe NA Guam federal and territorial government 26%, private 74% (trade 24%, other services 40%, industry 10%) (2000 est.) Guatemala agriculture 50%, industry 15%, services 35% (1999 est.) Guinea agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.) Guinea-Bissau agriculture 82% (2000 est.) Guyana agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Haiti agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9% Holy See (Vatican City) essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican Honduras agriculture 34%, industry 21%, services 45% (2001 est.) Hong Kong wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 31%, financing, insurance, and real estate 13%, community and social services 12%, manufacturing 6%, transport and communications 6%, construction 5%, other 25% (2002 est.) Hungary services 65%, industry 27%, agriculture 8% (1996) Iceland agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999) India agriculture 60%, services 23%, industry 17% (1999) Indonesia agriculture 45%, industry 16%, services 39% (1999 est.) Iran agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.) Iraq agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Ireland agriculture 8%, industry 29%, services 64% (2002 est.) Israel public services 31.2%, manufacturing 20.2%, finance and business 13.1%, commerce 12.8%, construction 7.5%, personal and other services 6.4%, transport, storage, and communications 6.2%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.6% (1996) Italy services 63%, industry 32%, agriculture 5% (2001) Jamaica services 60%, agriculture 21%, industry 19% (1998) Japan services 70%, industry 25%, agriculture 5% (2002 est.) Jordan services 82.5%, industry 12.5%, agriculture 5% (2001 est.) Kazakhstan industry 30%, agriculture 20%, services 50% (2002 est.) Kenya agriculture 75% 75%-80% Korea, North agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64% Korea, South services 69%, industry 21.5%, agriculture 9.5% (2001) Kuwait agriculture NA, industries NA, services NA Kyrgyzstan agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.) Laos agriculture 80% (1997 est.) Latvia agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.) Lebanon services NA%, industry NA%, agriculture NA% Lesotho 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa Liberia agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (2000 est.) Libya services 54%, industry 29%, agriculture 17% (1997 est.) Liechtenstein industry 47.4%, services 51.3%, agriculture 1.3% (37256 est.) Lithuania industry 30%, agriculture 20%, services 50% (1997 est.) Luxembourg services 90.1%, industry 8%, agriculture 1.9% (1999 est.) Macau restaurants and hotels 12%, manufacturing 20%, other services and agriculture 68% (2002 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Malawi agriculture 86% (1997 est.) Malaysia local trade and tourism 28%, manufacturing 27%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 16%, services 10%, government 10%, construction 9% (2000 est.) Maldives agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995) Mali agriculture and fishing 80% (2001 est.) Malta industry 24%, services 71%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.) Man, Isle of agriculture, forestry and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%, public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%, entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10% Marshall Islands agriculture 21.4%, industry 20.9%, services 57.7% Martinique agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1997) Mauritania agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.) Mauritius construction and industry 36%, services 24%, agriculture and fishing 14%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%, transportation and communication 7%, finance 3% (1995) Mexico agriculture 20%, industry 24%, services 56% (1998) Micronesia, Federated States of two-thirds are government employees Moldova agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998) Mongolia primarily herding/agricultural Montserrat agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Morocco agriculture 50%, services 35%, industry 15% (1999 est.) Mozambique agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.) Namibia agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.) Nauru employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation Nepal agriculture 81%, services 16%, industry 3% Netherlands services 73%, industry 23%, agriculture 4% (1998 est.) Netherlands Antilles agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (2000 est.) New Caledonia agriculture 7%, industry 23%, services 70% (1999 est.) New Zealand services 65%, industry 25%, agriculture 10% (1995) Nicaragua services 43%, agriculture 42%, industry 15% (1999 est.) Niger agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4% Nigeria agriculture 70%, industry 10%, services 20% (1999 est.) Niue most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board Norfolk Island tourism NA%, subsistence agriculture NA% Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway services 74%, industry 22%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4% (1995) Oman agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Pakistan agriculture 44%, industry 17%, services 39% (1999 est.) Palau agriculture 20%, industry NA%, services NA% (1990) Panama agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.) Papua New Guinea agriculture 85%, industry NA%, services NA% Paraguay agriculture 45% Peru agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services Philippines agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing Poland industry 22.1%, agriculture 27.5%, services 50.4% (1999) Portugal services 60%, industry 30%, agriculture 10% (1999 est.) Puerto Rico agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.) Reunion agriculture 13%, industry 12%, services 75% (2000) Romania agriculture 40%, industry 25%, services 35% (1998) Russia agriculture 12.3%, industry 22.7%, services 65% (2002 est.) Rwanda agriculture 90% Saint Helena agriculture and fishing 6%, industry (mainly construction) 48%, services 46% (1987 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia agriculture 21.7%, services 53.6%, industry, commerce, and manufacturing 24.7% (2002 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon fishing 18%, industry (mainly fish-processing) 41%, services 41% (1996 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines agriculture 26%, industry 17%, services 57% (1980 est.) Samoa NA San Marino services 57%, industry 42%, agriculture 1% (2000 est.) Sao Tome and Principe population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing note: shortages of skilled workers Saudi Arabia agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.) Senegal agriculture 70% Serbia and Montenegro agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Seychelles industry 19%, services 71%, agriculture 10% (1989) Sierra Leone agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Singapore financial, business, and other services 35%, manufacturing 21%, construction 13%, transportation and communication 9%, other 22% Slovakia industry 29.3%, agriculture 8.9%, construction 8%, transport and communication 8.2%, services 45.6% (1994) Slovenia agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Solomon Islands agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000 est.) Somalia agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and services 29% South Africa agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.) Spain services 64%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 29%, agriculture 7% (2001 est.) Sri Lanka services 45%, agriculture 38%, industry 17% (1998 est.) Sudan agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 7%, government 13% (1998 est.) Suriname agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Swaziland NA Sweden agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.) Switzerland services 69.1%, industry 26.3%, agriculture 4.6% (1998) Syria agriculture, industry, services NA (2002) Taiwan services 58%, industry 35%, agriculture 7% (2001 est.) Tajikistan agriculture 67.2%, industry 7.5%, services 25.3% (2000 est.) Tanzania agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2002 est.) Thailand agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services 31% (1996 est.) Togo agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.) Tonga agriculture 65% (1997 est.) Trinidad and Tobago construction and utilities 12.4%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 9.5%, services 64.1% (1997 est.) Tunisia services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.) Turkey agriculture 39.7%, services 37.9%, industry 22.4% (3rd quarter, 2001) Turkmenistan agriculture 48%, industry 15%, services 37% (1998 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services Tuvalu people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors) Uganda agriculture 82%, industry 5%, services 13% (1999 est.) Ukraine industry 32%, agriculture 24%, services 44% (1996) United Arab Emirates services 78%, industry 15%, agriculture 7% (2000 est.) United Kingdom agriculture 1%, industry 25%, services 74% (1999) United States managerial and professional 31%, technical, sales and administrative support 28.9%, services 13.6%, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and crafts 24.1%, farming, forestry, and fishing 2.4% note: figures exclude the unemployed (2001) Uruguay agriculture 14%, industry 16%, services 70% Uzbekistan agriculture 44%, industry 20%, services 36% (1995) Vanuatu agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (2000 est.) Venezuela services 64%, industry 23%, agriculture 13% (1997 est.) Vietnam agriculture 63%, industry and services 37% (2000 est.) Virgin Islands agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.) Wallis and Futuna agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (2001 est.) West Bank services 66%, industry 21%, agriculture 13% (1996) Western Sahara animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% World agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% Yemen most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force Zambia agriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9% Zimbabwe agriculture 66%, services 24%, industry 10% (1996) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2049 Exports - commodities Afghanistan opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems Albania textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco Algeria petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97% American Samoa canned tuna 93% Andorra tobacco products, furniture Angola crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton Anguilla lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum Antigua and Barbuda petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8% Argentina edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles Armenia diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy Aruba live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment Australia coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Austria machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel; textiles, foodstuffs Azerbaijan oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs Bahamas, The fish and crawfish; rum, salt, chemicals; fruit and vegetables Bahrain petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles Bangladesh garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood (2001) Barbados sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components Belarus machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals; textiles, foodstuffs Belgium machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Belize sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood Benin cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa Bermuda reexports of pharmaceuticals Bhutan electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices Bolivia soybeans, natural gas, zinc, gold, wood (2000) Bosnia and Herzegovina metals, clothing, wood products Botswana diamonds 90%, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles Brazil transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos British Virgin Islands rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand Brunei crude oil, natural gas, refined products Bulgaria clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels Burkina Faso cotton, livestock, gold Burma gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice Burundi coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides Cambodia timber, garments, rubber, rice, fish Cameroon crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton Canada motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum Cape Verde fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides Cayman Islands turtle products, manufactured consumer goods Central African Republic diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco Chad cotton, cattle, gum arabic Chile copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicals China machinery and equipment; textiles and clothing, footwear, toys and sporting goods; mineral fuels Christmas Island phosphate Cocos (Keeling) Islands copra Colombia petroleum, coffee, coal, apparel, bananas, cut flowers Comoros vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra Congo, Democratic Republic of the diamonds, copper, crude oil, coffee, cobalt Congo, Republic of the petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds Cook Islands copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Costa Rica coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment Cote d'Ivoire cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish Croatia transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels Cuba sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing and cigarettes; Turkish Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, textiles Czech Republic machinery and transport equipment 44%, intermediate manufactures 25%, chemicals 7%, raw materials and fuel 7% (2000) Denmark machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, chemicals, furniture, ships, windmills Djibouti reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit) Dominica bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges Dominican Republic ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats, consumer goods East Timor coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - the potential for oil and vanilla exports Ecuador petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fish Egypt crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals El Salvador offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricity Equatorial Guinea petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa Eritrea livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures (2000) Estonia machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles 14%, food products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products (2001) Ethiopia coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) wool, hides, meat Faroe Islands fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) Fiji sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil Finland machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp (1999) France machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages French Guiana shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing French Polynesia cultured pearls 50%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1997) Gabon crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001) Gambia, The peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports Gaza Strip citrus, flowers Georgia scrap metal, machinery, chemicals; fuel reexports; citrus fruits, tea, wine Germany machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles Ghana gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds Gibraltar (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% Greece food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles Greenland fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%) Grenada bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace Guadeloupe bananas, sugar, rum Guam mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products; construction materials, fish, food and beverage products Guatemala coffee, sugar, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom, meat, apparel, petroleum, electricity Guernsey tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables Guinea bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Guinea-Bissau cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber Guyana sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber Haiti manufactures, coffee, oils, cocoa Honduras coffee, bananas, shrimp, lobster, meat; zinc, lumber (2000) Hong Kong electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones Hungary machinery and equipment 57.6%, other manufactures 31.0%, food products 7.5%, raw materials 1.9%, fuels and electricity 1.9% (2001) Iceland fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon India textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures Indonesia oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber Iran petroleum 85%, carpets, fruits and nuts, iron and steel, chemicals Iraq crude oil Ireland machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products (1999) Israel machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel Italy engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; minerals and nonferrous metals Jamaica alumina, bauxite; sugar, bananas, rum Japan motor vehicles, semiconductors, office machinery, chemicals Jersey light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles Jordan phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products, manufactures, pharmaceuticals Kazakhstan oil and oil products 58%, ferrous metals 24%, chemicals 5%, machinery 3%, grain, wool, meat, coal (2001) Kenya tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement Kiribati copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish Korea, North minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments); textiles and fishery products Korea, South electronic products, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, steel, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fish Kuwait oil and refined products, fertilizers Kyrgyzstan cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes Laos wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin Latvia wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Lebanon foodstuffs and tobacco, textiles, chemicals, precious stones, metal products, electrical products, jewelry, paper products Lesotho manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (2000) Liberia rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee Libya crude oil, refined petroleum products (1999) Liechtenstein small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products Lithuania mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery and equipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%, foodstuffs 5% (2001) Luxembourg machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass Macau clothing, textiles, footwear, cement, machines, and parts Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of food, beverages, tobacco; miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel Madagascar coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products Malawi tobacco 60%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel Malaysia electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals (2000) Maldives fish, clothing Mali cotton, gold, livestock Malta machinery and transport equipment, manufactures Man, Isle of tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb Marshall Islands copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish Martinique refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples (2001 est.) Mauritania iron ore, fish and fish products, gold Mauritius clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses Mayotte ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts, coffee, cinnamon Mexico manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton Micronesia, Federated States of fish, garments, bananas, black pepper Moldova foodstuffs, textiles, machinery Mongolia copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals Montserrat electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle Morocco clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits, vegetables Mozambique aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity Namibia diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins Nauru phosphates Nepal carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain Netherlands machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs Netherlands Antilles petroleum products New Caledonia ferronickels, nickel ore, fish New Zealand dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery Nicaragua coffee, shrimp and lobster, cotton, tobacco, bananas, beef, sugar, gold Niger uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions Nigeria petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber Niue canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts Norfolk Island postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados Northern Mariana Islands garments Norway petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish Oman petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles Pakistan textiles (garments, cotton cloth, and yarn), rice, leather, sports goods, and carpets and rugs Palau shellfish, tuna, copra, garments Panama bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999) Papua New Guinea oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns Paraguay soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity Peru fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton Philippines electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, coconut products, chemicals Pitcairn Islands fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps Poland machinery and transport equipment 30.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 25.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 20.9%, food and live animals 8.5% (1999) Portugal clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper products, hides Puerto Rico chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment Qatar petroleum products, fertilizers, steel Reunion sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%, lobster 3%, (1993) Romania textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels Russia petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures Rwanda coffee, tea, hides, tin ore Saint Helena fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts Saint Kitts and Nevis machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco Saint Lucia bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil Saint Pierre and Miquelon fish and fish products, soybeans, animal feed, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink pelts Saint Vincent and the Grenadines bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquets Samoa fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments, beer San Marino building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics Sao Tome and Principe cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil Saudi Arabia petroleum and petroleum products 90% Senegal fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cotton Serbia and Montenegro manufactured goods, food and live animals, raw materials Seychelles canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports) Sierra Leone diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish (1999) Singapore machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, chemicals, mineral fuels Slovakia machinery and transport equipment 39.4%, intermediate manufactured goods 27.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 13%, chemicals 8% (1999) Slovenia manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Solomon Islands timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa Somalia livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal South Africa gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment (1998 est.) Spain machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, other consumer goods Sri Lanka textiles and apparel, tea, diamonds, coconut products, petroleum products Sudan oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar Suriname alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas Swaziland soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit Sweden machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals Switzerland machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products Syria crude oil 70%, petroleum products 7%, fruits and vegetables 5%, cotton fiber 4%, clothing 3%, meat and live animals 2% (2000 est.) Taiwan machinery and electrical equipment 54%, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicals (2002) Tajikistan aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles Tanzania gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton Thailand computers, transistors, seafood, clothing, rice (2000) Togo reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa Tokelau stamps, copra, handicrafts Tonga squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops Trinidad and Tobago petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers Tunisia textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural products, hydrocarbons Turkey apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment Turkmenistan gas 57%, oil 26%, cotton fiber 3%, textiles 2% (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells Tuvalu copra, fish Uganda coffee, fish and fish products, tea; gold, cotton, flowers, horticultural products Ukraine ferrous and nonferrous metals, fuel and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, food products United Arab Emirates crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates United Kingdom manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco United States capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products Uruguay meat, rice, leather products, wool, vehicles, dairy products Uzbekistan cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles (1998 est.) Vanuatu copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee Venezuela petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures Vietnam crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes Virgin Islands refined petroleum products Wallis and Futuna copra, chemicals, construction materials West Bank olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone Western Sahara phosphates 62% World the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services Yemen crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish Zambia copper 55%, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers, cotton Zimbabwe tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2050 Exports - partners (%) Afghanistan Pakistan 26.8%, India 26.5%, Finland 5.8%, Germany 5.1%, UAE 4.4%, Belgium 4.3%, Russia 4.2%, US 4.2% (2002) Albania Italy 76.6%, Germany 5.6%, Greece 2.7% (2002) Algeria Italy 18.9%, Spain 13.1%, France 13%, US 12.1%, Netherlands 6%, Brazil 5.9%, Canada 5.7%, Turkey 5.3%, Belgium 5.1% (2002) American Samoa Indonesia 71.1%, Japan 7.7%, Samoa 7.7%, Australia 6.7% (2002) Andorra Spain 58%, France 34% (2000) Angola US 41.2%, China 13.7%, France 8%, Belgium 6.3%, Taiwan 6.3%, Japan 4.9%, Spain 4.3% (2002) Anguilla UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000) Antigua and Barbuda France 68.5%, Germany 26.4%, Italy 1.2% (2002) Argentina Brazil 23.6%, US 10.9%, Chile 9.7%, Spain 4.3% (2002) Armenia Belgium 21.5%, Russia 14.6%, Israel 10.3%, Iran 9.4%, US 8.2%, Switzerland 6.8%, Germany 6.2% (2002) Aruba Netherlands 28.6%, Colombia 21.7%, Panama 16.8%, US 12.1%, Netherlands Antilles 8.3%, Venezuela 7.6% (2002) Australia Japan 18.5%, US 9.6%, South Korea 8.3%, China 6.9%, New Zealand 6.5%, UK 4.7%, Singapore 4.1%, Taiwan 4% (2002) Austria Germany 31.5%, Italy 9.3%, Switzerland 5.4%, US 4.9%, UK 4.9%, France 4.7%, Hungary 4.3% (2002) Azerbaijan Italy 28.7%, Germany 17.7%, Israel 10.6%, France 8.4%, Georgia 6.7%, Russia 4.7% (2002) Bahamas, The US 39.1%, Germany 15.4%, Spain 10.8%, France 7.4%, Poland 4.6%, Switzerland 4.3% (2002) Bahrain US 4.5%, India 3.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.1% (2002) Bangladesh US 27.6%, Germany 10.4%, UK 9.8%, France 5.7%, Italy 4% (2002) Barbados US 14.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, UK 10.6%, Jamaica 6.2%, Saint Lucia 4.7% (2002) Belarus Russia 50.8%, Latvia 7.3%, Ukraine 6.3%, Lithuania 4.1%, Germany 4.1% (2002) Belgium Germany 18.6%, France 16.3%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 9.6%, US 7.9%, Italy 5.4% (2002) Belize US 40.5%, UK 23.2%, Peru 8.3% (2002) Benin India 25%, Italy 11.1%, Indonesia 7.4%, China 7.2%, Thailand 6.7%, Brazil 6.1%, UK 4.4%, Niger 4% (2002) Bermuda France 77.4%, UK 2.8%, US 2.4% (2002) Bhutan US 24.1%, UK 23.9%, Pakistan 23.1%, France 13.9% (2002) Bolivia Brazil 24.3%, Switzerland 15.7%, US 14.1%, Venezuela 12.8%, Colombia 10.2%, Peru 5.4% (2002) Bosnia and Herzegovina Italy 31.6%, Croatia 18%, Germany 12.9%, Austria 10.1%, Slovenia 6.9%, Greece 4.3% (2002) Botswana European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000) Brazil US 23.8%, Argentina 8.5%, Germany 5%, China 4.3%, Netherlands 4.2% (2002) British Virgin Islands Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Brunei Japan 40.3%, South Korea 12.3%, Thailand 12.1%, Australia 9.2%, US 8.1%, China 6.4%, Singapore 5.7% (2002) Bulgaria Italy 15.5%, Germany 9.6%, Turkey 9.4%, Greece 9.2%, France 5.3%, US 4.8% (2002) Burkina Faso Singapore 14.7%, Italy 11.3%, Colombia 8.6%, France 7.7%, India 6.9%, Ghana 6%, Japan 4.4%, Thailand 4.3% (2002) Burma Thailand 31.4%, US 13%, India 7.4%, China 4.7% (2002) Burundi Switzerland 28.8%, Germany 20.2%, Belgium 9.4%, Kenya 7.8%, Rwanda 6.5%, Netherlands 4.6% (2002) Cambodia US 60.2%, Germany 9.1%, UK 7.1%, Singapore 4.4% (2002) Cameroon Italy 16.7%, Spain 16%, France 12.8%, US 8.3%, Netherlands 8.2%, Taiwan 7.7%, China 5.2%, UK 4.4% (2002) Canada US 87.7%, Japan 2%, UK 1.1% (2002) Cape Verde Portugal 38.5%, UK 26.4%, France 23.1%, US 8.2% (2002) Cayman Islands mostly US Central African Republic Belgium 66.8%, Spain 6.4%, Kazakhstan 4% (2002) Chad Portugal 28.3%, Germany 13.6%, US 7.8%, Czech Republic 6.5%, France 5.8%, Nigeria 5.8%, Poland 5.5%, Spain 5.2%, Morocco 4.5% (2002) Chile US 19.1%, Japan 10.5%, China 6.7%, Mexico 5%, Italy 4.7%, UK 4.4% (2002) China US 21.5%, Hong Kong 18%, Japan 14.9%, South Korea 4.8% (2002) Christmas Island Australia, NZ Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australia (1999) Colombia US 44.8%, Venezuela 9.4%, Ecuador 6.8% (2002) Comoros France 32.4%, Germany 19.4%, US 17.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Netherlands 6.5% (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Belgium 64.4%, US 13.4%, Zimbabwe 6.7%, Finland 4.9% (2002) Congo, Republic of the Taiwan 28.1%, South Korea 20.4%, China 9.3%, US 8.4%, Germany 6.6%, France 5.2% (2002) Cook Islands Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000) Costa Rica US 31.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, UK 4.5% (2002) Cote d'Ivoire France 14.5%, Netherlands 12.9%, US 7.6%, Germany 5.4%, Mali 4.6%, Belgium 4.4%, Spain 4.3% (2002) Croatia Italy 22.4%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 14.4%, Germany 12.5%, Slovenia 8%, Austria 7.3% (2002) Cuba Netherlands 19.1%, Russia 18.1%, Canada 14.3%, Spain 9.5%, China 7.3% (2002) Cyprus UK 28.2%, Greece 7%, UAE 5.3%, France 5.2% (2002) Czech Republic Germany 40.2%, Slovakia 7.1%, Austria 5.8%, UK 5.1%, Poland 5%, France 4% (2002) Denmark Germany 17.1%, Sweden 11.6%, UK 7.8%, US 6.8%, France 5.8%, Norway 5.7%, Japan 4.4% (2002) Djibouti Somalia 56.7%, Yemen 24.4%, Pakistan 4.8%, Ethiopia 4.4%, UAE 4.1% (2002) Dominica UK 36.1%, Jamaica 18%, US 7.5%, Antigua and Barbuda 6.4%, Guyana 5.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.4% (2002) Dominican Republic US 85%, Canada 1.6%, UK 1.6% (2002) East Timor NA Ecuador US 39%, Colombia 5.6%, South Korea 5.1%, Germany 5%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Egypt US 18.3%, Italy 13.7%, UK 8.4% (2002) El Salvador US 63.3%, Guatemala 12%, Honduras 6.8%, Nicaragua 4.5% (2002) Equatorial Guinea US 28.3%, Spain 25.3%, China 17.4%, Canada 10.6%, France 4.9% (2002) Eritrea Italy 36.9%, Germany 16.7%, France 10.3%, US 5.4%, Netherlands 5.2% (2002) Estonia Finland 19.2%, Sweden 13.2%, UK 10.6%, Latvia 7.4%, Germany 7.2% (2002) Ethiopia UK 16.2%, Djibouti 10.9%, Germany 7.6%, Italy 7.2%, Japan 6.7%, Saudi Arabia 6.5%, US 4.4% (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Spain 76.2%, UK 9.2%, US 7.1% (2002) Faroe Islands Denmark 39.9%, UK 32.1%, Norway 7.4%, Netherlands 6.1% (2002) Fiji US 25.1%, Australia 19.5%, UK 10.6%, Japan 6.3%, Samoa 5.5% (2002) Finland Germany 11.8%, UK 9.6%, US 9%, Sweden 8.5%, Russia 6.6%, Netherlands 4.6%, France 4.5% (2002) France Germany 15%, UK 9.8%, Spain 9%, Italy 9%, US 7.8%, Belgium 6.9% (2002) French Guiana France 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (2001) French Polynesia France 37.4%, Japan 35.5%, US 17.5% (2002) Gabon US 46.5%, France 11.6%, China 6.5%, Netherlands Antilles 5.8% (2002) Gambia, The France 21.9%, UK 19.1%, Malaysia 11.8%, Italy 11.1%, Germany 7.3%, Belgium 6.3%, South Africa 4.2% (2002) Gaza Strip Israel, Egypt, West Bank Georgia Turkey 23%, Italy 12.1%, Russia 11.4%, Greece 8.5%, Netherlands 7.5%, Spain 5.9%, Turkmenistan 4.7%, Ukraine 4.3% (2002) Germany France 10.7%, US 10.3%, UK 8.4%, Italy 7.3%, Netherlands 6.1%, Austria 5.1%, Belgium 4.8%, Spain 4.6%, Switzerland 4.2% (2002) Ghana Netherlands 14.8%, UK 9.9%, US 7%, Germany 6.6%, France 5.8%, Nigeria 4.8%, Belgium 4.4%, Italy 4.2% (2002) Gibraltar UK 27.7%, Switzerland 14.3%, Germany 12%, France 6.9%, Spain 6.1%, Turkmenistan 5%, Ukraine 4.6% (2002) Greece Germany 10.4%, Italy 8.5%, UK 6.3%, Bulgaria 5.4%, US 5.3%, Cyprus 4.7% (2002) Greenland Denmark 60.3%, Japan 15.5%, US 6%, Thailand 5%, Germany 4% (2002) Grenada Germany 14%, US 13.6%, Bangladesh 9.7%, Netherlands 8.6%, Saint Lucia 6.4%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.3%, France 4.1% (2002) Guadeloupe France 60%, Martinique 18%, US 4% (1999) Guam Japan 81.7%, South Korea 6.1%, Canada 2.4% (2002) Guatemala US 58.7%, El Salvador 9.3%, Nicaragua 3.1% (2002) Guernsey UK (regarded as internal trade) Guinea South Korea 17.8%, Spain 10.1%, Cameroon 9.7%, Belgium 9.6%, US 9.2%, Ireland 8.6%, France 7.1%, Russia 6.8%, Germany 5% (2002) Guinea-Bissau India 51.5%, Uruguay 19.5%, Thailand 19.4% (2002) Guyana Canada 21.1%, US 17.9%, Netherlands Antilles 12.9%, UK 10.4%, Jamaica 5.3%, Portugal 4.2% (2002) Haiti US 83.9%, Dominican Republic 6.6%, Canada 2.4% (2002) Honduras US 69.5%, El Salvador 3%, Guatemala 2% (2002) Hong Kong China 34%, US 19.5%, UK 5.5%, Japan 4.8% (2002) Hungary Germany 34.3%, Austria 8.5%, Italy 5.5%, France 5.4%, US 4.9%, UK 4.5% (2002) Iceland Germany 18.5%, UK 17.5%, Netherlands 11.4%, US 10.9%, Spain 5.2%, Denmark 4.6%, Portugal 4.3%, Norway 4.2% (2002) India US 22.5%, UK 5.1%, UAE 5.1%, Hong Kong 4.5%, Germany 4.3%, China 4.1% (2002) Indonesia Japan 21.1%, US 13.2%, Singapore 9.4%, South Korea 7.2%, China 5.1%, Taiwan 4.2% (2002) Iran Japan 17.4%, China 8.6%, UAE 7.6%, Italy 6.6%, South Korea 4.9%, South Africa 4.4% (2002) Iraq US 40.9%, Canada 8.2%, France 8.2%, Jordan 7.5%, Netherlands 6.4%, Italy 5.4%, Morocco 4.7%, Spain 4.4% (2002) Ireland UK 23.3%, US 16.7%, Belgium 14.6%, Germany 7.3%, France 5% (2002) Israel US 39.2%, Belgium 6.5%, Germany 4.4%, UK 4.2% (2002) Italy Germany 13.7%, France 12.2%, US 9.8%, UK 6.9%, Spain 6.4% (2002) Jamaica US 28.1%, Canada 12.2%, Norway 10.7%, UK 10.5%, Germany 7%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002) Japan US 28.8%, China 9.6%, South Korea 6.9%, Taiwan 6.2%, Hong Kong 6.1% (2002) Jersey UK Jordan Iraq 20.1%, US 14.5%, India 8.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Israel 4.4% (2002) Kazakhstan Russia 16.2%, Bermuda 12.1%, China 11.3%, Germany 8.8%, Italy 5.5%, Ukraine 4.9%, France 4% (2002) Kenya Uganda 18.3%, UK 12.9%, US 8%, Netherlands 7.6%, Pakistan 4.9%, Tanzania 4.4%, Egypt 4.1% (2002) Kiribati Japan 56.7%, Thailand 16.6%, South Korea 16.3% (2002) Korea, North China 23.5%, Japan 19.9%, Costa Rica 12.4%, Brazil 6.5% (2002) Korea, South US 20.4%, China 14.7%, Japan 9.4%, Hong Kong 6.3% (2002) Kuwait Japan 24.4%, South Korea 12.9%, US 11.9%, Singapore 10.1%, Taiwan 7%, Netherlands 4.5%, Pakistan 4.4% (2002) Kyrgyzstan Switzerland 19.9%, Russia 16.5%, UAE 14.2%, China 8.5%, Kazakhstan 7.6%, US 7.4%, Uzbekistan 5.7% (2002) Laos Vietnam 25.7%, Thailand 19%, France 7.5%, Germany 5.3% (2002) Latvia UK 21.6%, Sweden 13.1%, Germany 12.5%, US 6.4%, Lithuania 5.9%, Russia 4.6%, Estonia 4.2%, Denmark 4% (2002) Lebanon Switzerland 10.8%, Saudi Arabia 9%, UAE 8.6%, US 6.7%, Jordan 4.6%, Turkey 4.3% (2002) Lesotho US 97.5%, Canada 0.9%, France 0.6% (2002) Liberia Germany 54.8%, Poland 8.9%, France 8.5%, China 4.9%, Italy 4.5%, US 4.2% (2002) Libya Italy 42.6%, Germany 14.1%, Spain 13.6%, Turkey 6.9%, Switzerland 4.4% (2002) Liechtenstein EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7% Lithuania Latvia 12.8%, Germany 12%, UK 7.6%, Poland 6.3%, US 5.9%, France 5.8%, Russia 5.7%, Sweden 5%, Denmark 4.3% (2002) Luxembourg Germany 23.9%, France 20.1%, Belgium 10.5%, UK 8.7%, Italy 6.1%, Spain 4.5%, Netherlands 4.4% (2002) Macau US 48.6%, China 15.5%, Germany 7.4%, Hong Kong 5.8%, UK 5.4% (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Germany 19.2%, Italy 9.2%, US 6.7%, Croatia 5.5%, Greece 4.6% (2002) Madagascar France 34%, US 24.6%, Netherlands 6%, Germany 5.9%, Mauritius 4% (2002) Malawi US 17.3%, Germany 13.6%, South Africa 10.2%, Egypt 6.2%, Japan 6%, Netherlands 5.5%, Russia 4.8%, UK 4.3% (2002) Malaysia US 21%, Singapore 17.4%, Japan 10.9%, China 6.5%, Hong Kong 5%, Thailand 4% (2002) Maldives US 51.7%, Sri Lanka 16.2%, Thailand 9.3%, Japan 7.6%, UK 4.6% (2002) Mali Thailand 13.9%, Italy 9.8%, India 7.7%, Brazil 5.5%, Germany 5%, Spain 4.9%, Portugal 4.3%, Taiwan 4.3% (2002) Malta Singapore 17.3%, US 11.4%, UK 9.4%, Germany 9%, France 7.2%, China 6.5%, Italy 6% (2002) Man, Isle of UK (2000 est.) Marshall Islands US, Japan, Australia, China (2000) Martinique France 45%, Guadeloupe 28% (2000) Mauritania Italy 14.3%, France 14%, Spain 11.7%, Germany 10.9%, Belgium 9.9%, Japan 7.1% (2002) Mauritius UK 27.7%, France 25.5%, US 16.4%, Madagascar 6.2%, Belgium 5% (2002) Mayotte France 80%, Comoros 15%, Reunion (2000) Mexico US 82.7%, Canada 5.4%, Japan 1.1% (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of Japan, US, Guam (2000) Moldova Russia 35%, Italy 11.7%, Germany 8.8%, Ukraine 8.5%, Romania 5.7%, US 5.2%, Belarus 4.5%, Spain 4.1% (2002) Mongolia China 43.8%, US 33.6%, Russia 9.6% (2002) Montserrat US, Antigua and Barbuda Morocco France 26.5%, Spain 14.3%, UK 7.9%, Germany 5.8%, Italy 5.6%, US 4.8% (2002) Mozambique Belgium 24.3%, South Africa 9.1%, Germany 6.2% (2002) Namibia EU 79%, US 4% (2001) Nauru India 46.1%, South Korea 18.3%, Australia 10.6%, New Zealand 7.8%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002) Nepal India 47.5%, US 27.6%, Germany 7.5% (2002) Netherlands Germany 25.1%, Belgium 12.7%, UK 10.7%, France 10.2%, Italy 6%, US 4.6% (2002) Netherlands Antilles US 20.9%, Guatemala 12%, Venezuela 10.5%, Guyana 6.6%, Singapore 4.4%, Cuba 4% (2002) New Caledonia Japan 20.6%, France 20.4%, Taiwan 16.3%, South Africa 11.3%, Spain 7.7%, South Korea 5.4%, Australia 5.4%, Italy 5.3% (2002) New Zealand Australia 20.3%, US 15.5%, Japan 11.5%, UK 4.8%, China 4.6%, South Korea 4.4% (2002) Nicaragua US 59.4%, El Salvador 7.5%, Honduras 4.8% (2002) Niger France 39%, Nigeria 33.2%, Japan 17.1% (2002) Nigeria US 32.3%, Brazil 8.3%, Spain 7.2%, Indonesia 5.9%, France 5.6%, India 4.6% (2002) Niue NZ mainly, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia (2000) Norfolk Island Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe Northern Mariana Islands US (2000) Norway UK 18.1%, Germany 13.8%, France 11%, US 9.2%, Netherlands 8.2%, Sweden 8% (2002) Oman Japan 20.5%, South Korea 18.5%, China 14.1%, Thailand 11.7%, UAE 9.2%, Singapore 4.3%, US 4.1% (2002) Pakistan US 24.5%, UAE 8.5%, UK 7.2%, Germany 4.9%, Hong Kong 4.8% (2002) Palau US, Japan, Singapore (2000) Panama US 47.8%, Sweden 5.8%, Costa Rica 4.8%, Honduras 4.4% (2002) Papua New Guinea Australia 23.7%, Japan 9.3%, China 5.3% (2002) Paraguay Brazil 25.1%, Argentina 23%, Chile 5.5%, Bermuda 4% (2002) Peru US 28.1%, China 10.5%, UK 7%, Switzerland 6.1%, Japan 5.6% (2002) Philippines US 26.2%, Japan 14.9%, China 7.4%, Taiwan 5.8%, Singapore 5.7%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Malaysia 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.6%, South Korea 4.3% (2002) Pitcairn Islands NA (2000) Poland Germany 33%, Italy 5.7%, France 5%, UK 4.8%, Czech Republic 4.3% (2002) Portugal Spain 20.3%, Germany 18.4%, France 12.6%, UK 10.5%, US 5.8%, Italy 4.8%, Belgium 4.5% (2002) Puerto Rico US 88.2%, UK 1.5%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2001) Qatar Japan 40.1%, South Korea 16.6%, Singapore 8.2%, US 4.1% (2002) Reunion France 74%, Japan 6%, Comoros 4% (2000) Romania Italy 24.4%, Germany 15.5%, France 7.7%, UK 5.4%, US 5%, Turkey 4.4% (2002) Russia Germany 7.5%, Italy 6.9%, Netherlands 6.7%, China 6.3%, US 6.1%, Ukraine 5.5%, Belarus 5.4%, Switzerland 5% (2002) Rwanda Indonesia 30.8%, Germany 14.6%, Hong Kong 9%, South Africa 5.5% (2002) Saint Helena US 23.7%, Japan 20.5%, Netherlands 16%, Tanzania 15.4%, Spain 6.4%, UK 5.1%, Indonesia 4.5% (2002) Saint Kitts and Nevis US 66.5%, UK 7.6%, Canada 6.8%, Portugal 6% (2002) Saint Lucia UK 48.6%, US 27.8%, Barbados 7.6% (2002) Saint Pierre and Miquelon US 33.3%, Zambia 30.3%, Ecuador 16.2%, France 5.1%, Canada 4%, Spain 4% (2002) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines France 25.2%, Greece 19.1%, Spain 16.4%, UK 9.5%, US 7.1% (2002) Samoa Australia 66.1%, US 10%, Japan 3.7% (2002) Sao Tome and Principe Netherlands 30.1%, Poland 11.8%, Canada 9.7%, Germany 7.5%, Philippines 7.5%, Spain 7.5%, Belgium 6.5%, France 4.3%, Portugal 4.3% (2002) Saudi Arabia US 18.6%, Japan 15.6%, South Korea 10.1%, Singapore 5.1%, China 4.6% (2002) Senegal India 20.7%, France 13%, Mali 8.9%, Greece 7.7%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Serbia and Montenegro Italy 32%, Germany 19.5%, Greece 7%, Austria 6.1%, France 4.6% (2002) Seychelles UK 28.6%, France 20%, Italy 8.7%, US 8.4%, Spain 6.7%, Japan 6.7%, Netherlands 6.6%, Thailand 6.4% (2002) Sierra Leone Belgium 41.9%, Germany 28.1%, UK 3.6% (2002) Singapore Malaysia 17.4%, US 15.3%, Hong Kong 9.2%, Japan 7.1%, China 5.5%, Taiwan 4.9%, Thailand 4.6%, South Korea 4.2% (2002) Slovakia Germany 30.1%, Czech Republic 16.4%, Austria 10.7%, Italy 7.2%, Poland 5.7%, Hungary 4.6% (2002) Slovenia Germany 23.9%, Italy 12.7%, Austria 9.5%, Croatia 8%, France 7.4%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.4% (2002) Solomon Islands Japan 21.2%, China 18.8%, South Korea 16.3%, Philippines 8.9%, Thailand 7.6%, Singapore 4.1% (2002) Somalia UAE 45.6%, Yemen 24.3%, Oman 9.5% (2002) South Africa UK 12.8%, US 12.7%, Germany 9%, Japan 8.8%, Italy 5.8% (2002) Spain France 19%, Germany 11.4%, UK 9.6%, Portugal 9.5%, Italy 9.3%, US 4.6% (2002) Sri Lanka US 39.1%, UK 12.9%, Belgium 4.7%, Germany 4.5% (2002) Sudan China 55.7%, Japan 14%, Saudi Arabia 4.9% (2002) Suriname US 25.3%, Norway 20.4%, France 8.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.4%, Iceland 6%, Canada 5.9%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002) Swaziland South Africa 72%, EU 14.2%, Mozambique 3.7%, US 3.5%, UK (1999) Sweden US 11.6%, Germany 10.1%, Norway 9%, UK 8.2%, Denmark 5.9%, Finland 5.6%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 5.1%, Belgium 4.7% (2002) Switzerland Germany 19.2%, US 10.2%, Italy 9.6%, France 8.9%, UK 7.7% (2002) Syria Germany 19.1%, Italy 17.5%, Turkey 7.8%, France 7.5%, Lebanon 5.2% (2002) Taiwan Hong Kong 23.9%, US 20.8%, Japan 9.3%, China 7.7% (2002) Tajikistan Netherlands 29.4%, Turkey 16.1%, Russia 11.9%, Uzbekistan 9.9%, Switzerland 9.3%, Hungary 5.4%, Latvia 4.2% (2002) Tanzania India 15.2%, Japan 12.4%, Netherlands 9.2%, UK 6.8%, Belgium 6.5%, Kenya 5.9%, Germany 4.8% (2002) Thailand US 19.6%, Japan 14.5%, Singapore 8.1%, Hong Kong 5.4%, China 5.2%, Malaysia 4.1% (2002) Togo Ghana 17.7%, Benin 13.3%, Burkina Faso 8.2%, Philippines 4.9%, Niger 4.1% (2002) Tokelau NZ (2000) Tonga Japan 43.2%, US 41.2%, Greece 4% (2002) Trinidad and Tobago US 56.9%, Jamaica 7.3%, France 4.4% (2002) Tunisia France 31.3%, Italy 21.6%, Germany 11.5%, Spain 4.8%, Libya 4.7%, Belgium 4.3% (2002) Turkey Germany 16.6%, US 9.2%, UK 8.5%, Italy 6.4%, France 6% (2002) Turkmenistan Ukraine 49.7%, Italy 18%, Iran 13.1%, Turkey 6.2% (2002) Turks and Caicos Islands US, UK Tuvalu UK 58.3%, Italy 16.7%, Denmark 8.3%, Fiji 8.3% (2002) Uganda Belgium 16.2%, Netherlands 13.7%, Germany 7.5%, Spain 5.5%, Hong Kong 4.9%, US 4.6%, UK 4.3%, Italy 4.1%, Portugal 4.1% (2002) Ukraine Russia 18.6%, Italy 7.4%, Turkey 5.6%, Germany 4.1%, China 4.1% (2002) United Arab Emirates Japan 27.8%, South Korea 10.1%, Singapore 3.8% (2002) United Kingdom US 15.5%, Germany 11.2%, France 9.4%, Ireland 8%, Netherlands 7.1%, Belgium 5.2%, Italy 4.4%, Spain 4.3% (2002) United States Canada 23.2%, Mexico 14.1%, Japan 7.4%, UK 4.8% (2002) Uruguay Brazil 21%, Argentina 15%, US 8.1%, Germany 5.1%, Italy 4% (2002) Uzbekistan Russia 17.7%, Ukraine 11%, Italy 7.6%, Tajikistan 6.8%, Poland 5.1%, South Korea 5%, Kazakhstan 4.5%, US 4.2% (2002) Vanuatu India 32.5%, Thailand 22.8%, South Korea 10.5%, Indonesia 6.3%, Japan 4.9% (2002) Venezuela US 53.4%, Netherlands Antilles 17.3%, Canada 2.9% (2002) Vietnam US 15.2%, Japan 14.9%, Australia 7.6%, China 6.6%, Germany 6.5%, Singapore 5.5%, UK 4.3% (2002) Virgin Islands US, Puerto Rico Wallis and Futuna Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13% West Bank Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000) Western Sahara Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts World US 17.4%, Germany 7.6%, UK 5.4%, France 5.1%, Japan 4.8%, China 4% (2002) Yemen India 21.1%, Thailand 16.9%, South Korea 11.2%, China 11.1%, Malaysia 7.7%, US 6.7%, Singapore 4% (2002) Zambia Malawi 10.3%, Thailand 9.2%, Japan 9.1%, Saint Pierre and Miquelon 9.1%, Taiwan 8.5%, South Africa 7.8%, Egypt 6.4%, China 6.3%, Netherlands 5.5%, Tanzania 4.5% (2002) Zimbabwe China 6%, South Africa 5.7%, Germany 5.4%, UK 4.8%, Japan 4.7%, Netherlands 4.4%, US 4.1% (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2051 Administrative divisions Afghanistan 32 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, and Zabol Albania 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores Algeria 48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen American Samoa none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western Andorra 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria Angola 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip Argentina 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica Armenia 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan Aruba none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Australia 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Austria 9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien Azerbaijan 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu Bahamas, The 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay Bahrain 12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah note: all municipalities administered from Manama Bangladesh 5 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi; note - there may be one additional division named Sylhet Barbados 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status Belarus 6 voblastsi (singular - voblasts') and one municipality* (harady, singular - horad); Brestskaya (Brest), Homyel'skaya (Homyel'), Horad Minsk*, Hrodzyenskaya (Hrodna), Mahilyowskaya (Mahilyow), Minskaya, Vitsyebskaya (Vitsyebsk); note - when using a place name with the adjectival ending 'skaya,' the word voblasts' should be added to the place name note: voblasti have the administrative center name following in parentheses Belgium 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen Belize 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Benin 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou Bermuda 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick Bhutan 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse Bolivia 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Bosnia and Herzegovina there are two first-order administrative divisions and one internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district remains under international supervision Botswana 9 districts and four town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northwest, Northeast, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern Brazil 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong Bulgaria 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol Burkina Faso 45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Nahouri, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo Burma 7 divisions* (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne); Chin State, Ayeyarwady*, Bago*, Kachin State, Kayin State, Kayah State, Magway*, Mandalay*, Mon State, Rakhine State, Sagaing*, Shan State, Tanintharyi*, Yangon* Burundi 16 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi Cambodia 20 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural); Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb*, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pailin*, Phnum Penh*, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu*, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev Cameroon 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest Canada 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* Cape Verde 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal Cayman Islands 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western Central African Republic 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga Chad 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile note: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrative structure of 28 departments (departments, singular - department), and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El Gazal, Bahr Koh, Batha Oriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera, Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam, N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile Oriental, Tandjile Occidental, Tibesti Chile 13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica China 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**, Chongqing**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang; note - China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau Christmas Island none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia) Colombia 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Distrito Capital de Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada Comoros 3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou Congo, Democratic Republic of the 10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and one city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu Congo, Republic of the 9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha Cook Islands none Costa Rica 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Cote d'Ivoire 58 departments (departements, singular - departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adiake, Adzope, Agboville, Agnibilekrou, Alepe, Bocanda, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Dabou, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Bassam, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Jacqueville, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tiebissou, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toulepleu, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula Croatia 20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska Zupanija, Brodsko-Posavska Zupanija, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska Zupanija, Istarska Zupanija, Karlovacka Zupanija, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka Zupanija, Krapinsko-Zagorska Zupanija, Licko-Senjska Zupanija, Medimurska Zupanija, Osjecko-Baranjska Zupanija, Pozesko-Slavonska Zupanija, Primorsko-Goranska Zupanija, Sibensko-Kninska Zupanija, Sisacko-Moslavacka Zupanija, Splitsko-Dalmatinska Zupanija, Varazdinska Zupanija, Viroviticko-Podravska Zupanija, Vukovarsko-Srijemska Zupanija, Zadarska Zupanija, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka Zupanija Cuba 14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara Cyprus 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca Czech Republic 13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky Kraj, Jihomoravsky Kraj, Karlovarsky Kraj, Kralovehradecky Kraj, Liberecky Kraj, Moravskoslezsky Kraj, Olomoucky Kraj, Pardubicky Kraj, Plzensky Kraj, Praha*, Stredocesky Kraj, Ustecky Kraj, Vysocina, Zlinsky Kraj Denmark metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 2 boroughs* (amtskommuner, singular - amtskomunes); Arhus, Bornholm, Fredericksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavns*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde, Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg note: see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and are self-governing overseas administrative divisions Djibouti 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura Dominica 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Dominican Republic 29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde East Timor 13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera, Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque Ecuador 22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe Egypt 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj El Salvador 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan Equatorial Guinea 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Eritrea 6 regions (regions, singular - region); Central, Anelba, Southern Red Sea, Northern Red Sea, Southern, Gash-Barka Estonia 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses Ethiopia 9 ethnically-based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular - astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples), Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali), Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 49 municipalities Fiji 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western Finland 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani France 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes note: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon) French Guiana none (overseas department of France) French Polynesia none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia French Southern and Antarctic Lands none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Gabon 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Gambia, The 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western Georgia 9 regions, (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 9 cities* (k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics** (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Bat'umi), Chiat'ura*, Gori*, Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, K'ut'aisi*, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, P'ot'i*, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Rust'avi*, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli, T'bilisi*, Tqibuli*, Tsqaltubo*, Zugdidi* note: the administrative centers of the 2 autonomous republics are shown in parentheses Germany 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen Ghana 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK) Greece 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos)and 1 autonomous region*; Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Achaia, Aitolia kai Akarmania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos Greenland 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland) note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland Grenada 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick Guadeloupe none (overseas department of France) Guam none (territory of the US) Guatemala 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa Guernsey none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson, Vale, Castel, Saint Saviour, Saint Pierre du Bois, Torteval, Forest, Saint Martin, Saint Andrew Guinea 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou Guinea-Bissau 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have been renamed Bolama/Bijagos Guyana 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Haiti 9 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro Hong Kong none (special administrative region of China) Hungary 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20 urban counties* (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city** (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*, Eger*, Fejer, Gyor*, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely*, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc*, Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*, Pecs*, Pest, Somogy, Sopron*, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*, Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*, Szombathely*, Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala, Zalaegerszeg* Iceland 23 counties (syslur, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla note: there may be four other counties India 28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal Indonesia 27 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Riau, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Yogyakarta*; note - with the implementation of decentralization on 1 January 2001, the 357 districts (regencies) have become the key administrative units responsible for providing most government services note: following the 30 August 1999 provincial referendum for independence that was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur and the October 1999 concurrence of Indonesia's national legislature, the name East Timor was adopted as the provisional name for the political entity formerly known as Propinsi Timor Timur; East Timor gained its formal independence on 20 May 2002 Iran 28 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohkiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan Iraq 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit Ireland 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow note: Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of Ulster Province Israel 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv Italy 20 regions (regioni, singular - regione); Abruzzi, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, Veneto Jamaica 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland Japan 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Jersey none (British crown dependency) Jordan 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba Kazakhstan 14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities* (qala, singular - qalasy); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy*, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); in 1995 the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Baykonyr, formerly Leninsk) Kenya 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western Kiribati 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina) Korea, North 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special cities* (si, singular and plural); Chagang-do (Chagang Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (Kaesong City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Najin Sonbong-si*, Namp'o-si* (Namp'o City), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (Pyongyang City), Yanggang-do (Yanggang Province) Korea, South 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities* (gwangyoksi, singular and plural); Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo, Inch'on-gwangyoksi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-gwangyoksi*, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-gwangyoksi*, Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-gwangyoksi*, Taejon-gwangyoksi*, Ulsan-gwangyoksi* Kuwait 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli Kyrgyzstan 7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Laos 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang Latvia 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons Lebanon 6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beyrouth, Beqaa, Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye Lesotho 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Liberia 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gparbolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe Libya 25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions Liechtenstein 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz Lithuania 10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus Luxembourg 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Macau none (special administrative region of China) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 123 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aracinovo, Bac, Belcista, Berovo, Bistrica, Bitola, Blatec, Bogdanci, Bogomila, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Cair (Skopje), Capari, Caska, Cegrane, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Delcevo, Delogozdi, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo, Dolna Banjica, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Skopje), Drugovo, Dzepciste, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Izvor, Jegunovce, Kamenjane, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Klecevce, Kocani, Konce, Kondovo, Konopiste, Kosel, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kuklis, Kukurecani, Kumanovo, Labunista, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Lukovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovi Anovi, Meseista, Miravci, Mogila, Murtino, Negotino, Negotino-Polosko, Novaci, Novo Selo, Oblesevo, Ohrid, Orasac, Orizari, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Podares, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Rostusa, Samokov, Saraj, Sipkovica, Sopiste, Sopotnica, Srbinovo, Star Dojran, Staravina, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Topolcani, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Velesta, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vitoliste, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Vratnica, Vrutok, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zeleno, Zitose, Zletovo, Zrnovci note: the seven municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute "greater Skopje" Madagascar 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Malawi 27 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Malaysia 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 3 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Putrajaya*, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan* note: the city of Kuala Lumpur is within the federal territory of Wilayah Persekutuan; the terms therefore are not interchangeable; Maldives 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu Mali 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou Malta none (administered directly from Valletta); note - Local Councils carry out administrative orders Man, Isle of there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections Marshall Islands 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje Martinique none (overseas department of France) Mauritania 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza Mauritius 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne Mayotte none (territorial collectivity of France) Mexico 31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacatecas Micronesia, Federated States of 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap Moldova 9 counties (judetele, singular - judetul), 1 municipality* (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit** (unitate teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit*** (unitate teritoriala); Balti, Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Edinet, Gagauzia**, Lapusna, Orhei, Soroca, Stinga Nistrului***, Tighina, Ungheni Monaco none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo Mongolia 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govi-Sumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs Montserrat 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter Morocco 37 provinces and 2 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit; three additional provinces of Ad Dakhla (Oued Eddahab), Boujdour, and Es Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara note: as part of a 1997 decentralization/regionalization law passed by the legislature 16 new regions (provided below) were created although full details and scope of the reorganization are limited : Casablanca, Chaouia-Ourdigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulmane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tangier-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate Mozambique 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Maputo City*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia Namibia 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa Nauru 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Nepal 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Netherlands 12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland Netherlands Antilles none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: each island has its own government New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sud New Zealand 16 regions; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, West Coast Nicaragua 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonomista); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas Niger 7 departments (departements, singular - departement) and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder Nigeria 36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Federal Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara Niue none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia) Northern Mariana Islands none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order; Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian Norway 19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Oman 6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, but this has not been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) Pakistan 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas Palau 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral Panama 9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas Papua New Guinea 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain Paraguay 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro Peru 24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali note: some reports indicate that the 24 departments and 1 constitutional province are now being referred to as regions; Peru is implementing a decentralization program whereby these 25 administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmental authority over their territories; in November 2002, voters chose their new regional presidents and other regional leaders; the authority that the regional government will exercise has not yet been clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions over the course of several years Philippines 73 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City*, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland 16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie, Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie, Zachodniopomorskie Portugal 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu Puerto Rico none (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco Qatar 10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal Reunion none (overseas department of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons Romania 41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea Russia 49 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics* (respublik, singular - respublika), 10 autonomous okrugs**(avtonomnykh okrugov, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 6 krays*** (krayev, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (singular - gorod)****, and 1 autonomous oblast*****(avtonomnaya oblast'); Adygeya (Maykop)*, Aginskiy Buryatskiy (Aginskoye)**, Altay (Gorno-Altaysk)*, Altayskiy (Barnaul)***, Amurskaya (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'skaya, Astrakhanskaya, Bashkortostan (Ufa)*, Belgorodskaya, Bryanskaya, Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude)*, Chechnya (Groznyy)*, Chelyabinskaya, Chitinskaya, Chukotskiy (Anadyr')**, Chuvashiya (Cheboksary)*, Dagestan (Makhachkala)*, Evenkiyskiy (Tura)**, Ingushetiya (Nazran')*, Irkutskaya, Ivanovskaya, Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik)*, Kaliningradskaya, Kalmykiya (Elista)*, Kaluzhskaya, Kamchatskaya (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk)*, Kareliya (Petrozavodsk)*, Kemerovskaya, Khabarovskiy***, Khakasiya (Abakan)*, Khanty-Mansiyskiy (Khanty-Mansiysk)**, Kirovskaya, Komi (Syktyvkar)*, Koryakskiy (Palana)**, Kostromskaya, Krasnodarskiy***, Krasnoyarskiy***, Kurganskaya, Kurskaya, Leningradskaya, Lipetskaya, Magadanskaya, Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola)*, Mordoviya (Saransk)*, Moskovskaya, Moskva (Moscow)****, Murmanskaya, Nenetskiy (Nar'yan-Mar)**, Nizhegorodskaya, Novgorodskaya, Novosibirskaya, Omskaya, Orenburgskaya, Orlovskaya (Orel), Penzenskaya, Permskaya, Komi-Permyatskiy (Kudymkar)**, Primorskiy (Vladivostok)***, Pskovskaya, Rostovskaya, Ryazanskaya, Sakha (Yakutiya)*, Sakhalinskaya (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samarskaya, Sankt-Peterburg (Saint Petersburg)****, Saratovskaya, Severnaya Osetiya-Alaniya [North Ossetia] (Vladikavkaz)*, Smolenskaya, Stavropol'skiy***, Sverdlovskaya (Yekaterinburg), Tambovskaya, Tatarstan (Kazan')*, Taymyrskiy (Dudinka)**, Tomskaya, Tul'skaya, Tverskaya, Tyumenskaya, Tyva (Kyzyl)*, Udmurtiya (Izhevsk)*, Ul'yanovskaya, Ust'-Ordynskiy Buryatskiy (Ust'-Ordynskiy)**, Vladimirskaya, Volgogradskaya, Vologodskaya, Voronezhskaya, Yamalo-Nenetskiy (Salekhard)**, Yaroslavskaya, Yevreyskaya*****; note - when using a place name with an adjectival ending 'skaya' or 'skiy,' the word Oblast' or Avonomnyy Okrug or Kray should be added to the place name note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Rwanda 12 prefectures (in French - prefectures, singular - prefecture; in Kinyarwanda - plural - NA, singular - prefegitura); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali Rurale, Kigali-ville, Umutara, Ruhengeri Saint Helena 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha* Saint Kitts and Nevis 14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point Saint Lucia 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial collectivity of France); note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are two communes - Saint Pierre, Miquelon at the second order Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Samoa 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano San Marino 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle Sao Tome and Principe 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995 Saudi Arabia 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk Senegal 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor note: there may be another region called Matam Serbia and Montenegro 2 republics (republike, singular - republika); and 2 nominally autonomous provinces* (autonomn pokrajine, singular - autonomna pokrajina); Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina* Seychelles 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka Sierra Leone 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western* Singapore none Slovakia 8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky Slovenia 182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina ) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse, Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zuzemberk, Zrece note: there may be 45 more municipalities Solomon Islands 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul (Lauru), Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell/Bellona, Temotu, Western Somalia 18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed South Africa 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape, Western Cape Spain 19 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Ceuta, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Communidad Valencian, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country) note: three small Spanish possessions are located off the coast of Morocco: Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera; Ceuta and Melilla gained limited autonomous status in 1994 Sri Lanka 8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western; note - North Eastern province may have been divided in two - Northern and Eastern Sudan 26 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A'ali an Nil, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrat, Al Jazirah, Al Khartum, Al Qadarif, Al Wahdah, An Nil al Abyad, An Nil al Azraq, Ash Shamaliyah, Bahr al Jabal, Gharb al Istiwa'iyah, Gharb Bahr al Ghazal, Gharb Darfur, Gharb Kurdufan, Janub Darfur, Janub Kurdufan, Junqali, Kassala, Nahr an Nil, Shamal Bahr al Ghazal, Shamal Darfur, Shamal Kurdufan, Sharq al Istiwa'iyah, Sinnar, Warab Suriname 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Swaziland 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni Sweden 21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands Switzerland 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich Syria 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus Taiwan the central administrative divisions include the provinces of Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu) and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); Taiwan is further subdivided into 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua, Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**, T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un note: Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization Tajikistan 2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor); Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni Badakhshon* (Khorugh), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa), Viloyati Sughd (Khujand) note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses Tanzania 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West Thailand 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon Togo 5 regions (regions, singular - region); De La Kara, Des Plateaux, Des Savanes, Centrale, Maritime Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u Trinidad and Tobago 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria Tunisia 24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan) Turkey 81 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak Turkmenistan 5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat): Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu none Uganda 56 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe Ukraine 24 oblasti (singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika), and 2 municipalities (mista, singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkas'ka (Cherkasy), Chernihivs'ka (Chernihiv), Chernivets'ka (Chernivtsi), Dnipropetrovs'ka (Dnipropetrovs'k), Donets'ka (Donets'k), Ivano-Frankivs'ka (Ivano-Frankivs'k), Kharkivs'ka (Kharkiv), Khersons'ka (Kherson), Khmel'nyts'ka (Khmel'nyts'kyy), Kirovohrads'ka (Kirovohrad), Kyyiv**, Kyyivs'ka (Kiev), Luhans'ka (Luhans'k), L'vivs'ka (L'viv), Mykolayivs'ka (Mykolayiv), Odes'ka (Odesa), Poltavs'ka (Poltava), Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'), Rivnens'ka (Rivne), Sevastopol'**, Sums'ka (Sumy), Ternopil's'ka (Ternopil'), Vinnyts'ka (Vinnytsya), Volyns'ka (Luts'k), Zakarpats'ka (Uzhhorod), Zaporiz'ka (Zaporizhzhya), Zhytomyrs'ka (Zhytomyr); note - when using a place name with an adjectival ending "s'ka" or "z'ka," the word Oblast' should be added to the place name note: oblasts have the administrative center name following in parentheses United Arab Emirates 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn United Kingdom England - 47 boroughs, 36 counties*, 29 London boroughs**, 12 cities and boroughs***, 10 districts****, 12 cities*****, 3 royal boroughs******; Barking and Dagenham**, Barnet**, Barnsley, Bath and North East Somerset****, Bedfordshire*, Bexley**, Birmingham***, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton, Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Bradford***, Brent**, Brighton and Hove, City of Bristol*****, Bromley**, Buckinghamshire*, Bury, Calderdale, Cambridgeshire*, Camden**, Cheshire*, Cornwall*, Coventry***, Croydon**, Cumbria*, Darlington, Derby*****, Derbyshire*, Devon*, Doncaster, Dorset*, Dudley, Durham*, Ealing**, East Riding of Yorkshire****, East Sussex*, Enfield**, Essex*, Gateshead, Gloucestershire*, Greenwich**, Hackney**, Halton, Hammersmith and Fulham**, Hampshire*, Haringey**, Harrow**, Hartlepool, Havering**, Herefordshire*, Hertfordshire*, Hillingdon**, Hounslow**, Isle of Wight*, Islington**, Kensington and Chelsea******, Kent*, City of Kingston upon Hull*****, Kingston upon Thames******, Kirklees, Knowsley, Lambeth**, Lancashire*, Leeds***, Leicester*****, Leicestershire*, Lewisham**, Lincolnshire*, Liverpool***, City of London*****, Luton, Manchester***, Medway, Merton**, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newcastle upon Tyne***, Newham**, Norfolk*, Northamptonshire*, North East Lincolnshire****, North Lincolnshire****, North Somerset****, North Tyneside, Northumberland*, North Yorkshire*, Nottingham*****, Nottinghamshire*, Oldham, Oxfordshire*, Peterborough*****, Plymouth*****, Poole, Portsmouth*****, Reading, Redbridge**, Redcar and Cleveland, Richmond upon Thames**, Rochdale, Rotherham, Rutland****, Salford***, Shropshire*, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield***, Slough, Solihull, Somerset*, Southampton*****, Southend-on-Sea, South Gloucestershire****, South Tyneside, Southwark**, Staffordshire*, St. Helens, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent*****, Suffolk*, Sunderland***, Surrey*, Sutton**, Swindon, Tameside, Telford and Wrekin****, Thurrock, Torbay, Tower Hamlets**, Trafford, Wakefield***, Walsall, Waltham Forest**, Wandsworth**, Warrington, Warwickshire*, West Berkshire****, Westminster***, West Sussex*, Wigan, Wiltshire*, Windsor and Maidenhead******, Wirral, Wokingham****, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire*, York*****; Northern Ireland - 24 districts, 2 cities*, 6 counties**; Antrim, County Antrim**, Ards, Armagh, County Armagh**, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast*, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down, County Down**, Dungannon, Fermanagh, County Fermanagh**, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, County Londonderry**, Derry*, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane, County Tyrone**; Scotland - 32 council areas; Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, The Scottish Borders, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), West Lothian; Wales - 11 county boroughs, 9 counties*, 2 cities and counties**; Isle of Anglesey*, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff**, Ceredigion*, Carmarthenshire*, Conwy, Denbighshire*, Flintshire*, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire*, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire*, Powys*, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea**, Torfaen, The Vale of Glamorgan*, Wrexham United States 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Uruguay 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Uzbekistan 12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qaraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Vanuatu 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba Venezuela 23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 federal district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Vietnam 58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), and 3 municipalities* (thu do, singular and plural); An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Can Tho, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Da Nang, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Hai Duong, Hai Phong*, Ha Nam, Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hoa Binh, Ho Chi Minh*, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai Virgin Islands none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis Western Sahara none (under de facto control of Morocco) World 268 nations, dependent areas, other, and miscellaneous entries Yemen 19 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan, Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, 'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa'dah, San'a', Shabwah, Ta'izz note: there may be one additional governorate of the capital city of Sanaa Zambia 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Zimbabwe 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2052 Agriculture - products Afghanistan opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins Albania wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products Algeria wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle American Samoa bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock Andorra small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep Angola bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish Anguilla small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising Antigua and Barbuda cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock Argentina sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock Armenia fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock Aruba aloes; livestock; fish Australia wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry Austria grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber Azerbaijan cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats Bahamas, The citrus, vegetables; poultry Bahrain fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish Bangladesh rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry Barbados sugarcane, vegetables, cotton Belarus grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk Belgium sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk Belize bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments Benin cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001) Bermuda bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products Bhutan rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Bolivia soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber Bosnia and Herzegovina wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock Botswana livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts Brazil coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef British Virgin Islands fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Brunei rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo Bulgaria vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets Burkina Faso cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock Burma rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products Burundi coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides Cambodia rice, rubber, corn, vegetables Cameroon coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber Canada wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish Cape Verde bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish Cayman Islands vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming Central African Republic cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber Chad cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels Chile wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber China rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Colombia coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp Comoros vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) Congo, Democratic Republic of the coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products Congo, Republic of the cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products Cook Islands copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry Costa Rica coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber Cote d'Ivoire coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber Croatia wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Cuba sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock Cyprus potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables Czech Republic wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry Denmark barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish Djibouti fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels Dominica bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited Dominican Republic sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs East Timor coffee, rice, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla Ecuador bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp Egypt cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats El Salvador coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; shrimp; beef, dairy products Equatorial Guinea coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber Eritrea sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish Estonia potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish Ethiopia cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, qat; hides, cattle, sheep, goats Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products Faroe Islands milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish Fiji sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish Finland barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish France wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish French Guiana corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry French Polynesia coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products, coffee Gabon cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish Gambia, The rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats Gaza Strip olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products Georgia citrus, grapes, tea, hazlenuts, vegetables; livestock Germany potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry Ghana cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber Gibraltar none Greece wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products Greenland forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish Grenada bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables Guadeloupe bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats Guam fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef Guatemala sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens Guernsey tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle Guinea rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber Guinea-Bissau rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish Guyana sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish (shrimp) Haiti coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood Honduras bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp Hong Kong fresh vegetables; poultry, fish, pork Hungary wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products Iceland potatoes, green vegetables, chicken, pork, mutton; fish India rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish Indonesia rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs Iran wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar Iraq wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep Ireland turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products Israel citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products Italy fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish Jamaica sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk Japan rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish Jersey potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products Jordan wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry Kazakhstan grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock Kenya tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs Kiribati copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish Korea, North rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs Korea, South rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish Kuwait practically no crops; fish Kyrgyzstan tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool Laos sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry Latvia grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Lebanon citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats Lesotho corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock Liberia rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber Libya wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle Liechtenstein wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Lithuania grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish Luxembourg barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock products Macau vegetables, livestock Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton Madagascar coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products Malawi tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper; timber Maldives coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish Mali cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats Malta potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs Man, Isle of cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Marshall Islands coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens Martinique pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane Mauritania dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep Mauritius sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish Mayotte vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra Mexico corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products Micronesia, Federated States of black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens Moldova vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk Monaco none Mongolia wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses Montserrat cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products Morocco barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock Mozambique cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry Namibia millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish Nauru coconuts Nepal rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat Netherlands grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock Netherlands Antilles aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit New Caledonia vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products New Zealand wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish Nicaragua coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products Niger cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry Nigeria cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish Niue coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle Norfolk Island Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry Northern Mariana Islands coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle Norway barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish Oman dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish Pakistan cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs Palau coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes Panama bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp Papua New Guinea coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork Paraguay cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber Peru coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish Philippines rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish Pitcairn Islands wide variety of fruits and vegetables, goats, chickens Poland potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork Portugal grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, beef, dairy products Puerto Rico sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens Qatar fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish Reunion sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits, vegetables, corn Romania wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep Russia grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables, fruits; beef, milk Rwanda coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock Saint Helena corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, crawfish (on Tristan da Cunha) Saint Kitts and Nevis sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish Saint Lucia bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa Saint Pierre and Miquelon vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Saint Vincent and the Grenadines bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish Samoa coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa San Marino wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides Sao Tome and Principe cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish Saudi Arabia wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk Senegal peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish Serbia and Montenegro cereals, fruits, vegetables, tobacco, olives; cattle, sheep, goats Seychelles coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish Sierra Leone rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Singapore rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs, fish, ornamental fish Slovakia grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products Slovenia potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry Solomon Islands cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish Somalia cattle, sheep, goats; bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; fish South Africa corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products Spain grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish Sri Lanka rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef Sudan cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock Suriname paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp Swaziland sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep Sweden barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk Switzerland grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs Syria wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk Taiwan rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish Tajikistan cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Tanzania coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Thailand rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans Togo coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish Tokelau coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats Tonga squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish Trinidad and Tobago cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry Tunisia olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds Turkey tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus; livestock Turkmenistan cotton, grain; livestock Turks and Caicos Islands corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish Tuvalu coconuts; fish Uganda coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, cut flowers Ukraine grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk United Arab Emirates dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish United Kingdom cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish United States wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish Uruguay rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish Uzbekistan cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock Vanuatu copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef Venezuela corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Vietnam paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas, sugar; poultry, pigs; fish Virgin Islands fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle Wallis and Futuna breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats West Bank olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products Western Sahara fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads) Yemen grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish Zambia corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides; coffee Zimbabwe corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2053 Airports Afghanistan 47 (2002) Albania 12 (2002) Algeria 136 (2002) American Samoa 3 (2002) Andorra none (2002) Angola 243 (2002) Anguilla 3 (2002) Antarctica 30 note: 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to the Antarctic Treaty, have aircraft landing facilities for either helicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities; helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 are greater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km in length, and 4 are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for landing; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty (2002) Antigua and Barbuda 3 (2002) Argentina 1,342 (2002) Armenia 15 (2002) Aruba 1 (2002) Australia 444 (2002) Austria 55 (2002) Azerbaijan 71 (2002) Bahamas, The 64 (2002) Bahrain 4 (2002) Baker Island 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2002) Bangladesh 18 (2002) Barbados 1 (2002) Belarus 124 (2002) Belgium 42 (2002) Belize 42 (2002) Benin 5 (2002) Bermuda 1 (2002) Bhutan 2 (2002) Bolivia 1,081 (2002) Bosnia and Herzegovina 32 (2002) Botswana 86 (2002) Brazil 3,590 (2002) British Indian Ocean Territory 1 (2002) British Virgin Islands 3 (2002) Brunei 2 (2002) Bulgaria 216 (2002) Burkina Faso 33 (2002) Burma 80 (2002) Burundi 7 (2002) Cambodia 21 (2002) Cameroon 49 (2002) Canada 1,389 (2002) Cape Verde 9 note: 3 airports are reported to be nonoperational (2002) Cayman Islands 3 (2002) Central African Republic 50 (2002) Chad 50 (2002) Chile 363 (2002) China 500 (2002) Christmas Island 1 (2002) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1 (2002) Colombia 1,050 (2002) Comoros 4 (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 229 (2002) Congo, Republic of the 31 (2002) Cook Islands 7 (2002) Costa Rica 151 (2002) Cote d'Ivoire 36 (2002) Croatia 59 (2002) Cuba 161 (2002) Cyprus 16 (2002) Czech Republic 144 (2002) Denmark 104 (2002) Djibouti 13 (2002) Dominica 2 (2002) Dominican Republic 30 (2002) East Timor 8 (2002) Ecuador 205 (2002) Egypt 89 (2002) El Salvador 82 (2002) Equatorial Guinea 3 (2002) Eritrea 18 (2002) Estonia 38 (2002) Ethiopia 83 (2002) Europa Island 1 (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 5 (2002) Faroe Islands 1 (2002) Fiji 27 (2002) Finland 150 (2002) France 477 (2002) French Guiana 11 (2002) French Polynesia 45 (2002) French Southern and Antarctic Lands none (2002) Gabon 57 (2002) Gambia, The 1 (2002) Gaza Strip 2 (2001) note: includes Gaza International Airport (GIA), inaugurated on 24 November 1998 as part of agreements stipulated in the September 1995 Oslo II Accord and the 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum; GIA has been largely closed since October 2000 by Israeli orders and its runway was destroyed by the Israeli Defense Forces in December 2001 (2002) Georgia 40 (2002) Germany 551 (2002) Ghana 12 (2002) Gibraltar 1 (2002) Glorioso Islands 1 (2002) Greece 79 (note - new Athens airport at Spata opened in March 2001) (2002) Greenland 14 (2002) Grenada 3 (2002) Guadeloupe 9 (2002) Guam 5 (2002) Guatemala 466 (2002) Guernsey 2 (2002) Guinea 15 (2002) Guinea-Bissau 28 (2002) Guyana 51 (2002) Haiti 12 (2002) Holy See (Vatican City) none (2002) Honduras 115 (2002) Hong Kong 3 (2002) Howland Island airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable (2002) Hungary 49 (2002) Iceland 86 (2002) India 334 (2002) Indonesia 631 (2002) Iran 309 (2002) Iraq 150 (2002); note - unknown number were damaged during the March-April 2003 war Ireland 36 (2002) Israel 52 (2002) Italy 134 (2002) Jamaica 35 (2002) Jan Mayen 1 (2002) Japan 172 (2002) Jersey 1 (2002) Johnston Atoll 1 (2002) Jordan 17 (2002) Juan de Nova Island 1 (2002) Kazakhstan 488 (2002) Kenya 230 (2002) Kingman Reef lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 (2002) Kiribati 20 (2002) Korea, North 72 (2002) Korea, South 102 (2002) Kuwait 6 (2002) Kyrgyzstan 68 (2002) Laos 51 (2002) Latvia 38 (2002) Lebanon 8 (2002) Lesotho 28 (2002) Liberia 47 (2002) Libya 136 (2002) Liechtenstein none (2002) Lithuania 87 (2002) Luxembourg 2 (2002) Macau 1 (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 18 (2002) Madagascar 121 (2002) Malawi 43 (2002) Malaysia 114 (2002) Maldives 5 (2002) Mali 26 (2002) Malta 1 (2002) Man, Isle of 1 (2002) Marshall Islands 15 (2002) Martinique 2 (2002) Mauritania 26 (2002) Mauritius 5 (2002) Mayotte 1 (2002) Mexico 1,823 (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of 7 (2002) Midway Islands 2 (2002) Moldova 36 (2002) Monaco none; linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service (2002) Mongolia 50 (2002) Montserrat none; only airport was destroyed by volcanic activity; a helicopter service to Antigua is used (2002) Morocco 63 (2002) Mozambique 165 (2002) Namibia 135 (2002) Nauru 1 (2002) Nepal 45 (2002) Netherlands 28 (2002) Netherlands Antilles 5 (2002) New Caledonia 30 (2002) New Zealand 113 (2002) Nicaragua 176 (2002) Niger 27 (2002) Nigeria 70 (2002) Niue 1 (2002) Norfolk Island 1 (2002) Northern Mariana Islands 6 (2002) Norway 102 (2002) Oman 139 (2002) Pakistan 124 (2002) Palau 3 (2002) Palmyra Atoll 1 (2002) Panama 103 (2002) Papua New Guinea 491 (2002) Paracel Islands 1 (2002) Paraguay 879 (2002) Peru 233 (2002) Philippines 257 (2002) Pitcairn Islands none (2002) Poland 150 (2002) Portugal 66 (2002) Puerto Rico 31 (2002) Qatar 4 (2002) Reunion 2 (2002) Romania 65 (2002) Russia 2,743 (2002) Rwanda 9 (2002) Saint Helena 1 (2002) Saint Kitts and Nevis 2 (2002) Saint Lucia 2 (2002) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2 (2002) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 (2002) Samoa 4 (2002) San Marino none (2002) Sao Tome and Principe 2 (2002) Saudi Arabia 209 (2002) Senegal 20 (2002) Serbia and Montenegro 45 (2002) Seychelles 14 (2002) Sierra Leone 10 (2002) Singapore 9 (2002) Slovakia 37 (2002) Slovenia 16 (2002) Solomon Islands 32 (2002) Somalia 60 (2002) South Africa 727 (2002) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands none (2002) Spain 152 (2002) Spratly Islands 3 (2002) Sri Lanka 15 (2002) Sudan 63 (2002) Suriname 46 (2002) Svalbard 4 (2002) Swaziland 18 (2002) Sweden 245 (2002) Switzerland 66 (2002) Syria 92 (2002) Taiwan 39 (2002) Tajikistan 66 (2002) Tanzania 123 (2002) Thailand 111 (2002) Togo 9 (2002) Tokelau none; lagoon landings are possible by amphibious aircraft (2002) Tonga 6 (2002) Trinidad and Tobago 6 (2002) Tromelin Island 1 (2002) Tunisia 30 (2002) Turkey 120 (2002) Turkmenistan 76 (2002) Turks and Caicos Islands 8 (2002) Tuvalu 1 (2002) Uganda 27 (2002) Ukraine 790 (2002) United Arab Emirates 41 (2002) United Kingdom 470 (2002) United States 14,801 (2002) Uruguay 64 (2002) Uzbekistan 273 (2002) Vanuatu 30 (2002) Venezuela 373 (2002) Vietnam 47 (2002) Virgin Islands 2 (2002) Wake Island 1 (2002) Wallis and Futuna 2 (2002) West Bank 3 (2002) Western Sahara 11 (2002) Yemen 44 (2002) Zambia 109 (2002) Zimbabwe 430 (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2054 Birth rate (births/1,000 population) Afghanistan 40.63 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Albania 18.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Algeria 21.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) American Samoa 23.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Andorra 9.65 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Angola 45.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Anguilla 14.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 18.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Argentina 17.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Armenia 12.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Aruba 11.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Australia 12.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Austria 9.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Azerbaijan 19.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bahamas, The 18.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bahrain 19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bangladesh 29.9 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Barbados 13.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belarus 10.18 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belgium 10.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belize 30.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Benin 43.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bermuda 12.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bhutan 34.82 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bolivia 25.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 12.65 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Botswana 25.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Brazil 17.67 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands 15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Brunei 19.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bulgaria 8.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burkina Faso 44.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burma 19.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burundi 39.72 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cambodia 27.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cameroon 35.49 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Canada 10.99 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cape Verde 26.95 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cayman Islands 13.33 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Central African Republic 35.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Chad 47.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Chile 16.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) China 12.96 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Christmas Island NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Colombia 21.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Comoros 38.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 45.12 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 29.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cook Islands NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Costa Rica 19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 40.01 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Croatia 12.76 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cuba 11.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cyprus 12.77 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Czech Republic 9.01 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Denmark 11.52 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Djibouti 40.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Dominica 16.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Dominican Republic 23.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) East Timor 27.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ecuador 24.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Egypt 24.36 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) El Salvador 27.9 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea 36.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Eritrea 39.44 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Estonia 9.24 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ethiopia 39.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA births/1,000 population Faroe Islands 13.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Fiji 23.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Finland 10.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) France 12.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) French Guiana 21.33 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) French Polynesia 17.74 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gabon 36.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gambia, The 40.77 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gaza Strip 41.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Georgia 11.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Germany 8.6 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ghana 25.84 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gibraltar 11.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Greece 9.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Greenland 16.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Grenada 22.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guadeloupe 16.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guam 23.19 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guatemala 35.05 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guernsey 9.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guinea 42.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau 38.41 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guyana 17.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Haiti 34.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Honduras 31.67 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Hong Kong 10.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Hungary 9.32 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iceland 14.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) India 23.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Indonesia 21.49 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iran 17.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iraq 33.66 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ireland 14.63 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Israel 18.67 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Italy 9.18 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jamaica 17.35 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Japan 9.61 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jersey 10.44 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jordan 23.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kazakhstan 18.36 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kenya 28.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kiribati 31.24 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Korea, North 17.61 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Korea, South 12.6 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kuwait 21.83 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan 26.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Laos 36.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Latvia 8.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lebanon 19.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lesotho 27.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Liberia 45.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Libya 27.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Liechtenstein 10.92 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lithuania 10.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Luxembourg 11.92 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Macau 12.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 13.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Madagascar 42.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malawi 44.7 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malaysia 23.7 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Maldives 36.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mali 47.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malta 12.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Man, Isle of 11.38 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Marshall Islands 34.18 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Martinique 14.96 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mauritania 42.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mauritius 16.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mayotte 42.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mexico 21.92 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 26.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Moldova 14.31 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Monaco 9.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mongolia 21.39 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Montserrat 17.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Morocco 23.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mozambique 38.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Namibia 34.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nauru 26.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nepal 32.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Netherlands 11.31 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles 15.76 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) New Caledonia 19.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) New Zealand 14.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nicaragua 26.29 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Niger 49.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nigeria 38.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Niue NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Norfolk Island NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 19.97 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Norway 12.17 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Oman 37.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Pakistan 29.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Palau 19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Panama 20.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea 31.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Paraguay 30.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Peru 22.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Philippines 26.3 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Poland 10.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Portugal 11.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Puerto Rico 15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Qatar 15.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Reunion 20.17 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Romania 10.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Russia 10.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Rwanda 40.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Helena 12.9 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 18.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Lucia 20.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 14.62 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Samoa 15.41 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) San Marino 10.49 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 41.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia 37.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Senegal 36.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 12.74 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Seychelles 16.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sierra Leone 43.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Singapore 12.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Slovakia 10.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Slovenia 9.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Solomon Islands 32.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Somalia 46.42 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) South Africa 18.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Spain 10.08 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sri Lanka 16.12 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sudan 36.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Suriname 19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Svalbard NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Swaziland 29.37 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sweden 9.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Switzerland 9.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Syria 29.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Taiwan 12.74 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tajikistan 32.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tanzania 39.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Thailand 16.37 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Togo 35.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tokelau NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tonga 24.51 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 12.74 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tunisia 16.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turkey 17.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turkmenistan 28.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 23.51 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tuvalu 21.58 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uganda 46.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ukraine 9.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates 18.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) United Kingdom 10.99 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) United States 14.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uruguay 17.19 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uzbekistan 26.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Vanuatu 24.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Venezuela 19.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Vietnam 19.58 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Virgin Islands 15.8 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) West Bank 34.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Western Sahara NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) World 20.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Yemen 43.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Zambia 39.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) Zimbabwe 30.34 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2055 Military branches Afghanistan NA; note - the December 2001 Bonn Agreement called for all militia forces to come under the authority of the central government, but regional leaders have continued to retain their militias and the formation of a nation army will be a gradual process; Afghanistan's forces continue to be factionalized, largely along ethnic lines Albania Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards Algeria People's National Army (ANP), Algerian National Navy (ANN), Air Force, Territorial Air Defense, National Gendarmerie Andorra no regular military forces, but there is a police force Angola Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force Antigua and Barbuda Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (including the Coast Guard) Argentina Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes naval aviation and Marines), Coast Guard, Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force Armenia Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards Aruba no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard Australia Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force Austria Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK) Azerbaijan Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces Bahamas, The Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force Bahrain Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF) comprising Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force, Amiri Guards, National Guard Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties, Armed Police Battalions, National Cadet Corps) Barbados Royal Barbados Defense Force (including Ground Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force Belarus Army, Air Force (including air defense), Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards Belgium Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police Belize Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard) Benin Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie Bermuda no regular indigenous military forces; Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary Bhutan Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Forest Guards Bolivia Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia) Bosnia and Herzegovina VF Army (the air and air defense forces are subordinate commands within the Army), VRS Army (the air and air defense forces are subordinate commands within the Army) Botswana Botswana Defense Force (including Army and Air Wing), Botswana National Police Brazil Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes naval air and marines), Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary) Brunei Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police Bulgaria Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (subordinate to Ministry of Defense), Internal Forces (subordinate to Ministry of Interior), Civil Defense Forces (subordinate to the president) Burkina Faso Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, People's Militia Burma Army, Navy, Air Force Burundi Army (including naval and air units), Gendarmerie Cambodia Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF): Army, Navy, Air Force Cameroon Army, Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard Canada Canadian Armed Forces (comprising Land Forces Command, Maritime Command, Air Command, Communications Command, Training Command) Cape Verde Army, Coast Guard Cayman Islands no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Central African Republic Central African Armed Forces (FACA) (including Republican Guard, Ground Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Force), Presidential Security Guard, Gendarmerie, National Police Chad Armed Forces (including National Army, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Rapid Intervention Force, National and Nomadic Guard (GNNT), Presidential Security Guard, Police Chile Army of the Nation, National Navy (including naval air, coast guard, and marines), Air Force of the Nation, Chilean Carabineros (National Police), Investigations Police China People's Liberation Army (PLA): comprises ground forces, Navy (including naval infantry and naval aviation), Air Force, and II Artillery Corps (strategic missile force), People's Armed Police Force (internal security troops, nominally a state security body but included by the Chinese as part of the "armed forces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA), militia Colombia Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional) Comoros Comoran Security Force Congo, Democratic Republic of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Security Battalion Congo, Republic of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Gendarmerie, National Police Costa Rica no regular indigenous military forces; Air Section, Ministry of Public Forces (Fuerza Publica) Cote d'Ivoire Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (includes Presidential Guard) Croatia Ground Forces (Hrvatska Vojska, HV), Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces Cuba Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) including Revolutionary Army (ER), Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), and Youth Labor Army (EJT); note - the Border Guard Troops (TGF) are controlled by the Interior Ministry Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; including air and naval elements), Greek Cypriot Police Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) Czech Republic Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Territorial Defense Force Denmark Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home Guard Djibouti Djibouti National Army (including Navy and Air Force) Dominica Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (including Special Service Unit, Coast Guard) Dominican Republic Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police East Timor The East Timor Defense Force or FALINTIL-FDTL comprises a light-infantry Army and a small Naval component; note - plans are to develop a force of 1,500 active personnel and 1,500 reserve personnel over the next five years Ecuador Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, National Police Egypt Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command El Salvador Army, Navy (FNES), Air Force Equatorial Guinea Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force, National Police Eritrea Army, Navy, Air Force Estonia Estonia Defense Forces (including Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force), Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Maritime Border Guard, Coast Guard note: Border Guards and Ministry of Internal Affairs become part of the Estonian Defense Forces in wartime; the Coast Guard is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense in peacetime and the Estonian Navy in wartime Ethiopia Ethiopian National Defense Force (Ground Forces, Air Force, militia, police) note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in Eritrean possession Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) British Forces Falkland Islands no regular indigenous military forces; (includes Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy), Police Force Faroe Islands no regular indigenous military forces; small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained Fiji Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), includes ground forces, naval division Finland Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (including Sea Guard) France Army (includes marines), Navy (includes naval air), Air Force (includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie French Guiana no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces, Gendarmerie French Polynesia no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Gabon Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential (Republican) Guard (charged with protecting the president and other senior officials), National Gendarmerie, National Police Gambia, The Gambian National Army (GNA) (includes marine unit), National Police, Presidential Guard Gaza Strip in accordance with the peace agreement, the Palestinian Authority is not permitted conventional military forces; there are, however, a Public Security Force and a civil Police Force Georgia Ground Forces (includes National Guard), combined Air and Air Defense Forces, Naval Forces, Republic Security and Police Forces (internal and border troops) Germany Army, Navy (including naval air arm), Air Force, Medical Corps, Joint Support Service Ghana Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force Gibraltar no regular indigenous military forces; British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force Greece Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, Police, National Guard Grenada Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard Guadeloupe no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces, Gendarmerie Guatemala Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force Guinea Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National) Guinea-Bissau People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary force Guyana Guyana Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana Police Force, Guyana People's Militia, Guyana National Service Haiti Haitian National Police (HNP) note: the regular Haitian Army, Navy, and Air Force have been demobilized but still exist on paper until or unless they are constitutionally abolished Holy See (Vatican City) Swiss Guards Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera) Honduras Army, Navy (including marines), Air Force Hong Kong no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) including elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region Hungary Ground Forces, Air Forces Iceland no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard India Army, Navy (including naval air arm), Air Force, Strategic Nuclear Command (SNC), Coast Guard, various security or paramilitary forces (including Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Rashtriya Rifles, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Special Frontier Force, Ladakh Scouts, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Railway Protection Force, Defense Security Corps, and Indian Reserve Battalions) Indonesia Army, Navy (including marines and naval air arm), Air Force Iran Islamic Republic of Iran regular forces (includes Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense Command), Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) (includes Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy, Qods [special operations], and Basij [Popular Mobilization Army] forces), Law Enforcement Forces Iraq Army, Republican Guard, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Border Guard Force, Fedayeen Saddam; note - with the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, the data listed in the following entries for Iraq is invalid, but is retained here for historical purposes and until replaced by valid information related to the future Iraqi Government (April 2003) Ireland Army (including Naval Service and Air Corps), National Police (Garda Siochana) Israel Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (includes ground, naval, and air components with Air Defense Forces), Pioneer Fighting Youth (Nahal); note - historically there have been no separate Israeli military services Italy Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri Jamaica Jamaica Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Navy), Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force), Coast Guard Jordan Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) (Royal Jordanian Land Force, Royal Naval Force, Royal Jordanian Air Force, and Special Operations Command or SOCOM); note - Public Security Directorate normally falls under Ministry of Interior but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis situations Kazakhstan Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Naval Force, Border Service, Republican Guard Kenya Army, Navy, Air Force Kiribati no regular military forces; Police Force (carries out law enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; small police posts are on all islands) Korea, North Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Security Forces Korea, South Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime Police (Coast Guard) Kuwait Army, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force), National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard Kyrgyzstan Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces, Border Troops Laos Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force, National Police Department Latvia Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard Lebanon Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; includes Army, Navy, and Air Force) Lesotho Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; including Army and Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Liberia Army, Navy, Air Force Libya Armed Peoples on Duty (Army), Navy, Air and Air Defense Command (includes Air Force) Lithuania Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, National Volunteer Defense Forces (SKAT) Luxembourg Army, Grand Ducal Police Macau no regular indigenous military forces; responsibility for defense reverted to China on 20 December 1999; there is a local police force Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Army (ARM), Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force Madagascar People's Armed Forces (comprising Intervention Force, Development Force, Aeronaval [Navy and Air] Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment Malawi Army (including Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (including paramilitary Mobile Force Unit) Malaysia Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Field Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts Maldives National Security Service Mali Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale) Malta Armed Forces (including land forces [with subordinate air squadron and maritime squadron] and the Revenue Security Corps), Maltese Police Force Marshall Islands no regular military forces; Police Force Martinique no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Mauritania Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard Mauritius National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Mobile Force or SMF and National Coast Guard) Mexico National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) (including Army and Air Force), Navy Secretariat (including Naval Air and Marines) Moldova Ground Forces (includes Air and Air Defense Forces), Republic Security Forces (includes paramilitary Internal Troops and Border Troops) Mongolia Mongolian Armed Forces (includes General Purpose Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense Troops); note - Border Troops are under Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs in peacetime Montserrat no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force Morocco Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces Mozambique Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Special Forces, Militia Namibia National Defense Force (Army, including Air Wing), Police Nauru no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force Nepal Royal Nepalese Army (includes Royal Nepalese Army Air Service), Nepalese Police Force Netherlands Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary Netherlands Antilles no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force, National Guard, Police Force New Caledonia no regular indigenous military forces; French Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Police Force New Zealand New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force Nicaragua Army, Navy, Air Force Niger Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Intervention and Security Force Nigeria Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Niue no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force Norway Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (including Coast Artillery and Coast Guard), Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home Guard Oman Royal Omani Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Royal Omani Police Pakistan Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard Palau NA Panama an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service) Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Ground Force, Maritime Operations Element, and Air Operations Element) Paraguay Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force Peru Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru; FAP), National Police (includes General Police, Security Police, and Technical Police) Philippines Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force, paramilitary units Poland Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force Portugal Army, Navy (PON) (includes Marines), Air Force, Republican Guard (includes Fiscal Guard) Puerto Rico no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force Qatar Army, Navy, Air Force Reunion no regular indigenous military forces; French forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie) Romania Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (AMR), Paramilitary Forces, Civil Defense, Border Guards Russia Ground Forces, Navy, Air Forces; Airborne troops, Strategic Rocket Forces, and Military Space Forces are classified as independent combat arms, not subordinate to any of the three branches Rwanda Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (including Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (including Special Service Unit) Saint Lucia Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit and Coast Guard) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard Samoa no regular armed services; Samoa Police Force San Marino Voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari Voluntar), Gendarmerie; note - the Voluntary Military Force performs ceremonial duties and limited police assistance Sao Tome and Principe Army, Navy, Security Police Saudi Arabia Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) Senegal Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police (Surete Nationale) Serbia and Montenegro Army (VJ) (including ground forces with border troops, naval forces, air and air defense forces) Seychelles Army, Coast Guard (includes Air Wing), Presidential Protection Unit (includes Presidential Guard), Police Force (includes Police Mobile Unit, a special weapons and tactics unit capable of assisting the Army in maintaining internal stability) Sierra Leone Army (RSLAF) Singapore Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police Force Slovakia Army (Ground Forces), Air and Air Defense Forces, Home Guards (Territorial Defense Forces), Civil Defense Force, Railway Armed Forces (subordinate to the Ministry of Transportation, Post, and Telecommunications) Slovenia Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces) Solomon Islands no regular military forces; Solomon Islands National Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) Somalia A Somali National Army was attempted under the interim government; numerous factions and clans maintain independent militias, and the Somaliland and Puntland regional governments maintain their own security and police forces South Africa South African National Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air Force, and Medical Services), South African Police Service Spain Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard, National Police, Coastal Civil Guard Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Sudan Army, Navy, Air Force, Popular Defense Force Militia Suriname National Army (including small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police Swaziland Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), Royal Swaziland Police Force Sweden Army, Royal Navy (including Coast Artillery and Naval Helicopter Service), Air Force Switzerland Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards Syria Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), Police and Security Force Taiwan Army, Navy (including Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command Tajikistan Army, Air Force and Air Defense Force, Presidential National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops) Tanzania Tanzanian People's Defense Force (including Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit (including Police Marine Unit and Police Air Wing), territorial militia Thailand Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes the Border Patrol Police [including Police Aerial Reinforcement Unit], Thahan Phran, Special Action Forces, Police Aviation Division, Thai Marine Police, and the Volunteer Defense Corps) Togo Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie Tonga Tonga Defense Services (made up of three operational command components and two support elements, including the Royal Marines, Royal Guards, Maritime Force, a support/logistics group, and a training group), Police; note - a new air wing that will be subordinate to the Ministry of Defense is being developed Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (including Ground Force, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Tunisia Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National Guard Turkey Land Forces, Navy (includes Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie Turkmenistan Ministry of Defense (Army, Air and Air Defense, Navy, Border Troops, and Internal Troops), National Guard Tuvalu no regular military forces; Police Force (includes Maritime Surveillance Unit for search and rescue missions and surveillance operations) Uganda Ugandan Peoples' Defense Force (including Army, Marine unit, Air Wing) Ukraine Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Interior Troops, Border Troops United Arab Emirates Army, Navy (including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense, paramilitary forces (includes Federal Police Force) United Kingdom Army, Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), Royal Air Force United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy) Uruguay Army, Navy (including Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force, Police (Coracero Guard, Grenadier Guard) Uzbekistan Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Security Forces (internal security and border troops) Vanuatu no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; including the paramilitary Mobile Force or VMF) Venezuela National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN) includes Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada - including marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional) Vietnam People's Army of Vietnam (includes Ground Forces, People's Navy Command [including Naval Infantry], Air and Air Defense Force, Coast Guard) Yemen Army (includes Special Forces, established in 1999), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Republican Guard Zambia Army, Air Force, Police, paramilitary forces Zimbabwe Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2056 Budget Afghanistan revenues: $200 million expenditures: $550 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 plan est.) Albania revenues: $697 million expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $368 million (2002 est.) Algeria revenues: $20.3 billion expenditures: $18.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8 billion (2001 est.) American Samoa revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97) Andorra revenues: $385 million expenditures: $342 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Angola revenues: $928 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992 est.) Anguilla revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000 est.) Antigua and Barbuda revenues: $123.7 million expenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Argentina revenues: $44 billion expenditures: $48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Armenia revenues: $402 million expenditures: $482 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Aruba revenues: $135.81 million expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Australia revenues: $86.8 billion expenditures: $84.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Austria revenues: $53 billion expenditures: $54 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Azerbaijan revenues: $786 million expenditures: $807 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Bahamas, The revenues: $918.5 million expenditures: $956.5 million, including capital expenditures of $106.7 million (FY 99/00) Bahrain revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (2002 est.) Bangladesh revenues: $4.9 billion expenditures: $6.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.) Barbados revenues: $847 million (including grants) expenditures: $886 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Belarus revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1997 est.) Belgium revenues: $113.4 billion expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000) Belize revenues: $224 million expenditures: $209 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (2002 est.) Benin revenues: $377.4 million expenditures: $561.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Bermuda revenues: $609.5 million expenditures: $574.6 million, including capital expenditures of $54.8 million (FY 00/01) Bhutan revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.) Bolivia revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina revenues: $1.9 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Botswana revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 01/02) Brazil revenues: $100.6 billion expenditures: $91.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) British Virgin Islands revenues: $121.5 million expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Brunei revenues: $2.5 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35 billion (1997 est.) Bulgaria revenues: $5.57 billion expenditures: $5.68 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Burkina Faso revenues: $316 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Burma revenues: $7.9 billion expenditures: $12.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.7 billion (FY96/97) Burundi revenues: $125 million expenditures: $176 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Cambodia revenues: $396 million expenditures: $607 million, including capital expenditures of $254 million (2001 est.) Cameroon revenues: $2.2 billion expenditures: $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Canada revenues: $178.6 billion expenditures: $161.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Cape Verde revenues: $112 million expenditures: $198 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Cayman Islands revenues: $265.2 million expenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Central African Republic revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Chad revenues: $198 million expenditures: $218 million, including capital expenditures of $146 million (1998 est.) Chile revenues: $17 billion expenditures: $17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) China revenues: $224.8 billion expenditures: $267.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Christmas Island revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Colombia revenues: $24 billion expenditures: $25.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Comoros revenues: $27.6 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the revenues: $269 million expenditures: $244 million, including capital expenditures of $24 million (1996 est.) Congo, Republic of the revenues: $870 million expenditures: $970 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Cook Islands revenues: $28 million expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY 00/01 est.) Costa Rica revenues: $1.91 billion expenditures: $2.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Cote d'Ivoire revenues: $1.72 billion expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $420 million (2001 est.) Croatia revenues: $8.6 billion expenditures: $9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Cuba revenues: $14.9 billion expenditures: $15.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Cyprus revenues: Greek Cypriot area - $4.4 billion, Turkish Cypriot area - $231.3 million (2002 est.) expenditures: $3.7 billion, Greek Cypriot area - $539 million, including capital expenditures of $539 million, Turkish Cypriot area - $432.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.) Czech Republic revenues: $16.7 billion expenditures: $18 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Denmark revenues: $52.9 billion expenditures: $51.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million (2001 est.) Djibouti revenues: $135 million expenditures: $182 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Dominica revenues: $73.9 million expenditures: $84.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Dominican Republic revenues: $2.9 billion expenditures: $3.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1 billion (2001 est.) East Timor revenues: $36 million expenditures: $97 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 est.) Ecuador revenues: $5.6 billion expenditures: planned $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Egypt revenues: $21.5 billion expenditures: $26.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.9 billion (2001) El Salvador revenues: $2.1 billion expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea revenues: $200 million expenditures: $158 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Eritrea revenues: $206.4 million expenditures: $615.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Estonia revenues: $1.89 billion expenditures: $1.89 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Ethiopia revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $600 million (2002 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) revenues: $66.2 million expenditures: $67.9 million, including capital expenditures of $23.2 million (FY98/99 est.) Faroe Islands revenues: $488 million expenditures: $484 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1999) Fiji revenues: $427.9 million expenditures: $531.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Finland revenues: $36.1 billion expenditures: $31 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) France revenues: $286 billion expenditures: $330 billion, including capital expenditures of $23 billion (2002 est.) French Guiana revenues: $225 million expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996) French Polynesia revenues: $1 billion expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996) Gabon revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $310 million (2002 est.) Gambia, The revenues: $90.5 million expenditures: $80.9 million, including capital expenditures of $4.1 million (2001 est.) Gaza Strip revenues: $930 million expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $15 million (includes West Bank) (2000 est.) Georgia revenues: $499 million expenditures: $554 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Germany revenues: $802 billion expenditures: $825 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Ghana revenues: $1.603 billion expenditures: $1.975 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Gibraltar revenues: $307 million expenditures: $284 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Greece revenues: $45 billion expenditures: $47.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Greenland revenues: $646 million expenditures: $629 million, including capital expenditures of $85 million (1999) Grenada revenues: $85.8 million expenditures: $102.1 million, including capital expenditures of $28 million (1997) Guadeloupe revenues: $225 million expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996) Guam revenues: $340 million expenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Guatemala revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $750 million (2002 est.) Guernsey revenues: $381.3 million expenditures: $368.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Guinea revenues: $395.7 million expenditures: $472.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (2000 est.) Guinea-Bissau revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Guyana revenues: $227 million expenditures: $235.2 million, including capital expenditures of $93.4 million (2000) Haiti revenues: $273 million expenditures: $361 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) revenues: $173.5 million expenditures: $176.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Honduras revenues: $607 million expenditures: $411.9 million, including capital expenditures of $106 million (1999 est.) Hong Kong revenues: $22.8 billion expenditures: $30.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY02/03) Hungary revenues: $13 billion expenditures: $14.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Iceland revenues: $3.5 billion expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999) India revenues: $48.3 billion expenditures: $78.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $14 (FY01/02 est.) Indonesia revenues: $26 billion expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Iran revenues: $29.5 billion expenditures: $31.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Iraq revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Ireland revenues: $30.7 billion expenditures: $30.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.5 billion (2002) Israel revenues: $38.5 billion expenditures: $45.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Italy revenues: $504 billion expenditures: $517 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Jamaica revenues: $2.23 billion expenditures: $2.56 billion, including capital expenditures of $232.5 million (FY 99/00 est.) Japan revenues: $441 billion expenditures: $718 billion, including capital expenditures (public works only) of about $0 NA (FY 01/02 est.) Jersey revenues: $601 million expenditures: $588 million, including capital expenditures of $98 million (2000 est.) Jordan revenues: $2.7 billion expenditures: $3 billion, including capital expenditures of $614 million (2002 est.) Kazakhstan revenues: $4.2 billion expenditures: $5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Kenya revenues: $2.91 billion expenditures: $2.97 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Kiribati revenues: $28.4 million expenditures: $37.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Korea, North revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Korea, South revenues: $118.1 billion expenditures: $95.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $22.6 billion (2000) Kuwait revenues: $11 billion expenditures: $17.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 02/03) Kyrgyzstan revenues: $207.4 million expenditures: $238.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Laos revenues: $211 million expenditures: $462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est. est.) Latvia revenues: $2.4 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Lebanon revenues: $3.1 billion expenditures: $5.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Lesotho revenues: $76 million expenditures: $80 million, including capital expenditures of $15 million (FY 99/00 est.) Liberia revenues: $85.4 million expenditures: $90.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Libya revenues: $13.7 billion expenditures: $8.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Liechtenstein revenues: $424.2 million expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Lithuania revenues: $1.59 billion expenditures: $1.77 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Luxembourg revenues: $5.5 billion expenditures: $5.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $760 million (2002 est.) Macau revenues: $1.41 billion expenditures: $1.19 billion, including capital expenditures of $194 million (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of revenues: $1.13 billion expenditures: $1.02 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Madagascar revenues: $553 million expenditures: $735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Malawi revenues: $490 million expenditures: $523 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00 est.) Malaysia revenues: $20.3 billion expenditures: $27.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.4 billion (2001 est.) Maldives revenues: $224 million (excluding foreign grants) expenditures: $282 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million (2002 est.) Mali revenues: $764 million expenditures: $828 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Malta revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) Man, Isle of revenues: $485 million expenditures: $463 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.) Marshall Islands revenues: $42 million expenditures: $40 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999) Martinique revenues: $900 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $140 million (1996) Mauritania revenues: $421 million expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million (2002 est.) Mauritius revenues: $1.1 billion expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Mayotte revenues: $NA expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.) Mexico revenues: $136 billion expenditures: $140 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants) expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Moldova revenues: $536 million expenditures: $594 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Monaco revenues: $518 million expenditures: $531 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995) Mongolia revenues: $386 million expenditures: $427 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Montserrat revenues: $31.4 million expenditures: $31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4 million (1997 est.) Morocco revenues: $13.8 billion expenditures: $14.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.1 billion (2001 est.) Mozambique revenues: $393.1 million expenditures: $1.025 billion, including capital expenditures of $479.4 million (2001 est.) Namibia revenues: $883 million expenditures: $950 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998) Nauru revenues: $23.4 million expenditures: $64.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 95/96) Nepal revenues: $665 million expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00 est.) Netherlands revenues: $134 billion expenditures: $134 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Netherlands Antilles revenues: $710.8 million expenditures: $741.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) New Caledonia revenues: $861.3 million expenditures: $735.3 million, including capital expenditures of $52 million (1996 est.) New Zealand revenues: $29.2 billion expenditures: $31.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002) Nicaragua revenues: $726 million expenditures: $908 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Niger revenues: $320 million - including $134 million from foreign sources expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $178 million (2002 est.) Nigeria revenues: $3.4 billion expenditures: $3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Niue revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Norfolk Island revenues: $4.6 million expenditures: $4.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 92/93) Northern Mariana Islands revenues: $193 million expenditures: $223 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY 01/02 est.) Norway revenues: $71.7 billion expenditures: $57.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Oman revenues: $9.2 billion expenditures: $6.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Pakistan revenues: $12.6 billion expenditures: $14.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY02/03 est.) Palau revenues: $57.7 million expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1 million (FY 98/99 est.) Panama revenues: $1.9 billion expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $471 million (2000 est.) Papua New Guinea revenues: $894 million expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $344 million (2000 est.) Paraguay revenues: $1.3 billion expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (1999 est.) Peru revenues: $10.4 billion expenditures: $10.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Philippines revenues: $10.9 billion expenditures: $15 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Pitcairn Islands revenues: $729,884 expenditures: $878,119, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 94/95 est.) Poland revenues: $49.6 billion expenditures: $52.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999) Portugal revenues: $45 billion expenditures: $48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Puerto Rico revenues: $6.7 billion expenditures: $9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00) Qatar revenues: $5 billion expenditures: $5.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (FY 02/03 est.) Reunion revenues: $1.26 billion expenditures: $2.62 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998) Romania revenues: $11.7 billion expenditures: $12.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Russia revenues: $70 billion expenditures: $62 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Rwanda revenues: $199.3 million expenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Saint Helena revenues: $11.2 million expenditures: $11 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92) Saint Kitts and Nevis revenues: $89.7 million expenditures: $128.2 million, including capital expenditures of $19.5 million (2003 est.) Saint Lucia revenues: $141.2 million expenditures: $146.7 million, including capital expenditures of $25.1 million (2000 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon revenues: $70 million expenditures: $60 million, including capital expenditures of $24 million (1996 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines revenues: $94.6 million expenditures: $85.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Samoa revenues: $105 million expenditures: $119 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001/2002) San Marino revenues: $400 million expenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Sao Tome and Principe revenues: $58 million expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.) Saudi Arabia revenues: $46 billion expenditures: $56.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 est.) Senegal revenues: $1.373 billion expenditures: $1.373 billion, including capital expenditures of $357 million (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro revenues: $3.9 billion expenditures: $4.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Seychelles revenues: $249 million expenditures: $262 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Sierra Leone revenues: $96 million expenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Singapore revenues: $27.9 billion expenditures: $19.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.4 billion (FY 00/01 est.) Slovakia revenues: $5.2 billion expenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999) Slovenia revenues: $8.11 billion expenditures: $8.32 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Solomon Islands revenues: $38 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Somalia revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA South Africa revenues: $22.6 billion expenditures: $24.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA billion (FY 02/03) Spain revenues: $105 billion expenditures: $109 billion, including capital expenditures of $12.8 billion (2000 est.) Sri Lanka revenues: $2.8 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Sudan revenues: $1.6 billion expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Suriname revenues: $393 million expenditures: $403 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (1997 est.) Svalbard revenues: $11.5 million expenditures: $11.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Swaziland revenues: $448 million expenditures: $506.9 million, including capital expenditures of $147 million (FY 01/02) Sweden revenues: $119 billion expenditures: $110 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Switzerland revenues: $30 billion expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Syria revenues: $6 billion expenditures: $7 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.6 billion (2002 est.) Taiwan revenues: $36 billion expenditures: $36.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) Tajikistan revenues: $502 million expenditures: $520 million, including capital expenditures of $86 million (2002 est.) Tanzania revenues: $1.01 billion expenditures: $1.38 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.) Thailand revenues: $19 billion expenditures: $21 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Togo revenues: $232 million expenditures: $252 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Tokelau revenues: $430,830 expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.) Tonga revenues: $39.9 million expenditures: $52.4 million, including capital expenditures of $1.9 million (FY 99/00 est.) Trinidad and Tobago revenues: $1.54 billion expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $117.3 million (1998) Tunisia revenues: $5.2 billion expenditures: $5.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (2002 est.) Turkey revenues: $42.4 billion expenditures: $69.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) Turkmenistan revenues: $588.6 million expenditures: $658.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands revenues: $47 million expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997-98 est.) Tuvalu revenues: $22.5 million expenditures: $11.2 million, including capital expenditures of $4.2 million (2000 est.) Uganda revenues: $959 million expenditures: $1.04 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.) Ukraine revenues: $10.2 billion expenditures: $11.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates revenues: $20 billion expenditures: $22 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) United Kingdom revenues: $565 billion expenditures: $540 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 01) United States revenues: $1.946 trillion expenditures: $2.052 trillion, including capital expenditures of NA (2002 est.) Uruguay revenues: $3.7 billion expenditures: $4.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million (2000) Uzbekistan revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) Vanuatu revenues: $94.4 million expenditures: $99.8 million, including capital expenditures of $30.4 million (1996 est.) Venezuela revenues: $21.5 billion expenditures: $27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) Vietnam revenues: $5.3 billion expenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8 billion (1999 est.) Virgin Islands revenues: $364.4 million expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Wallis and Futuna revenues: $20 million expenditures: $17 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) West Bank revenues: $930 million expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $15 million note: includes Gaza Strip (2000 est.) Western Sahara revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Yemen revenues: $3 billion expenditures: $3.1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2001 est.) Zambia revenues: $1.2 billion expenditures: $1.25 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Zimbabwe revenues: $2.5 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2057 Capital Afghanistan Kabul Albania Tirana Algeria Algiers American Samoa Pago Pago Andorra Andorra la Vella Angola Luanda Anguilla The Valley Antigua and Barbuda Saint John's Argentina Buenos Aires Armenia Yerevan Aruba Oranjestad Australia Canberra Austria Vienna Azerbaijan Baku (Baki) Bahamas, The Nassau Bahrain Manama Bangladesh Dhaka Barbados Bridgetown Belarus Minsk Belgium Brussels Belize Belmopan Benin Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government Bermuda Hamilton Bhutan Thimphu Bolivia La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary) Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo Botswana Gaborone Brazil Brasilia British Virgin Islands Road Town Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan Bulgaria Sofia Burkina Faso Ouagadougou Burma Rangoon (regime refers to the capital as Yangon) Burundi Bujumbura Cambodia Phnom Penh Cameroon Yaounde Canada Ottawa Cape Verde Praia Cayman Islands George Town Central African Republic Bangui Chad N'Djamena Chile Santiago China Beijing Christmas Island The Settlement Cocos (Keeling) Islands West Island Colombia Bogota Comoros Moroni Congo, Democratic Republic of the Kinshasa Congo, Republic of the Brazzaville Cook Islands Avarua Costa Rica San Jose Cote d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan Croatia Zagreb Cuba Havana Cyprus Nicosia Czech Republic Prague Denmark Copenhagen Djibouti Djibouti Dominica Roseau Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Timor Dili Ecuador Quito Egypt Cairo El Salvador San Salvador Equatorial Guinea Malabo Eritrea Asmara (formerly Asmera) Estonia Tallinn Ethiopia Addis Ababa Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Stanley Faroe Islands Torshavn Fiji Suva Finland Helsinki France Paris French Guiana Cayenne French Polynesia Papeete Gabon Libreville Gambia, The Banjul Georgia T'bilisi Germany Berlin Ghana Accra Gibraltar Gibraltar Greece Athens Greenland Nuuk (Godthab) Grenada Saint George's Guadeloupe Basse-Terre Guam Hagatna (Agana) Guatemala Guatemala Guernsey Saint Peter Port Guinea Conakry Guinea-Bissau Bissau Guyana Georgetown Haiti Port-au-Prince Holy See (Vatican City) Vatican City Honduras Tegucigalpa Hungary Budapest Iceland Reykjavik India New Delhi Indonesia Jakarta Iran Tehran Iraq Baghdad Ireland Dublin Israel Jerusalem; note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv Italy Rome Jamaica Kingston Japan Tokyo Jersey Saint Helier Jordan 'Amman Kazakhstan Astana; note - the government moved from Almaty to Astana in December 1998 Kenya Nairobi Kiribati Tarawa Korea, North Pyongyang Korea, South Seoul Kuwait Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Bishkek Laos Vientiane Latvia Riga Lebanon Beirut Lesotho Maseru Liberia Monrovia Libya Tripoli Liechtenstein Vaduz Lithuania Vilnius Luxembourg Luxembourg Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Skopje Madagascar Antananarivo Malawi Lilongwe Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Maldives Male Mali Bamako Malta Valletta Man, Isle of Douglas Marshall Islands Majuro Martinique Fort-de-France Mauritania Nouakchott Mauritius Port Louis Mayotte Mamoutzou Mexico Mexico (Distrito Federal) Micronesia, Federated States of Palikir Moldova Chisinau Monaco Monaco Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Montserrat Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat) Morocco Rabat Mozambique Maputo Namibia Windhoek Nauru no official capital; government offices in Yaren District Nepal Kathmandu Netherlands Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government Netherlands Antilles Willemstad New Caledonia Noumea New Zealand Wellington Nicaragua Managua Niger Niamey Nigeria Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal government offices have now made the move to Abuja Niue Alofi Norfolk Island Kingston Northern Mariana Islands Saipan Norway Oslo Oman Muscat Pakistan Islamabad Palau Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror Panama Panama Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Paraguay Asuncion Peru Lima Philippines Manila Pitcairn Islands Adamstown Poland Warsaw Portugal Lisbon Puerto Rico San Juan Qatar Doha Reunion Saint-Denis Romania Bucharest Russia Moscow Rwanda Kigali Saint Helena Jamestown Saint Kitts and Nevis Basseterre Saint Lucia Castries Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint-Pierre Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Kingstown Samoa Apia San Marino San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome Saudi Arabia Riyadh Senegal Dakar Serbia and Montenegro Belgrade; note - Podgorica is the judicial capital Seychelles Victoria Sierra Leone Freetown Singapore Singapore Slovakia Bratislava Slovenia Ljubljana Solomon Islands Honiara Somalia Mogadishu South Africa Pretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative center and Bloemfontein the judicial center Spain Madrid Sri Lanka Colombo; note - Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital Sudan Khartoum Suriname Paramaribo Svalbard Longyearbyen Swaziland Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital Sweden Stockholm Switzerland Bern Syria Damascus Taiwan Taipei Tajikistan Dushanbe Tanzania Dar es Salaam; note - legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on regular basis Thailand Bangkok Togo Lome Tokelau none; each atoll has its own administrative center Tonga Nuku'alofa Trinidad and Tobago Port-of-Spain Tunisia Tunis Turkey Ankara Turkmenistan Ashgabat Turks and Caicos Islands Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) Tuvalu Funafuti Uganda Kampala Ukraine Kiev (Kyyiv) United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi United Kingdom London United States Washington, DC Uruguay Montevideo Uzbekistan Tashkent (Toshkent) Vanuatu Port-Vila Venezuela Caracas Vietnam Hanoi Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie Wallis and Futuna Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) Western Sahara none Yemen Sanaa Zambia Lusaka Zimbabwe Harare This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2058 Imports - commodities Afghanistan capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products Albania machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals Algeria capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods American Samoa materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% Andorra consumer goods, food, electricity Angola machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods Anguilla fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles Antigua and Barbuda food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil Argentina machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal manufactures, plastics Armenia natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds Aruba machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs Australia machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products Austria machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs Azerbaijan machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals Bahamas, The machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals Bahrain crude oil, machinery, chemicals Bangladesh machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement (2000) Barbados consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components Belarus mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals Belgium machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Belize machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco Benin foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products Bermuda machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals Bhutan fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Bolivia capital goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, chemicals, petroleum, food Bosnia and Herzegovina machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Botswana foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products Brazil machinery, electrical, and transport equipment, chemical products, oil British Virgin Islands building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery Brunei machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals Bulgaria fuels, minerals, and raw materials; machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; food, textiles Burkina Faso capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum Burma machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, crude oil; food products Burundi capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs Cambodia petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles Cameroon machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food Canada machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods Cape Verde foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels Cayman Islands foodstuffs, manufactured goods Central African Republic food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Chad machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles Chile consumer goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery, food China machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, plastics, iron and steel, chemicals Christmas Island consumer goods Cocos (Keeling) Islands foodstuffs Colombia industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity Comoros rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment Congo, Democratic Republic of the foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels Congo, Republic of the capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs Cook Islands foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods Costa Rica raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum Cote d'Ivoire fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs Croatia machinery, transport and electrical equipment, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, foodstuffs Cuba petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment; Turkish Cypriot area: food, minerals, chemicals, machinery Czech Republic machinery and transport equipment 40%, intermediate manufactures 21%, raw materials and fuels 13%, chemicals 11% (2000) Denmark machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods Djibouti foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products Dominica manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals Dominican Republic foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals East Timor mainly food (2001) Ecuador machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw materials, fuels; consumer goods Egypt machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels El Salvador raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity Equatorial Guinea petroleum sector equipment, other equipment Eritrea machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods (2000) Estonia machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%, textiles 10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9% (2001) Ethiopia food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing Faroe Islands machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999) Fiji manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Finland foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains (1999) France machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals French Guiana food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and chemicals French Polynesia fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment Gabon machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials Gambia, The foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment Gaza Strip food, consumer goods, construction materials Georgia fuels, machinery and parts, transport equipment, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals Germany machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals Ghana capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs Gibraltar fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs Greece machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Greenland machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products Grenada food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel Guadeloupe foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods, construction materials Guam petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Guatemala fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity Guernsey coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment Guinea petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs Guinea-Bissau foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products Guyana manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food Haiti food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials Honduras machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs (2000) Hong Kong foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum, plastics, machinery, electrical equipment; a large share is reexported Hungary machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.3%, fuels and electricity 8.2%, food products 2.9%, raw materials 2.0% (2001) Iceland machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles India crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals Indonesia machinery and equipment; chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Iran industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military supplies Iraq food, medicine, manufactures Ireland data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals; petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing Israel raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods Italy engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages and tobacco Jamaica machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, fuel, food, chemicals, fertilizers Japan machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw materials (2001) Jersey machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals Jordan crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live animals, manufactured goods Kazakhstan machinery and equipment 41%, metal products 28%, foodstuffs 8% (2001) Kenya machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics Kiribati foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel Korea, North petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment; textiles, grain Korea, South machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains Kuwait food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing Kyrgyzstan oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Laos machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods Latvia machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles Lebanon foodstuffs, electrical products, vehicles, minerals, chemicals, textiles, fuels Lesotho food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products (2000) Liberia fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs Libya machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods (1999) Liechtenstein agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles Lithuania mineral products 21%, machinery and equipment 17%, transport equipment 11%, chemicals 9%, textiles and clothing 9%, metals 5% (2001) Luxembourg minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods Macau clothing, textiles, yarn, foodstuffs, fuel, automobiles, capital goods Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food products Madagascar capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food Malawi food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment Malaysia electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals (2000) Maldives consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products Mali petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles Malta machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco Man, Isle of timber, fertilizers, fish Marshall Islands foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco Martinique petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods Mauritania machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods Mauritius manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Mayotte food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, metals, chemicals Mexico metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts Micronesia, Federated States of food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages Moldova mineral products and fuel 32%, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (2000) Mongolia machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea Montserrat machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials Morocco crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics Mozambique machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles Namibia foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals Nauru food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery Nepal gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer Netherlands machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs, clothing Netherlands Antilles crude petroleum, food, manufactures New Caledonia machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs New Zealand machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics Nicaragua machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products, consumer goods Niger foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals Nigeria machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals Niue food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products Norway machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs Oman machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants Pakistan petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, transportation equipment, edible oils, pulses, iron an steel, tea Palau machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs Panama capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals (1999) Papua New Guinea machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals Paraguay road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery Peru machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Philippines raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals Pitcairn Islands fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs Poland machinery and transport equipment 38.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 20.8%, chemicals 14.3%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999) Portugal machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles, agricultural products Puerto Rico chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products Qatar machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals Reunion manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products Romania machinery and equipment 23%, fuels and minerals 12%, chemicals 9%, textile and products 19% (1999) Russia machinery and equipment, consumer goods, medicines, meat, sugar, semifinished metal products Rwanda foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material Saint Helena food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts Saint Kitts and Nevis machinery, manufactures, food, fuels Saint Lucia food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels Saint Pierre and Miquelon meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials Saint Vincent and the Grenadines foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels Samoa machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs San Marino wide variety of consumer manufactures, food Sao Tome and Principe machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products Saudi Arabia machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles Senegal foods and beverages, capital goods, fuels Serbia and Montenegro machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, manufactured goods, chemicals, food and live animals, raw materials Seychelles machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Sierra Leone foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals (1995) Singapore machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs Slovakia machinery and transport equipment 37.7%, intermediate manufactured goods 18%, fuels 13%, chemicals 11%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999) Slovenia machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food Solomon Islands food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals Somalia manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat South Africa machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs (2000 est.) Spain machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods; foodstuffs, consumer goods (1997) Sri Lanka textiles, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment Sudan foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat Suriname capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods Swaziland motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Sweden machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing Switzerland machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles Syria machinery and transport equipment 21%, food and livestock 18%, metal and metal products 15%, chemicals and chemical products 10% (2000 est.) Taiwan machinery and electrical equipment 44.5%, minerals, precision instruments (2002) Tajikistan electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs Tanzania consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil Thailand capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels (2000) Togo machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products Tokelau foodstuffs, building materials, fuel Tonga foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Trinidad and Tobago machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals Tunisia textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, food Turkey machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment Turkmenistan machinery and equipment 60%, foodstuffs 15% (1999) Turks and Caicos Islands food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials Tuvalu food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods Uganda capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals Ukraine energy, machinery and equipment, chemicals United Arab Emirates machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food United Kingdom manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs United States crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages Uruguay machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum Uzbekistan machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals (1998 est.) Vanuatu machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels Venezuela raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials Vietnam machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles Virgin Islands crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials Wallis and Futuna chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods West Bank food, consumer goods, construction materials Western Sahara fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs World the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services Yemen food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals Zambia machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing Zimbabwe machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2059 Climate Afghanistan arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers Albania mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter Algeria arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer American Samoa tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation Andorra temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers Angola semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) Anguilla tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Antarctica severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing Antigua and Barbuda tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Arctic Ocean polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow Argentina mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest Armenia highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Aruba tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Ashmore and Cartier Islands tropical Atlantic Ocean tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to November Australia generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Austria temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers Azerbaijan dry, semiarid steppe Bahamas, The tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Bahrain arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Baker Island equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Bangladesh tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) Barbados tropical; rainy season (June to October) Bassas da India tropical Belarus cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Belgium temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Belize tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Benin tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Bermuda subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Bhutan varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Bolivia varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Bosnia and Herzegovina hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast Botswana semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Bouvet Island antarctic Brazil mostly tropical, but temperate in south British Indian Ocean Territory tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds British Virgin Islands subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Brunei tropical; hot, humid, rainy Bulgaria temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Burkina Faso tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers Burma tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Burundi equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; wet seasons from February to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and December to January Cambodia tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation Cameroon varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north Canada varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Cape Verde temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic Cayman Islands tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) Central African Republic tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Chad tropical in south, desert in north Chile temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south China extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north Christmas Island tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Clipperton Island tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October Cocos (Keeling) Islands tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year Colombia tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Comoros tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Congo, Democratic Republic of the tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season April to October, dry season December to February; south of Equator - wet season November to March, dry season April to October Congo, Republic of the tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Cook Islands tropical; moderated by trade winds Coral Sea Islands tropical Costa Rica tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands Cote d'Ivoire tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) Croatia Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Cuba tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Cyprus temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Czech Republic temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Denmark temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Djibouti desert; torrid, dry Dominica tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Dominican Republic tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall East Timor tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons Ecuador tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands Egypt desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters El Salvador tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands Equatorial Guinea tropical; always hot, humid Eritrea hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September except in coastal desert Estonia maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers Ethiopia tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Europa Island tropical Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Faroe Islands mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Fiji tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Finland cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes France generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral French Guiana tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation French Polynesia tropical, but moderate French Southern and Antarctic Lands antarctic Gabon tropical; always hot, humid Gambia, The tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) Gaza Strip temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Georgia warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Germany temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm foehn wind Ghana tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north Gibraltar Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers Glorioso Islands tropical Greece temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Greenland arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters Grenada tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds Guadeloupe subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity Guam tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December; little seasonal temperature variation Guatemala tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Guernsey temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast Guinea generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Guinea-Bissau tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Guyana tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January) Haiti tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds Heard Island and McDonald Islands antarctic Holy See (Vatican City) temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) Honduras subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains Hong Kong tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall Howland Island equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Hungary temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Iceland temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers India varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Indian Ocean northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean Indonesia tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Iran mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Iraq mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Ireland temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Israel temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Italy predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Jamaica tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior Jan Mayen arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Japan varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Jarvis Island tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Jersey temperate; mild winters and cool summers Johnston Atoll tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Jordan mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Juan de Nova Island tropical Kazakhstan continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Kenya varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior Kingman Reef tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds Kiribati tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Korea, North temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer Korea, South temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter Kuwait dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Kyrgyzstan dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone Laos tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) Latvia maritime; wet, moderate winters Lebanon Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows Lesotho temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Liberia tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Libya Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Liechtenstein continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers Lithuania transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers Luxembourg modified continental with mild winters, cool summers Macau subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall Madagascar tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Malawi sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Malaysia tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Maldives tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Mali subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February Malta Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers Man, Isle of temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about one-third of the time Marshall Islands wet season from May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt Martinique tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid Mauritania desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Mauritius tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Mayotte tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Mexico varies from tropical to desert Micronesia, Federated States of tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage Midway Islands subtropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds Moldova moderate winters, warm summers Monaco Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers Mongolia desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) Montserrat tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation Morocco Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Mozambique tropical to subtropical Namibia desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Nauru tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February) Navassa Island marine, tropical Nepal varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Netherlands temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Netherlands Antilles tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds New Caledonia tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid New Zealand temperate with sharp regional contrasts Nicaragua tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Niger desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south Nigeria varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Niue tropical; modified by southeast trade winds Norfolk Island subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation Northern Mariana Islands tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October Norway temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast Oman dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Pacific Ocean planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December Pakistan mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Palau wet season May to November; hot and humid Palmyra Atoll equatorial, hot, and very rainy Panama tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Papua New Guinea tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation Paracel Islands tropical Paraguay subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west Peru varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Philippines tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) Pitcairn Islands tropical, hot, humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) Poland temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers Portugal maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south Puerto Rico tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation Qatar arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Reunion tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry from May to November, hot and rainy from November to April Romania temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms Russia ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast Rwanda temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Saint Helena Saint Helena - tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Tristan da Cunha - temperate; marine, mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena) Saint Kitts and Nevis tropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Saint Lucia tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August Saint Pierre and Miquelon cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy Saint Vincent and the Grenadines tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Samoa tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October) San Marino Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers Sao Tome and Principe tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Saudi Arabia harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Senegal tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Serbia and Montenegro in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall); central portion, continental and Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland Seychelles tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Sierra Leone tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Singapore tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms Slovakia temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Slovenia Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Solomon Islands tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather Somalia principally desert; December to February - northeast monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October - southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons South Africa mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Southern Ocean sea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winter Spain temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Spratly Islands tropical Sri Lanka tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Sudan tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies by region (April to November) Suriname tropical; moderated by trade winds Svalbard arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Swaziland varies from tropical to near temperate Sweden temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Switzerland temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Syria mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus Taiwan tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year Tajikistan midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Tanzania varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Thailand tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Togo tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Tokelau tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Tonga tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Trinidad and Tobago tropical; rainy season (June to December) Tromelin Island tropical Tunisia temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Turkey temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Turkmenistan subtropical desert Turks and Caicos Islands tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry Tuvalu tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Uganda tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast Ukraine temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south United Arab Emirates desert; cooler in eastern mountains United Kingdom temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast United States mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains Uruguay warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Uzbekistan mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east Vanuatu tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds Venezuela tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Vietnam tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March) Virgin Islands subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November Wake Island tropical Wallis and Futuna tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C West Bank temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Western Sahara hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew World two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather narrow temperate zones form a wide equatorial band of tropical to subtropical climates Yemen mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east Zambia tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Zimbabwe tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2060 Coastline (km) Afghanistan 0 km (landlocked) Albania 362 km Algeria 998 km American Samoa 116 km Andorra 0 km (landlocked) Angola 1,600 km Anguilla 61 km Antarctica 17,968 km Antigua and Barbuda 153 km Arctic Ocean 45,389 km Argentina 4,989 km Armenia 0 km (landlocked) Aruba 68.5 km Ashmore and Cartier Islands 74.1 km Atlantic Ocean 111,866 km Australia 25,760 km Austria 0 km (landlocked) Azerbaijan 0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.) Bahamas, The 3,542 km Bahrain 161 km Baker Island 4.8 km Bangladesh 580 km Barbados 97 km Bassas da India 35.2 km Belarus 0 km (landlocked) Belgium 66 km Belize 386 km Benin 121 km Bermuda 103 km Bhutan 0 km (landlocked) Bolivia 0 km (landlocked) Bosnia and Herzegovina 20 km Botswana 0 km (landlocked) Bouvet Island 29.6 km Brazil 7,491 km British Indian Ocean Territory 698 km British Virgin Islands 80 km Brunei 161 km Bulgaria 354 km Burkina Faso 0 km (landlocked) Burma 1,930 km Burundi 0 km (landlocked) Cambodia 443 km Cameroon 402 km Canada 202,080 km Cape Verde 965 km Cayman Islands 160 km Central African Republic 0 km (landlocked) Chad 0 km (landlocked) Chile 6,435 km China 14,500 km Christmas Island 80 km Clipperton Island 11.1 km Cocos (Keeling) Islands 26 km Colombia 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) Comoros 340 km Congo, Democratic Republic of the 37 km Congo, Republic of the 169 km Cook Islands 120 km Coral Sea Islands 3,095 km Costa Rica 1,290 km Cote d'Ivoire 515 km Croatia 5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km) Cuba 3,735 km Cyprus 648 km Czech Republic 0 km (landlocked) Denmark 7,314 km Djibouti 314 km Dominica 148 km Dominican Republic 1,288 km East Timor 706 km Ecuador 2,237 km Egypt 2,450 km El Salvador 307 km Equatorial Guinea 296 km Eritrea 2,234 km total; mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km Estonia 3,794 km Ethiopia 0 km (landlocked) Europa Island 22.2 km Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,288 km Faroe Islands 1,117 km Fiji 1,129 km Finland 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations) France 3,427 km French Guiana 378 km French Polynesia 2,525 km French Southern and Antarctic Lands 1,232 km Gabon 885 km Gambia, The 80 km Gaza Strip 40 km Georgia 310 km Germany 2,389 km Ghana 539 km Gibraltar 12 km Glorioso Islands 35.2 km Greece 13,676 km Greenland 44,087 km Grenada 121 km Guadeloupe 306 km Guam 125.5 km Guatemala 400 km Guernsey 50 km Guinea 320 km Guinea-Bissau 350 km Guyana 459 km Haiti 1,771 km Heard Island and McDonald Islands 101.9 km Holy See (Vatican City) 0 km (landlocked) Honduras 820 km Hong Kong 733 km Howland Island 6.4 km Hungary 0 km (landlocked) Iceland 4,988 km India 7,000 km Indian Ocean 66,526 km Indonesia 54,716 km Iran 2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) Iraq 58 km Ireland 1,448 km Israel 273 km Italy 7,600 km Jamaica 1,022 km Jan Mayen 124.1 km Japan 29,751 km Jarvis Island 8 km Jersey 70 km Johnston Atoll 34 km Jordan 26 km Juan de Nova Island 24.1 km Kazakhstan 0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km) Kenya 536 km Kingman Reef 3 km Kiribati 1,143 km Korea, North 2,495 km Korea, South 2,413 km Kuwait 499 km Kyrgyzstan 0 km (landlocked) Laos 0 km (landlocked) Latvia 531 km Lebanon 225 km Lesotho 0 km (landlocked) Liberia 579 km Libya 1,770 km Liechtenstein 0 km (doubly landlocked) Lithuania 99 km Luxembourg 0 km (landlocked) Macau 41 km Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0 km (landlocked) Madagascar 4,828 km Malawi 0 km (landlocked) Malaysia 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km) Maldives 644 km Mali 0 km (landlocked) Malta 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo) Man, Isle of 160 km Marshall Islands 370.4 km Martinique 350 km Mauritania 754 km Mauritius 177 km Mayotte 185.2 km Mexico 9,330 km Micronesia, Federated States of 6,112 km Midway Islands 15 km Moldova 0 km (landlocked) Monaco 4.1 km Mongolia 0 km (landlocked) Montserrat 40 km Morocco 1,835 km Mozambique 2,470 km Namibia 1,572 km Nauru 30 km Navassa Island 8 km Nepal 0 km (landlocked) Netherlands 451 km Netherlands Antilles 364 km New Caledonia 2,254 km New Zealand 15,134 km Nicaragua 910 km Niger 0 km (landlocked) Nigeria 853 km Niue 64 km Norfolk Island 32 km Northern Mariana Islands 1,482 km Norway 21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km) Oman 2,092 km Pacific Ocean 135,663 km Pakistan 1,046 km Palau 1,519 km Palmyra Atoll 14.5 km Panama 2,490 km Papua New Guinea 5,152 km Paracel Islands 518 km Paraguay 0 km (landlocked) Peru 2,414 km Philippines 36,289 km Pitcairn Islands 51 km Poland 491 km Portugal 1,793 km Puerto Rico 501 km Qatar 563 km Reunion 207 km Romania 225 km Russia 37,653 km Rwanda 0 km (landlocked) Saint Helena 60 km Saint Kitts and Nevis 135 km Saint Lucia 158 km Saint Pierre and Miquelon 120 km Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 84 km Samoa 403 km San Marino 0 km (landlocked) Sao Tome and Principe 209 km Saudi Arabia 2,640 km Senegal 531 km Serbia and Montenegro 199 km Seychelles 491 km Sierra Leone 402 km Singapore 193 km Slovakia 0 km (landlocked) Slovenia 46.6 km Solomon Islands 5,313 km Somalia 3,025 km South Africa 2,798 km South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands NA km Southern Ocean 17,968 km Spain 4,964 km Spratly Islands 926 km Sri Lanka 1,340 km Sudan 853 km Suriname 386 km Svalbard 3,587 km Swaziland 0 km (landlocked) Sweden 3,218 km Switzerland 0 km (landlocked) Syria 193 km Taiwan 1,566.3 km Tajikistan 0 km (landlocked) Tanzania 1,424 km Thailand 3,219 km Togo 56 km Tokelau 101 km Tonga 419 km Trinidad and Tobago 362 km Tromelin Island 3.7 km Tunisia 1,148 km Turkey 7,200 km Turkmenistan 0 km; note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km) Turks and Caicos Islands 389 km Tuvalu 24 km Uganda 0 km (landlocked) Ukraine 2,782 km United Arab Emirates 1,318 km United Kingdom 12,429 km United States 19,924 km Uruguay 660 km Uzbekistan 0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline Vanuatu 2,528 km Venezuela 2,800 km Vietnam 3,444 km (excludes islands) Virgin Islands 188 km Wake Island 19.3 km Wallis and Futuna 129 km West Bank 0 km (landlocked) Western Sahara 1,110 km World 356,000 km Yemen 1,906 km Zambia 0 km (landlocked) Zimbabwe 0 km (landlocked) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2061 Imports - partners (%) Afghanistan Pakistan 25.1%, South Korea 14.4%, Japan 9.4%, US 9%, Kenya 5.8%, Germany 5.4% (2002) Albania Italy 39.4%, Greece 24.5%, Turkey 6%, Germany 5% (2002) Algeria France 31%, Italy 10%, US 8.3%, Germany 6.6%, Spain 5.9%, Turkey 4.2% (2002) American Samoa Australia 41%, New Zealand 23%, South Korea 18% (2002) Andorra Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (2000) Angola Portugal 20.2%, US 13.9%, South Africa 12.4%, France 6.7%, Brazil 5.8%, Belgium 5.3%, Netherlands 4% (2002) Anguilla US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000) Antigua and Barbuda France 23.4%, Germany 14.2%, US 13.2%, Poland 9.8%, South Korea 8.3%, Singapore 5%, UK 4.4% (2002) Argentina Brazil 42%, US 12.8%, Germany 4.4% (2002) Armenia US 15.3%, Russia 12.9%, Belgium 12.3%, Iran 10.3%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4.9% (2002) Aruba US 54.7%, Netherlands 12.7%, UK 5.7% (2002) Australia US 18.3%, Japan 12.3%, China 10.1%, Germany 5.7%, UK 4.6% (2002) Austria Germany 42.6%, Italy 6.6%, Hungary 5.1%, Switzerland 4.8%, Netherlands 4.4% (2002) Azerbaijan Russia 17.8%, Turkey 11.9%, Germany 10.7%, France 7%, Kazakhstan 6.3%, China 6%, UK 5.5%, US 4.5% (2002) Bahamas, The US 20.3%, South Korea 20.1%, Germany 11.5%, Norway 11.5%, Japan 10%, Italy 7.2% (2002) Bahrain Saudi Arabia 30.1%, US 11.7%, Japan 7.1%, Germany 6.5%, UK 5.6% (2002) Bangladesh India 14.6%, China 11.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Japan 7.6%, Hong Kong 5.4%, South Korea 4.3% (2002) Barbados US 41.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, UK 7.3%, Japan 4.2% (2002) Belarus Russia 68.2%, Germany 9.4%, Ukraine 3.2% (2002) Belgium Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, France 12.8%, UK 7.3%, Ireland 7%, US 6.4%, Italy 4% (2002) Belize US 35.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 6.1%, Japan 5.9%, Cuba 5.7%, UK 5.4% (2002) Benin China 30.7%, France 15.7%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.2% (2002) Bermuda Kazakhstan 30.9%, France 24.7%, Italy 10.5%, US 9.7%, South Korea 8.4%, Mexico 4.3% (2002) Bhutan Japan 44.5%, Germany 12.2%, UK 8.5%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 5%, US 4.2% (2002) Bolivia Brazil 22%, Argentina 17.4%, US 15.6%, Chile 7%, Japan 5.5%, Peru 5.4%, China 4.8% (2002) Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia 23.7%, Slovenia 14.8%, Germany 14%, Italy 13.1%, Hungary 8%, Austria 7.7% (2002) Botswana Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000) Brazil US 23.3%, Argentina 12.6%, Germany 8.7%, France 5.2% (2002) British Virgin Islands Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Brunei Singapore 30.6%, Japan 21.5%, Malaysia 17.4%, UK 6.1%, Hong Kong 4% (2002) Bulgaria Russia 14.6%, Germany 14.4%, Italy 11.4%, Greece 6.1%, France 5.7%, Turkey 5% (2002) Burkina Faso France 27.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 23%, Togo 4.3% (2002) Burma China 27%, Singapore 19.5%, Thailand 12%, Malaysia 9.1%, Taiwan 6.3%, South Korea 5.3%, Japan 4.3% (2002) Burundi Belgium 12.4%, Saudi Arabia 12.3%, Tanzania 9.3%, Kenya 7.7%, France 7.4%, India 4.5% (2002) Cambodia Thailand 24.8%, Singapore 16.9%, China 12.1%, Hong Kong 10.9%, South Korea 5.5%, Vietnam 5.2% (2002) Cameroon France 28.2%, Nigeria 12.8%, US 8%, Belgium 5.7%, Germany 5.3%, Italy 4.3% (2002) Canada US 62.6%, China 4.6%, Japan 4.4% (2002) Cape Verde Portugal 49.1%, Netherlands 7.2%, Germany 5.7% (2002) Cayman Islands US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan Central African Republic France 30%, US 5.2%, Cameroon 4.5%, Germany 4.3% (2002) Chad France 31.5%, US 31.4%, Germany 5.5%, Nigeria 4.6% (2002) Chile Argentina 18%, US 14.9%, Brazil 9.5%, China 6.5%, Germany 4.3% (2002) China Japan 18.1%, Taiwan 10.5%, South Korea 9.7%, US 9.2%, Germany 5.6% (2002) Christmas Island principally Australia Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australia (1999) Colombia US 32.6%, Venezuela 7%, Mexico 5.3%, Japan 5.3%, Brazil 5.2%, Germany 4.2% (2002) Comoros France 34.3%, South Africa 12%, Japan 6.1%, Kenya 5.9%, UAE 5.8%, Mauritius 4.9%, Thailand 4.6% (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Belgium 14.6%, South Africa 14.2%, Nigeria 10.3%, France 9.5%, Germany 7.3%, Netherlands 5.3%, Kenya 5.2% (2002) Congo, Republic of the France 22.1%, Italy 8.5%, Belgium 6%, US 5.2%, India 4.1% (2002) Cook Islands NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000) Costa Rica US 36.7%, Japan 4.4%, Mexico 4.2% (2002) Cote d'Ivoire France 22.7%, Nigeria 16.6%, China 7.9%, Italy 4.2% (2002) Croatia Italy 16.8%, Germany 16.4%, Slovenia 7.8%, Russia 6.8%, Austria 6.7%, France 5.2% (2002) Cuba Spain 17.2%, China 12%, Italy 9.1%, France 7.6%, Mexico 7.3%, Canada 6.2%, US 5.6%, Brazil 4.7% (2002) Cyprus Russia 17.9%, Greece 7.4%, Germany 6.7%, France 6.6%, UK 6.6%, Italy 6.6%, South Korea 5.7%, Japan 5.3% (2002) Czech Republic Germany 39.1%, Slovakia 6%, Austria 5.6%, Italy 5.4%, France 5.3%, Poland 4.1%, UK 4.1%, Russia 4% (2002) Denmark Germany 22.9%, Sweden 10.7%, UK 8.7%, Netherlands 7.8%, France 6%, Norway 4.9%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Djibouti Saudi Arabia 18.2%, Ethiopia 10.5%, US 9.2%, France 8.6%, China 8.2%, Netherlands 4.1% (2002) Dominica China 23.9%, US 23.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.9%, South Korea 7.6%, UK 7.3%, Japan 4.5% (2002) Dominican Republic US 51.5%, Venezuela 9.6%, Mexico 5.1%, Spain 4% (2002) East Timor NA Ecuador US 28.6%, Colombia 14.4%, Japan 6%, Chile 4.5%, Brazil 4.1% (2002) Egypt US 16.9%, Germany 7.9%, Italy 6.7%, France 6.5%, China 5%, UK 4.1% (2002) El Salvador US 39%, Guatemala 10.1%, Mexico 7.2%, France 4% (2002) Equatorial Guinea US 29.1%, Spain 15.9%, UK 14.8%, France 10.4%, Norway 7.2%, Netherlands 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2002) Eritrea Italy 27.1%, US 15.7%, Germany 7.2%, Ukraine 5.8%, Turkey 5.5%, France 4.5%, Netherlands 4% (2002) Estonia Russia 26.6%, Finland 18.9%, Germany 9.2%, Sweden 8.2% (2002) Ethiopia Saudi Arabia 28.7%, China 6%, Italy 5.9%, India 4.8%, Germany 4.1% (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) UK 57.9%, Spain 19.8%, Italy 16.7% (2002) Faroe Islands Denmark 53.8%, Norway 24.2%, Iceland 5.7% (2002) Fiji Australia 37.3%, New Zealand 17.2%, Singapore 16.1%, Japan 4.2%, China 4% (2002) Finland Germany 14.5%, Sweden 10.9%, Russia 9.9%, UK 5.7%, France 4.3%, Denmark 4.2% (2002) France Germany 19.4%, Belgium 9.2%, Italy 8.8%, UK 7.3%, Netherlands 7%, US 6.8%, Spain 6.7% (2002) French Guiana France 63%, US, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy (2002) French Polynesia France 58.9%, Australia 12.2%, New Zealand 6.9%, US 6.6% (2002) Gabon France 50.7%, US 6.3%, Netherlands 3.6% (2002) Gambia, The China 21.8%, Senegal 8.9%, Brazil 7.8%, UK 6.5%, Netherlands 5.4%, India 4.9%, Belgium 4.5%, Hong Kong 4.1% (2002) Gaza Strip Israel, Egypt, West Bank Georgia Turkey 15.6%, Azerbaijan 11.2%, US 9.9%, Russia 9.1%, Germany 7.2%, Italy 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.9%, Romania 4.3%, France 4.2%, Ukraine 4.1% (2002) Germany France 9.5%, Netherlands 8.2%, US 7.7%, UK 6.5%, Italy 6.4%, Belgium 5.2%, Austria 4%, China 4% (2002) Ghana Nigeria 21.3%, UK 7.2%, US 6.6%, China 6.2%, Italy 6.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 6.1%, Germany 4.7%, Netherlands 4% (2002) Gibraltar Germany 27.3%, Spain 21.8%, UK 12.1%, Italy 8% (2002) Greece Germany 12.2%, Italy 11.5%, Russia 7.4%, South Korea 6%, France 5.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, US 4.7%, Belgium 4.3%, UK 4.1% (2002) Greenland Denmark 74.6%, Norway 14.2%, Russia 2.3% (2002) Grenada US 30.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 27.3%, UK 4.4% (2002) Guadeloupe France 63%, Germany 4%, US 3%, Japan 2%, Netherlands Antilles 2% (1999) Guam Singapore 40.5%, South Korea 21.7%, Japan 21.6%, Hong Kong 4.9% (2002) Guatemala US 33.2%, Mexico 9.9%, South Korea 8.2%, El Salvador 5.7%, China 4% (2002) Guernsey UK (regarded as internal trade) Guinea France 18.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 11%, Italy 8.9%, US 8.2%, Belgium 7.6%, China 5.6%, UK 5.2% (2002) Guinea-Bissau Senegal 19.6%, Portugal 19.1%, India 15.3%, Taiwan 5.1% (2002) Guyana US 23.7%, Netherlands Antilles 20.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 15.2%, Italy 6.3%, UK 5.1%, Cuba 4.2% (2002) Haiti US 53.4%, Dominican Republic 5.3%, Colombia 3.4% (2002) Honduras US 55.3%, El Salvador 4.3%, Mexico 4.2% (2002) Hong Kong China 37.5%, Japan 12.2%, Taiwan 7.3%, US 6.2%, Singapore 5.3%, South Korea 5% (2002) Hungary Germany 25.3%, Austria 7.7%, Italy 7.5%, Russia 6%, China 5%, France 5% (2002) Iceland US 10.9%, Germany 10.7%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6%, Sweden 5.9% (2002) India US 7.1%, Belgium 6.7%, China 4.6%, Singapore 4.6%, UK 4.6% (2002) Indonesia Japan 14.1%, Singapore 13.1%, US 8.5%, China 7.8%, South Korea 5.3%, Taiwan 5.1%, Australia 5.1% (2002) Iran Germany 10.9%, Italy 9%, France 7.9%, China 7.4%, South Korea 6.5%, UAE 4.4%, Japan 4.1%, Russia 4% (2002) Iraq Jordan 11%, France 8.8%, China 8.4%, Germany 7.6%, Russia 7.3%, Australia 7.2%, Vietnam 6.6%, Italy 6.4%, Japan 5.6% (2002) Ireland UK 41.1%, US 15.3%, Germany 6.8% (2002) Israel US 21.6%, Belgium 8.9%, Germany 6.7%, UK 6.6%, Switzerland 4.9%, Italy 4.5% (2002) Italy Germany 17.8%, France 11.3%, Netherlands 5.9%, UK 5%, US 4.9%, Spain 4.6%, Belgium 4.4% (2002) Jamaica US 45%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 4.7% (2002) Japan China 18.3%, US 17.4%, South Korea 4.6%, Indonesia 4.2%, Australia 4.1% (2002) Jersey UK Jordan Iraq 13.4%, Germany 8.8%, US 8%, China 6%, France 4.2%, UK 4.1%, Italy 4.1% (2002) Kazakhstan Russia 37.1%, US 9.3%, China 9.3%, Germany 9.1% (2002) Kenya UAE 12%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, US 8.1%, UK 7.1%, South Africa 7.1%, France 5.8%, China 5.5%, Japan 5%, India 4.8% (2002) Kiribati France 28.7%, Australia 26.3%, Fiji 12.5%, Japan 9.5%, Latvia 5.4%, US 4.6%, New Zealand 4% (2002) Korea, North China 24.9%, Brazil 12.1%, India 9.2%, Thailand 9.2%, Germany 7.8%, Japan 7.1%, Singapore 4.5%, Qatar 4% (2002) Korea, South Japan 19.6%, US 15.2%, China 11.4%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2002) Kuwait US 13.1%, Japan 11.1%, Germany 9.7%, Saudi Arabia 6.6%, UK 6%, Italy 5.4%, France 5.2% (2002) Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan 21.1%, Russia 19.9%, Uzbekistan 10.2%, China 10.1%, US 8.1%, Germany 5.3% (2002) Laos Thailand 58.9%, Vietnam 12.3%, China 7.9% (2002) Latvia Germany 17.9%, Russia 15.1%, Finland 6.6%, Lithuania 6.4%, Sweden 5.5%, Italy 4.8%, Estonia 4.8% (2002) Lebanon Italy 11.3%, France 10.7%, Germany 8.4%, US 5.6%, Syria 5.4%, China 4.8%, Belgium 4.5%, UK 4.2% (2002) Lesotho Hong Kong 51.9%, China 25%, France 3.9% (2002) Liberia South Korea 30.3%, Japan 19.1%, Germany 15.6%, France 9.1%, Singapore 7.9% (2002) Libya Italy 25.6%, Germany 9.8%, South Korea 6.6%, UK 6.6%, Tunisia 6.5%, Japan 6.4%, France 5.7% (2002) Liechtenstein EU, Switzerland Lithuania Russia 24.1%, Germany 20.3%, Italy 5.9%, Poland 4.3% (2002) Luxembourg Belgium 29.7%, Germany 23%, France 13.2%, Taiwan 6.7%, Netherlands 4.6% (2002) Macau China 41.7%, Hong Kong 14.5%, Japan 6.7%, Taiwan 6.6%, South Korea 5%, France 4.3%, US 4.1% (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Greece 19.4%, Germany 14.4%, Bulgaria 7.5%, Slovenia 6.9%, Italy 6.9%, Turkey 5.9%, Ukraine 5%, Austria 4.1% (2002) Madagascar France 17.2%, Iran 11%, Mauritius 10.6%, Bahrain 9.4%, Hong Kong 6.9%, South Africa 5.9%, China 4.1% (2002) Malawi South Africa 44.4%, Zambia 12.7%, US 5.6%, India 4.2% (2002) Malaysia Japan 16.9%, Singapore 15.9%, US 15.5%, China 7.3%, South Korea 5%, Taiwan 4.7% (2002) Maldives Singapore 25.6%, Sri Lanka 15%, UAE 14.5%, India 6.6%, Malaysia 5.7%, Thailand 4% (2002) Mali Cote d'Ivoire 17.1%, France 13.5%, Senegal 6.5%, Germany 4% (2002) Malta Italy 18.3%, France 12.1%, South Korea 11.3%, UK 7.5%, Singapore 5.3%, Germany 5.2%, Japan 5%, US 4.6%, Spain 4.2% (2002) Man, Isle of UK (2000) Marshall Islands US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2000) Martinique France 62%, Venezuela 6%, Germany 4%, Italy 4%, US 3% (2000) Mauritania France 18.5%, Belgium 7.8%, China 7%, Spain 5.9%, Germany 5.2% (2002) Mauritius France 18.4%, South Africa 13.5%, India 7.8%, China 4.5%, UK 4.2% (2002) Mayotte France 66%, Africa 14%, Southeast Asia 11% (2000 est.) Mexico US 70.6%, Germany 3.5%, Japan 2.7% (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of US, Australia, Japan (2000) Moldova Russia 23.9%, Ukraine 13.4%, Germany 12.6%, Italy 8.3%, Romania 8.2% (2002) Mongolia Russia 32%, China 19.4%, South Korea 12.1%, US 9.1%, Germany 4.7%, Japan 4.3% (2002) Montserrat US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada Morocco France 20.9%, Spain 12.6%, Italy 6.3%, Germany 5.5%, US 4.6%, UK 4.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2002) Mozambique South Africa 27.5%, France 8.9%, US 7%, Australia 6.9%, Japan 6%, Malaysia 4% (2002) Namibia US 50%, EU 31% (2001) Nauru Australia 59.3%, US 10.1%, Ireland 7.6%, Malaysia 6% (2002) Nepal India 21.2%, China 13%, UAE 11.1%, Singapore 8.5%, Hong Kong 5.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.9%, Kuwait 4.1% (2002) Netherlands Germany 17.8%, Belgium 9.7%, US 9.1%, UK 6.9%, France 5.5%, China 5.1%, Japan 4% (2002) Netherlands Antilles Venezuela 60.8%, Mexico 11.7%, US 9.7% (2002) New Caledonia France 52.8%, Australia 12.7%, Singapore 9.8% (2002) New Zealand Australia 22.1%, US 13.6%, Japan 12%, China 8%, Germany 5.2% (2002) Nicaragua US 23.7%, Costa Rica 10.3%, Venezuela 10.1%, Guatemala 7.8%, Mexico 6.7%, El Salvador 6%, South Korea 4.6% (2002) Niger France 16.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 14.9%, China 9.8%, Nigeria 7.4%, US 5.2%, Japan 4.6%, India 4.4% (2002) Nigeria UK 9.6%, US 9.4%, China 9.3%, France 8.7%, Germany 6.8%, South Korea 6.1%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.7% (2002) Niue NZ mainly, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Australia, US (2000) Norfolk Island Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe Northern Mariana Islands US, Japan (2000) Norway Sweden 17.7%, Germany 13.4%, UK 7.8%, Denmark 7.7%, US 5.7%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 4.2%, Italy 4% (2002) Oman UAE 27.5%, Japan 16.7%, UK 7.4%, US 6.9%, Germany 5% (2002) Pakistan UAE 11.7%, Saudi Arabia 11.7%, Kuwait 6.7%, US 6.4%, China 6.2%, Japan 6%, Malaysia 4.5%, Germany 4.4% (2002) Palau US, Guam, Japan, Singapore, Korea (2000) Panama US 34.3%, Colombia 5.9%, Japan 5.4%, Costa Rica 4.2%, Venezuela 4.2% (2002) Papua New Guinea Australia 49.3%, Singapore 18.8%, New Zealand 4.4%, Japan 4.2% (2002) Paraguay Brazil 32.7%, Argentina 22.7%, US 18.1%, Hong Kong 4.7% (2002) Peru US 26.1%, Chile 7.9%, Spain 5.1%, Colombia 5%, Brazil 4.7%, Venezuela 4.7%, Argentina 4.3% (2002) Philippines Japan 21.6%, US 18.6%, Singapore 7.8%, South Korea 7.5%, China 5.2%, Hong Kong 4.5%, Taiwan 4.1% (2002) Pitcairn Islands NA (2000) Poland Germany 29.9%, Italy 8.1%, Russia 7.4%, France 7.2%, Netherlands 5.3% (2002) Portugal Spain 28.1%, Germany 15%, France 10.2%, Italy 6.5%, UK 5.2%, Netherlands 4.5% (2002) Puerto Rico US 53.5%, Ireland 16.3%, Japan 4.5% (2001) Qatar France 17.8%, Japan 10.1%, US 8.5%, UK 8.3%, Germany 8%, Italy 6.7%, UAE 5.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.1%, South Korea 4% (2002) Reunion France 64%, Bahrain 3%, Germany 3%, Italy 3% (2000) Romania Italy 20.2%, Germany 18.1%, France 6.6%, Russia 5.6%, Austria 4.9%, Hungary 4.1% (2002) Russia Germany 14.3%, Belarus 8.9%, Ukraine 7.1%, US 6.4%, China 5.2%, Italy 4.8%, Kazakhstan 4.3%, France 4.1% (2002) Rwanda Kenya 21.8%, Germany 8.4%, Belgium 7.9%, Israel 4.3% (2002) Saint Helena UK 47.6%, Tanzania 14.6%, Italy 12.1%, South Africa 10.9%, US 5.3% (2002) Saint Kitts and Nevis US 41.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 16.2%, Canada 9.8%, UK 6.9%, Japan 4% (2002) Saint Lucia Brazil 41.7%, US 21.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.9% (2002) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Zambia 61.5%, France 21.8%, Canada 13% (2002) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines France 32.7%, US 11.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 10.4%, Singapore 10.1%, Spain 7.9%, Greece 4.3% (2002) Samoa New Zealand 23.3%, Fiji 20.2%, Australia 15.7%, Japan 13.1%, Taiwan 6.4%, US 4.2% (2002) Sao Tome and Principe Portugal 51.4%, Germany 10.1%, UK 7.6%, Belgium 6.3% (2002) Saudi Arabia US 11.2%, Japan 8.8%, Germany 7.6%, UK 4.9%, France 4.9%, Italy 4.1% (2002) Senegal France 25.6%, Nigeria 8.7%, Thailand 7.2%, US 5.4%, Germany 5.4%, Italy 4.5%, Spain 4% (2002) Serbia and Montenegro Germany 19.4%, Italy 18%, Austria 8.5%, Slovenia 5.6%, Greece 4.4%, France 4.3%, Bulgaria 4.2%, Romania 4.1% (2002) Seychelles Saudi Arabia 15.6%, France 12.8%, Spain 9.9%, Italy 9.7%, South Africa 8.4%, Singapore 7.3%, UK 6.1%, Taiwan 4.2% (2002) Sierra Leone Germany 25%, UK 10.9%, Netherlands 7.5%, US 5.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.9%, Italy 4.3% (2002) Singapore Malaysia 18.2%, US 14.3%, Japan 12.5%, China 7.6%, Thailand 4.6%, Taiwan 4.6% (2002) Slovakia Germany 24.8%, Czech Republic 16%, Russia 13.5%, Austria 7%, Italy 6.4%, France 4% (2002) Slovenia Germany 20%, Italy 19%, Austria 11.3%, France 10.5% (2002) Solomon Islands Australia 31.3%, Singapore 19.7%, New Zealand 5.1%, Fiji 4.6%, Papua New Guinea 4.5% (2002) Somalia Djibouti 29.8%, Kenya 13.6%, Brazil 10.5%, Thailand 4.7%, UK 4.4%, UAE 4.3% (2002) South Africa Germany 15.4%, US 9.4%, UK 9%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, Japan 5.8%, France 5%, China 4.9%, Iran 4.1% (2002) Spain France 17%, Germany 16.5%, Italy 8.6%, UK 6.4%, Netherlands 4.8% (2002) Sri Lanka India 11%, Hong Kong 7.6%, Singapore 7.1%, China 6.3%, Taiwan 5.9%, South Korea 5.7%, Japan 5.3%, Iran 4.2% (2002) Sudan China 19.7%, Saudi Arabia 7.4%, Germany 5.5%, India 5.5%, UK 5.4%, Indonesia 4.7%, Australia 4% (2002) Suriname US 22.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, China 11.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.2%, France 7.5%, Netherlands Antilles 7.2%, Japan 5.7% (2002) Swaziland South Africa 88.8%, EU 5.6%, Japan 0.6%, Singapore 0.4% (1999) Sweden Germany 18.5%, Denmark 8.8%, UK 8.6%, Norway 8.2%, Netherlands 6.7%, France 5.4%, Finland 5.2%, US 5% (2002) Switzerland Germany 27.4%, France 11.4%, Italy 9.7%, US 8.5%, Russia 5.8%, UK 5.4%, Austria 4.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2002) Syria Italy 8.3%, Germany 7.4%, China 5.7%, South Korea 4.8%, France 4.6%, US 4.4%, Turkey 4.1% (2002) Taiwan Japan 24.3%, US 16.1%, China 7.1%, South Korea 6.9% (2002) Tajikistan Russia 22.7%, Uzbekistan 18.4%, Ukraine 11.2%, Kazakhstan 10%, Turkmenistan 6.5%, Azerbaijan 5.7%, India 4.4% (2002) Tanzania South Africa 12.7%, China 7.9%, Kenya 6.6%, India 6.3%, UK 6%, Japan 4.5%, US 4%, Australia 4% (2002) Thailand Japan 23%, US 9.6%, China 7.6%, Malaysia 5.6%, Singapore 4.5%, Taiwan 4.4% (2002) Togo France 21.3%, China 17%, Netherlands 6.5%, Germany 5.3%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.4% (2002) Tokelau NZ (2000) Tonga New Zealand 30.8%, Fiji 20.7%, US 14.2%, Australia 13.2%, China 6.1% (2002) Trinidad and Tobago US 42%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.5%, UK 5%, Japan 4.5%, Brazil 4.3% (2002) Tunisia France 25.6%, Italy 19.5%, Germany 8.9%, Spain 5% (2002) Turkey Germany 13.7%, Italy 8.1%, Russia 7.6%, US 6%, France 5.9%, UK 4.8%, Switzerland 4.1% (2002) Turkmenistan Russia 19.8%, Turkey 12.8%, Ukraine 11.7%, UAE 10%, US 7.5%, China 6%, Germany 5.7%, Iran 4.4% (2002) Turks and Caicos Islands US, UK Tuvalu Hungary 68.2%, Japan 12.9%, Fiji 11.9% (2002) Uganda Kenya 45.3%, South Africa 6.8%, India 5.7%, UK 5.5% (2002) Ukraine Russia 32.3%, Germany 11.7%, Turkmenistan 7.4%, Poland 6%, Italy 4% (2002) United Arab Emirates US 8.1%, China 7.8%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.5%, India 5.7%, France 5.6%, UK 5.4%, South Korea 5.1%, Iran 4.2% (2002) United Kingdom Germany 12.9%, US 11.9%, France 7.8%, Netherlands 6.3%, Belgium 5%, Italy 4.4% (2002) United States Canada 17.8%, Mexico 11.3%, China 11.1%, Japan 10.4%, Germany 5.3% (2002) Uruguay Argentina 25.6%, Brazil 22.7%, US 7.7%, Venezuela 6.2% (2002) Uzbekistan Russia 22.6%, Germany 9.8%, South Korea 9.4%, Kazakhstan 8.1%, US 6.9%, Ukraine 6.8%, China 5.2%, Turkey 4.6% (2002) Vanuatu Australia 22.1%, Japan 19.2%, New Zealand 10.1%, Singapore 8.1%, Fiji 6.6%, Taiwan 5%, India 5% (2002) Venezuela US 27.5%, Colombia 6.9%, Brazil 5.7%, Mexico 4.4% (2002) Vietnam South Korea 12.7%, China 12.2%, Japan 12.1%, Singapore 11.8%, Taiwan 10.6%, Thailand 5.4% (2002) Virgin Islands US, Puerto Rico Wallis and Futuna France 97%, Australia 2%, New Zealand 1% West Bank Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000) Western Sahara Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2000) World US 11.2%, Germany 9.2%, China 7%, Japan 6.8%, France 4.7%, UK 4% (2002) Yemen US 10.4%, Saudi Arabia 9.5%, China 8.7%, UAE 6.9%, Russia 5.8%, France 4.7% (2002) Zambia South Africa 64.4%, US 3.7%, China 3.6% (2002) Zimbabwe South Africa 47.7%, Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.7%, Mozambique 5.3% (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2062 Economic aid - donor Australia ODA, $894 million (FY 99/00) Austria ODA, $410 million (2000) Belgium ODA, $764 million (1997) Canada ODA, $1.3 billion (1999) Denmark ODA, $1.63 billion (1999) Finland ODA, $379 million (2001) France ODA, $6.3 billion (1997) Germany ODA, $5.6 billion (1998) Iceland $NA Ireland ODA, $283 million (2001) Italy ODA, $1 billion (2002 est.) Japan ODA, $9.1 billion (1999) Korea, South ODA $200 million Lesotho ODA $4.4 million Luxembourg ODA, $160 million (1999) Netherlands ODA, $3.5 billion (2000 est.) New Zealand ODA, $99.7 million Norway ODA, $1.4 billion (1998) Portugal ODA, $271 million (1995) Saudi Arabia pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 2000, Saudi Arabia has committed $307 million for assistance to the Palestinians; pledged $240 million to development in Afghanistan Spain ODA, $1.33 billion (1999) Sweden ODA, $1.7 billion (1997) Switzerland ODA, $1.1 billion (1995) United Arab Emirates $NA United Kingdom ODA, $4.5 billion (2000) United States ODA, $6.9 billion (1997) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2063 Constitution Afghanistan the Bonn Agreement called for a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) to be convened within 18 months of the establishment of the Transitional Authority to draft a new constitution for the country; the basis for the next constitution is the 1964 Constitution, according to the Bonn Agreement Albania a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998; note - the opposition Democratic Party boycotted the vote Algeria 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996 American Samoa ratified 1966, in effect 1967 Andorra Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993 Angola 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992 Anguilla Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981 Argentina 1 May 1853; revised August 1994 Armenia adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995 Aruba 1 January 1986 Australia 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 Austria 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945) Azerbaijan adopted 12 November 1995 Bahamas, The 10 July 1973 Bahrain adopted late December 2000; Bahrani voters approved on 13-14 February 2001 a referendum on legislative changes (revised constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary) Bangladesh 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times Barbados 30 November 1966 Belarus 30 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996 Belgium 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state Belize 21 September 1981 Benin December 1990 Bermuda 8 June 1968, amended 1989 Bhutan no written constitution or bill of rights; note - the King commissioned a committee to draft a constitution in 2001, but has yet to be approved Bolivia 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994 Bosnia and Herzegovina the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution Botswana March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 Brazil 5 October 1988 British Virgin Islands 1 June 1977 Brunei 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) Bulgaria adopted 12 July 1991 Burkina Faso 2 June 1991 approved by referendum; 11 June 1991 formally adopted Burma 3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988); national convention started on 9 January 1993 to draft a new constitution; progress has since been stalled Burundi 13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political system; supplanted on 6 June 1998 by a Transitional Constitution which enlarged the National Assembly and created two vice presidents Cambodia promulgated 21 September 1993 Cameroon 20 May 1972 approved by referendum; 2 June 1972 formally adopted; revised January 1996 Canada 17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customs Cape Verde new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to create the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) Cayman Islands 1959, revised 1972 and 1992 Central African Republic passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995 Chad passed by referendum 31 March 1996 Chile 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981, amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997 China most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 Colombia 5 July 1991 Comoros 23 December 2001 note: a Transitional National Unity Government (GUNT) was formed on 20 January 2002 following the passing of the new constitution; the GUNT governed until the presidential elections on 14 April 2002 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978, amended April 1990; transitional constitution promulgated in April 1994; in November 1998, a draft constitution was approved by former President Laurent KABILA but it was not ratified by a national referendum; one outcome of the ongoing inter-Congolese dialogue is to be a new constitution Congo, Republic of the constitution approved by referendum 20 January 2002 Cook Islands 4 August 1965 Costa Rica 7 November 1949 Cote d'Ivoire 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time 27 July 1998 Croatia adopted on 22 December 1990 Cuba 24 February 1976, amended July 1992 and June 2002 Cyprus 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985 Czech Republic ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993 Denmark 1849 was the original constitution; there was a major overhaul 5 June 1953, allowing for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state Djibouti multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992 Dominica 3 November 1978 Dominican Republic 28 November 1966 East Timor 22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model) Ecuador 10 August 1998 Egypt 11 September 1971 El Salvador 23 December 1983 Equatorial Guinea approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995 Eritrea the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented Estonia adopted 28 June 1992 Ethiopia ratified December 1994; effective 22 August 1995 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 Faroe Islands 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Fiji promulgated on 25 July 1990 and amended on 25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note - the May 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution and introduced open voting - not racially prescribed - for the first time at the national level Finland 1 March 2000 France 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993 French Guiana 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) French Polynesia 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Gabon adopted 14 March 1991 Gambia, The 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997 Georgia adopted 17 October 1995 Germany 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990 Ghana approved 28 April 1992 Gibraltar 30 May 1969 Greece 11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 Greenland 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Grenada 19 December 1973 Guadeloupe 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Guam Organic Act of 1 August 1950 Guatemala 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993 Guernsey unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Guinea 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) Guinea-Bissau 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and 1996 Guyana 6 October 1980 Haiti approved March 1987; suspended June 1988, with most articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991, government claimed to be observing the constitution; return to constitutional rule, October 1994 Holy See (Vatican City) Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) Honduras 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995 Hong Kong Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" Hungary 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system Iceland 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 India 26 January 1950 Indonesia August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959 Iran 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland 29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite Israel no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law Italy 1 January 1948 Jamaica 6 August 1962 Japan 3 May 1947 Jersey unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Jordan 8 January 1952 Kazakhstan adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995; first post-independence constitution was adopted 28 January 1993 Kenya 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2001 Kiribati 12 July 1979 Korea, North adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 and September 1998 Korea, South 17 July 1948 Kuwait approved and promulgated 11 November 1962 Kyrgyzstan adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature Laos promulgated 14 August 1991 Latvia the 1991 Constitutional Law, which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms Lebanon 23 May 1926, amended a number of times, most recently Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989 Lesotho 2 April 1993 Liberia 6 January 1986 Libya 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977 Liechtenstein 5 October 1921 Lithuania adopted 25 October 1992 Luxembourg 17 October 1868, occasional revisions Macau Basic Law, approved in March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution" Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 note: in November of 2001, the Macedonian Parliament approved a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights Madagascar 19 August 1992 by national referendum Malawi 18 May 1994 Malaysia 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 Maldives adopted January 1998 Mali adopted 12 January 1992 Malta 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 and again in 1987 Man, Isle of unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act, 1961, does not embody the Manx Constitution Marshall Islands 1 May 1979 Martinique 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Mauritania 12 July 1991 Mauritius 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992 Mayotte 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Mexico 5 February 1917 Micronesia, Federated States of 10 May 1979 Moldova new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979 Monaco 17 December 1962 Mongolia 12 February 1992 Montserrat present constitution came into force 19 December 1989 Morocco 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996 Mozambique 30 November 1990 Namibia ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990 Nauru 29 January 1968 Nepal 9 November 1990 Netherlands adopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 February 1983 Netherlands Antilles 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended New Caledonia 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) New Zealand consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments and The Constitution Act 1986 which is the principal formal charter Nicaragua 9 January 1987, with reforms in 1995 and 2000 Niger the constitution of January 1993 was revised by national referendum on 12 May 1996 and again by referendum on 18 July 1999 Nigeria new constitution adopted May 1999 Niue 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act) Norfolk Island Norfolk Island Act of 1979 Northern Mariana Islands Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978 Norway 17 May 1814, modified in 1884 Oman none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens Pakistan 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored on 31 December 2002 note: selected provisions of the Constitution pertaining to changes President MUSHARRAF made while the Constitution was suspended, remain contested by political opponents Palau 1 January 1981 Panama 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994 Papua New Guinea 16 September 1975 Paraguay promulgated 20 June 1992 Peru 31 December 1993 Philippines 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Pitcairn Islands 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964 Poland 16 October 1997; adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 23 May 1997 Portugal 25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982, 1 June 1989, 5 November 1992, and 3 September 1997 Puerto Rico ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952 Qatar provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution; in the 29 April 2003 referendum, 96.6% of Qatari voters approved the new constitution Reunion 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Romania 8 December 1991 Russia adopted 12 December 1993 Rwanda on 5 May 1995, the Transitional National Assembly adopted as Fundamental Law the constitution of 18 June 1991, provisions of the 1993 Arusha peace accord, the July 1994 Declaration by the Rwanda Patriotic Front, and the November 1994 multiparty protocol of understanding Saint Helena 1 January 1989 Saint Kitts and Nevis 19 September 1983 Saint Lucia 22 February 1979 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 October 1979 Samoa 1 January 1962 San Marino 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution Sao Tome and Principe approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990 Saudi Arabia governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993 Senegal a new constitution was adopted 7 January 2001 Serbia and Montenegro 4 February 2003 Seychelles 18 June 1993 Sierra Leone 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times Singapore 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution) Slovakia ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership Slovenia adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991 Solomon Islands 7 July 1978 Somalia 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the Transitional National Government formed in August 2000 has a mandate to create a new constitution and hold elections within three years South Africa 10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 3 February 1997; it is being implemented in phases South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands adopted 3 October 1985 Spain 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978 Sri Lanka adopted 16 August 1978 Sudan 12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interim constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June 1989; new constitution implemented on 30 June 1998 partially suspended 12 December 1999 by President BASHIR Suriname ratified 30 September 1987 Swaziland none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but was not formally presented to the people; since then a few more outlines for a constitution have been compiled under the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), but so far none have been accepted Sweden 1 January 1975 Switzerland 18 December 1998 Syria 13 March 1973 Taiwan 1 January 1947, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, and 1999 Tajikistan 6 November 1994 Tanzania 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984 Thailand new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997 Togo multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992 Tokelau administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970 Tonga 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967 Trinidad and Tobago 1 August 1976 Tunisia 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988 Turkey 7 November 1982 Turkmenistan adopted 18 May 1992 Turks and Caicos Islands introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988 Tuvalu 1 October 1978 Uganda 8 October 1995; adopted by the interim, 284-member Constituent Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that had been proposed in May 1993; the Constituent Assembly was dissolved upon the promulgation of the constitution in October 1995 Ukraine adopted 28 June 1996 United Arab Emirates 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996) United Kingdom unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice United States 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789 Uruguay 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997 Uzbekistan new constitution adopted 8 December 1992 Vanuatu 30 July 1980 Venezuela 30 December 1999 Vietnam 15 April 1992 Virgin Islands Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Wallis and Futuna 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Yemen 16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001 Zambia 2 August 1991 Zimbabwe 21 December 1979 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2064 Economic aid - recipient Afghanistan international pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Tokyo Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in January 2002 reached $4.5 billion through 2006, with $1.8 billion allocated for 2002; another $1.7 billion was pledged for 2003. Albania ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2000 est.) Algeria $162 million (2000 est.) American Samoa important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994 Andorra none Angola $383.5 million (1999) Anguilla $3.5 million (1995) Antigua and Barbuda $2.3 million (1995) Argentina $10 billion (2001 est.) Armenia ODA $170 million (2000) Aruba $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996 Azerbaijan ODA, $140 million (2000 est.) Bahamas, The $9.8 million (1995) Bahrain $150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from each of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait (2002) Bangladesh $1.575 billion (2000 est.) Barbados $9.1 million (1995) Belarus $194.3 million (1995) Belize $NA Benin $342.6 million (2000) Bermuda $NA Bhutan substantial aid from India and other nations Bolivia $588 million (1997) Bosnia and Herzegovina $650 million (2001 est.) Botswana $73 million (1995) Brazil $30 billion IMF disbursement (2002) British Virgin Islands NA% Brunei $4.3 million (1995) Bulgaria $300 million (2000 est.) Burkina Faso $484.1 million (1995) Burma $99 million (FY98/99) Burundi $92.7 million (2000) Cambodia $548 million pledged in grants and concessional loans for 2001 by international donors Cameroon on 23 January 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reduce Cameroon's debt of $1.3 billion by $900 million; total debt relief now amounts to $1.26 billion Cape Verde $136 million (1999) Cayman Islands $NA Central African Republic ODA $73 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2000 est.) Chad $238.3 million; note - $125 million committed by Taiwan (August 1997); $30 million committed by African Development Bank; ODA $150 million Chile ODA, $40 million (2001 est.) China $NA Christmas Island $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA Colombia $NA Comoros $10 million (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $195.3 million (1995) Congo, Republic of the $159.1 million (1995) Cook Islands $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) Cote d'Ivoire ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.) Croatia ODA $66 million (2000) Cuba $68.2 million (1997 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area - $17 million (1998);; Turkish Cypriot area - $700 million from Turkey in grants and loans (1990-97), which are usually forgiven (1998) Czech Republic $108 million; EU structural adjustment funds (2002) Djibouti $36 million (2001) Dominica $24.4 million (1995) Dominican Republic $239.6 million (1995) East Timor $2.2 billion (1999-2002 est.) Ecuador $120 million (2001) Egypt ODA, $2.25 billion (1999) El Salvador total $252 million; $57 million from US (1999 est.) Equatorial Guinea $33.8 million (1995) Eritrea $77 million (1999) Estonia $108 million (2000) Ethiopia $308 million (FY00/01) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none Faroe Islands $55 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) Fiji $40.3 million (1995) French Guiana $NA French Polynesia $367 million (1997) Gabon $331 million (1995) Gambia, The $45.4 million (1995) Gaza Strip $800 million (includes West Bank) (2001 est.) Georgia ODA $150 million (2000 est.) Ghana $6.9 billion (1999) Gibraltar $NA; note - if an agreement between Spain and the UK is reached, could receive 50 million euros from the EU Greece $5.4 billion from EU Greenland $380 million subsidy from Denmark Grenada $8.3 million (1995) Guadeloupe $NA; note - substantial annual French subsidies Guam Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal Treasury ($143 million in 1997) into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guam Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam Guatemala $250 million (2000 est.) Guernsey $NA Guinea $359.2 million (1998) Guinea-Bissau $115.4 million (1995) Guyana $84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) $253 million (1997) Haiti $120 million (FY02) Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras $557.8 million (1999) Hungary ODA $250 million (2000) India $2.9 billion (FY 98/99) Indonesia $43 billion from IMF program and other official external financing (1997-2000) Iran $408 million (2002 est.) Iraq $327.5 million (1995) Israel $720 million from US (2001 est.) Jamaica NA Jersey none Jordan ODA, $553 million (2000 est.) Kazakhstan $610 million in US assistance programs, 1992-2000 Kenya $457 million (1997) Kiribati $15.5 million largely from UK and Japan (1995) Korea, North $NA; note - nearly $300 million in food aid alone from US, South Korea, Japan, and EU in 2001 plus much additional aid from the UN and non-governmental organizations Kuwait NA Kyrgyzstan $50 million from the US (2001) Laos $345 million (1999 est.) Latvia $96.2 million (1995) Lebanon $3.5 billion (pledges 1997-2001) $4.2 billion in pledges November 2002 Paris II Aid Conference Lesotho $41.5 million (2000) Liberia $94 million (1999) Libya $15 million (2000) Liechtenstein none Lithuania $228.5 million (1995) Macau $NA Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $150 million (2001 est.) Madagascar $838 million (1997) Malawi $540 million (1999) Maldives $NA Mali $596.4 million (2001) Malta $NA Man, Isle of $NA Marshall Islands more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002 Martinique $NA; note - substantial annual aid from France Mauritania $220 million (2000) Mauritius $42 million (1997) Mayotte $107.7 million; note - extensive French financial assistance (1995) Mexico $1.166 billion (1995) Micronesia, Federated States of under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001 Moldova $100 million (2000) Monaco $NA Mongolia $208.7 million (1999 est.) Montserrat Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year program for spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistance Morocco $565.6 million (1995) Mozambique $632.8 million (2001) Namibia ODA $160 million (2000 est.) Nauru $2.25 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.) Nepal $424 million (FY 00/01) Netherlands Antilles IMF provided $61 million in 2000, and the Netherlands continued its support with $40 million New Caledonia $880 million annual subsidy from France Nicaragua Substantial foreign support Niger $341 million (1997) Nigeria ODA $250 million (1998) Niue $2.6 million from New Zealand (2002) Norfolk Island $NA Northern Mariana Islands extensive funding from US Oman $76.4 million (1995) Pakistan $2.4 billion (FY01/02) Palau $155.8 million ; note - the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities Panama $197.1 million (1995) Papua New Guinea $400 million (1999 est.) Paraguay $NA Peru $895.1 million (1995) Philippines ODA, $1.1 billion (1998) Pitcairn Islands $NA Poland EU structural adjustment funds Puerto Rico $NA Qatar $NA Reunion $NA; note - substantial annual subsidies from France Russia in FY01 from US, $979 million (including $750 million in non-proliferation subsidies); in 2001 from EU, $200 million Rwanda $372.9 million (1999) Saint Helena $12.6 million (1995); note - $5.3 million from UK (1997) Saint Kitts and Nevis $8 million (2001) Saint Lucia $51.8 million (1995) Saint Pierre and Miquelon approximately $60 million in annual grants from France Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $47.5 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (1998) Samoa $42.9 million (1995) San Marino $NA Sao Tome and Principe $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program Senegal $362.6 million (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro $2 billion pledged in 2001 (disbursements to follow for several years) Seychelles $16.4 million (1995) Sierra Leone $103 million (2001 est.) Singapore $NA Slovakia ODA $113 million (2000),; $92 million EU structural adjustment funds (2000 est.) Slovenia ODA, $62 million (2000 est.) Solomon Islands $28 million mainly from Japan, Australia, China, and NZ (2001 est.) Somalia $60 million (1999 est.) South Africa $487.5 million (2000) Sri Lanka $577 million (1998) Sudan $187 million (1997) Suriname Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (1998) Svalbard $8.2 million from Norway (1998) Swaziland $104 million (2001) Syria $199 million (1997 est.) Tajikistan $60.7 million from US (2001) Tanzania $963 million (1997) Thailand $131.5 million (1998 est.) Togo ODA $80 million (2000 est.) Tokelau from New Zealand about $4 million annually Tonga Australia $5.5 million, New Zealand $2.3 million (FY01/02) Trinidad and Tobago $24 million (1999 est.) Tunisia $222.7 million (2000) Turkey ODA, $300 million (2000) Turkmenistan $16 million from the US (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands $4.1 million (1997) Tuvalu $13 million ; note - major donors are Australia, Japan, and the US (1999 est.) Uganda $1.4 billion (2000) Ukraine $637.7 million (1995); IMF Extended Funds Facility $2.2 billion (1998) Uruguay $NA Uzbekistan approximately $150 million from the US (2001) Vanuatu $45.8 million (1995) Venezuela $74 million (2000) Vietnam $2.1 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000 Virgin Islands $NA Wallis and Futuna assistance from France West Bank $800 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2001 est.) Western Sahara $NA World official development assistance (ODA) $50 billion Yemen $2.3 billion to be disbursed 2003-07 (2003-07 disbursements) Zambia $651 million (2000 est.) Zimbabwe $178 million (2000 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2065 Currency Afghanistan afghani (AFA) Albania lek (ALL) Algeria Algerian dinar (DZD) American Samoa US dollar (USD) Andorra euro (EUR) Angola kwanza (AOA) Anguilla East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Antigua and Barbuda East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Argentina Argentine peso (ARS) Armenia dram (AMD) Aruba Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Australia Australian dollar (AUD) Austria euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Azerbaijan Azerbaijani manat (AZM) Bahamas, The Bahamian dollar (BSD) Bahrain Bahraini dinar (BHD) Bangladesh taka (BDT) Barbados Barbadian dollar (BBD) Belarus Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR) Belgium euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Belize Belizean dollar (BZD) Benin Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Bermuda Bermudian dollar (BMD) Bhutan ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) Bolivia boliviano (BOB) Bosnia and Herzegovina marka (BAM) Botswana pula (BWP) Brazil real (BRL) British Virgin Islands US dollar (USD) Brunei Bruneian dollar (BND) Bulgaria lev (BGL) Burkina Faso Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Burma kyat (MMK) Burundi Burundi franc (BIF) Cambodia riel (KHR) Cameroon Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Canada Canadian dollar (CAD) Cape Verde Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) Cayman Islands Caymanian dollar (KYD) Central African Republic Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Chad Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Chile Chilean peso (CLP) China yuan (CNY) note:: also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB) Christmas Island Australian dollar (AUD) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australian dollar (AUD) Colombia Colombian peso (COP) Comoros Comoran franc (KMF) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congolese franc (CDF) Congo, Republic of the Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Cook Islands New Zealand dollar (NZD) Costa Rica Costa Rican colon (CRC) Cote d'Ivoire Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Croatia kuna (HRK) Cuba Cuban peso (CUP) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish lira (TRL) Czech Republic Czech koruna (CZK) Denmark Danish krone (DKK) Djibouti Djiboutian franc (DJF) Dominica East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Dominican Republic Dominican peso (DOP) East Timor US dollar (USD) Ecuador US dollar (USD) Egypt Egyptian pound (EGP) El Salvador US dollar (USD) Equatorial Guinea Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Eritrea nakfa (ERN) Estonia Estonian kroon (EEK) Ethiopia birr (ETB) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Falkland pound (FKP) Faroe Islands Danish krone (DKK) Fiji Fijian dollar (FJD) Finland euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries France euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries French Guiana euro (EUR); French franc (FRF) French Polynesia Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt the euro in 2003 Gabon Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Gambia, The dalasi (GMD) Gaza Strip new Israeli shekel (ILS) Georgia lari (GEL) Germany euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Ghana cedi (GHC) Gibraltar Gibraltar pound (GIP) Greece euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Greenland Danish krone (DKK) Grenada East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Guadeloupe euro (EUR); French franc (FRF) Guam US dollar (USD) Guatemala quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed Guernsey British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Guernsey pound Guinea Guinean franc (GNF) Guinea-Bissau Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States; previously the Guinea-Bissau peso (GWP) was used Guyana Guyanese dollar (GYD) Haiti gourde (HTG) Holy See (Vatican City) euro (EUR) Honduras lempira (HNL) Hong Kong Hong Kong dollar (HKD) Hungary forint (HUF) Iceland Icelandic krona (ISK) India Indian rupee (INR) Indonesia Indonesian rupiah (IDR) Iran Iranian rial (IRR) Iraq Iraqi dinar (IQD) Ireland euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Israel new Israeli shekel (ILS); note - NIS is the currency abbreviation; ILS is the International Organization for Standarization (ISO) code for the NIS Italy euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Jamaica Jamaican dollar (JMD) Japan yen (JPY) Jersey British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Jersey pound Jordan Jordanian dinar (JOD) Kazakhstan tenge (KZT) Kenya Kenyan shilling (KES) Kiribati Australian dollar (AUD) Korea, North North Korean won (KPW) Korea, South South Korean won (KRW) Kuwait Kuwaiti dinar (KD) Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) Laos kip (LAK) Latvia Latvian lat (LVL) Lebanon Lebanese pound (LBP) Lesotho loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR) Liberia Liberian dollar (LRD) Libya Libyan dinar (LYD) Liechtenstein Swiss franc (CHF) Lithuania litas (LTL) Luxembourg euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Macau pataca (MOP) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian denar (MKD) Madagascar Malagasy franc (MGF) Malawi Malawian kwacha (MWK) Malaysia ringgit (MYR) Maldives rufiyaa (MVR) Mali Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Malta Maltese lira (MTL) Man, Isle of British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Manx pound Marshall Islands US dollar (USD) Martinique euro (EUR) Mauritania ouguiya (MRO) Mauritius Mauritian rupee (MUR) Mayotte euro (EUR) Mexico Mexican peso (MXN) Micronesia, Federated States of US dollar (USD) Moldova Moldovan leu (MDL) Monaco euro (EUR) Mongolia togrog/tugrik (MNT) Montserrat East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Morocco Moroccan dirham (MAD) Mozambique metical (MZM) Namibia Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR) Nauru Australian dollar (AUD) Nepal Nepalese rupee (NPR) Netherlands euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Netherlands Antilles Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) New Caledonia Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt the euro in 2003 New Zealand New Zealand dollar (NZD) Nicaragua gold cordoba (NIO) Niger Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Nigeria naira (NGN) Niue New Zealand dollar (NZD) Norfolk Island Australian dollar (AUD) Northern Mariana Islands US dollar (USD) Norway Norwegian krone (NOK) Oman Omani rial (OMR) Pakistan Pakistani rupee (PKR) Palau US dollar (USD) Panama balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD) Papua New Guinea kina (PGK) Paraguay guarani (PYG) Peru nuevo sol (PEN) Philippines Philippine peso (PHP) Pitcairn Islands New Zealand dollar (NZD) Poland zloty (PLN) Portugal euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Puerto Rico US dollar (USD) Qatar Qatari rial (QAR) Reunion euro (EUR) Romania leu (ROL) Russia Russian ruble (RUR) Rwanda Rwandan franc (RWF) Saint Helena Saint Helenian pound (SHP) Saint Kitts and Nevis East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Saint Lucia East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Saint Pierre and Miquelon euro (EUR) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Samoa tala (SAT) San Marino euro (EUR) Sao Tome and Principe dobra (STD) Saudi Arabia Saudi riyal (SAR) Senegal Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Serbia and Montenegro new Yugoslav dinar (YUM); note - in Montenegro the euro is legal tender; in Kosovo both the euro and the Yugoslav dinar are legal (2002) Seychelles Seychelles rupee (SCR) Sierra Leone leone (SLL) Singapore Singapore dollar (SGD) Slovakia Slovak koruna (SKK) Slovenia tolar (SIT) Solomon Islands Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) Somalia Somali shilling (SOS) South Africa rand (ZAR) Spain euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions with the member countries Sri Lanka Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) Sudan Sudanese dinar (SDD) Suriname Surinamese guilder (SRG) Svalbard Norwegian krone (NOK) Swaziland lilangeni (SZL) Sweden Swedish krona (SEK) Switzerland Swiss franc (CHF) Syria Syrian pound (SYP) Taiwan new Taiwan dollar (TWD) Tajikistan somoni Tanzania Tanzanian shilling (TZS) Thailand baht (THB) Togo Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Tokelau New Zealand dollar (NZD) Tonga pa'anga (TOP) Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD) Tunisia Tunisian dinar (TND) Turkey Turkish lira (TRL) Turkmenistan Turkmen manat (TMM) Turks and Caicos Islands US dollar (USD) Tuvalu Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar Uganda Ugandan shilling (UGX) Ukraine hryvnia (UAH) United Arab Emirates Emirati dirham (AED) United Kingdom British pound (GBP) United States US dollar (USD) Uruguay Uruguayan peso (UYU) Uzbekistan Uzbekistani sum (UZS) Vanuatu vatu (VUV) Venezuela bolivar (VEB) Vietnam dong (VND) Virgin Islands US dollar (USD) Wallis and Futuna Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt the euro in 2003 West Bank new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD) Western Sahara Moroccan dirham (MAD) Yemen Yemeni rial (YER) Zambia Zambian kwacha (ZMK) Zimbabwe Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2066 Death rate (deaths/1,000 population) Afghanistan 17.15 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Albania 6.48 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Algeria 5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) American Samoa 4.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Andorra 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Angola 25.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Anguilla 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Argentina 7.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Armenia 10.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Aruba 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Australia 7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Austria 9.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Azerbaijan 9.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bahamas, The 8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bahrain 3.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bangladesh 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Barbados 9.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belarus 14.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belgium 10.07 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belize 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Benin 13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bermuda 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bhutan 13.47 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bolivia 7.91 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Botswana 31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Brazil 6.13 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands 4.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Brunei 3.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bulgaria 14.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burkina Faso 18.76 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burma 12.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burundi 17.8 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cambodia 9.26 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cameroon 15.3 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Canada 7.61 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cape Verde 6.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cayman Islands 4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Central African Republic 19.73 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Chad 16.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Chile 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) China 6.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Christmas Island NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Colombia 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Comoros 8.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14.87 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 14.2 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cook Islands NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Costa Rica 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 18.41 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Croatia 11.25 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cuba 7.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cyprus 7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Czech Republic 10.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Denmark 10.72 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Djibouti 19.45 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Dominica 6.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Dominican Republic 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) East Timor 6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ecuador 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Egypt 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) El Salvador 6.01 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea 12.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Eritrea 13.23 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Estonia 13.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ethiopia 20.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA deaths/1,000 population Faroe Islands 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Fiji 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Finland 9.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) France 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) French Guiana 4.8 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) French Polynesia 4.53 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gabon 11.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gambia, The 12.35 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gaza Strip 4.03 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Georgia 14.71 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Germany 10.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ghana 10.53 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gibraltar 8.93 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Greece 9.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Greenland 7.66 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Grenada 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guadeloupe 6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guam 4.29 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guatemala 6.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guernsey 9.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guinea 15.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau 16.62 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guyana 9.27 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Haiti 13.36 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Honduras 6.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Hong Kong 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Hungary 13 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iceland 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) India 8.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Indonesia 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iran 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iraq 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ireland 7.94 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Israel 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Italy 10.12 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jamaica 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Japan 8.55 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jersey 9.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jordan 2.62 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kazakhstan 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kenya 16.01 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kiribati 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Korea, North 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Korea, South 6.03 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kuwait 2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan 9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Laos 12.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Latvia 14.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lebanon 6.32 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lesotho 24.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Liberia 17.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Libya 3.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Liechtenstein 6.85 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lithuania 12.89 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Luxembourg 8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Macau 3.85 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 7.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Madagascar 11.88 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malawi 22.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malaysia 5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Maldives 7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mali 19.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malta 7.8 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Man, Isle of 11.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Marshall Islands 5.03 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Martinique 6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mauritania 13.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mauritius 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mayotte 8.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mexico 4.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Moldova 12.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Monaco 12.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mongolia 7.18 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Montserrat 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Morocco 5.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mozambique 30.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Namibia 19.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nauru 7.08 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nepal 9.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Netherlands 8.66 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles 6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) New Caledonia 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) New Zealand 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nicaragua 4.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Niger 21.71 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nigeria 13.76 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Niue NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Norfolk Island NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 2.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Norway 9.72 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Oman 3.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Pakistan 8.79 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Palau 7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Panama 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea 7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Paraguay 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Peru 5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Philippines 5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Poland 9.96 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Portugal 10.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Puerto Rico 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Qatar 4.43 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Reunion 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Romania 12.25 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Russia 13.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Rwanda 21.72 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Helena 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.85 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Lucia 5.24 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 6.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.08 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Samoa 6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) San Marino 7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Senegal 10.88 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 10.62 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Seychelles 6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sierra Leone 20.66 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Singapore 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Slovakia 9.22 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Slovenia 10.15 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Solomon Islands 4.12 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Somalia 17.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) South Africa 18.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Spain 9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sri Lanka 6.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sudan 9.59 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Suriname 6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Svalbard NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Swaziland 21.08 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sweden 10.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Switzerland 8.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Syria 5.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Taiwan 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tajikistan 8.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tanzania 17.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Thailand 6.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Togo 11.51 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tokelau NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tonga 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 8.71 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tunisia 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turkey 5.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turkmenistan 8.87 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 4.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tuvalu 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uganda 16.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ukraine 16.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates 4.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) United Kingdom 10.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) United States 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uruguay 8.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uzbekistan 7.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Vanuatu 8.13 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Venezuela 4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Vietnam 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Virgin Islands 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) West Bank 4.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Western Sahara NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) World 8.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Yemen 9.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Zambia 24.3 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) Zimbabwe 22.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2067 Military expenditures - dollar figure Afghanistan $525.2 million (FY02) Albania $56.5 million (FY02) Algeria $1.87 billion (FY99) Angola $222.7 million (FY02) Antigua and Barbuda $NA Argentina $4.3 billion (FY99) Armenia $135 million (FY01) Australia $11.39 billion (FY02) Austria $1.497 billion (FY01/02) Azerbaijan $121 million (FY99) Bahamas, The $20 million (FY95/96) Bahrain $526.2 million (FY01) Bangladesh $559 million (FY96) Barbados $NA Belarus $176.1 million (FY02) Belgium $3.077 billion (FY01/02) Belize $7.7 million (FY00/01) Benin $80.8 million (FY02) Bermuda $4.028 million (January 2002) Bhutan $9.3 million (FY02) Bolivia $147 million (FY99) Bosnia and Herzegovina $234.3 million (FY02) Botswana $207.3 million (FY02) Brazil $13.408 billion (FY99) Brunei $329.7 million (FY02) Bulgaria $356 million (FY02) Burkina Faso $45.83 million (FY02) Burma $39 million (FY97) Burundi $42.13 million (FY02) Cambodia $112 million (FY01 est.) Cameroon $118.6 million (FY00) Canada $7.861 billion (FY01/02) Cape Verde $9.3 million (FY02) Central African Republic $13.43 million (FY02) Chad $40.74 million (FY02) Chile $2.5 billion (FY99) China $55.91 billion (FY02) Colombia $3.3 billion (FY01) Comoros $6 million (FY02) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $250 million (FY97) Congo, Republic of the $84 million (FY01) Costa Rica $69 million (FY99) Cote d'Ivoire $143.5 million (FY02) Croatia $520 million (2002 est.) Cuba $NA Cyprus $384 million (FY02) Czech Republic $1,190.2 million (FY01) Denmark $2.47 billion (FY99/00) Djibouti $26.53 million (FY02) Dominica $NA Dominican Republic $180 million (FY98) East Timor $4.4 million (FY03) Ecuador $720 million (FY98) Egypt $4.04 billion (FY99) El Salvador $112 million (FY99) Equatorial Guinea $30 million (FY02) Eritrea $95.75 million (FY02) Estonia $155 million (2002 est.) Ethiopia $800 million (FY00) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $NA Faroe Islands $NA Fiji $39.21 million (FY02) Finland $1.8 billion (FY98/99) France $46.5 billion (2000) French Guiana $NA Gabon $81.9 million (FY02) Gambia, The $1.2 million (FY02) Gaza Strip $NA Georgia $23 million (FY00) Germany $38.8 billion (2002) Ghana $36.01 million (FY02) Greece $6.12 billion (FY99/00 est.) Grenada $NA Guatemala $120 million (FY99) Guinea $154 million (FY02) Guinea-Bissau $5.6 million (FY02) Guyana $NA Haiti $50 million (FY00) Honduras $35 million (FY99) Hungary $1.08 billion (2002 est.) Iceland $0 India $11.52 billion (FY02) Indonesia $1 billion (FY98) Iran $9.7 billion (FY00) Iraq $1.3 billion (FY00) Ireland $700 million (FY00/01) Israel $8.97 billion (FY02) Italy $20.2 billion (2002) Jamaica $30 million (FY95/96 est.) Japan $39.52 billion (FY02) Jordan $757.5 million (FY01) Kazakhstan $221.8 million (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02) Kenya $185.2 million (FY02) Kiribati $NA Korea, North $5,217.4 million (FY02) Korea, South $13,094.3 million (FY02) Kuwait $1,967.3 million (FY01) note: Kuwait is changing its fiscal year; the above figure is for July-March 2001; future budget years will be April-March annually Kyrgyzstan $19.2 million (FY01) Laos $55 million (FY98) Latvia $87 million (FY01) Lebanon $541 million (2002) Lesotho $34 million (1999) Liberia $7.8 million (FY02) Libya $1.3 billion (FY99) Lithuania $230.8 million (FY01) Luxembourg $147.8 million (FY01/02) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $200 million (FY01/02 est.) Madagascar $52.3 million (FY02) Malawi $13.01 million (FY02) Malaysia $1.69 billion (FY00 est.) Maldives $34.46 million (FY02) Mali $419.7 million (FY02) Malta $60 million (2000 est.) Marshall Islands $NA Mauritania $37.11 million (FY02) Mauritius $9.712 million (FY02) Mexico $4 billion (FY99) Moldova $6.4 million (FY02) Mongolia $23.1 million (FY02) Morocco $1.4 billion (FY99/00) Mozambique $35.1 million (2000 est.) Namibia $73.1 million (FY02) Nauru $NA Nepal $57.22 million (FY02) Netherlands $6.5 billion (FY00/01 est.) New Caledonia $192.3 million (FY96) New Zealand $605.7 million (FY02) Nicaragua $26 million (FY98) Niger $20.54 million (FY02) Nigeria $417.9 million (FY02) Norway $3.113 billion (FY98/99) Oman $2.424 billion (FY01) Pakistan $2.964 billion (FY02) Palau $NA Panama $128 million (FY99) Papua New Guinea $40.21 million (FY02) Paraguay $125 million (FY98) Peru $1 billion (FY01) Philippines $995 million (FY98) Poland $3.5 billion (2002) Portugal $1.286 billion (FY99/00) Qatar $723 million (FY00) Romania $985 million (2002) Russia $NA Rwanda $59.57 million (FY02) Saint Kitts and Nevis $NA Saint Lucia $NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $NA Samoa $NA San Marino $700,000 (FY00/01) Sao Tome and Principe $400,000 (FY01) Saudi Arabia $18.3 billion (FY00) Senegal $68.6 million (FY02) Serbia and Montenegro $654 million (2002) Seychelles $12.8 million (FY02) Sierra Leone $10.26 million (FY02) Singapore $4.47 billion (FY01 est.) Slovakia $406 million (2002) Slovenia $370 million (FY00) Solomon Islands $NA Somalia $17.1 million (FY02) South Africa $1.746 billion (FY02) Spain $8.6 billion (2002) Sri Lanka $719 million (FY98) Sudan $581 million (2001 est.) Suriname $NA Swaziland $20 million (FY01) Sweden $4.395 billion (FY01) Switzerland $2.548 billion (FY01) Syria $858 million (FY00 est.); note - based on official budget data that may understate actual spending Taiwan $7.574 billion (FY02) Tajikistan $35.4 million (FY01) Tanzania $19.68 million (FY02) Thailand $1.775 billion (FY00) Togo $23.72 million (FY02) Tonga $NA Trinidad and Tobago $90 million (1999) Tunisia $356 million (FY99) Turkey $8.1 billion (2002 est.) Turkmenistan $90 million (FY99) Tuvalu $NA Uganda $124.7 million (FY02) Ukraine $617.9 million (FY02) United Arab Emirates $1.6 billion (FY00) United Kingdom $31.7 billion (2002) United States $276.7 billion (FY99 est.) Uruguay $250 million (1999) Uzbekistan $200 million (FY97) Vanuatu $NA Venezuela $934 million (FY99) Vietnam $650 million (FY98) West Bank $NA Western Sahara $NA World aggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide in 1999 remained at approximately the 1998 level, about three-quarters of a trillion dollars (1999 est.) Yemen $482.5 million (FY01) Zambia $33.46 million (FY02) Zimbabwe $625.1 million (FY02) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2068 Dependent areas Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island France Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Netherlands Aruba, Netherlands Antilles New Zealand Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau Norway Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard United Kingdom Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands United States American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2070 Disputes - international Afghanistan thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Iran and Pakistan; isolating terrain and close ties among Pashtuns in Pakistan make cross-border activities difficult to control; prolonged regional drought strains water-sharing arrangements for Amu Darya and Helmand River states Albania the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside its borders in the Kosovo region of Serbia and Montenegro, and in the northern Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while continuing to seek regional cooperation; some outside ethnic Albanian groups voice union with Albania Algeria Libya claims about 32,000 sq km in a dormant dispute still reflected on its maps in southeastern Algeria; armed bandits based in Mali attack southern Algerian towns; border with Morocco remains closed over mutual claims of harboring militants, arms smuggling; Algeria supports the exiled Sahrawi Polisario Front and rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara American Samoa none Andorra none; border is undemarcated in sections but is not in dispute (a few French farmers still remain upset about the transfer of 35 hectares of land to Andorra) Angola gives shelter to thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo while thousands of Angolan refugees still remain in neighboring states as a consequence of the protracted civil wars in both states Anguilla none Antarctica Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK; the US and most other states do not recognize the territorial claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; several states with land claims in Antarctica have expressed their intention to submit data to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend their continental shelf claims to adjoining undersea ridges Antigua and Barbuda none Arctic Ocean some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Argentina claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, but in 1995 ceded the right to settle the dispute by force; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see Antarctic disputes); unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question Armenia Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia Aruba none Ashmore and Cartier Islands nationalist group in Indonesia reportedly seeks to populate reefs to assert claims; Australia has moved to close reefs to Indonesian traditional fishing and to create a national park while prospecting for hydrocarbons in the vicinity Atlantic Ocean some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Australia maritime delimitation and resource sharing agreements signed with East Timor resolve dispute over "Timor Gap" hydrocarbon reserves; no agreement reached on dividing Timor Sea with Indonesia (see Ashmore and Cartier Islands disputes); Australia asserts a territorial claim to Antarctica and to its continental shelf (see Antarctica) Austria minor disputes with Czech Republic and Slovenia continue over nuclear power plants and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minorities Azerbaijan Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies about one-sixth of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; ICJ decision expected to resolve dispute with Turkmenistan over sovereignty of certain Caspian oilfields Bahamas, The have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary with the US Bahrain none Baker Island none Bangladesh discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, demarcate and fence the porous land boundary, exchange 162 miniscule enclaves, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade and violence; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty Island in the Bay of Bengal prevents maritime boundary delimitation; Burmese Muslim refugees strain Bangladesh's meager resources Barbados none Bassas da India claimed by Madagascar Belarus 1997 boundary treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and encouraging illegal border crossing; boundaries with Latvia and Lithuania remain undemarcated despite European Union financial support Belgium none Belize Guatemala has claimed half of southern Belize; Guatemalan squatters continue to settle along the border despite a 2000 agreement; OAS brokered a Differendum in 2002 that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a large Guatemalan maritime corridor in the Caribbean, a joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to a popular referendum Benin two villages are in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Nigeria; in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved the boundary stones - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary Bermuda none Bhutan approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps, place decades-long strains on Nepal Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884; Chile demands water rights to Bolivia's Rio Lauca and Silala Spring Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro have delimited about half of their boundary, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute; discussions continue with Croatia on problem sections of the Una River and villages at the base of Mount Pljesevica Botswana established a commission with Namibia to resolve small residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; downstream Botswana residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls; dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge Bouvet Island none Brazil unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute with Uruguay over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada boundary streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina British Indian Ocean Territory Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but in 2001 were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation since eviction in 1965; repatriation is complicated by the US military lease of Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain British Virgin Islands none Brunei Involved in dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct" Bulgaria joint boundary commission is rectifying boundary with Romania based on shifts in Danube since last delimitation in 1920 Burkina Faso two villages are in dispute along the border with Benin; Burkina Faso border regions have become a staging area for Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire rebels and an asylum for refugees caught in regional fighting; the Ivorian Government accuses Burkina Faso of supporting Ivorian rebels Burma despite continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain with Thailand over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities Burundi Tutsi, Hutu, and other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated and natural resource areas; government heads pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts Cambodia completed boundary demarcation with Thailand; accuses Vietnam of moving and destroying boundary markers and encroachments, initiating border incidents; accuses Thailand of preventing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; maritime boundary with Vietnam hampered by dispute over offshore islands Cameroon ICJ ruled in 2002 on the Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime boundary by awarding the potentially petroleum-rich Bakassi Peninsula and offshore region to Cameroon; Nigeria rejected cession of the peninsula, but the parties have formed a Joint Border Commission to resolve differences bilaterally and have commenced with demarcation in less-contested sections of the boundary; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over the lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias; Nigeria agreed to ratify the treaty and relinquish sovereignty of disputed lands to Cameroon by December 2003 Canada managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; uncontested dispute with Denmark over Hans Island sovereignty in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland Cape Verde none Cayman Islands none Central African Republic internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlap into Chad and CAR, leaving refugees and rebel groups in both countries; violent ethnic skirmishes persist along the border with Sudan Chad internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlap into Chad and Central African Republic, leaving refugees and rebel groups in both countries; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias; Chad rejects Nigerian request to redemarcate boundary, the site of continuing cross-border incidents Chile Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884; dispute with Peru over the economic zone delimited by the maritime boundary; Chile demands water rights to Bolivia's Rio Lauca and Silala Spring; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims China involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; much of the rugged, militarized boundary with India is in dispute, but the two sides have participated in more than 13 rounds of joint working group sessions on this issue; India objects to Pakistan ceding lands to China in 1965 boundary agreement that India believes are part of disputed Kashmir; China, as well as Taiwan, claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) islands; negotiations with Tajikistan resolved the longstanding boundary dispute; China and Kazakhstan have resolved their border dispute and are working to delimit their large open borders to control population migration, illegal activities, and trade; Kyrgyzstan's constitutional court rules that 1,270 sq km ceded to China in 2000 delimitation agreement were legally transferred; certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers are in uncontested dispute with North Korea and a section of boundary around Mount Paektu is indefinite - China objects to illegal migration of North Koreans into northern China; China continues to seek a mutually acceptable solution to the disputed alluvial islands with Russia at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri rivers and a small island on the Argun river as part of the 2001 Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation; boundary agreements signed in 2002 with Tajikistan cedes 1,000 sq km of Pamir Mountain range to China in return for China's relinquishing claims to 28,000 sq km; demarcation of land boundary with Vietnam continues but maritime boundary and joint fishing zone agreement remains unratified; China occupies Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan Christmas Island none Clipperton Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands none Colombia Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundary involving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian drug activities penetrate Peruvian border area Comoros claims French-administered Mayotte Congo, Democratic Republic of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from neighboring states, with Uganda and Rwanda supporting the rebel movements that occupy much of the eastern portion of the state - Tutsi, Hutu, Lendu, Hema and other conflicting ethnic groups, political rebels, and various government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda - heads of the Great Lakes states pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; most of the Congo River boundary with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area) Congo, Republic of the most of the Congo River boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Stanley Pool/Pool Malebo area) Cook Islands none Coral Sea Islands none Costa Rica legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on border with Nicaragua Cote d'Ivoire rebel fighting extended to neighboring states and has driven out nationals and foreign workers to nearby countries; the Ivorian Government accuses Burkina Faso and Liberia of supporting Ivorian rebels Croatia discussions continue with Bosnia and Herzegovina on sections of the Una River and villages at the base of Mount Pljesevica; parliamentarians are far from ratifying the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia; in late 2002, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro adopted an interim agreement to settle the disputed Prevlaka Peninsula, allowing the withdrawal of the UN monitoring mission (UNMOP), but discussions could be complicated by the inability of Serbia and Montenegro to come to an agreement on the economic aspects of the new federal union; Croatia and Italy continue to debate bilateral property and ethnic minority rights issues stemming from border changes after the Second World War Cuba US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease Cyprus hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot area, separated by a UN buffer zone; UN deadline on sides accepting a federation plan for reunification have expired, diminishing chances of Turkish-Cypriot participation in EU membership in 2004 Czech Republic Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918; individual Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II; Austria has minor dispute with Czech Republic over the Temelin nuclear power plant and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minorities Denmark Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Iceland, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM; Faroese are considering proposals for full independence; uncontested dispute with Canada over Hans Island sovereignty in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland Djibouti Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia including the Somali Transitional National Government in Mogadishu Dominica protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Dominican Republic despite efforts to control illegal migration, destitute Haitians continue to cross into the Dominican Republic East Timor East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee meets regularly to survey and delimit the land boundary; some East Timor refugees delay return from camps in Indonesia; maritime delimitation and resource-sharing agreements signed with Australia resolved dispute over "Timor Gap" hydrocarbon reserves, but maritime agreement with Indonesia awaits further discussions Ecuador none Egypt Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the triangular areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence - Egypt is economically developing the "Hala'ib triangle" north of the Treaty line El Salvador in 1992, the ICJ ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, but they remain largely undemarcated; in 2002, El Salvador filed an application to the ICJ to revise the decision on a section of bolsones; the ICJ also advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador claims tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned by the ICJ, off Honduras in the Golfo de Fonseca Equatorial Guinea in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but states have not yet agreed to abide by the decision; creation of a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay with Gabon is hampered by dispute over small islets on Mbane/Mbagne bank, administered and occupied by Gabon since the 1970s Eritrea Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 independent boundary commission delimitation decision, but demarcation, scheduled to begin in 2003, has been hampered by technical delays and Ethiopian concerns that the decision ignored "human geography" and awarded Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war, to Eritrea, demarcation of the boundary has been postponed indefinately; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) monitors a 25 km wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea until the demarcation; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; Eritrea protests Yemeni fishing around the Hanish Islands awarded to Eritrea by the ICJ in 1999 Estonia Russia continues to reject signing and ratifying the joint December 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia Ethiopia Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 independent boundary commission delimitation decision, but demarcation, scheduled to begin in 2003, has been hampered by technical delays and Ethiopian concerns that the decision ignored "human geography" and awarded Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war, to Eritrea, demarcation of the boundary has been postponed indefinately; Ethiopia maintains only an administrative line and no international border with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains alliances with local clans in opposition to the Transitional National Government in Mogadishu; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities and trade ties to land-locked Ethiopia; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Sudan have been delayed by civil war there Europa Island claimed by Madagascar Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) claimed by Argentina whose forces briefly occupied it in 1982, but now declares it will no longer seek settlement by force Faroe Islands Faroese are considering proposals for full independence; Denmark dispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands fisheries median line boundary of 200 NM; Denmark disputes with Iceland, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM Fiji none Finland none France Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and French Guiana; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia, claimed by France and Vanuatu French Guiana Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) French Polynesia none French Southern and Antarctic Lands "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US Gabon creation of a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay with Equatorial Guinea is hampered by dispute over small islets on Mbane/Mbagne bank, administered and occupied by Gabon since the 1970s Gambia, The none Gaza Strip West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation Georgia boundary with Russia has been largely delimited, but not demarcated with several small, strategic segments remaining in dispute and OSCE observers monitoring volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia Germany none Ghana Ghana has received many refugees and returning nationals escaping rebel fighting in Cote d'Ivoire Gibraltar Gibraltar residents vote overwhelmingly in referendum against "total shared sovereignty" arrangement worked out between Spain and UK to change 300-year rule over colony Glorioso Islands claimed by Madagascar Greece Greece and Turkey have resumed discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over its name Greenland uncontested dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland Grenada none Guadeloupe none Guam none Guatemala Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in Belize border region; OAS brokered Differendum in 2002 creating small adjustment to land boundary, large Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to popular referendum leaving Guatemalan claim to southern half of Belize intact Guernsey none Guinea domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have created skirmishes, deaths, and refugees in border areas Guinea-Bissau separatist war in Senegal's Casamance region results in refugees and cross-border raids, arms smuggling and other illegal activities, and political instability in Guinea-Bissau Guyana all of the area west of the Essequibo (river) claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari [Koetari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with Suriname is in dispute Haiti despite efforts to control illegal migration, destitute Haitians continue to cross into Dominican Republic; claims US-administered Navassa Island Heard Island and McDonald Islands none Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras in 1992, ICJ ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border, but they still remain largely undemarcated; in 2002, El Salvador filed an application to the ICJ to revise the decision on a section of bolsones; the ICJ also advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador claims tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned by the ICJ, off Honduras in the Golfo de Fonseca; Honduras claims Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize but agreed to creation of a joint ecological park and Guatemalan corridor in the Caribbean in the 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum; Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over a complex maritime dispute in the Caribbean Sea Hong Kong none Howland Island none Hungary Hungary has yet to amend status law extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in neighboring states, who protest the law Iceland Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM India much of the rugged, militarized boundary with China is in dispute, but the two sides have participated in more than 13 rounds of joint working group sessions on this issue; India objects to Pakistan ceding lands to China in 1965 boundary agreement that India believes are part of disputed Kashmir; with Pakistan, armed stand-off over the status and sovereignty of Kashmir continues; disputes with Pakistan over Indus River water sharing and the terminus of the Rann of Kutch, which prevents maritime boundary delimitation; Joint Border Committee with Nepal continues to work on resolution of disputed boundary sections; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty Island in the Bay of Bengal prevents maritime boundary delimitation Indian Ocean some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Indonesia East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee continues to meet regularly to survey and delimit land boundary; East Timor refugees delay return from camps in Indonesia; maritime delimitations with Australia and East Timor await further discussions; ICJ awarded Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002; Indonesian secessionists, squatters and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea Iran Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed waters on Helmand River tributaries in response to prolonged drought in region; thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Iran; despite restored diplomatic relations in 1990, disputes with Iraq over maritime and land boundaries, navigation channel, and other issues from eight-year war persist; UAE engage direct talks and Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island; Iran insists on division of the Caspian Sea into five equal sectors, while other littoral states have generally agreed to equidistant seabed boundaries - Iran has threatened Azerbaijanian hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters Iraq despite restored diplomatic relations in 1990, disputes with Iran over maritime and land boundaries, navigation channel, and other issues from eight-year war persist; land and Shatt al Arab boundary demarcation put an end to claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands, but no maritime boundary exists with Kuwait in the Persian Gulf; Iraq protests Turkey's hydrological projects to regulate the Tigris and Euphrates rivers upstream Ireland disputes with Iceland, Denmark, and the UK over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM Israel West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights) Italy Croatia and Italy continue to debate bilateral property and ethnic minority rights issues stemming from border changes after the Second World War Jamaica none Jan Mayen none Japan islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) disputed with South Korea; Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan Jarvis Island none Jersey none Johnston Atoll none Jordan none Juan de Nova Island claimed by Madagascar Kazakhstan Kazakhstan and China have resolved their border dispute and are working to delimit their large open borders to control population migration, illegal activities, and trade; delimitation of boundary with Russia is scheduled for completion in 2003 - delimitations with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are complete with demarcations underway - delimitation with Kyrgyzstan is largely complete; equidistant seabed treaties have been signed with Azerbaijan and Russia in the Caspian Sea but no resolution has been made on dividing the water column among any of the littoral states; no resolution of Caspian seabed boundary with Turkmenistan Kenya Kenya's administrative boundary still extends into the Sudan, creating the "Ilemi triangle" Kingman Reef none Kiribati none Korea, North with China, certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers are in uncontested dispute; a section of boundary around Paektu-san (mountain) is indefinite; China objects to illegal migration of North Koreans into northern China; Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953 Korea, South Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) are disputed with Japan Kuwait the Kuwait 1994 land and Khawr 'Abd Allah channel boundary demarcation ended Iraqi claims to Kuwait and Bubiyan and Warbah islands; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are negotiating maritime boundary with Iran Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan's constitutional court has ruled that 1,270 sq km ceded to China in a 2000 delimitation agreement were legally transferred; delimitation with Kazakhstan is largely complete with only minor disputed areas; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; serious disputes with Uzbekistan around Uzbek enclaves mar progress on delimitation efforts Laos demarcation of boundaries with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam is nearing completion, but with Thailand several areas including Mekong River islets remain in dispute; ongoing disputes with Thailand and Vietnam over squatters Latvia the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights Lebanon Syrian troops in central and eastern Lebanon since October 1976; Lebanese Government claims Shab'a Farms area of Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Lesotho none Liberia rebels and refugees contribute to border instabilities with Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, and Guinea; the Ivorian Government accuses Liberia of supporting Ivorian rebels Libya Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in Niger in currently dormant disputes; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya Liechtenstein Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918 Lithuania in May 2003, the Russian Parliament ratified a 1997 land and maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, which had ratified the treaty in 1999, legalizing limits of former Soviet republic borders; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; discussions are still ongoing among Russia, Lithuania, and the EU concerning a simplified transit document for residents of the Kaliningrad coastal exclave to transit through Lithuania to Russia Luxembourg none Macau none Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of the Albanian government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in F.Y.R.O.M. while continuing to seek regional cooperation; ethnic Albanians in Kosovo continue to protest 2000 F.Y.R.O.M.-Serbia and Montenegro boundary treaty, which transfers small tracts of land to F.Y.R.O.M.; dispute with Greece over country's name persists Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France) Malawi dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant Malaysia involved in complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; disputes over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation on Johor, maritime boundaries, and Singapore-occupied Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih persist - parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute within three years; ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands off the coast of Sabah, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines, to Malaysia; a small section of the Malaysia-Thailand boundary in the Kolok River remains in dispute Maldives none Mali armed bandits based in Mali attack southern Algerian towns Malta none Man, Isle of none Marshall Islands claims US territory of Wake Island Martinique none Mauritania Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years Mauritius Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation in 2001; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Mayotte claimed by Comoros Mexico prolonged regional drought in the border region with the US has strained water-sharing arrangements Micronesia, Federated States of none Midway Islands none Moldova difficulties with the Transnistria region complicate border crossing and customs with Ukraine, facilitating smuggling, arms transfers, and other illegal activities Monaco none Mongolia none Montserrat none Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected other proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco also rejected Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands in 2002 to set limits to undersea resource exploration and refugee interdiction; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds Mozambique none Namibia commission established with Botswana to resolve small residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; Botswana residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge; Angolan rebels and refugees still reside in Namibia Nauru none Navassa Island claimed by Haiti Nepal joint border commission continues to work on small disputed sections of boundary with India; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents Netherlands none Netherlands Antilles none New Caledonia Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu New Zealand territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) Nicaragua territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank region; with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; legal dispute over navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Rica Niger Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over the lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias Nigeria ICJ ruled in 2002 on the Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime boundary by awarding the potentially petroleum-rich Bakassi Peninsula and offshore region to Cameroon; Nigeria rejected the cession of the peninsula but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission to peaceably resolve the dispute and commence with demarcation in other less-contested sections of the boundary; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Benin; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias; Nigeria agreed to ratify the treaty and relinquish sovereignty of disputed lands to Cameroon by December 2003 Niue none Norfolk Island none Northern Mariana Islands none Norway Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone Oman boundary agreement signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves Pacific Ocean some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Pakistan thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Pakistan; isolating terrain and close ties among Pashtuns in Pakistan make cross-border activities difficult to control; armed stand-off with India over the status and sovereignty of Kashmir continues - India objects to Pakistan ceding lands to China in 1965 boundary agreement that India believes are part of disputed Kashmir; disputes with India over Indus River water sharing and the terminus of the Rann of Kutch, which prevents maritime boundary delimitation Palau none Palmyra Atoll none Panama none Papua New Guinea Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam Paraguay unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants Peru Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884 Philippines involved in complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; Sultanate of Sulu granted Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue its sovereignty claim over Malaysia's Sabah State but Malaysia rejects claim Pitcairn Islands none Poland small boundary changes made with Slovakia in 2003 Portugal Portugal has periodically reasserted claims to territories around the town of Olivenza, Spain Puerto Rico none Qatar none Reunion none Romania has not resolved claims to Ukrainian-administered Zmyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary despite ongoing talks based on 1997 friendship treaty to find a solution in two years; joint boundary commission is rectifying boundary with Bulgaria based on shifts in Danube since last delimitation in 1920; Hungary has yet to amend status law extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Romania, who protest the law Russia China continues to seek a mutually acceptable solution to the disputed alluvial islands at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri rivers and a small island on the Argun River as part of the 2001 Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation; the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai group identified by the Russians as the "Southern Kurils" and by Japan as the "Northern Territories" occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; boundary with Georgia has been largely delimited but not demarcated with several small, strategic segments remaining in dispute and OSCE observers monitoring volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; equidistant seabed treaties have been signed with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the Caspian Sea but no resolution on dividing the water column among any of the littoral states; Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone; Russia continues to reject signing and ratifying the joint 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia; the Russian Parliament refuses to consider ratification of the boundary treaties with Estonia and Latvia, but in May 2003, ratified land and maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, which ratified the 1997 treaty in 1999, legalizing limits of former Soviet republic borders; discussions are still ongoing among Russia, Lithuania and the EU concerning a simplified transit document for residents of the Kaliningrad coastal exclave to transit through Lithuania to Russia; land delimitation with Ukraine is ratified, but maritime regime of the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait is unresolved; delimitation with Kazakhstan is scheduled for completion in 2003; Russian Duma has not yet ratified 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement with the US in the Bering Sea Rwanda Tutsi, Hutu, and other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources - government heads pledge to end conflicts, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts Saint Helena none Saint Kitts and Nevis protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Saint Lucia protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Saint Pierre and Miquelon none Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Samoa none; note - some EEZ demarcations, including the one with American Samoa, are undefined San Marino none Sao Tome and Principe none Saudi Arabia nomadic groups on border region with Yemen resist demarcation of boundary; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been negotiating a long-contested maritime boundary with Iran; because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with the UAE is still unknown and labeled approximate Senegal separatist war in Casamance region results in refugees and cross-border raids, arms smuggling, other illegal activities, and political instability in Guinea-Bissau Serbia and Montenegro the Albanian government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside its borders in the Kosovo region of Serbia and Montenegro while continuing to seek regional cooperation; several ethnic Albanian groups in Kosovo voice union with Albania; has delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute; in late 2002, Serbia and Montenegro and Croatia adopted an interim agreement to settle the disputed Prevlaka Peninsula, allowing the withdrawal of the UN monitoring mission (UNMOP), but discussions could be complicated by the inability of Serbia and Montenegro to come to an agreement on the economic aspects of the new federal union Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory) Sierra Leone large UN peacekeeping presence ended civil war but rebel gang fighting, ethnic rivalries, illegal diamond trading, corruption, and refugees spill over into neighboring states beset with their own civil disorder, refugees, and violence Singapore disputes with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation works on Johor, maritime boundaries, and Singapore-occupied Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih persist - parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute within three years Slovakia small boundary changes made with Poland in 2003; Hungary has yet to amend status law extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia, who protest the law Slovenia parliamentarians are far from ratifying the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia Solomon Islands none Somalia "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities to land-locked Ethiopia and establish commercial ties with regional states; "Puntland" secessionists clash with "Somaliland" secessionists to establish territorial limits and clan loyalties, each seeking support from neighboring states; Ethiopia maintains only an administrative line with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains alliances with local Somali clans opposed to the unrecognized Transitional National Government in Mogadishu South Africa managed dispute with Namibia over the location of the boundary in the Orange River South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands briefly occupied by military force in 1982 - claimed by Argentina in constitution but declares it will no longer seek settlement by force Southern Ocean Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctica entry), but Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK assert claims (some overlapping), including the continental shelf in the Southern Ocean; several states have expressed an interest in extending those continental shelf claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) to include undersea ridges; the US and most other states do not recognize the land or maritime claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west Spain Gibraltar residents vote overwhelmingly in referendum against "total shared sovereignty" arrangement worked out between Spain and UK to change 300-year rule over colony; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco also rejected Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands in 2002 to set limits to undersea resource exploration and refugee interdiction; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds; Portugal has periodically reasserted claims to territories around the town of Olivenza, Spain Spratly Islands all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not publicly claimed the island; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct" Sri Lanka none Sudan the north-south civil war has drawn Sudan's neighbors into the fighting, sheltering refugees, and infiltration by rebel groups - Kenya and Uganda have acted as mediators; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia have been delayed by fighting in Sudan; Kenya's administrative boundary still extends into the Sudan, creating the "Ilemi triangle"; Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the triangular areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt is economically developing the "Hala'ib triangle" Suriname area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed by Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with Guyana is in dispute Svalbard despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone Swaziland none Sweden none Switzerland none Syria Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied; Lebanon claims Shaba'a farms in Golan Heights; Syrian troops have been stationed in Lebanon since October 1976; Syria protests Turkish hydrological projects regulating upper Euphrates waters; Turkey is quick to rebuff any perceived Syrian claim to Hatay province Taiwan involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does China Tajikistan prolonged regional drought creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; boundary agreements signed in 2002 cede 1,000 sq km of Pamir Mountain range to China in return for China relinquishing claims to 28,000 sq km of Tajikistani lands; negotiations with China resolved the longstanding boundary dispute; talks have begun with Uzbekistan to demine and delimit border; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Kyrgyzstan Tanzania disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant Thailand completion of boundary demarcation with Cambodia hampered by accusations of moving and destroying boundary markers, encroachments, initiating border incidents, and sealing off Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; demarcation complete except for a 1 kilometer segment at the mouth of the Kolok River in dispute with Malaysia; demarcation with Laos complete except for certain Mekong River islets and complaints of Thai squatters; despite continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain with Burma over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities Togo in 2001 Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary Tokelau none Tonga none Trinidad and Tobago none Tromelin Island claimed by Mauritius Tunisia none Turkey complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question remains with Greece; Syria and Iraq protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper Euphrates waters; Turkey is quick to rebuff any perceived Syrian claim to Hatay province; border with Armenia remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh Turkmenistan prolonged regional drought creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; Turkmenistan has not committed to follow either Iran or the other littoral states in the division of the Caspian Sea seabed and water column; ICJ decision expected to resolve dispute with Azerbaijan over sovereignty over Caspian oilfields; demarcation of land boundary with Kazakhstan is underway - maritime boundary not resolved Turks and Caicos Islands none Tuvalu none Uganda Tutsi, Hutu, and other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources; government heads pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; conflict in Sudan has extended rebel forces and refugees into Uganda Ukraine 1997 boundary treaty with Belarus remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and encouraging illegal cross-border activities; land delimitation of boundary with Russia is complete, but maritime regime of the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait remains unresolved; difficulties in the Transnistria region of Moldova complicate border crossing and customs, facilitating smuggling, arms transfers, and other illegal activities; has not resolved Romanian claims to Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary despite ongoing talks based on 1997 friendship treaty to find a solution in two years United Arab Emirates because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still unknown and labeled approximate; boundary agreement signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves; UAE engage direct talks and Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Lesser and Greater Tunb islands and Abu Musa island United Kingdom Gibraltar residents vote overwhelmingly in referendum against "total shared sovereignty" arrangement worked out between Spain and UK to change 300-year rule over colony; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory) and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but in 2001 were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation since eviction in 1965; Argentina claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark and Iceland; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; disputes with Iceland, Denmark, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM United States prolonged drought in the Mexico border region has strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea awaits Russian Duma ratification; maritime boundary disputes with Canada at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; The Bahamas have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other state; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island Uruguay uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina Uzbekistan prolonged regional drought creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; delimitation with Kazakhstan complete with demarcation underway; serious disputes with Kyrgyzstan around Uzbek enclaves mar progress on delimitation efforts; talks have begun with Tajikistan to determine and delimit border Vanuatu Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France Venezuela claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea; US, France and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest the claim and other states' recognition of it Vietnam demarcation of the land boundary with China continues, but maritime boundary and joint fishing zone agreement remains unratified; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; China occupies Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in a complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct" Virgin Islands none Wake Island claimed by Marshall Islands Wallis and Futuna none West Bank West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation Western Sahara Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties have rejected other proposals; Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds World Globally, there are over 250,000 km of international land boundaries that separate the world's 192 independent states, along with 70 dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and other miscellaneous entities. Maritime states have claimed limits and have so far established over 130 maritime boundaries and joint development zones to allocate ocean resources and to provide for their national security at sea. On land, ethnicity, culture, race, religion, and language have divided states into separate political entities as much as history, physical terrain, political fiat, or conquest, resulting in sometimes arbitrary and imposed boundaries. All of these factors have contributed to a wide array of boundary, borderland, and territorial disagreements that vary in intensity from unresolved or dormant to outright war. Territorial disputes may evolve from historical and/or cultural animosities, or they may be brought on by resource competition. Ethnic clashes continue to be responsible for territorial fragmentation around the world. Undemarcated, indefinite, porous, and unmanaged boundaries encourage illegal cross-border activities, uncontrolled migration, and political confrontation over boundary allocations. Other sources of contention include the use of water and mineral (especially petroleum) resources, fisheries, dams, and nuclear power plants. Many islands or island groups are also disputed, including those at sea and in streams. Nonetheless, many nations are actively cooperating to clarify, delineate, and demarcate their international borders. The tragic aspect of international discord is the impact on the sustenance and welfare of populations caught in the conflict. It is frequently left to members of the world community to cope with enormous refugee situations, and the resultant hunger, disease, and impoverishment that they create. Yemen Eritrea protests Yemeni fishing around the Hanish islands awarded to Eritrea by the ICJ in 1999; nomadic groups in border region with Saudi Arabia resist demarcation of boundary Zambia dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge Zimbabwe dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2075 Ethnic groups (%) Afghanistan Pashtun 44%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 10%, minor ethnic groups (Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others) 13%, Uzbek 8% Albania Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Gypsy, Serb, and Bulgarian) (1989 est.) note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization) Algeria Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% American Samoa Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5% Andorra Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998) Angola Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% Anguilla black (predominant), mulatto, white Antigua and Barbuda black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian Argentina white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3% Armenia Armenian 93%, Azeri 1%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4% (2002) note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from Armenia Aruba mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80% Australia Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% Austria German 88%, non-nationals 9.3% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma), naturalized 2% (includes those who have lived in Austria at least three generations) Azerbaijan Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region Bahamas, The black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3% Bahrain Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8% Bangladesh Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998) Barbados black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% Belarus Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish, Ukrainian, and other 7.4% Belgium Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Belize mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% Benin African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 Bermuda black 58%, white 36%, other 6% Bhutan Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas--one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Bolivia Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15% Bosnia and Herzegovina Serb 37.1%, Bosniak 48%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam Botswana Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% Brazil white (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55%, mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1% British Virgin Islands black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed Brunei Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12% Bulgaria Bulgarian 83.6%, Turk 9.5%, Roma 4.6%, other 2.3% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (1998) Burkina Faso Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani Burma Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% Burundi Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000 Cambodia Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Cameroon Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1% Canada British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Cape Verde Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Cayman Islands mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% Central African Republic Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% Chad 200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are Muslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000 French citizens live in Chad Chile white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% China Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1% Christmas Island Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% note: no indigenous population (2001) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Europeans, Cocos Malays Colombia mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Comoros Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Congo, Democratic Republic of the over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Congo, Republic of the Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997 Cook Islands Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9% Costa Rica white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Cote d'Ivoire Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 20,000 French) (1998) Croatia Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, Bosniak 0.5%, Hungarian 0.4%, Slovene 0.3%, Czech 0.2%, Roma 0.2%, Albanian 0.1%, Montenegrin 0.1%, others 4.1% (2001) Cuba mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1% Cyprus Greek 85.2%, Turkish 11.6%, other 3.2% (2000) Czech Republic Czech 81.2%, Moravian 13.2%, Slovak 3.1%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%, Silesian 0.4%, Roma 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 0.5% (1991) Denmark Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali Djibouti Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Dominica black, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib Amerindian Dominican Republic white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73% East Timor Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority Ecuador mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% Egypt Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1% El Salvador mestizo 90%, Amerindian 1%, white 9% Equatorial Guinea Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish Eritrea ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3% Estonia Estonian 65.3%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Belarusian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.6% (1998) Ethiopia Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) British Faroe Islands Scandinavian Fiji Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) Finland Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02% France Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities French Guiana black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10% French Polynesia Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Gabon Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality Gambia, The African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% Gaza Strip Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6% Georgia Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5% Germany German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Russian, Greek, Polish, Spanish) Ghana black African 98.5% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5% (1998) Gibraltar Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese Greece Greek 98%, other 2% note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in Greece Greenland Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (January 2000) Grenada black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5% , and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian Guadeloupe black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5% Guam Chamorro 37%, Filipino 26%, white 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other 27% Guatemala Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino), approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2% Guernsey UK and Norman-French descent Guinea Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10% Guinea-Bissau African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% Guyana East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7% Haiti black 95%, mulatto and white 5% Holy See (Vatican City) Italians, Swiss, other Honduras mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Hong Kong Chinese 95%, other 5% Hungary Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7% Iceland homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% India Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000) Indonesia Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26% Iran Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Iraq Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5% Ireland Celtic, English Israel Jewish 80.1% (Europe/America-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%, Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab) (1996 est.) Italy Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south) Jamaica black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1% Japan Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian 182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914) (2000) Jersey UK and Norman-French descent Jordan Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Kazakhstan Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%, German 2.4%, Uighur 1.4%, other 6.6% (1999 census) Kenya Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1% Kiribati predominantly Micronesian with some Polynesian Korea, North racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese Korea, South homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese) Kuwait Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8% Laos Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% Latvia Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% Lebanon Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% Lesotho Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%, Liberia indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves) Libya Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians Liechtenstein Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14% Lithuania Lithuanian 80.6%, Russian 8.7%, Polish 7%, Belarusian 1.6%, other 2.1% Luxembourg Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kososvo) and European (guest and resident workers) Macau Chinese 95%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry), Portuguese, other Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.8%, Roma 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.3% (1994) Madagascar Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Malawi Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European Malaysia Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 24%, Indian 8%, others 10% (2000) Maldives South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs Mali Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5% Malta Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock) Man, Isle of Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Marshall Islands Micronesian Martinique African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Chinese less than 5% Mauritania mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Mauritius Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% Mayotte NA Mexico mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1% Micronesia, Federated States of nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Moldova Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989 est.) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region Monaco French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21% Mongolia Mongol (predominantly Khalkha) 85%, Turkic (of which Kazakh is the largest group) 7%, Tungusic 4.6%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 3.4% (1998) Montserrat black, white Morocco Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% Mozambique indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08% Namibia black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5% Nauru Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8% Nepal Brahman, Chetri, Newar, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tharu, and others (1995) Netherlands Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese and Indonesians) (1999 est.) Netherlands Antilles mixed black 85%, Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian New Caledonia Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3% New Zealand New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4% Nicaragua mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5% Niger Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French expatriates Nigeria Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5% Niue Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans) Norfolk Island descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesians Northern Mariana Islands Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean Norway Norwegian, Sami 20,000 Oman Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African Pakistan Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India at the time of partition and their descendants) Palau Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.) Panama mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6% Papua New Guinea Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Paraguay mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95% Peru Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% Philippines Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3% Pitcairn Islands descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives Poland Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Belarusian 0.5% (1990 est.) Portugal homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal Puerto Rico white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9% Qatar Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% Reunion French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian Romania Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002) Russia Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Belarusian 0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1% (1989) Rwanda Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1% Saint Helena African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25% Saint Kitts and Nevis predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese Saint Lucia black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1% Saint Pierre and Miquelon Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 7% Samoa Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4% San Marino Sammarinese, Italian Sao Tome and Principe mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese) Saudi Arabia Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Senegal Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4% Serbia and Montenegro Serb 62.6%, Albanian 16.5%, Montenegrin 5%, Hungarian 3.3%, other 12.6% (1991) Seychelles mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab Sierra Leone 20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians Singapore Chinese 76.7%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% Slovakia Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.6%, Roma 1.6% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which is about 500,000), Czech, Moravian, Silesian 1.1%, Ruthenian and Ukrainian 0.6%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.2% (1996) Slovenia Slovene 88%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Bosniak 1%, Yugoslav 0.6%, Hungarian 0.4%, other 5% (1991) Solomon Islands Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4% Somalia Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000) South Africa black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6% Spain composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Sri Lanka Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1% Sudan black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1% Suriname Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2% Svalbard Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998) Swaziland African 97%, European 3% Sweden indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Switzerland German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Syria Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7% Taiwan Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2% Tajikistan Tajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining because of emigration), other 6.6% Tanzania mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African Thailand Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Togo native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1% Tokelau Polynesian Tonga Polynesian, Europeans about 300 Trinidad and Tobago black 39.5%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2% Tunisia Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% Turkey Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% (estimated) Turkmenistan Turkmen 77%, Uzbek 9.2%, Russian 6.7%, Kazakh 2%, other 5.1% (1995) Turks and Caicos Islands black 90%, mixed, European, or north American 10% Tuvalu Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4% Uganda Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro 3%, Alur 2%, Bagwere 2%, Bakonjo 2%, Jopodhola 2%, Karamojong 2%, Rundi 2%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 8% Ukraine Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001) United Arab Emirates Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982) United Kingdom English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8% United States white 77.1%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1.5%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.3%, other 4% (2000) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.) Uruguay white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian, practically nonexistent Uzbekistan Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.) Vanuatu indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders Venezuela Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people Vietnam Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese, Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, mountain groups Virgin Islands black 78%, white 10%, other 12% note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%, other 2% Wallis and Futuna Polynesian West Bank Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17% Western Sahara Arab, Berber Yemen predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans Zambia African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2% Zimbabwe African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2076 Exchange rates Afghanistan afghanis per US dollar - 3,000 (October-December 2002), 3,000 (2001), 3,000 (2000), 3,000 (1999), 3,000 (1998), note: before 2002 the market rate varied widely from the official rate; in 2002 the afghani was revalued and the currency stabilized Albania leke per US dollar - NA (2002), 143.49 (2001), 143.71 (2000), 137.69 (1999), 150.63 (1998) Algeria Algerian dinars per US dollar - 79.68 (2002), 77.22 (2001), 75.26 (2000), 66.57 (1999), 58.74 (1998) American Samoa the US dollar is used Andorra euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Angola kwanza per US dollar - 43.53 (2002), 22.06 (2001), 10.04 (2000), 2.79 (1999), 0.39 (1998); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value Anguilla East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Antigua and Barbuda East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) (fixed rate since 1976) Argentina Argentine pesos per US dollar - 3.06 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998) Armenia drams per US dollar - NA (2002), 555.08 (2001), 539.53 (2000), 535.06 (1999), 504.92 (1998) Aruba Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998) Australia Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.84 (2002), 1.93 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.55 (1999), 1.59 (1998) Austria euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 12.38 (1998) Azerbaijan Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000), 4,120.17 (1999), 3,869 (1998) Bahamas, The Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998) Bahrain Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000), 0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998) Bangladesh taka per US dollar - 57.89 (2002), 55.81 (2001), 52.14 (2000), 49.09 (1999), 46.91 (1998) Barbados Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998) Belarus Belarusian rubles per US dollar - NA (2002), 1,390 (2001), 876.75 (2000), 248.8 (1999), 46.13 (1998) Belgium euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 36.3 (1998) Belize Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998) Benin Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Bermuda Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) Bhutan ngultrum per US dollar - 48.61 (2002), 47.19 (2001), 44.94 (2000), 43.06 (1999), 41.26 (1998) Bolivia bolivianos per US dollar - 7.17 (2002), 6.61 (2001), 6.18 (2000), 5.81 (1999), 5.51 (1998) Bosnia and Herzegovina marka per US dollar - NA (2002), 2.19 (2001), 2.12 (2000), 1.84 (1999), 1.76 (1998) Botswana pulas per US dollar - 6.33 (2002), 5.84 (2001), 5.1 (2000), 4.62 (1999), 4.23 (1998) Brazil reals per US dollar - 2.92 (2002), 2.36 (2001), 1.83 (2000), 1.81 (1999), 1.16 (1998) note: from October 1994 through 14 January 1999, the official rate was determined by a managed float; since 15 January 1999, the official rate floats independently with respect to the US dollar British Virgin Islands the US dollar is used Brunei Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.69 (1999), 1.67 (1998) Bulgaria leva per US dollar - 2.08 (2002), 2.18 (2001), 2.12 (2000), 1.84 (1999), 1.76 (1998) note: on 5 July 1999, the lev was redenominated; the post-5 July 1999 lev is equal to 1,000 of the pre-5 July 1999 lev Burkina Faso Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Burma kyats per US dollar - 6.64 (2002), 6.75 (2001), 6.52 (2000), 6.29 (1999), 6.34 (1998) Burundi Burundi francs per US dollar - NA (2002), 830.35 (2001), 720.67 (2000), 563.56 (1999), 447.77 (1998) Cambodia riels per US dollar - 3,912.08 (2002), 3,916.33 (2001), 3,840.75 (2000), 3,807.83 (1999), 3,744.42 (1998) Cameroon Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Canada Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.57 (2002), 1.55 (2001), 1.49 (2000), 1.49 (1999), 1.48 (1998) Cape Verde Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - NA (2002), 123.21 (2001), 115.88 (2000), 102.7 (1999), 98.16 (1998) Cayman Islands Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993) Central African Republic Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Chad Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Chile Chilean pesos per US dollar - 688.95 (2002), 634.94 (2001), 535.47 (2000), 508.78 (1999), 460.29 (1998) China yuan per US dollar - 8.28 (2002), 8.28 (2001), 8.28 (2000), 8.28 (1999), 8.28 (1998) Christmas Island Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173(2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997) Colombia Colombian pesos per US dollar - 2,504.24 (2002), 2,299.63 (2001), 2,087.9 (2000), 1,756.23 (1999), 1,426.04 (1998) Comoros Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 522.74 (2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.78 (1999), 442.46 (1998) note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congolese francs per US dollar - 346.49 (2002), 206.62 (2001), 21.82 (2000), 4.02 (1999), 1.61 (1998) Congo, Republic of the Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 697 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Cook Islands New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) Costa Rica Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000), 285.69 (1999), 257.23 (1998) Cote d'Ivoire Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Croatia kuna per US dollar - 7.87 (2002), 8.34 (2001), 8.28 (2000), 7.11 (1999), 6.36 (1998) Cuba Cuban pesos per US dollar - 1.0000 (nonconvertible, official rate, for international transactions, pegged to the US dollar); convertible peso sold for domestic use at a rate of 1.00 US dollar per 27 pesos by the Government of Cuba (2002) Cyprus Cypriot pounds per US dollar - 0.61 (2002), 0.64 (2001), 0.62 (2000), 0.54 (1999), 0.52 (1998), Turkish lira per US dollar NA (2002), 1,225,590 (2001), 625,218 (2000), 418,783 (1999), 260,724 (1998) Czech Republic koruny per US dollar - 32.74 (2002), 38.04 (2001), 38.6 (2000), 34.57 (1999), 32.28 (1998) Denmark Danish kroner per US dollar - 7.89 (2002), 8.32 (2001), 8.08 (2000), 6.98 (1999), 6.7 (1998) Djibouti Djiboutian francs per US dollar - 177.72 (2002), 177.72 (2001), 177.72 (2000), 177.72 (1999), 177.72 (1998) Dominica East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Dominican Republic Dominican pesos per US dollar - 18.61 (2002), 16.95 (2001), 16.42 (2000), 16.03 (1999), 15.27 (1998) East Timor see US dollar Ecuador sucres per US dollar - 25,000 (2002), 25,000 (2001), 24,988.4 (2000), 11,786.8 (1999), 5,446.57 (1998) Egypt Egyptian pounds per US dollar - 4.5 (2002), 3.97 (2001), 3.47 (2000), 3.4 (1999), 3.39 (1998) El Salvador 8.75 the US dollar is the legal tender Equatorial Guinea Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Eritrea nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 9.5 (January 2000), 7.6 (January 1999), 7.2 (March 1998 est.) Estonia krooni per US dollar - 16.61 (2002), 17.56 (2001), 16.97 (2000), 14.68 (1999), 14.07 (1998) Ethiopia birr per US dollar - NA (2002), 8.46 (2001), 8.22 (2000), 7.94 (1999), 7.12 (1998) note: since 24 October 2001 exchange rates are determined on a daily basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Falkland pounds per US dollar - 0.67 (2002), 0.69 (2001), 0.66 (2000), 0.62 (1999), 0.6 (1998); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Faroe Islands Danish kroner per US dollar - 7.89 (2002), 8.32 (2001), 8.08 (2000), 6.98 (1999), 6.7 (1998) Fiji Fijian dollars per US dollar - 2.19 (2002), 2.28 (2001), 2.13 (2000), 1.97 (1999), 1.99 (1998) Finland euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) France euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) French Guiana Euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) French Polynesia Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 126.41 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998) note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro Gabon Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Gambia, The dalasi per US dollar - NA (2002), 15.69 (2001), 12.79 (2000), 11.4 (1999), 10.64 (1998) Gaza Strip new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997) Georgia lari per US dollar - 2.2 (2002), 2.07 (2001), 1.98 (2000), 2.02 (1999), 1.39 (1998) Germany euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 1.76 (1998) Ghana cedis per US dollar - NA (2002), 7,170.76 (2001), 5,455.06 (2000), 2,669.3 (1999), 2,314.15 (1998) Gibraltar Gibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound Greece euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 365.4 (2000), 305.65 (1999), 295.53 (1998) note: in January 2001, the drachma became a participating currency within the Eurosystem, and the euro market rate became applicable to all transactions Greenland Danish kroner per US dollar - 7.8947 (2002), 8.323 (2001), 8.083 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998) Grenada East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Guadeloupe euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998) Guam the US dollar is used Guatemala quetzales per US dollar - 7.82 (2002), 7.86 (2001), 7.76 (2000), 7.39 (1999), 6.39 (1998) Guernsey Guernsey pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); note - the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound Guinea Guinean francs per US dollar - NA (2002), 1,950.56 (2001), 1,746.87 (2000), 1,387.4 (1999), 1,236.83 (1998) Guinea-Bissau Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) note: as of 1 May 1997, Guinea-Bissau adopted the XOF franc as the national currency; since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro Guyana Guyanese dollars per US dollar - NA (2002), 187.32 (2001), 182.43 (2000), 178 (1999), 150.52 (1998) Haiti gourdes per US dollar - 29.25 (2002), 24.43 (2001), 21.17 (2000), 16.94 (1999), 16.77 (1998) Holy See (Vatican City) euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.1324 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999) Honduras lempiras per US dollar - 16.43 (2002), 15.47 (2001), 14.84 (2000), 14.21 (1999), 13.39 (1998) Hong Kong Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.8 (2002), 7.8 (2001), 7.79 (2000), 7.76 (1999), 7.75 (1998) Hungary forints per US dollar - 257.89 (2002), 286.49 (2001), 282.18 (2000), 237.15 (1999), 214.4 (1998) Iceland Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 91.66 (2002), 97.42 (2001), 78.62 (2000), 72.34 (1999), 70.96 (1998) India Indian rupees per US dollar - 48.61 (2002), 47.19 (2001), 44.94 (2000), 43.06 (1999), 41.26 (1998) Indonesia Indonesian rupiahs per US dollar - 9,311.19 (2002), 10,260.8 (2001), 8,421.77 (2000), 7,855.15 (1999), 10,013.6 (1998) Iran rials per US dollar 6,906.96 (2002), 1,753.56 (2001), 1,764.43 (2000), 1,752.93 (1999), 1,751.86 (1998) note: from 1997 to 2001, Iran had a multi-exchange-rate system; one of these rates, the official floating exchange rate, by which most essential goods were imported, averaged 1,750 rials per US dollar; in March 2002, the multi-exchange-rate system was converged into one rate at about 7,900 rials per US dollar Iraq Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 0.31 (2002), 0.31 (2001), 0.31 (2000), 0.31 (1999), 0.31 (1998), note: fixed official rate since 1982; market rate subject to wide fluctuations Ireland euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 0.7 (1998) Israel new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.74 (2002), 4.21 (2001), 4.08 (2000), 4.14 (1999), 3.8 (1998) Italy euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Jamaica Jamaican dollars per US dollar - 48.42 (2002), 46 (2001), 42.7 (2000), 39.04 (1999), 36.55 (1998) Japan yen per US dollar - 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000), 113.91 (1999), 130.91 (1998) Jersey Jersey pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound Jordan Jordanian dinars per US dollar - 0.71 (2002), 0.71 (2001), 0.71 (2000), 0.71 (1999), 0.71 (1998) Kazakhstan tenge per US dollar - 153.28 (2002), 146.74 (2001), 142.13 (2000), 119.52 (1999), 78.3 (1998) Kenya Kenyan shillings per US dollar - 78.75 (2002), 78.56 (2001), 76.18 (2000), 70.33 (1999), 60.37 (1998) Kiribati Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.84 (2002), 1.93 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.55 (1999), 1.59 (1998) Korea, North official: North Korean won per US dollar - 150 (December 2002), 2.15 (December 2001), 2.15 (May 1994), 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990); market: North Korean won per US dollar - 300-600 (December 2002), 200 (December 2001) Korea, South South Korean won per US dollar - 1,251.09 (2002), 1,290.99 (2001), 1,130.96 (2000), 1,188.82 (1999), 1,401.44 (1998) Kuwait Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3 (2002), 0.31 (2001), 0.31 (2000), 0.3 (1999), 0.3 (1998) Kyrgyzstan soms per US dollar - 46.94 (2002), 48.38 (2001), 47.7 (2000), 39.01 (1999), 20.84 (1998) Laos kips per US dollar - 7,562 (2002), 8,954.58 (2001), 7,887.64 (2000), 7,102.02 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998) Latvia lati per US dollar - 0.62 (2002), 0.63 (2001), 0.61 (2000), 0.59 (1999), 0.59 (1998) Lebanon Lebanese pounds per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2002), 1,507.5 (2001), 1,507.5 (2000), 1,507.84 (1999), 1,516.13 (1998) Lesotho maloti per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) Liberia Liberian dollars per US dollar - NA (2002), 48.58 (2001), 40.95 (2000), 41.9 (1999), 41.51 (1998) note: until December 1997, rates were based on a fixed relationship with the US dollar; beginning in January 1998, rates are market determined Libya Libyan dinars per US dollar - 1.2 (2003), 0.6 (2002), 0.51 (2001), 0.5 (2000), 0.39 (1999) Liechtenstein Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998) Lithuania litai per US dollar - 3.68 (2002), 4 (2001), 4 (2000), 4 (1999), 4 (1998) Luxembourg euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Macau patacas per US dollar - 8.03 (2002), 8.03 (2001), 8.03 (2000), 7.99 (1999), 7.98 (1998) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian denars per US dollar - 64.35 (2002), 68.04 (2001), 65.9 (2000), 56.9 (1999), 54.46 (1998) Madagascar Malagasy francs per US dollar - 6,831.96 (2002), 6,588.49 (2001), 6,767.48 (2000), 6,283.77 (1999), 5,441.4 (1998) Malawi Malawian kwachas per US dollar - 76.69 (2002), 72.2 (2001), 59.54 (2000), 44.09 (1999), 31.07 (1998) Malaysia ringgits per US dollar - 3.8 (2002), 3.8 (2001), 3.8 (2000), 3.8 (1999), 3.92 (1998) Maldives rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2002), 12.24 (2001), 11.77 (2000), 11.77 (1999), 11.77 (1998) Mali Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Malta Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.43 (2002), 0.45 (2001), 0.44 (2000), 0.4 (1999), 0.39 (1998) Man, Isle of Manx pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Marshall Islands the US dollar is the legal tender Martinique euros per US dollar - 1.06 euros per US dollar - 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998) Mauritania ouguiyas per US dollar - ouguiyas per US dollar - 254.350 (December 2001), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996) Mauritius Mauritian rupees per US dollar - 29.96 (2002), 29.13 (2001), 26.25 (2000), 25.19 (1999), 23.99 (1998) Mayotte euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997) Mexico Mexican pesos per US dollar - 9.66 (2002), 9.34 (2001), 9.46 (2000), 9.56 (1999), 9.14 (1998) Micronesia, Federated States of the US dollar is used 1 Moldova lei per US dollar - NA (2002), 12.87 (2001), 12.43 (2000), 10.52 (1999), 5.37 (1998) Monaco euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998) Mongolia togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,134 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001), 1,076.67 (2000), 1,021.87 (1999), 840.83 (1998) Montserrat East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Morocco Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 11.02 (2002), 11.3 (2001), 10.63 (2000), 9.8 (1999), 9.6 (1998) Mozambique meticais per US dollar - 23,678 (2002), 20,703.6 (2001), 15,447.1 (2000), 13,028.6 (1999), 12,110.2 (1998) note: effective October 2000, the exchange rate is determined as the weighted average of buying and selling exchange rates of all transactions of commercial banks and stock exchanges with the public Namibia Namibian dollars per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) Nauru Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.2641 (2002) 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Nepal Nepalese rupees per US dollar - 77.88 (2002), 74.95 (2001), 71.09 (2000), 68.24 (1999), 65.98 (1998) Netherlands euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Netherlands Antilles Netherlands Antillean guilders per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998) New Caledonia Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 135.04 (January 2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998) New Zealand New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.16 (2002), 2.38 (2001), 2.2 (2000), 1.89 (1999), 1.87 (1998) Nicaragua gold cordobas per US dollar - 14.25 (2002), 13.37 (2001), 12.68 (2000), 11.81 (1999), 10.58 (1998) Niger Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Nigeria nairas per US dollar - NA (2002), 111.23 (2001), 101.7 (2000), 92.34 (1999), 21.89 (1998) Niue New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.162 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998) Norfolk Island Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.8406 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Northern Mariana Islands the US dollar is used Norway Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 7.98 (2002), 8.99 (2001), 8.8 (2000), 7.8 (1999), 7.55 (1998) Oman Omani rials per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000), 0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998) Pakistan Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 59.72 (2002), 61.93 (2001), 53.65 (2000), 49.12 (1999), 44.94 (1998) Palau the US dollar is used Panama balboas per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998) Papua New Guinea kina per US dollar - 3.8 (2002), 3.39 (2001), 2.78 (2000), 2.57 (1999), 2.07 (1998) Paraguay guarani per US dollar - 5,720.44 (2002), 4,105.92 (2001), 3,486.35 (2000), 3,119.07 (1999), 2,726.49 (1998) Peru nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.52 (2002), 3.51 (2001), 3.49 (2000), 3.38 (1999), 2.93 (1998) Philippines Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.67 (2002), 50.99 (2001), 44.19 (2000), 39.09 (1999), 40.89 (1998) Pitcairn Islands New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.162 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) Poland zlotych per US dollar - 3.99 (2002), 4.09 (2001), 4.35 (2000), 3.97 (1999), 3.48 (1998) note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty Portugal euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Puerto Rico the US dollar is used Qatar Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000), 3.64 (1999), 3.64 (1998) Reunion euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998) Romania lei per US dollar - 33,055.4 (2002), 29,060.8 (2001), 21,708.7 (2000), 15,332.8 (1999), 8,875.58 (1998) Russia Russian rubles per US dollar - 31.27 (2002), 29.17 (2001), 28.13 (2000), 24.62 (1999), 9.71 (1998) note: the post-1 January 1998 ruble is equal to 1,000 of the pre-1 January 1998 rubles Rwanda Rwandan francs per US dollar - 475.37 (2002), 442.99 (2001), 389.7 (2000), 333.94 (1999), 312.31 (1998) Saint Helena Saint Helenian pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), Saint Kitts and Nevis East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Saint Lucia East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Saint Pierre and Miquelon euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.93863 (1999) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) Samoa tala per US dollar - 3.37 (2002), 3.48 (2001), 3.29 (2000), 3.01 (1999), 2.95 (1998) San Marino euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Sao Tome and Principe dobras per US dollar - NA (2002), 8,842.11 (2001), 7,978.17 (2000), 7,118.96 (1999), 6,883.24 (1998) Saudi Arabia Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.75 (2002), 3.75 (2001), 3.75 (2000), 3.75 (1999), 3.75 (1998) Senegal Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Serbia and Montenegro new Yugoslav dinars per US dollar - official rate: 65 (2002), 10.0 (December 1998); black market rate: 14.5 (December 1998) Seychelles Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.48 (2002), 5.86 (2001), 5.71 (2000), 5.34 (1999), 5.26 (1998) Sierra Leone leones per US dollar - 2,099.03 (2002), 1,986.15 (2001), 2,092.12 (2000), 1,804.19 (1999), 1,563.62 (1998) Singapore Singapore dollars per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.69 (1999), 1.67 (1998) Slovakia koruny per US dollar - 45.33 (2002), 48.35 (2001), 46.04 (2000), 41.36 (1999), 35.23 (1998) Slovenia tolars per US dollar - 240.25 (2002), 242.75 (2001), 222.66 (2000), 181.77 (1999), 166.13 (1998) Solomon Islands Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - NA (2002), NA (2001), 5.09 (2000), 4.84 (1999), 4.82 (1998) Somalia Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000), 2,620 (January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January 1996 est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995) note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling South Africa rand per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) Spain euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999) Sri Lanka Sri Lankan rupees per US dollar - 95.66 (2002), 89.38 (2001), 77.01 (2000), 70.64 (1999), 64.45 (1998) Sudan Sudanese dinars per US dollar - 263.31 (2002), 258.7 (2001), 257.12 (2000), 252.55 (1999), 200.8 (1998) Suriname Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2,346.75 (2002), 2,178.5 (2001), 1,322.47 (2000), 859.44 (1999), 401 (1998) note: during 1998, the exchange rate splintered into four distinct rates; in January 1999 the government floated the guilder, but subsequently fixed it when the black-market rate plunged; the government currently allows trading within a band of SRG 500 around the official rate Svalbard Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000), 7.7992 (1999), 7.5451 (1998) Swaziland emalangeni per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) Sweden Swedish kronor per US dollar - 9.74 (2002), 10.33 (2001), 9.16 (2000), 8.26 (1999), 7.95 (1998) Switzerland Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.56 (2002), 1.69 (2001), 1.69 (2000), 1.5 (1999), 1.45 (1998) Syria Syrian pounds per US dollar - (Official rate): 11.23 (2002), 11.23 (2001), 11.23 (2000), 11.23 (1999), 11.23 (1998), (Free market rate): 49.65 (2001), 49.4 (2000), 51.7 (1999), 52 (1998) Taiwan 34.88 (2002), 34.74 (2001), 33.09 (2000), 31.6 (1999) Tajikistan Tajikistani somoni per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.37 (2001), 2.08 (2000), 1.24 (1999), 0.78 (1998) note: the new unit of exchange was introduced on 30 October 2000, with one somoni equal to 1,000 of the old Tajikistani rubles Tanzania Tanzanian shillings per US dollar - NA (2002), 876.41 (2001), 800.41 (2000), 744.76 (1999), 664.67 (1998) Thailand baht per US dollar - 42.96 (2002), 44.43 (2001), 40.11 (2000), 37.81 (1999), 41.36 (1998) Togo Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) Tokelau New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.154 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) Tonga pa'anga per US dollar NA (2002), 2.12 (2001), 1.76 (2000), 1.6 (1999), 1.49 (1998) Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago dollars per US dollar - 6.24 (2002), 6.23 (2001), 6.3 (2000), 6.3 (1999), 6.3 (1998) Tunisia Tunisian dinars per US dollar - 1.42 (2002), 1.44 (2001), 1.37 (2000), 1.19 (1999), 1.14 (1998) Turkey NA (2002), 1,225,590 (2001), 625,218 (2000), 418,783 (1999), 260,724 (1998), 151,865 (1997) Turkmenistan Turkmen manats per US dollar - 5,200 (2002), 5,200 (2001), 5,200 (2000), 5,200 (1999), 4,890.17 (1998); note - the official exchange rate has not varied for the last four years; the unofficial rate has fluctuated slightly, hovering around 21,000 manats to the dollar Turks and Caicos Islands the US dollar is used Tuvalu Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.8406 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Uganda Ugandan shillings per US dollar - 1,797.55 (2002), 1,755.66 (2001), 1,644.48 (2000), 1,454.83 (1999), 1,240.31 (1998) Ukraine hryvnia per US dollar - 5.33 (2002), 5.37 (2001), 5.44 (2000), 4.13 (1999), 2.45 (1998) United Arab Emirates Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.67 (2002), 3.67 (2001), 3.67 (2000), 3.67 (1999), 3.67 (1998) United Kingdom British pounds per US dollar - 0.67 (2002), 0.69 (2001), 0.66 (2000), 0.62 (1999), 0.6 (1998) United States British pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.5693 (2002), 1.5488 (2001), 1.4851 (2000), 1.4857 (1999), 1.4835 (1998), Japanese yen per US dollar - 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000), 113.91 (1999), 130.91 (1998), euros per US dollar - 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.93863 (1999) note: financial institutions in France, Italy, and Germany and eight other European countries started using the euro on 1 January 1999 with the euro replacing the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002 Uruguay Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 21.26 (2002), 13.32 (2001), 12.1 (2000), 11.34 (1999), 10.47 (1998) Uzbekistan Uzbekistani sums per US dollar - 970 (2002), 325 (2001), 236.61 (2000), 124.63 (1999), 94.49 (1998) Vanuatu vatu per US dollar - 139.2 (2002), 145.31 (2001), 137.64 (2000), 129.08 (1999), 127.52 (1998) Venezuela bolivares per US dollar - 1,160.44 (2002), 723.67 (2001), 679.96 (2000), 605.72 (1999), 547.56 (1998) Vietnam dong per US dollar - 15,325.8 (2002), 14,725.2 (2001), 14,167.7 (2000), 13,943.2 (1999), 13,268 (1998) Virgin Islands the US dollar is used Wallis and Futuna Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 126.41 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998) West Bank new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997); Jordanian dinars per US dollar - fixed rate of 0.7090 (from 1996) Western Sahara Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 11.584 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997) Yemen Yemeni rials per US dollar - NA (2002), 168.67 (2001), 161.72 (2000), 155.72 (1999), 135.88 (1998) Zambia Zambian kwacha per US dollar - NA (2002), 3,610.93 (2001), 3,110.84 (2000), 2,388.02 (1999), 1,862.07 (1998) Zimbabwe Zimbabwean dollars per US dollar - 55 (2002), 55.05 (2001), 44.42 (2000), 38.3 (1999), 23.68 (1998) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2077 Executive branch Afghanistan note: following the Taliban's refusal to hand over Usama bin LADIN to the US for his suspected involvement in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, a US-led international coalition was formed; after several weeks of aerial bombardment by coalition forces and military action on the ground, including Afghan opposition forces, the Taliban was ousted from power on 17 November 2001; in December 2001, a number of prominent Afghans met under UN auspices in Bonn, Germany, to decide on a plan for governing the country; as a result, the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) - made up of 30 members, headed by a chairman - was inaugurated on 22 December 2001 with a six-month mandate to be followed by a two-year Transitional Authority (TA), after which elections are to be held; the structure of the follow-on TA was announced on 10 June 2002, when the Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) convened establishing the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA), which has 18 months to hold a Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and 24 months to hold nationwide elections chief of state: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10 June 2002); note - presently the president and head of government head of government: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10 June 2002); note - presently the president and head of government cabinet: the 30-member TISA elections: nationwide elections are to be held by June 2004, according to the Bonn Agreement Albania chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Fatos NANO (since 31 July 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19 Algeria chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 9 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 April 1999 (next to be held NA April 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA elected president; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA over 70%; note - his six opposing candidates withdrew on the eve of the election citing electoral fraud American Samoa chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) following the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA on 26 March 2003; TULAFONO had been the Lieutenant Governor cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Tauese P. SUNIA reelected governor; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 50.7%, Lealaifuaneva Peter REID (independent) 47.8% note: Togiola TULAFONO became acting governor 26 March 2003 upon the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA Andorra chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Spanish Coprince Episcopal Monsignor Joan Enric VIVES SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES OSTE (since NA) head of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE MOLNE (since 21 December 1994) cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA% Angola chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not a position of real power cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a NA-year term; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed Anguilla chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter JOHNSTONE (since NA February 2000) head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Antigua and Barbuda chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Robin YEARWOOD cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general Argentina chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; the last election held was the presidential primary election of 27 April 2003 (next election to be held NA 2007); a runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 between the two candidates receiving the highest votes in the primary was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election election results: results of the presidential primary of 27 April 2003: Carlos Saul MENEM 24.3%, Nestor KIRCHNER 22%, Ricardo Lopez MURPHY 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez SAA 14.4%, Elisa CARRIO 14.2%, other 8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election Armenia chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARKARYAN (since 12 May 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5% Aruba chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Fredis REFUNJOL cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA% Australia chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael JEFFREY (since 11 August 2003) head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON (since 20 July 1999) cabinet: Parliament nominates and selects, from among its members, a list of candidates to serve as government ministers; from this list, the governor general swears in the final selections for the Cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party Austria chief of state: President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992) head of government: Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4 February 2000); Vice Chancellor Hubert GORBACH (since 21 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term; presidential election last held 19 April 1998 (next to be held in the spring of 2004); chancellor traditionally chosen by the president from the plurality party in the National Council; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor election results: Thomas KLESTIL reelected president; percent of vote - Thomas KLESTIL 63%, Gertraud KNOLL 14%, Heide SCHMIDT 11%, Richard LUGNER 10%, Karl NOWAK 2% note: government coalition - OeVP and FPOe Azerbaijan chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAROV 14% Bahamas, The chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Ivy DUMONT (since NA May 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002) and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Bahrain chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since NA 1971) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Bangladesh chief of state: President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6 September 2002); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections head of government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA (since 10 October 2001) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not held since Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential candidate; he was sworn in on 6 September 2002 (next election to be held by NA 2007); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Iajuddin AHMED declared by the Election Commission elected unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA% Barbados chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 26 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Belarus chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sergei SIDORSKY (acting; since 10 July 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Andrei KOBYAKOV (since 13 March 2000), Sergei SIDORSKY (since 24 September 2001), Vladimir DRAZHIN (since 24 September 2001), Roman VNUCHKO (since 10 July 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; new election held 9 September 2001 (next election to be held by September 2006); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 75.6%, Vladimir GONCHARIK 15.4% Belgium chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO Belize chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Benin chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9% note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match" Bermuda chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002) head of government: Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor Bhutan chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Jigme Y. THINLEY (since 30 August 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote Bolivia chief of state: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: as a result of no candidate winning a majority in the 30 June 2002 election, Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante was chosen president by Congress; Congressional votes - Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante 84, Evo MORALES 43; note - following the resignation of the elected president on 17 October 2003, Vice President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert assumed the presidency Bosnia and Herzegovina chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency Dragan COVIC (chairman since 27 June 2003; presidency member since 5 October 2002 - Croat) other members of the three-member rotating (every eight months) presidency: Sulejman TIHIC (since 5 October 2002 - Bosniak) and Borislav PARAVAC (since 10 April 2003 - Serb); note - Mirko SAROVIC resigned 2 April 2003 head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Adnan TERZIC (since 20 December 2002), cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the National House of Representatives elections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term; the member with the most votes becomes the chairman unless he or she was the incumbent chairman at the time of the election, but the chairmanship rotates every eight months; election last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA 2006); the chairman of the Council of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the National House of Representatives election results: percent of vote - Mirko SAROVIC with 35.5% of the Serb vote was elected chairman of the collective presidency for the first eight months; Dragan COVIC received 61.5% of the Croat vote; Sulejman TIHIC received 37% of the Bosniak vote note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Niko LOZANCIC (since 27 January 2003); Vice Presidents Sahbaz DZIHANOVIC (since NA 2003) and Desnica RADIVOJEVIC (since NA 2003); President of the Republika Srpska: Dragan COVIC (since 28 November 2002) Botswana chief of state: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); vice president appointed by the president election results: Festus MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 54.3% Brazil chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006); runoff election held 27 October 2002 election results: in runoff election 27 October 2002, Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (PT) was elected with 61.3% of the vote; Jose SERRA (PSDB) 38.7% British Indian Ocean Territory chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Alan HUCKLE (since 2001); Administrator Louise SAVILL (since NA); note - both reside in the UK cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch British Virgin Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002) head of government: Chief Minister Orlando SMITH (since 17 June 2003) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Brunei chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Bulgaria chief of state: President Georgi PURVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA (since 24 July 2001); Deputy Prime Ministers Nikolay VASILEV (since 24 July 2001), and Lidiya SHULEVA (since 24 July 2001), Plamen PANAYOTOV (since 17 July 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 11 November and 18 November 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) nominated by the president; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister election results: Georgi PURVANOV elected president; percent of vote - Georgi PURVANOV 54.13%, Petar STOYANOV 45.87% Burkina Faso chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6 November 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); in April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005, and allowing the president to be reelected only once; it is unclear whether this amendment will be applied retroactively or not; prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 87.5% percent of the vote note: President COMPAORE faces an increasingly well-coordinated opposition; recent charges against a former member of his Presidential Guard in the 1998 assassination of a newspaper editor signify an attempt to defuse chronic areas of dissatisfaction Burma chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992) head of government: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992); note - the appointed Prime Minister, Gen. KNIN NYUNT (since 25 August 2003), is not the head of government cabinet: State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); military junta, so named 15 November 1997, which initially assumed power 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration Council; the SPDC oversees the cabinet elections: none Burundi chief of state: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on 1 November 2001; Vice President Alphonse KADEGE (since 30 April 2003); note - from the Tutsi minority head of government: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on 1 November 2001; Vice President Alphonse KADEGE (since 30 April 2003); note - from the Tutsi minority cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president elections: NA; current president assumed power on 30 April 2003 as part of the transitional government established by the 2000 Arusha Accord Cambodia chief of state: King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 30 November 1998) and Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 1993) and TOL LAH (since 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king Cameroon chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) head of government: Prime Minister Peter Mafany MUSONGE (since 19 September 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 12 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 92.6%; note - supporters of the opposition candidates boycotted the elections, making a comparison of vote shares relatively meaningless Canada chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON (since 7 October 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Paul MARTIN (since 12 December 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Anne MCLELLAN (since 12 December 2003) cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the governor general Cape Verde chief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - the election was won by only twelve votes Cayman Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002) head of government: Chief Secretary W. McKeeva BUSH (since NA December 2001) cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; the chief secretary is appointed by the governor Central African Republic chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) head of government: Prime Minister Abel GOUMBA (since NA March 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: NA; current president assumed power following a coup on 15 March 2003 in which former President Ange-Felix PATASSE was overthrown (President BOZIZE has stated that elections will be held by NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president Chad chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Moussa Faki MAHAMAT (since NA July 2003) cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, Saleh KEBZABO 7% note: government coalition - MPS, UNDR, and URD Chile chief of state: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1999, with runoff election held 16 January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar 51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68% China chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) and Vice President ZENG Qinghong (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Vice Premiers HUANG Ju (since 17 March 2003), WU Yi (17 March 2003), ZENG Peiyan (since 17 March 2003), and HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003) cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress (NPC) elections: president and vice president elected by the National People's Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 15-17 March 2003 (next to be held mid-March 2008); premier nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress election results: HU Jintao elected president by the Tenth National People's Congress with a total of 2,937 votes (4 delegates voted against him, 4 abstained, and 38 did not vote); ZENG Qinghong elected vice president by the Tenth National People's Congress with a total of 2,578 votes (177 delegates voted against him, 190 abstained, and 38 did not vote); 2 seats were vacant Christmas Island chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Cocos (Keeling) Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (nonresident) William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Colombia chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the two dominant parties - the PL and PSC - and independents elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2006) election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez received 53% of the vote; Vice President Francisco SANTOS was elected on the same ticket Comoros chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May 2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May 2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; note - AZALI has not appointed a Prime Minister since he was sworn into office in May 2002 election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with 75% of the vote Congo, Democratic Republic of the chief of state: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the president elections: prior to the overthrow of MOBUTU Sese Seko, the president was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 29 July 1984 (next was scheduled to be held in May 1997); formerly, there was also a prime minister who was elected by the High Council of the Republic; note - a Transitional Government is drafting a new constitution with free elections scheduled to be held in NA 2005 election results: results of the last election were: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga reelected president in 1984 without opposition note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001, negotiations with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a Transitional Government in July 2003 with free elections scheduled to be held in NA 2005 Congo, Republic of the chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second seven-year term); election last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2009) election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 2.7% Cook Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Ngamau MUNOKOA (since 5 November 2003) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister Coral Sea Islands administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories Costa Rica chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February 2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held NA February 2006) election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote - Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42% Cote d'Ivoire chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000); note - took power following a popular overthrow of the interim leader Gen. Robert GUEI who had claimed a dubious victory in presidential elections; Gen. GUEI himself had assumed power on 25 December 1999, following a military coup against the government of former President Henri Konan BEDIE head of government: Prime Minister Seydou DIARRA (since 25 January 2003); note - appointed as transitional Prime Minister by President GBAGBO as part of a French brokered peace plan cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2% Croatia chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Ivica RACAN (since 27 January 2000); Deputy Prime Ministers Goran GRANIC (since 27 January 2000), Ante SIMONIC (since 30 July 2002), Zeljka ANTUNOVI (since 27 January 2000), Slavko LINIC (since 27 January 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 7 February 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister nominated by the president in line with the balance of power in the Assembly election results: Stjepan MESIC elected president; percent of vote - Stjepan MESIC (HNS) 56%, Drazen BUDISA (HSLS) 44% note: government coalition - SDP, HSLS, HSS, LP, HNS; a sixth party, the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), withdrew in June 2001 Cuba chief of state: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State, appointed by the National Assembly; note - there is also a Council of State whose members are elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 6 March 2003 (next to be held in 2008) election results: Fidel CASTRO Ruz reelected president; percent of legislative vote - 100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100% Cyprus chief of state: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot head of government: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 February 2003 (next to be held NA February 2008) election results: Tassos PAPADOPOULOS elected president; percent of vote - Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 51.5%, Glafkos KLIRIDIS 38.8%, Alekos MARKIDIS 6.6% note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 13 February 1975 ("president" elected by popular vote for a five-year term); elections last held 15 April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2005); results - Rauf R. DENKTASH reelected president after the other contender withdrew; Dervis EROGLU has been "prime minister" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish Cypriot area Czech Republic chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003) note: the Czech Republic's first president Vaclav HAVEL stepped down from office on 2 February 2003 having served exactly 10 years; parliament finally elected a successor on 28 February 2003 after two inconclusive elections in January 2003 head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir SPIDLA (since 12 July 2002), Deputy Prime Ministers Bohuslav SOBOTKA (since 20 August 2003), Cyril SVOBODA (since July 2002), Stanislav GROSS (since July 2002), Petr MARES (since July 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; last successful election held 28 February 2003 (after earlier elections held 15 and 24 January 2003 were inconclusive); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaclav KLAUS elected president on 28 February 2003; Vaclav KLAUS 142 votes, Jan SOKOL 124 votes (third round; combined votes of both chambers of parliament) Denmark chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27 November 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch Djibouti chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister DILEITA Mohamed Dileita (since 4 March 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 9 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH elected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 74.4%, IDRIS Moussa Ahmed 25.6% Dominica chief of state: President Nicholas LIVERPOOL (since 10 November 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Pierre CHARLES (since 1 October 2000); note - assumed post after death of Prime Minister Roosevelt DOUGLAS cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% Dominican Republic chief of state: President Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (since 16 August 2000); Vice President Milagros ORTIZ-BOSCH (since 16 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (since 16 August 2000); Vice President Milagros ORTIZ-BOSCH (since 16 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 16 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2004) election results: Raphael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez elected president; percent of vote - Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (PRD) 49.87%, Danilo MEDINA (PLD) 24.95%, Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 24.6% East Timor chief of state: President Jose Alexander GUSMAO (since 20 May 2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto some legislation; he often is referred to as Xanana GUSMAO head of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude ALKATIRI (since 20 May 2002) cabinet: Council of State elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); after the first legislative elections, the leader of the majority party was appointed prime minister by the president, suggesting a precedent for the future election results: Jose Alexander GUSMAO elected president; percent of vote - Jose Alexander GUSMAO 82.7%, Francisco Xavier do AMARAL 17.3% Ecuador chief of state: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (no reelection); election last held 20 October 2002; runoff election held 24 November 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: results of the 24 November 2002 runoff election - Lucio GUTIERREZ elected president; percent of vote - Lucio GUTIERREZ 54.3%; Alvaro NOBOA 45.7% Egypt chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Atef Mohammed ABEID (since 5 October 1999) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president nominated by the People's Assembly for a six-year term, the nomination must then be validated by a national, popular referendum; national referendum last held 26 September 1999 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: national referendum validated President MUBARAK's nomination by the People's Assembly to a fourth term El Salvador chief of state: President Francisco FLORES Perez (since 1 June 1999); Vice President Carlos QUINTANILLA Schmidt (since 1 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Francisco FLORES Perez (since 1 June 1999); Vice President Carlos QUINTANILLA Schmidt (since 1 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2004) election results: Francisco FLORES Perez elected president; percent of vote - Francisco FLORES (ARENA) 52%, Facundo GUARDADO (FMLN) 29%, Ruben ZAMORA (CD) 7.5%, other (no individual above 3%) 11.5% Equatorial Guinea chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup) head of government: Prime Minister Candido Muatetema RIVAS (since 26 February 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Miguel OYONO NDONG (since NA January 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Demetrio Elo NDONG NZE FUMU (since NA January 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2009); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud Eritrea chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority; members appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as anticipated) election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95% Estonia chief of state: President Arnold RUUTEL (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Juhan PARTS (since 10 April 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if he or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held 21 September 2001 (next to be held in the fall of 2006); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: Arnold RUUTEL elected president on 21 September 2001 by a 367-member electoral assembly that convened following Parliament's failure in August to elect then-President MERI's successor; on the second ballot of voting, RUUTEL received 188 votes to Parliament Speaker Toomas SAVI's 155; the remaining 24 ballots were either left blank or invalid Ethiopia chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives elections: president elected by the House of People's Representatives for a six-year term; election last held 8 October 2001 (next to be held NA October 2007); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of vote by the House of People's Representatives - 100% Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); Financial Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch Faroe Islands chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG (since 15 May 1998) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 30 April 2002 (next to be held no later than April 2006) election results: Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 52.8% note: coalition of People's Party, Republican Party, Home Rule Party, and Center Party Fiji chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since NA 2000); Vice President Jope SENILOLI (since NA 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - there is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs, which consists of the highest ranking members of the traditional chief system elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA% Finland chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Antti KALLIOMAKI (since 17 April 2003); note - former Prime Minister Anneli JAATTEENMAKI resigned cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 16 January 2000 and 6 February 2000 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed from the majority party by the president after parliamentary elections election results: Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esko AHO (Kesk) 48.4% note: government coalition - KESK, SDP, and SFP France chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN (since 7 May 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in 2001); election last held 21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round NA April 2007, second round NA May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president election results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN (FN) 18.04% French Guiana chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Ange MANCINI (since 31 July 2002) head of government: President of the General Council Joseph HO-TEN-YOU (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the members of those councils French Polynesia chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Michel MATHIEU (since 24 October 2001) head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 4 April 1991); President of the Territorial Assembly Lucette TAERO (since 17 May 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly Gabon chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE (since 23 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President El Hadj Omar BONGO reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO 66.6%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4% Gambia, The chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 he was Chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was he Chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 18 October 2001 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 52.9%, Ousainou DARBOE 32.7% Georgia chief of state: President Nino BURJANADZE (acting president since 23 November 2003; formerly parliamentary speaker, she assumed the presidency upon the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nino BURJANADZE (acting president since 23 November 2003; formerly parliamentary speaker, she assumed the presidency upon the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held 4 January 2004 to replace Eduard SHEVARDNADZE) election results: Eduard SHEVARDNADZE reelected president; percent of vote - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 80%; note - following the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, Nino BURJANADZE became acting president Germany chief of state: President Johannes RAU (since 1 July 1999) head of government: Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (since 27 October 1998) cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor elections: president elected for a five-year term by a Federal Convention including all members of the Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 23 May 1999 (next to be held 23 May 2004); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; election last held 22 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: Johannes RAU elected president; percent of Federal Convention vote - 57.6%; Gerhard SCHROEDER elected chancellor; percent of Federal Assembly vote 50.7% Ghana chief of state: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 and 28 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004) election results: John Agyekum KUFUOR elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 56.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.6% Gibraltar chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis RICHARDS (since 27 May 2003) head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Greece chief of state: President Konstandinos (Kostis) STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos SIMITIS (since 19 January 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 8 February 2000 (next to be held by NA February 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Konstandinos STEPHANOPOULOS reelected president; percent of Parliament vote - 90% Greenland chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Gunnar MARTENS (since NA 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December 2002) cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the Parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by Parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); election last held 3 December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2006) election results: Hans ENOKSEN elected prime minister note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit Grenada chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Daniel WILLIAMS (since 9 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general Guadeloupe chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Dominique VIAN (since 6 August 2002) head of government: President of the General Council Jacques GILLOT (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils election results: NA Guam chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Felix P. P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003) and Lieutenant Governor Kaleo MOYLAN (since 6 January 2003) cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for a four-year term; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006) election results: Felix P. P. CAMACHO elected governor; percent of vote - Felix P. P. CAMACHO (Republican Party) 55.4%, Robert A. UNDERWOOD (Democratic Party) 44.6% Guatemala chief of state: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 1999; runoff held 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results: Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera elected president; percent of vote - Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 68%, Oscar BERGER Perdomo (PAN) 32% Guernsey chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Sir John FOLEY (since NA 2000) and Bailiff de Vic Graham CAREY (since NA 1999) cabinet: Advisory and Finance Committee appointed by the Assembly of the States elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; bailiff appointed by the monarch Guinea chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Lamine SIDIME (since 8 March 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 14 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2003); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 56.1%, Mamadou Boye BA (UPR) 24.6%, Alpha CONDE (RPG) 16.6%, Guinea-Bissau chief of state: President Henrique ROSA (interim; since 28 September 2003); note - a September 2003 coup overthrough the elected government of Kumba YALA; General Verissimo Correia SEABRA served as interim president from 14 to 28 September 2003 head of government: Prime Minister Artur SANHA (since 28 September 2003) cabinet: NA elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 28 November 1999 and 16 January 2000 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the legislature election results: Kumba YALA elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Kumba YALA (PRS) 72%, Malan Bacai SANHA (PAIGC) 28% note: a bloodless coup led to the dissolution of the elected government of Kumba YALA in September 2003; General Verissimo Correia SEABRA served as interim president from 14 September 2003 until stepping aside on 28 September 2003 with the establishment of a caretaker government Guyana chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President JAGAN head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since NA December 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature elections: president elected by the majority party in the National Assembly following legislative elections, which must be held at least every five years; elections last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held by March 2006); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of legislative vote - NA% Haiti chief of state: President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Yvon NEPTUNE (since 4 March 2002); note - former Prime Minister CHERESTAL resigned in January 2002 cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly election results: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE elected president; percent of vote - Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 92% Holy See (Vatican City) chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990) cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Karol WOJTYLA elected pope Honduras chief of state: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27 January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since 27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DE LOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice President Alberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27 January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since 27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DE LOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice President Alberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (PN) elected president - 52.2%, Raphael PINEDA Ponce (PL) 44.3%, others 3.5% Hong Kong chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997) cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex-officio members and 10 appointed members; ex-officio members are: Chief Secretary Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 1 May 2001), Financial Secretary Antony LEUNG (since 1 May 2001), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since 1 July 1997) elections: TUNG Chee-Hwa was elected to a second term in March 2002 by an 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces; the next election is scheduled to be held in 2007 Hungary chief of state: Ferenc MADL (since 4 August 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Peter MEDGYESSY (since 27 May 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 6 June 2000 (next to be held by June 2005); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president election results: Ferenc MADL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% (but by a simple majority in the third round of voting); Peter MEDGYESSY elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA% note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round Iceland chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON ran unopposed in 2000 and was reelected India chief of state: President Abdul KALAM (since 26 July 2002); Vice President Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT (since 12 August 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Atal Bihari VAJPAYEE (since 19 March 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states for a five-year term; election last held NA July 2002 (next to be held NA July 2007); vice president elected by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 12 August 2002 (next to be held NA August 2007); prime minister elected by parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative elections; election last held NA October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004) election results: Abdul KALAM elected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA%; Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT elected vice president; percent of Parliament vote - 59.8%; Atal Bihari VAJPAYEE elected prime minister; percent of vote - NA% Indonesia chief of state: President MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri (since 23 July 2001) and Vice President Hamzah HAZ (since 26 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri (since 23 July 2001) and Vice President Hamzah HAZ (since 26 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected separately by the People's Consultative Assembly or MPR for five-year terms; selection of president last held 23 July 2001; selection of vice president last held 26 July 2001; next election to be held in July 2004; in accordance with constitutional changes, the election of the president and vice president will be by direct vote of the citizenry election results: MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri elected president, receiving 591 votes in favor (91 abstentions); Hamzah HAZ elected vice president, receiving 340 votes in favor (237 against) note: the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) includes the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR) plus 195 indirectly selected members; it meets every five years to elect the president and vice president and to approve broad outlines of national policy and also has yearly meetings to consider constitutional and legislative changes; constitutional amendments adopted in 2001 and 2002 provide for the MPR to be restructured in 2004 and to consist entirely of popularly-elected members who will be in the DPR and the new House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD); the MPR will no longer formulate national policy Iran chief of state: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) head of government: President (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani (since 3 August 1997); First Vice President Dr. Mohammad Reza AREF-YAZDI (since 26 August 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries elections: leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 8 June 2001 (next to be held June 2005) election results: (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani reelected president; percent of vote - (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani 77% Iraq chief of state: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 31 October 1997 (next to be held NA November 2004); prime minister nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6% note: government coalition - Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats Israel chief of state: President Moshe KATSAV (since 31 July 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Ariel SHARON (since 7 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset elections: president elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term; election last held 31 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2007); following legislative elections, the president assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the largest party - the task of forming a governing coalition; election last held 28 January 2003 (next to be held fall of 2007) election results: Moshe KATSAV elected president by the 120-member Knesset with a total of 60 votes, other candidate, Shimon PERES, received 57 votes (there were three abstentions); Ariel SHARON continues as prime minister after Likud Party victory in January 2003 Knesset elections; Likud won 38 seats and then formed coalition government with Shinui, the National Religious Party, and the National Union Italy chief of state: President Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI (since 13 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as the president of the Council of Ministers) Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 10 June 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives for a seven-year term; election last held 13 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2006); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by Parliament election results: Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 70% note: a five-party government coalition includes Forza Italia, National Alliance, Northern League, Democratic Christian Center, United Christian Democrats Jamaica chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Howard Felix COOKE (since 1 August 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since 30 March 1992) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the prime minister Japan chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Junichiro KOIZUMI (since 26 April 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the Diet designates the prime minister; the constitution requires that the prime minister must command a parliamentary majority; therefore, following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister note: following the resignation of Prime Minister Yoshiro MORI, Junichiro KOIZUMI was elected as the new president of the majority Liberal Democratic Party and soon thereafter designated by the Diet to become the next prime minister Jersey chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Air Chief Marshall Sir John CHESHIRE (since 24 January 2001) and Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since NA February 1995) cabinet: committees appointed by the Assembly of the States elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch Jordan chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HAMZAH (half brother of the monarch, born 29 March 1980) head of government: Prime Minister Faisal al-FAYEZ (since 25 October 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Kazakhstan chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Daniyal AKHMETOV (since 13 June 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 10 January 1999, a year before it was previously scheduled (next to be held NA 2006); note - President NAZARBAYEV's previous term was extended to 2000 by a nationwide referendum held 30 April 1995; prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 81.7%, Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN 12.1%, Gani KASYMOV 4.7%, Engels GABBASSOV 1.5% note: President NAZARBAYEV expanded his presidential powers by decree: only he can initiate constitutional amendments, appoint and dismiss the government, dissolve Parliament, call referenda at his discretion, and appoint administrative heads of regions and cities Kenya chief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002) and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002) and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2007); vice president appointed by the president election results: President Mwai KIBAKI elected; percent of vote - Mwai KIBAKI 63%, Uhuru KENYATTA 30% Kiribati chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President NA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President NA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: 12-member Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the House of Parliament elections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidential candidates from among their members and then those candidates compete in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 4 July 2003 (next to be held not later than July 2007); vice president appointed by the president election results: Anote TONG 47.4%, Harry TONG 43.5%, Banuera BERINA 9.1% Korea, North chief of state: KIM Chong-il (since NA July 1994); note - on 3 September 2003, KIM Chong-il was reelected Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded the nation's "highest administrative authority"; KIM Yong-nam was reelected President of the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium and given the responsibility of representing the state and receiving diplomatic credentials head of government: Premier PAK Pong-chu (since 3 September 2003); Vice Premiers KWAK Pom-ki (since 5 September 1998), CHON Sung-hun (since 3 September 2003), NO Tu-chol (since 3 September 2003) cabinet: Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly elections: premier elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA) election results: HONG Song-nam elected premier; percent of Supreme People's Assembly vote - NA% Korea, South chief of state: President NO Mu-hyun (ROH Moo-hyun) (since 25 February 2003) head of government: Prime Minister KO Kun (KOH Kun) (since 27 February 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers KIM Chin-p'yo (KIM Jin-pyo) (since 27 February 2003) and YUN Tok-hong (since 6 March 2003) cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation elections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 19 December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation election results: results of the 19 December 2002 election - NO Muh-hyun elected president, took office 25 February 2003; percent of vote - NO Muh-hyun (MDP) 48.9%; YI Hoe-ch'ang (GNP) 46.6%; other 4.5% Kuwait chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977) head of government: Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 13 July 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister NAWWAF al-Ahmad Al Sabah (since 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamad Al Sabah (since 2001) and Muhammad Dayfallah al-SHARAR (since 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch Kyrgyzstan chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Nikolay TANAYEV (since 22 May 2002); note - Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV resigned on 22 May 2002 when five demonstrators were killed in a clash with police in March of 2002 cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; elections last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held November or December 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Askar AKAYEV 74%, Omurbek TEKEBAYEV 14%, other candidates 12%; note - election marred by serious irregularities Laos chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 27 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27 March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since NA May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA% Latvia chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament elections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president; parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast Lebanon chief of state: President Emile LAHUD (since 24 November 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI (since 23 October 2000); Deputy Prime Minister Issam FARES (since 23 October 2000); note - HARIRI resigned on 15 April 2003, but was reappointed the next day cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term; election last held 15 October 1998 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly; by custom, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the legislature is a Shi'a Muslim election results: Emile LAHUD elected president; National Assembly vote - 118 votes in favor, 0 against, 10 abstentions Lesotho chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995, while his father was in exile head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May 1998) cabinet: Cabinet elections: none; according to the constitution, the leader of the majority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution, which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to determine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and may even depose the monarch Liberia chief of state: President Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percent of vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF (UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%; note - Taylor stepped down in August 2003 note:: a UN-brokered cease fire among waring factions and the Liberian government resulted in the August 2003 resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR; a jointly agreed upon replacement, President Gyude BRYANT, assumed office as chairman of the National Transitional Government on 14 October 2003 Libya chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Premier) Mubarak al-SHAMEKH (since 2 March 2000) cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held 2 March 2000 (next to be held NA) election results: Mubarak al-SHAMEKH elected premier; percent of General People's Congress vote - NA% Liechtenstein chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968) head of government: Head of Government Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001) cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Diet is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Diet is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch Lithuania chief of state: President Rolandas PAKSAS (since 26 February 2003) head of government: Premier Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 3 July 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 22 December 2002 and 5 January 2003 (next to be held in late 2007); premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament election results: Rolandas PAKSAS elected president; percent of vote - Rolandas PAKSAS 54.9%, Valdas ADAMKUS 45.1% Luxembourg chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Lydie POLFER (since 7 August 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies note: government coalition - CSV and DP Macau chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999) cabinet: Executive Council consists of all five government secretaries, three legislators, and two businessmen elections: chief executive chosen by a 200-member selection committee for up to two five-year terms Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of chief of state: President Boris TRAJKOVSKI (since 15 December 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 1 November 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties SDSM, LDP, and DUI (or BDI) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister elected by the Assembly; election last held 1 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Boris TRAJKOVSKI elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Boris TRAJKOVSKI 52.4%, Tito PETKOVSKI 46.2%; Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected prime minister by Parliament with 72% of the vote Madagascar chief of state: President Marc RAVALOMANANA (since 6 May 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Jacques SYLLA (27 May 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA November 2006); prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly election results: percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 40.89%, Marc RAVALOMANANA 46.21%; note - on 29 April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner by 51.5% after a recount; RATSIRIKA's prime minister was put under house arrest on 27 May 2002, and SYLLA was appointed the new prime minister by President RAVALOMANANA Malawi chief of state: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Bakili MULUZI reelected president; percent of vote - Bakili MULUZI (UDF) 51.4%, Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MCP-AFORD) 44.3% Malaysia chief of state: Paramount Ruler Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Raja of Perlis (since 12 December 2001) head of government: Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since 31 October 2003); Deputy Prime Minister NA (since 31 October 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler elections: paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 12 December 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister election results: Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail elected paramount ruler Maldives chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president; note - need not be members of Majlis elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the nomination must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003) election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected in referendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.3% Mali chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed Ag HAMANI (since 9 June 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (two-term limit); election last held 12 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Amadou Toumani TOURE elected president; percent of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 64.4%, Soumaila CISSE 35.6% Malta chief of state: President Guido DE MARCO (since 4 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 4 April 1999) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held NA April 1999 (next to be held by April 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: Guido DE MARCO elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - 54% Man, Isle of chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Ian MACFADYEN (since 26 October 2002) head of government: Chief Minister Richard CORKILL (since 6 December 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch for a five-year term; the Chief Minister is elected by the Tynwald; election last held 6 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006) election results: Richard CORKILL elected chief minister by the Tynwald Marshall Islands chief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 100% Martinique chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995); Prefect Michel CADOT (since 21 June 2000) head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Alfred MARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils Mauritania chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) head of government: Prime Minister Sghair Ould M'BARECK (since 6 July 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held NA 2009); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote Mauritius chief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7 October 2003) and Vice President (vacant; a new Vice President will be determined by assembly elections on NA December 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 30 September 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 25 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly election results: Karl OFFMANN elected president and Raouf BUNDHUN elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA%; note - Karl OFFMANN and Raouf BUNDHUN stepped down on 30 September 2003 Mayotte chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Jacques BROT (since 3 July 2002) head of government: President of the General Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1977) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term Mexico chief of state: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of attorney general requires consent of the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2006) election results: Vicente FOX Quesada elected president; percent of vote - Vicente FOX Quesada (PAN) 42.52%, Francisco LABASTIDA Ochoa (PRI) 36.1%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (PRD) 16.64%, other 4.74% Micronesia, Federated States of chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for four-year terms; election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA% Moldova chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since NA 2002), Deputy Prime Minister Stefan ODAGIU (since NA 2002) cabinet: selected by prime minister, subject to approval of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 4 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2005); note - presidential elections were scheduled for December 2000, but in July 2000, Parliament canceled direct, popular elections; Parliament's failure to chose a new president in December 2000 led to early parliamentary elections in February 2001; prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation with Parliament; note - within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote of confidence 19 April 2001 election results: Vladimir VORONIN elected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 71, Dumitru BRAGHIS 15, Valerian CHRISTEA 3; Vasile TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101 Monaco chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre, son of the monarch (born 14 March 1958) head of government: Minister of State Patrick LECLERCQ (since 5 January 2000) cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government Mongolia chief of state: President Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20 June 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 26 July 2000) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural in consultation with the president elections: president nominated by parties in the State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural; election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Natsagiyn BAGABANDI reelected president; percent of vote - Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 58.13%, Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJ (DP) 36.58%, Luvsandamba DASHNYAM (CWP) 3.54%, other 1.75%; Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected prime minister by a vote in the State Great Hural of 68 to 3 Montserrat chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony LONGRIGG (since NA May 2001) head of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister Morocco chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 23 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Driss JETTOU (since 9 October 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections Mozambique chief of state: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986); note - before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected president by Frelimo's Central Committee on 4 November 1986 (reelected by the Committee 30 July 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since 17 December 1994) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO reelected president; percent of vote - Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO 52.29%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 47.71% Namibia chief of state: President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Theo-Ben GURIRAB (since 28 August 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77% Nauru chief of state: President Rene HARRIS (since 8 August 2003) note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rene HARRIS (since 8 August 2003) note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term; election last held 29 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Ludwig SCOTTY elected president 29 May 2003; Ludwig SCOTTY 10 parliamentary votes, Kinza CLODUMAR 7 note: Ludwig SCOTTY was removed from the presidency in a no-confidence vote 8 August 2003; Rene HARRIS became president Nepal chief of state: King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (succeeded to the throne 4 June 2001 following the death of his nephew, King DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah) head of government: Prime Minister Surya Bahadur THAPA (since 4 June 2003); note - Prime Minister CHAND resigned 30 May 2003 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch note: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev died in a bloody shooting at the royal palace on 1 June 2001 that also claimed the lives of most of the royal family; King BIRENDRA's son, Crown Price DIPENDRA, is believed to have been responsible for the shootings before fatally wounding himself; immediately following the shootings and while still clinging to life, DIPENDRA was crowned king; he died three days later and was succeeded by his uncle Netherlands chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22 July 2002) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gerrit ZALM (since 27 May 2003) and Thom DE GRAAF (since 27 May 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the prime minister on legislative and administrative policy Netherlands Antilles chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Mirna LOUISA-GODETT (since 11 August 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 18 January 2002 (next to be held by NA 2006) note: government coalition - PDB, DP-St. M, FOL, PLKP, PNP New Caledonia chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner Daniel CONSTANTIN (since 3 July 2002) head of government: President of the Government Pierre FROGIER (since 5 April 2001) cabinet: Consultative Committee elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress; note - last election held 28 November 2002 when Pierre FROGIER was reelected New Zealand chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since 4 April 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December 1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Michael CULLEN (since NA July 2002) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Nicaragua chief of state: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10 January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January 2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10 January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January 2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 4 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2006) election results: Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (PLC) elected president - 56.3%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 42.3%, Alberto SABORIO (PC) 1.4%; Jose RIZO Castellon elected vice president Niger chief of state: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) was appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president cabinet: 23-member Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; last held 24 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: TANDJA Mamadou elected president; percent of vote - TANDJA Mamadou 59.9%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 40.1% Nigeria chief of state: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Executive Council elections: president is elected by popular vote for no more than two four-year terms; election last held 19 April 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: Olusegun OBASANJO elected president; percent of vote - Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) 61.9%, Muhammadu BUHARI (ANPP) 31.2%, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJUKWU (APGA) 3.3%, other 3.6% Niue chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since NA May 2000) head of government: Premier Young VIVIAN (since 1 May 2002) cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2005) election results: Young VIVIAN elected premier; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - Young VIVIAN (NPP) 70%, Hunukitama HUNUKI (AI) 30% Norfolk Island chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator Anthony J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997) head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Geoffrey Robert GARDNER (since 5 December 2001) cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the administrator elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years; election last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December 2004) election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA% Northern Mariana Islands chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Juan N. BABAUTA (since NA January 2002); Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENEVENTE (since NA January 2002) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held NA November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: Juan N. BABAUTA elected governor in a four-way race; percent of vote - Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican Party) 49% Norway chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973) head of government: Prime Minister Kjell Magne BONDEVIK (since 19 October 2001) cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the Parliament Oman chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Pakistan note: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999, Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended Pakistan's constitution and assumed the additional title of Chief Executive; exercising the powers of the head of the government, he appointed an eight-member National Security Council to function as Pakistan's supreme governing body; on 12 May 2000, Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously validated the October 1999 coup and granted MUSHARRAF executive and legislative authority for three years from the coup date; on 20 June 2001, MUSHARRAF named himself as president and was sworn in, replacing Mohammad Rafiq TARAR; in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's presidency was extended by five more years chief of state: President Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan JAMALI (since 23 November 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister elections: the president is elected by Parliament for a five-year term; note - in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's presidency was extended by five more years (next to be held NA 2007); the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly for a four-year term (next to be held NA 2006) election results: results are for the 10 October 2002 election for prime minister - Mir Zafarullah Khan JAMALI elected prime minister Palau chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45% Panama chief of state: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) election results: Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin TORRIJOS (PRD) 37% note: government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change, MORENA, PLN, PS Papua New Guinea chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Albert KIPALAN (since 13 November 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2 August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Andrew BAING (since 15 November 2003) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the governor general Paraguay chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August 2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August 2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA April 2008) election results: Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS elected president; percent of vote - Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCO Gomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, Guillermo SANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2% Peru chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001) head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001) note: Prime Minister Carlos FERRERO Costa (since 15 December 2003) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president; note - Beatriz MERINO was asked to resign on 12 December 2003 and was replaced by Carlos FERRERO Costa three days later cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001, with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006 election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9% Philippines chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 16 May 2004) election results: results of the last presidential election - Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA elected president; percent of vote - approximately 40%; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected vice president; percent of vote - 55%; note - on 20 January 2001, Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was sworn in as the constitutional successor to President Joseph ESTRADA after the Supreme Court declared that ESTRADA was unable to rule in view of the mass resignations from his government; according to the Constitution, only in cases of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the president, can the vice president serve for the unexpired term Pitcairn Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL (since NA December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA); serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council head of government: Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Steve CHRISTIAN (since 7 December 1999) cabinet: NA elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island magistrate elected by popular vote for a three-year term; election last held NA December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2002) election results: Steve CHRISTIAN elected mayor; percent of vote - NA% Poland chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Leszek MILLER (SLD) (since 19 October 2001), Deputy Prime Ministers Marek POL (since 19 October 2001), Jerzy HAUSNER (since 11 June 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm election results: Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president; percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzej OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1% Portugal chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO (since 6 April 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA January 2006); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Jorge SAMPAIO reelected president; percent of vote - Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral (Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1% Puerto Rico chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Sila M. CALDERON (since 2 January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004) election results: Sila M. CALDERON (PPD) elected governor; percent of vote - 48.6% note: residents of Puerto Rico do not vote for US president and vice president Qatar chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince JASIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected crown prince by the monarch 22 October 1996); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the armed forces head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999 Reunion chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Gonthier FRIEDERICI (since NA) head of government: President of the General Council Jean-Luc POUDROUX (since NA March 1998) and President of the Regional Council Paul VERGES (since NA March 1993) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils Romania chief of state: President Ion ILIESCU (since 20 December 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Adrian NASTASE (since 29 December 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 November 2000, with runoff between the top two candidates held 10 December 2000 (next to be held NA November/December 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: percent of vote - Ion ILIESCU 66.84%, Corneliu Vadim TUDOR 33.16% Russia chief of state: President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (acting president since 31 December 1999, president since 7 May 2000) head of government: Premier Mikhail Mikhaylovich KASYANOV (since 7 May 2000); Deputy Premiers Viktor Borisovich KHRISTENKO (since 31 May 1999), Aleksey Leonidovich KUDRIN (since 18 May 2000), Aleksey Vasilyevich GORDEYEV (since 20 May 2000), Boris Sergeyevich ALESHIN (since 24 April 2003), Galina Nikolayevna KARELOVA (since 24 April 2003), Vladimir Anatolyevich YAKOVLEV (since 16 June 2003) cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of the premier and his deputies, ministers, and selected other individuals; all are appointed by the president note: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a Security Council also reports directly to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 March 2000 (next to be held March 2004); note - no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns, the premier succeeds him; the premier serves as acting president until a new presidential election is held, which must be within three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval of the Duma election results: Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN elected president; percent of vote - Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN 52.9%, Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV 29.2%, Grigoriy Alekseyevich YAVLINSKIY 5.8% Rwanda chief of state: President Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME (FPR) (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008) election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct popular vote; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%, Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33% Saint Helena chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Michael CLANCY (since NA October 2003) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch Saint Kitts and Nevis chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Saint Lucia chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dr. Perlette LOUISY (since September 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth Davis ANTHONY (since 24 May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Saint Pierre and Miquelon chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Claude VALLEIX (since 9 October 2002) head of government: President of the General Council Marc PLANTAGENEST (since NA) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held, first round - 21 April 2002, second round - 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the General Council is elected by the members of the council Saint Vincent and the Grenadines chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister Samoa chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963) head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA (since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from 1992 until he assumed the prime ministership in 1996, when former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health; TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister after TOFILAU died; the post of deputy prime minister is currently vacant cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister's advice elections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly San Marino chief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent Giovanni LONFERNINI and Captain Regent Valeria CIAVATTA (for the period 1 October 2003-31 March 2004) head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Fiorenzo STOLFI (since 17 December 2002) cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term elections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held NA September 2003 (next to be held NA March 2004); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held 17 December 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: Giovanni LONFERNINI and Valeria CIAVATTA elected captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Fiorenzo STOLFI elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of legislative vote - 40% note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council) selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of the prerogatives of a prime minister Sao Tome and Principe chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Maria das NEVES (since 7 October 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held NA July 2006); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA% Saudi Arabia chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Senegal chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Idrissa SECK (since 4 November 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term under new constitution; election last held 27 February and 19 March 2000 (next to be held 27 February 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of vote in the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.49%, Abdou DIOUF (PS) 41.51% Serbia and Montenegro chief of state: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Dragisa PESIC (since 24 July 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub LABUS (since 25 January 2001) cabinet: Federal Ministries act as Cabinet elections: president elected by the Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 7 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Svetozar MAROVIC elected president by the Parliament; vote was Svetozar MAROVIC 65, other 47 Seychelles chief of state: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: France Albert RENE reelected president; percent of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO) 44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that presidential elections have been held separately from legislative elections Sierra Leone chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4% Singapore chief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN (since 1 September 1999) head of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers Brig. Gen. (Ret.) LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990) and TAN Keng Yam Tony (since 1 August 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 28 August 1999 (next to be held by August 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN elected president unopposed Slovakia chief of state: President Rudolf SCHUSTER (since 15 June 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30 October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pavol RUSKO (since 24 September 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 May 1999 (next to be held NA May/June 2004); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Rudolf SCHUSTER elected president in the first direct, popular election; percent of vote - Rudolf SCHUSTER 57%; Mikulas DZURINDA reelected prime minister October 2002 note: government coalition - SDKU, SMK, KDH, ANO Slovenia chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Anton ROP (since 11 December 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2007); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held 6 December 2002 (next National Assembly elections to be held NA October 2004) election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote - Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Anton ROP elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 63 to 24 Solomon Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir John LAPLI (since NA 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17 December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December 2001) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament Somalia chief of state: ABDIKASSIM Salad Hassan (since 26 August 2000); note - as of December 2002, there was no executive branch in southern Somalia; Interim President ABDIKASSIM was chosen for a three-year term by a 245-member National Assembly serving as a transitional government but has little power and was due to leave office in August 2003; the political situation, particularly in the south, with interclan fighting and random banditry, remains fluid head of government: Prime Minister HASSAN Abshir Farah (since 12 November 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and sworn in on 20 October 2000; as of 1 January 2002, the Cabinet was in caretaker status following a no-confidence vote in October 2001 that ousted HASSAN's predecessor election results: ABDIKASSIM Salad Hassan was elected president of an interim government at the Djibouti-sponsored Arta Peace Conference on 26 August 2000 by a broad representation of Somali clans that comprised a transitional National Assembly South Africa chief of state: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 2 June 1999 (next scheduled for sometime between May and July 2004) election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation) note: ANC-IFP is the governing coalition Spain chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968 head of government: President of the Government Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (since 5 May 1996); First Vice President (and Minister of Economy) Rodrigo RATO Figaredo (since 4 September 2003) and Second Vice President (and Minister of the Presidency) Javier ARENAS (since 4 September 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly; election last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president election results: Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (PP) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 44.54%; note - the Popular Party (PP) obtained an absolute majority of seats in both the Congress of Deputies and the Senate as a result of the March 2000 elections Sri Lanka chief of state: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Ranil WICKREMASINGHE (since 9 December 2001) is the prime minister; the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Ranil WICKREMASINGHE (since 9 December 2001) is the prime minister; the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelected president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (PA) 51%, Ranil WICKREMASINGHE (UNP) 42%, other 7% Sudan chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR 86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged; all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack of guarantees for a free and fair election note: Lt. Gen. al-BASHIR assumed supreme executive power in 1989 and retained it through several transitional governments in the early and mid-1990s before being popularly elected for the first time in March 1996 Suriname chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger People's Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 6 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a year early election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN elected president by the National Assembly; percent of legislative vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 72.5%; Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 19.6%; total votes cast - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes, Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 10 votes Svalbard chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991) head of government: Governor Morten RUUD (since NA November 1998) and Assistant Governor Odd Redar HUMLEGAARD (since NA) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice Swaziland chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Themba DLAMINI (since 14 November 2003) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Sweden chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the Parliament; election last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131 out of 349 votes Switzerland chief of state: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003) election results: Pascal COUCHEPIN elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - NA%; Ruth METZLER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - NA% Syria chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice Presidents Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984) and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003), Deputy Prime Ministers Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984), Farouk al-SHARA (since 13 December 2001), Dr. Muhammad al-HUSAYN (since 13 December 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; referendum/election last held 10 July 2000 - after the death of President Hafez al-ASAD, father of Bashar al-ASAD - (next to be held NA 2007); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.29% note: Hafiz al-ASAD died on 10 June 2000; on 20 June 2000, the Ba'th Party nominated Bashar al-ASAD for president and presented his name to the People's Council on 25 June 2000 Taiwan chief of state: President CHEN Shui-bian (since 20 May 2000) and Vice President Annette LU (LU Hsiu-lien) (since 20 May 2000) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) YU Shyi-kun (since 1 February 2002) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) LIN Hsin-yi (since 1 February 2002) cabinet: Executive Yuan appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 18 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: CHEN Shui-bian elected president; percent of vote - CHEN Shui-bian (DPP) 39.3%, James SOONG (SOONG Chu-yu) (PFP) 36.84%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 23.1%, HSU Hsin-liang (independent) 0.63%, LEE Ao (CNP) 0.13% Tajikistan chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 6 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister appointed by the president; Tajikistan held a constitutional referendum on 22 June 2003 that, among other things, set a term limit of two seven-year terms for the president election results: Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMONOV 97%, Davlat USMON 2% Tanzania chief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was elected to that office on 29 October 2000 cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Benjamin William MKAPA reelected president; percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 71.7%, Ibrahim Haruna LIPUMBA 16.3%, Augustine Lyatonga MREME 7.8%, John Momose CHEYO 4.2% Thailand chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9 February 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gen. (Ret.) CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut, KON Thappharansi, SUWIT Khunkitti, CHATURON Chaisaeng, VISHANU Krua-ngam, and PROMMIN Lertsuridej (since 18 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following national elections for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the king Togo chief of state: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Koffi SAMA (since 29 June 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 1 June 2003 (next to be held NA June 2008); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Gnassingbe EYADEMA reelected president; percent of vote - Gnassingbe EYADEMA 57.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 34.1%, Yawovi AGBOYIBO 5.2%, Maurice Dahuku PERE 2.3%, Edem KODJO 1.0% Tokelau chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993) head of government: Aliki Faipule Pio TUIA (since NA 2002) cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders - one from each atoll - functions as a cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term Tonga chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU (since NA January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the monarch, consists of 12 members note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the Cabinet, and two governors elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch Trinidad and Tobago chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24 December 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term; election last held 14 February 2003 (next to be held NA 2008); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 43% Tunisia chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a third term without opposition; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI nearly 100% Turkey chief of state: President Ahmet Necdet SEZER (since 16 May 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (14 March 2003); note - Abdullah GUL resigned 11 March 2003; Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN was given a mandate to form a new government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister note: a National Security Council serves as an advisory body to the government composed of top military and cabinet officials and presided over by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2007); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president on the third ballot; percent of National Assembly vote - 60% note: president must have a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly on the first two ballots and a simple majority on the third ballot Turkmenistan chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: NIYAZOV's term in office was extended indefinitely on 28 December 1999 by the Assembly (Majlis) during a session of the People's Council (Halk Maslahaty) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA); note - President NIYAZOV was unanimously approved as president for life by the Assembly on 28 December 1999); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without opposition; percent of vote - Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5% Turks and Caicos Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Jim POSTON (since 16 December 2002) head of government: Chief Minister Derek H. TAYLOR (since 31 January 1995) cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor Tuvalu chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Faimalaga LUKA (since 9 September 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Saufatu SOPOANGA (since 2 August 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 2 August 2002 (next to be held NA) election results: Saufatu SOPOANGA elected prime minister; Parliamentary vote - Saufatu SOPOANGA 8, Amasone KILEI 7 Uganda chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 29 January 1986); Prime Minister Apollo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); note - first popular election for president since independence in 1962 was held in 1996; prime minister appointed by the president election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 69.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 27.8% Ukraine chief of state: President Leonid D. KUCHMA (since 19 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Viktor YANUKOVYCH (since 21 November 2002); First Deputy Prime Minister Mykola AZAROV (since 26 November 2002) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council, but significantly revamped and strengthened under President KUCHMA; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a Presidential Administration that helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president; and a Council of Regions that serves as an advisory body created by President KUCHMA in September 1994 that includes chairmen of the Kiev (Kyyiv) and Sevastopol' municipalities and chairmen of the oblasti elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 October and 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council election results: Leonid D. KUCHMA elected president; percent of vote - Leonid KUCHMA 57.7%, Petro SYMONENKO 38.8% United Arab Emirates chief of state: President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held 2 December 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous United Kingdom chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister Anthony (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister United States chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004) election results: George W. BUSH elected president; percent of popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 48%, Albert A. GORE, Jr. (Democratic Party) 48%, Ralph NADER (Green Party) 3%, other 1% Uruguay chief of state: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October 1999, with runoff election on 28 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Jorge BATLLE Ibanez elected president; percent of vote - Jorge BATLLE Ibanez 52% in a runoff against Tabare VAZQUEZ 44% Uzbekistan chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11 December 2003) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministers appointed by the president election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2% Vanuatu chief of state: President Father John BANI (since 25 March 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Edward Nipake NATAPEI (since 13 April 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Ham LINI (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected for a four-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils for a five-year term; election for president last held 25 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 2 August 2002 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: Father John BANI elected president on second vote (24 March 1999) after the first (17 March 1999) did not have any candidate with the required two-thirds majority; percent of electoral college vote - NA% Venezuela chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - 60% Vietnam chief of state: President Tran Duc LUONG (since 24 September 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 25 September 1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 29 September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Vu KHOAN (since NA) and Pham Gia KHIEM (since 29 September 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a five-year term; election last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative elections in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister election results: Tran Duc LUONG elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA% Virgin Islands chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Vargrave RICHARDS (since NA January 2003) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006) election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de JONGH 24.4% Wallis and Futuna chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Christian JOB (since 6 August 2002) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione KANIMOA (since NA January 2001) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly Western Sahara none Yemen chief of state: President Field Marshall Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Qadir BA JAMAL (since 4 April 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a seven-year term (recently extended from a five-year term by constitutional amendment); election last held 23 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 96.3%, Najib Qahtan AL-SHAABI 3.7% Zambia chief of state: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Nevers MUMBA (since May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Nevers MUMBA (since May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006); vice president appointed by the president election results: Levy MWANAWASA elected president; percent of vote - Levy MWANAWASA 29%, Anderson MAZOKA 27%, Christon TEMBO 13%, Tilyenji KAUNDA 10%, Godfrey MIYANDA 8%, Benjamin MWILA 5%, Michael SATA 3%, other 5% Zimbabwe chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote; election last held 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2008); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9% This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2078 Exports Afghanistan $1.2 billion (not including illicit exports) (2001 est.) Albania $340 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Algeria $19.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) American Samoa $345 million (1999) Andorra $58 million f.o.b. (1998) Angola $8.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Anguilla $2.6 million (1999) Antigua and Barbuda $40 million Argentina $25.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Armenia $525 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Aruba $1.88 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.) Australia $66.3 billion (2002 est.) Austria $70 billion f.o.b. (2001) Azerbaijan $2 billion f.o.b. (2002) Bahamas, The $560.7 million (2002 est.) Bahrain $5.8 billion (2002) Bangladesh $6.2 billion (2002) Barbados $227 million (2002) Belarus $7.7 billion f.o.b. (2002) Belgium $162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Belize $290 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Benin $207 million f.o.b. (2002) Bermuda $51 million (2000) Bhutan $154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) Bolivia $1.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina $1.15 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Botswana $2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Brazil $59.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) British Virgin Islands $25.3 million (2002) Brunei $3 billion f.o.b. (2000 est.) Bulgaria $5.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Burkina Faso $250 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Burma $2.7 billion f.o.b. (2002) Burundi $26 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cambodia $1.38 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Cameroon $1.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Canada $260.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cape Verde $30 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cayman Islands $1.2 million (1999) Central African Republic $134 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Chad $197 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Chile $17.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) China $325.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Christmas Island $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA Colombia $12.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Comoros $16.3 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $1.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Congo, Republic of the $2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cook Islands $9.1 million (2000) Costa Rica $5.1 billion (2002) Cote d'Ivoire $4.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Croatia $4.9 billion f.o.b. (2002) Cuba $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: $1.03 billion f.o.b. Turkish Cypriot area: $46 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Czech Republic $40.8 billion f.o.b. (2002) Denmark $56.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Djibouti $70 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Dominica $50 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Dominican Republic $5.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) East Timor $8 million (2001 est.) Ecuador $4.9 billion (2002 est.) Egypt $7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) El Salvador $3 billion (2002 est.) Equatorial Guinea $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Eritrea $20 million f.o.b. (2001) Estonia $3.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Ethiopia $433 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $7.6 million (1995) Faroe Islands $418 million f.o.b. (2001) Fiji $442 million f.o.b. (2001) Finland $40.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) France $307.8 billion f.o.b. (2002) French Guiana $155 million f.o.b. French Polynesia $260 million f.o.b. (2000) Gabon $2.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Gambia, The $138 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Gaza Strip $603 million f.o.b., includes West Bank Georgia $515 million (2002 est.) Germany $608 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Ghana $2.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Gibraltar $81.1 million f.o.b. (1997) Greece $12.6 billion f.o.b. (2002) Greenland $364 million f.o.b. (2001) Grenada $78 million (2000 est.) Guadeloupe $140 million f.o.b. (1997) Guam $75.7 million f.o.b. (1999 est.) Guatemala $2.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Guernsey $NA Guinea $835 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Guinea-Bissau $71 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Guyana $500 million f.o.b. (2002) Haiti $298 million f.o.b. (2002) Honduras $1.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Hong Kong $200.3 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2002 est.) Hungary $31.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Iceland $2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) India $44.5 billion f.o.b. (2001) Indonesia $52.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Iran $24.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Iraq $13 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Ireland $86.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Israel $28.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Italy $259.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Jamaica $1.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Japan $383.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Jersey $NA Jordan $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kazakhstan $10.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kenya $2.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kiribati $6 million f.o.b. (1998) Korea, North $842 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Korea, South $162.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kuwait $16 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kyrgyzstan $488 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Laos $345 million (2002 est.) Latvia $2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Lebanon $1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Lesotho $422 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Liberia $110 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Libya $11.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Liechtenstein $2.47 billion (1996) Lithuania $5.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Luxembourg $10.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Macau $2.36 billion f.o.b. (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Madagascar $700 million f.o.b. (2002) Malawi $435 million f.o.b. (201) Malaysia $95.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Maldives $110 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Mali $680 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Malta $2 billion f.o.b. (2001) Man, Isle of $NA Marshall Islands $9 million f.o.b. (2000) Martinique $250 million f.o.b. (1997) Mauritania $355 million f.o.b. (2002) Mauritius $1.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Mayotte $3.44 million f.o.b. (1997) Mexico $158.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of $22 million (f.o.b.) (FY 99/00 est.) Moldova $590 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Monaco $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France Mongolia $501 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Montserrat $700,000 (2001) Morocco $7.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Mozambique $680 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Namibia $1.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Nauru $27 million f.o.b. (1995) Nepal $720 million f.o.b., but does not include unrecorded border trade with India (2001 est.) Netherlands $243.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Netherlands Antilles $553 million f.o.b. (2002) New Caledonia $400 million f.o.b. (2000) New Zealand $15 billion (2002 est.) Nicaragua $637 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Niger $293 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Nigeria $17.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Niue $137,200 (1999) Norfolk Island $1.5 million f.o.b. (FY 91/92) Northern Mariana Islands $NA Norway $68.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Oman $10.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Pakistan $9.8 billion f.o.b. (FY02/03 est.) Palau $18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Panama $5.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Paraguay $2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Peru $7.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Philippines $35.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Pitcairn Islands $NA Poland $32.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Portugal $25.9 billion f.o.b. (2001) Puerto Rico $46.9 billion f.o.b. (2001) Qatar $10.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Reunion $214 million f.o.b. (1997) Romania $13.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Russia $104.6 billion (2002 est.) Rwanda $68 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Saint Helena $704,000 f.o.b. (1995) Saint Kitts and Nevis $47 million (2001 est.) Saint Lucia $68.3 million (2000 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon $12 million f.o.b. (1999) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $53.7 million (2000 est.) Samoa $15.5 million f.o.b. (2001) San Marino trade data are included with the statistics for Italy Sao Tome and Principe $5.5 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Saudi Arabia $71 billion f.o.b. (2001) Senegal $1.15 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro $2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Seychelles $235 million f.o.b. (2002) Sierra Leone $35 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) Singapore $127 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Slovakia $12.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Slovenia $10.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Solomon Islands $47 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Somalia $126 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) South Africa $31.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Spain $122.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Sri Lanka $4.6 billion f.o.b. (2002) Sudan $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Suriname $445 million f.o.b. (2002) Svalbard $NA Swaziland $820 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Sweden $80.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Switzerland $100.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Syria $6.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Taiwan $130 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Tajikistan $710 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Tanzania $863 million f.o.b. (2001) Thailand $67.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Togo $449 million f.o.b. (2002) Tokelau $98,000 f.o.b. (1983) Tonga $8.9 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago $4.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Tunisia $6.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Turkey $35.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Turkmenistan $2.97 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands $169.2 million (2000) Tuvalu $276,000 f.o.b. (1997) Uganda $476 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Ukraine $18.1 billion (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates $44.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) United Kingdom $286.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) United States $687 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Uruguay $2.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Uzbekistan $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Vanuatu $22 million f.o.b. (2001) Venezuela $28.6 billion f.o.b. (2001) Vietnam $16.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Virgin Islands $NA Wallis and Futuna $250,000 f.o.b. (1999) West Bank $603 million f.o.b., includes Gaza Strip Western Sahara $NA World $6.6 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Yemen $3.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Zambia $709 million f.o.b. (2001) Zimbabwe $1.57 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2079 Debt - external Afghanistan NA (1996 est.) Albania $784 million (2000) Algeria $21.6 billion (2002 est.) American Samoa $NA Andorra $NA Angola $9.9 billion (2002 est.) Anguilla $8.8 million (1998) Antigua and Barbuda $231 million (1999) Argentina $155 billion (2001 est.) Armenia $905 million (June 2001) Aruba $285 million (1996) Australia $176.8 billion (yearend 2002 est.) Austria $12.1 billion (2001 est.) Azerbaijan $1.4 billion (2002) Bahamas, The $371.6 million (2001) Bahrain $3.7 billion (2002) Bangladesh $16.5 billion (2002) Barbados $692 million (2002) Belarus $851 million (2001 est.) Belgium $28.3 billion (1999 est.) Belize $475 million (2001 est.) Benin $1.6 billion (2000) Bermuda $145 million (FY 99/00) Bhutan $245 million (2000) Bolivia $5.9 billion (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina $2.8 billion (2001) Botswana $360 million (2002) Brazil $222.4 billion (2002) British Virgin Islands $36.1 million (1997) Brunei $0 Bulgaria $10.3 billion (yearend 2002) Burkina Faso $1.3 billion (2000) Burma $6.1 billion (2002 est.) Burundi $1.14 billion (2001) Cambodia $829 million (1999 est.) Cameroon $8.6 billion (2002 est.) Canada $1.9 billion $NA (2000) Cape Verde $325 million (2002) Cayman Islands $70 million (1996) Central African Republic $881.4 million (2000 est.) Chad $1.1 billion (2000 est.) Chile $40.4 billion (2002) China $149.4 billion (2002 est.) Christmas Island $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA Colombia $38.4 billion (2002 est.) Comoros $232 million (2000 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $12.9 billion (2000 est.) Congo, Republic of the $5 billion (2000 est.) Cook Islands $141 million (1996 est.) Costa Rica $4.8 billion (2002 est.) Cote d'Ivoire $10.3 billion (2002 est.) Croatia $16.5 billion (yearend 2002 est.) Cuba $12.3 billion (convertible currency); another $15 billion -$20 billion owed to Russia (2002 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: $8 billion; Turkish Cypriot area: $NA (2002) Czech Republic $23.8 billion (2002) Denmark $21.7 billion (2000) Djibouti $366 million (2002 est.) Dominica $161.5 million (2001) Dominican Republic $4.8 billion (2002 est.) East Timor $NA Ecuador $14.4 billion (2002) Egypt $30.5 billion (2002 est.) El Salvador $5.6 billion (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea $248 million (2000 est.) Eritrea $311 million (2000 est.) Estonia $3.3 billion (2001 est.) Ethiopia $5.3 billion (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $NA Faroe Islands $64 million (1999) Fiji $135.9 million (2000) Finland $30 billion (December 1993) France NA (1998) French Guiana $1.2 billion (1988) French Polynesia $NA Gabon $3.8 billion (2002 est.) Gambia, The $476 million (2001 est.) Gaza Strip $108 million (includes West Bank) (1997 est.) Georgia $1.7 billion (2001) Germany $NA Ghana $7.2 billion (2002 est.) Gibraltar $NA Greece $63.4 billion (2002 est.) Greenland $25 million (1999) Grenada $196 million (2000) Guadeloupe $NA Guam $NA Guatemala $4.9 billion (2002 est.) Guernsey $NA Guinea $3.4 billion (2000 est.) Guinea-Bissau $941.5 million (2000 est.) Guyana $1.2 billion (2002) Haiti $1.2 billion (1999) Honduras $5.4 billion (2002) Hong Kong $49.5 billion (2002 est.) Hungary $31.5 billion (2002 est.) Iceland $2.6 billion (1999) India $100.6 billion (2001 est.) Indonesia $131 billion (2002 est.) Iran $8.7 billion (2002 est.) Iraq $120 billion (2002 est.) Ireland $11 billion (1998) Israel $42.8 billion (2001 est.) Italy NA Jamaica $5.3 billion (2002 est.) Japan $NA Jersey none Jordan $8.2 billion (2002 est.) Kazakhstan $6.6 billion (2002 est.) Kenya $5.7 billion (2002 est.) Kiribati $10 million (1999 est.) Korea, North $12 billion (1996 est.) Korea, South $135.2 billion (yearend 2002 est.) Kuwait $10.4 billion (2000 est.) Kyrgyzstan $1.5 billion (2002 est.) Laos $2.53 billion (1999) Latvia $3.4 billion (2000 est.) Lebanon $9.3 billion (2002 est.) Lesotho $735 million (2002) Liberia $2.1 billion (2000 est.) Libya $4.4 billion (2001 est.) Liechtenstein $0 (2001) Lithuania $5.8 billion (2002 est.) Luxembourg $NA Macau $255 million (2000 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $1.3 billion (2001 est.) Madagascar $4.6 billion (2002) Malawi $2.9 billion (2002) Malaysia $47.5 billion (2002 est.) Maldives $281 million (2003 est.) Mali $3.3 billion (2000) Malta $130 million (1997) Man, Isle of $NA Marshall Islands $86.5 million (FY 99/00 est.) Martinique $180 million (1994) Mauritania $2.5 billion (2000) Mauritius $2.4 billion (2002 est.) Mayotte $NA Mexico $150 billion (2000 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of $53.1 million (FY 02/03 est.) Moldova $1.3 billion (2002) Monaco $NA Mongolia $913 million (2001 est.) Montserrat $8.9 million (1997) Morocco $17.7 billion (2002 est.) Mozambique $966 million (2002 est.) Namibia $517 million (2002 est.) Nauru $33.3 million Nepal $2.55 billion (FY 00/01) Netherlands Antilles $1.35 billion (1996) New Caledonia $79 million (1998 est.) New Zealand $33 billion (2002 est.) Nicaragua $5.8 billion (2002 est.) Niger $1.6 billion (1999 est.) Nigeria $29.7 billion (2002 est.) Niue $418,000 (2002 est.) Norfolk Island $NA Northern Mariana Islands $NA Norway $0 (Norway is a net external creditor) Oman $5.7 billion (2002 est.) Pakistan $32.3 billion (2002 est.) Palau $0 (FY 99/00) Panama $7 billion (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea $2.8 billion (2002 est.) Paraguay $3.2 billion (2002 est.) Peru $29.2 billion (2002 est.) Philippines $60.3 billion (2002) Pitcairn Islands $NA Poland $64 billion (2002) Portugal $13.1 billion (1997 est.) Puerto Rico $NA Qatar $15.4 billion (2002 est.) Reunion $NA Romania $13.7 billion (2002 est.) Russia $153.5 billion (yearend 2002) Rwanda $1.3 billion (2000 est.) Saint Helena $NA Saint Kitts and Nevis $171 million (2001) Saint Lucia $214 million (2000) Saint Pierre and Miquelon $NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $167.2 million (2000) Samoa $197 million (2000) San Marino $NA Sao Tome and Principe $253.8 million (2000) Saudi Arabia $25.9 billion (2003 est.) Senegal $3.1 billion (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro $9.2 billion (2001 est.) Seychelles $170 million (2002 est.) Sierra Leone $1.5 billion (2002 est.) Singapore $8.2 billion (2002 est.) Slovakia $9.6 billion (2002 est.) Slovenia $7.9 billion (2001) Solomon Islands $137 million (2001 est.) Somalia $2.6 billion (2000 est.) South Africa $24.7 billion (2002 est.) Spain $90 billion (1993 est.) Sri Lanka $9.8 billion (2002) Sudan $15.8 billion (2002 est.) Suriname $321 million (2002 est.) Swaziland $320 million (2002 est.) Sweden $66.5 billion (1994) Switzerland $NA Syria $22 billion (2002 est.) Taiwan $24.7 billion (2002) Tajikistan $1 billion (2002 est.) Tanzania $6.8 billion (2002 est.) Thailand $62.5 billion (2002 est.) Togo $1.4 billion (2000) Tokelau $0 Tonga $57.5 million (June 2001) Trinidad and Tobago $2.8 billion (2002 est.) Tunisia $13.6 billion (2003 est.) Turkey $118.3 billion (Yearend 2001) Turkmenistan $2.4 billion to $5 billion (2001 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands $NA Tuvalu $NA Uganda $2.8 billion (2002 est.) Ukraine $14.2 billion (2002) United Arab Emirates $18.5 billion (2002 est.) United Kingdom $NA United States $862 billion (1995 est.) Uruguay $11.8 billion (2002 est.) Uzbekistan $4.6 billion (2002 est.) Vanuatu $68.6 million (2000 est.) Venezuela $38.2 billion (2000) Vietnam $14.1 billion (2001) Virgin Islands $NA Wallis and Futuna $NA West Bank $108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.) Western Sahara $NA World $2 trillion for less developed countries (2002 est.) Yemen $6.2 billion (2002) Zambia $5.8 billion (2001) Zimbabwe $3.9 billion (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2080 Fiscal year Afghanistan 21 March - 20 March Albania calendar year Algeria calendar year American Samoa 1 October - 30 September Andorra calendar year Angola calendar year Anguilla 1 April - 31 March Antigua and Barbuda 1 April - 31 March Argentina calendar year Armenia calendar year Aruba calendar year Australia 1 July - 30 June Austria calendar year Azerbaijan calendar year Bahamas, The 1 July - 30 June Bahrain calendar year Bangladesh 1 July - 30 June Barbados 1 April - 31 March Belarus calendar year Belgium calendar year Belize 1 April - 31 March Benin calendar year Bermuda 1 April - 31 March Bhutan 1 July - 30 June Bolivia calendar year Bosnia and Herzegovina calendar year Botswana 1 April - 31 March Brazil calendar year British Virgin Islands 1 April - 31 March Brunei calendar year Bulgaria calendar year Burkina Faso calendar year Burma 1 April - 31 March Burundi calendar year Cambodia calendar year Cameroon 1 July - 30 June Canada 1 April - 31 March Cape Verde calendar year Cayman Islands 1 April - 31 March Central African Republic calendar year Chad calendar year Chile calendar year China calendar year Christmas Island 1 July - 30 June Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1 July - 30 June Colombia calendar year Comoros calendar year Congo, Democratic Republic of the calendar year Congo, Republic of the calendar year Cook Islands 1 April - 31 March Costa Rica calendar year Cote d'Ivoire calendar year Croatia calendar year Cuba calendar year Cyprus calendar year Czech Republic calendar year Denmark calendar year Djibouti calendar year Dominica 1 July - 30 June Dominican Republic calendar year East Timor 1 July - 30 June Ecuador calendar year Egypt 1 July - 30 June El Salvador calendar year Equatorial Guinea 1 January - 31 December Eritrea calendar year Estonia calendar year Ethiopia 8 July - 7 July Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1 April - 31 March Faroe Islands calendar year Fiji calendar year Finland calendar year France calendar year French Guiana calendar year French Polynesia calendar year Gabon calendar year Gambia, The calendar year Gaza Strip calendar year Georgia calendar year Germany calendar year Ghana calendar year Gibraltar 1 July - 30 June Greece calendar year Greenland calendar year Grenada calendar year Guadeloupe calendar year Guam 1 October - 30 September Guatemala calendar year Guernsey calendar year Guinea calendar year Guinea-Bissau calendar year Guyana calendar year Haiti 1 October - 30 September Holy See (Vatican City) calendar year Honduras calendar year Hong Kong 1 April - 31 March Hungary calendar year Iceland calendar year India 1 April - 31 March Indonesia calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March, but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year Iran 21 March - 20 March Iraq calendar year Ireland calendar year Israel calendar year Italy calendar year Jamaica 1 April - 31 March Japan 1 April - 31 March Jersey 1 April - 31 March Jordan calendar year Kazakhstan calendar year Kenya 1 July - 30 June Kiribati NA Korea, North calendar year Korea, South calendar year Kuwait 1 April - 31 March Kyrgyzstan calendar year Laos 1 October - 30 September Latvia calendar year Lebanon calendar year Lesotho 1 April - 31 March Liberia calendar year Libya calendar year Liechtenstein calendar year Lithuania calendar year Luxembourg calendar year Macau calendar year Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of calendar year Madagascar calendar year Malawi 1 July - 30 June Malaysia calendar year Maldives calendar year Mali calendar year Malta 1 April - 31 March Man, Isle of 1 April - 31 March Marshall Islands 1 October - 30 September Martinique calendar year Mauritania calendar year Mauritius 1 July - 30 June Mayotte calendar year Mexico calendar year Micronesia, Federated States of 1 October - 30 September Moldova calendar year Monaco calendar year Mongolia calendar year Montserrat 1 April - 31 March Morocco calendar year Mozambique calendar year Namibia 1 April - 31 March Nauru 1 July - 30 June Nepal 16 July - 15 July Netherlands calendar year Netherlands Antilles calendar year New Caledonia calendar year New Zealand 1 July - 30 June Nicaragua calendar year Niger calendar year Nigeria calendar year Niue 1 April - 31 March Norfolk Island 1 July - 30 June Northern Mariana Islands 1 October - 30 September Norway calendar year Oman calendar year Pakistan 1 July - 30 June Palau 1 October - 30 September Panama calendar year Papua New Guinea calendar year Paraguay calendar year Peru calendar year Philippines calendar year Pitcairn Islands 1 April - 31 March Poland calendar year Portugal calendar year Puerto Rico 1 July - 30 June Qatar 1 April - 31 March Reunion calendar year Romania calendar year Russia calendar year Rwanda calendar year Saint Helena 1 April - 31 March Saint Kitts and Nevis calendar year Saint Lucia 1 April - 31 March Saint Pierre and Miquelon calendar year Saint Vincent and the Grenadines calendar year Samoa June 1 - May 31 San Marino calendar year Sao Tome and Principe calendar year Saudi Arabia calendar year Senegal calendar year Serbia and Montenegro calendar year Seychelles calendar year Sierra Leone calendar year Singapore 1 April - 31 March Slovakia calendar year Slovenia calendar year Solomon Islands calendar year Somalia NA South Africa 1 April - 31 March Spain calendar year Sri Lanka calendar year Sudan calendar year Suriname calendar year Swaziland 1 April - 31 March Sweden calendar year Switzerland calendar year Syria calendar year Taiwan 1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00) Tajikistan calendar year Tanzania 1 July - 30 June Thailand 1 October - 30 September Togo calendar year Tokelau 1 April - 31 March Tonga 1 July - 30 June Trinidad and Tobago 1 October - 30 September Tunisia calendar year Turkey calendar year Turkmenistan calendar year Turks and Caicos Islands calendar year Tuvalu calendar year Uganda 1 July - 30 June Ukraine calendar year United Arab Emirates calendar year United Kingdom 1 April - 31 March United States 1 October - 30 September Uruguay calendar year Uzbekistan calendar year Vanuatu calendar year Venezuela calendar year Vietnam calendar year Virgin Islands 1 October - 30 September Wallis and Futuna calendar year West Bank calendar year (since 1 January 1992) Western Sahara calendar year Yemen calendar year Zambia calendar year Zimbabwe 1 January - 31 December This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2081 Flag description Afghanistan three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above Albania red with a black two-headed eagle in the center Algeria two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) American Samoa blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club Andorra three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem Angola two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle) Anguilla blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below Antigua and Barbuda red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band Argentina three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May Armenia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange Aruba blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner Ashmore and Cartier Islands the flag of Australia is used Australia blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars Austria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red Azerbaijan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band Bahamas, The three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side Bahrain red with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam Baker Island the flag of the US is used Bangladesh green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam Barbados three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) Bassas da India the flag of France is used Belarus red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears a Belarusian national ornament in red Belgium three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France Belize blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland Benin two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side Bermuda red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag Bhutan divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side Bolivia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band Bosnia and Herzegovina a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle Botswana light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Bouvet Island the flag of Norway is used Brazil green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) British Indian Ocean Territory white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag British Virgin Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) Brunei yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands Bulgaria three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control) Burkina Faso two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Burma red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14 administrative divisions Burundi divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) Cambodia three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band Cameroon three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Canada two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white Cape Verde three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands Cayman Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS Central African Republic four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band Chad three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France Chile two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the US flag China red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner Christmas Island the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory Clipperton Island the flag of France is used Cocos (Keeling) Islands the flag of Australia is used Colombia three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center Comoros four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Congo, Democratic Republic of the light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side Congo, Republic of the divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Cook Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag Coral Sea Islands the flag of Australia is used Costa Rica five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA Cote d'Ivoire three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France Croatia red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Cuba five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the US flag Cyprus white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white field Czech Republic two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia) Denmark red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden Djibouti two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center Dominica green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes) Dominican Republic a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon East Timor red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in the center of the black triangle Ecuador three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms Egypt three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars, and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band El Salvador three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Equatorial Guinea three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) Eritrea red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle Estonia pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Ethiopia three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors Europa Island the flag of France is used Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT Faroe Islands white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Fiji light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove Finland white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) France three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas French Guiana the flag of France is used French Polynesia two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions French Southern and Antarctic Lands the flag of France is used Gabon three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue Gambia, The three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green Georgia maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below Germany three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold Ghana three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band Gibraltar two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Glorioso Islands the flag of France is used Greece nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Greenland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white Grenada a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions Guadeloupe the flag of France is used Guam territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag Guatemala three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath Guernsey white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross Guinea three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Guinea-Bissau two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Guyana green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green Haiti two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength) Heard Island and McDonald Islands the flag of Australia is used Holy See (Vatican City) two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band Honduras three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band Hong Kong red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center Howland Island the flag of the US is used Hungary three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green Iceland blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) India three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band Indonesia two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red Iran three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band Iraq three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria which has two stars but no script and the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band Ireland three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red Israel white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag Italy three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green note: inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797 Jamaica diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side) Jan Mayen the flag of Norway is used Japan white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center Jarvis Island the flag of the US is used Jersey white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag and in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield holding the three lions of England in yellow Johnston Atoll the flag of the US is used Jordan three equal horizontal bands of black (top, the Abbassid Caliphate of Islam), white (the Ummayyad Caliphate of Islam), and green (the Fatimid Caliphate of Islam) with a red isosceles triangle (representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916) based on the hoist side bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations Juan de Nova Island the flag of France is used Kazakhstan sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold Kenya three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center Kingman Reef the flag of the US is used Kiribati the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean Korea, North three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star Korea, South white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field Kuwait three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side Kyrgyzstan red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt Laos three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band Latvia three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon Lebanon three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a green cedar tree centered in the white band Lesotho divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner Liberia 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag Libya plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) Liechtenstein two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band Lithuania three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red Luxembourg three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France Macau light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in center of arc and four smaller Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field Madagascar two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side Malawi three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band Malaysia 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US Maldives red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag Mali three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Malta two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red Man, Isle of red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used Marshall Islands blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes Martinique a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the flag of France is used for official occasions Mauritania green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Mauritius four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green Mayotte the flag of France is used Mexico three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak) is centered in the white band Micronesia, Federated States of light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Midway Islands the flag of the US is used Moldova same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow Monaco two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red Mongolia three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Montserrat blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross Morocco red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam Mozambique three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book Namibia a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders Nauru blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru Navassa Island the flag of the US is used Nepal red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun Netherlands three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with William I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century Netherlands Antilles white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten New Caledonia the flag of France is used New Zealand blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation Nicaragua three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Niger three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band Nigeria three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green Niue yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross Norfolk Island three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band Northern Mariana Islands blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath Norway red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Oman three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band Pakistan green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Palau light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side Palmyra Atoll the flag of the US is used Panama divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center Papua New Guinea divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered Paraguay three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles) Peru three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath Philippines two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star Pitcairn Islands blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor Poland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white Portugal two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line Puerto Rico five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed Qatar maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side Reunion the flag of France is used Romania three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova Russia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red Rwanda three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band Saint Helena blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship Saint Kitts and Nevis divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red Saint Lucia blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border Saint Pierre and Miquelon a yellow sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a dark blue background with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the flag of France is used for official occasions Saint Vincent and the Grenadines three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern Samoa red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation San Marino two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty) Sao Tome and Principe three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Saudi Arabia green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam Senegal three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Serbia and Montenegro three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and red Seychelles five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side Sierra Leone three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue Singapore two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle Slovakia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue Slovenia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands Solomon Islands divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green Somalia light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN South Africa two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land) Spain three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar Sri Lanka yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels Sudan three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side Suriname five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band Svalbard the flag of Norway is used Swaziland three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally Sweden blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Switzerland red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag Syria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band Taiwan red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays Tajikistan three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe Tanzania divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue Thailand five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red Togo five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Tokelau the flag of New Zealand is used Tonga red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner Trinidad and Tobago red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side Tromelin Island the flag of France is used Tunisia red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam Turkey red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening Turkmenistan green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to the olive branches on the UN flag; a white crescent moon and five white stars appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe Turks and Caicos Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus Tuvalu light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands Uganda six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side Ukraine two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grainfields under a blue sky United Arab Emirates three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side United Kingdom blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, as well as British overseas territories United States thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico Uruguay nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy Uzbekistan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant Vanuatu two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow Venezuela three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band Vietnam red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center Virgin Islands white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel Wake Island the flag of the US is used Wallis and Futuna a large white modified Maltese cross - shifted a little off center toward the fly and slightly downward - on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions Yemen three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars and of Iraq which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band Zambia green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag Zimbabwe seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native people This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2085 Highways (km) Afghanistan total: 21,000 km paved: 2,793 km unpaved: 18,207 km (1999 est.) Albania total: 18,000 km paved: 5,400 km unpaved: 12,600 km (2000) Algeria total: 104,000 km paved: 71,656 km (including 640 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,344 km (1999) American Samoa total: 350 km paved: 150 km unpaved: 200 km Andorra total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km (1994) Angola total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (1999) Anguilla total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1997) Antigua and Barbuda total: 250 km (1999 est.) Argentina total: 215,471 km paved: 63,348 km (including 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 152,123 km (1999) Armenia total: 15,918 km paved: 15,329 km (includes 7,527 km of expressways) unpaved: 589 km (2000) Aruba total: 800 km paved: 513 km unpaved: 287 km note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995) Australia total: 811,603 km paved: 314,090 km (including 18,619 km of expressways) unpaved: 497,513 km (1999 est.) Austria total: 200,000 km paved: 200,000 km (including 1,633 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Azerbaijan total: 24,981 km paved: 23,057 km unpaved: 1,924 km (2000) Bahamas, The total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.) Bahrain total: 3,261 km paved: 2,531 km unpaved: 730 km (2000) Bangladesh total: 207,486 km paved: 19,773 km unpaved: 187,713 km (1999) Barbados total: 1,793 km paved: 1,719 km unpaved: 74 km (1999) Belarus total: 74,385 km paved: 66,203 km unpaved: 8,182 km (2000) Belgium total: 148,216 km paved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways) unpaved: 31,529 km (2000) Belize total: 2,872 km paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.) Benin total: 6,787 km paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.) Bermuda total: 450 km paved: 450 km unpaved: 0 km note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002) Bhutan total: 3,690 km paved: 2,240 km unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.) Bolivia total: 53,790 km paved: 3,496 km (including 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 50,294 km (2000 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 21,846 km paved: 11,424 km unpaved: 10,422 km (1999 est) Botswana total: 10,217 km paved: 5,619 km unpaved: 4,598 km (1999) Brazil total: 1,724,929 km paved: 94,871 km unpaved: 1,630,058 km (2000) British Indian Ocean Territory total: NA km paved: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia unpaved: NA km British Virgin Islands total: 177 km paved: 177 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) Brunei total: 2,525 km paved: 2,525 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) Bulgaria total: 37,286 km paved: 35,049 km (including 324 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,237 km (2000) Burkina Faso total: 12,506 km paved: 2,001 km unpaved: 10,505 km (1999) Burma total: 28,200 km paved: 3,440 km unpaved: 24,760 km (1996 est.) Burundi total: 14,480 km paved: 1,028 km unpaved: 13,452 km (1999 est.) Cambodia total: 12,323 km paved: 1,996 km unpaved: 10,327 km (2000 est) Cameroon total: 34,300 km paved: 4,288 km unpaved: 30,012 km (1999 est.) Canada total: 1.408 million km paved: 497,306 km (including 16,900 km of expressways) unpaved: 911,494 km (2002) Cape Verde total: 1,100 km paved: 858 km unpaved: 242 km (1999 est.) Cayman Islands total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2000) Central African Republic total: 23,810 km paved: 643 km unpaved: 23,167 km (1999 est.) Chad total: 33,400 km paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (1999 est.) Chile total: 79,814 km paved: 15,484 km (including 294 km of expressways) unpaved: 64,330 km (2000) China total: 1,402,698 km paved: 314,204 km (with at least 16,314 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,088,494 km (2000) Christmas Island total: 240 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 210 km (2000) Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 15 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (2003) Colombia total: 110,000 km paved: 26,000 km unpaved: 84,000 km (2000) Comoros total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (1999 est) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 157,000 km (including 30 km of expressways) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1999 est.) Congo, Republic of the total: 12,800 km paved: 1,242 km unpaved: 11,558 km (1999 est.) Cook Islands total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2000) Costa Rica total: 35,892 km paved: 7,896 km unpaved: 27,996 km (2000) Cote d'Ivoire total: 50,400 km paved: 4,889 km unpaved: 45,511 km (1999 est.) Croatia total: 28,123 km paved: 23,792 km (including 410 km of expressways) unpaved: 4,331 km (2000) Cuba total: 60,858 km paved: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway) unpaved: 31,038 km (1999 est.) Cyprus total: 13,491 km note: Greek Cypriot area: 11,141 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 2,350 km paved: Greek Cypriot area: 6,428 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 1,370 km unpaved: Greek Cypriot area: 4,713 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 980 km (2000/1996) Czech Republic total: 55,408 km paved: 55,408 km (including 499 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Denmark total: 71,591 km paved: 71,591 km (including 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Djibouti total: 2,890 km paved: 364 km unpaved: 2,526 km (1999 est.) Dominica total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (1999 est.) Dominican Republic total: 12,600 km paved: 6,224 km unpaved: 6,376 km (1999) East Timor total: 3,800 km paved: 428 km unpaved: 3,372 km (1995) Ecuador total: 43,197 km paved: 8,164 km unpaved: 35,033 km (2000) Egypt total: 64,000 km paved: 49,984 km unpaved: 14,016 km (1999 est.) El Salvador total: 10,029 km paved: 1,986 km (including 327 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,043 km (1999 est.) Equatorial Guinea total: 2,880 km (1999 est.) Eritrea total: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (1999 est.) Estonia total: 51,411 km paved: 10,334 km (including 94 km of expressways) unpaved: 41,077 km (2000) Ethiopia total: 31,571 km paved: 3,789 km unpaved: 27,782 km (2000) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2002) Faroe Islands total: 463 km paved: 454 km unpaved: 9 km (1999) Fiji total: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.) Finland total: 77,943 km paved: 50,305 km (including 750 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,688 km (2001) France total: 894,000 km paved: 894,000 km (including 11,500 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) French Guiana total: 722 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1996) French Polynesia total: 2,590 km paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999) Gabon total: 8,464 km paved: 838 km unpaved: 7,626 km (2000 est.) Gambia, The total: 2,700 km paved: 956 km unpaved: 1,744 km (1999) Gaza Strip total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: small, poorly developed road network Georgia total: 20,362 km paved: 19,038 km unpaved: 1,325 km (2000) Germany total: 230,735 km paved: 230,735 km (including 11,515 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999) Ghana total: 39,409 km paved: 11,665 km unpaved: 27,744 km (1999 est.) Gibraltar total: 29 km paved: 29 km unpaved: 0 km (2002) Greece total: 117,000 km paved: 107,406 km (including 470 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,594 km (1999 est.) Greenland total: NA (there are no roads between towns) (2003) Grenada total: 1,040 km paved: 638 km unpaved: 402 km (1999 est.) Guadeloupe total: 2,467 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1998) Guam total: 885 km paved: 675 km unpaved: 210 km note: there are also 685 km of roads classified non-public, including roads located on federal government installations Guatemala total: 14,118 km paved: 4,871 km (including 74 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,247 km (1999) Guernsey total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Guinea total: 30,500 km paved: 5,033 km unpaved: 25,467 km (1999 est.) Guinea-Bissau total: 4,400 km paved: 453 km unpaved: 3,947 km (1999 est.) Guyana total: 7,970 km paved: 590 km unpaved: 7,380 km (1999 est.) Haiti total: 4,160 km paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (1999 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) none; all city streets Honduras total: 13,603 km paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,828 km (1999 est.) Hong Kong total: 1,831 km paved: 1,831 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) Hungary total: 188,203 km paved: 81,680 km (including 438 km of expressways) unpaved: 106,523 km (1999) Iceland total: 12,955 km paved/oiled gravel: 3,863 km unpaved: 9,092 km (2003) India total: 3,319,644 km paved: 1,517,077 km unpaved: 1,802,567 km (1999 est.) Indonesia total: 342,700 km paved: 158,670 km unpaved: 184,030 km (1999 est.) Iran total: 167,157 km paved: 94,109 km (including 890 km of expressways) unpaved: 73,048 km (1998) Iraq total: 45,550 km paved: 38,399 km unpaved: 7,151 km (2000 est.) Ireland total: 92,500 km paved: 87,043 km (including 115 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,457 km (2000 est.) Israel total: 16,281 km paved: 16,281 km (including 56 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Italy total: 479,688 km paved: 479,688 km (including 6,621 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999) Jamaica total: 18,700 km paved: 13,109 km unpaved: 5,591 km (1999 est.) Japan total: 1,161,894 km paved: 534,471 km (including 6,455 km of expressways) unpaved: 627,423 km (1999) Jersey total: 577 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Jordan total: 7,245 km paved: 7,245 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) Kazakhstan total: 81,331 km paved: 77,020 km unpaved: 4,311 km (2000) Kenya total: 63,942 km paved: 7,737 km unpaved: 56,205 km (2000) Kiribati total: 670 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1999 est.) Korea, North total: 31,200 km paved: 1,997 km unpaved: 29,203 km (1999 est.) Korea, South total: 86,990 km paved: 64,808 km (including 1,996 km of expressways) unpaved: 22,182 km (1999 est.) Kuwait total: 4,450 km paved: 3,587 km unpaved: 863 km (1999 est.) Kyrgyzstan total: 18,500 km paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.) Laos total: 21,716 km paved: 9,664 km unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.) Latvia total: 73,202 km paved: 28,256 km unpaved: 44,946 km (2000) Lebanon total: 7,300 km paved: 6,198 km unpaved: 1,102 km (1999 est.) Lesotho total: 5,940 km paved: 1,087 km unpaved: 4,853 km (1999) Liberia total: 10,600 km paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (1999 est.) Libya total: 83,200 km paved: 47,590 km unpaved: 35,610 km (1999 est.) Liechtenstein total: 250 km paved: 250 km unpaved: 0 km Lithuania total: 75,243 km paved: 68,697 km (including 417 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,546 km (2000) Luxembourg total: 5,189 km paved: 5,189 km (including 114 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Macau total: 271 km paved: 271 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total: 8,684 km paved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,144 km (1999 est.) Madagascar total: 49,827 km paved: 5,780 km unpaved: 44,047 km (1999 est.) Malawi total: 28,400 km paved: 5,254 km unpaved: 23,146 km (1999 est.) Malaysia total: 65,877 km paved: 49,935 km (including 1,192 km of expressways) unpaved: 15,942 km (1999) Maldives total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Mali total: 15,100 km paved: 1,827 km unpaved: 13,273 km (1999 est.) Malta total: 2,254 km paved: 1,972 km unpaved: 282 km (2000) Man, Isle of total: 800 km paved: 800 km unpaved: 0 km (1999) Marshall Islands total: NA km paved: 64.5 km unpaved: NA km note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks (2002) Martinique total: 2,105 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (2000) Mauritania total: 7,720 km paved: 830 km unpaved: 6,890 km (2000) Mauritius total: 1,926 km paved: 1,868 km (including 44 km of expressways) unpaved: 58 km (2000) Mayotte total: 93 km paved: 72 km unpaved: 21 km Mexico total: 329,532 km paved: 108,087 km (including 6,429 km of expressways) unpaved: 221,445 km (1999 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.) Midway Islands total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Moldova total: 12,657 km paved: 11,012 km unpaved: 1,645 km (1999) Monaco total: 50 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) Mongolia total: 49,250 km paved: 1,724 km unpaved: 47,526 km (2000) Montserrat total: 227 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of the road system (2003) Morocco total: 57,707 km paved: 32,547 km (including 481 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,160 km (2000) Mozambique total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (1999 est.) Namibia total: 66,467 km paved: 9,172 km unpaved: 57,285 km (2000) Nauru total: 30 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 6 km (1999 est.) Nepal total: 13,223 km paved: 4,073 km unpaved: 9,150 km (1999 est.) Netherlands total: 116,500 km paved: 104,850 km (including 2,235 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,650 km (1999) Netherlands Antilles total: 600 km paved: 300 km unpaved: 300 km New Caledonia total: 4,825 km paved: 2,287 km unpaved: 2,538 km (1999) New Zealand total: 92,053 km paved: 57,809 km (including at least 190 km of expressways) unpaved: 34,244 km (2000) Nicaragua total: 19,032 km paved: 2,094 km unpaved: 16,938 km (2000) Niger total: 10,100 km paved: 798 km unpaved: 9,302 km (1999 est.) Nigeria total: 194,394 km paved: 60,068 km (including 1,194 km of expressways) unpaved: 134,326 km (1999 est.) Niue total: 234 km paved: 86 km unpaved: 148 km (2001) Norfolk Island total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2001) Northern Mariana Islands total: 362 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1991) Norway total: 91,454 km paved: 69,505 km (including 143 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,949 km (2000) Oman total: 34,965 km paved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,292 km (2001) Pakistan total: 254,410 km paved: 109,396 km (including 339 km of expressways) unpaved: 145,014 km (1999) Palau total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: 25 km Palmyra Atoll most of the roads and many causeways built during World War II are unserviceable and overgrown (2001) Panama total: 11,400 km paved: 3,944 km (including 30 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,456 km (1999) Papua New Guinea total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.) Paraguay total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est) Peru total: 72,900 km paved: 9,331 km unpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.) Philippines total: 201,994 km paved: 42,419 km unpaved: 159,575 km (2000) Pitcairn Islands total: 6.4 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 6.4 km Poland total: 364,656 km paved: 249,060 km (including 358 km of expressways) unpaved: 115,596 km (2000) Portugal total: 68,732 km paved: 59,110 km (including 1441 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,622 km (2000) Puerto Rico total: 14,400 km paved: 14,400 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) Qatar total: 1,230 km paved: 1,107 km unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.) Reunion total: 2,724 km paved: 1,300 km (including 73 km of four-lane road) unpaved: 1,424 km (1994) Romania total: 198,603 km paved: 98,308 km (including 113 km of expressways) unpaved: 100,295 km (2000) Russia total: 532,393 km paved: 358,833 km unpaved: 173,560 km (2000) Rwanda total: 12,000 km paved: 996 km unpaved: 11,004 km (1999 est.) Saint Helena total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km) paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2000) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 320 km paved: 136 km unpaved: 184 km (1999 est) Saint Lucia total: 1,210 km paved: 63 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 114 km paved: 69 km unpaved: 45 km Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 1,040 km paved: 320 km unpaved: 720 km (1999 est.) Samoa total: 790 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 458 km (1999 est.) San Marino total: 220 km paved: 220 km unpaved: 0 km (2001) Sao Tome and Principe total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (1999 est.) Saudi Arabia total: 151,470 km paved: 45,592 km unpaved: 105,878 km (1999) Senegal total: 14,576 km paved: 4,271 km including 7 km of expressways unpaved: 10,305 km (2000) Serbia and Montenegro total: 49,805 km paved: 31,029 km (including 560 km of expressways) unpaved: 18,776 km (2000) Seychelles total: 373 km paved: 315 km unpaved: 58 km (1997 est.) Sierra Leone total: 11,330 km paved: 895 km unpaved: 10,435 km (1999) Singapore total: 3,066 km paved: 3,066 km (including 150 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999) Slovakia total: 42,717 km paved: 37,036 km (including 296 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,681 km (2000) Slovenia total: 20,177 km paved: 20,157 km (including 427 km of expressways) unpaved: 20 km (2000) Solomon Islands total: 1,360 km paved: 34 km unpaved: 1,326 km (1999 est.) Somalia total: 22,100 km paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (1999 est.) South Africa total: 362,099 km paved: 73,506 km (including 2,032 km of expressways) unpaved: 288,593 km (2000) Spain total: 663,795 km paved: 657,157 km (including 10,317 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,638 km (1999) Sri Lanka total: 96,695 km paved: 91,860 km unpaved: 4,835 km (1999) Sudan total: 11,900 km paved: 4,320 km unpaved: 7,580 km (1999 est.) Suriname total: 4,492 km paved: 1,168 km unpaved: 3,324 km (2000) Svalbard total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Swaziland total: 3,247 km paved: NA unpaved: NA (1998) Sweden total: 212,402 km paved: 166,523 km (including 1,499 km of expressways) unpaved: 45,879 km (2000) Switzerland total: 71,011 km paved: 71,011 km (including 1,638 of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000) Syria total: 43,381 km paved: 10,021 km (including 877 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,360 km (1999) Taiwan total: 35,931 km paved: 31,583 km (including 608 km of expressways) unpaved: 4,348 km (2000) Tajikistan total: 27,767 km paved: NA unpaved: NA (2000) Tanzania total: 88,200 km paved: 3,704 km unpaved: 84,496 km (1999 est.) Thailand total: 64,600 km paved: 62,985 km unpaved: 1,615 km (1999 est.) Togo total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (1999 est.) Tokelau total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Tonga total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (1999 est.) Trinidad and Tobago total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (1999 est.) Tunisia total: 18,997 km paved: 12,310 km (including 142 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,687 km (2000) Turkey total: 385,960 km paved: 131,226 km (including 1,749 km of expressways) unpaved: 254,734 km (1999) Turkmenistan total: 24,000 km paved: 19,488 km unpaved: 4,512 km (1999 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2000) Tuvalu total: 8 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 8 km (1999 est.) Uganda total: 27,000 km paved: 1,809 km unpaved: 25,191 km (1999 est.) Ukraine total: 169,491 km paved: 163,898 km unpaved: 5,593 km (2000) United Arab Emirates total: 1,088 km paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) United Kingdom total: 371,913 km paved: 371,913 km (including 3,358 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999) United States total: 6,334,859 km paved: 3,737,567 km (including 89,426 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,597,292 km (2000) Uruguay total: 8,983 km paved: 8,081 km unpaved: 902 km (1999 est.) Uzbekistan total: 81,600 km paved: 71,237 km unpaved: 10,363 km (1999 est.) Vanuatu total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999 est.) Venezuela total: 96,155 km paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (1999 est.) Vietnam total: 93,300 km paved: 23,418 km unpaved: 69,882 km (1999 est.) Virgin Islands total: 856 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000) Wallis and Futuna total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) paved: 16 km (all on Ile Uvea) unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) West Bank total: 4,500 km paved: 2,700 km unpaved: 1,800 km note: Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish settlements (1997 est.) Western Sahara total: 6,200 km paved: 1,350 km unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est) World total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Yemen total: 67,000 km paved: 7,705 km unpaved: 59,295 km (1999 est.) Zambia total: 66,781 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1999 est.) Zimbabwe total: 18,338 km paved: 8,692 km unpaved: 9,646 km (1999 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2086 Illicit drugs Afghanistan world's largest producer of opium; cultivation of opium poppy - used to make heroin - expanded to 30,750 hectares in 2002, despite eradication; potential opium production of 1,278 metric tons; source of hashish; many narcotics-processing labs throughout the country; drug trade source of instability and some government groups profit from the trade; 80-90% of the heroin consumed in Europe comes from Afghan opium; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system Albania increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and rapidly expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens Angola used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states Anguilla transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Antigua and Barbuda considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center Argentina used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and the US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is increasing Armenia illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe Aruba transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity Australia Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate Austria transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe Azerbaijan limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe Bahamas, The transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center Bangladesh transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries Barbados one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center Belarus limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; lax money-laundering and banking regulations Belgium growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco Belize major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; some money-laundering activity related to offshore sector Benin transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure Bolivia world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 24,400 hectares under cultivation in June 2002, a 23% increase from June 2001; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to the US and other international drug markets; eradication and alternative crop programs under the SANCHEZ DE LOZADA administration have been unable to keep pace with farmers' attempts to increase cultivation after significant reductions in 1998 and 1999; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders with Brazil and Paraguay Bosnia and Herzegovina minor transit point for marijuana and opiate trafficking routes to Western Europe; organized crime launders money, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Brazil illicit producer of cannabis; minor coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Colombian and Peruvian cocaine headed for the US and Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area British Virgin Islands transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center Brunei drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty Bulgaria major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions Burma world's second largest producer of illicit opium (potential production in 2002 - 630 metric tons, down 27% due to drought and, to a lesser extent, eradication; cultivation in 2002 - 77,000 hectares, a 27% decline from 2001); surrender of drug warlord KHUN SA's Mong Tai Army in January 1996 was hailed by Rangoon as a major counternarcotics success, but lack of government will and ability to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption Cambodia narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for the international market; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders Canada illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services sector Cape Verde used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Cayman Islands offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe Chile a growing transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising China major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for chemical precursors and methamphetamine Colombia illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 2002 was 144,450 hectares, a 15% decline since 2001); potential production of opium between 2001 and 2002 declined by 25% to 91 metric tons; potential production of heroin declined to 11.3 metric tons; the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of about 90% of the cocaine to the US market and the great majority of cocaine to other international drug markets; important supplier of heroin to the US market; active aerial eradication program; a significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange Congo, Democratic Republic of the illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Costa Rica transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, particularly crack cocaine Cote d'Ivoire illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American cocaine destined for Europe and South Africa; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center Croatia transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe Cuba territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for cocaine and heroin bound for the US and Europe; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999 Cyprus minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; anti-money-laundering laws strengthened but few convictions Czech Republic transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime Dominica transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer; anti-money-laundering enforcement is weak, making the country particularly vulnerable to money laundering Dominican Republic transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor the Dominican Republic for illicit financial transactions East Timor NA Ecuador significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; dollarization may raise the volume of money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents Egypt transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; transit stop for Nigerian couriers; concern as money-laundering site due to lax banking regulations El Salvador transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; domestic cocaine abuse on the rise Estonia transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western Europe to Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem; possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking Ethiopia transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center France transshipment point for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics French Guiana small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe Georgia limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia Germany source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs Ghana illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and corruption have made money laundering a problem, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Greece a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime Grenada small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US Guatemala major transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (cocaine and heroin shipments); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem Guyana transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis Haiti major Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption Honduras transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity Hong Kong Makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces serious challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides a conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people Hungary transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking India world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system Indonesia illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; possible growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle heroin Iran despite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic narcotics consumption remains a persistent problem and Iranian press reports estimate at least 2 million drug users in the country Ireland transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe Israel increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan Italy important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling Jamaica major transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis; government has an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions Kazakhstan significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe Kenya widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status as a regional financial center, massive corruption, and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities Kyrgyzstan limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe Laos world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 2002 - 23,200 hectares, a 5% increase over 2001; estimated potential production in 2002 - 180 metric tons, a 10% decrease from 2001); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem Latvia transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; money laundering remains a concern despite changes to banking legislation Lebanon cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to US and European markets Liberia transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center Liechtenstein multilateral organizations engaged in issuing international guidelines for financial sector oversight found gaps in Liechtenstein's financial services controls that made it vulnerable to money laundering, but Liechtenstein has become less attractive as a haven for illicit funds, based on implementation in 2001 of new anti-money-laundering legislation and improved mutual legal assistance cooperation with other countries Lithuania transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europe and Scandinavia; limited production of methamphetamine and ecstasy; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; while money laundering is a problem on a local level due to organized crime activities, the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Madagascar illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin Malaysia transit point for some illicit drugs; drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties Malta minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe Martinique transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe Mauritius minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry Mexico illicit cultivation of opium poppy (cultivation in 2001 - 4,400 hectares; potential heroin production - 7 metric tons) and of cannabis (in 2001 - 4,100 hectares); government eradication efforts have been key in keeping illicit crop levels low; major supplier of heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America; major drug syndicates control majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; growing producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering center Moldova limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity Montserrat transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Morocco illicit producer of hashish; trafficking increasing for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe Mozambique Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish, South Asian heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Nauru broad-based money-laundering center Nepal illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West Netherlands major European producer of illicit amphetamine and other synthetic drugs; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering Netherlands Antilles transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center Nicaragua transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing Nigeria a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets; safehaven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity, along with unwillingness of the government to address the deficiencies in its anti-money-laundering regime make money laundering a major problem Pakistan opium poppy cultivation practically eliminated; key transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western markets; Afghan narcotics continue to transit Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Balochistan Province, and Karachi; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems Panama major cocaine transshipment point and primary money laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem Paraguay major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in South America; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, Europe, and US; corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area Peru until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opium producer; cultivation of coca in Peru increased by 8% to 36,600 hectares between 2001 and the end of 2002; much of the cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine, while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa Philippines exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine Poland major illicit producer of amphetamine for the international market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe Portugal gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin Romania major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe Russia limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are key concerns; heroin increasingly popular in domestic market Saint Kitts and Nevis transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity Saint Lucia transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe Saint Vincent and the Grenadines transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation Saudi Arabia death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin, cocaine, and hashish Senegal transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis Serbia and Montenegro transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering Singapore as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, to be used as a transit point for Golden Triangle heroin and as a venue for money laundering Slovakia transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market Slovenia minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals South Africa transshipment center for heroin, hashish, marijuana, and possibly cocaine; cocaine consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries; illicit cultivation of marijuana; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region Spain key European gateway country for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish entering the European market; destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin Suriname growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing Switzerland because of more stringent government regulations, used significantly less as a money-laundering center; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin Syria a transit point for opiates and hashish bound for regional and Western markets Taiwan regional transit point for heroin and methamphetamine; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin Tajikistan major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80 percent of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third world-wide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium) Tanzania growing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for South African, European, and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for Southern Africa; money laundering remains a problem Thailand a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine Togo transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem Trinidad and Tobago transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis Turkey key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and - to a far lesser extent the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate Turkmenistan transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; small-scale government-run eradication of illicit crops; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan Turks and Caicos Islands transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Ukraine limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; drug-related money laundering a minor, but growing, problem; lax anti-money-laundering regime United Arab Emirates the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to southwest Asian drug producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering legislation was signed into law by the president on 25 January 2002 United Kingdom gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; major consumer of synthetic drugs, producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering center United States consumer of cocaine shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and increasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center Uzbekistan transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan Venezuela small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border Vietnam minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems World cocaine: worldwide, coca is grown on an estimated 205,450 hectares - almost exclusively in South America with 70% in Colombia; potential cocaine production during 2002 is estimated at 938 metric tons (or 1,200 metric tons of export quality cocaine at an average of 78% purity); coca eradication programs continue in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, and 292 metric tons of export quality cocaine are documented to have been seized in 2002; consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to have been 875 metric tons opiates: cultivation of opium poppy occurred on an estimated 141,213 hectares in 2002 and potentially produced 2,183 metric tons of opium - which conceivably could be converted to the equivalent of 238 metric tons of pure heroin; opium eradication programs have been undertaken in Afghanistan, Burma, Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam, and the annual average for opiates seized worldwide over the past five years (1998-2002) has been 45 metric tons of pure heroin equivalent; estimates for average annual consumption over this time period are 315 metric tons pure heroin equivalent Zambia transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers Zimbabwe transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European markets This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2087 Imports Afghanistan $1.3 billion (2001 est.) Albania $1.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Algeria $10.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) American Samoa $452 million (1999) Andorra $1.077 billion (1998) Angola $4.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Anguilla $80.9 million (1999) Antigua and Barbuda $357 million (2000 est.) Argentina $9 billion f.o.b. (2002) Armenia $991 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Aruba $2.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Australia $68 billion (2002 est.) Austria $74 billion c.i.f. (2001) Azerbaijan $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002) Bahamas, The $1.86 billion (2002 est.) Bahrain $4.2 billion (2002) Bangladesh $8.5 billion (2002) Barbados $987 million (2002) Belarus $8.8 billion f.o.b. (2002) Belgium $152 billion f.o.b. (2001) Belize $430 million c.i.f. (2002 est.) Benin $479 million c.i.f. (2002) Bermuda $719 million (2000) Bhutan $196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.) Bolivia $1.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Botswana $1.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Brazil $46.2 billion f.o.b. (2002) British Virgin Islands $187 million (2002 est.) Brunei $1.4 billion c.i.f. (2000 est.) Bulgaria $6.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Burkina Faso $525 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Burma $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002) Burundi $135 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cambodia $1.73 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Cameroon $1.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Canada $229 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cape Verde $220 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cayman Islands $457.4 million (1999) Central African Republic $102 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Chad $570 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Chile $15.6 billion f.o.b. (2002) China $295.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Christmas Island $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA Colombia $12.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Comoros $39.8 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $890 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Congo, Republic of the $730 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Cook Islands $50.7 million (2000) Costa Rica $6.4 billion (2002) Cote d'Ivoire $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Croatia $10.7 billion c.i.f. (2002) Cuba $4.8 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: $3.9 billion f.o.b.; Turkish Cypriot area: $301 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Czech Republic $43.2 billion f.o.b. (2002) Denmark $47.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Djibouti $255 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Dominica $135 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Dominican Republic $8.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) East Timor $237 million (2001 est.) Ecuador $6 billion (2002 est.) Egypt $15.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) El Salvador $4.9 billion (2002) Equatorial Guinea $562 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Eritrea $500 million c.i.f. (2001) Estonia $4.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Ethiopia $1.63 billion f.o.b. (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $24.7 million (1995) Faroe Islands $469 million c.i.f. (1999) Fiji $642 million c.i.f. (2001) Finland $31.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) France $303.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) French Guiana $625 million c.i.f. French Polynesia $1.2 billion f.o.b. (2000) Gabon $1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Gambia, The $225 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Gaza Strip $1.9 billion c.i.f., includes West Bank Georgia $750 million (2002 est.) Germany $487.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Ghana $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Gibraltar $492 million c.i.f. (1997) Greece $31.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Greenland $403 million c.i.f. (2001) Grenada $270 million (2000 est.) Guadeloupe $1.7 billion c.i.f. (1997) Guam $203 million f.o.b. (1999 est.) Guatemala $5.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Guernsey $NA Guinea $670 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Guinea-Bissau $59 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Guyana $575 million c.i.f. (2002) Haiti $1.14 billion c.i.f. (2002) Honduras $2.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Hong Kong $208.1 billion (2002 est.) Hungary $33.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Iceland $2.1 billion (2002) India $53.8 billion f.o.b. (2001) Indonesia $32.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Iran $21.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Iraq $7.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Ireland $48.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Israel $30.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Italy $238.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Jamaica $3.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Japan $292.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Jersey $NA Jordan $4.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kazakhstan $9.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kenya $3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kiribati $44 million c.i.f. (1999) Korea, North $1.314 billion c.i.f. (2001 est.) Korea, South $148.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kuwait $7.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Kyrgyzstan $587 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Laos $555 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Latvia $3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002) Lebanon $6 billion f.o.b. (2002) Lesotho $738 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Liberia $165 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Libya $6.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Liechtenstein $917.3 million (1996) Lithuania $6.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Luxembourg $13.25 billion c.i.f. (2002) Macau $2.53 billion c.i.f. (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $1.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Madagascar $985 million f.o.b. (2002) Malawi $505 million f.o.b. (2001) Malaysia $76.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Maldives $395 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Mali $630 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Malta $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2001) Man, Isle of $NA Marshall Islands $54 million f.o.b. (2000) Martinique $2 billion c.i.f. (1997) Mauritania $360 million f.o.b. (2000) Mauritius $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Mayotte $141.3 million f.o.b. (1997) Mexico $168.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of $149 million f.o.b. (FY 99/00 est.) Moldova $980 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Monaco $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France Mongolia $659 million c.i.f. (2002 est.) Montserrat $17 million (2001) Morocco $10.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Mozambique $1.18 billion c.i.f. (2002 est.) Namibia $1.38 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Nauru $33 million c.i.f. (1995) Nepal $1.6 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Netherlands $201.1 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Netherlands Antilles $1.43 billion f.o.b. (2002) New Caledonia $1 billion f.o.b. (2000) New Zealand $12.5 billion (2001 est.) Nicaragua $1.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Niger $368 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Nigeria $13.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Niue $2.38 million (1999) Norfolk Island $17.9 million c.i.f. (FY 91/92) Northern Mariana Islands $NA Norway $37.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Oman $5.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Pakistan $11.1 billion f.o.b. (FY02/03 est.) Palau $99 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Panama $6.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea $1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Paraguay $2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Peru $7.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Philippines $33.5 billion f.o.b. (2002) Pitcairn Islands $NA Poland $43.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Portugal $39 billion f.o.b. (2001) Puerto Rico $29.1 billion c.i.f. (2001) Qatar $3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Reunion $2.5 billion c.i.f. (1997) Romania $16.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Russia $60.7 billion (2002 est.) Rwanda $253 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Saint Helena $14.434 million c.i.f. (1995) Saint Kitts and Nevis $152 million (2001 est.) Saint Lucia $319.4 million (2000 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon $55 million f.o.b. (1999) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $185.6 million (2000 est.) Samoa $130.1 million f.o.b. (2001) San Marino trade data are included with the statistics for Italy Sao Tome and Principe $24.8 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Saudi Arabia $39.5 billion f.o.b. (2001) Senegal $1.46 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro $6.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) Seychelles $380 million f.o.b. (2002) Sierra Leone $190 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Singapore $113 billion (2002 est.) Slovakia $15.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) Slovenia $11.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) Solomon Islands $82 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Somalia $343 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) South Africa $26.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Spain $156.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Sri Lanka $5.4 billion f.o.b. (2002) Sudan $1.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Suriname $300 million f.o.b. (2002) Svalbard $NA Swaziland $938 million f.o.b. (2002) Sweden $68.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Switzerland $94.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Syria $4.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Taiwan $113 billion f.o.b. (2002) Tajikistan $830 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) Tanzania $1.67 billion f.o.b. (2001) Thailand $58.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Togo $561 million f.o.b. (2002) Tokelau $323,000 c.i.f. (1983) Tonga $70 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago $3.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Tunisia $8.7 billion f.o.b. (2002) Turkey $50.8 billion c.i.f. (2002 est.) Turkmenistan $2.25 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands $175.6 million (2000) Tuvalu $7.2 million c.i.f. (1998) Uganda $1.14 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Ukraine $18 billion (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates $30.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) United Kingdom $330.1 billion f.o.b. (2002) United States $1.165 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Uruguay $1.87 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Uzbekistan $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Vanuatu $93 million c.i.f. (2001) Venezuela $18.8 billion f.o.b. (2001) Vietnam $16.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Virgin Islands $NA Wallis and Futuna $300,000 f.o.b. (1999) West Bank $1.9 billion c.i.f., includes Gaza Strip Western Sahara $NA World $6.6 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Yemen $2.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) Zambia $1.123 billion f.o.b. (2001) Zimbabwe $1.739 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2088 Independence Afghanistan 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) Albania 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire) Algeria 5 July 1962 (from France) American Samoa none (territory of the US) Andorra 1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel) Angola 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981 (from UK) Argentina 9 July 1816 (from Spain) Armenia 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Aruba none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Australia 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) Austria 1156 (from Bavaria) Azerbaijan 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Bahamas, The 10 July 1973 (from UK) Bahrain 15 August 1971 (from UK) Bangladesh 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Barbados 30 November 1966 (from UK) Belarus 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Belgium 4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne Belize 21 September 1981 (from UK) Benin 1 August 1960 (from France) Bermuda none (overseas territory of the UK) Bhutan 8 August 1949 (from India) Bolivia 6 August 1825 (from Spain) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence was completed 1 March 1992; independence was declared 3 March 1992) Botswana 30 September 1966 (from UK) Brazil 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei 1 January 1984 (from UK) Bulgaria 3 March 1878 (from Ottoman Empire) Burkina Faso 5 August 1960 (from France) Burma 4 January 1948 (from UK) Burundi 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) Cambodia 9 November 1953 (from France) Cameroon 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) Canada 1 July 1867 (from UK) Cape Verde 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) Cayman Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Central African Republic 13 August 1960 (from France) Chad 11 August 1960 (from France) Chile 18 September 1810 (from Spain) China 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People's Republic established 1 October 1949) Christmas Island none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia) Colombia 20 July 1810 (from Spain) Comoros 6 July 1975 (from France) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) Congo, Republic of the 15 August 1960 (from France) Cook Islands none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) Costa Rica 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Cote d'Ivoire 7 August (1960) (from France) Croatia 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Cuba 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902) Cyprus 16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 Czech Republic 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Denmark first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy Djibouti 27 June 1977 (from France) Dominica 3 November 1978 (from UK) Dominican Republic 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) East Timor 28 November 1975 (date of proclamation of independence from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of East Timor's independence from Indonesia Ecuador 24 May 1822 (from Spain) Egypt 28 February 1922 (from UK) El Salvador 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Equatorial Guinea 12 October 1968 (from Spain) Eritrea 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia) Estonia regained on 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Ethiopia oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Fiji 10 October 1970 (from UK) Finland 6 December 1917 (from Russia) France 486 (unified by Clovis) French Guiana none (overseas department of France) French Polynesia none (overseas territory of France) Gabon 17 August 1960 (from France) Gambia, The 18 February 1965 (from UK) Georgia 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) Germany 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991 Ghana 6 March 1957 (from UK) Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK) Greece 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) Greenland none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979) note: foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland Grenada 7 February 1974 (from UK) Guadeloupe none (overseas department of France) Guam none (territory of the US) Guatemala 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Guernsey none (British crown dependency) Guinea 2 October 1958 (from France) Guinea-Bissau 24 September 1973 (unilaterally declared by Guinea-Bissau); 10 September 1974 (recognized by Portugal) Guyana 26 May 1966 (from UK) Haiti 1 January 1804 (from France) Holy See (Vatican City) 11 February 1929 (from Italy) note: on 11 February 1929, three treaties were signed with Italy which, among other things, recognized the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century Honduras 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Hong Kong none (special administrative region of China) Hungary 1001 (unification by King Stephen I) Iceland 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) India 15 August 1947 (from UK) Indonesia 17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands) Iran 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) Iraq 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Ireland 6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty) Israel 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Italy 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870) Jamaica 6 August 1962 (from UK) Japan 660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu) Jersey none (British crown dependency) Jordan 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Kazakhstan 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Kenya 12 December 1963 (from UK) Kiribati 12 July 1979 (from UK) Korea, North 15 August 1945 (from Japan) Korea, South 15 August 1945 (from Japan) Kuwait 19 June 1961 (from UK) Kyrgyzstan 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Laos 19 July 1949 (from France) Latvia 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Lebanon 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Lesotho 4 October 1966 (from UK) Liberia 26 July 1847 Libya 24 December 1951 (from Italy) Liechtenstein 23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire Lithuania 11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania's independence) Luxembourg 1839 (from the Netherlands) Macau none (special administrative region of China) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 8 September 1991 referendum by registered voters endorsing independence (from Yugoslavia) Madagascar 26 June 1960 (from France) Malawi 6 July 1964 (from UK) Malaysia 31 August 1957 (from UK) Maldives 26 July 1965 (from UK) Mali 22 September 1960 (from France) Malta 21 September 1964 (from UK) Man, Isle of none (British crown dependency) Marshall Islands 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) Martinique none (overseas department of France) Mauritania 28 November 1960 (from France) Mauritius 12 March 1968 (from UK) Mayotte none (territorial collectivity of France) Mexico 16 September 1810 (from Spain) Micronesia, Federated States of 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) Moldova 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Monaco 1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi) Mongolia 11 July 1921 (from China) Montserrat none (overseas territory of the UK) Morocco 2 March 1956 (from France) Mozambique 25 June 1975 (from Portugal) Namibia 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) Nauru 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship) Nepal 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah) Netherlands 1579 (from Spain); note - the northern provinces of the Low Country concluded the Union of Utrecht, but it was 1648 before Spain finally recognized their independence Netherlands Antilles none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014 New Zealand 26 September 1907 (from UK) Nicaragua 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Niger 3 August 1960 (from France) Nigeria 1 October 1960 (from UK) Niue on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia) Northern Mariana Islands none (commonwealth in political union with the US) Norway 7 June 1905 Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved; 26 October 1905 Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union Oman 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) Pakistan 14 August 1947 (from UK) Palau 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) Panama 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821) Papua New Guinea 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship) Paraguay 14 May 1811 (from Spain) Peru 28 July 1821 (from Spain) Philippines 12 June 1898 (from Spain) Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed) Portugal 1143 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910) Puerto Rico none (commonwealth associated with the US) Qatar 3 September 1971 (from UK) Reunion none (overseas department of France) Romania 9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from Turkey; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin; kingdom proclaimed 26 March 1881; republic proclaimed 30 December 1947) Russia 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Rwanda 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) Saint Helena none (overseas territory of the UK) Saint Kitts and Nevis 19 September 1983 (from UK) Saint Lucia 22 February 1979 (from UK) Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 October 1979 (from UK) Samoa 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) San Marino 3 September 301 Sao Tome and Principe 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) Saudi Arabia 23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom) Senegal 4 April 1960 (from France); complete independence was achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 Serbia and Montenegro 27 April 1992 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or FRY formed as self-proclaimed successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or SFRY) Seychelles 29 June 1976 (from UK) Sierra Leone 27 April 1961 (from UK) Singapore 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) Slovakia 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Slovenia 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Solomon Islands 7 July 1978 (from UK) Somalia 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic) South Africa 31 May 1910 (from UK); note - South Africa became a republic in 1961 following an October 1960 referendum Spain the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Moslem occupation that began in the early 8th Century A. D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain Sri Lanka 4 February 1948 (from UK) Sudan 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK) Suriname 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands) Svalbard none (territory of Norway) Swaziland 6 September 1968 (from UK) Sweden 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king) Switzerland 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation) Syria 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Tajikistan 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Tanzania 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964 Thailand 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) Togo 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) Trinidad and Tobago 31 August 1962 (from UK) Tunisia 20 March 1956 (from France) Turkey 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire) Turkmenistan 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu 1 October 1978 (from UK) Uganda 9 October 1962 (from UK) Ukraine 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) United Arab Emirates 2 December 1971 (from UK) United Kingdom England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927 United States 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain) Uruguay 25 August 1825 (from Brazil) Uzbekistan 1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Vanuatu 30 July 1980 (from France and UK) Venezuela 5 July 1811 (from Spain) Vietnam 2 September 1945 (from France) Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France) Yemen 22 May 1990, Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; previously North Yemen had become independent on NA November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK) Zambia 24 October 1964 (from UK) Zimbabwe 18 April 1980 (from UK) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2089 Industrial production growth rate (%) Afghanistan NA% Albania 9% (2000 est.) Algeria 6% (2001 est.) American Samoa NA% Andorra NA% Angola 1% Anguilla 3.1% (1997 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 6% (1997 est.) Argentina 1% (2000 est.) Armenia 15% (2002 est.) Aruba NA Australia 4.3% (2002 est.) Austria 3.8% (2001 est.) Azerbaijan 6% (2002 est.) Bahamas, The NA% Bahrain 2% (2000 est.) Bangladesh 1.8% (2002 est.) Barbados -3.2% (2000 est.) Belarus 2.5% (2002 est.) Belgium 4.5% (2000 est.) Belize 4.6% (1999) Benin 8.3% (2001 est.) Bermuda NA% Bhutan 9.3% (1996 est.) Bolivia 3.9% (1998) Bosnia and Herzegovina 7% (2002 est.) Botswana 2.4% (2001 est.) Brazil 2.3% (2002 est.) British Virgin Islands NA Brunei 5% (2002 est.) Bulgaria 2% (2002 est.) Burkina Faso 14% (2001 est.) Burma NA% Burundi 18% (2001) Cambodia 16% (2001 est.) Cameroon 4.2% (1999 est.) Canada 2.2% (2002 est.) Cape Verde NA% Cayman Islands NA% Central African Republic 3% (2002) Chad 5% (1995) Chile -1.5% (2002 est.) China 12.6% (2002 est.) Christmas Island NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA% Colombia 4% (2001 est.) Comoros -2% (1999 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA% Congo, Republic of the 0% (2002 est.) Cook Islands 1% (2002) Costa Rica 2.9% (2002 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 15% (1998 est.) Croatia 2.8% (2002 est.) Cuba 0.2% (2001 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: -1.4% (2002); Turkish Cypriot area: -0.3% (2002) Czech Republic 3.5% (2002) Denmark 1.4% (2002 est.) Djibouti 3% (1996 est.) Dominica -10% (1997 est.) Dominican Republic 2% (2001 est.) East Timor 8.5% Ecuador 5.1% (2001 est.) Egypt 2.2% (2002 est.) El Salvador 3% (2002 est.) Equatorial Guinea 30% (2002 est.) Eritrea NA% Estonia 5% (2000 est.) Ethiopia 6.7% (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA% Faroe Islands 8% (1999 est.) Fiji NA% Finland 5% (2002 est.) France -0.3% (2002) French Guiana NA% French Polynesia NA% Gabon 1.6% (2002 est.) Gambia, The NA% Gaza Strip NA% Georgia 3% (2000) Germany -2.1% (2002 est.) Ghana 3.8% (2000 est.) Gibraltar NA% Greece 7% (2000 est.) Greenland NA% Grenada 0.7% (1997 est.) Guadeloupe NA% Guam NA% Guatemala 4.1% (1999) Guernsey NA% Guinea 3.2% (1994) Guinea-Bissau 2.6% (1997 est.) Guyana 7.1% (1997 est.) Haiti NA Honduras 4% (1999 est.) Hong Kong -9.7% (2002 est.) Hungary 3.1% (2002 est.) Iceland 0.2% (2002 est.) India 6% (2002 est.) Indonesia 4.9% (2002 est.) Iran 5.5% excluding oil (2001 est.) Iraq NA% Ireland 6% (2002 est.) Israel -1.5% (2002 est.) Italy -2.8% (2002) Jamaica -2% (2000 est.) Japan -1.4% (2002 est.) Jersey NA% Jordan 1% (2002 est.) Kazakhstan 10% (2002 est.) Kenya 0.9% (2002 est.) Kiribati 0.7% (1991 est.) Korea, North NA% Korea, South 6.5% (2002 est.) Kuwait -5% (2002 est.) Kyrgyzstan 6% (2000 est.) Laos 7.5% (1999 est.) Latvia 5.7% (2002 est.) Lebanon NA% Lesotho 15.5% (1999) Liberia NA% Libya NA% Liechtenstein NA% Lithuania 6% (2002 est.) Luxembourg 0% (2002 est.) Macau NA% Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of -5% (2002 est.) Madagascar 3% (2000 est.) Malawi -0.8% (2002 est.) Malaysia 5% (2002 est.) Maldives 4.4% (1996 est.) Mali NA% Malta NA% Man, Isle of 3.2% (FY 96/97) Marshall Islands NA% Martinique NA% Mauritania 2% (2000 est.) Mauritius 8% (2000 est.) Mayotte NA% Mexico 4.9% (2002 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA% Moldova 9% (2002 est.) Monaco NA% Mongolia 4.1% (2002 est.) Montserrat NA% Morocco 0.5% (1999 est.) Mozambique 3.4% (2000) Namibia NA% Nauru NA% Nepal 8.7% (FY 99/00) Netherlands 0% (2002 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA% New Caledonia -0.6% (1996) New Zealand 3% (2001 est.) Nicaragua 4.4% (2000 est.) Niger NA% Nigeria 0.4% (2002 est.) Niue NA% Norfolk Island NA% Northern Mariana Islands NA% Norway 1.2% (2002 est.) Oman 4% (2000 est.) Pakistan 2.4% (FY01/02 est.) Palau NA% Panama 0.5% (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea NA Paraguay 0% (2000 est.) Peru 6.5% (2002 est.) Philippines 4% (2000 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA% Poland 0.3% (2001) Portugal 1.5% (2002 est.) Puerto Rico NA% Qatar NA% Reunion NA% Romania 6% (2002) Russia 3.7% (2002 est.) Rwanda 7% (2001 est.) Saint Helena NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis NA% Saint Lucia -8.9% (1997 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.9% (1997 est.) Samoa 2.8% (2000) San Marino 6% (1997 est.) Sao Tome and Principe NA% Saudi Arabia 1% (1997 est.) Senegal 8.1% (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 1.7% (2002 est.) Seychelles NA% Sierra Leone NA% Singapore -9.8% (2002 est.) Slovakia 4.4% (2002 est.) Slovenia 2.4% (2002) Solomon Islands NA% Somalia NA% South Africa 3% (2002 est.) Spain 1.2% (2002 est.) Sri Lanka 1.1% (2002) Sudan 8.5% (1999 est.) Suriname 6.5% (1994 est.) Svalbard NA% Swaziland 3.7% (FY 95/96) Sweden 0.9% (2002 est.) Switzerland 3.2% (2001) Syria NA% Taiwan 6% (2002) Tajikistan 10.3% (2000 est.) Tanzania 8.4% (1999 est.) Thailand 3% (2000 est.) Togo NA% Tokelau NA% Tonga 8.6% (FY 98/99) Trinidad and Tobago 2.6% (2002 est.) Tunisia 3.5% (2002 est.) Turkey 8.5% (2002 est.) Turkmenistan 1% (2002 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA% Tuvalu NA% Uganda 6.3% (2002 est.) Ukraine 6% (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates 4% (2000) United Kingdom -3.4% (2002 est.) United States -0.4% (2002 est.) Uruguay -12% (2002 est.) Uzbekistan 3.5% (2000 est.) Vanuatu 1% (1997 est.) Venezuela -5.4% (2002 est.) Vietnam 10.2% (2002 est.) Virgin Islands NA% Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank NA% Western Sahara NA% World 3% (2002 est.) Yemen 4% (2002 est.) Zambia 5.1% (2001 est.) Zimbabwe -3.1% (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2090 Industries Afghanistan small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper Albania food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower Algeria petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing American Samoa tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts Andorra tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking Angola petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles Anguilla tourism, boat building, offshore financial services Antigua and Barbuda tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Argentina food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Armenia metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, gem cutting, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy Aruba tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining Australia mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel Austria construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism Azerbaijan petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles Bahamas, The tourism, banking, e-commerce, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe Bahrain petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism Bangladesh cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar Barbados tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export Belarus metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, television sets, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators Belgium engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal Belize garment production, food processing, tourism, construction Benin textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction materials (2001) Bermuda tourism, international business, light manufacturing Bhutan cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide Bolivia mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing Bosnia and Herzegovina steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining (2001) Botswana diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles Brazil textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment British Virgin Islands tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Brunei petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction Bulgaria electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel Burkina Faso cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold Burma agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer Burundi light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing Cambodia tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles Cameroon petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber Canada transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products; wood and paper products; fish products, petroleum and natural gas Cape Verde food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair Cayman Islands tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture Central African Republic diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Chad oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials Chile copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles China iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys, food processing, automobiles, consumer electronics, telecommunications Christmas Island tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) Cocos (Keeling) Islands copra products and tourism Colombia textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Comoros tourism, perfume distillation Congo, Democratic Republic of the mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement Congo, Republic of the petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes Cook Islands fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts Costa Rica microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products Cote d'Ivoire foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity Croatia chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages; tourism Cuba sugar, petroleum, tobacco, chemicals, construction, services, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, biotechnology Cyprus food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products Czech Republic metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments Denmark food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding, windmills Djibouti construction, agricultural processing Dominica soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Dominican Republic tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco East Timor printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth Ecuador petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber Egypt textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals El Salvador food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals Equatorial Guinea petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas Eritrea food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles Estonia engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile; information technology, telecommunications Ethiopia food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fish and wool processing; tourism Faroe Islands fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts Fiji tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries Finland metal products, electronics, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing France machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism French Guiana construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining French Polynesia tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates Gabon petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair; food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement. Gambia, The processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing Gaza Strip generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center Georgia steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine Germany among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; shipbuilding; textiles Ghana mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing Gibraltar tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco Greece tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum Greenland fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut), handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards, mining Grenada food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction Guadeloupe construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism Guam US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles Guatemala sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism Guernsey tourism, banking Guinea bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries Guinea-Bissau agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks Guyana bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining Haiti sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly industries based on imported parts Holy See (Vatican City) printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps, a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities Honduras sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products Hong Kong textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks Hungary mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles Iceland fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism India textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software Indonesia petroleum and natural gas; textiles, apparel, and footwear; mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood; rubber; food; tourism Iran petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating, armaments Iraq petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing Ireland food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal; software Israel high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, diamond cutting Italy tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics Jamaica tourism, bauxite, textiles, food processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products Japan among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals; textiles, processed foods Jersey tourism, banking and finance, dairy Jordan phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, tourism Kazakhstan oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials Kenya small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing; oil refining, cement; tourism Kiribati fishing, handicrafts Korea, North military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism Korea, South electronics, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing Kuwait petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials Kyrgyzstan small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals Laos tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism Latvia buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials Lebanon banking; food processing; jewelry; cement; textiles; mineral and chemical products; wood and furniture products; oil refining; metal fabricating Lesotho food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts; construction; tourism Liberia rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds Libya petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Liechtenstein electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments Lithuania metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber Luxembourg banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum Macau tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco, food processing, buses Madagascar meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism Malawi tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging Maldives fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining Mali food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining Malta tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco Man, Isle of financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Marshall Islands copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls Martinique construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism Mauritania fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum Mauritius food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism Mayotte newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction Mexico food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism Micronesia, Federated States of tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls Moldova food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles Monaco tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products Mongolia construction materials, mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages, processing of animal products Montserrat tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances Morocco phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism Mozambique food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco Namibia meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) Nauru phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products Nepal tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette; cement and brick production Netherlands agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing Netherlands Antilles tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao) New Caledonia nickel mining and smelting New Zealand food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining Nicaragua food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood Niger uranium mining, cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses Nigeria crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel Niue tourism, handicrafts, food processing Norfolk Island tourism Northern Mariana Islands tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts Norway petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing Oman crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper Pakistan textiles, and apparel, food processing, beverages, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp Palau tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making Panama construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling Papua New Guinea copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production; construction, tourism Paraguay sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products Peru mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication Philippines textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing Pitcairn Islands postage stamps, handicrafts Poland machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles Portugal textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism Puerto Rico pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products; tourism Qatar crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement Reunion sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oil extraction Romania textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining Russia complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts Rwanda cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes Saint Helena construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing Saint Kitts and Nevis sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages Saint Lucia clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing Saint Pierre and Miquelon fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism Saint Vincent and the Grenadines food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch Samoa food processing, building materials, auto parts San Marino tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine Sao Tome and Principe light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber Saudi Arabia crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics Senegal agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials Serbia and Montenegro machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; tanks and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery); metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium); mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone); consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs, appliances); electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals Seychelles fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages Sierra Leone mining (diamonds); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining Singapore electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, biotechnology Slovakia metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products Slovenia ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools Solomon Islands fish (tuna), mining, timber Somalia a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down), wireless communication South Africa mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs Spain textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism Sri Lanka rubber processing, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco Sudan oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly Suriname bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing Swaziland mining (coal), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textile and apparel Sweden iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Switzerland machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments Syria petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining Taiwan electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing Tajikistan aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers Tanzania agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer, salt Thailand tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer Togo phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts, textiles, beverages Tokelau small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing Tonga tourism, fishing Trinidad and Tobago petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles Tunisia petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages Turkey textiles, food processing, autos, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Turkmenistan natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing Turks and Caicos Islands tourism, offshore financial services Tuvalu fishing, tourism, copra Uganda sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement Ukraine coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar) United Arab Emirates petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling United Kingdom machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods United States leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining Uruguay food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages Uzbekistan textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas, chemicals Vanuatu food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Venezuela petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly Vietnam food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel, paper Virgin Islands tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Wallis and Futuna copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber West Bank generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers Western Sahara phosphate mining, handicrafts World dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to these technological forces; the accelerated development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems Yemen crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement Zambia copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture Zimbabwe mining (coal, gold, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2091 Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births) Afghanistan total: 142.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 145.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 138.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Albania total: 37.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 39.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Algeria total: 37.74 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) American Samoa total: 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Andorra total: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Angola total: 193.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 206.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 180.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Anguilla total: 22.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Argentina total: 16.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Armenia total: 40.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 45.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Aruba total: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Australia total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Austria total: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Azerbaijan total: 82.41 deaths/1,000 live births male: 84.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Bahamas, The total: 26.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Bahrain total: 18.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Bangladesh total: 66.08 deaths/1,000 live births male: 67.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Barbados total: 12.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Belarus total: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Belgium total: 4.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Belize total: 27.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Benin total: 86.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 91.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Bermuda total: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Bhutan total: 104.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 102.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 106.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Bolivia total: 56.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 59.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 22.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Botswana total: 67.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Brazil total: 31.74 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands total: 18.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Brunei total: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Bulgaria total: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Burkina Faso total: 99.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 107.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 91.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Burma total: 70.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 76.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Burundi total: 71.54 deaths/1,000 live births male: 78.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Cambodia total: 75.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 84.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Cameroon total: 70.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 74.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Canada total: 4.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Cape Verde total: 50.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Cayman Islands total: 8.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Central African Republic total: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 100.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 86.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Chad total: 95.74 deaths/1,000 live births male: 105 deaths/1,000 live births female: 86.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Chile total: 8.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) China total: 25.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Christmas Island total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Colombia total: 22.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Comoros total: 79.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 88.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 70.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 96.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 105.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 87.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the total: 95.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 101.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Cook Islands total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Costa Rica total: 10.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire total: 98.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 115.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Croatia total: 6.92 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Cuba total: 7.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Cyprus total: 7.54 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Czech Republic total: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Denmark total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Djibouti total: 106.96 deaths/1,000 live births male: 114.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 98.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Dominica total: 15.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Dominican Republic total: 34.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) East Timor total: 50.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 57.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Ecuador total: 31.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Egypt total: 35.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) El Salvador total: 26.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea total: 89.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 95.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 82.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Eritrea total: 76.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 83.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Estonia total: 12.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Ethiopia total: 103.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 113.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 92.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Faroe Islands total: 6.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Fiji total: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Finland total: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) France total: 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) French Guiana total: 12.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) French Polynesia total: 8.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Gabon total: 55.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 65.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Gambia, The total: 74.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 81.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Gaza Strip total: 24.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Georgia total: 51.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 56.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Germany total: 4.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Ghana total: 53.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Gibraltar total: 5.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Greece total: 6.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Greenland total: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Grenada total: 14.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Guadeloupe total: 9.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Guam total: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Guatemala total: 37.92 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Guernsey total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Guinea total: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 98.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 87.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau total: 110.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 120.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 99.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Guyana total: 37.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 41.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Haiti total: 76.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 81.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 70.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Honduras total: 29.96 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Hong Kong total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Hungary total: 8.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Iceland total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) India total: 59.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Indonesia total: 38.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 43.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 32.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Iran total: 44.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 44.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Iraq total: 55.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Ireland total: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Israel total: 7.37 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Italy total: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Jamaica total: 13.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Japan total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Jersey total: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Jordan total: 18.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Kazakhstan total: 58.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 63.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Kenya total: 63.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Kiribati total: 51.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 56.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Korea, North total: 25.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Korea, South total: 7.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Kuwait total: 10.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan total: 75.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 84.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Laos total: 88.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 99.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 78.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Latvia total: 14.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Lebanon total: 26.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Lesotho total: 86.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 91.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Liberia total: 132.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 139.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 125.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Libya total: 26.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Liechtenstein total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Lithuania total: 14.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Luxembourg total: 4.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Macau total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Madagascar total: 80.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 88.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 71.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Malawi total: 105.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 109.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 100.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Malaysia total: 19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Maldives total: 60.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 59.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Mali total: 119.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 125.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 112.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Malta total: 5.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Man, Isle of total: 6.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Marshall Islands total: 31.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Martinique total: 7.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Mauritania total: 73.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 76.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Mauritius total: 16.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Mayotte total: 65.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 72.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Mexico total: 23.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 32.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births Moldova total: 41.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 44.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 38.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Monaco total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Mongolia total: 57.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Montserrat total: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Morocco total: 44.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Mozambique total: 199 deaths/1,000 live births male: 216.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 180.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Namibia total: 68.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 71.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Nauru total: 10.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Nepal total: 70.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 72.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Netherlands total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles total: 10.71 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) New Caledonia total: 8.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) New Zealand total: 6.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Nicaragua total: 31.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Niger total: 123.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 127.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 119.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Nigeria total: 71.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 74.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Niue total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Norfolk Island total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Northern Mariana Islands total: 5.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Norway total: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Oman total: 21.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Pakistan total: 76.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 76.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Palau total: 15.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Panama total: 21.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea total: 54.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 59.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Paraguay total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Peru total: 36.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Philippines total: 24.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Poland total: 8.95 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Portugal total: 5.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Puerto Rico total: 9.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Qatar total: 20.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Reunion total: 8.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Romania total: 18.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Russia total: 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Rwanda total: 102.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 107.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 97.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Saint Helena total: 20.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 15.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Saint Lucia total: 14.37 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 7.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Samoa total: 29.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) San Marino total: 5.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe total: 46.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia total: 47.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 50.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Senegal total: 57.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro total: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Seychelles total: 16.41 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Sierra Leone total: 146.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 164.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 128.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Singapore total: 3.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Slovakia total: 8.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Slovenia total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Solomon Islands total: 22.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Somalia total: 120.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 129.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 110.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) South Africa total: 60.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 64.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 56.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Spain total: 4.54 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Sri Lanka total: 15.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Sudan total: 65.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Suriname total: 24.74 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Svalbard total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Swaziland total: 67.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 70.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Sweden total: 3.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Switzerland total: 4.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Syria total: 31.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Taiwan total: 6.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Tajikistan total: 113.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 126.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 99.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Tanzania total: 103.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 113.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 93.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Thailand total: 21.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Togo total: 68.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 76.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Tokelau total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Tonga total: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago total: 24.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Tunisia total: 26.91 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Turkey total: 44.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Turkmenistan total: 73.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 76.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 69.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 16.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Tuvalu total: 21.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Uganda total: 87.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 95.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Ukraine total: 20.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates total: 15.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) United Kingdom total: 5.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) United States total: 6.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Uruguay total: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Uzbekistan total: 71.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 75.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 67.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Vanuatu total: 58.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Venezuela total: 23.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Vietnam total: 30.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Virgin Islands total: 9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% West Bank total: 20.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Western Sahara total: NA% male: NA% female: NA% World total: 51.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Yemen total: 65.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Zambia total: 99.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 106.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 91.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) Zimbabwe total: 66.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%) Afghanistan NA% Albania 6% (2002 est.) Algeria 3% (2002 est.) American Samoa NA% Andorra 4.3% (2000) Angola 106% (2002 est.) Anguilla 2.3% Antigua and Barbuda 0.4% (2000 est.) Argentina 41% (2002, yearend) Armenia 1.1% (2002 est.) Aruba 3.2% (2002 est.) Australia 2.8% (2002 est.) Austria 1.8% (2002 est.) Azerbaijan 2.6% (2002 est.) Bahamas, The 1.8% (2001 est.) Bahrain 0.5% (2002 est.) Bangladesh 3.1% (2002 est.) Barbados -0.6% (2002 est.) Belarus 42.8% (2002 est.) Belgium 1.7% (2002 est.) Belize 1.9% (2002 est.) Benin 3.3% (2002 est.) Bermuda 2.3% (July 2002) Bhutan 3% (2002 est.) Bolivia 2% (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.5% (2002 est.) Botswana 8.1% (2002 est.) Brazil 8.3% (2002) British Virgin Islands 2.5% (2002) Brunei -2% (2002 est.) Bulgaria 5.9% (2002 est.) Burkina Faso 3.5% (2001 est.) Burma 53.7% (2002 est.) Burundi 12% (2002 est.) Cambodia 3.3% (2002 est.) Cameroon 4.5% (2002 est.) Canada 2.2% (2002 est.) Cape Verde 3% (2002) Cayman Islands 2.8% (2002) Central African Republic 3.6% (2001 est.) Chad 6% (2002 est.) Chile 2.5% (2002 est.) China -0.8% (2002 est.) Christmas Island NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA% Colombia 6.2% (2002 est.) Comoros 3.5% (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 16% (2002 est.) Congo, Republic of the 4% (2002 est.) Cook Islands 3.2% (2000 est.) Costa Rica 9.1% (2002 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 3.2% (2002 est.) Croatia 2.2% (2002 est.) Cuba 7.1% (2002 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 2.8% (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 24.5% (2002 est.) Czech Republic 0.6% (2002 est.) Denmark 2.3% (2002 est.) Djibouti 2% (2002 est.) Dominica 1% (2001 est.) Dominican Republic 5.3% (2002 est.) East Timor NA% Ecuador 12.5% (2002 est.) Egypt 4.3% (2002 est.) El Salvador 3.8% (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 6% (2002 est.) Eritrea 15% (2001) Estonia 3.7% (2002 est.) Ethiopia 4% (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3.6% (1998) Faroe Islands 5.1% (1999) Fiji 2% (2002 est.) Finland 1.9% (2002 est.) France 1.8% (2002 est.) French Guiana 1.5% (2002 est.) French Polynesia 1.5% Gabon 2.3% (2002 est.) Gambia, The 5.5% (2002 est.) Gaza Strip 2.2% (includes West Bank) (2001 est.) Georgia 5.2% (2002 est.) Germany 1.3% (2002 est.) Ghana 14.5% (2002 est.) Gibraltar 1.5% (1998) Greece 3.6% (2002 est.) Greenland 1.6% (1999 est.) Grenada 2.8% (2001 est.) Guadeloupe NA% Guam 0% (1999 est.) Guatemala 8.1% (2002 est.) Guernsey 3.99% (2000 est.) Guinea 6% (2002 est.) Guinea-Bissau 4% (2002 est.) Guyana 4.7% (2002 est.) Haiti 11.9% (2001 est.) Honduras 7.7% (2002 est.) Hong Kong 3% (2002 est.) Hungary 5.3% (2002 est.) Iceland 5.2% (2002 est.) India 5.4% (2002 est.) Indonesia 11.9% (2002 est.) Iran 15.3% (2002 est.) Iraq 70% (2002 est.) Ireland 4.6% (2002 est.) Israel 5.7% (2002 est.) Italy 2.4% (2002 est.) Jamaica 7% (2002 est.) Japan -0.9% (2002 est.) Jersey 4.7% (1998) Jordan 3.3% (2002 est.) Kazakhstan 6% (2002 est.) Kenya 1.9% (2002 est.) Kiribati 2.5% (2001 est.) Korea, North NA% Korea, South 2.8% (2002 est.) Kuwait 2% (2002 est.) Kyrgyzstan 2.1% (2002 est.) Laos 10% (2002 est.) Latvia 2% (2002 est.) Lebanon 3.5% (2002 est.) Lesotho 10% (2002 est.) Liberia 15% (2002 est.) Libya 1% (2001 est.) Liechtenstein 1% (2001) Lithuania 0.8% (2002 est.) Luxembourg 1.6% (2002 est.) Macau -2.6% (2002 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 1.1% (2002 est.) Madagascar 7.4% (2001 est.) Malawi 27.4% (2001 est.) Malaysia 1.9% (2002 est.) Maldives 1% (2002 est.) Mali 4.5% (2002 est.) Malta 2.4% (2002 est.) Man, Isle of 3.6% (March 2003 est.) Marshall Islands 2% (2001 est.) Martinique 3.9% (1990) Mauritania 3% (2002 est.) Mauritius 6.4% (2002 est.) Mayotte NA% Mexico 6.4% (2002 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 1% (2002 est.) Moldova 5.5% (2002 est.) Monaco NA% Mongolia 3% (2002 est.) Montserrat 2.6% (2002 est.) Morocco 3.6% (2002 est.) Mozambique 15.2% (2002 est.) Namibia 8% (2001) Nauru -3.6% (1993) Nepal 2.8% (2001 est.) Netherlands 3.4% (2002 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0.4% (2002 est.) New Caledonia -0.6% (2000 est.) New Zealand 2.7% (2002 est.) Nicaragua 3.7% (2002 est.) Niger 3% (2002 est.) Nigeria 14.2% (2002 est.) Niue 1% (1995) Norfolk Island NA% Northern Mariana Islands 1.2% (1997 est.) Norway 1.3% (2001 est.) Oman -0.5% (2002 est.) Pakistan 3.9% (2002 est.) Palau 3.4% (2000 est.) Panama 1.1% (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 9.8% (2002 est.) Paraguay 10.5% (2002 est.) Peru 0.2% (2002 est.) Philippines 3.1% (2002 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA% Poland 1.9% (2002 est.) Portugal 3.7% (2002 est.) Puerto Rico 5% (2002 est.) Qatar 1.9% (2002) Reunion NA% Romania 22.5% (2002 est.) Russia 15% (2002 est.) Rwanda 5.5% (2002 est.) Saint Helena 3.2% (1997 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.7% (2001 est.) Saint Lucia 3% (2001 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2.1% (1991-96 average) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.4% (2001 est.) Samoa 4% (2001 est.) San Marino 3.3% (2001) Sao Tome and Principe 9% (2002 est.) Saudi Arabia 1% (2002 est.) Senegal 3% (2002 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 19% (2002 est.) Seychelles 0.5% (2002 est.) Sierra Leone 1% (2002 est.) Singapore -0.4% (2002 est.) Slovakia 3.3% (2002 est.) Slovenia 7.4% (2002 est.) Solomon Islands 1.8% (2001 est.) Somalia over 100% (businesses print their own money) South Africa 9.9% (2002 est.) Spain 3% (2002 est.) Sri Lanka 9.6% (2002 est.) Sudan 9.2% (2002 est.) Suriname 17% (2002 est.) Svalbard NA% Swaziland 11.8% (2002 est.) Sweden 2.2% (2002 est.) Switzerland 0.5% (2002 est.) Syria 0.9% (2002 est.) Taiwan -0.2% (2002 est.) Tajikistan 12% (2001 est.) Tanzania 4.8% (2002 est.) Thailand 0.6% (2002 est.) Togo 4% (2002 est.) Tokelau NA% Tonga 8.4% (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 4.3% (2002 est.) Tunisia 2.5% (2002 est.) Turkey 45.2% (2002 est.) Turkmenistan 5% (2002 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 4% (1995) Tuvalu 5% (2000 est.) Uganda 0.1% (2002 est.) Ukraine -1.2% (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates 2.8% (2002 est.) United Kingdom 2.1% (2002 est.) United States 1.6% (2002) Uruguay 14.1% (2002 est.) Uzbekistan 26% (2001 est.) Vanuatu 3.2% (2001 est.) Venezuela 31.2% (2002 est.) Vietnam 3.9% (2002 est.) Virgin Islands 2% (1992) Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank 2.2% (includes Gaza Strip) (2001 est.) Western Sahara NA% World developed countries 1% to 4% typically; developing countries 5% to 60% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from declining prices in Japan to hyperinflation in several Third World countries Yemen 12.2% (2002 est.) Zambia 21% (2002 est.) Zimbabwe 134.5% (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2093 Waterways (km) Afghanistan 1,200 km note: chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT (2001) Albania 43 km note: includes Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid, and Lake Prespa (1990) Algeria none American Samoa none Andorra none Angola 1,295 km Anguilla none Antigua and Barbuda none Argentina 10,950 km Armenia NA km Aruba none Ashmore and Cartier Islands none Australia 8,368 km (mainly used by small, shallow-draft craft) Austria 358 km (1999) Azerbaijan none Bahamas, The none Bahrain none Baker Island none Bangladesh up to 8,046 km depending on season note: includes 3,058 km main cargo routes Barbados none Bassas da India none Belarus NA km; note - Belarus has extensive and widely used canal and river systems Belgium 1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001) Belize 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable) Benin streams navigable along small sections, important only locally Bermuda none Bhutan none Bolivia 10,000 km (commercially navigable) Bosnia and Herzegovina NA km; large sections of the Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debris Botswana none Bouvet Island none Brazil 50,000 km British Indian Ocean Territory none British Virgin Islands none Brunei 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m Bulgaria 470 km (1987) Burkina Faso none Burma 12,800 km note: 3,200 km navigable by large commercial vessels Burundi Lake Tanganyika Cambodia 3,700 km note: navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 m Cameroon 2,090 km (of decreasing importance) (2002) Canada 3,000 km (including Saint Lawrence Seaway) Cape Verde none Cayman Islands none Central African Republic 900 km note: traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river, navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 m Chad 2,000 km Chile 725 km China 110,000 km (1999) Christmas Island none Clipperton Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands none Colombia 18,140 km (navigable by river boats) (April 1996) Comoros none Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15,000 km (including the Congo and its tributaries, and unconnected lakes) Congo, Republic of the 1,120 km note: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) rivers provide 1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used for local traffic only Cook Islands none Coral Sea Islands none Costa Rica 730 km (seasonally navigable) Cote d'Ivoire 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) Croatia 785 km note: (perennially navigable; large sections of Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debris) Cuba 240 km Cyprus none Czech Republic 303 km note: the Labe (Elbe) is the principal river (2000) Denmark 417 km Djibouti none Dominica none Dominican Republic none East Timor NA Ecuador 1,500 km Egypt 3,500 km note: includes the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of water El Salvador Rio Lempa partially navigable Equatorial Guinea none Eritrea none Estonia 320 km (perennially navigable) (2002) Ethiopia none Europa Island none Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none Faroe Islands none Fiji 203 km note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges Finland 6,675 km note: includes Saimaa Canal; 3,700 km suitable for large ships France 14,932 km (6,969 km heavily traveled) French Guiana 3,300 km navigable by native craft note: 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers French Polynesia none French Southern and Antarctic Lands none Gabon 1,600 km (perennially navigable) Gambia, The 400 km Gaza Strip none Georgia none Germany 7,500 km note: major rivers include the Rhine and Elbe; Kiel Canal is an important connection between the Baltic Sea and North Sea (1999) Ghana 1,293 km note: Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of perennial navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways Gibraltar none Glorioso Islands none Greece 80 km note: system consists of three coastal canals including the Corinth Canal (6 km) which crosses the Isthmus of Corinth connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and shortens the sea voyage from the Adriatic to Peiraiefs (Piraeus) by 325 km; there are also three unconnected rivers Greenland none Grenada none Guadeloupe none Guam none Guatemala 990 km note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during highwater season Guernsey none Guinea 1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) Guinea-Bissau several rivers are accessible to coastal shipping Guyana 5,900 km (total length of navigable waterways) note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively Haiti NEGL; less than 100 km navigable Heard Island and McDonald Islands none Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras 465 km (navigable by small craft) Hong Kong none Howland Island none Hungary 1,373 km (permanently navigable) (1997) Iceland none India 16,180 km note: 3,631 km navigable by large vessels Indonesia 21,579 km total note: Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460 km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km Iran 904 km note: the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use Iraq 1,015 km note: Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft boats; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Gulf war Ireland 700 km (limited facilities for commercial traffic) (1998) Israel none Italy 2,400 km note: serves various types of commercial traffic, although of limited overall value (2002) Jamaica none Jan Mayen none Japan 1,770 km approximately note: seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seas Jarvis Island none Jersey none Johnston Atoll none Jordan none Juan de Nova Island none Kazakhstan 3,900 km note: on the Syr Darya (Syrdariya) and Ertis (Irtysh) rivers Kenya NA note: part of the Lake Victoria system is within the boundaries of Kenya Kingman Reef none Kiribati 5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) Korea, North 2,253 km note: mostly navigable by small craft only Korea, South 1,609 km note: restricted to small native craft Kuwait none Kyrgyzstan 600 km (1990) Laos 4,587 km approximately note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m Latvia 300 km (perennially navigable) Lebanon none Lesotho none Liberia none Libya none Liechtenstein none Lithuania 600 km (perennially navigable) Luxembourg 37 km (on the Moselle) Macau none Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of note: lake transport only, on the Greek and Albanian borders Madagascar of local importance only Malawi 144 km note: on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire Riverall Malaysia 7,296 km note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569 km, Sarawak 2,518 km Maldives none Mali 1,815 km Malta none Man, Isle of none Marshall Islands none Martinique none Mauritania note: ferry traffic on the Senegal River Mauritius none Mayotte none Mexico 2,900 km note: navigable rivers and coastal canals Micronesia, Federated States of none Midway Islands none Moldova 424 km (1994) Monaco none Mongolia 400 km (1999) Montserrat none Morocco none Mozambique 3,750 km (navigable routes) Namibia none Nauru none Navassa Island none Nepal none Netherlands 5,046 km (of which 3,745 km are canals) note: 47% of total route length is usable by craft of 1,000-metric-ton capacity or larger Netherlands Antilles none New Caledonia none New Zealand 1,609 km note: of little importance in satisfying total transportation requirements Nicaragua 2,220 km (including 2 large lakes) Niger 300 km note: the Niger River is navigable from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March Nigeria 8,575 km note: consisting of the Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks Niue none Norfolk Island none Northern Mariana Islands none Norway 1,577 km (along west coast) note: navigable by 2.4 m maximum draft vessels Oman none Pakistan none Palau none Palmyra Atoll none Panama 882 km note: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal Papua New Guinea 10,940 km Paracel Islands none Paraguay 3,100 km Peru 8,808 km note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca Philippines 3,219 km note: limited to vessels with a draft of less than 1.5 m Pitcairn Islands none Poland 3,812 km (navigable rivers and canals) (1996) Portugal 820 km note: relatively unimportant to national economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton or less cargo capacity Puerto Rico none Qatar none Reunion none Romania 1,724 km (1984) Russia 95,900 km (total routes in general use) note: routes with navigation guides serving the Russian River Fleet - 95,900 km; routes with night navigational aids - 60,400 km; man-made navigable routes - 16,900 km (January 1994) Rwanda note: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft Saint Helena none Saint Kitts and Nevis none Saint Lucia none Saint Pierre and Miquelon none Saint Vincent and the Grenadines none Samoa none San Marino none Sao Tome and Principe none Saudi Arabia none Senegal 897 km note: 785 km on the Senegal river, and 112 km on the Saloum river Serbia and Montenegro 587 km note: the Danube River, central Europe's connection to the Black Sea, runs through Serbia; since early 2000, a pontoon bridge, replacing a destroyed conventional bridge, has obstructed river traffic at Novi Sad; the obstruction is bypassed by a canal system, but the inadequate lock size limits the size of vessels which may pass; the pontoon bridge can be opened for large ships but has slowed river traffic (2001) Seychelles none Sierra Leone 800 km (of which 600 km is navigable year round) Singapore none Slovakia 172 km (all on the Danube) Slovenia NA Solomon Islands none Somalia none South Africa NA South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands none Spain 1,045 km (of minor economic importance) Spratly Islands none Sri Lanka 430 km (navigable by shallow-draft craft) Sudan 5,310 km Suriname 1,200 km note: most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways Svalbard none Swaziland none Sweden 2,052 km note: navigable to small steamers and barges Switzerland 65 km note: The Rhine carries heavy traffic on the Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee stretches; there are also 12 navigable lakes Syria 870 km (minimal economic importance) Taiwan NA Tajikistan none Tanzania note: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa are principal avenues of commerce between Tanzania and its neighbors on those lakes Thailand 4,000 km note: 3,701 km are navigable throughout the year by boats with drafts up to 0.9 meters; numerous minor waterways serve shallow-draft native craft Togo 50 km (Mono river) Tokelau none Tonga none Trinidad and Tobago none Tromelin Island none Tunisia none Turkey 1,200 km (approximately) Turkmenistan the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway for Turkmenistan, as is the man-made Kara Kum canal Turks and Caicos Islands none Tuvalu none Uganda Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward, Victoria Nile, Albert Nile Ukraine 4,499 km note: 1,672 km are on the Pryp'yat' and Dniester (Dnister) (1990) United Arab Emirates none United Kingdom 3,200 km United States 41,009 km note: navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes Uruguay 1,600 km (used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft) Uzbekistan 1,100 km (1990) Vanuatu none Venezuela 7,100 km note: Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vessels Vietnam 17,702 km note: more than 5,149 km are navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 m draft Virgin Islands none Wake Island none Wallis and Futuna none West Bank none Western Sahara none Yemen none Zambia 2,250 km note: includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers Zimbabwe chrome ore is transported from Harare - by way of the Mazoe River - to the Zambezi River in Mozambique This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2094 Judicial branch Afghanistan the Bonn Agreement called for the establishment of a Supreme Court; there is also a Minister of Justice Albania Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term) Algeria Supreme Court or Cour Supreme American Samoa High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior) Andorra Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional Angola Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the president) Anguilla High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) Antigua and Barbuda Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction) Argentina Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval by the Senate) Armenia Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court) Aruba Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch) Australia High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general) Austria Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof Azerbaijan Supreme Court Bahamas, The Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts Bahrain High Civil Appeals Court Bangladesh Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president) Barbados Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services) Belarus Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives) Belgium Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch, although selected by the Government) Belize Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister) Benin Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Bermuda Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts Bhutan Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) Bolivia Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases) Bosnia and Herzegovina BiH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BiH State Court (consists of nine judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities; note - a War Crimes Chamber may be added at a future date) note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five municipal courts Botswana High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district) Brazil Supreme Federal Tribunal (11 ministers are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life) British Virgin Islands Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Brunei Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms) Bulgaria Supreme Administrative Court; Supreme Court of Cassation; Constitutional Court (12 justices appointed or elected for nine-year terms); Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 other members; responsible for appointing the justices, prosecutors, and investigating magistrates in the justice system; members of the Supreme Judicial Council elected for five-year terms, 11 elected by the National Assembly and 11 by bodies of the judiciary) Burkina Faso Supreme Court; Appeals Court Burma remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive Burundi Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal (there are three in separate locations); Tribunals of First Instance (17 at the province level and 123 small local tribunals) Cambodia Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority Cameroon Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of 9 judges and 6 substitute judges, elected by the National Assembly) Canada Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice) Cape Verde Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia Cayman Islands Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal Central African Republic Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts Chad Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts Chile Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court); Constitutional Tribunal China Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local Peoples Courts (comprise higher, intermediate and local courts); Special Peoples Courts (primarily military, maritime, and railway transport courts) Christmas Island Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Cocos (Keeling) Islands Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court Colombia four coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justical (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Higher Council of Justice (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; members of the disciplinary chamber resolve jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms) Comoros Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Congo, Republic of the Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Cook Islands High Court Costa Rica Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Cote d'Ivoire Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members Croatia Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the House of Representatives Cuba People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly) Cyprus Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and vice president) note: there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish Cypriot area Czech Republic Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term Denmark Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life) Djibouti Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Dominica Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction) Dominican Republic Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are elected by a Council made up of members of the legislative and executive branches with the president presiding) East Timor Supreme Court of Justice, one judge appointed by the National Parliament and the rest appointed by the Superior Council for the Judiciary Ecuador Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court) Egypt Supreme Constitutional Court El Salvador Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly) Equatorial Guinea Supreme Tribunal Eritrea or High Court, regional, subregional, and village courts; also have military and special courts Estonia National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life) Ethiopia Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction Faroe Islands none Fiji Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts Finland Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president) France Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat French Guiana Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) French Polynesia Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif Gabon Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts Gambia, The Supreme Court Georgia Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's recommendation); Constitutional Court Germany Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat) Ghana Supreme Court Gibraltar Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Greece Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Greenland High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen) Grenada West Indies Associate States Supreme Court (an associate judge resides in Grenada) Guadeloupe Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique Guam Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor) Guatemala Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (thirteen members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms); Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, one elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, and one by Colegio de Abogados) Guernsey Royal Court Guinea Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel Guinea-Bissau Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine justices who are appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at over $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases under $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases) Guyana Supreme Court of Judicature; Judicial Court of Appeal; High Court Haiti Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation Holy See (Vatican City) there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946 Honduras Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress) Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Hungary Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms) Iceland Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) India Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65) Indonesia Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (justices appointed by the president from a list of candidates approved by the legislature); note - the Supreme Court is preparing to assume administrative responsibility for the lower court system, currently run by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; a separate Constitutional Court was invested by the president on 16 August 2003 Iran Supreme Court Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet) Israel Supreme Court (justices appointed for life by the president) Italy Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by Parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative Supreme Courts) Jamaica Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal Japan Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet) Jersey Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) Jordan Court of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal) Kazakhstan Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (7 members) Kenya Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High Court Kiribati Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges at all levels are appointed by the president Korea, North Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly) Korea, South Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly) Kuwait High Court of Appeal Kyrgyzstan Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration Laos People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee) Latvia Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) Lebanon four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council (called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws); Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime minister as needed) Lesotho High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal; Magistrate's Court; customary or traditional court Liberia Supreme Court Libya Supreme Court Liechtenstein Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht Lithuania Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for all courts appointed by the President Luxembourg judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 district courts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch Macau The Court of Final Appeal in the Macau Special Administrative Region Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Supreme Court - Parliament appoints the judges; Constitutional Court - Parliament appoints the judges; Republican Judicial Council - Parliament appoints the judges Madagascar Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts Malaysia Federal Court (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the advice of the prime minister) Maldives High Court Mali Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Malta Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Man, Isle of High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor) Marshall Islands Supreme Court; High Court Martinique Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel Mauritania Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts Mauritius Supreme Court Mayotte Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Mexico Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the president with consent of the Senate) Micronesia, Federated States of Supreme Court Moldova Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature) Monaco Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council) Mongolia Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts for approval by the president) Montserrat Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court) Morocco Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch) Mozambique Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts note: although the constitution provides for the creation of a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases Namibia Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) Nauru Supreme Court Nepal Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the other judges are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Judicial Council) Netherlands Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch) Netherlands Antilles Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch) New Caledonia Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court New Zealand High Court; Court of Appeal Nicaragua Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (16 judges elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly) Niger State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel Nigeria Supreme Court (judges appointed by the President); Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice of the Advisory Judicial Committee) Niue Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue Norfolk Island Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Norway Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch) Oman Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has non-Islamic judges as well as traditional Islamic judges Pakistan Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Shari'a Court Palau Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas Panama Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal Papua New Guinea Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission) Paraguay Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura) Peru Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary) Philippines Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age) Pitcairn Islands Island Court (island magistrate presides over the court and is elected every three years) Poland Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms) Portugal Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura) Puerto Rico Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate) Qatar Court of Appeal Reunion Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel Romania Supreme Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistrates) Russia Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Superior Court of Arbitration; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the president Rwanda Supreme Court; communal courts; appeals courts Saint Helena Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court; Small Debts Court; Juvenile Court Saint Kitts and Nevis Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts and Nevis) Saint Lucia Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) Samoa Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Land and Titles Court San Marino Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII Sao Tome and Principe Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly) Saudi Arabia Supreme Council of Justice Senegal Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals; note - the judicial system was reformed in 1992 Serbia and Montenegro Federal Court or Savezni Sud; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts are elected by the Federal Assembly for nine-year terms note: after the promulgation of the new Constitution, the Federal Court will have constitutional and administrative functions; it will have an equal number of judges from each republic Seychelles Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Sierra Leone Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court Singapore Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals Slovakia Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council) Slovenia Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court (judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and nominated by the president) Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Somalia following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to either Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences, or traditional clan-based arbitration South Africa Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate Courts Spain Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Sri Lanka Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Sudan Supreme Court; Special Revolutionary Courts Suriname Court of Justice (justices are nominated for life) Swaziland High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch Sweden Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet) Switzerland Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) Syria Supreme Constitutional Court (justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president); High Judicial Council; Court of Cassation; State Security Courts Taiwan Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly; note - beginning in 2003, justices will be appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan) Tajikistan Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Tanzania Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court of Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court (consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts; Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the higher courts) Thailand Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch) Togo Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Tokelau Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau Tonga Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court) Trinidad and Tobago Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); High Court of Justice; Court of Appeals the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London Tunisia Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation Turkey Constitutional Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeals and Council of State (judges are elected by the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors) Turkmenistan Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court Tuvalu High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction) Uganda Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the president) Ukraine Supreme Court; Constitutional Court United Arab Emirates Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) United Kingdom House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life); Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown Courts); Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary United States Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for life by the president with confirmation by the Senate); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts Uruguay Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly) Uzbekistan Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly) Vanuatu Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission) Venezuela Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term) Vietnam Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president) Virgin Islands US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) Wallis and Futuna none; justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu Yemen Supreme Court Zambia Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases) Zimbabwe Supreme Court; High Court This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2095 Labor force Afghanistan 10 million (2000 est.) Albania 1.283 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed) (2000 est.) Algeria 9.4 million (2001 est.) American Samoa 14,000 (1996) Andorra 33,000 (2001 est.) Angola 5 million (1997 est.) Anguilla 6,049 (2001) Antigua and Barbuda 30,000 Argentina 15 million (1999) Armenia 1.4 million (2001) Aruba 41,501 (1997 est.) Australia 9.2 million (37256) Austria 4.3 million (2001) Azerbaijan 3.7 million (2001) Bahamas, The 156,000 (1999) Bahrain 295,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (1998 est.) Bangladesh 64.1 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion in 1998-99 (1998) Barbados 128,500 (2001 est.) Belarus 4.8 million (2000) Belgium 4.44 million (2001) Belize 90,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel Benin NA Bermuda 37,472 (2000) Bhutan NA note: massive lack of skilled labor Bolivia 2.5 million Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.026 million Botswana 264,000 formal sector employees (2000) Brazil 79 million (1999 est.) British Virgin Islands 4,911 (1980) Brunei 143,400 note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents make up about 40% of labor force (1999 est.) Bulgaria 3.83 million (2000 est.) Burkina Faso 5 million note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2002) Burma 23.7 million (1999 est.) Burundi 3.7 million (2000) Cambodia 6 million (1998 est.) Cameroon NA Canada 16.4 million (2001 est.) Cape Verde NA Cayman Islands 19,820 (1995) Central African Republic NA Chad NA Chile 5.9 million (2000 est.) China 744 million (2001 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 18.3 million (1999 est.) Comoros 144,500 (1996 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14.51 million (1993 est.) Congo, Republic of the NA Cook Islands 8,000 (1996) Costa Rica 1.9 million (1999) Cote d'Ivoire 68% agricultural (2000 est.) Croatia 1.7 million (2001) Cuba 4.3 million note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2000 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 291,000; Turkish Cypriot area: 86,300 (2000) Czech Republic 5.203 million (1999 est.) Denmark 2.856 million (2000 est.) Djibouti 282,000 Dominica 25,000 Dominican Republic 2.3 million - 2.6 million East Timor NA Ecuador 3.7 million (urban) Egypt 20.6 million (2001 est.) El Salvador 2.35 million (1999) Equatorial Guinea NA Eritrea NA Estonia 608,600 (2001 est.) Ethiopia NA Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,100 (est.) Faroe Islands 24,250 (October 2000) Fiji 137,000 (1999) Finland 2.6 million (2000 est.) France 26.6 million (2001 est.) French Guiana 58,800 (1997) French Polynesia 70,000 (1996) Gabon 600,000 Gambia, The 400,000 Gaza Strip NA Georgia 2.1 million (2001 est.) Germany 41.9 million (2001) Ghana 9 million (2000 est.) Gibraltar 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) Greece 4.37 million (2002 est.) Greenland 24,500 (1999 est.) Grenada 42,300 (1996) Guadeloupe 125,900 (1997) Guam 60,000 (2000 est.) Guatemala 4.2 million (1999 est.) Guernsey 31,322 (2000) Guinea 3 million (1999) Guinea-Bissau 480,000 Guyana 418,000 (2001 est.) Haiti 3.6 million note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1995) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 2.3 million (1997 est.) Hong Kong 3.52 million (2001 est.) Hungary 4.2 million (1997) Iceland 159,000 (2000) India 406 million (1999) Indonesia 99 million (1999) Iran 21 million note: shortage of skilled labor (1998) Iraq 6.5 million (2002 est.) Ireland 1.8 million (2001) Israel 2.5 million (2002 est.) Italy 23.6 million (2001 est.) Jamaica 1.13 million (1998) Japan 67.7 million (December 2001) Jersey 57,050 (1996) Jordan 1.36 million (2002) Kazakhstan 8.4 million (1999) Kenya 10 million (2001 est.) Kiribati 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers Korea, North 9.6 million Korea, South 22 million (2001) Kuwait 1.3 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force. (1998 est.) Kyrgyzstan 2.7 million (2000) Laos 2.4 million (1999) Latvia 1.1 million (2001 est.) Lebanon 1.5 million note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (2001 est.) Lesotho 838,000 Libya 1.5 million (2000 est.) Liechtenstein 29,000 of which 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (37256) Lithuania 1.5 million (2001 est.) Luxembourg 262,300 (of whom 87,400 are foreign cross-border workers primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2000) Macau 214,000 (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 1.1 million (2000 est.) Madagascar 7.3 million (2000) Malawi 4.5 million (2001 est.) Malaysia 9.9 million (2001 est.) Maldives 88,000 (2000) Mali 3.93 million (2001 est.) Malta 160,000 (2002 est.) Man, Isle of 36,610 (1998) Marshall Islands 28,698 Martinique 165,900 (1998) Mauritania 786,000 (2001) Mauritius 514,000 (1995) Mayotte 48,800 (2000) Mexico 39.8 million (2000) Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova 1.7 million (1998) Monaco 30,540 (January 1994) Mongolia 1.4 million (2001) Montserrat 4,521 ; note - lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity Morocco 11 million (1999) Mozambique 9.2 million (2000 est.) Namibia 725,000 (2000) Nepal 10 million note: severe lack of skilled labor (1996 est.) Netherlands 7.2 million (2000) Netherlands Antilles 89,000 New Caledonia 79,395 (including 15,018 unemployed, 1996) New Zealand 1.92 million (2001 est.) Nicaragua 1.7 million (1999) Niger 70,000 receive regular wages or salaries Nigeria 66 million (1999 est.) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands 6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers Norway 2.4 million (2000 est.) Oman 920,000 (2002 est.) Pakistan 40.4 million note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2000) Palau 9,845 (2000) Panama 1.1 million note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2000 est.) Papua New Guinea 2.3 million (1999) Paraguay 2 million (2000 est.) Peru 7.5 million (2000 est.) Philippines 33.7 million (2002) Pitcairn Islands 12 able-bodied men (1997) Poland 17.6 million (2000 est.) Portugal 5.1 million (2000) Puerto Rico 1.3 million (2000) Qatar 280,122 (1997 est.) Reunion 309,900 (2000) Romania 9.9 million (1999 est.) Russia 71.8 million (2002 est.) Rwanda 4.6 million (2000) Saint Helena 3,500 note: 1,200 work offshore (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 18,172 (June 1995) Saint Lucia 43,800 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 3,261 (1999) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 67,000 (1984 est.) Samoa 90,000 (2000 est.) San Marino 18,500 (1999) Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia 7 million note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national Senegal NA Serbia and Montenegro 3 million (2001 est.) Seychelles 30,900 (1996) Sierra Leone 1.369 million (1981 est.) Singapore 2.19 million (2000) Slovakia 3 million (1999) Slovenia 857,400 Solomon Islands 26,842 Somalia 3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers) South Africa 17 million economically active Spain 17.1 million (2001) Sri Lanka 6.6 million (1998) Sudan 11 million (1996 est.) Suriname 100,000 Svalbard NA Swaziland 383,200 (2000) Sweden 4.4 million (2000 est.) Switzerland 4 million (2001) Syria 5.2 million (2000 est.) Taiwan 10 million (2003) Tajikistan 3.187 million (2000) Tanzania 13.495 million Thailand 33.4 million (2001 est.) Togo 1.74 million (1996) Tokelau NA Tonga 33,908 (1996) Trinidad and Tobago 564,000 (2000) Tunisia 2.69 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2001 est.) Turkey 23.8 million note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2001 3rd quarter) Turkmenistan 2.34 million (1996) Turks and Caicos Islands 4,848 (1990 est.) Tuvalu 7,000 (2001 est.) Uganda 12 million (2001 est.) Ukraine 22.8 million (yearend 1997) United Arab Emirates 1.6 million (2000 est.) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 2002 est.) (2000 est.) United Kingdom 29.7 million (2001) United States 141.8 million (includes unemployed) (2001) Uruguay 1.2 million (2001) Uzbekistan 11.9 million (1998 est.) Vanuatu NA Venezuela 9.9 million (1999) Vietnam 38.2 million (1998 est.) Virgin Islands 49,000 (2002 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank NA Western Sahara 12,000 World NA Yemen NA Zambia 4.29 million (2000) Zimbabwe 5.8 million (2000 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2096 Land boundaries (km) Afghanistan total: 5,529 km border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km Albania total: 720 km border countries: Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km Algeria total: 6,343 km border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km American Samoa 0 km Andorra total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km Angola total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km Anguilla 0 km Antarctica 0 km note: see entry on International disputes Antigua and Barbuda 0 km Argentina total: 9,665 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km Armenia total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km Aruba 0 km Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0 km Australia 0 km Austria total: 2,562 km border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km Azerbaijan total: 2,013 km border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km Bahamas, The 0 km Bahrain 0 km Baker Island 0 km Bangladesh total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km Barbados 0 km Bassas da India 0 km Belarus total: 2,900 km border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 407 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km Belgium total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km Belize total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km Benin total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km Bermuda 0 km Bhutan total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km Bolivia total: 6,743 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 1,459 km border countries: Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km Botswana total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km Bouvet Island 0 km Brazil total: 14,691 km border countries: Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km British Indian Ocean Territory 0 km British Virgin Islands 0 km Brunei total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km Bulgaria total: 1,808 km border countries: Greece 494 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia and Montenegro 318 km, Turkey 240 km Burkina Faso total: 3,193 km border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km Burma total: 5,876 km border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km Burundi total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km Cambodia total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km Cameroon total: 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km Canada total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska) Cape Verde 0 km Cayman Islands 0 km Central African Republic total: 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km Chad total: 5,968 km border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km Chile total: 6,171 km border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km China total: 22,147.34 km border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km Christmas Island 0 km Clipperton Island 0 km Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0 km Colombia total: 6,004 km border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km Comoros 0 km Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 10,730 km border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km Congo, Republic of the total: 5,504 km border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km Cook Islands 0 km Coral Sea Islands 0 km Costa Rica total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km Cote d'Ivoire total: 3,110 km border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km Croatia total: 2,197 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia and Montenegro (north) 241 km, Serbia and Montenegro (south) 25 km, Slovenia 670 km Cuba total: 29 km border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba Cyprus 0 km Czech Republic total: 1,881 km border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km Denmark total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km Djibouti total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km Dominica 0 km Dominican Republic total: 360 km border countries: Haiti 360 km East Timor total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km Ecuador total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km Egypt total: 2,665 km border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km El Salvador total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km Equatorial Guinea total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Eritrea total: 1,626 km border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km Estonia total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km Ethiopia total: 5,328 km border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km Europa Island 0 km Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 km Faroe Islands 0 km Fiji 0 km Finland total: 2,628 km border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km France total: 2,889 km border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km French Guiana total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km French Polynesia 0 km French Southern and Antarctic Lands 0 km Gabon total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km Gambia, The total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km Gaza Strip total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Georgia total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km Germany total: 3,621 km border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km Ghana total: 2,094 km border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km Gibraltar total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km Glorioso Islands 0 km Greece total: 1,228 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 246 km Greenland 0 km Grenada 0 km Guadeloupe total: 10.2 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 km Guam 0 km Guatemala total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km Guernsey 0 km Guinea total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km Guinea-Bissau total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km Guyana total: 2,462 km border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km Haiti total: 360 km border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0 km Holy See (Vatican City) total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km Honduras total: 1,520 km border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km Hong Kong total: 30 km border countries: China 30 km Howland Island 0 km Hungary total: 2,171 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km Iceland 0 km India total: 14,103 km border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Indonesia total: 2,830 km border countries: East Timor 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km Iran total: 5,440 km border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km Iraq total: 3,650 km border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km Ireland total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km Israel total: 1,017 km border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km Italy total: 1,932.2 km border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km Jamaica 0 km Jan Mayen 0 km Japan 0 km Jarvis Island 0 km Jersey 0 km Johnston Atoll 0 km Jordan total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km Juan de Nova Island 0 km Kazakhstan total: 12,012 km border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km Kenya total: 3,477 km border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km Kingman Reef 0 km Kiribati 0 km Korea, North total: 1,673 km border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km Korea, South total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km Kuwait total: 462 km border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km Kyrgyzstan total: 3,878 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km Laos total: 5,083 km border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km Latvia total: 1,150 km border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km Lebanon total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km Lesotho total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km Liberia total: 1,585 km border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km Libya total: 4,348 km border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km Liechtenstein total: 76 km border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km Lithuania total: 1,273 km border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km Luxembourg total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km Macau total: 0.34 km border countries: China 0.34 km Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km Madagascar 0 km Malawi total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Malaysia total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km Maldives 0 km Mali total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Malta 0 km Man, Isle of 0 km Marshall Islands 0 km Martinique 0 km Mauritania total: 5,074 km border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km Mauritius 0 km Mayotte 0 km Mexico total: 4,353 km border countries: Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,141 km Micronesia, Federated States of 0 km Midway Islands 0 km Moldova total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km Monaco total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km Mongolia total: 8,162 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,485 km Montserrat 0 km Morocco total: 2,017.9 km border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km Mozambique total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km Namibia total: 3,936 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km Nauru 0 km Navassa Island 0 km Nepal total: 2,926 km border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Netherlands total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Netherlands Antilles total: 10.2 km border countries: Guadeloupe (Saint Martin) 10.2 km New Caledonia 0 km New Zealand 0 km Nicaragua total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km Niger total: 5,697 km border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km Nigeria total: 4,047 km border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km Niue 0 km Norfolk Island 0 km Northern Mariana Islands 0 km Norway total: 2,544 km border countries: Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km Oman total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km Pakistan total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km Palau 0 km Palmyra Atoll 0 km Panama total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km Papua New Guinea total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km Paracel Islands 0 km Paraguay total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km Peru total: 5,536 km border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km, Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km Philippines 0 km Pitcairn Islands 0 km Poland total: 2,788 km border countries: Belarus 407 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia 444 km, Ukraine 526 km Portugal total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km Puerto Rico 0 km Qatar total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km Reunion 0 km Romania total: 2,508 km border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia and Montenegro 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km Russia total: 19,990 km border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,485 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576 km Rwanda total: 893 km border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km Saint Helena 0 km Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 km Saint Lucia 0 km Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 km Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 km Samoa 0 km San Marino total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km Sao Tome and Principe 0 km Saudi Arabia total: 4,431 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km Senegal total: 2,640 km border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km Serbia and Montenegro total: 2,246 km border countries: Albania 287 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 527 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 241 km, Croatia (south) 25 km, Hungary 151 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km Seychelles 0 km Sierra Leone total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Singapore 0 km Slovakia total: 1,524 km border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km Slovenia total: 1,334 km border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km, Hungary 102 km Solomon Islands 0 km Somalia total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km South Africa total: 4,862 km border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 0 km Spain total: 1,917.8 km border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km Spratly Islands 0 km Sri Lanka 0 km Sudan total: 7,687 km border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km Suriname total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km Svalbard 0 km Swaziland total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km Sweden total: 2,205 km border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km Switzerland total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km Syria total: 2,253 km border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km Taiwan 0 km Tajikistan total: 3,651 km border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km Tanzania total: 3,861 km border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km Thailand total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Togo total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km Tokelau 0 km Tonga 0 km Trinidad and Tobago 0 km Tromelin Island 0 km Tunisia total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km Turkey total: 2,648 km border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km Turkmenistan total: 3,736 km border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km Turks and Caicos Islands 0 km Tuvalu 0 km Uganda total: 2,698 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km Ukraine total: 4,663 km border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 526 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 97 km United Arab Emirates total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km United Kingdom total: 360 km border countries: Ireland 360 km United States total: 12,034 km border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,141 km note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba; the base boundary is 29 km Uruguay total: 1,564 km border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km Uzbekistan total: 6,221 km border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km Vanuatu 0 km Venezuela total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km Vietnam total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km Virgin Islands 0 km Wake Island 0 km Wallis and Futuna 0 km West Bank total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Western Sahara total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km World the land boundaries in the world total 250,472 km (not counting shared boundaries twice) Yemen total: 1,746 km border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km Zambia total: 5,664 km border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km Zimbabwe total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2097 Land use (%) Afghanistan arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 87.65% (1998 est.) Albania arable land: 21.09% permanent crops: 4.45% other: 74.46% (1998 est.) Algeria arable land: 3.21% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 96.58% (1998 est.) American Samoa arable land: 5% permanent crops: 10% other: 85% (1998 est.) Andorra arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (1998 est.) Angola arable land: 2.41% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 97.19% (1998 est.) Anguilla arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (1998 est.) Antarctica arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (1998 est.) Antigua and Barbuda arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 0% other: 81.82% (1998 est.) Argentina arable land: 9.14% permanent crops: 0.8% other: 90.06% (1998 est.) Armenia arable land: 17.52% permanent crops: 2.3% other: 80.18% (1998 est.) Aruba arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%) permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (1998 est.) Ashmore and Cartier Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.) Australia arable land: 6.88% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 93.09% (1998 est.) Austria arable land: 16.89% permanent crops: 0.99% other: 82.12% (1998 est.) Azerbaijan arable land: 19.31% permanent crops: 3.04% other: 77.65% (1998 est.) Bahamas, The arable land: 0.6% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 99% (1998 est.) Bahrain arable land: 4.35% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 91.3% (1998 est.) Baker Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Bangladesh arable land: 60.7% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 36.69% (1998 est.) Barbados arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (1998 est.) Bassas da India arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.) Belarus arable land: 29.76% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 69.55% (1998 est.) Belgium arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.) Belize arable land: 2.81% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 96.09% (1998 est.) Benin arable land: 15.28% permanent crops: 1.36% other: 83.36% (1998 est.) Bermuda arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% other: 94% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (1998 est.) Bhutan arable land: 2.98% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.59% (1998 est.) Bolivia arable land: 1.73% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 98.06% (1998 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina arable land: 9.8% permanent crops: 2.94% other: 87.26% (1998 est.) Botswana arable land: 0.61% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.38% (1998 est.) Bouvet Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (1998 est.) Brazil arable land: 6.3% permanent crops: 1.42% other: 92.28% (1998 est.) British Indian Ocean Territory arable land: NEGL permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) British Virgin Islands arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (1998 est.) Brunei arable land: 0.57% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 98.67% (1998 est.) Bulgaria arable land: 39% permanent crops: 1.8% other: 59.2% (1998 est.) Burkina Faso arable land: 12.43% permanent crops: 0.18% other: 87.39% (1998 est.) Burma arable land: 14.53% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 84.57% (1998 est.) Burundi arable land: 29.98% permanent crops: 12.85% other: 57.17% (1998 est.) Cambodia arable land: 20.96% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 78.43% (1998 est.) Cameroon arable land: 12.81% permanent crops: 2.58% other: 84.61% (1998 est.) Canada arable land: 4.94% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 95.04% (1998 est.) Cape Verde arable land: 9.68% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 89.82% (1998 est.) Cayman Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Central African Republic arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 96.76% (1998 est.) Chad arable land: 2.78% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 97.2% (1998 est.) Chile arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.42% other: 96.93% (1998 est.) China arable land: 13.31% permanent crops: 1.2% other: 85.49% (1998 est.) Christmas Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park (1998 est.) Clipperton Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (1998 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Colombia arable land: 1.9% permanent crops: 1.96% other: 96.14% (1998 est.) Comoros arable land: 34.98% permanent crops: 17.94% other: 47.08% (1998 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the arable land: 2.96% permanent crops: 0.52% other: 96.52% (1998 est.) Congo, Republic of the arable land: 0.5% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 99.37% (1998 est.) Cook Islands arable land: 17.39% permanent crops: 13.04% other: 69.57% (1998 est.) Coral Sea Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (1998 est.) Costa Rica arable land: 4.41% permanent crops: 5.48% other: 90.11% (1998 est.) Cote d'Ivoire arable land: 9.28% permanent crops: 13.84% other: 76.88% (1998 est.) Croatia arable land: 23.55% permanent crops: 2.24% other: 74.21% (1998 est.) Cuba arable land: 33.04% permanent crops: 7.61% other: 59.35% (1998 est.) Cyprus arable land: 10.61% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.74% (1998 est.) Czech Republic arable land: 40% permanent crops: 3.04% other: 56.96% (1998 est.) Denmark arable land: 55.74% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 44.07% (1998 est.) Djibouti arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Dominica arable land: 4% permanent crops: 16% other: 80% (1998 est.) Dominican Republic arable land: 21.08% permanent crops: 9.92% other: 69% (1998 est.) East Timor arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% Ecuador arable land: 5.69% permanent crops: 5.15% other: 89.16% (1998 est.) Egypt arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.68% (1998 est.) El Salvador arable land: 27.27% permanent crops: 12.11% other: 60.62% (1998 est.) Equatorial Guinea arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (1998 est.) Eritrea arable land: 3.87% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 96.11% (1998 est.) Estonia arable land: 26.5% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 73.15% (1998 est.) Ethiopia arable land: 9.9% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 89.45% (1998 est.) Europa Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mangrove forests and woodlands) (1998 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (1998 est.) Faroe Islands arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (1998 est.) Fiji arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (1998 est.) Finland arable land: 6.98% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 93.01% (1998 est.) France arable land: 33.3% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 64.59% (1998 est.) French Guiana arable land: 0.11% NEGL permanent crops: 0.03% other: 99.86% (90% forest, 10% other) (1998 est.) French Polynesia arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 6.01% other: 92.35% (1998 est.) French Southern and Antarctic Lands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Gabon arable land: 1.26% permanent crops: 0.66% other: 98.08% (1998 est.) Gambia, The arable land: 19.5% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 80% (1998 est.) Gaza Strip arable land: 26.32% permanent crops: 39.47% other: 34.21% (1998 est.) Georgia arable land: 11.21% permanent crops: 4.09% other: 84.7% (1998 est.) Germany arable land: 33.88% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 65.47% (1998 est.) Ghana arable land: 15.82% permanent crops: 7.47% other: 76.71% (1998 est.) Gibraltar arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Glorioso Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (1998 est.) Greece arable land: 22.12% permanent crops: 8.47% other: 69.41% (1998 est.) Greenland arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Grenada arable land: 5.88% permanent crops: 26.47% other: 67.65% (1998 est.) Guadeloupe arable land: 10.65% permanent crops: 4.14% other: 85.21% (1998 est.) Guam arable land: 10.91% permanent crops: 10.91% other: 78.18% (1998 est.) Guatemala arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 5.03% other: 82.43% (1998 est.) Guernsey arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% Guinea arable land: 3.6% permanent crops: 2.44% other: 93.96% (1998 est.) Guinea-Bissau arable land: 10.67% permanent crops: 1.78% other: 87.55% (1998 est.) Guyana arable land: 2.44% permanent crops: 0.08% other: 97.48% (1998 est.) Haiti arable land: 20.32% permanent crops: 12.7% other: 66.98% (1998 est.) Heard Island and McDonald Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.) Honduras arable land: 15.15% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 81.72% (1998 est.) Hong Kong arable land: 5.05% permanent crops: 1.01% other: 93.94% (1998 est.) Howland Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Hungary arable land: 52.2% permanent crops: 2.46% other: 45.34% (1998 est.) Iceland arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 28% forest and woodlands: 1% other: 70% (2001 est.) India arable land: 54.35% permanent crops: 2.66% other: 42.99% (1998 est.) Indonesia arable land: 9.9% permanent crops: 7.2% other: 82.9% (1998 est.) Iran arable land: 10.17% permanent crops: 1.16% other: 88.67% (1998 est.) Iraq arable land: 11.89% permanent crops: 0.78% other: 87.33% (1998 est.) Ireland arable land: 19.49% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 80.47% (1998 est.) Israel arable land: 17.02% permanent crops: 4.17% other: 78.81% (1998 est.) Italy arable land: 28.07% permanent crops: 9.25% other: 62.68% (1998 est.) Jamaica arable land: 16.07% permanent crops: 9.23% other: 74.7% (1998 est.) Jan Mayen arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Japan arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 1.01% other: 86.86% (1998 est.) Jarvis Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Jersey arable land: NEGL% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Johnston Atoll arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Jordan arable land: 2.87% permanent crops: 1.52% other: 95.61% (1998 est.) Juan de Nova Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (90% forest) (1998 est.) Kazakhstan arable land: 11.23% permanent crops: 0.05% other: 88.72% (1998 est.) Kenya arable land: 7.03% permanent crops: 0.91% other: 92.06% (1998 est.) Kingman Reef arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Kiribati arable land: 0% permanent crops: 50.68% other: 49.32% (1998 est.) Korea, North arable land: 14.12% permanent crops: 2.49% other: 83.39% (1998 est.) Korea, South arable land: 17.44% permanent crops: 2.05% other: 80.51% (1998 est.) Kuwait arable land: 0.34% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.6% (1998 est.) Kyrgyzstan arable land: 7.04% permanent crops: 0.39% other: 92.57% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (1998 est.) Laos arable land: 3.47% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 96.3% (1998 est.) Latvia arable land: 29.01% permanent crops: 0.48% other: 70.51% (1998 est.) Lebanon arable land: 17.6% permanent crops: 12.51% other: 69.89% (1998 est.) Lesotho arable land: 10.71% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.29% (1998 est.) Liberia arable land: 1.97% permanent crops: 2.08% other: 95.95% (1998 est.) Libya arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 98.8% (1998 est.) Liechtenstein arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (1998 est.) Lithuania arable land: 45.46% permanent crops: 0.93% other: 53.61% (1998 est.) Luxembourg arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (includes Belgium) (1998 est.) Macau arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% note: "green areas" represent 22.4% (1998 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of arable land: 23.59% permanent crops: 1.85% other: 74.56% (1998 est.) Madagascar arable land: 4.41% permanent crops: 0.93% other: 94.66% (1998 est.) Malawi arable land: 19.93% permanent crops: 1.33% other: 78.74% (1998 est.) Malaysia arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 17.61% other: 76.85% (1998 est.) Maldives arable land: 3.33% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 90% (1998 est.) Mali arable land: 3.77% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 96.19% (1998 est.) Malta arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (1998 est.) Man, Isle of arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (1998 est.) Marshall Islands arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (1998 est.) Martinique arable land: 9.43% permanent crops: 11.32% other: 79.25% (1998 est.) Mauritania arable land: 0.48% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.51% (1998 est.) Mauritius arable land: 49.26% permanent crops: 2.96% other: 47.78% (1998 est.) Mayotte arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% (1998 est.) Mexico arable land: 13.2% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 85.7% (1998 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (1998 est.) Midway Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Moldova arable land: 54.08% permanent crops: 12.1% other: 33.82% (1998 est.) Monaco arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.) Mongolia arable land: 0.84% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.16% (1998 est.) Montserrat arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (1998 est.) Morocco arable land: 20.12% permanent crops: 2.05% other: 77.83% (1998 est.) Mozambique arable land: 3.98% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 95.73% (1998 est.) Namibia arable land: 0.99% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.01% (1998 est.) Nauru arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Navassa Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Nepal arable land: 20.27% permanent crops: 0.49% other: 79.24% (1998 est.) Netherlands arable land: 26.53% permanent crops: 1.03% other: 72.44% (1998 est.) Netherlands Antilles arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% other: 90% (1998 est.) New Caledonia arable land: 0.38% permanent crops: 0.33% other: 99.29% (1998 est.) New Zealand arable land: 5.8% permanent crops: 6.44% other: 87.76% (1998 est.) Nicaragua arable land: 20.24% permanent crops: 2.38% other: 77.38% (1998 est.) Niger arable land: 3.94% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.06% (1998 est.) Nigeria arable land: 30.96% permanent crops: 2.79% other: 66.25% (1998 est.) Niue arable land: 19.23% permanent crops: 7.69% other: 73.08% (1998 est.) Norfolk Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Northern Mariana Islands arable land: 15.22% permanent crops: 6.52% other: 78.26% (1998 est.) Norway arable land: 2.94% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.06% (1998 est.) Oman arable land: 0.08% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 99.7% (1998 est.) Pakistan arable land: 27.81% permanent crops: 0.79% other: 71.4% (1998 est.) Palau arable land: 21.74% permanent crops: 0% other: 78.26% (1998 est.) Palmyra Atoll arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (forests and woodlands) (1998 est.) Panama arable land: 6.72% permanent crops: 2.08% other: 91.2% (1998 est.) Papua New Guinea arable land: 0.13% permanent crops: 1.35% other: 98.52% (1998 est.) Paracel Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Paraguay arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 94.25% (1998 est.) Peru arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.38% other: 96.77% (1998 est.) Philippines arable land: 18.45% permanent crops: 14.76% other: 66.79% (1998 est.) Pitcairn Islands arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% (1998 est.) Poland arable land: 45.81% permanent crops: 1.23% other: 52.96% (1998 est.) Portugal arable land: 20.57% permanent crops: 7.74% other: 71.69% (1999 est.) Puerto Rico arable land: 3.72% permanent crops: 5.07% other: 91.21% (1998 est.) Qatar arable land: 1.27% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 98.46% (1998 est.) Reunion arable land: 13.2% permanent crops: 2% other: 84.8% (1998 est.) Romania arable land: 40.57% permanent crops: 2.4% other: 57.03% (1998 est.) Russia arable land: 7.46% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 92.43% (1998 est.) Rwanda arable land: 32.43% permanent crops: 10.13% other: 57.44% (1998 est.) Saint Helena arable land: 12.9% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.1% (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 2.78% other: 80.55% (1998 est.) Saint Lucia arable land: 4.92% permanent crops: 22.95% other: 72.13% (1998 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon arable land: 13.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 86.96% (1998 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines arable land: 10.26% permanent crops: 17.95% other: 71.79% (1998 est.) Samoa arable land: 19.43% permanent crops: 23.67% other: 56.9% (1998 est.) San Marino arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (1998 est.) Sao Tome and Principe arable land: 2% permanent crops: 41% other: 57% (1998 est.) Saudi Arabia arable land: 1.72% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 98.22% (1998 est.) Senegal arable land: 11.58% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 88.23% (1998 est.) Serbia and Montenegro arable land: 36.34% permanent crops: 3.44% other: 60.22% (1998 est.) Seychelles arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 13.33% other: 84.45% (1998 est.) Sierra Leone arable land: 6.76% permanent crops: 0.78% other: 92.46% (1998 est.) Singapore arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0% other: 98.36% (1998 est.) Slovakia arable land: 30.74% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 66.62% (1998 est.) Slovenia arable land: 11.48% permanent crops: 2.68% other: 85.84% (1998 est.) Solomon Islands arable land: 1.5% permanent crops: 0.64% other: 97.86% (1998 est.) Somalia arable land: 1.66% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.3% (1998 est.) South Africa arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.77% other: 87.1% (1998 est.) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen) (1998 est.) Spain arable land: 28.6% permanent crops: 9.56% other: 61.84% (1998 est.) Spratly Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Sri Lanka arable land: 13.43% permanent crops: 15.78% other: 70.79% (1998 est.) Sudan arable land: 7.03% permanent crops: 0.08% other: 92.89% (1998 est.) Suriname arable land: 0.37% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.57% note: there are 95,000 hectares of arable land, 7,000 hectares of permanent crops, and 15,000 hectares of permanent pastures (1998 est.) Svalbard arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (no trees, and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry) (1998 est.) Swaziland arable land: 9.77% permanent crops: 0.7% other: 89.53% (1998 est.) Sweden arable land: 6.8% permanent crops: 0% other: 93.2% (1998 est.) Switzerland arable land: 10.57% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 88.82% (1998 est.) Syria arable land: 25.96% permanent crops: 4.08% other: 69.96% (1998 est.) Taiwan arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% other: 75% Tajikistan arable land: 5.41% permanent crops: 0.92% other: 93.67% (1998 est.) Tanzania arable land: 4.24% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 94.74% (1998 est.) Thailand arable land: 32.88% permanent crops: 7% other: 60.12% (1998 est.) Togo arable land: 41.37% permanent crops: 1.84% other: 56.79% (1998 est.) Tokelau arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Tonga arable land: 23.61% permanent crops: 43.06% other: 33.33% (1998 est.) Trinidad and Tobago arable land: 14.62% permanent crops: 9.16% other: 76.22% (1998 est.) Tromelin Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (1998 est.) Tunisia arable land: 18.67% permanent crops: 12.87% other: 68.46% (1998 est.) Turkey arable land: 34.53% permanent crops: 3.36% other: 62.11% (1998 est.) Turkmenistan arable land: 3.47% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 96.39% (1998 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (1998 est.) Tuvalu arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Uganda arable land: 25.34% permanent crops: 8.77% other: 65.89% (1998 est.) Ukraine arable land: 57.1% permanent crops: 1.73% other: 41.17% (1998 est.) United Arab Emirates arable land: 0.48% permanent crops: 0.49% other: 99.03% (1998 est.) United Kingdom arable land: 26.41% permanent crops: 0.18% other: 73.41% (1998 est.) United States arable land: 19.32% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 80.46% (1998 est.) Uruguay arable land: 7.21% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 92.52% (1998 est.) Uzbekistan arable land: 10.8% permanent crops: 0.91% other: 88.29% (1998 est.) Vanuatu arable land: 2.46% permanent crops: 7.38% other: 90.16% (1998 est.) Venezuela arable land: 2.99% permanent crops: 0.96% other: 96.05% (1998 est.) Vietnam arable land: 17.41% permanent crops: 4.71% other: 77.88% (1998 est.) Virgin Islands arable land: 15% permanent crops: 6% other: 79% (1998 est.) Wake Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Wallis and Futuna arable land: 5% permanent crops: 20% other: 75% (1998 est.) West Bank arable land: NEGL% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) Western Sahara arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) World arable land: 10.58% permanent crops: 1% other: 88.42% (1998 est.) Yemen arable land: 2.75% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 97.04% (1998 est.) Zambia arable land: 7.08% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 92.89% (1998 est.) Zimbabwe arable land: 8.4% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 91.26% (1998 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2098 Languages (%) Afghanistan Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism Albania Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek Algeria Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects American Samoa Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English note: most people are bilingual Andorra Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese Angola Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages Anguilla English (official) Antigua and Barbuda English (official), local dialects Argentina Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French Armenia Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2% Aruba Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish Australia English, native languages Austria German Azerbaijan Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) Bahamas, The English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants) Bahrain Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Bangladesh Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English Barbados English Belarus Belarusian, Russian, other Belgium Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Belize English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole Benin French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Bermuda English (official), Portuguese Bhutan Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Bolivia Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian Botswana English (official), Setswana Brazil Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French British Virgin Islands English (official) Brunei Malay (official), English, Chinese Bulgaria Bulgarian, secondary languages closely correspond to ethnic breakdown Burkina Faso French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population Burma Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages Burundi Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) Cambodia Khmer (official) 95%, French, English Cameroon 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) Canada English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5% Cape Verde Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) Cayman Islands English Central African Republic French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages Chad French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects Chile Spanish China Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) Christmas Island English (official), Chinese, Malay Cocos (Keeling) Islands Malay (Cocos dialect), English Colombia Spanish Comoros Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) Congo, Democratic Republic of the French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba Congo, Republic of the French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo has the most users) Cook Islands English (official), Maori Costa Rica Spanish (official), English Cote d'Ivoire French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken Croatia Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) Cuba Spanish Cyprus Greek, Turkish, English Czech Republic Czech Denmark Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language Djibouti French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Dominica English (official), French patois Dominican Republic Spanish East Timor Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people Ecuador Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) Egypt Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes El Salvador Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians) Equatorial Guinea Spanish (official), French (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo Eritrea Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages Estonia Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish, other Ethiopia Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) English Faroe Islands Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Fiji English (official), Fijian, Hindustani Finland Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities France French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) French Guiana French French Polynesia French (official), Tahitian (official) Gabon French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Gambia, The English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Gaza Strip Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Georgia Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia Germany German Ghana English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga) Gibraltar English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese Greece Greek 99% (official), English, French Greenland Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English Grenada English (official), French patois Guadeloupe French (official) 99%, Creole patois Guam English, Chamorro, Japanese Guatemala Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) Guernsey English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Guinea French (official), each ethnic group has its own language Guinea-Bissau Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages Guyana English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu Haiti French (official), Creole (official) Holy See (Vatican City) Italian, Latin, French, various other languages Honduras Spanish, Amerindian dialects Hong Kong Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official Hungary Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8% Iceland Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken India English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language Indonesia Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese Iran Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% Iraq Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian Ireland English is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard Israel Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language Italy Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area) Jamaica English, patois English Japan Japanese Jersey English (official), French (official), Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Jordan Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes Kazakhstan Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.) Kenya English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages Kiribati I-Kiribati, English (official) Korea, North Korean Korea, South Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school Kuwait Arabic (official), English widely spoken Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz - official language, Russian - official language note: in December 2001, the Kyrgyzstani legislature made Russian an official language, equal in status to Kyrgyz Laos Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages Latvia Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Lebanon Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian Lesotho Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Liberia English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence Libya Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities Liechtenstein German (official), Alemannic dialect Lithuania Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian Luxembourg Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language) Macau Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3% Madagascar French (official), Malagasy (official) Malawi English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally Malaysia Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note - in addition, in East Malaysia several indigenous languages are spoken, the largest are Iban and Kadazan Maldives Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Mali French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Malta Maltese (official), English (official) Man, Isle of English, Manx Gaelic Marshall Islands English (widely spoken as a second language, both English and Marshallese are official languages), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese Martinique French, Creole patois Mauritania Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French Mauritius English (official), Creole, French (official), Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri Mayotte Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population Mexico Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages Micronesia, Federated States of English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi Moldova Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect) Monaco French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque Mongolia Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999) Montserrat English Morocco Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy Mozambique Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects Namibia English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama Nauru Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes Nepal Nepali (official; spoken by 90% of the population), about a dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects; note - many in government and business also speak English (1995) Netherlands Dutch (official language), Frisian (official language) Netherlands Antilles Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) predominates, English widely spoken, Spanish New Caledonia French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects New Zealand English (official), Maori (official) Nicaragua Spanish (official) note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast Niger French (official), Hausa, Djerma Nigeria English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani Niue Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English Norfolk Island English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian Northern Mariana Islands English, Chamorro, Carolinian note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home Norway Norwegian (official) note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Oman Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects Pakistan Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% Palau English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official) Panama Spanish (official), English 14% note: many Panamanians bilingual Papua New Guinea English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region note: 715 indigenous languages Paraguay Spanish (official), Guarani (official) Peru Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara Philippines two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense Pitcairn Islands English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect) Poland Polish Portugal Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used) Puerto Rico Spanish, English Qatar Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language Reunion French (official), Creole widely used Romania Romanian (official), Hungarian, German Russia Russian, other Rwanda Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers Saint Helena English Saint Kitts and Nevis English Saint Lucia English (official), French patois Saint Pierre and Miquelon French (official) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines English, French patois Samoa Samoan (Polynesian), English San Marino Italian Sao Tome and Principe Portuguese (official) Saudi Arabia Arabic Senegal French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka Serbia and Montenegro Serbian 95%, Albanian 5% Seychelles English (official), French (official), Creole Sierra Leone English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) Singapore Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official) Slovakia Slovak (official), Hungarian Slovenia Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 6%, other 3% Solomon Islands Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population note: 120 indigenous languages Somalia Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English South Africa 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu Spain Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% note: Castilian is the official language nationwide; the other languages are official regionally Sri Lanka Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population Sudan Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English note: program of "Arabization" in process Suriname Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese Svalbard Russian, Norwegian Swaziland English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official) Sweden Swedish note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Switzerland German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch (official) 0.6%, other 8.9% Syria Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood Taiwan Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects Tajikistan Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business Tanzania Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages Thailand Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects Togo French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north) Tokelau Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English Tonga Tongan, English Trinidad and Tobago English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese Tunisia Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce) Turkey Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek Turkmenistan Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% Turks and Caicos Islands English (official) Tuvalu Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) Uganda English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic Ukraine Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian United Arab Emirates Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu United Kingdom English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) United States English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority) Uruguay Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) Uzbekistan Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Vanuatu three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages Venezuela Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects Vietnam Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Virgin Islands English (official), Spanish, Creole Wallis and Futuna French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) West Bank Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Western Sahara Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic World Chinese, Mandarin 14.37%, Hindi 6.02%, English 5.61%, Spanish 5.59%, Bengali 3.4%, Portuguese 2.63%, Russian 2.75%, Japanese 2.06%, German, Standard 1.64%, Korean 1.28%, French 1.27% (2000 est.) note: percents are for "first language" speakers only Yemen Arabic Zambia English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages Zimbabwe English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2100 Legal system Afghanistan the Bonn Agreement calls for a judicial commission to rebuild the justice system in accordance with Islamic principles, international standards, the rule of law, and Afghan legal traditions Albania has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Algeria socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction American Samoa NA Andorra based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Angola based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets Anguilla based on English common law Antarctica Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extra-territorially. Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison. The National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov. Antigua and Barbuda based on English common law Argentina mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Armenia based on civil law system Aruba based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence Ashmore and Cartier Islands the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply Australia based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Austria civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Azerbaijan based on civil law system Bahamas, The based on English common law Bahrain based on Islamic law and English common law Baker Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Bangladesh based on English common law Barbados English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts Bassas da India the laws of France, where applicable, apply Belarus based on civil law system Belgium civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Belize English law Benin based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bermuda English law Bhutan based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bolivia based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bosnia and Herzegovina based on civil law system Botswana based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bouvet Island the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Brazil based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction British Indian Ocean Territory the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply British Virgin Islands English law Brunei based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas Bulgaria civil law and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Burkina Faso based on French civil law system and customary law Burma has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Burundi based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cambodia primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law in recent years Cameroon based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Canada based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Cape Verde derived from the legal system of Portugal Cayman Islands British common law and local statutes Central African Republic based on French law Chad based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Chile based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction note: Chile is in the process of completely overhauling its criminal justice system; a new, US-style adversarial system is being gradually implemented throughout the country China a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law Christmas Island under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law Clipperton Island the laws of France, where applicable, apply Cocos (Keeling) Islands based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Colombia based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Comoros French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code Congo, Democratic Republic of the based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Congo, Republic of the based on French civil law system and customary law Cook Islands based on New Zealand law and English common law Coral Sea Islands the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Costa Rica based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cote d'Ivoire based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Croatia based on civil law system Cuba based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cyprus based on common law, with civil law modifications Czech Republic civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Denmark civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Djibouti based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law Dominica based on English common law Dominican Republic based on French civil codes East Timor UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law (2002) Ecuador based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Egypt based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations El Salvador based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Equatorial Guinea partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom Eritrea primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, with revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia law Estonia based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts Ethiopia currently transitional mix of national and regional courts Europa Island the laws of France, where applicable, apply Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) English common law Faroe Islands Danish Fiji based on British system Finland civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations France civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts French Guiana French legal system French Polynesia based on French system French Southern and Antarctic Lands the laws of France, where applicable, apply Gabon based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Gambia, The based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Georgia based on civil law system Germany civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Ghana based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Gibraltar English law Glorioso Islands the laws of France, where applicable, apply Greece based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts Greenland Danish Grenada based on English common law Guadeloupe French legal system Guam modeled on US; US federal laws apply Guatemala civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Guernsey English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court Guinea based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Guinea-Bissau NA Guyana based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Haiti based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Heard Island and McDonald Islands the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Holy See (Vatican City) based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it Honduras rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Hong Kong based on English common law Howland Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Hungary rule of law based on Western model Iceland civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction India based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Indonesia based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Iran the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Israel mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Italy based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Jamaica based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Jan Mayen the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Japan modeled after European civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Jarvis Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Jersey English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court Johnston Atoll the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Jordan based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Juan de Nova Island the laws of France, where applicable, apply Kazakhstan based on civil law system Kenya based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991 Kingman Reef the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Kiribati NA Korea, North based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Korea, South combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought Kuwait civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Kyrgyzstan based on civil law system Laos based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice Latvia based on civil law system Lebanon mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Lesotho based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Liberia dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector Libya based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Liechtenstein local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Lithuania based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court Luxembourg based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Macau based on Portuguese civil law system Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts Madagascar based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Malawi based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Malaysia based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Maldives based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Mali based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Malta based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Man, Isle of English common law and Manx statute Marshall Islands based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Martinique French legal system Mauritania a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law Mauritius based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas Mayotte French law Mexico mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Micronesia, Federated States of based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Midway Islands the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Moldova based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents Monaco based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Mongolia blend of Soviet, German, and US systems of law that combines aspects of a parliamentary system with some aspects of a presidential system; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Montserrat English common law and statutory law Morocco based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court Mozambique based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law Namibia based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution Nauru acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law Navassa Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Nepal based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Netherlands civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Netherlands Antilles based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence New Caledonia the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law New Zealand based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Nicaragua civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts Niger based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Nigeria based on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (only in some northern states), and traditional law Niue English common law note: Niue is self-governing, with the power to make its own laws Norfolk Island based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law Northern Mariana Islands based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation Norway mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Oman based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Pakistan based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Palau based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Palmyra Atoll the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Panama based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Papua New Guinea based on English common law Paraguay based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice Peru based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Philippines based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Pitcairn Islands local island by-laws Poland mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg Portugal civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Puerto Rico based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice Qatar discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters Reunion French law Romania former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic Russia based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts Rwanda based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis based on English common law Saint Lucia based on English common law Saint Pierre and Miquelon French law with special adaptations for local conditions, such as housing and taxation Saint Vincent and the Grenadines based on English common law Samoa based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction San Marino based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Sao Tome and Principe based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Saudi Arabia based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Senegal based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government's accounting office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Serbia and Montenegro based on civil law system Seychelles based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law Sierra Leone based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Singapore based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Slovakia civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Slovenia based on civil law system Solomon Islands English common law, which is widely disregarded Somalia no national system; Shari'a and secular courts are in some localities South Africa based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate from the Falkland Islands presides over the Magistrates Court Spain civil law system, with regional applications; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Sri Lanka a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Sudan based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents of the northern states regardless of their religion; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suriname based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory Svalbard NA Swaziland based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Sweden civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Switzerland civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Syria based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Taiwan based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Tajikistan based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts Tanzania based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Thailand based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Togo French-based court system Tokelau New Zealand and local statutes Tonga based on English law Trinidad and Tobago based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Tromelin Island the laws of France, where applicable, apply Tunisia based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session Turkey derived from various European continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Turkmenistan based on civil law system Turks and Caicos Islands based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas Tuvalu NA Uganda in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Ukraine based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts United Arab Emirates federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts United Kingdom common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; has judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations United States based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Uruguay based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Uzbekistan evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial system Vanuatu unified system being created from former dual French and British systems Venezuela based on organic laws as of July 1999; open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Vietnam based on communist legal theory and French civil law system Virgin Islands based on US laws Wake Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Wallis and Futuna French legal system World all members of the UN plus Switzerland are parties to the statute that established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court Yemen based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Zambia based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Zimbabwe mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2101 Legislative branch Afghanistan nonfunctioning as of June 1993 Albania unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats; 100 are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote for four-year terms) elections: last held 24 June 2001 with subsequent rounds on 8 July, 22 July, 29 July, 19 August 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PS 41.5%, PD and coalition allies 36.8%, NDP 5.2%, PSD 3.6%, PBDNJ 2.6%, PASH 2.6%, PAD 2.5%; seats by party - PS 73, PD and coalition allies 46, NDP 6, PSD 4, PBDNJ 3, PASH 3, PAD 3, independents 2 Algeria bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - changed from 380 seats in the 2002 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); Council of Nations - last held 30 December 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 48, MRN 43, MSP 38, PT 21, FNA 8, Nahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 29; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 79, FLN 12, FFS 4, MSP 1 (remaining 48 seats appointed by the president, party breakdown NA) American Samoa bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate Andorra unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 46.1%, PSD 30%, PD 23.8%, other 0.1%; seats by party - PLA 15, PSD 6, PD 5, independents 2 Angola unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7 Anguilla unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 March 2000 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ANA 3, AUP 2, ADP 1, independent 1 Antigua and Barbuda bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 9 March 1999 (next to be held prior to March 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - ALP 53.2%, UPP 45.5%, independent 1.3%; seats by party - ALP 12, UPP 4, independent 1 Argentina bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members being elected every two years to a six-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to a four-year term) elections: Senate - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittently by province before December 2003); Chamber of Deputies - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittently by province before December 2003) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 40, UCR 24, provincial parties 6, Frepaso 1, ARI 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 113, UCR 74, provincial parties 27, Frepaso 17, ARI 17, AR 9 Armenia unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 75 members selected by direct vote, 56 by party list) elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of 2007) note: electoral law was changed in 2002 so ratio in next elections will be 75 deputies elected by party list, 56 by direct election election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak) 11, National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party change frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves independent Aruba unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1 Australia bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of the members elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (150 seats - this is up from 148 seats in 2001 election; members elected by popular vote on the basis of preferential representation to serve three-year terms; no state can have fewer than five representatives) elections: Senate - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by February 2005); House of Representatives - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by February 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 35, Australian Labor Party 28, Australian Democrats 8, Green Party 2, One Nation Party 1, Country Labor Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 82, Australian Labor Party 65, independent and other 3 Austria bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (64 members; members represent each of the states on the basis of population, but with each state having at least three representatives; members serve a four- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Council - last held 24 November 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2006) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP 42.3%, SPOe 36.9%, FPOe 10.2%, Greens 9%; seats by party - OeVP 79, SPOe 69, FPOe 19, Greens 16 Azerbaijan unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005) note: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on the basis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based on proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 national referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of the next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2, CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1 note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their seats Bahamas, The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%, independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4 Bahrain bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held NA 2006) election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10 note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002 Bangladesh unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies (the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over and above the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); members serve five-year terms elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held before October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance partners 46%, AL 42%; seats by party - BNP 191, AL 62, JI 18, JP (Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Naziur) 4, other 9; note - the election of October 2001 brought a majority BNP government aligned with three other smaller parties - Jamaat-i-Islami, Islami Oikya Jote, and Jatiya Party (Naziur) Barbados bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2008) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7 Belarus bicameral Parliament or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and 8 members appointed by the president, all for 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Pretsaviteley (110 seats; members elected by universal adult suffrage to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held October 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: party affiliation data unavailable; under present political conditions party designations are meaningless Belgium bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 June 2003 (next to be held in NA May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2 note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry Belize bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8 Benin unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31 Bermuda bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held NA July 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14 Bhutan unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: NA Bolivia bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - some members are drawn from party lists, thus not directly elected) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR 11, MAS 8, MIR 5, NFR 2, other 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR 36, MAS 27, MIR 26, NFR 25, others 16 Bosnia and Herzegovina bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the National House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats - elected by proportional representation, 28 seats allocated from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats from the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats - 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures elections: National House of Representatives - elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held in NA 2006); House of Peoples - last constituted NA January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007) election results: National House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - SDA 21.9%, SDS 14.0%, SBiH 10.5%, SDP 10.4%, SNSD 9.8%, HDZ 9.5%, PDP 4.6%, others 19.3%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 10, SDS 5, SBiH 6, SDP 4, SNSD 3, HDZ 5, PDP 2, others 7; House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA%; seats by party/coalition - NA note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 32, HDZ-BiH 16, SDP 15, SBiH 15, other 20; and a House of Peoples (60 seats - 30 Bosniak, 30 Croat); last constituted December 2002; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2006); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDS 26, SNSD 19, PDP 9, SDA 6, SRS 4, SPRS 3, DNZ 3, SBiH 4, SDP 3, others 6; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National Assembly; each constituent nation and "others" will have eight delegates Botswana bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of the chiefs of the eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs, and three members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (44 seats, 40 members are directly elected by popular vote and 4 are appointed by the majority party; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly elections last held 16 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 54.3%, BNF 24.7%, other 21%; seats by party - BDP 33, BNF 6, other 1 Brazil bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; three members from each state or federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 6 October 2002 for two-thirds of the Senate (next to be held NA October 2006 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party PMBD 19, PFL 19, PT 14, PSDB 11, PDT 5, PSB 4, PL 3, PTB 3, PPS 1, PSD 1, PPB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PT 91, PFL 84, PMDB 74, PSDB 71, PPB 49, PL 26, PTB 26, PSB 22, PDT 21, PPS 15, PCdoB 12, PRONA 6, PV 5, other 11 British Virgin Islands unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 8, VIP 5 Brunei unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Masyuarat Megeri (a privy council that serves only in a consultative capacity; NA seats; members appointed by the monarch) elections: last held in March 1962 note: in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the monarch; an elected Legislative Council is being considered as part of constitutional reform, but elections are unlikely for several years Bulgaria unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 June 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NMS2 42.74%, UtdDF 18.18%, CfB 17.15%, MRF 7.45%; seats by party - NMS2 120, UtdDF 51, CfB 48, MRF 21; note - seating as of March 2003 - NMS2 110, UtdDF 50, CfB 48, MRF 20, independents 12 Burkina Faso unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly election last held 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDP 57, RDA-ADF 17, PDP/PS 10, CFD 5, PAI 5, others 17 Burma unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never convened election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NLD 392, SNLD 23, NUP 10, other 60 Burundi bicameral, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (expanded from 121 to approximately 140 seats under the transitional government inaugurated 1 November 2001; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; term length is undefined, the current senators will likely serve out the three-year transition period) elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in 1998, but was suspended by presidential decree in 1996; elections are planned to follow the completion of the three-year transitional government) election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71.04%, UPRONA 21.4%, other 7.56%; seats by party - FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16, civilians 27, other parties 13 Cambodia bicameral consists of the National Assembly (122 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; two members appointed by the monarch, two elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by "functional constituencies"; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 27 July 2003 (next to be held in July 2007); Senate - last held 2 March 1999 (next to be held in 2004) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 47%, SRP 22%, FUNCINPEC 21%, other 10%; seats by party - CPP 73, FUNCINPEC 26, SRP 24; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPP 31, FUNCINPEC 21, SRP 7, other 2 (2003) Cameroon unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature) elections: last held 23 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RDCP 133, SDF 21, UDC 5, other 21 note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established Canada bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (members appointed by the governor general with the advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age; its normal limit is 105 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (301 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve for up to five-year terms) elections: House of Commons - last held 27 November 2000 (next to be held by 2005) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 41%, Canadian Alliance 26%, Bloc Quebecois 11%, New Democratic Party 9%, Progressive Conservative Party 12%; seats by party - Liberal Party 172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38, New Democratic Party 13, Progressive Conservative Party 12; note - percent of vote by party as of January 2002 - Liberal Party 51%, Canadian Alliance 10%, Bloc Quebecois 10%, New Democratic Party 9%, Progressive Conservative Party 18%; seats by party - Liberal Party 172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38, New Democratic Party 13, Progressive Conservative Party 12 Cape Verde unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 47.3%, MPD 39.8%, ADM 6%, other 6.9%; seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2 Cayman Islands unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA Central African Republic unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998 election) elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7 Chad bicameral according to constitution, consists of a National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a Senate (not yet created and size unspecified, members to serve six-year terms, one-third of membership renewable every two years) elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be held in NA April 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, URD 5, UNDR 3, others 11 Chile bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (49 seats, 38 elected by popular vote, 9 designated members, and 2 former presidents who serve six-year terms and are senators for life); elected members serve eight-year terms (one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 12, PS 5, PPD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPD 62 (PDC 24, PPD 21, PS 11, PRSD 6), UDI 35, RN 22, independent 1 China unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,985 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA December 2002-NA February 2003 (next to be held late 2007-NA February 2008) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA Christmas Island unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9 Cocos (Keeling) Islands unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats) Colombia bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006); House of Representatives - last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PL 28, PSC 13, independents and smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 61; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PL 54, PSC 21, independents and other parties 91 Comoros unicameral Assembly of the Union (30 seats; half the deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the other half by universal suffrage; deputies serve for five years) note - elections for the former legislature, the Federal Assembly, dissolved in 1999, where held on 1 and 8 December 1996; the next elections for the Assembly of the Union were scheduled to be held in April 2003 but have yet to occur Congo, Democratic Republic of the a 300-member Transitional Constituent Assembly established in August 2000 elections: NA; members of the Transitional Constituent Assembly were appointed by former President Laurent Desire KABILA Congo, Republic of the bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held NA July 2007); National Assembly - last held 27 May and 26 June 2002 (next to be held by NA May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 83, UDR 6, UPADS 3, other 45 Cook Islands unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1 note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers Costa Rica unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to be held 3 February 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1 Cote d'Ivoire unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2 note: a Senate is scheduled to be created in the next full election in 2005 Croatia unicameral Assembly or Sabor (152 seats; note - one seat was added in the November Parliamentary elections; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - House of Counties was abolished in March 2001 elections: Assembly - last held 23 November 2003 (next to be held in 2007) election results: Assembly (then referred to as the House of Representatives) - percent of vote by party - HDZ 43.4%, SDP 23%, HNS 7.4%, HSS 6.57%, HSP 6%; seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 34, HNS 10, HSS 9, HSP 7; note - these are preliminary results Cuba unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (609 seats, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2003 (next to be held in 2008) election results: percent of vote - PCC 97.6%; seats - PCC 609 Cyprus unicameral - Greek Cypriot area: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Greek Cypriot area: last held 27 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2006); Turkish Cypriot area: last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2003) election results: Greek Cypriot area: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 34.71%, DISY 34%, DIKO 14.84%, KISOS 6.51%, others 9.94%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 20, DISY 19, DIKO 9, KISOS 4, others 4; Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - UBP 40.3%, DP 22.6%, TKP 15.4%, CTP 13.4%, UDP 4.6%, YBH 2.5%, BP 1.2%; seats by party - UBP 24, DP 13, TKP 7, CTP 6 Czech Republic bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 25-26 October and 1-2 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); Chamber of Deputies - last held 14-15 June 2002 (next to be held by NA June 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ODS 26, KDU-CSL 14, CSSD 11, US 9, KSCM 3, independents 18; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CSSD 30.2%, ODS 24.5%, KSCM 18.5%, KDU-CSL & US-DEU coalition 14.3%, other minor 12.5%; seats by party - CSSD 70, ODS 58, KSCM 41, KDU-CSL 21, US-DEU 10 Denmark unicameral Parliament or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party 56, Social Democrats 52, Danish People's Party 22, Conservative Party 16, Socialist People's Party 12, Social Liberal Party 9, Christian People's Party 4, Unity List 4; note - does not include the 2 seats from Greenland and the 2 seats from the Faroe Islands Djibouti unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 10 January 2003 (next to be held NA January 2008) election results: percent of vote - RPP 62.2%, FRUD 36.9%; seats - RPP 65, FRUD 0; note - RPP (the ruling party) dominated the election Dominica unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 31 January 2000 (next to be held by 17 July 2005) note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (17 April 2000) plus a 90 day grace period election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -DLP 10, UWP 9, DFP 2 Dominican Republic bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (149 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 24, PLD 3, PRSC 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 83, PLD 49, PRSC 17 East Timor unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary, minimum requirement of 52 and a maximum of 65 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - for its first term of office, the National Parliament is comprised of 88 members on an exceptional basis elections: last held 30 August 2001 (next to be held NA August 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 57.37%, PD 8.72%, PSD 8.18%, ASDT 7.84%, UDT 2.36%, PNT 2.21%, KOTA 2.13%, PPT 2.01%, PDC 1.98%, PST 1.78%, independents/other 5.42%; seats by party - FRETILIN 55, PD 7, PSD 6, ASDT 6, PDC 2, UDT 2, KOTA 2, PNT 2, PPT 2, UDC/PDC 1, PST 1, PL 1, independent 1 Ecuador unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are popularly elected by province to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PSC 25, PRE 15, ID 16, PRIAN 10, PSP 9, Pachakutik Movement 6, MPD 5, DP 4, PS 3, independents 7; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties Egypt bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve NA-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 19 October, 29 October, 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005); Advisory Council - last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NDP 88%, independents 8%, opposition 4%; seats by party - NDP 398, NWP 7, Tagammu 6, Nasserists 2, LSP 1, independents 38, undecided 2; Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NDP 99%, independents 1%; seats by party - NA El Salvador unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FMLN 31, ARENA 27, PCN 16, PDC 5, CD 5 Equatorial Guinea unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - PDGE 80%, UP 6%, CPDS 5%; seats by party - PDGE 75, UP 4 and CPDS 1 note: opposition parties have refused to take up their seats in the House to protest widespread irregularities in the 1999 legislative elections Eritrea unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; term limits not established) elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, that had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely Estonia unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Center Party 25.4%, Res Publica 24.6%, Reform Party 17.7%, Estonian People's Union 13%, Pro Patria Union (Fatherland League) 7.3% People's Party Moodukad 7%; seats by party - Center Party 28, Res Publica 28, Reform Party 19, Estonian People's Union 13, Pro Patria Union 7, People's Party Moodukad 6 Ethiopia bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation or upper chamber (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives or lower chamber (548 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - OPDO 177, ANDM 134, TPLF 38, WGGPDO 27, EPRDF 19, SPDO 18, GNDM 15, KSPDO 10, ANDP 8, GPRDF 7, SOPDM 7, BGPDUF 6, BMPDO 5, KAT 4, other regional political groupings 22, independents 8; note - 43 seats unconfirmed note: irregularities and violence at a number of polling stations necessitated the rescheduling of voting in certain constituencies; voting postponed in Somali regional state because of severe drought Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8; note - 71% voter turnout Faroe Islands unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 April 2002 (next to be held no later than April 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 26%, Republican Party 23.7%, Social Democrats 20.9%, People's Party 20.8% Home Rule Party 4.4%, Center Party 4.2%; seats by party - Union Party 8, Republican Party 8, Social Democrats 7, People's Party 7, Home Rule Party 1, Center Party 1 note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 20 November 2001 (next to be held no later than November 2005); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1 Fiji bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (34 seats; 24 appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, nine appointed by the president, and one appointed by the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three reserved for other ethnic groups, one reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1 September, 19 September 2001 (next to be held not later than September 2006) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - FLP 34.8%, SDL 26%, NFP 10.1%, MV 9.9%, independents 2.7%, other 16.5%; seats by party - NA Finland unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 24.7%, SDP 24.5%, Kok 18.5%, VAS 9.9%, VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP 4.6%; seats by party - Kesk 55, SDP 53, Kok 40, VAS 19, VIHR 14, KD 7, SFP 8, others 4 France bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majoritarian system to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2004); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 83, PS 68, UDF 37, DL 35, RDES 16, PCF 16, other 66; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 355, PS 140, UDF 29, PCF 21, Radical Party 7, Greens 3, other 22 French Guiana unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PSG 5, various left-wing parties 5, independents 7, other 2; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - PS 28.28%, various left parties 22.56%, RPR 15.91%, independents 8.6%, Walwari Committee 6%; seats by party - PS 11, various left parties 9, RPR 6, independents 3, Walwari Committee 2 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, Walwari Committee 1 French Polynesia unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (49 seats - changed from 41 seats for May 2001 election; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia 13, New Fatherland Party 7, other 1 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on NA September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1 Gabon bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 9 and 23 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006); Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 1997 (next to be held in January 2004) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 86, RNB-RPG 8, PGP 3, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PUP 1, PSD 1, independents 13, others 3; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, CLR 1, independents 9 Gambia, The unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 elected by popular vote, five appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 17 January 2002 (next to be held NA January 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - APRC 45, PDOIS 2, NRP 1, Georgia unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as Parliament) or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 November 2003 but results were invalidated (next to be held spring 2004) election results: percent of vote by party (from earlier 1999 elections) - CUG 41.7%, AGUR 25.2%, IWSG 7.1%, all other parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - CUG 130, AGUR 64, IWSG 15, Labor 2, Abkhaz (government-in-exile) deputies 12, independents 12 Germany bicameral Parliament or parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (603 seats; elected by popular vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain representation; members serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has 3 to 6 votes depending on population and are required to vote as a block) elections: Federal Assembly - last held 22 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006); note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - SPD 38.5%, CDU/CSU 38.5%, Alliance '90/Greens 8.6%, FDP 7.4%, PDS 4%; seats by party - SPD 251, CDU/CSU 248, Alliance '90/Greens 55, FDP 47, PDS 2; Federal Council - current composition - NA Ghana unicameral Parliament (200 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 100, NDC 92, PNC 3, CPP 1, independents 4 Gibraltar unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popular vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not later than NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%; seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7 Greece unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: elections last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held by NA May 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - PASOK 43.8%, ND 42.7%, KKE 5.5%, Coalition of the Left and Progress 3.2%; seats by party - PASOK 158, ND 125, KKE 11, Coalition of the Left and Progress 6; note - seats by party as of January 2002 - PASOK 156, ND 122, KKE 11, Coalition of the Left and Progress 6, independents 5 Greenland unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 3 December 2002 (next to be held by NA December 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 28.7%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 25.5%, Atassut Party 20.4%, Demokratiit 15.6%, Katusseqatigiit 5.3%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Inuit Ataqatigiit 8, Atassut 7, Demokratiit 5, Katusseqatigiit 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 20 November 2001 (next to be held no later than November 2005); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 Grenada bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and three by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 27 November 2003 (next to be held by NA November 2008) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NNP 8, NDC 7 Guadeloupe unicameral General Council or Conseil General (42 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held 22 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2004); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - left-wing candidates 11, PS 8, RPR 8, PPDG 6, right-wing candidates 5, PCG 3, UDF 1; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - RPR 48.03%, PS/PPDG/diverse left parties 24.49%, PCG 5.29%, diverse right parties 5.73%; seats by party - RPR 25, PS/PPDG/diverse left parties 12, PCG 2, diverse right parties 2 note: Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September 2004); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 1, FGPS 1; Guadeloupe elects four representatives to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 2, PS 1, different right parties 1 Guam unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6 note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Madeleine BORDALLO (Democratic Party) was elected as delegate; percent of vote by party - Democratic Party 64.6%, Republican Party 35.4%; seats by party - Democratic Party 1 Guatemala unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (140 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held NA November 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GANA 49, FRG 42, UNE 33, PAN 16 note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressional seats increased to 140 from 113 Guernsey unicameral Assembly of the States; consists of the bailiff, 10 Douzaine (parish council) representatives, 45 people's deputies elected by popular vote, 2 representatives from Alderney, Her Majesty's Procureur (Attorney General), Her Majesty's Comptroller (Solicitor General) and Her Majesty's Greffier (Court Recorder and Registrar General); note - Alderney and Sark have their own parliaments elections: last held 12 April 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents Guinea unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9 Guinea-Bissau unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve a maximum of four years); note - President YALA dissolved the National People's Assembly in November 2002, elections for a new legislature were scheduled to fall in February 2003 but were then postponed to April, then July, and were last scheduled to occur in September 2003 elections: last held 28 November 1999 (next to be held NA September 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRS 37, RGB 27, PAIGC 25, 11 remaining seats went to 5 of the remaining 10 parties that fielded candidates Guyana unicameral National Assembly (68 seats, 65 elected by popular vote, 1 elected Speaker of the National Assembly, and 2 nonvoting members appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPP/C 34, PNC 27, GAP and WPA 2, ROAR 1, TUF 1 Haiti bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (27 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (83 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held for two-thirds of seats 21 May 2000, with runoffs on 9 July boycotted by the opposition; seven seats still disputed; election for remaining one-third held on 26 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2002); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 May 2000, with runoffs on 30 July boycotted by the opposition; one vacant seat rerun 26 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 26, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 73, MOCHRENA 3, PLB 2, OPL 1, vacant 1, other minor parties and independents 3 Holy See (Vatican City) unicameral Pontifical Commission Honduras unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally to the number of votes their party's presidential candidate receives to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PN 61, PL 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU-SD 3 Hong Kong unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 24 elected by popular vote, and 6 elected by an 800-member election committee; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 September 2000 (next to be held in September 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 12, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 10, Liberal Party 7, Frontier Party 5, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance 4, New Century Forum 2, Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 1, independents 19 Hungary unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 and 21 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2006) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - Fidesz/MDF 48.70%, MSzP 46.11%, SzDSz 4.92%, other 0.27%; seats by party - Fidesz 164, MSzP 178, MDF 24, SzDSz 20 Iceland unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%, Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party - Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4 India bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members, up to 12 of which are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held 5 September through 3 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - BJP alliance 40.8%, Congress (I) alliance 33.8%, other 25.4%; seats by party - BJP alliance 304, Congress (I) alliance 134, other 107 Indonesia unicameral House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (500 seats; 462 elected by popular vote, 38 are appointed military representatives until 2004 election when military seats expire; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 June 1999 (next to be held April 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - PDI-P 37.4%, Golkar 20.9%, PKB 17.4%, PPP 10.7%, PAN 7.3%, PBB 1.8%, other 4.5%; seats by party - PDI-P 154, Golkar 120, PPP 58, PKB 51, PAN 35, PBB 14, other 30; note - subsequent to the election, there has been a change in the distribution of seats; the new distribution is: PDI-P 153, Golkar 120, PPP 58, PKB 51, PAN 35, PBB 13, other 32 Iran unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (290 seats, note - changed from 270 seats with the 18 February 2000 election; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 February 2000 with a runoff held 5 May 2000 (next to be held February 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - reformers 189, conservatives 54, independents 42, seats reserved for religious minorities 5 Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats - 49 elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 and 17 July 2002 (next to be held by July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 17 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 30, Fine Gael 15, Labor Party 5, Progressive Democrats 4, independents and others 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.5%, Fine Gael 22.5%, Labor Party 10.8%, Sinn Fein 6.5%, Progressive Democrats 4.0%, Green Party 3.8%, others 10.9%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 81, Fine Gael 31, Labor Party 21, Progressive Democrats 8, Green Party 6, Sinn Fein 5, others 14 Israel unicameral Knesset or parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 January 2003 (next to be held fall of 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Likud Party 29.4%, Labor 14.5%, Shinui 12.3%, Shas 8.2%, National Union 5.5%, Meretz 5.2%, United Torah Judaism 4.3%, National Religious Party 4.2%, Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3.0%, One Nation 2.8%, National Democratic Alliance 2.3%, YBA 2.2%, United Arab List 2.1%, Green Leaf Party 1.2%, Herut 1.2%, other 1.6%; seats by party - Likud 38, Labor 19, Shinui 15, Shas 11, National Union 7, Meretz 6, National Religious Party 6, United Torah Judaism 5, Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3, One Nation 3, National Democratic Alliance 3, YBA 2, United Arab List 2 Italy bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats elected by popular vote of which 232 are directly elected and 83 are elected by regional proportional representation; in addition, there are a small number of senators-for-life including former presidents of the republic; members serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; 475 are directly elected, 155 by regional proportional representation; members serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - House of Liberties 177 (Forza Italia 82, National Alliance 46, CCD-CDU 29, Northern League 17, others 3), Olive Tree 128 (Democrats of the Left 62, Daisy Alliance 42, Sunflower Alliance 16, Italian Communist Party 3, independents 5), non-affiliated with either coalition 10, senators for life 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - House of Liberties 367 (Forza Italia 189, National Alliance 96, CCD-CDU 40, Northern League 30, others 12), Olive Tree 248 (Democrats of the Left 138, Daisy Alliance 76, Sunflower Alliance 18, Italian Communist Party 9, independents 7), non-affiliated with either coalition 15 Jamaica bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated eight seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 52%, JLP 47.3%; seats by party - PNP 34, JLP 26 Japan bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (247 seats - members elected for six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 149 members in multi-seat constituencies and 98 by proportional representation); House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs) elections: House of Councillors - last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held in July 2004); House of Representatives - last held 9 November 2003 (next election has not been scheduled) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LDP 110, DPJ 59, Komeito 23, JCP 20, SDP 8, Liberal Party 8, Conservative Party 5, independents 14; distribution of seats as of July 2001 was: LDP 115, DPJ 60, Komeito 24, JCP 20, SDP 8, Liberal Party 8 (merged with DPJ in 2003), independents 6, others 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LDP 49.38%, DPJ 36.88%, Komeito 7.09%, JCP 1.88%, SDP 1.25%, NCP .84%; seats by party - LDP 237, DPJ 177, Komeito 34, JCP 9, SDP 6, NCP 4, others 13; distribution of seats as of 13 November 2003 was: LDP 244, DPJ 177, Komeito 34, JCP 9, SDP 6, others 10 Jersey unicameral Assembly of the States (55 voting members - 12 senators (elected for 6-year terms), 12 constables or heads of parishes (elected for 3-year terms), 29 deputies (elected for 3-year terms); the bailiff and the deputy bailiff; and 3 non-voting members - the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General all appointed by the monarch) elections: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 52 Jordan bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayan) (40 seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categories of public figures; members serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives, also called the House of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab) (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms; note - six seats are reserved for women and are allocated by a special electoral panel if no women are elected) elections: House of Representatives - last held 17 June 2003, next to be held NA 2007 election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - independents and others 89.6%, Islamic Action Front 10.4%; seats by party - independents and others 92, Islamic Action Front 18 (note - one of the six quota seats was given to a female IAF candidate) note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by the monarch several times since 1974; in November 1989, the first parliamentary elections in 22 years were held; political parties were not legalized until 1992; King Abdallah delayed the 2001 elections until 2003 Kazakhstan bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (39 seats - previously 47 seats; 7 senators are appointed by the president; other members are popularly elected, two from each of the 14 oblasts, the capital of Astana, and the city of Almaty, to serve six-year terms) and the Majilis (77 seats; 10 out of the 77 Majilis members are elected from the winning party's lists; members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - (indirect) last held 17 September 1999 (next to be held NA December 2005); Majilis - last held 10 and 24 October and 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: note - the election results are for the old Senate structure; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; 16 seats up for election in 1999, candidates nominated by local councils; Majilis - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Otan 23, Civic Party 13, Communist Party 3, Agrarian Party 3, People's Cooperative Party 1, independents 34; note - most independent candidates are affiliated with parastatal enterprises and other pro-government institutions Kenya unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 so-called "nominated" members who are appointed by the president but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members) elections: last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held by early 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NARC 125, KANU 64, FORD-P 14, other 7; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - NARC 7, KANU 4, FORD-P 1 Kiribati unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (42 seats; 39 elected by popular vote, one ex officio member - the attorney general, one appointed to represent Banaba, and one other; members serve four-year terms) elections: first round elections last held 29 November 2002; second round elections held 6 December 2002 (next to be held by November 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - BTK 17, MTM 16, independents 7, other 2 (includes attorney general) note: new legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first round on 9 May 2003 and the second round on 14 May 2003 Korea, North unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 August 2003 (next to be held in August 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; the KWP approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; some seats are held by minor parties Korea, South unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (273 seats total - 227 elected by direct, popular vote; members serve four-year terms); note - beginning in 2004, all members will be directly elected; possible redistricting before 2004 may affect the number of seats in the National Assembly elections: last held 13 April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GNP 133, MDP 115, ULD 17, other 8; note - the distribution of seats as of April 2003 was: GNP 153, MDP 101, ULD 11, DPP 1, PPR 1, independents 5; one seat vacant Kuwait unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Islamists 21, government supporters 14, liberals 3, and independents 12; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly Kyrgyzstan bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005); Legislative Assembly - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005) election results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - total seats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows: Union of Democratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4, independents 73, other 10 note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly of People's Representatives and the Legislative Assembly Laos unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election) elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109 Latvia unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7 Lebanon unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 August and 3 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - Muslim 57% (of which Sunni 25%, Sh'ite 25%, Druze 6%, Alawite less than 1%), Christian 43% (of which Maronite 23%); seats by party - Muslim 64 (of which Sunni 27, Sh'ite 27, Druze 8, Alawite 2), Christian 64 (of which Maronite 34) Lesotho bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 80 to 120 in the May 2002 election elections: last held 25 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 54%, BNP 21%, LPC 7%, other 18%; seats by party - LCD 76, BNP 21, LPC 5, other 18 Liberia bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (26 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2006); House of Representatives - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 14 October 2003) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 21, UP 3, ALCOP 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 49, UP 7, ALCOP 3, Alliance of Political Parties 2, UPP 2, LPP 1 Libya unicameral General People's Congress (NA seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees) Liechtenstein unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 February 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 49.90%, VU 41.35%, FL 8.71%; seats by party - FBP 13, VU 11, FL 1 Lithuania unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Coalition 31.1%, New Union-Social Liberals 19.6%, Liberal Union 17.2%, TS 8.6%, remaining parties all less than 5%; seats by faction - Social Democratic Coalition 51, New Union-Social Liberals 25, United Political Group-Group of Liberals 24, Liberal Democrats 13, Conservatives 9, Farmers and New Democracy Parties 8, Mixed Group 6, independent 1 (four seats unfilled as of 1 June 2003) note: the voting results from the 2000 elections do not correspond to the make up of the Seimas, which has evolved into a number of factions, each made up of members of several parties Luxembourg unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held by June 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 29.79%, DP 21.58%, LSAP 23.75%, ADR 10.36%, Green Party 9.09%, the Left 3.77%; seats by party - CSV 19, DP 15, LSAP 13, ADR 6, Green Party 5, the Left 2 note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister Macau unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (27 seats; 10 elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by political bloc - Entertainment Industry 3, pro-democracy 2, pro-Beijing Labor Union 2, pro-Beijing Neighborhood Association 2, pro-business 1 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats - 85 members are elected by popular vote, 35 members come from lists of candidates submitted by parties based on the percentage that a party gains from the overall vote; all serve four-year terms) elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Together for Macedonia coalition (SDSM and LDP) 60, VMRO-DPMNE 33, Democratic Union for Integration 16, Democratic Party of Albanians 7, Party for Democratic Prosperity 2, National Democratic Party 1, Socialist Party of Macedonia 1 Madagascar unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (160 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the legislature is scheduled to become a bicameral Parliament with the establishment of a Senate; two-thirds of the seats of this Senate will be filled by regional assemblies whose members will be elected by popular vote; the remaining one-third of the seats will be appointed by the president; the total number of seats will be determined by the National Assembly; all members will serve four-year terms elections: National Assembly - last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TIM 103, FP 22, AREMA 3, LEADER/Fanilo 2, RPSD 5, others 3, independents 22 Malawi unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - UDF 48%, MCP 34%, AFORD 15%, others 3%; seats by party - UDF 96, MCP 61, AFORD 30, others 6 Malaysia bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 appointed by the state legislatures) and the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (193 seats; members elected by popular vote weighted toward the rural Malay population to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 29 November 1999 (next must be held by November 2004) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - BN 56%, other 44%; seats by party - BN 148, PAS 27, DAP 10, Keadilan 5, PBS 3 Maldives unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 42 Mali unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 July and 28 July 2002 (next to be held NA July 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Hope 2002 coalition 66, ADEMA 51, other 30 Malta unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held by April 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD 0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31 Man, Isle of bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (an 11-member body composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys - last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2006) election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Man Labor Party 17.3%, Alliance for Progressive Government 14.6%; seats by party - Man Labor Party 2, Alliance for Progressive Government 3, independents 19 Marshall Islands unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held not later than November 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice Martinique unicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Assembly - last held on 15 March 1998 (next to be held by March 2004) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - left-wing candidates 13, PPM 11, RPR 6, right-wing candidates 5, PCM 3, UDF 3, PMS 2, independents 2; note - the PPM won a plurality; Regional Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR-UDF 14, MIM 13, PPM 7, left parties 4, PMS 3 note: Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 2001 (next to be held September 2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPM 2; Martinique also elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held, first round - 9 June 2002, second round - 16 June 2002 (next to be held not later than June 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, PS 1, MIM 1, left-wing candidate 1 (candidacy of the left-wing candidate was found invalid by the Constitutional Council; new elections will be called) Mauritania bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats, a part of the seats up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (81 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2004); National Assembly - last held 19 and 26 October 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 54, RFD 1, UNDD 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PRDS 79%, RDU 3.5%, UDP 3.5%, AC 5%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS 64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1 Mauritius unicameral National Assembly (66 seats; 62 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the election commission from the losing political parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 11 September 2000 (next to be held by September 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - MSM/MMM 52.3%, MLP/PMSD 36.9%, OPR 10.8%; seats by party - MSM/MMM 54, MLP/PMSD 6, OPR 2 Mayotte unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 7 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note: Mayotte elects one member of the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Mayotte also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 16 June 2002 (next to be held as a special election on NA June 2005); results - percent of vote by party - UMP-RPR 55.08%, UDF 44.92%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1 Mexico bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of the Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms, and 32 are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote) and the Federal Chamber of Deputies or Camara Federal de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members are directly elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; remaining 200 members are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote, also for three-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 2 July 2000 for all of the seats (next to be held NA 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRI 60, PAN 46, PRD 15, PVEM 5, PT 1, CD 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRI 224, PAN 153, PRD 95, other 28 Micronesia, Federated States of unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms; and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14 Moldova unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs, as well as independent candidates, elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PCM 50.1%, Braghis Alliance 13.4%, PPCD 8.2%, other parties 28.3%; seats by party - PCM 71, Braghis Alliance 19, PPCD 11 Monaco unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held NA February 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UNAM 21, UND 3 Mongolia unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPRP 72, other 4 Montserrat unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members elections: last held NA April 2001 (next to be held by November 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPLM 7, NPP 2 note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council Morocco bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 15 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2003); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - USFP 50, PI 48, PJD 42, RNI 41, MP 27, MNP 18, UC 16, FFD 12, PND 12, PPS 11, UD 10, MDS 7, PSD 6, Al Ahd 5, ADL 4, GSU 3, PML 3, PRD 3, FC 2, PDI 2, PED 2, CNI 1 Mozambique unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - Frelimo 48.54%, Renamo-UE 38.81%; seats by party - Frelimo 133, Renamo-UE 117 note: Renamo-UE ran as a multiparty coalition; none of the other opposition parties received the 5% required to win parliamentary seats; in September 2000, Renamo-UE member Raul DOMINGOS was expelled from the party; he continues to hold his parliamentary seat as an independent Namibia bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%, other 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1, note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body Nauru unicameral Parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held not later than May 2006) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Nauru First Party 3, independents 15 Nepal bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council (60 seats; 35 appointed by the House of Representatives, 10 by the king, and 15 elected by an electoral college; one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (205 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 3 and 17 May 1999 (next election NA) note: Nepal's Parliament was dissolved on 22 May 2002 election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NC 37.3%, CPN/UML 31.6%, NDP 10.4%, NSP 3.2%, Rastriya Jana Morcha 1.4%, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 0.8%, NWPP 0.5%, others 14.8%; seats by party - NC 113, CPN/UML 69, NDP 11, NSP 5, Rastriya Jana Morcha 5, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 1, NWPP 1 Netherlands bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: First Chamber - last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); Second Chamber - last held 22 January 2003 (next to be held NA January 2007) election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 23, PvdA 19, VVD 15, Green Party 5, Socialist Party 4, D66 3, other 6; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - CDA 28.6%, PvdA 27.3%, VVD 12.9%, Socialist Party 6.3%, List Pim Fortuyn 5.7%, Green Party 5.1%, D66 4.1%; seats by party - CDA 44, PvdA 42, VVD 28, Socialist Party 9, List Pim Fortuyn 8, Green Party 8, D66 6, other 5 Netherlands Antilles unicameral States or Staten (22 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 January 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FOL 5, PAR 4, PNP 3, PLKP 2, DP-St.M 2, UPB 2, DP 1, MAN 1, PDB 1, WIPM 1 note: the government of Prime Minister Mirna LOUISA-GODETT is a coalition of several parties; current seats by party - PAR 4, PNP 3, FOL 2, MAN 2, UPB 2, DP-St. M 2, PDB 1, SEA 1, WIPM 1, other 4 New Caledonia unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres Territorial (54 seats; members are members of the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 May 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPCR 24, FLNKS 12, UNI 6, FCCI 4, FN 4, Alliance pour la Caledonie 3, LKS 1 note: New Caledonia elects 1 seat to the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; New Caledonia also elects 2 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 and 16 June 2002 (next to be held by June 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 2 New Zealand unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (120 seats; 69 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, and 51 proportional seats chosen from party lists, all to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 27 July 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NZLP 52, NP 27, NZFP 13, ACT New Zealand 9, Green Party 9, UF 8, other 2 Nicaragua unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (93 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance (ruling party - includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, FSLN 36.55%, PCCN 3.73%, PCN 2.12%, MRS 1.33%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 42, FSLN 36, PCCN 4, PCN 3, PRONAL 2, MRS 1, PRN 1, PC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96 1 Niger unicameral National Assembly (83 seats, members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 24 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNSD-Nassara 38, CDS-Rahama 17, PNDS-Tarayya 16, RDP-Jama'a 8, ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya 4 Nigeria bicameral National Assembly consists of Senate (107 seats, three from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (346 seats, members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held NA 2007); House of Representatives - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.6%, ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%; seats by party - PDP 73, ANPP 28, AD 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP 27.4%, AD 9.3%, other 8.8%; seats by party - PDP 213, ANPP 95, AD 31, other 7; note - two constituencies are not reported Niue unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives) elections: last held 21 March 2002 (next to be held in March 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 9, independents 11; note - all 20 seats were reelected Norfolk Island unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9 Northern Mariana Islands bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2003); House of Representatives - last held 1 November 2003 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 4, Democratic Party 3, Reform Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 9, Republican Party 7, Democratic Party 1, independent 1 note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO) Norway modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (165 seats; members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 24.3%, Conservative Party 21.2%, Progress Party 14.6%, Socialist Left Party 12.5%, Christian People's Party 12.4%, Center Party 5.6%, Liberal Party 3.9%, Coastal Party 1.7%, other 3.8%; seats by party - Labor Party 43, Conservative Party 38, Progress Party 26, Socialist Left Party 23, Christian People's Party 22, Center Party 10, Liberal Party 2, Coastal Party 1 note: for certain purposes, the Parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house or Lagting Oman bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis al-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats; members elected by limited suffrage for three-year term, however, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers) elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: NA Pakistan bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100 seats - formerly 87; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies to serve four-year terms; and the National Assembly (342 seats - formerly 217; 60 seats represent women; 10 seats represent minorities; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 24 and 27 February 2003 (next to be held by February 2007); National Assembly - last held 10 October 2002 (next to be held by October 2006) election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/Q 40, PPPP 11, MMA 21, MQM/A 6, PML/N 4, NA 3, PML/F 1, PkMAP 2, ANP 2, PPP/S 2, JWP 1, BNP-Awami 1, BNP-Mengal 1, BNM/H 1, independents 4; National Assembly results - percent of votes by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/Q 126, PPPP 81, MMA 63, PML/N 19, MQM/A 17, NA 16, PML/F 5, PML/J 3, PPP/S 2, BNP 1, JWP 1, PAT 1, PML/Z 1, PTI 1, MQM/H 1, PkMAP 1, independents 3 Palau bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 Panama unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (71 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 34, PA 18, PDC 5, PS 4, MOLIRENA 3, PLN 3, Democratic Change 2, PRC 1, MORENA 1 note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula Papua New Guinea unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003; completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was not completed during the June 2002 election period); next to be held not later than June 2007 election results: percent of vote by party - PPP 15%, Pangu Pati 14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%, independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note - association with political parties is very fluid (2002) Paraguay bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA May 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA May 2008) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, MPQ 7, PPS 2, PEN 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, MPQ 10, PPS 2 Peru unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Peru Posible 26.3%, APRA 19.7%, Unidad Nacional 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats by party - Peru Posible 47, APRA 28, Unidad Nacional 17, FIM 11, others 17 Philippines bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (214 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - additional members may be appointed by the president but the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) elections: Senate - last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May 2004); House of Representatives - elections last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 13, PDP-Laban/LDP 11; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 86, NPC 51, LDP 21, LP 20, independents 10, other 26 Pitcairn Islands unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 6 elected by popular vote, 1 appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor, and 1 seat for the Island Secretary; members serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents Poland bicameral National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe consists of the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) and the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms) elections: Sejm elections last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held by September 2005); Senate - last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held by September 2005) election results: Sejm - percent of vote by party - SLD-UP 41%, PO 12.7%, Samoobrona 10.2%, PiS 9.5%, PSL 9%, LPR 7.9%, AWSP 5.6% UW 3.1%, other 1%; seats by party (as of 25 April 2003) - SLD 193, PO 57, Samoobrona 39, PiS 43, PSL 39, LPR 28, UP 16, SKL 8, PLD 6, PBL 5, RKN 5, PP 3, ROP 3, German minorities 2, independents 13; note - SLD and UP ran together on electoral lists in the 2001 elections, but constitute separate parliamentary clubs in the Sejm; several other deputies have left their parties and set up other parliamentary factions; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SLD-UP 75, AWSP (an electoral alliance of some 36 parties) 15, PSL 4, Samoobrona 2, LPR 2, independents 2 note: two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties Portugal unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - PSD 40.1%, PS 37.8%, PP 8.7%, PCP/PEV 6.9%, The Left Bloc 2.7%; seats by party - PSD 105, PS 96, PP 14, PCP/PEV 12, The Left Bloc 3 Puerto Rico bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPD 19, PNP 8, PIP 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPD 30, PNP 20, PIP 1 note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor, he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004); results - percent of vote by party - PPD 49.3%; seats by party - PPD 1; Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA elected resident commissioner Qatar unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed) note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since; the new constitution provides for a 45-member Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the remaining members Reunion unicameral General Council (49 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council (45 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held 15 and 22 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - various right-wing candidates 13, PCR 10, PS 10, UDF 8, RPR 6, other left-wing candidates 2; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PCR 19, UDF 9, RPR 8, various right-wing candidates 4, various left-wing candidates 5 note: Reunion elects three representatives to the French Senate; elections last held NA 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Reunion also elects five deputies to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, UMP 1, PCR 1 Romania bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (140 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Adunarea Deputatilor (345 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2004); Chamber of Deputies - last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDSR (now PSD) 37.1%, PRM 21.0%, PD 7.6%, PNL 7.5%, UDMR 6.9%; seats by party - PSD 65, PRM 36, PNL 13, UDMR 12, PD 9, independents 5; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PDSR (now PSD) 36.6%, PRM 19.5%, PD 7.0%, PNL, 6.9%, UDMR 6.8%; seats by party - PSD 171, PRM 69, PD 29, PNL 27, UDMR 27, ethnic minorities 18, independents 4 Russia bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of the Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (178 seats; as of July 2000, members appointed by the top executive and legislative officials in each of the 89 federal administrative units - oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg; members serve four-year terms) and the State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats; 225 seats elected by proportional representation from party lists winning at least 5% of the vote, and 225 seats from single-member constituencies; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: State Duma - last held 7 December 2003 (next to be held NA December 2007) election results: State Duma - percent of vote received by parties clearing the 5% threshold entitling them to a proportional share of the 225 party list seats - United Russia 37.1%, KPRF 12.7%, LDPR 11.6%, Motherland 9.1%; seats by party - United Russia 222, KPRF 53, LDPR 38, Motherland 37, People's Party 19, Yabloko 4, Union of Rightist Forces 2, other 7, independents 65, repeat election required 3 Rwanda unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (53 seats; members elected by direct vote) elections: last held 29 September 2003 (next to be held NA) election results: seats by party under the Arusha peace accord - FPR 40, PSD 7, PL 6 Saint Helena unicameral Legislative Council (16 seats, including the speaker, 3 ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 June 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15 Saint Kitts and Nevis unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member constituencies; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 March 2000 (next to be held by July 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SKNLP 8, CCM 2, NRP 1 Saint Lucia bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 3 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - SLP 55%, UWP 37%, NA 3.5%; seats by party - SLP 14, UWP 3 Saint Pierre and Miquelon unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats - 15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: elections last held 19 and 26 March 2000 (next to be held NA April 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PS 12, PRG 2, UDF-RPR 5 note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September 2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French National Assembly; elections last held, first round - 9 June 2002, second round - 16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UDF 1 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 2001 (next to be held by March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3 Samoa unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected by voters affiliated with traditional village-based electoral districts, 2 elected by independent, mostly Eurasian, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish a village affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Fono; members serve five-year terms) elections: election last held 3 March 2001 (next election to be held not later than March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - HRPP 30, SNDP 13, independents 6 San Marino unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 10 June 2001 (next to be held by June 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - PDCS 41.4%, PSS 24.2%, PD 20.8%, APDS 8.2%, RC 3.4%, AN 1.9%; seats by party - PDCS 25, PSS 15, PD 12, APDS 5, RC 2, AN 1 Sao Tome and Principe unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force for Change Democratic Movement 39.4%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seats by party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23, Ue-Kedadji coalition 8 Saudi Arabia Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms) Senegal unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) note: the former National Assembly, dissolved in the spring of 2001, had 140 seats elections: last held 29 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SOPI Coalition 89, AFP 11, PS 10, other 10 Serbia and Montenegro unicameral Parliament (126 seats - 91 Serbian, 35 Montenegrin - filled by nominees of the two state parliaments for the first two years, after which the president will call for public elections elections: last held 25 February 2003 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - DOS 37, DLECG 19, DSS 17, ZP 14, SPS 12, SRS 8, SDP 5, SSJ 5, other 9 Seychelles unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats - 25 elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4-6 December 2002 (next held by 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 54.3%, SNP 42.6%, DP 3.1%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11 note: the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to the percentage that each party won of the total vote Sierra Leone unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC 22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2 Singapore unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; the losing opposition candidate who came closest to winning a seat may be appointed as a "nonconstituency" member elections: last held 3 November 2001 (next to be held 25 June 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 75.3% (in contested constituencies), other 24.7%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1 Slovakia unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20-21 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - HZDS-LS 19.5%, SDKU 15.1%, SMER 13.5%, SMK 11.2%, KDH 8.3%, ANO 8%, KSS 6.3%; seats by party - governing coalition 78 (SDKU 28, SMK 20, KDH 15, ANO 15), opposition 72 (HZDS 36, SMER 25, KSS 11) (as of February 2003, 12 deputies had split from HZDS and formed an independent faction) Slovenia unicameral National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats, 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on a proportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 15 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - LDS 36%, SDS 16%, ZLSD 12%, SLS/SKD 10%, NSi 9%, SMS 4%, SNS 4%, DeSUS 5%, other 4%; seats by party - LDS 34, SDS 13, ZLSD 11, SLS 10, NSi 8, SMS 4, SNS 4, DeSUS 4, Hungarian and Italian minorities 1 each note: the National Council or Drzavni Svet is an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws and ask to review any National Assembly decisions; in the election of November 1997, 40 members were elected to represent local, professional, and socioeconomic interests Solomon Islands unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 December 2001 (next to be held not later than December 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 40%, SIACC 40%, PPP 20%; seats by party - PAP 16, SIACC 13, PPP 2, SILP 1, independents 18 Somalia unicameral National Assembly note: fledgling parliament; a transitional 245-member National Assembly began to meet on 13 August 2000 in the town of Arta, Djibouti and is now based in Mogadishu South Africa bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) and the National Council of Provinces (90 seats, 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has special powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities); note - following the implementation of the new constitution on 3 February 1997 the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the National Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership and party affiliations, although the new institution's responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new constitution elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held 2 June 1999 (next to be held by 2 August 2004) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 66.4%, DP 9.6%, IFP 8.6%, NNP 6.9%, UDM 3.4%, ACDP 1.4%, FF 0.8%, other 2.9%; seats by party - ANC 266, DP 38, IFP 34, NNP 28, UDM 14, ACDP 6, FF 3, other 11; National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ANC 61, NNP 17, FF 4, IFP 5, DP 3 Spain bicameral; General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes Generales consists of the Senate or Senado (259 seats - 208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 51 appointed by the regional legislatures to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; members are elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); Congress of Deputies - last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PP 44.6%, PSOE 34.1%, CiU 4.2%, PNV 1.5%, CC 1.1%, PIL 0%; seats by party - PP 127, PSOE 61, CiU 8, PNV 6, CC 5, PIL 1; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PP 44.5%, PSOE 34%, CiU 4.2%, IU 5.4%, PNV 1.5%, CC 1%, BNG 1.3%; seats by party - PP 183, PSOE 125, CiU 15, IU 8, PNV 7, CC 4, BNG 3, other 5 Sri Lanka unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of a modified proportional representation system by district to serve six-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2007) election results: percent of vote by party or electoral alliance - UNP, SLMC and CWC 46.8%, PA and EPDP 38%, JVP 9.1%, TNA 3.89%, PLOTE 0.19%; seats by party or electoral alliance - UNP, SLMC and CWC 114, PA and EPDP 79, JVP 16, TNA 15, PLOTE 1 Sudan unicameral National Assembly (360 seats; 270 popularly elected, 90 elected by supra assembly of interest groups known as National Congress; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 13-22 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004) election results: NCP 355, others 5 note: on 12 December 1999, BASHIR dismissed the National Assembly during an internal power struggle between the president and the speaker of the National Assembly Hassan al-TURABI Suriname unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NF 33, MC 10, DNP 2000 3, DA '91 2, PVF 2, PALU 1 note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a year early Swaziland bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of the Senate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 18 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008) election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round Sweden unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 39.8%, Moderates 15.2%, Liberal Party 13.3%, Christian Democrats 9.1%, Left Party 8.3%, Center Party 6.1%, Greens 4.6%; seats by party - Social Democrats 144, Moderates 55, Liberal Party 48, Christian Democrats 33, Left Party 30, Center Party 22, Greens 17 Switzerland bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of States - last held NA 1999 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2007) election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 18, CVP 15, SVP 7, SPS 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 27.7%, SPS 24.2%, FDP 16%, CVP 12.9%, Greens 7.7%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 52, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13, other small parties 16 Syria unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2-3 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NPF 67%, independents 33%; seats by party - NPF 167, independents 83; note - the constitution guarantees that the Ba'th Party (part of the NPF alliance) receives one-half of the seats Taiwan unicameral Legislative Yuan (225 seats - 168 elected by popular vote, 41 elected on the basis of the proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected from overseas Chinese constituencies on the basis of the proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected by popular vote among the aboriginal populations; members serve three-year terms) and unicameral National Assembly (300 seat nonstanding body; delegates nominated by parties and elected by proportional representation within three months of a Legislative Yuan call to amend the Constitution, impeach the president, or change national borders) elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 8 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2004); note - the National Assembly is a nonstanding body and is called into session election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - DPP 39%, KMT 30%, PFP 20%, TSU 6%, independents and other parties 5%; seats by party - DPP 87, KMT 68, PFP 46, TSU 13, independents and other parties 11 Tajikistan bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy (33 seats; members are indirectly elected, 25 selected by local deputies, 8 appointed by the president; all serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 February and 12 March 2000 for the Assembly of Representatives (next to be held NA 2005) and 23 March 2000 for the National Assembly (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 65%, Communist Party 20%, Islamic Rebirth Party 7.5%, other 7.5%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA Tanzania unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats - 232 elected by popular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the president, five to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives; members serve five-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats, directly elected by universal suffrage to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CCM 244, CUF 16, CHADEMA 4, TLP 3, UDP 2, Zanzibar representatives 5; Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CCM 34, CUF 16 Thailand bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 4 March, 29 April, 4 June, 9 July, and 22 July 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); House of Representatives - last held 6 January 2001 (next to be held NA January 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TRT 248, DP 128, TNP 41, NDP 29, other 54 Togo unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 October 2002 (next NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPT 72, RSD 3, UDPS 2, Juvento 2, MOCEP 1, independents 1 note: two opposition parties boycotted the election, the Union of the Forces for Change, and the Action Committee for Renewal Tokelau unicameral General Fono (48 seats; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power on the General Fono Tonga unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held 7 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote - pro-democratic 70%; seats - pro-democratic 7, traditionalist 2 Trinidad and Tobago bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; members appointed by the president for a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 October 2002 (next to be held by October 2007) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 55.5%, UNC 44.5%; seats by party - PNM 20, UNC 16 note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly, with 15 members serving four-year terms Tunisia unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (182 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - RCD 92%; seats by party - RCD 148, MDS 13, UDU 7, PUP 7, Al-Tajdid 5, PSL 2; note - reforms enabled opposition parties to win up to 20% of seats, increasing the number of seats they hold from 19 in the last election to 34 now Turkey unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); note - a special rerun of the General Election in the province of Siirt on 9 March 2003 resulted in the election of Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN to a seat in parliament, a prerequisite for becoming prime minister on 13 March 2003 election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 34.3%, CHP 19.4%, DYP 9.6%, MHP 8.3%, ANAP 5.1%, DSP 1.1%, and others; seats by party - AKP 363, CHP 178, independents 9; note - parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats Turkmenistan under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (more than 100 seats, some of which are elected by popular vote and some of which are appointed; meets at least yearly) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: People's Council - NA; Assembly - last held 12 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - all 50 elected officials preapproved by President NIYAZOV; most are from the DPT Turks and Caicos Islands unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats, of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%; seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August 2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now has 5 Tuvalu unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15 Uganda unicameral National Assembly (303 members - 214 directly elected by popular vote, 81 nominated by legally established special interest groups [women 56, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 8 ex officio members; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 June 2001 (next to be held May or June 2006); election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - election campaigning by party was not permitted Ukraine unicameral Supreme Council or Verkhovna Rada (450 seats; under Ukraine's new election law, 225 of the Supreme Council's seats are allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that gain 4% or more of the national electoral vote; the other 225 members are elected by popular vote in single-mandate constituencies; all serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Our Ukraine 24%, CPU 20%, United Ukraine 12%, United Social Democratic Party 6%, SPU 7%, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 7%, other 24%; seats by party - Our Ukraine 102, CPU 60, Regions of Ukraine 42, Working Ukraine-Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 41, United Social Democratic Party 39, Democratic Initiatives 22, SPU 20, People's Power 19, European Choice 18, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 18, Agrarian Party 17, People's Democratic Party 16, People's Choice 15, others 21 note: following the election, United Ukraine splintered into the Agrarian Party, European Choice, People's Choice, People's Democratic Party, Regions of Ukraine, and Working Ukraine-Industrialists and Entrepreneurs United Arab Emirates unicameral Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms) elections: none note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto United Kingdom bicameral Parliament comprised of House of Lords (consists of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers and 26 clergy) and House of Commons (659 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier) elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain there; pending further reforms, elections are held only as vacancies in the hereditary peerage arise); House of Commons - last held 7 June 2001 (next to be held by NA May 2006) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Labor 42.1%, Conservative and Unionist 32.7%, Liberal Democrats 18.8%, other 6.4%; seats by party - Labor 412, Conservative and Unionist 166, Liberal Democrat 52, other 29; note - seating as of 15 February 2002: Labor 410, Conservative 164, Liberal Democrats 53, other 32 note: in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Parliament (because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of 1999 and has been rescinded three times the latest occurring in October 2002; since October 2002 the Northern Ireland Parliament has been suspended); in 1999 there were elections for a new Scottish Parliament and a new Welsh Assembly United States bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two years; two members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 51, Democratic Party 48, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 226, Democratic Party 204, independent 1, undecided 4 Uruguay bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 12, Colorado Party 10, Blanco 7, New Sector/Space Coalition 1; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 40, Colorado Party 33, Blanco 22, New Sector/Space Coalition 4 Uzbekistan unicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - 2002 amendment to the constitution creates a second chamber to be established via elections in 2004 elections: last held 5 December and 19 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 48, Self-Sacrificers Party 34, Fatherland Progress Party 20, Adolat Social Democratic Party 11, MTP 10, citizens' groups 16, local government 110, vacant 1 note: not all seats in the last Supreme Assembly election were contested; all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV Vanuatu unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 15, VP 14, VRP 3, MPP 2, other and independent 18; note - political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land Venezuela unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela) elections: last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - pro-government 108 (MVR 92, MAS 6, indigenous 3, other 7), opposition 57 (AD 33, COPEI 6, Justice First 5, other 13) Vietnam unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (498 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 May 2002 (next to be held 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - CPV 90%, other 10% (the 10% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand for election); seats by party - CPV 447, CPV-approved 51 Virgin Islands unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NA note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected Wallis and Futuna unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats - RPR (now UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 16 June 2002 (next to be held by NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats - RPR (UMP) 1 Yemen a new constitutional amendment ratified on 20 February 2001 created a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats; members appointed by the president) and a House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA April 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GPC 238, Islah 46, YSP 8, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Baath Party 2, independents 4 Zambia unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - MMD 45.9%, UPND 32.4%, UNIP 8.8%, FDD 8.1%, HP 2.7%, PF 0.7%, ZRP 0.7%, independents 0.7%; seats by party - MMD 68, UPND 48, UNIP 13, FDD 12, HP 4, PF 1, ZRP 1, independents 1; seats not determined 2 Zimbabwe unicameral House of Assembly (150 seats - 120 elected by popular vote for five-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10 occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied by provincial governors appointed by the president) elections: last held 24-25 June 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 48.6%, MDC 47.0%, other 4.4%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 62, MDC 57, ZANU-Ndonga 1 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2102 Life expectancy at birth (years) Afghanistan total population: 46.97 years male: 47.67 years female: 46.23 years (2003 est.) Albania total population: 72.37 years male: 69.53 years female: 75.42 years (2003 est.) Algeria total population: 70.54 years male: 69.14 years female: 72.01 years (2003 est.) American Samoa total population: 75.75 years male: 71.35 years female: 80.41 years (2003 est.) Andorra total population: 83.49 years male: 80.58 years female: 86.58 years (2003 est.) Angola total population: 36.96 years male: 36.13 years female: 37.83 years (2003 est.) Anguilla total population: 76.7 years male: 73.79 years female: 79.7 years (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda total population: 71.31 years male: 68.99 years female: 73.75 years (2003 est.) Argentina total population: 75.48 years male: 71.72 years female: 79.44 years (2003 est.) Armenia total population: 66.68 years male: 62.41 years female: 71.17 years (2003 est.) Aruba total population: 78.83 years male: 75.48 years female: 82.34 years (2003 est.) Australia total population: 80.13 years male: 77.27 years female: 83.13 years (2003 est.) Austria total population: 78.17 years male: 75.02 years female: 81.48 years (2003 est.) Azerbaijan total population: 63.16 years male: 58.95 years female: 67.58 years (2003 est.) Bahamas, The total population: 65.71 years male: 62.3 years female: 69.18 years (2003 est.) Bahrain total population: 73.72 years male: 71.28 years female: 76.24 years (2003 est.) Bangladesh total population: 61.33 years male: 61.46 years female: 61.2 years (2003 est.) Barbados total population: 71.84 years male: 69.56 years female: 74.14 years (2003 est.) Belarus total population: 68.43 years male: 62.54 years female: 74.6 years (2003 est.) Belgium total population: 78.29 years male: 74.97 years female: 81.78 years (2003 est.) Belize total population: 67.36 years male: 65.19 years female: 69.63 years (2003 est.) Benin total population: 51.08 years male: 50.35 years female: 51.84 years (2003 est.) Bermuda total population: 77.41 years male: 75.38 years female: 79.49 years (2003 est.) Bhutan total population: 53.58 years male: 53.9 years female: 53.25 years (2003 est.) Bolivia total population: 64.78 years male: 62.2 years female: 67.48 years (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina total population: 72.29 years male: 69.56 years female: 75.22 years (2003 est.) Botswana total population: 32.26 years male: 32.2 years female: 32.32 years (2003 est.) Brazil total population: 71.13 years male: 67.16 years female: 75.3 years (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands total population: 76.06 years male: 75.07 years female: 77.1 years (2003 est.) Brunei total population: 74.3 years male: 71.9 years female: 76.82 years (2003 est.) Bulgaria total population: 71.8 years male: 68.26 years female: 75.56 years (2003 est.) Burkina Faso total population: 44.46 years male: 43.02 years female: 45.94 years (2003 est.) Burma total population: 55.79 years male: 54.12 years female: 57.56 years (2003 est.) Burundi total population: 43.2 years male: 42.54 years female: 43.88 years (2003 est.) Cambodia total population: 57.92 years male: 55.49 years female: 60.47 years (2003 est.) Cameroon total population: 48.05 years male: 47.15 years female: 48.97 years (2003 est.) Canada total population: 79.83 years male: 76.44 years female: 83.38 years (2003 est.) Cape Verde total population: 69.83 years male: 66.53 years female: 73.23 years (2003 est.) Cayman Islands total population: 79.67 years male: 77.08 years female: 82.3 years (2003 est.) Central African Republic total population: 41.71 years male: 40.18 years female: 43.29 years (2003 est.) Chad total population: 48.51 years male: 46.97 years female: 50.1 years (2003 est.) Chile total population: 76.35 years male: 73.04 years female: 79.82 years (2003 est.) China total population: 72.22 years male: 70.33 years female: 74.28 years (2003 est.) Christmas Island total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Colombia total population: 71.14 years male: 67.29 years female: 75.12 years (2003 est.) Comoros total population: 61.18 years male: 58.92 years female: 63.5 years (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total population: 48.93 years male: 46.83 years female: 51.09 years (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the total population: 50.02 years male: 49.04 years female: 51.02 years (2003 est.) Cook Islands total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Costa Rica total population: 76.43 years male: 73.87 years female: 79.11 years (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire total population: 42.65 years male: 40.34 years female: 45.04 years (2003 est.) Croatia total population: 74.37 years male: 70.76 years female: 78.2 years (2003 est.) Cuba total population: 76.8 years male: 74.38 years female: 79.36 years (2003 est.) Cyprus total population: 77.27 years male: 74.94 years female: 79.71 years (2003 est.) Czech Republic total population: 75.18 years male: 71.69 years female: 78.87 years (2003 est.) Denmark total population: 77.1 years male: 74.48 years female: 79.87 years (2003 est.) Djibouti total population: 43.13 years male: 41.82 years female: 44.48 years (2003 est.) Dominica total population: 74.12 years male: 71.23 years female: 77.15 years (2003 est.) Dominican Republic total population: 67.96 years male: 66.41 years female: 69.58 years (2003 est.) East Timor total population: 65.2 years male: 62.97 years female: 67.55 years (2003 est.) Ecuador total population: 71.89 years male: 69.06 years female: 74.86 years (2003 est.) Egypt total population: 70.41 years male: 67.94 years female: 73 years (2003 est.) El Salvador total population: 70.62 years male: 67.02 years female: 74.4 years (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea total population: 54.75 years male: 52.63 years female: 56.93 years (2003 est.) Eritrea total population: 53.18 years male: 51.48 years female: 54.92 years (2003 est.) Estonia total population: 70.31 years male: 64.36 years female: 76.57 years (2003 est.) Ethiopia total population: 41.24 years male: 40.39 years female: 42.11 years (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Faroe Islands total population: 78.9 years male: 75.44 years female: 82.36 years (2003 est.) Fiji total population: 68.88 years male: 66.43 years female: 71.44 years (2003 est.) Finland total population: 77.92 years male: 74.28 years female: 81.68 years (2003 est.) France total population: 79.28 years male: 75.63 years female: 83.11 years (2003 est.) French Guiana total population: 76.69 years male: 73.36 years female: 80.18 years (2003 est.) French Polynesia total population: 75.45 years male: 73.08 years female: 77.93 years (2003 est.) Gabon total population: 57.12 years male: 55.45 years female: 58.84 years (2003 est.) Gambia, The total population: 54.38 years male: 52.39 years female: 56.44 years (2003 est.) Gaza Strip total population: 71.4 years male: 70.13 years female: 72.73 years (2003 est.) Georgia total population: 64.76 years male: 61.33 years female: 68.36 years (2003 est.) Germany total population: 78.42 years male: 75.46 years female: 81.55 years (2003 est.) Ghana total population: 56.53 years male: 55.66 years female: 57.43 years (2003 est.) Gibraltar total population: 79.38 years male: 76.51 years female: 82.4 years (2003 est.) Greece total population: 78.89 years male: 76.32 years female: 81.65 years (2003 est.) Greenland total population: 69 years male: 65.44 years female: 72.65 years (2003 est.) Grenada total population: 64.52 years male: 62.74 years female: 66.31 years (2003 est.) Guadeloupe total population: 77.53 years male: 74.37 years female: 80.84 years (2003 est.) Guam total population: 78.27 years male: 75.96 years female: 80.9 years (2003 est.) Guatemala total population: 65.23 years male: 64.31 years female: 66.21 years (2003 est.) Guernsey total population: 80.04 years male: 77.04 years female: 83.14 years (2003 est.) Guinea total population: 49.54 years male: 48.28 years female: 50.83 years (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau total population: 46.97 years male: 45.09 years female: 48.91 years (2003 est.) Guyana total population: 63.09 years male: 60.51 years female: 65.79 years (2003 est.) Haiti total population: 51.61 years male: 50.36 years female: 52.92 years (2003 est.) Honduras total population: 66.65 years male: 65.31 years female: 68.06 years (2003 est.) Hong Kong total population: 79.93 years male: 77.23 years female: 82.83 years (2003 est.) Hungary total population: 72.17 years male: 67.84 years female: 76.81 years (2003 est.) Iceland total population: 79.8 years male: 77.54 years female: 82.22 years (2003 est.) India total population: 63.62 years male: 62.92 years female: 64.37 years (2003 est.) Indonesia total population: 68.94 years male: 66.54 years female: 71.47 years (2003 est.) Iran total population: 69.35 years male: 68.04 years female: 70.73 years (2003 est.) Iraq total population: 67.81 years male: 66.7 years female: 68.99 years (2003 est.) Ireland total population: 77.35 years male: 74.58 years female: 80.31 years (2003 est.) Israel total population: 79.02 years male: 76.95 years female: 81.19 years (2003 est.) Italy total population: 79.4 years male: 76.47 years female: 82.52 years (2003 est.) Jamaica total population: 75.85 years male: 73.84 years female: 77.97 years (2003 est.) Japan total population: 80.93 years male: 77.63 years female: 84.41 years (2003 est.) Jersey total population: 78.93 years male: 76.48 years female: 81.57 years (2003 est.) Jordan total population: 77.88 years male: 75.42 years female: 80.5 years (2003 est.) Kazakhstan total population: 63.48 years male: 58.16 years female: 69.06 years (2003 est.) Kenya total population: 45.22 years male: 45.02 years female: 45.43 years (2003 est.) Kiribati total population: 60.93 years male: 57.97 years female: 64.03 years (2003 est.) Korea, North total population: 70.79 years male: 68.1 years female: 73.61 years (2003 est.) Korea, South total population: 75.36 years male: 71.73 years female: 79.32 years (2003 est.) Kuwait total population: 76.65 years male: 75.72 years female: 77.62 years (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan total population: 63.66 years male: 59.49 years female: 68.03 years (2003 est.) Laos total population: 54.3 years male: 52.34 years female: 56.33 years (2003 est.) Latvia total population: 69.31 years male: 63.46 years female: 75.45 years (2003 est.) Lebanon total population: 72.07 years male: 69.64 years female: 74.61 years (2003 est.) Lesotho total population: 36.94 years male: 36.76 years female: 37.13 years (2003 est.) Liberia total population: 48.15 years male: 47.03 years female: 49.3 years (2003 est.) Libya total population: 76.07 years male: 73.91 years female: 78.34 years (2003 est.) Liechtenstein total population: 79.25 years male: 75.63 years female: 82.87 years (2003 est.) Lithuania total population: 69.6 years male: 63.78 years female: 75.7 years (2003 est.) Luxembourg total population: 77.66 years male: 74.38 years female: 81.15 years (2003 est.) Macau total population: 81.87 years male: 79.05 years female: 84.82 years (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total population: 74.49 years male: 72.23 years female: 76.94 years (2003 est.) Madagascar total population: 56.14 years male: 53.82 years female: 58.53 years (2003 est.) Malawi total population: 37.98 years male: 37.57 years female: 38.39 years (2003 est.) Malaysia total population: 71.67 years male: 69.01 years female: 74.51 years (2003 est.) Maldives total population: 63.3 years male: 62.07 years female: 64.6 years (2003 est.) Mali total population: 45.43 years male: 44.7 years female: 46.19 years (2003 est.) Malta total population: 78.43 years male: 75.94 years female: 81.14 years (2003 est.) Man, Isle of total population: 77.98 years male: 74.62 years female: 81.53 years (2003 est.) Marshall Islands total population: 69.39 years male: 67.49 years female: 71.4 years (2003 est.) Martinique total population: 78.72 years male: 79.27 years female: 78.16 years (2003 est.) Mauritania total population: 51.93 years male: 49.78 years female: 54.13 years (2003 est.) Mauritius total population: 71.8 years male: 67.82 years female: 75.85 years (2003 est.) Mayotte total population: 60.6 years male: 58.49 years female: 62.78 years (2003 est.) Mexico total population: 72.3 years male: 69.26 years female: 75.49 years (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of total population: 69.13 years male: 67.39 years female: 70.95 years (2003 est.) Moldova total population: 64.88 years male: 60.63 years female: 69.35 years (2003 est.) Monaco total population: 79.27 years male: 75.37 years female: 83.37 years (2003 est.) Mongolia total population: 63.81 years male: 61.63 years female: 66.09 years (2003 est.) Montserrat total population: 78.36 years male: 76.24 years female: 80.59 years (2003 est.) Morocco total population: 70.04 years male: 67.77 years female: 72.41 years (2003 est.) Mozambique total population: 31.3 years male: 30.98 years female: 31.63 years (2003 est.) Namibia total population: 42.77 years male: 44.27 years female: 41.22 years (2003 est.) Nauru total population: 61.95 years male: 58.41 years female: 65.66 years (2003 est.) Nepal total population: 59 years male: 59.36 years female: 58.63 years (2003 est.) Netherlands total population: 78.74 years male: 75.85 years female: 81.76 years (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles total population: 75.38 years male: 73.16 years female: 77.7 years (2003 est.) New Caledonia total population: 73.52 years male: 70.57 years female: 76.62 years (2003 est.) New Zealand total population: 78.32 years male: 75.34 years female: 81.44 years (2003 est.) Nicaragua total population: 69.68 years male: 67.68 years female: 71.79 years (2003 est.) Niger total population: 42.21 years male: 42.29 years female: 42.12 years (2003 est.) Nigeria total population: 51.01 years male: 50.89 years female: 51.14 years (2003 est.) Niue total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Norfolk Island total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands total population: 76.16 years male: 73.06 years female: 79.44 years (2003 est.) Norway total population: 79.09 years male: 76.15 years female: 82.22 years (2003 est.) Oman total population: 72.58 years male: 70.4 years female: 74.86 years (2003 est.) Pakistan total population: 62.2 years male: 61.3 years female: 63.14 years (2003 est.) Palau total population: 69.5 years male: 66.37 years female: 72.82 years (2003 est.) Panama total population: 72.32 years male: 69.97 years female: 74.79 years (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea total population: 64.19 years male: 62.07 years female: 66.42 years (2003 est.) Paraguay total population: 74.4 years male: 71.89 years female: 77.03 years (2003 est.) Peru total population: 70.88 years male: 68.45 years female: 73.43 years (2003 est.) Philippines total population: 69.29 years male: 66.44 years female: 72.28 years (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Poland total population: 73.91 years male: 69.77 years female: 78.28 years (2003 est.) Portugal total population: 76.35 years male: 72.86 years female: 80.07 years (2003 est.) Puerto Rico total population: 77.26 years male: 73.27 years female: 81.44 years (2003 est.) Qatar total population: 73.14 years male: 70.65 years female: 75.76 years (2003 est.) Reunion total population: 73.43 years male: 70.03 years female: 77 years (2003 est.) Romania total population: 70.62 years male: 66.88 years female: 74.59 years (2003 est.) Russia total population: 67.66 years male: 62.46 years female: 73.11 years (2003 est.) Rwanda total population: 39.33 years male: 38.51 years female: 40.18 years (2003 est.) Saint Helena total population: 77.38 years male: 74.49 years female: 80.42 years (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis total population: 71.57 years male: 68.76 years female: 74.56 years (2003 est.) Saint Lucia total population: 73.08 years male: 69.52 years female: 76.9 years (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total population: 78.11 years male: 75.82 years female: 80.51 years (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total population: 73.08 years male: 71.3 years female: 74.92 years (2003 est.) Samoa total population: 70.11 years male: 67.35 years female: 73 years (2003 est.) San Marino total population: 81.43 years male: 77.9 years female: 85.26 years (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe total population: 66.28 years male: 64.79 years female: 67.82 years (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia total population: 68.73 years male: 66.99 years female: 70.55 years (2003 est.) Senegal total population: 56.37 years male: 54.83 years female: 57.95 years (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro total population: 73.97 years male: 71.03 years female: 77.16 years (2003 est.) Seychelles total population: 71.25 years male: 65.78 years female: 76.88 years (2003 est.) Sierra Leone total population: 42.84 years male: 40.33 years female: 45.42 years (2003 est.) Singapore total population: 80.42 years male: 77.46 years female: 83.6 years (2003 est.) Slovakia total population: 74.43 years male: 70.44 years female: 78.64 years (2003 est.) Slovenia total population: 75.51 years male: 71.65 years female: 79.58 years (2003 est.) Solomon Islands total population: 72.1 years male: 69.64 years female: 74.68 years (2003 est.) Somalia total population: 47.34 years male: 45.67 years female: 49.05 years (2003 est.) South Africa total population: 46.56 years male: 46.57 years female: 46.54 years (2003 est.) Spain total population: 79.23 years male: 75.87 years female: 82.8 years (2003 est.) Sri Lanka total population: 72.62 years male: 70.09 years female: 75.29 years (2003 est.) Sudan total population: 57.73 years male: 56.59 years female: 58.93 years (2003 est.) Suriname total population: 69.23 years male: 66.79 years female: 71.78 years (2003 est.) Svalbard total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) Swaziland total population: 39.47 years male: 41.02 years female: 37.87 years (2003 est.) Sweden total population: 79.97 years male: 77.31 years female: 82.78 years (2003 est.) Switzerland total population: 79.99 years male: 77.11 years female: 83.02 years (2003 est.) Syria total population: 69.39 years male: 68.18 years female: 70.67 years (2003 est.) Taiwan total population: 76.87 years male: 74.12 years female: 79.88 years (2003 est.) Tajikistan total population: 64.37 years male: 61.39 years female: 67.5 years (2003 est.) Tanzania total population: 44.56 years male: 43.33 years female: 45.83 years (2003 est.) Thailand total population: 71.24 years male: 69.07 years female: 73.53 years (2003 est.) Togo total population: 53.43 years male: 51.47 years female: 55.45 years (2003 est.) Tokelau total population: NA years male: 68 years female: 70 years (2003 est.) Tonga total population: 68.88 years male: 66.43 years female: 71.44 years (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago total population: 69.59 years male: 67.07 years female: 72.23 years (2003 est.) Tunisia total population: 74.4 years male: 72.77 years female: 76.15 years (2003 est.) Turkey total population: 71.8 years male: 69.41 years female: 74.3 years (2003 est.) Turkmenistan total population: 61.19 years male: 57.72 years female: 64.84 years (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands total population: 74 years male: 71.82 years female: 76.3 years (2003 est.) Tuvalu total population: 67.32 years male: 65.15 years female: 69.59 years (2003 est.) Uganda total population: 44.88 years male: 43.42 years female: 46.38 years (2003 est.) Ukraine total population: 66.5 years male: 61.1 years female: 72.17 years (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates total population: 74.75 years male: 72.28 years female: 77.35 years (2003 est.) United Kingdom total population: 78.16 years male: 75.74 years female: 80.7 years (2003 est.) United States total population: 77.14 years male: 74.37 years female: 80.05 years (2003 est.) Uruguay total population: 75.87 years male: 72.54 years female: 79.38 years (2003 est.) Uzbekistan total population: 64 years male: 60.53 years female: 67.64 years (2003 est.) Vanuatu total population: 61.71 years male: 60.28 years female: 63.21 years (2003 est.) Venezuela total population: 73.81 years male: 70.78 years female: 77.07 years (2003 est.) Vietnam total population: 70.05 years male: 67.58 years female: 72.7 years (2003 est.) Virgin Islands total population: 78.59 years male: 74.73 years female: 82.68 years (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) West Bank total population: 72.68 years male: 70.95 years female: 74.51 years (2003 est.) Western Sahara total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) World total population: 63.95 years male: 62 years female: 70.23 years (2003 est.) Yemen total population: 60.97 years male: 59.16 years female: 62.87 years (2003 est.) Zambia total population: 35.25 years male: 35.25 years female: 35.25 years (2003 est.) Zimbabwe total population: 39.01 years male: 40.09 years female: 37.89 years (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2103 Literacy (%) Afghanistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 36% male: 51% female: 21% (1999 est.) Albania definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 93.3% female: 79.5% (2003 est.) Algeria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70% male: 78.8% female: 61% (2003 est.) American Samoa definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.) Andorra definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Angola definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% (1998 est.) Anguilla definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) Antigua and Barbuda definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 89% male: 90% female: 88% (1960 est.) Argentina definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.1% male: 97.1% female: 97.1% (2003 est.) Armenia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.4% female: 98% (2003 est.) Aruba definition: total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA% Australia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1980 est.) Austria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA% Azerbaijan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.) Bahamas, The definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) Bahrain definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 91.9% female: 85% (2003 est.) Bangladesh definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 43.1% male: 53.9% female: 31.8% (2003 est.) Barbados definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97.4% male: 98% female: 96.8% (1995 est.) Belarus definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.8% female: 99.5% (2003 est.) Belgium definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA% Belize definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.1% male: 94.1% female: 94.1% (2003 est.) Benin definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.9% male: 56.2% female: 26.5% (2000) Bermuda definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1970 est.) Bhutan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.) Bolivia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.2% male: 93.1% female: 81.6% (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Botswana definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.8% male: 76.9% female: 82.4% (2003 est.) Brazil definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 86.1% female: 86.6% (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Brunei definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.8% male: 94.8% female: 88.5% (2003 est.) Bulgaria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.1% female: 98.2% (2003 est.) Burkina Faso definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 26.6% male: 36.9% female: 16.6% (2003 est.) Burma definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.1% male: 88.7% female: 77.7% (1995 est.) note: these are official statistics; estimates of functional literacy are likely closer to 30% (1999 est.) Burundi definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.6% male: 58.5% female: 45.2% (2003 est.) Cambodia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.9% male: 80.5% female: 60.3% (2003 est.) Cameroon definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79% male: 84.7% female: 73.4% (2003 est.) Canada definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% (1986 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Cape Verde definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.6% male: 85.8% female: 69.2% (2003 est.) Cayman Islands definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.) Central African Republic definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51% male: 63.3% female: 39.9% (2003 est.) Chad definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic total population: 47.5% male: 56% female: 39.3% (2003 est.) Chile definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.2% male: 96.4% female: 96.1% (2003 est.) China definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86% male: 92.9% female: 78.8% (2003 est.) Christmas Island NA Colombia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 92.4% female: 92.6% (2003 est.) Comoros definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 56.5% male: 63.6% female: 49.3% (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba total population: 65.5% male: 76.2% female: 55.1% (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.8% male: 89.6% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) Cook Islands definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% Costa Rica definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 95.9% female: 96.1% (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50.9% male: 57.9% female: 43.6% (2003 est.) Croatia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.5% male: 99.4% female: 97.8% (2003 est.) Cuba definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97.2% female: 96.9% (2003 est.) Cyprus definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.6% male: 98.9% female: 96.3% (2003 est.) Czech Republic definition: NA total population: 99.9% (1999 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Denmark definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Djibouti definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 78% female: 58.4% (2003 est.) Dominica definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% (2003 est.) Dominican Republic definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.7% male: 84.6% female: 84.8% (2003 est.) East Timor definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48% (2001) male: NA% female: NA% Ecuador definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 94% female: 91% (2003 est.) Egypt definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.7% male: 68.3% female: 46.9% (2003 est.) El Salvador definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 80.2% male: 82.8% female: 77.7% (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.7% male: 93.3% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) Eritrea definition: NA total population: 58.6% male: 69.9% female: 47.6% (2003 est.) Estonia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2003 est.) Ethiopia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.7% male: 50.3% female: 35.1% (2003 est.) Faroe Islands definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: similar to Denmark proper Fiji definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 95.5% female: 91.9% (2003 est.) Finland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA% France definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1980 est.) French Guiana definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83% male: 84% female: 82% (1982 est.) French Polynesia definition: age 14 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1977 est.) Gabon definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female: 53.3% (1995 est.) Gambia, The definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.) Gaza Strip definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Georgia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 100% female: 98% (1999 est.) Germany definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1977 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Ghana definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.8% male: 82.7% female: 67.1% (2003 est.) Gibraltar definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA% female: NA% Greece definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.5% male: 98.6% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) Greenland definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: similar to Denmark proper Grenada definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.) Guadeloupe definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90% male: 90% female: 90% (1982 est.) Guam definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1990 est.) Guatemala definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.6% male: 78% female: 63.3% (2003 est.) Guernsey definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Guinea definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.9% male: 49.9% female: 21.9% (1995 est.) Guinea-Bissau definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.4% male: 58.1% female: 27.4% (2003 est.) Guyana definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98.8% male: 99.1% female: 98.5% (2003 est.) Haiti definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.9% male: 54.8% female: 51.2% (2003 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Honduras definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.2% male: 76.1% female: 76.3% (2003 est.) Hong Kong definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 97.1% female: 90.5% (2003 est.) Hungary definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.5% female: 99.3% (2003 est.) Iceland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.9% (1997 est.) male: NA% female: NA% India definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 59.5% male: 70.2% female: 48.3% (2003 est.) Indonesia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.5% male: 92.9% female: 84.1% (2003 est.) Iran definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.4% male: 85.6% female: 73% (2003 est.) Iraq definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.4% male: 55.9% female: 24.4% (2003 est.) Ireland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% (1981 est.) male: NA female: NA Israel definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.4% male: 97.3% female: 93.6% (2003 est.) Italy definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99% female: 98.3% (2003 est.) Jamaica definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 87.9% male: 84.1% female: 91.6% (2003 est.) Japan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1995 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Jersey definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Jordan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 95.9% female: 86.3% (2003 est.) Kazakhstan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 99.1% female: 97.7% (1999 est.) Kenya definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.1% male: 90.6% female: 79.7% (2003 est.) Kiribati definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Korea, North definition: age 15 and over can read and write Korean total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% Korea, South definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.1% male: 99.3% female: 97% (2003 est.) Kuwait definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.5% male: 85.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.) Laos definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.8% male: 67.5% female: 38.1% (2003 est.) Latvia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2003 est.) Lebanon definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 93.1% female: 82.2% (2003 est.) Lesotho definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.8% male: 74.5% female: 94.5% (2003 est.) Liberia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.5% male: 73.3% female: 41.6% note: (2003 est.) Libya definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.6% male: 92.4% female: 72% (2003 est.) Liechtenstein definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1981 est.) Lithuania definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2003 est.) Luxembourg definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.) Macau definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.5% male: 97.2% female: 92% (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Madagascar definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.9% male: 75.5% female: 62.5% (2003 est.) Malawi definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62.7% male: 76.1% female: 49.8% (2003 est.) Malaysia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.9% male: 92.4% female: 85.4% (2003 est.) Maldives definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.2% male: 97.1% female: 97.3% (2003 est.) Mali definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 46.4% male: 53.5% female: 39.6% (2003 est.) Malta definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92% female: 93.6% (2003 est.) Man, Isle of definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Marshall Islands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 93.6% female: 93.7% (1999) Martinique definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.7% male: 97.4% female: 98.1% (2003 est.) Mauritania definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 41.7% male: 51.8% female: 31.9% (2003 est.) Mauritius definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.6% male: 88.6% female: 82.7% (2003 est.) Mayotte definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Mexico definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.2% male: 94% female: 90.5% (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.) Moldova definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99.6% female: 98.7% (2003 est.) Monaco definition: NA total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Mongolia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99.2% female: 99% (2003 est.) Montserrat definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.) Morocco definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.7% male: 64.1% female: 39.4% (2003 est.) Mozambique definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.8% male: 63.5% female: 32.7% (2003 est.) Namibia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84% male: 84.4% female: 83.7% (2003 est.) Nauru definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Nepal definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 45.2% male: 62.7% female: 27.6% (2003 est.) Netherlands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (2000 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Netherlands Antilles definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.7% male: 96.7% female: 96.8% (2003 est.) New Caledonia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92% female: 90% (1976 est.) New Zealand definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Nicaragua definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.5% male: 67.2% female: 67.8% (2003 est.) Niger definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 17.6% male: 25.8% female: 9.7% (2003 est.) Nigeria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68% male: 75.7% female: 60.6% (2003 est.) Niue definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 96% (1980 est.) Norway definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Oman definition: NA total population: 75.8% male: 83.1% female: 67.2% (2003 est.) Pakistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 45.7% male: 59.8% female: 30.6% (2003 est.) Palau definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92% male: 93% female: 90% (1980 est.) Panama definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 93.2% female: 91.9% (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66% male: 72.3% female: 59.3% (2003 est.) Paraguay definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 94.9% female: 93% (2003 est.) Peru definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.9% male: 95.2% female: 86.8% (2003 est.) Philippines definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.9% male: 96% female: 95.8% (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) Portugal definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.3% male: 95.5% female: 91.3% (2003 est.) Puerto Rico definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.8% male: 93.7% female: 94% (2001) Qatar definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.5% male: 81.4% female: 85% (2003 est.) Reunion definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.9% male: 87% female: 90.8% (2003 est.) Romania definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 99.1% female: 97.7% (2003 est.) Russia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.5% (2003 est.) Rwanda definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.4% male: 76.3% female: 64.7% (2003 est.) Saint Helena definition: age 20 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 98% (1987 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 98% (1980 est.) Saint Lucia definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 67% male: 65% female: 69% (1980 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1982 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% (1970 est.) Samoa definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.6% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) San Marino definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97% female: 95% (1976 est.) Sao Tome and Principe definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.3% male: 85% female: 62% (1991 est.) Saudi Arabia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78.8% male: 84.7% female: 70.8% (2003 est.) Senegal definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.2% male: 50% female: 30.7% (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 97.2% female: 88.9% (1991) Seychelles definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58% male: 56% female: 60% (1971 est.) Sierra Leone definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic total population: 31.4% male: 45.4% female: 18.2% (1995 est.) Singapore definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.2% male: 96.7% female: 89.7% (2003 est.) Slovakia definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Slovenia definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2003 est.) Solomon Islands definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Somalia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.8% male: 49.7% female: 25.8% (2001 est.) South Africa definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.) Spain definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 98.7% female: 97.2% (2003 est.) Sri Lanka definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.3% male: 94.8% female: 90% (2003 est.) Sudan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61.1% male: 71.8% female: 50.5% (2003 est.) Suriname definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 95% female: 91% (1995 est.) Svalbard NA Swaziland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.6% male: 82.6% female: 80.8% (2003 est.) Sweden definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1979 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Switzerland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male: female: Syria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.9% male: 89.7% female: 64% (2003 est.) Taiwan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86% male: 93% female: 79% (1980) note: literacy for the total population has reportedly increased to 94% (1998) Tajikistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.6% female: 99.1% (2003 est.) Tanzania definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic total population: 78.2% male: 85.9% female: 70.7% (2003 est.) Thailand definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97.5% female: 94.6% (2003 est.) Togo definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.9% male: 75.4% female: 46.9% (2003 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 98.5% male: 98.4% female: 98.7% (1996 est.) Trinidad and Tobago definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.1% female: 98% (2003 est.) Tunisia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.2% male: 84% female: 64.4% (2003 est.) Turkey definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 94.3% female: 78.7% (2003 est.) Turkmenistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 99% female: 97% (1989 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1970 est.) Tuvalu definition: NA% total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Uganda definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.9% male: 79.5% female: 60.4% (2003 est.) Ukraine definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.8% female: 99.6% (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) United Kingdom definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 99% (2000 est.) male: NA% female: NA% United States definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1979 est.) Uruguay definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 97.6% female: 98.4% (2003 est.) Uzbekistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.3% male: 99.6% female: 99% (2003 est.) Vanuatu definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 53% male: 57% female: 48% (1979 est.) Venezuela definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.4% male: 93.8% female: 93.1% (2003 est.) Vietnam definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 95.8% female: 92.3% (2003 est.) Virgin Islands definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Wallis and Futuna definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.) West Bank definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Western Sahara definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% World definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77% male: 83% female: 71% (1995 est.) Yemen definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50.2% male: 70.5% female: 30% (2003 est.) Zambia definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 80.6% male: 86.8% female: 74.8% (2003 est.) Zimbabwe definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 90.7% male: 94.2% female: 87.2% (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2105 Military manpower - availability Afghanistan males age 15-49: 7,160,603 (2003 est.) Albania males age 15-49: 906,168 (2003 est.) Algeria males age 15-49: 9,243,884 (2003 est.) Angola males age 15-49: 2,568,082 (2003 est.) Argentina males age 15-49: 9,780,063 (2003 est.) Armenia males age 15-49: 919,582 (2003 est.) Australia males age 15-49: 5,037,538 (2003 est.) Austria males age 15-49: 2,093,821 (2003 est.) Azerbaijan males age 15-49: 2,159,450 (2003 est.) Bahrain males age 15-49: 222,242 (2003 est.) Bangladesh males age 15-49: 38,436,912 (2003 est.) Barbados males age 15-49: 77,862 (2003 est.) Belarus males age 15-49: 2,756,572 (2003 est.) Belgium males age 15-49: 2,497,423 (2003 est.) Belize males age 15-49: 66,332 (2003 est.) Benin note: both sexes are liable for military service males age 15-49: 1,597,562 females age 15-49: 1,536,036 (2003 est.) Bhutan males age 15-49: 530,860 (2003 est.) Bolivia males age 15-49: 2,118,908 (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina males age 15-49: 1,132,476 (2003 est.) Botswana males age 15-49: 381,056 (2003 est.) Brazil males age 15-49: 51,381,048 (2003 est.) Brunei males age 15-49: 110,888 (2003 est.) Bulgaria males age 15-49: 1,854,049 (2003 est.) Burkina Faso males age 15-49: 2,957,710 (2003 est.) Burma males age 15-49: 12,349,921 females age 15-49: 12,358,507 note: both sexes liable for military service (2003 est.) Burundi males age 15-49: 1,375,900 (2003 est.) Cambodia males age 15-49: 3,275,533 (2003 est.) Cameroon males age 15-49: 3,799,841 (2003 est.) Canada males age 15-49: 8,391,120 (2003 est.) Cape Verde males age 15-49: 95,450 (2003 est.) Central African Republic males age 15-49: 858,671 (2003 est.) Chad males age 15-49: 1,940,328 (2003 est.) Chile males age 15-49: 4,154,636 (2003 est.) China males age 15-49: 375,520,255 (2003 est.) Colombia males age 15-49: 11,101,719 (2003 est.) Comoros males age 15-49: 150,079 (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 15-49: 12,292,933 (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the males age 15-49: 754,814 (2003 est.) Costa Rica males age 15-49: 1,080,254 (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire males age 15-49: 4,035,462 (2003 est.) Croatia males age 15-49: 1,081,135 (2003 est.) Cuba males age 15-49: 3,120,702 females age 15-49: 3,049,927 note: both sexes are liable for military service (2003 est.) Cyprus males age 15-49: 201,606 (2003 est.) Czech Republic males age 15-49: 2,622,192 (2003 est.) Denmark males age 15-49: 1,282,315 (2003 est.) Djibouti males age 15-49: 107,050 (2003 est.) Dominican Republic males age 15-49: 2,319,419 (2003 est.) East Timor NA Ecuador males age 15-49: 3,555,068 (2003 est.) Egypt males age 15-49: 19,895,370 (2003 est.) El Salvador males age 15-49: 1,536,230 (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea males age 15-49: 116,496 (2003 est.) Estonia males age 15-49: 360,440 (2003 est.) Ethiopia males age 15-49: 15,388,318 (2003 est.) Fiji males age 15-49: 235,546 (2003 est.) Finland males age 15-49: 1,230,934 (2003 est.) France males age 15-49: 14,523,208 (2003 est.) French Guiana males age 15-49: 51,444 (2003 est.) Gabon males age 15-49: 305,603 (2003 est.) Gambia, The males age 15-49: 338,800 (2003 est.) Georgia males age 15-49: 1,302,815 (2003 est.) Germany males age 15-49: 20,509,838 (2003 est.) Ghana males age 15-49: 5,240,557 (2003 est.) Greece males age 15-49: 2,662,208 (2003 est.) Guatemala males age 15-49: 3,320,077 (2003 est.) Guinea males age 15-49: 2,056,520 (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau males age 15-49: 318,711 (2003 est.) Guyana males age 15-49: 207,890 (2003 est.) Haiti males age 15-49: 1,735,845 (2003 est.) Honduras males age 15-49: 1,594,266 (2003 est.) Hong Kong males age 15-49: 2,033,716 (2003 est.) Hungary males age 15-49: 2,541,426 (2003 est.) Iceland males age 15-49: 71,157 (2003 est.) India males age 15-49: 288,251,975 (2003 est.) Indonesia males age 15-49: 65,665,721 (2003 est.) Iran males age 15-49: 20,343,063 (2003 est.) Iraq males age 15-49: 6,339,458 (2003 est.) Ireland males age 15-49: 1,020,182 (2003 est.) Israel males age 15-49: 1,562,716 females age 15-49: 1,516,505 note: both sexes are liable for military service (2003 est.) Italy males age 15-49: 14,450,147 (2003 est.) Jamaica males age 15-49: 755,698 (2003 est.) Japan males age 15-49: 29,392,559 (2003 est.) Jordan males age 15-49: 1,577,136 (2003 est.) Kazakhstan males age 15-49: 4,580,754 (2003 est.) Kenya males age 15-49: 8,096,142 (2003 est.) Korea, North males age 15-49: 6,103,615 (2003 est.) Korea, South males age 15-49: 14,252,851 (2003 est.) Kuwait males age 15-49: 845,026 (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan males age 15-49: 1,265,019 (2003 est.) Laos males age 15-49: 1,411,042 (2003 est.) Latvia males age 15-49: 592,562 (2003 est.) Lebanon males age 15-49: 1,025,984 (2003 est.) Lesotho males age 15-49: 459,723 (2003 est.) Liberia males age 15-49: 735,481 (2003 est.) Libya males age 15-49: 1,546,432 (2003 est.) Lithuania males age 15-49: 937,055 (2003 est.) Luxembourg males age 15-49: 114,326 (2003 est.) Macau males age 15-49: 130,228 (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of males age 15-49: 553,988 (2003 est.) Madagascar males age 15-49: 3,880,332 (2003 est.) Malawi males age 15-49: 2,625,495 (2003 est.) Malaysia males age 15-49: 6,067,155 (2003 est.) Maldives males age 15-49: 78,025 (2003 est.) Mali males age 15-49: 2,441,769 (2003 est.) Malta males age 15-49: 99,312 (2003 est.) Mauritania males age 15-49: 665,112 (2003 est.) Mauritius males age 15-49: 341,029 (2003 est.) Mexico males age 15-49: 27,751,539 (2003 est.) Moldova males age 15-49: 1,180,874 (2003 est.) Mongolia males age 15-49: 796,449 (2003 est.) Morocco males age 15-49: 8,595,797 (2003 est.) Mozambique males age 15-49: 4,142,449 (2003 est.) Namibia males age 15-49: 459,474 (2003 est.) Nauru males age 15-49: 3,190 (2003 est.) Nepal males age 15-49: 6,674,014 (2003 est.) Netherlands males age 15-49: 4,071,891 (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles males age 15-49: 55,155 (2003 est.) New Zealand males age 15-49: 1,021,770 (2003 est.) Nicaragua males age 15-49: 1,347,033 (2003 est.) Niger males age 15-49: 2,379,485 (2003 est.) Nigeria males age 15-49: 31,790,482 (2003 est.) Norway males age 15-49: 1,099,314 (2003 est.) Oman males age 15-49: 788,429 (2003 est.) Pakistan males age 15-49: 38,133,733 (2003 est.) Panama males age 15-49: 797,456 (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea males age 15-49: 1,370,419 (2003 est.) Paraguay males age 15-49: 1,465,781 (2003 est.) Peru males age 15-49: 7,510,882 (2003 est.) Philippines males age 15-49: 21,923,324 (2003 est.) Poland males age 15-49: 10,354,978 (2003 est.) Portugal males age 15-49: 2,520,852 (2003 est.) Qatar males age 15-49: 320,835 note: includes non-nationals (2003 est.) Reunion males age 15-49: 198,341 (2003 est.) Romania males age 15-49: 5,912,284 (2003 est.) Russia males age 15-49: 36 million (2003 est.) Rwanda males age 15-49: 1,932,637 (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe males age 15-49: 36,905 (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia males age 15-49: 6,123,784 (2003 est.) Senegal males age 15-49: 2,404,838 (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro males age 15-49: 2,579,620 (2003 est.) Seychelles males age 15-49: 23,444 (2003 est.) Sierra Leone males age 15-49: 1,228,664 (2003 est.) Singapore males age 15-49: 1,392,740 (2003 est.) Slovakia males age 15-49: 1,484,950 (2003 est.) Slovenia males age 15-49: 520,037 (2003 est.) Somalia males age 15-49: 1,942,244 (2003 est.) South Africa males age 15-49: 11,865,280 (2003 est.) Spain males age 15-49: 10,524,715 (2003 est.) Sri Lanka males age 15-49: 5,383,661 (2003 est.) Sudan males age 15-49: 9,032,834 (2003 est.) Suriname males age 15-49: 123,159 (2003 est.) Swaziland males age 15-49: 284,530 (2003 est.) Sweden males age 15-49: 2,060,044 (2003 est.) Switzerland males age 15-49: 1,834,638 (2003 est.) Syria males age 15-49: 4,715,386 (2003 est.) Taiwan males age 15-49: 6,583,604 (2003 est.) Tajikistan males age 15-49: 1,704,457 (2003 est.) Tanzania males age 15-49: 8,477,193 (2003 est.) Thailand males age 15-49: 17,904,298 (2003 est.) Togo males age 15-49: 1,270,146 (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago males age 15-49: 327,823 (2003 est.) Tunisia males age 15-49: 2,866,984 (2003 est.) Turkey males age 15-49: 19,534,455 (2003 est.) Turkmenistan males age 15-49: 1,239,737 (2003 est.) Uganda males age 15-49: 5,476,612 (2003 est.) Ukraine males age 15-49: 12,236,811 (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates males age 15-49: 764,413 note: includes non-nationals (2003 est.) United Kingdom males age 15-49: 14,877,666 (2003 est.) United States males age 15-49: 73,597,731 (2003 est.) Uruguay males age 15-49: 831,297 (2003 est.) Uzbekistan males age 15-49: 6,940,031 (2003 est.) Venezuela males age 15-49: 6,767,862 (2003 est.) Vietnam males age 15-49: 22,888,109 (2003 est.) Yemen males age 15-49: 4,443,312 (2003 est.) Zambia males age 15-49: 2,418,776 (2003 est.) Zimbabwe males age 15-49: 3,236,042 (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2106 Maritime claims Afghanistan none (landlocked) Albania continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Algeria exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 NM territorial sea: 12 NM American Samoa exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Andorra none (landlocked) Angola contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Anguilla exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Antarctica none; 20 of 27 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry Antigua and Barbuda contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Argentina contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Armenia none (landlocked) Aruba territorial sea: 12 NM Ashmore and Cartier Islands contiguous zone: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Australia contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Austria none (landlocked) Azerbaijan none (landlocked) Bahamas, The exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Bahrain contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined territorial sea: 12 NM Baker Island exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Bangladesh contiguous zone: 18 NM continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Barbados exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Bassas da India exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Belarus none (landlocked) Belgium continental shelf: median line with neighbors exclusive economic zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast) territorial sea: 12 NM Belize exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala Benin territorial sea: 200 NM Bermuda exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Bhutan none (landlocked) Bolivia none (landlocked) Bosnia and Herzegovina NA Botswana none (landlocked) Bouvet Island territorial sea: 4 NM Brazil contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM British Indian Ocean Territory exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM British Virgin Islands exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Brunei exclusive economic zone: 200 NM or to median line territorial sea: 12 NM Bulgaria contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Burkina Faso none (landlocked) Burma contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Burundi none (landlocked) Cambodia contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Cameroon territorial sea: 50 NM Canada contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Cape Verde measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Cayman Islands exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Central African Republic none (landlocked) Chad none (landlocked) Chile contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200/350 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM China contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Christmas Island contiguous zone: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Clipperton Island exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Cocos (Keeling) Islands exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Colombia continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Comoros exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Congo, Democratic Republic of the exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors territorial sea: 12 NM Congo, Republic of the territorial sea: 200 NM Cook Islands continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Coral Sea Islands exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Costa Rica continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Cote d'Ivoire continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Croatia continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Cuba exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Cyprus continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Czech Republic none (landlocked) Denmark continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Djibouti contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Dominica contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Dominican Republic contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 6 NM East Timor contiguous zone: NA NM exclusive fishing zone: NA NM continental shelf: NA NM exclusive economic zone: NA NM territorial sea: NA NM extended fishing zone: NA NM Ecuador continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands territorial sea: 200 NM Egypt contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM El Salvador territorial sea: 200 NM Equatorial Guinea exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Eritrea territorial sea: 12 NM Estonia exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states territorial sea: 12 NM Ethiopia none (landlocked) Europa Island exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Faroe Islands continental shelf: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line territorial sea: 3 NM Fiji measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Finland continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden territorial sea: 12 NM (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 NM) France contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM (does not apply to the Mediterranean) territorial sea: 12 NM French Guiana exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM French Polynesia exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM French Southern and Antarctic Lands exclusive economic zone: 200 NM from Iles Kerguelen only territorial sea: 12 NM Gabon contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Gambia, The contiguous zone: 18 NM continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Gaza Strip Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation Georgia NA Germany continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Ghana contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Gibraltar territorial sea: 3 NM Glorioso Islands exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Greece continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 6 NM Greenland continental shelf: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line territorial sea: 3 NM Grenada exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Guadeloupe exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Guam exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Guatemala continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Guernsey exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Guinea exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Guinea-Bissau exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Guyana continental shelf: 200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Haiti contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Heard Island and McDonald Islands exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Holy See (Vatican City) none (landlocked) Honduras contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Hong Kong territorial sea: 3 NM Howland Island exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Hungary none (landlocked) Iceland continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM India contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Indonesia measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Iran contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: natural prolongation exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf territorial sea: 12 NM Iraq continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 NM Ireland exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Israel continental shelf: to depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Italy continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Jamaica measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Jan Mayen contiguous zone: 10 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 4 NM Japan contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM; between 3 NM and 12 NM in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait Jarvis Island exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Jersey exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Johnston Atoll exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Jordan territorial sea: 3 NM Juan de Nova Island continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Kazakhstan none (landlocked) Kenya continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Kingman Reef exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Kiribati exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Korea, North territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM note: military boundary line 50 NM in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned Korea, South contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: not specified exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM; between 3 NM and 12 NM in the Korea Strait Kuwait territorial sea: 12 NM Kyrgyzstan none (landlocked) Laos none (landlocked) Latvia continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Lebanon territorial sea: 12 NM Lesotho none (landlocked) Liberia territorial sea: 200 NM Libya territorial sea: 12 NM note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north Liechtenstein none (landlocked) Lithuania territorial sea: 12 NM Luxembourg none (landlocked) Macau not specified Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of none (landlocked) Madagascar contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or 100 NM from the 2,500-m deep isobath exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Malawi none (landlocked) Malaysia continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Maldives measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Mali none (landlocked) Malta contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Man, Isle of exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Marshall Islands contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Martinique exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Mauritania contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Mauritius continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Mayotte exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Mexico contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Micronesia, Federated States of exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Midway Islands exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Moldova none (landlocked) Monaco territorial sea: 12 NM Mongolia none (landlocked) Montserrat exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Morocco contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Mozambique exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Namibia contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Nauru contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Navassa Island exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Nepal none (landlocked) Netherlands exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Netherlands Antilles exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 12 NM New Caledonia exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM New Zealand continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Nicaragua continental shelf: natural prolongation territorial sea: 200 NM Niger none (landlocked) Nigeria continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Niue exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Norfolk Island exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Northern Mariana Islands exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Norway contiguous zone: 10 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 4 NM Oman contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Pakistan contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Palau exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM extended fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Palmyra Atoll exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Panama contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Papua New Guinea measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Paracel Islands NA Paraguay none (landlocked) Peru continental shelf: 200 NM territorial sea: 200 NM Philippines continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 NM from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 NM in breadth Pitcairn Islands exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM Poland exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties territorial sea: 12 NM Portugal contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Puerto Rico exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Qatar contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line territorial sea: 12 NM Reunion exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Romania contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Russia continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Rwanda none (landlocked) Saint Helena exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Saint Kitts and Nevis contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Saint Lucia contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Saint Pierre and Miquelon exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Saint Vincent and the Grenadines contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Samoa exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM San Marino none (landlocked) Sao Tome and Principe measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Saudi Arabia contiguous zone: 18 NM continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 NM Senegal contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Serbia and Montenegro NA Seychelles contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Sierra Leone contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Singapore exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice territorial sea: 3 NM Slovakia none (landlocked) Slovenia NA Solomon Islands measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Somalia territorial sea: 200 NM South Africa contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Spain contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean) territorial sea: 12 NM Spratly Islands NA Sri Lanka contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Sudan contiguous zone: 18 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM Suriname exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Svalbard exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia territorial sea: 4 NM Swaziland none (landlocked) Sweden continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines territorial sea: 12 NM (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas) Switzerland none (landlocked) Syria contiguous zone: 41 NM territorial sea: 35 NM Taiwan exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Tajikistan none (landlocked) Tanzania exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Thailand continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Togo exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 30 NM Tokelau exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Tonga continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Trinidad and Tobago measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Tromelin Island continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Tunisia contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Turkey exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR territorial sea: 6 NM in the Aegean Sea; 12 NM in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea Turkmenistan none (landlocked) Turks and Caicos Islands exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Tuvalu contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Uganda none (landlocked) Ukraine continental shelf: 200-m or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM United Arab Emirates contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM United Kingdom continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM United States contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: not specified exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Uruguay contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Uzbekistan none (doubly landlocked) Vanuatu measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Venezuela contiguous zone: 15 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Vietnam contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Virgin Islands exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Wake Island exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Wallis and Futuna exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM West Bank none (landlocked) Western Sahara contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue World a variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make the following claims: contiguous zone - 24 NM; continental shelf - 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation, or 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin; exclusive fishing zone - 200 NM; exclusive economic zone - 200 NM; territorial sea - 12 NM; boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 NM; 43 nations and other areas that are landlocked include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked Yemen contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Zambia none (landlocked) Zimbabwe none (landlocked) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2107 International organization participation Afghanistan AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO Albania ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Algeria ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) American Samoa ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC Andorra CE, ECE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Angola ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Anguilla Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), ECLAC (associate) Antigua and Barbuda ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Argentina AfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, MTCR, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Armenia BSEC, CE, CIS, COE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Aruba Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate) Australia ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Austria AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Azerbaijan AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Bahamas, The ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Bahrain ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Bangladesh AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Barbados ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Belarus CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, NAM (observer), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Belgium ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Belize ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Benin ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Bermuda Caricom (observer), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCO Bhutan AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer) Bolivia ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Bosnia and Herzegovina BIS, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Botswana ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Brazil AfDB, BIS, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO British Virgin Islands Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) Brunei APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Bulgaria ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Burkina Faso ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Burma ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Burundi ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Cambodia ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Cameroon ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, C, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Canada ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURCA, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Cape Verde ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Cayman Islands Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate) Central African Republic ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Chad ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Chile APEC, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO China APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), OPCW, PCA, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, IFC, UNHCR, UNIDO, AfDB, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Christmas Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands none Colombia BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Comoros ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Congo, Democratic Republic of the ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Congo, Republic of the ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Cook Islands ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Costa Rica BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Cote d'Ivoire ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Croatia BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Cuba ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Cyprus Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Czech Republic ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Denmark AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Djibouti ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Dominica ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Dominican Republic ACP, Caricom (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO East Timor AsDB, IBRD, ICCt, IDA, IMF, Interpol, UN, WHO Ecuador CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Egypt ABEDA, ACC, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BSEC (observer), CAEU, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO El Salvador BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Equatorial Guinea ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Eritrea ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Estonia BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ethiopia ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) ICFTU Faroe Islands IMO (associate), NC, NIB Fiji ACP, AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Finland AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC France ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC French Guiana FZ, WCL, WFTU French Polynesia ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Gabon ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Gambia, The ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Georgia BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Germany AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ghana ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Gibraltar Interpol (subbureau) Greece Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Greenland NC, NIB Grenada ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Guadeloupe FZ, WCL, WFTU Guam ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC Guatemala BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Guernsey none Guinea ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Guinea-Bissau ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Guyana ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Haiti ACCT, ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Holy See (Vatican City) CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer) Honduras BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Hong Kong APEC, AsDB, BIS, ESCAP (associate), ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO Hungary ABEDA, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Iceland Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO India AfDB, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Indonesia APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Iran CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Iraq ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, EAPC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Ireland Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Israel BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Italy AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Jamaica ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Japan ABEDA, AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISET, UNMOVIC, UNRWA, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Jordan ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Kazakhstan AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Kenya ACP, AfDB, C, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNU, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Kiribati ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant) Korea, North ARF (dialogue partner), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Korea, South AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Kuwait ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Kyrgyzstan AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW (signatory), OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Laos ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Latvia BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Lebanon ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Lesotho ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Liberia ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Libya ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Liechtenstein CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTrO Lithuania ACCT (observer), BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Luxembourg ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Macau ESCAP (associate), IHO, IMO (associate), Interpol (sub-bureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of ACCT, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Madagascar ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Malawi ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Malaysia APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Maldives AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Mali ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Malta C, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Man, Isle of none Marshall Islands ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, ITU, OPCW (signatory), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Martinique FZ, WCL, WFTU Mauritania ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Mauritius ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Mayotte FZ Mexico APEC, BCIE, BIS, Caricom (observer), CDB, CE (observer), EBRD, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-6, G-15, G-19, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM (observer), NEA, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Micronesia, Federated States of ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Moldova ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Monaco ACCT, ECE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNITAR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Mongolia ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP (provisional), EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Montserrat Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS Morocco ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Mozambique ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Namibia ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Nauru ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Nepal AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Netherlands AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Netherlands Antilles Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate) New Caledonia ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMO New Zealand ABEDA, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, C, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Nicaragua BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Niger ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Nigeria ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Niue ACP, ESCAP (associate), FAO, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Norfolk Island none Northern Mariana Islands ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), SPC Norway AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Oman ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Pakistan AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), C (suspended), CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Palau ACP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Panama ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Papua New Guinea ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (associate member), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Paraguay ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Peru ABEDA, APEC, CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Philippines APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Pitcairn Islands SPC Poland ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Portugal AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Puerto Rico Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate), WToO (associate) Qatar ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Reunion FZ, InOC, WFTU Romania ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Russia APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN (observer), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, G- 8, GEF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer), ZC Rwanda ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Saint Helena ICFTU Saint Kitts and Nevis ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Saint Lucia ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Saint Pierre and Miquelon FZ, WFTU Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Samoa ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) San Marino CE, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO Sao Tome and Principe ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Saudi Arabia ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BIS, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Senegal ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOVIC, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Serbia and Montenegro ABEDA, BIS, CE (guest), CEI, EBRD, FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Seychelles ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Sierra Leone ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Singapore APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Slovakia Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMISET, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Slovenia ABEDA, ACCT (observer), BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Solomon Islands ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO Somalia ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) South Africa ACP, AfDB, BIS, C, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, NSG, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Spain AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Sri Lanka AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Sudan ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Suriname ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Svalbard none Swaziland ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Sweden AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Switzerland ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Syria AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO Taiwan APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, ICFTU, IFRCS, IOC, WCL, WTrO Tajikistan AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IOC, IOM, ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Tanzania ACP, AfDB, C, EADB, ECA, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Thailand APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMISET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Togo ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIPONUH, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Tokelau SPC, UNESCO (associate), WHO (associate) Tonga ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Trinidad and Tobago ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Tunisia ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Turkey AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Turkmenistan AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Turks and Caicos Islands Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau) Tuvalu ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, IFRCS (associate), ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant) Uganda ACP, AfDB, C, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ukraine BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNMOVIC, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer), ZC United Arab Emirates ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO United Kingdom AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC United States AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, FAO, G-5, G-7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Uruguay ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Uzbekistan AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Vanuatu ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Venezuela CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Vietnam ACCT, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Virgin Islands ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC Wallis and Futuna FZ, SPC Western Sahara none Yemen ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Zambia ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Zimbabwe ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2108 Merchant marine Albania total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 21,954 GRT/34,412 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 11, roll on/roll off 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Honduras 1 (2002 est.) Algeria total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 884,032 GRT/1,010,777 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 23, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas 10, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 12, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 2 (2002 est.) American Samoa none (2002 est.) Angola total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,311 GRT/48,924 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.) Anguilla none (2002 est.) Antigua and Barbuda total: 816 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,135,866 GRT/6,648,143 DWT ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 474, chemical tanker 8, combination bulk 3, container 255, liquefied gas 10, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 35 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 3, Colombia 1, Cuba 1, Estonia 1, Germany 747, Greece 1, Iceland 8, Latvia 1, Lebanon 2, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 22, New Zealand 2, Portugal 1, Slovenia 6, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, United Kingdom 1, United States 7 (2002 est.) Argentina total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 141,851 GRT/208,821 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, petroleum tanker 8, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 1, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.) Aruba total: 3 ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1 note: there is one foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1 (2002 est.) Australia total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,415,810 GRT/1,806,554 DWT ships by type: bulk 20, cargo 6, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 2, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 6 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 2, UK 2, US 14 (2002 est.) Austria total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 27,551 GRT/34,225 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, container 1 (2002 est.) Azerbaijan total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 251,004 GRT/313,193 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 40, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.) Bahamas, The total: 1,090 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 33,065,778 GRT/46,202,085 DWT ships by type: bulk 150, cargo 223, chemical tanker 45, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 18, container 108, liquefied gas 26, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 8, passenger 102, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 178, refrigerated cargo 135, roll on/roll off 40, short-sea passenger 17, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 23 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 4, Belgium 18, Bermuda 1, Canada 5, Chile 1, China 3, Croatia 2, Cuba 3, Cyprus 2, Denmark 27, Ecuador 1, Estonia 2, Finland 9, France 15, Germany 26, Greece 173, Hong Kong 6, India 2, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Italy 9, Jamaica 1, Japan 32, Kenya 3, Malaysia 10, Malta 2, Monaco 67, Netherlands 32, New Zealand 2, Norway 237, Panama 2, Philippines 3, Poland 13, Reunion 1, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 9, Singapore 13, Slovenia 1, South Korea 2, Spain 7, Sweden 12, Switzerland 8, Thailand 1, Trinidad and Tobago 2, Turkey 2, Ukraine 2, United Arab Emirates 10, United Kingdom 107, United States 159, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.) Bahrain total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 234,599 GRT/336,528 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1, includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Kuwait 1 (2002 est.) Bangladesh total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 314,437 GRT/436,465 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 23, container 11, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2002 est.) Barbados total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 284,222 GRT/439,810 DWT ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 22, combination bulk 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, The Bahamas 1, Canada 4, Germany 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 7, Norway 7, UK 18 (2002 est.) Belgium total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,215 GRT/55,725 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 10, petroleum tanker 4, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.) Belize total: 292 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,030,141 GRT/1,499,777 DWT ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 200, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 1, container 12, petroleum tanker 31, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Belgium 3, British Virgin Islands 6, Cambodia 1, China 38, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Eritrea 1, Estonia 7, Germany 3, Greece 4, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 20, Indonesia 6, Italy 2, Japan 4, Jordan 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 5, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 13, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 12, Philippines 4, Portugal 1, Romania 1, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 22, South Korea 10, Spain 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Thailand 6, Tunisia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 3, United Arab Emirates 9, United Kingdom 2, United States 4, Virgin Islands (UK) 6, Yemen 1 (2002 est.) Benin none (2002 est.) Bermuda total: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,993,227 GRT/7,089,760 DWT ships by type: bulk 25, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, container 14, liquefied gas 9, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Hong Kong 9, Indonesia 1, Norway 2, Sweden 11, United Kingdom 52, United States 13 (2002 est.) Bolivia total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 347,535 GRT/591,113 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 25, chemical tanker 4, container 4, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of Belize 2, China 2, Cuba 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Honduras 1, Latvia 2, Liberia 2, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, South Korea 3, Switzerland 1, Ukraine 1, UAE 5, US 1 (2002 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina none (2002 est.) Brazil total: 159 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,257,186 GRT/5,101,578 DWT ships by type: bulk 29, cargo 23, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 7, container 12, liquefied gas 11, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 53, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Chile 2, Germany 6, Greece 1, Monaco 1 (2002 est.) British Virgin Islands total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 19,203 GRT/28,864 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.) Brunei total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT ships by type: liquefied gas 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 7 (2002 est.) Bulgaria total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 829,421 GRT/1,252,496 DWT ships by type: bulk 42, cargo 10, chemical tanker 4, container 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1 (2002 est.) Burma total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 352,765 GRT/536,396 DWT ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 21, container 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 5, Japan 4 (2002 est.) Cambodia total: 527 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,328,371 GRT/3,294,028 DWT ships by type: bulk 49, cargo 412, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 4, container 17, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Aruba 1, Belize 11, Bulgaria 3, Cambodia 194, Canada 4, China 25, Cyprus 14, Egypt 10, Estonia 2, France 1, Georgia 1, Germany 1, Gibraltar 1, Greece 13, Honduras 8, Hong Kong 12, Iceland 1, Indonesia 2, Iran 1, Ireland 1, Italy 2, Japan 2, Jordan 1, North Korea, 1, South Korea, 25, Latvia 3, Lebanon 6, Liberia 7, Malaysia 1, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 4, Netherlands 1, Norway 1, Panama 10, Romania 2, Russia 75, Saint Kitts and Nevis 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Singapore 17, Syria 20, Turkey 18, Ukraine 16, United Arab Emirates 3, United Kingdom 1, United States 5, Vietnam 3 (2002 est.) Canada total: 122 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,840,272 GRT/2,740,864 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 64, cargo 11, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 18, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 3, Monaco 16, United Kingdom 1, United States 1 (2002 est.) Cape Verde total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,395 GRT/6,614 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.) Cayman Islands total: 123 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,402,058 GRT/3,792,094 DWT ships by type: bulk 22, cargo 5, chemical tanker 31, container 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 21, refrigerated cargo 35, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Bahrain 2, China 1, Germany 4, Greece 27, Hong Kong 3, Italy 2, Japan 1, Norway 14, Sweden 13, United Kingdom 15, United States 35 (2002 est.) Chile total: 50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 696,202 GRT/900,317 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 4 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Netherlands 1 (2002 est.) China total: 1,817 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,047,962 GRT/27,035,740 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 348, cargo 824, chemical tanker 28, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 150, liquefied gas 28, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 47, petroleum tanker 267, refrigerated cargo 26, roll on/roll off 21, short-sea passenger 42, specialized tanker 8, vehicle carrier 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Germany 1, Hong Kong 16, Japan 2, Panama 2, South Korea 1, Spain 1, Taiwan 9, Tanzania 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.) Christmas Island none (2002 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (2002 est.) Colombia total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 51,445 GRT/55,930 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 6, container 1, petroleum tanker 3 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1 (2002 est.) Comoros total: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 432,132 GRT/796,734 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 15, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Malta 1, Pakistan 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the none (2002 est.) Costa Rica total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT ships by type: passenger 1 (2002 est.) Croatia total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 765,830 GRT/1,188,948 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 16, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 3 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Hong Kong 1 (2002 est.) Cuba total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 59,257 GRT/90,295 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 (2002 est.) Cyprus total: 1,180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 23,106,229 GRT/37,032,163 DWT ships by type: bulk 421, cargo 325, chemical tanker 25, combination bulk 24, combination ore/oil 2, container 151, liquefied gas 2, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 124, refrigerated cargo 45, roll on/roll off 37, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Austria 12, Belgium 2, Bulgaria 2, Canada 3, Chile 2, China 16, Croatia 2, Cuba 11, Finland 1, Germany 229, Greece 607, Guam 1, Hong Kong 6, India 6, Iran 1, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy 1, Japan 26, Latvia 14, Lebanon 1, Lithuania 2, Mexico 1, Monaco 10, Netherlands 30, Norway 23, Panama 1, Philippines 2, Poland 19, Portugal 2, Russia 57, Singapore 2, Slovenia 2, South Korea 4, Spain 7, Sudan 2, Sweden 6, Switzerland 4, Turkey 1, Ukraine 1, United Arab Emirates 13, United Kingdom 6, United States 4, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Denmark total: 282 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,714,557 GRT/8,715,716 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 85, chemical tanker 29, container 77, liquefied gas 19, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 28, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 11, short-sea passenger 6, specialized tanker 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1, Greenland 1, Indonesia 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 9, United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.) Dominica none (2002 est.) Dominican Republic total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.) East Timor total: NA ships by type: NA Ecuador total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 239,276 GRT/392,048 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 23, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Chile 1, Greece 1 (2002 est.) Egypt total: 170 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,284,197 GRT/1,907,734 DWT ships by type: bulk 20, cargo 50, container 5, liquefied gas 1, passenger 63, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 13, short-sea passenger 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1, Germany 1, Greece 6, Lebanon 3, Monaco 1, Ukraine 1 (2002 est.) El Salvador none (2002 est.) Equatorial Guinea total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,571 GRT/9,670 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2002 est.) Eritrea total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 19,100 GRT/23,399 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Estonia total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 200,807 GRT/169,899 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 13, container 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 5 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Liberia 1 (2002 est.) Ethiopia total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 81,933 GRT/101,287 DWT ships by type: cargo 5, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (2002 est.) Faroe Islands total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 100,951 GRT/139,396 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 3, Norway 1, United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.) Fiji total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 11,870 GRT/14,787 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Singapore 4 (2002 est.) Finland total: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,181,687 GRT/1,185,653 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 24, chemical tanker 5, container 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 32, short-sea passenger 9 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1, Sweden 1 (2002 est.) France total: 35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 749,570 GRT/939,134 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 9, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: French Polynesia 2, Greece 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Sweden 9 (2002 est.) French Guiana none (2002 est.) French Polynesia total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 12,679 GRT/13,915 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) French Southern and Antarctic Lands total: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,596,194 GRT/5,924,475 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 4, chemical tanker 14, container 15, liquefied gas 5, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 17, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 2, France 62, Japan 3, Monaco 1, Norway 5, Sweden 1 (2002 est.) Gambia, The none (2002 est.) Georgia total: 116 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 483,028 GRT/713,461 DWT ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 72, chemical tanker 1, container 11, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belize 1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 4, Gibraltar 1, Greece 5, Jordan 1, Latvia 1, Liberia 1, Malta 1, Panama 9, Romania 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 2, Syria 5, Turkey 2, Ukraine 7, UAE 11, UK 1, US 1 (2002 est.) Germany total: 337 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,036,397 GRT/7,334,067 DWT ships by type: cargo 94, chemical tanker 15, container 203, liquefied gas 3, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 5, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 7 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Chile 1, Finland 5, Iceland 1, Netherlands 3, Switzerland 1 (2002 est.) Ghana total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,559 GRT/27,531 DWT ships by type: petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 6 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Brazil 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Spain 1 (2002 est.) Gibraltar total: 114 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,008,140 GRT/1,435,595 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 58, chemical tanker 14, container 20, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, France 2, Germany 55, Greece 6, Ireland 1, Monaco 2, Norway 3, United Kingdom 13 (2002 est.) Greece total: 813 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,173,608 GRT/51,184,723 DWT ships by type: bulk 289, cargo 59, chemical tanker 32, combination bulk 6, combination ore/oil 4, container 47, liquefied gas 7, passenger 14, petroleum tanker 281, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 18, short-sea passenger 49, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Ireland 1, Japan 1, Liberia 1, Norway 1, Panama 2, Russia 1, Saudi Arabia 1, United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.) Greenland total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,593 GRT/3,640 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1 (2002 est.) Grenada none (2002 est.) Guadeloupe total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,240 GRT/109 DWT ships by type: passenger 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: France 1 (2002 est.) Guam none (2002 est.) Guatemala none (2002 est.) Guernsey none (2002 est.) Guinea none (2002 est.) Guinea-Bissau none (2002 est.) Guyana total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,929 GRT/4,507 DWT ships by type: cargo 2 (2002 est.) Haiti none (2002 est.) Honduras total: 250 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 680,784 GRT/765,815 DWT ships by type: bulk 18, cargo 140, chemical tanker 4, container 7, livestock carrier 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 55, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 1, Bahrain 1, Belize 1, British Virgin Islands 1, Bulgaria 1, China 8, Costa Rica 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 6, El Salvador 1, Germany 1, Greece 18, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Italy 1, Japan 7, Lebanon 4, Liberia 4, Maldives 2, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 1, Panama 14, Philippines 1, Romania 2, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 24, South Korea 12, Spain 1, Syria 1, Taiwan 4, Tanzania 1, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 2, Turks and Caicos Islands 1, United Arab Emirates 6, UK 1, US 5, Vanuatu 1, Vietnam 1, Virgin Islands (UK) 1 (2002 est.) Hong Kong total: 549 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,176,728 GRT/27,119,764 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 315, cargo 66, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 2, container 86, liquefied gas 16, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 40, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 5, Belize 1, British Virgin Islands 1, China 115, Denmark 2, Germany 19, Greece 2, India 8, Japan 8, Liberia 1, Malaysia 7, Norway 1, Panama 2, Philippines 5, Singapore 7, South Korea 2, Taiwan 1, UK 27, Virgin Islands (UK) 1 note: (2002 est.) Hungary total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 3,784 GRT/5,500 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 Iceland total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,500 GRT/5,000 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.) India total: 305 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,753,279 GRT/9,621,911 DWT ships by type: bulk 100, cargo 82, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 2, container 10, liquefied gas 10, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 75, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: China 1, UAE 10, UK 1 (2002 est.) Indonesia total: 710 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,045,673 GRT/4,106,508 DWT ships by type: bulk 42, cargo 400, chemical tanker 15, container 56, liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 1, passenger 9, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 127, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 6 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 1, Hong Kong 2, India 1, Japan 2, Malaysia 1, Monaco 3, Panama 1, Philippines 1, Singapore 11, South Korea 1, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 1 (2002 est.) Iran total: 139 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,190,576 GRT/7,276,700 DWT ships by type: bulk 43, cargo 34, chemical tanker 4, container 10, liquefied gas 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 30, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 1 (2002 est.) Iraq total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 119,433 GRT/170,221 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Ireland total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 110,913 GRT/128,017 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 20, container 1, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 2 (2002 est.) Israel total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 705,897 GRT/823,605 DWT ships by type: container 17, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Italy total: 462 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 8,518,900 GRT/9,963,040 DWT ships by type: bulk 43, cargo 39, chemical tanker 98, combination ore/oil 5, container 28, liquefied gas 39, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 14, petroleum tanker 67, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 60, short-sea passenger 32, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 22 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Denmark 4, France 1, Greece 3, Man, Isle of 1, Monaco 7, Netherlands 6, Norway 1, Panama 2, Spain 1, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 15, Turkey 1, UK 6, US 12 (2002 est.) Jamaica total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 50,536 GRT/62,868 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Latvia 2, US 2 (2002 est.) Japan total: 594 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,467,142 GRT/13,335,833 DWT ships by type: bulk 120, cargo 45, chemical tanker 18, combination bulk 28, combination ore/oil 1, container 18, liquefied gas 52, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 179, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 59, short-sea passenger 6, vehicle carrier 49 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: China 1, Panama 1, Singapore 1 (2002 est.) Jersey none (2002 est.) Jordan total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 63,522 GRT/79,776 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, container 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 6 (2002 est.) Kazakhstan total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,064 GRT/646 DWT ships by type: roll on/roll off 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) Kenya total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,893 GRT/6,320 DWT ships by type: petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.) Kiribati total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 1,291 GRT/1,295 DWT ships by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2002 est.) Korea, North total: 149 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 881,276 GRT/1,309,547 DWT ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 120, combination bulk 2, container 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 4, short-sea passenger 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1, Greece 2, Pakistan 1, Singapore 1 (2002 est.) Korea, South total: 541 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,490,521 GRT/10,602,751 DWT ships by type: bulk 114, cargo 174, chemical tanker 63, combination bulk 9, container 52, liquefied gas 17, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 69, refrigerated cargo 21, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 6, vehicle carrier 5 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Bulgaria 1, China 1, Greece 1, Japan 1, Malaysia 1, Norway 1, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, UK 1 (2002 est.) Kuwait total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,273,628 GRT/3,638,645 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 6, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 19, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1, Saudi Arabia 1 (2002 est.) Laos total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.) Latvia total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 52,607 GRT/35,650 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.) Lebanon total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 230,142 GRT/306,442 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 28, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 4, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 9, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 1, Greece 10, Netherlands 4, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Spain 1, Syria 2 (2002 est.) Liberia total: 1,432 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 48,700,851 GRT/75,408,994 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 282, cargo 80, chemical tanker 163, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 24, container 357, liquefied gas 82, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 286, refrigerated cargo 60, roll on/roll off 19, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 13, vehicle carrier 37 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 9, Australia 2, Austria 15, Belgium 9, Brazil 5, Canada 4, Cayman Islands 1, Chile 7, China 39, Croatia 11, Denmark 4, Ecuador 1, Estonia 1, Germany 437, Greece 154, Hong Kong 69, India 5, Indonesia 1, Israel 1, Italy 5, Japan 90, Latvia 20, Isle of Man 5, Monaco 56, Netherlands 12, NZ 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 103, Pakistan 1, Portugal 5, Russia 66, Saudi Arabia 21, Singapore 20, Slovenia 1, South Africa 1, South Korea 10, Spain 2, Sweden 9, Switzerland 17, Taiwan 29, Turkey 3, Ukraine 4, UAE 12, UK 39, US 113, Uruguay 3, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Libya total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 130,081 GRT/115,480 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Algeria 1, Kuwait 1, UAE 1 (2002 est.) Lithuania total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 303,910 GRT/328,380 DWT ships by type: cargo 23, combination bulk 8, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 3, short-sea passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 13 (2002 est.) Luxembourg total: 60 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,507,258 GRT/2,118,597 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, chemical tanker 12, container 8, liquefied gas 18, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 21, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 10, Monaco 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 1, United Kingdom 9, United States 3 (2002 est.) Macau none (2002 est.) Madagascar total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 14,865 GRT/17,936 DWT ships by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.) Malaysia total: 366 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,111,476 GRT/7,242,323 DWT ships by type: bulk 62, cargo 103, chemical tanker 37, container 69, liquefied gas 23, livestock carrier 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 55, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, China 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 15, Indonesia 3, Japan 4, Monaco 1, Philippines 2, Singapore 78, South Korea 2, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Maldives total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 42,689 GRT/56,132 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2002 est.) Malta total: 1,234 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 25,885,128 GRT/42,467,864 DWT ships by type: bulk 459, cargo 280, chemical tanker 45, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 10, container 80, liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 236, refrigerated cargo 37, roll on/roll off 41, short-sea passenger 7, vehicle carrier 15 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 4, Austria 6, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 3, Bulgaria 19, Canada 2, China 16, Croatia 14, Cuba 1, Cyprus 7, Denmark 3, Estonia 5, Finland 1, Germany 54, Greece 627, Hong Kong 12, Iceland 3, India 10, Iran 2, Israel 26, Italy 36, Japan 2, Latvia 24, Lebanon 6, Monaco 29, Netherlands 10, Nigeria 2, Norway 43, Poland 29, Portugal 2, Romania 15, Russia 85, Saudi Arabia 1, Slovenia 2, South Korea 5, Spain 1, Switzerland 54, Syria 4, Turkey 84, Ukraine 25, UAE 3, UK 4, US 10 (2002 est.) Man, Isle of total: 211 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,297,301 GRT/8,703,079 DWT ships by type: bulk 26, cargo 32, chemical tanker 20, combination bulk 2, container 22, liquefied gas 38, petroleum tanker 49, roll on/roll off 16, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 45, France 1, Germany 48, Greece 6, Hong Kong 10, Iceland 1, Italy 8, Monaco 7, Netherlands 3, Norway 5, Sweden 4, Switzerland 2, UK 70, US 1 (2002 est.) Marshall Islands total: 342 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 14,471,690 GRT/23,802,896 DWT ships by type: bulk 86, cargo 18, chemical tanker 31, combination bulk 4, combination ore/oil 7, container 69, liquefied gas 8, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 106, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 4 note: the ship's register of the Marshall Islands is a flag of convenience register since essentially none of the vessels on it is owned domestically; includes the following foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: China 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 9, Germany 70, Greece 54, Hong Kong 2, Japan 4, Monaco 8, Netherlands 8, UK 3, US 87, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.) Martinique none (2002 est.) Mauritania none (2002) Mauritius total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 23,455 GRT/27,102 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, combination bulk 4, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience:, Belgium 1, India 3, Norway 1, Switzerland 2 (2002 est.) Mayotte none (2002 est.) Mexico total: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 636,271 GRT/933,686 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, combination ore/oil 1, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 26, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Canada 2, Denmark 1 (2002 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of none note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) Monaco none (2002 est.) Montserrat none (2002 est.) Morocco total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 247,591 GRT/268,356 DWT ships by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 7, container 6, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1, Hong Kong 1, Netherlands 2, Norway 2 (2002 est.) Mozambique total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,125 GRT/7,024 DWT ships by type: cargo 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 2 (2002 est.) Namibia none (2002 est.) Nauru none (2002 est.) Netherlands total: 616 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,664,711 GRT/5,226,912 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 371, chemical tanker 51, container 70, liquefied gas 13, livestock carrier 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 15, passenger 10, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 34, roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 6 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, Canada 1, Denmark 5, Finland 5, Germany 55, Ireland 12, Norway 12, Sweden 17, UK 33, US 12 (2002 est.) Netherlands Antilles total: 147 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,122,189 GRT/1,398,649 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 56, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 3, container 27, liquefied gas 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 15, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 27, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 1 note: includes foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 3, Denmark 2, Germany 43, Monaco 8, Netherlands 52, New Zealand 1, Norway 3, Peru 1, Spain 1, Sweden 3, UK 5 (2002 est.) New Caledonia total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,261 GRT/1,600 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Malaysia 1 (2002 est.) New Zealand total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 69,685 GRT/106,627 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1 (2002 est.) Nicaragua none (2002 est.) Nigeria total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 327,689 GRT/607,560 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 7, chemical tanker 5, petroleum tanker 29, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Bulgaria 1, Greece 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 1, Togo 1, US 1 (2002 est.) Niue none (2002 est.) Norfolk Island none (2002 est.) Northern Mariana Islands none (2002 est.) Norway total: 714 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,247,207 GRT/30,860,236 DWT ships by type: bulk 68, cargo 136, chemical tanker 125, combination bulk 5, combination ore/oil 32, container 19, liquefied gas 86, multi-function large load carrier 1, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 127, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 44, short-sea passenger 20, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 34 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Denmark 14, Germany 11, Greece 10, Hong Kong 7, Iceland 2, Japan 11, Lithuania 1, Monaco 42, Poland 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 10, Sweden 42, Switzerland 2, UK 4, US 5 (2002 est.) Oman total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 17,291 GRT/9,457 DWT ships by type: container 1, passenger 2 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Singapore 1 (2002 est.) Pakistan total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 247,675 GRT/375,435 DWT ships by type: cargo 14, container 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.) Palau none (2002 est.) Panama total: 4,860 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,543,755 GRT/184,910,607 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 5, bulk 1,443, cargo 846, chemical tanker 376, combination bulk 72, combination ore/oil 17, container 588, liquefied gas 207, livestock carrier 6, multi-functional large-load carrier 12, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 537, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 287, roll on/roll off 107, short-sea passenger 41, specialized tanker 33, vehicle carrier 240 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Angola 1, Antigua and Barbuda 1, Argentina 11, Australia 13, Austria 2, The Bahamas 5, Belgium 2, Belize 6, Brazil 6, British Virgin Islands 8, Cambodia 1, Canada 9, Chile 12, China 259, Colombia 14, Croatia 2, Cuba 20, Cyprus 3, Denmark 3, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 3, Egypt 16, Equatorial Guinea 1, France 9, Germany 72, Greece 523, Haiti 1, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 299, Iceland 1, India 18, Indonesia 48, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy 9, Japan 1,642, Kenya 1, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Liberia 5, Lithuania 1, Malaysia 18, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 8, Monaco 112, Netherlands 19, Netherlands Antilles 1, Nigeria 3, Norway 98, Paraguay 1, Peru 15, Philippines 49, Poland 5, Portugal 7, Puerto Rico 2, Romania 7, Russia 12, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Saudi Arabia 4, Seychelles 1, Singapore 112, South Africa 3, South Korea 342, Spain 52, Sri Lanka 3, Sudan 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 81, Taiwan 334, Thailand 14, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 4, Ukraine 1, UAE 54, UK 73, US 115, Venezuela 6 (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 45,203 GRT/63,238 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, combination ore/oil 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Singapore 2, UK 7 (2002 est.) Paraguay total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,475 GRT/36,101 DWT ships by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 2, Japan 1 (2002 est.) Peru total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,470 GRT/45,451 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) Philippines total: 393 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,664,718 GRT/6,699,666 DWT ships by type: bulk 111, cargo 105, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 8, container 8, liquefied gas 8, livestock carrier 9, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 21, roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 27, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 18 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 2, Canada 1, Germany 3, Greece 8, Hong Kong 13, Japan 47, Malaysia 19, Netherlands 14, Norway 8, Panama 3, Singapore 12, South Korea 1, Taiwan 2, UK 7 (2002 est.) Pitcairn Islands none (2002 est.) Poland total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 199,186 GRT/275,476 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2002 est.) Portugal total: 132 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 993,325 GRT/1,533,255 DWT ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 62, chemical tanker 18, container 7, liquefied gas 8, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 5, short-sea passenger 3, vehicle carrier 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, British Virgin Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 6, Germany 20, Greece 1, Iceland 1, Italy 16, Lebanon 1, Liberia 1, Monaco 2, Norway 5, Panama 5, Spain 22, Switzerland 8, UK 1, Virgin Islands (UK) 1 (2002 est.) Puerto Rico total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 19,203 GRT/20,904 DWT ships by type: container 1 (2002 est.) Qatar total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 638,815 GRT/995,096 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, combination ore/oil 2, container 7, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Kuwait 1, UAE 3 (2002 est.) Romania total: 61 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 494,670 GRT/650,863 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 39, container 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 1, Italy 5 (2002 est.) Russia total: 933 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,495,122 GRT/5,490,103 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 22, cargo 553, chemical tanker 12, combination bulk 21, combination ore/oil 36, container 30, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 167, refrigerated cargo 21, roll on/roll off 20, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belize 1, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 9, Denmark 1, Estonia 4, Greece 3, Honduras 1, Latvia 4, Lithuania 3, Moldova 3, Netherlands 1, South Korea 1, Turkey 18, Turkmenistan 2, Ukraine 10, UK 5, US 1 (2002 est.) Saint Helena none (2002 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis none (2002 est.) Saint Lucia none (2002 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (2002 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 769 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,365,887 GRT/9,665,937 DWT ships by type: bulk 133, cargo 376, chemical tanker 21, combination bulk 7, container 58, liquefied gas 8, livestock carrier 4, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 43, refrigerated cargo 46, roll on/roll off 45, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 1, Anguilla 1, Argentina 1, Australia 2, The Bahamas 1, Bangladesh 1, Barbados 2, Belgium 4, Bulgaria 14, Canada 1, Cayman Islands 1, China 135, Colombia 1, Croatia 12, Cyprus 6, Denmark 16, Egypt 7, Estonia 6, France 27, Germany 12, Greece 156, Guyana 7, Hong Kong 23, Iceland 1, India 11, Indonesia 3, Israel 2, Italy 19, Japan 1, Kenya 4, Latvia 5, Lebanon 9, Liberia 5, Lithuania 1, Malta 1, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 3, Mexico 1, Monaco 6, Netherlands 14, Netherlands Antilles 1, Nigeria 3, Norway 33, Pakistan 5, Panama 2, Poland 2, Portugal 2, Puerto Rico 2, Russia 8, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 4, Slovenia 7, South Korea 4, Spain 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 10, Syria 2, Taiwan 1, Thailand 1, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 8, UAE 45, UK 16, US 25, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Samoa total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 7,091 GRT/8,127 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1 (2002 est.) Sao Tome and Principe total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 78,595 GRT/99,873 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 15, chemical tanker 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 1, Greece 1, Kenya 1, Portugal 1, Syria 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.) Saudi Arabia total: 71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,461,964 GRT/2,301,258 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 11, container 4, livestock carrier 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 3, Finland 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 1, Sudan 1, UAE 1, UK 3 (2002 est.) Seychelles total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 37,281 GRT/55,702 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: South Africa 2 (2002 est.) Sierra Leone total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,435 GRT/8,750 DWT ships by type: cargo 2 Singapore total: 859 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,836,021 GRT/32,765,063 DWT ships by type: bulk 125, cargo 85, chemical tanker 87, combination bulk 6, combination ore/oil 8, container 176, liquefied gas 38, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, petroleum tanker 277, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 31 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 7, Belgium 6, China 12, Denmark 27, Germany 17, Greece 4, Hong Kong 44, Indonesia 8, Japan 52, Malaysia 4, Monaco 22, Netherlands 2, Norway 42, Philippines 6, Russia 3, Slovenia 1, South Korea 10, Sweden 13, Switzerland 7, Taiwan 46, Tanzania 2, Thailand 22, UAE 4, UK 14, US 1 (2002 est.) Slovakia total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 11,574 GRT/16,330 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1 (2002 est.) Solomon Islands none (2002 est.) Somalia none (2002 est.) South Africa total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,235 GRT/35,904 DWT ships by type: container 1, petroleum tanker 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 3, Netherlands 1 (2002 est.) Spain total: 140 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,585,563 GRT/2,022,104 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 31, chemical tanker 10, container 13, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 33, short-sea passenger 6, vehicle carrier 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Cuba 2, Denmark 1, Germany 7, Italy 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 6, Uruguay 3 (2002 est.) Sri Lanka total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 62,157 GRT/84,898 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, container 1, petroleum tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 9, Hong Kong 1, UAE 1 (2002 est.) Sudan total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,854 GRT/39,084 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, livestock carrier 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.) Suriname total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (2002 est.) Svalbard none (2002 est.) Sweden total: 166 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,329,925 GRT/1,609,986 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 35, chemical tanker 31, combination ore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 35, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 21 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 8, Finland 8, Germany 3, Italy 3, Japan 2, Norway 7 (2002 est.) Switzerland total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 597,049 GRT/1,051,380 DWT ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 6, US 1 (2002 est.) Syria total: 129 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 450,135 GRT/645,296 DWT ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 109, container 2, livestock carrier 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 1, Greece 2, Italy 1, Lebanon 10 (2002 est.) Taiwan total: 142 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,973,958 GRT/6,306,361 DWT ships by type: bulk 41, cargo 22, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 3, container 45, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 2 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Hong Kong 3, Japan 1 (2002 est.) Tanzania total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,781 GRT/33,805 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 2 (2002 est.) Thailand total: 317 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,744,103 GRT/2,657,666 DWT ships by type: bulk 33, cargo 136, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 1, container 17, liquefied gas 21, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 74, refrigerated cargo 17, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1, Greece 1, Indonesia 1, Japan 1, Norway 24, Panama 1, Singapore 1 (2002 est.) Togo total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,918 GRT/3,852 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 1 (2002 est.) Tokelau none (2002 est.) Tonga total: 78 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 250,020 GRT/350,055 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 44, chemical tanker 4, container 1, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 2, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 1, Australia 4, Austria 1, Bolivia 1, Cyprus 1, Djibouti 1, Egypt 2, Greece 4, Lebanon 2, Liberia 2, Marshall Islands 2, Morocco 1, Norway 1, Panama 1, Romania 3, Russia 1, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 3, Syria 5, Ukraine 1, UAE 16, US 4 (2002 est.) Trinidad and Tobago total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,032 GRT/5,106 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) Tunisia total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 139,990 GRT/148,394 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 3, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 (2002 est.) Turkey total: 525 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,306,506 GRT/8,424,837 DWT ships by type: bulk 125, cargo 229, chemical tanker 44, combination bulk 3, combination ore/oil 3, container 34, liquefied gas 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 35, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 26, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker 5 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belize 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 2, Greece 1, Italy 1, Thailand 1, UK 11 (2002 est.) Turkmenistan total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,873 GRT/8,345 DWT ships by type: combination ore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands none (2002 est.) Tuvalu total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 33,199 GRT/56,187 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 5 (2002 est.) Uganda total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,091 GRT/8,229 DWT ships by type: roll on/roll off 3 note: these ships are in cargo and passenger (ferry) service on Uganda's inland waterways (2002 est.) Ukraine total: 131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 633,932 GRT/640,743 DWT ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 89, container 5, liquefied gas 2, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 10, railcar carrier 2, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cyprus 1, Greece 1, Panama 1, Russia 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1 (2002 est.) United Arab Emirates total: 61 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 815,428 GRT/1,207,346 DWT ships by type: cargo 12, chemical tanker 4, container 7, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 2, Italy 1, Kuwait 2 (2002 est.) United Kingdom total: 295 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,752,179 GRT/6,963,112 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 43, chemical tanker 19, combination ore/oil 1, container 95, liquefied gas 4, livestock carrier 1, passenger 18, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 50, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 37, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Bermuda 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 21, Germany 6, Greece 3, Hong Kong 4, Italy 1, Monaco 4, Netherlands 1, Norway 9, Russia 1, South Africa 2, Sweden 11, Taiwan 2, US 5 (2002 est.) United States total: 348 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 9,414,676 GRT/12,207,346 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 71, cargo 26, chemical tanker 13, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 79, freighter 15, heavy lift carrier 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 73, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 46, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 9 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Canada 4, Denmark 15, France 1, Germany 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 7, Puerto Rico 4, Singapore 11, Sweden 1, United Kingdom 3; also, the US owns 549 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 29,616,347 DWT that operate under the registries of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Finland, Gibraltar, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Isle of Man, Italy, Liberia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, Norway, Norway (NIS), Panama, Peru, Philippines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Tonga, UK, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna (2002 est.) Uruguay total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,918 GRT/9,775 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 4, Greece 1 (2002 est.) Vanuatu total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,181,463 GRT/1,552,813 DWT ships by type: bulk 26, cargo 5, combination bulk 3, container 3, liquefied gas 2, multi-function large-load carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 7, vehicle carrier 5 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 3, Canada 2, China 1, Japan 25, Monaco 4, Netherlands 1, NZ 5, Panama 1, Poland 1, Switzerland 2, UK 4, US 2, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.) Venezuela total: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 714,073 GRT/1,256,667 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1, Greece 1, Italy 1, UK 1, US 2 (2002 est.) Vietnam total: 180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,054,423 GRT/1,588,732 DWT ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 128, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 9, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 21, refrigerated cargo 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cambodia 1, Japan 1, Singapore 1, UK 2 (2002 est.) Virgin Islands none (2002 est.) Wallis and Futuna total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 85,572 GRT/9,004 DWT ships by type: passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 3, US 1 (2002 est.) Yemen total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,623 GRT/23,752 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Hong Kong 2 (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2109 National holiday Afghanistan Independence Day, 19 August (1919) Albania Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Algeria Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) American Samoa Flag Day, 17 April (1900) Andorra Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278) Angola Independence Day, 11 November (1975) Anguilla Anguilla Day, 30 May Antigua and Barbuda Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981) Argentina Revolution Day, 25 May (1810) Armenia Independence Day, 21 September (1991) Aruba Flag Day, 18 March Australia Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Austria National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the State Treaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of occupation and the passage of the law on permanent neutrality Azerbaijan Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918) Bahamas, The Independence Day, 10 July (1973) Bahrain National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection Bangladesh Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Barbados Independence Day, 30 November (1966) Belarus Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Belgium 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I Belize Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Benin National Day, 1 August (1960) Bermuda Bermuda Day, 24 May Bhutan National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Bolivia Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Bosnia and Herzegovina National Day, 25 November (1943) Botswana Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) Brazil Independence Day, 7 September (1822) British Virgin Islands Territory Day, 1 July Brunei National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection Bulgaria Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) Burkina Faso Republic Day, 11 December (1958) Burma Independence Day, 4 January (1948) Burundi Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Cambodia Independence Day, 9 November (1953) Cameroon Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972) Canada Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Cape Verde Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Cayman Islands Constitution Day, first Monday in July Central African Republic Republic Day, 1 December (1958) Chad Independence Day, 11 August (1960) Chile Independence Day, 18 September (1810) China Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Comoros Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Independence Day, 30 June (1960) Congo, Republic of the Independence Day, 15 August (1960) Cook Islands Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) Costa Rica Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Cote d'Ivoire Independence Day, 7 August (1960) Croatia Statehood Day, 25 June (1991) Cuba Independence Day, 10 December (1898); note - 10 December 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 20 May 1902 is the date of independence from US administration; Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953) Cyprus Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriot area celebrates 15 November (1983) as Independence Day Czech Republic Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918) Denmark none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June is generally viewed as the National Day Djibouti Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Dominica Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Dominican Republic Independence Day, 27 February (1844) East Timor Independence Day, 28 November (1975) Ecuador Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) Egypt Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) El Salvador Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Equatorial Guinea Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Eritrea Independence Day, 24 May (1993) Estonia Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 20 August 1991 was the date of reindependence from the Soviet Union Ethiopia National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Faroe Islands Olaifest, 29 July Fiji Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) Finland Independence Day, 6 December (1917) France Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) French Guiana Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) French Polynesia Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Gabon Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968) Gambia, The Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Georgia Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union Germany Unity Day, 3 October (1990) Ghana Independence Day, 6 March (1957) Gibraltar National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain Greece Independence Day, 25 March (1821) Greenland June 21 (longest day) Grenada Independence Day, 7 February (1974) Guadeloupe Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Guam Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521) Guatemala Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Guernsey Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Guinea Independence Day, 2 October (1958) Guinea-Bissau Independence Day, 24 September (1973) Guyana Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Haiti Independence Day, 1 January (1804) Holy See (Vatican City) Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978) Honduras Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Hong Kong National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Hungary Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August Iceland Independence Day, 17 June (1944) India Republic Day, 26 January (1950) Indonesia Independence Day, 17 August (1945) Iran Republic Day, 1 April (1979) note: additional holidays celebrated widely in Iran include Revolution Day, 11 February (1979); Noruz (New Year's Day), 21 March; Constitutional Monarchy Day, 5 August (1925) Iraq Revolution Day, 17 July (1968) Ireland Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March Israel Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May Italy Republic Day, 2 June (1946) Jamaica Independence Day, first Monday in August (1962) Japan Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) Jersey Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Jordan Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Kazakhstan Republic Day, 25 October (1990) Kenya Independence Day, 12 December (1963) Kiribati Independence Day, 12 July (1979) Korea, North Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) Korea, South Liberation Day, 15 August (1945) Kuwait National Day, 25 February (1950) Kyrgyzstan Independence Day, 31 August (1991) Laos Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Latvia Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union Lebanon Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Lesotho Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Liberia Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Libya Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Liechtenstein Assumption Day, 15 August Lithuania Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 is the date of independence from German, Austrian, Prussian, and Russian occupation, 11 March 1990 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union Luxembourg National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June Macau National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day and Ilinden Madagascar Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Malawi Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964) Malaysia Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957) Maldives Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Mali Independence Day, 22 September (1960) Malta Independence Day, 21 September (1964) Man, Isle of Tynwald Day, 5 July Marshall Islands Constitution Day, 1 May (1979) Martinique Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Mauritania Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Mauritius Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Mayotte Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Mexico Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Micronesia, Federated States of Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) Moldova Independence Day, 27 August (1991) Monaco National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November Mongolia Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921) Montserrat Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Morocco Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) Mozambique Independence Day, 25 June (1975) Namibia Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Nauru Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Nepal Birthday of King GYANENDRA, 7 July (1946) Netherlands Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April Netherlands Antilles Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April New Caledonia Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) New Zealand Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Nicaragua Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Niger Republic Day, 18 December (1958) Nigeria Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960) Niue Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Norfolk Island Pitcairners Arrival Day, 8 June (1856) Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Norway Constitution Day, 17 May (1814); note - on 14 January 1814 Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden; resisting Swedish domination, Norwegians adopted a new constitution four months later; on 14 August 1814 Norway was proclaimed independent but in union with Sweden; on 7 June 1905 Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved Oman Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) Pakistan Republic Day, 23 March (1956) Palau Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Panama Independence Day, 3 November (1903) Papua New Guinea Independence Day, 16 September (1975) Paraguay Independence Day, 14 May (1811) Peru Independence Day, 28 July (1821) Philippines Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of independence from the US Pitcairn Islands Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Poland Constitution Day, 3 May (1791) Portugal Portugal Day, 10 June (1580) Puerto Rico US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) Qatar Independence Day, 3 September (1971) Reunion Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Romania Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918) Russia Russia Day, 12 June (1990) Rwanda Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Saint Helena Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Saint Kitts and Nevis Independence Day, 19 September (1983) Saint Lucia Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Samoa Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated San Marino Founding of the Republic, 3 September (301) Sao Tome and Principe Independence Day, 12 July (1975) Saudi Arabia Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Senegal Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Serbia and Montenegro National Day, 27 April Seychelles Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993) Sierra Leone Independence Day, 27 April (1961) Singapore Independence Day, 9 August (1965) Slovakia Constitution Day, 1 September (1992) Slovenia Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991) Solomon Islands Independence Day, 7 July (1978) Somalia Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland South Africa Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Spain Hispanic Day, 12 October Sri Lanka Independence Day, 4 February (1948) Sudan Independence Day, 1 January (1956) Suriname Independence Day, 25 November (1975) Svalbard NA Swaziland Independence Day, 6 September (1968) Sweden Flag Day, 6 June Switzerland Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Syria Independence Day, 17 April (1946) Taiwan Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911) Tajikistan Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991) Tanzania Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964) Thailand Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927) Togo Independence Day, 27 April (1960) Tokelau Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Tonga Independence Day, 4 June (1970) Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day, 31 August (1962) Tunisia Independence Day, 20 March (1956) Turkey Independence Day, 29 October (1923) Turkmenistan Independence Day, 27 October (1991) Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) Tuvalu Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Uganda Independence Day, 9 October (1962) Ukraine Independence Day, 24 August (1991); the date of 22 January (1918), the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet Russia), is now celebrated as Unity Day United Arab Emirates Independence Day, 2 December (1971) United Kingdom Official Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, celebrated on the second Saturday in June (1926) United States Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Uruguay Independence Day, 25 August (1825) Uzbekistan Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Vanuatu Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Venezuela Independence Day, 5 July (1811) Vietnam Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Virgin Islands Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Wallis and Futuna Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Yemen Unification Day, 22 May (1990) Zambia Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Zimbabwe Independence Day, 18 April (1980) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2110 Nationality Afghanistan noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan Albania noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian Algeria noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian American Samoa noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan Andorra noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran Angola noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Anguilla noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Antigua and Barbuda noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan Argentina noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine Armenia noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian Aruba noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch Australia noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Austria noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian Azerbaijan noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani Bahamas, The noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian Bahrain noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Bangladesh noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladeshi Barbados noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) Belarus noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian Belgium noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Belize noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Benin noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese Bermuda noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Bhutan noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Bolivia noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Bosnia and Herzegovina noun: Bosnian(s) adjective: Bosnian Botswana noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Brazil noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian British Virgin Islands noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Brunei noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Bulgaria noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Burkina Faso noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe Burma noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese Burundi noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundian Cambodia noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Cameroon noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian Canada noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian Cape Verde noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Cayman Islands noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian Central African Republic noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Chad noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian Chile noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean China noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese Christmas Island noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Colombia noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Comoros noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran Congo, Democratic Republic of the noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Congo, Republic of the noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Cook Islands noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander Costa Rica noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican Cote d'Ivoire noun: Ivorian(s) adjective: Ivorian Croatia noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s) adjective: Croatian Cuba noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban Cyprus noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Czech Republic noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech Denmark noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Djibouti noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Dominica noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Dominican Republic noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican East Timor noun: Timorese adjective: Timorese Ecuador noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian Egypt noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian El Salvador noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran Equatorial Guinea noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Eritrea noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean Estonia noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethiopia noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Faroe Islands noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Fiji noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Finland noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish France noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French French Guiana noun: French Guianese (singular and plural) adjective: French Guianese French Polynesia noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Gabon noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese Gambia, The noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian Gaza Strip noun: NA adjective: NA Georgia noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian Germany noun: German(s) adjective: German Ghana noun: Ghanaian(s) adjective: Ghanaian Gibraltar noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar Greece noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek Greenland noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic Grenada noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian Guadeloupe noun: Guadeloupian(s) adjective: Guadeloupe Guam noun: Guamanian(s) adjective: Guamanian Guatemala noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan Guernsey noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Guinea noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Guinea-Bissau noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Guyana noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese Haiti noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian Holy See (Vatican City) noun: none adjective: none Honduras noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran Hong Kong noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese Hungary noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian Iceland noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic India noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian Indonesia noun: Indonesian(s) adjective: Indonesian Iran noun: Iranian(s) adjective: Iranian Iraq noun: Iraqi(s) adjective: Iraqi Ireland noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish Israel noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli Italy noun: Italian(s) adjective: Italian Jamaica noun: Jamaican(s) adjective: Jamaican Japan noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Jersey noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Jordan noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Kazakhstan noun: Kazakhstani(s) adjective: Kazakhstani Kenya noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan Kiribati noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: I-Kiribati Korea, North noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Korea, South noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Kuwait noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti Kyrgyzstan noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani Laos noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian Latvia noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian Lebanon noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese Lesotho noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Liberia noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian Libya noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan Liechtenstein noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein Lithuania noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian Luxembourg noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg Macau noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian Madagascar noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy Malawi noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian Malaysia noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian Maldives noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Mali noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian Malta noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Man, Isle of noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women) adjective: Manx Marshall Islands noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese Martinique noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural) adjective: Martiniquais Mauritania noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Mauritius noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian Mayotte noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Mexico noun: Mexican(s) adjective: Mexican Micronesia, Federated States of noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese Moldova noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan Monaco noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) adjective: Monegasque or Monacan Mongolia noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian Montserrat noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian Morocco noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan Mozambique noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican Namibia noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian Nauru noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan Nepal noun: Nepalese (singular and plural) adjective: Nepalese Netherlands noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch Netherlands Antilles noun: Dutch Antillean(s) adjective: Dutch Antillean New Caledonia noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian New Zealand noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand Nicaragua noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan Niger noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien Nigeria noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian Niue noun: Niuean(s) adjective: Niuean Norfolk Island noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s) Northern Mariana Islands noun: NA adjective: NA Norway noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian Oman noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani Pakistan noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani Palau noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan Panama noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian Papua New Guinea noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean Paraguay noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan Peru noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian Philippines noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine Pitcairn Islands noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander Poland noun: Pole(s) adjective: Polish Portugal noun: Portuguese (singular and plural) adjective: Portuguese Puerto Rico noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) adjective: Puerto Rican Qatar noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari Reunion noun: Reunionese (singular and plural) adjective: Reunionese Romania noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian Russia noun: Russian(s) adjective: Russian Rwanda noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan Saint Helena noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian Saint Kitts and Nevis noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s) adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian Saint Lucia noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian Saint Pierre and Miquelon noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Saint Vincent and the Grenadines noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian Samoa noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan San Marino noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural) adjective: Sammarinese Sao Tome and Principe noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean Saudi Arabia noun: Saudi(s) adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian Senegal noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese Serbia and Montenegro noun: Serb(s); Montenegrin(s) adjective: Serbian; Montenegrin Seychelles noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois Sierra Leone noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean Singapore noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore Slovakia noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak Slovenia noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian Solomon Islands noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander Somalia noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali South Africa noun: South African(s) adjective: South African Spain noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish Sri Lanka noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan Sudan noun: Sudanese (singular and plural) adjective: Sudanese Suriname noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese Swaziland noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi Sweden noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish Switzerland noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss Syria noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian Taiwan noun: Chinese/Taiwanese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese/Taiwanese Tajikistan noun: Tajikistani(s) adjective: Tajikistani Tanzania noun: Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian Thailand noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai Togo noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese Tokelau noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan Tonga noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan Trinidad and Tobago noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian Tunisia noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian Turkey noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish Turkmenistan noun: Turkmen(s) adjective: Turkmen Turks and Caicos Islands noun: none adjective: none Tuvalu noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan Uganda noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan Ukraine noun: Ukrainian(s) adjective: Ukrainian United Arab Emirates noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati United Kingdom noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural) adjective: British United States noun: American(s) adjective: American Uruguay noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan Uzbekistan noun: Uzbek(s) adjective: Uzbek Vanuatu noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Venezuela noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan Vietnam noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese Virgin Islands noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander Wallis and Futuna noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander West Bank noun: NA adjective: NA Western Sahara noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian Yemen noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni Zambia noun: Zambian(s) adjective: Zambian Zimbabwe noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2111 Natural resources Afghanistan natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones Albania petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, timber, nickel, hydropower Algeria petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc American Samoa pumice, pumicite Andorra hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead Angola petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium Anguilla salt, fish, lobster Antarctica iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries Antigua and Barbuda NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism Arctic Ocean sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales) Argentina fertile plains of the Pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium Armenia small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina Aruba NEGL; white sandy beaches Ashmore and Cartier Islands fish Atlantic Ocean oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones Australia bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum Austria iron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower Azerbaijan petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina Bahamas, The salt, aragonite, timber, arable land Bahrain oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls Baker Island guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Bangladesh natural gas, arable land, timber, coal Barbados petroleum, fish, natural gas Bassas da India none Belarus forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay Belgium coal, natural gas Belize arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower Benin small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber Bermuda limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Bhutan timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide Bolivia tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower Bosnia and Herzegovina coal, iron, bauxite, manganese, forests, copper, chromium, lead, zinc, hydropower Botswana diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver Bouvet Island none Brazil bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber British Indian Ocean Territory coconuts, fish, sugarcane British Virgin Islands NEGL Brunei petroleum, natural gas, timber Bulgaria bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land Burkina Faso manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silver Burma petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower Burundi nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium, arable land, hydropower Cambodia timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential Cameroon petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower Canada iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower Cape Verde salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish Cayman Islands fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism Central African Republic diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower Chad petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad) Chile copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower China coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest) Christmas Island phosphate, beaches Clipperton Island fish Cocos (Keeling) Islands fish Colombia petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower Comoros NEGL Congo, Democratic Republic of the cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower, timber Congo, Republic of the petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas, hydropower Cook Islands NEGL Coral Sea Islands NEGL Costa Rica hydropower Cote d'Ivoire petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, hydropower Croatia oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower Cuba cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land Cyprus copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment Czech Republic hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber Denmark petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, stone, gravel and sand Djibouti geothermal areas Dominica timber, hydropower, arable land Dominican Republic nickel, bauxite, gold, silver East Timor gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble Ecuador petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower Egypt petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc El Salvador hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land Equatorial Guinea oil, petroleum, timber, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium, titanium, iron ore Eritrea gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish Estonia oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud Ethiopia small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower Europa Island NEGL Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss Faroe Islands fish, whales, hydropower Fiji timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower Finland timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver France coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, potash, timber, fish French Guiana bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish French Polynesia timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower French Southern and Antarctic Lands fish, crayfish Gabon petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower Gambia, The fish Gaza Strip arable land, natural gas Georgia forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth Germany iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel, arable land Ghana gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower Gibraltar NEGL Glorioso Islands guano, coconuts Greece bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble, hydropower potential Greenland zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, gold, platinum, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas Grenada timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors Guadeloupe cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism Guam fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan) Guatemala petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower Guernsey cropland Guinea bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish Guinea-Bissau fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, unexploited deposits of petroleum Guyana bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Haiti bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower Heard Island and McDonald Islands fish Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower Hong Kong outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar Howland Island guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Hungary bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land Iceland fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite India coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land Indian Ocean oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules Indonesia petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver Iran petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Iraq petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Ireland zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver Israel timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand Italy mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal, arable land Jamaica bauxite, gypsum, limestone Jan Mayen none Japan negligible mineral resources, fish Jarvis Island guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Jersey arable land Johnston Atoll guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Jordan phosphates, potash, shale oil Juan de Nova Island guano deposits and other fertilizers Kazakhstan major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium Kenya gold, limestone, soda ash, salt, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife, hydropower Kingman Reef terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Kiribati phosphate (production discontinued in 1979) Korea, North coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower Korea, South coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential Kuwait petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas Kyrgyzstan abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc Laos timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones Latvia peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land Lebanon limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land Lesotho water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals Liberia iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower Libya petroleum, natural gas, gypsum Liechtenstein hydroelectric potential, arable land Lithuania peat, arable land Luxembourg iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land Macau NEGL Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber, arable land Madagascar graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower Malawi limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Malaysia tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Maldives fish Mali gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, hydropower note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Malta limestone, salt, arable land Man, Isle of none Marshall Islands coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals Martinique coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Mauritania iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish Mauritius arable land, fish Mayotte NEGL Mexico petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber Micronesia, Federated States of forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals Midway Islands wildlife, terrestrial and aquatic Moldova lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone Monaco none Mongolia oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, phosphate Montserrat NEGL Morocco phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt Mozambique coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite Namibia diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore Nauru phosphates, fish Navassa Island guano Nepal quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Netherlands natural gas, petroleum, arable land Netherlands Antilles phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only) New Caledonia nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper New Zealand natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone Nicaragua gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish Niger uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum Nigeria natural gas, petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, arable land Niue fish, arable land Norfolk Island fish Northern Mariana Islands arable land, fish Norway petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower Oman petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas Pacific Ocean oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish Pakistan land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Palau forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Palmyra Atoll terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Panama copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower Papua New Guinea gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries Paracel Islands none Paraguay hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone Peru copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas Philippines timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Pitcairn Islands miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore Poland coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land Portugal fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble, arable land, hydropower Puerto Rico some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil Qatar petroleum, natural gas, fish Reunion fish, arable land, hydropower Romania petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower Russia wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources Rwanda gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land Saint Helena fish Saint Kitts and Nevis arable land Saint Lucia forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Saint Pierre and Miquelon fish, deepwater ports Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hydropower, cropland Samoa hardwood forests, fish, hydropower San Marino building stone Sao Tome and Principe fish, hydropower Saudi Arabia petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper Senegal fish, phosphates, iron ore Serbia and Montenegro oil, gas, coal, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite, chrome, hydropower, arable land Seychelles fish, copra, cinnamon trees Sierra Leone diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Singapore fish, deepwater ports Slovakia brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land Slovenia lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower, forests Solomon Islands fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel Somalia uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves South Africa gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands fish Southern Ocean probable large and possible giant oil and gas fields on the continental margin, manganese nodules, possible placer deposits, sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs; squid, whales, and seals - none exploited; krill, fishes Spain coal, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury, pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum, zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land Spratly Islands fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential Sri Lanka limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower Sudan petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower Suriname timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore Svalbard coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish Swaziland asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc Sweden zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower Switzerland hydropower potential, timber, salt Syria petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower Taiwan small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos Tajikistan hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold Tanzania hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel Thailand tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land Togo phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land Tokelau NEGL Tonga fish, fertile soil Trinidad and Tobago petroleum, natural gas, asphalt Tromelin Island fish Tunisia petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Turkey antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulfur, iron ore, arable land, hydropower Turkmenistan petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt Turks and Caicos Islands spiny lobster, conch Tuvalu fish Uganda copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land Ukraine iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land United Arab Emirates petroleum, natural gas United Kingdom coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica, arable land United States coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber Uruguay arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries Uzbekistan natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum Vanuatu manganese, hardwood forests, fish Venezuela petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds Vietnam phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower Virgin Islands sun, sand, sea, surf Wake Island none Wallis and Futuna NEGL West Bank arable land Western Sahara phosphates, iron ore World the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality (especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only beginning to address Yemen petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in west Zambia copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower Zimbabwe coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2112 Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population) Afghanistan 10.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Albania -1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Algeria -0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) American Samoa 3.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Andorra 6.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Angola 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Anguilla 12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda -6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Argentina 0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Armenia -3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Aruba 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Australia 4.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Austria 2.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Azerbaijan -5.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bahamas, The -2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bahrain 1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bangladesh -0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Barbados -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belarus 2.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belgium 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Belize 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Benin 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bermuda 2.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bhutan 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bolivia -1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Botswana 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Brazil -0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands 10.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Brunei 3.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Bulgaria -4.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burkina Faso 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burma -1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Burundi -0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cambodia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cameroon 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Canada 6.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cape Verde -12.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cayman Islands 19.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2003 est.) Central African Republic 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Chad 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Chile 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) China -0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Christmas Island NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Colombia -0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Comoros 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the -1.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: fighting between the Congolese Government and Uganda- and Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DROC in August 1998, which left 1.8 million Congolese internally displaced and caused 300,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surrounding countries (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Costa Rica 0.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Croatia 1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cuba -1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Cyprus 0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Czech Republic 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Denmark 2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Djibouti 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Dominica -16.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Dominican Republic -3.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) East Timor 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ecuador -0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Egypt -0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) El Salvador -3.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Eritrea -13.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: UNHCR began repatriating about 150,000 Eritrean refugees from Sudan in 2001 following the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2000 (2003 est.) Estonia -0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ethiopia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan for refuge from war and famine in earlier years is expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese and Somali refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Faroe Islands 1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Fiji -3.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Finland 0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) France 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) French Guiana 7.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) French Polynesia 2.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gabon 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gambia, The 1.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gaza Strip 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Georgia -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Germany 2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ghana -0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Gibraltar 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Greece 1.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Greenland -8.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Grenada -14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guadeloupe -0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guam 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guatemala -1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guernsey 3.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guinea -3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau -1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Guyana -4.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Haiti -4.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Honduras -2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Hong Kong 7.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Hungary 0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iceland -2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) India -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Indonesia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iran -0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Iraq 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Ireland 3.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Israel 1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Italy 2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jamaica -5.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Japan 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jersey 2.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Jordan 6.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kazakhstan -5.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kenya -0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: according to UNHCR, by the end of 2001 Kenya was host to 220,000 refugees from neighboring countries, including: Somalia 145,000 and Sudan 68,000 (2003 est.) Kiribati 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Korea, North 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Korea, South 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kuwait 14.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan -2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Laos 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Latvia -1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lebanon 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lesotho -0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Liberia -10.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: 200,000 Liberian refugees are in surrounding countries though slowly returning (2003 est.) Libya 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Liechtenstein 4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Lithuania 0.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Luxembourg 9.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Macau 8.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of -1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Madagascar 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malawi 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malaysia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2003 est.) Maldives 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mali -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Malta 2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Man, Isle of 5.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Marshall Islands -6.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Martinique -0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mauritania 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mauritius -0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mayotte 7.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mexico -2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of -20.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Moldova -0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Monaco 7.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mongolia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Montserrat 34.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Morocco -1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Mozambique 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Namibia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nauru 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nepal 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Netherlands 2.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) New Caledonia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) New Zealand 4.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nicaragua -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Niger -0.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Nigeria 0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Niue NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Norfolk Island NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 16.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Norway 2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Oman 0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Pakistan -0.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Palau 3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Panama -0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Paraguay -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Peru -1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Philippines -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Poland -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Portugal 0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Puerto Rico -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Qatar 17.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Reunion 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Romania -0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Russia 0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Rwanda 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Helena 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis -8.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Lucia -3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon -4.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -7.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Samoa -11.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) San Marino 11.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe -2.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia 1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Senegal 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro -1.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Seychelles -5.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sierra Leone 6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2003 est.) Singapore 25.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Slovakia 0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Slovenia 2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Solomon Islands 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Somalia 5.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) South Africa -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Spain 0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sri Lanka -1.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sudan 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Suriname -8.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Svalbard NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Swaziland 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Sweden 1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Switzerland 1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Syria 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Taiwan 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tajikistan -3.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tanzania -4.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Thailand 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Togo 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tokelau NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tonga 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago -10.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tunisia -0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turkey 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turkmenistan -0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 12.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Tuvalu 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uganda 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: according to the UNHCR, by the end of 2001, Uganda was host to 178,815 refugees from a number of neighboring countries, including: Sudan 155,996, Rwanda 14,375, and Democratic Republic of the Congo 7,459 (2003 est.) Ukraine -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates 1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) United Kingdom 2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) United States 3.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uruguay -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Uzbekistan -1.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Vanuatu 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Venezuela -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Vietnam -0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Virgin Islands 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2003 est.) West Bank 3.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Yemen 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Zambia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) Zimbabwe NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2113 Geography - note Afghanistan landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) Albania strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) Algeria second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) American Samoa Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean Andorra landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees Angola the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Anguilla the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles Antarctica the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable Antigua and Barbuda Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor Arctic Ocean major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10 months Argentina second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, while the Valdes Peninsula is the lowest point on the continent Armenia landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range Aruba a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) Ashmore and Cartier Islands Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 Atlantic Ocean major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean Australia world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer Austria landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere Azerbaijan both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked Bahamas, The strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited Bahrain close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean Baker Island treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife Bangladesh most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal Barbados easternmost Caribbean island Bassas da India the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano Belarus landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay Belgium crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO Belize only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean Benin sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands Bermuda consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 Bhutan landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes Bolivia landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru Bosnia and Herzegovina within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro (Montenegro), and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east Botswana landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country Bouvet Island covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve Brazil largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador British Indian Ocean Territory archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility British Virgin Islands strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Brunei close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia Bulgaria strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia Burkina Faso landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas Burma strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes Burundi landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile Cambodia a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Cameroon sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano Canada second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 85% of the population is concentrated within 300 km of the US border Cape Verde strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site Cayman Islands important location between Cuba and Central America Central African Republic landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa Chad landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel Chile strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions China world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak; Christmas Island located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean Clipperton Island reef 12 km in circumference Cocos (Keeling) Islands islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation Colombia only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea Comoros important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel Congo, Democratic Republic of the straddles equator; has very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands Congo, Republic of the about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them Cook Islands the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives Coral Sea Islands important nesting area for birds and turtles Costa Rica four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 Cote d'Ivoire most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated Croatia controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits Cuba largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles Cyprus the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia) Czech Republic landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe Denmark controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen Djibouti strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa Dominica known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world Dominican Republic shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti) East Timor Timor comes from the Malay word for "Orient;" the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands Ecuador Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world Egypt controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees El Salvador smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea Equatorial Guinea insular and continental regions rather widely separated Eritrea strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993 Estonia the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands Ethiopia landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean Europa Island wildlife sanctuary Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season Faroe Islands archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands Fiji includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited Finland long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain France largest West European nation French Guiana mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only non-independent portion of the South American continent French Polynesia includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru French Southern and Antarctic Lands islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean Gabon a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity Gambia, The almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa Gaza Strip there are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (February 2002 est.) Georgia strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them Germany strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea Ghana Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake Gibraltar strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea Glorioso Islands the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system Greece strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands Greenland dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast, but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap Grenada the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada Guadeloupe a narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe proper into two islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the smaller, eastern Grande-Terre Guam largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean Guatemala no natural harbors on west coast Guernsey large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port Guinea the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands Guinea-Bissau this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying further inland Guyana the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively Haiti shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic) Holy See (Vatican City) urban; landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights Honduras has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast Hong Kong more than 200 islands Howland Island almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife Hungary landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions Iceland strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe India dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes Indian Ocean major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait Indonesia archipelago of more than 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean Iran strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport Iraq strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf Ireland strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 97 km of Dublin Israel there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.); Sea of Galilee is an important freshwater source Italy strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe Jamaica strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal Jan Mayen barren volcanic island with some moss and grass Japan strategic location in northeast Asia Jarvis Island sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife Jersey largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier Johnston Atoll strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a former US nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetation Jordan strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank Juan de Nova Island wildlife sanctuary Kazakhstan landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome Kenya the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value Kingman Reef barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public Kiribati 21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru Korea, North strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated Korea, South strategic location on Korea Strait Kuwait strategic location at head of Persian Gulf Kyrgyzstan landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes Laos landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand Latvia most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east Lebanon Nahr el Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity Lesotho landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea level Liberia facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture Libya more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert Liechtenstein along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation Lithuania fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits Luxembourg landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world Macau essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe Madagascar world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel Malawi landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature Malaysia strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea Maldives 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean Mali landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan Malta the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Man, Isle of one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary Marshall Islands two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range Martinique the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May 1902 erupted and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing 30,000 inhabitants Mauritania most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country Mauritius the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs Mayotte part of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands Mexico strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize), one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated in Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of four major island groups totaling 607 islands Midway Islands a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving; the refuge is temporarily closed for reorganization at present (2003) Moldova landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone Monaco second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban Mongolia landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia Montserrat the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains seven active volcanoes Morocco strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar Mozambique the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country Namibia first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip Nauru Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator Navassa Island strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus Nepal landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the world's tallest - on the border with China Netherlands located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde) Netherlands Antilles the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao) New Caledonia consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls New Zealand about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world Nicaragua largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua Niger landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world: northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture Nigeria the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea Niue one of world's largest coral islands Norfolk Island most of the 32-km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated Northern Mariana Islands strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean Norway about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world Oman strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil Pacific Ocean the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean Pakistan controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent Palau westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands Palmyra Atoll about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall Panama strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean Papua New Guinea shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast Paracel Islands composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group Paraguay landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country Peru shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River Philippines favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait Pitcairn Islands Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore Poland historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain Portugal Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar Puerto Rico important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north Qatar strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits Reunion this mountainous, volcanic island has an active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise; there is a tropical cyclone center at Saint-Denis, which is the monitoring station for the whole of the Indian Ocean Romania controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine Russia largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount Elbrus is Europe's tallest peak Rwanda landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns Saint Kitts and Nevis with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a three-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island Saint Lucia the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean Saint Pierre and Miquelon vegetation scanty Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays Samoa occupies an almost central position within Polynesia San Marino landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines Sao Tome and Principe the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous Saudi Arabia extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal Senegal westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal Serbia and Montenegro controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast Seychelles 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands Sierra Leone rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa Singapore focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes Slovakia landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys Slovenia despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes Solomon Islands strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea Somalia strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal South Africa South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in the 21st century, live on South Georgia Southern Ocean the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the very cold polar surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum westerly winds Spain strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar Spratly Islands strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs Sri Lanka strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes Sudan largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries Suriname smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast Svalbard northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area Swaziland landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa Sweden strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas Switzerland landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps Syria there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (February 2002 est.) Taiwan strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait Tajikistan landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR Tanzania Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest Thailand controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore Togo the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna Tokelau consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over three meters above sea level Tonga archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited) Trinidad and Tobago Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt Tromelin Island climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) Tunisia strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Turkey strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country Turkmenistan landlocked; the western and central low-lying, desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau Turks and Caicos Islands about 40 islands (eight inhabited) Tuvalu one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon Uganda landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers Ukraine strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe United Arab Emirates strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil United Kingdom lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters United States world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent Uruguay second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising Uzbekistan along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world Vanuatu a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes Venezuela on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall Vietnam extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point Virgin Islands important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean Wake Island strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights Wallis and Futuna both island groups have fringing reefs West Bank landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.) Western Sahara the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas World the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just about one-third of the 13-billion-year age estimated for the universe Yemen strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes Zambia landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe Zimbabwe landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2115 Political pressure groups and leaders Afghanistan NA; note - ministries formed under the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) include former influential Afghans, diaspora members, and former political leaders Albania Omonia [Vangjel DULES] Algeria NA American Samoa NA Andorra NA Angola Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL] Argentina Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); business organizations; General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Peronist-dominated labor movement; Roman Catholic Church; students Armenia Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN] Aruba NA Australia Australian Monarchist League [leader NA]; Australian Republican Movement [leader NA] Austria Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers Azerbaijan Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF) Bahamas, The NA Bahrain Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active Bangladesh NA Barbados Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE] Belarus NA Belgium Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants Belize Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM] Benin NA Bermuda Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA [leader NA]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES] Bhutan Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) Bolivia Cocalero Groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions; Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Felipe QUISPE] Bosnia and Herzegovina NA Botswana NA Brazil left wing of the Catholic Church; Landless Worker's Movement; labor unions allied to leftist Worker's Party British Virgin Islands NA Brunei NA Bulgaria agrarian movement; Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas Burkina Faso Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP; Group of 14 February; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities Burma All Burma Student Democratic Front or ABSDF; Kachin Independence Army or KIA; Karen National Union or KNU; National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB [Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals legitimately elected to the People's Assembly but not recognized by the military regime (the group fled to a border area and joined with insurgents in December 1990 to form a parallel government); several Shan factions; United Wa State Army or UWSA Burundi loosely organized Hutu and Tutsi militias, often affiliated with Hutu and Tutsi extremist parties or subordinate to government security forces Cambodia NA Cameroon Southern Cameroon National Council [Frederick Ebong ALOBWEDE]; Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president] Canada NA Cape Verde NA Cayman Islands NA Central African Republic NA Chad NA Chile revitalized university student federations at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations China no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the government has identified the Falungong sect and the China Democracy Party as potential rivals Christmas Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands none Colombia two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and National Liberation Army or ELN; largest anti-insurgent paramilitary group is United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUC Comoros NA Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA Congo, Republic of the Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC Cook Islands NA Costa Rica Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown] Cote d'Ivoire NA Croatia NA Cuba NA Cyprus Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled) Czech Republic Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions [Richard FALBR] Denmark NA Djibouti Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, UDJ, and PDD) [Ahmed Dini AHMED] Dominica Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party) Dominican Republic Collective of Popular Organizations or COP East Timor NA Ecuador Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Leonidas IZA, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ, president]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS] Egypt despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but moved more aggressively since then to block its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned El Salvador labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI Equatorial Guinea NA Eritrea Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ [leader NA] (also including Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM (also known as the Abu Sihel Movement) [leader NA]); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the Arafa Movement) [leader NA]; Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob] Estonia NA Ethiopia Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front or ARDUF [leader NA]; Council of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy in Ethiopia or CAFPDE [BEYANE Petros]; Southern Ethiopia People's Democratic Coalition or SEPDC [BEYANE Petros] Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none Faroe Islands NA Fiji NA France historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed); left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, approximately 865,000 members (claimed, of which 810,000 are actively employed); independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members (claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed) French Guiana NA French Polynesia NA Gabon NA Gambia, The NA Georgia Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in exile; separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; supporters of the late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA Germany employers' organizations; expellee, refugee, trade unions, and veterans groups Ghana NA Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association Greece NA Greenland NA Grenada NA Guadeloupe Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for Independent Guadeloupe or MPGI Guam NA Guatemala Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM Guernsey none Guinea NA Guinea-Bissau NA Guyana Civil Liberties Action Committee or CLAC; Guyana Council of Indian Organizations or GCIO; Trades Union Congress or TUC note: the GCIO and the CLAC are small and active but not well organized Haiti Autonomous Haitian Workers or CATH; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP; Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Roman Catholic Church Holy See (Vatican City) none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) Honduras Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Federation of Honduran Workers or FUTH Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China) [LEE Chark-tim, president]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Liberal Democratic Federation [HU Fa-kuang, chairman] Hungary NA Iceland NA India numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy, including the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Indonesia NA Iran active pro-reform student groups include the "Organization for Strengthening Unity"; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic include Ansar-e Hizballah, Muslim Students Following the Line of the Imam, Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat), Islamic Coalition Association, and Islamic Engineers Society; opposition groups include Freedom Movement of Iran, the National Front, Marz-e Por Gohar, and various Monarchist organizations; armed political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the government include Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and Komala Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland NA Israel Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Yesha (settler) Council promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise; B'Tselem monitors human rights abuses Italy Italian manufacturers and merchants associations (Confindustria, Confcommercio); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura); Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Sergio COFFERATI] which is left wing, Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Savino PEZZOTTA], which is Roman Catholic centrist, and Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Pietro LARIZZA] which is lay centrist) Jamaica New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists) Japan NA Jersey none Jordan Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice chairman]; Jordanian Bar Association [Saleh ARMOUTI, president]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Muslim Brotherhood [Abd-al-Majid DHUNAYBAT, secretary general] Kazakhstan Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Alash [Sabet-Kazy AKATAY]; AZAMAT "Citizen" Movement [Petr SVOIK, Murat AUEZOV, and Galym ABILSEITOV, cochairmen]; Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan [Galymzhan ZHAKIYANOV, Nurzhan SUBKHANBERDIN, cochairmen]; Labor and Worker's Movement [Madel ISMAILOV, chairman]; Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director]; Orleu "Development" Movement [Seidakhmet KUTTYKADAM]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; People's Congress of Kazakhstan of NKK [Olzhas SULEIMENOV, chairman]; People's Cooperative Party of Kazakhstan [Umirzak SARSENOV]; Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan or RNPK [Akezhan KAZHEGELDIN]; Socialist Party [Petr SVOIK] Kenya human rights groups; labor unions; Muslim organizations; National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Kivutha KIBWANA]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Mutava MUSYIMI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY] Kiribati NA Korea, North NA Korea, South Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National Federation of Student Associations Kuwait several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists Kyrgyzstan Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of Entrepreneurs Laos noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 Latvia NA Lebanon NA Lesotho NA Liberia NA Libya various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements Liechtenstein NA Lithuania NA Luxembourg ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); LCGP (center-right trade union); OGBL (center-left trade union) Macau Catholic Church [Domingos LAM, bishop]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO, managing director]; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong, leader] Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of NA Madagascar Federalist Movement; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM Malawi National Democratic Alliance [Brown MPINGANJIRA] Malaysia NA Maldives none Mali Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA Malta NA Man, Isle of none Marshall Islands NA Martinique Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP Mauritania Arab nationalists; Ba'athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general] Mauritius various labor unions Mayotte NA Mexico Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or COPARMEX; Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN; Confederation of Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation Industries or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC; National Union of Workers or UNT; Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers or CROM; Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants or CROC; Roman Catholic Church Moldova NA Monaco NA Mongolia NA Montserrat NA Morocco Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK] Mozambique Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e Democracia) or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Etica [Abdul CARIMO Issa, chairman]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento para Paz e Cidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]; Human Rights and Development (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or DHD [Artemisia FRANCO, secretary general] Namibia NA Nauru NA Nepal Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL also known as Prahanda, chairman; and chief negotiator, Dr. Baburam BHATTARAI, from Communist Party of Nepal/Maoist]; numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups Netherlands Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia NA New Zealand NA Nicaragua National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions including - Farm Workers Association or ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG, Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including - Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; Nicaraguan Workers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of business groups Niger NA Nigeria Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC [Adams OSHIOMOLE] Niue NA Norfolk Island none Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway NA Oman none Pakistan military remains most important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential Palau NA Panama Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP Papua New Guinea NA Paraguay Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT Peru leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned), Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)] Philippines NA Pitcairn Islands none Poland All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Maciej MANICKI]; Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity Trade Union [Janusz SNIADEK] Portugal NA Puerto Rico Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed Forces of Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution Qatar none Reunion NA Romania various human rights and professional associations Russia NA Rwanda IBUKA - association of genocide survivors Saint Helena none Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia NA Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa NA San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia none Senegal labor; Muslim brotherhoods; students; teachers Serbia and Montenegro Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Ibrahim RUGOVA]; Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]; Group of 17 Independent Economists or G-17 [leader NA]; National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo or LKCK [Sabit GASHI]; Otpor Student Resistance Movement [leader NA]; Political Council for Presevo, Meveda and Bujanovac or PCPMB [leader NA]; The People's Movement for Kosovo or LPK [Emrush XHEMAJLI] Seychelles Roman Catholic Church; trade unions Sierra Leone Trade Unions and Student Unions Singapore NA Slovakia Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Metal Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURG Slovenia NA Solomon Islands NA Somalia numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for power South Africa Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU [Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African Communist Party or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national president]; note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the ANC Spain business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO; university students; Workers Confederation or CC.OO; Nunca Mais (Galician for "Never Again"; formed in response to the oil tanker Prestige oil spill) Sri Lanka Buddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for a separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups Sudan Democratic Unionist Party [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI]; National Congress Party [Ibrahim Ahmed UMAR]; National Democratic Alliance [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI, chairman]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army [Dr. John GARANG]; Umma [Sadiq al-MAHDI] Suriname General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement [Leendert ADAMS]; Tucayana Amazonica [Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO]; Union for Liberation and Democracy [Kofi AFONGPONG] Swaziland NA Sweden NA Switzerland NA Syria conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood (operates in exile in Jordan and Yemen); non-Ba'th parties have little effective political influence Taiwan Taiwan independence movement, various business and environmental groups note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that Taiwan currently enjoys de facto independence and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan Nation Building Tajikistan there are two unregistered political parties with 1,000 or more members: Progressive Party [Suton QUVVATOV]; Unity Party [Hikmatuko SAIDOV] Tanzania NA Thailand NA Togo NA Tokelau none Tonga Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [Akilisi POHIVA, president] Trinidad and Tobago Jamaat-al Musilmeen [Yasin BAKR] Tunisia the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed Turkey Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Sami EVREN]; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Suleyman CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD [Erol YARAR]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim USLU]; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Muharrem KAYHAN]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or TISK [Refik BAYDUR]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is [Bayram MERAL]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or TESK [Dervis GUNDAY; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU] Turkmenistan NA Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu none Uganda NA Ukraine NA United Arab Emirates NA United Kingdom Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress United States NA Uruguay NA Uzbekistan Birlik (Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Tolib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Abduhoshim GHAFUROV, chairman]; Ezgulik [Vasilia INOYATOVA] Vanuatu NA Venezuela FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action) Vietnam none Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA Western Sahara none Yemen NA Zambia NA Zimbabwe National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]; Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Brian KAGORO]; Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions or ZCTU [Lovemore MATOMBO] This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2116 Economy - overview Afghanistan Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on foreign aid, farming and livestock raising (sheep and goats), and trade with neighboring countries. Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more than two decades of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). During that conflict, one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan and Iran sheltering a combined peak of 4 to 6 million refugees. Gross domestic product has fallen substantially over the past 20 years because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport; severe drought added to the nation's difficulties in 1998-2002. The majority of the population continues to suffer from insufficient food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and a dearth of jobs, problems exacerbated by political uncertainties and the general level of lawlessness. International efforts to rebuild Afghanistan were addressed at the Tokyo Donors Conference for Afghan Reconstruction in January 2002, when $4.5 billion was pledged, $1.7 billion for 2002. Of that approximately $900 million was directed to humanitarian aid - food, clothing, and shelter - and another $90 million for the Afghan Transitional Authority. Further World Bank and other aid came in 2003. Priority areas for reconstruction include upgrading education, health, and sanitation facilities; providing income generating opportunities; enhancing administrative and security arrangements, especially in regional areas; developing the agricultural sector; rebuilding transportation, energy, and telecommunication infrastructure; and reabsorbing 2 million returning refugees. The replacement of the opium trade - which may account for one-third of GDP - and the search for oil and gas resources in the northern region are two major long-term issues. Albania Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by remittances from abroad of $400-$600 million annually, mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the sizable trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment and consolidate small plots of land. Severe energy shortages are forcing small firms out of business, increasing unemployment, scaring off foreign investors, and spurring inflation. The government plans to boost energy imports to relieve the shortages. In addition, the government is moving to improve the poor national road network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. Algeria The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks 14th in oil reserves. Algeria's financial and economic indicators improved during the mid-1990s, in part because of policy reforms supported by the IMF and debt rescheduling from the Paris Club. Algeria's finances in 2000-03 benefited from substantial trade surpluses, record foreign exchange reserves, and reductions in foreign debt. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. American Samoa This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism, a developing sector, has been held back by the recurring financial difficulties in East Asia. Andorra Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products. Angola Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI on February 22, 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue including the impact of wide-spread land mines. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much of the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue reforming government policies. While Angola made progress in bringing inflation down further, from 325% in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to make sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as increasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greater transparency in government spending. Increased oil production should bring about 6% GDP growth in 2003. Anguilla Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. Antarctica Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons. Unregulated fishing, particularly of tooth fish, is a serious problem. Allegedly illegal fishing in antarctic waters in 1998 resulted in the seizure (by France and Australia) of at least eight fishing ships. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 12,248 tourists visited in the 2000-01 antarctic summer, down from the 14,762 who visited the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on 21 commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that made trips during the summer. Most tourist trips lasted approximately two weeks. Antigua and Barbuda Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals. Arctic Ocean Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. Argentina Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the country has suffered recurring economic problems of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit," to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and inflation picked up rapidly, but by mid-2002 the economy had stabilized, albeit at a lower level. Strong demand for the peso compelled the Central Bank to intervene in foreign exchange markets to curb its appreciation in early 2003. Led by record exports, the economy began to recover with output up 5.5% in 2003, unemployment falling, and inflation sliced to 4.2% at year-end. Armenia Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is under international pressure to close. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, domestic restructuring of the economy, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector. Aruba Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance. Ashmore and Cartier Islands no economic activity Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, the dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea). Australia Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Australia's emphasis on reforms is another key factor behind the economy's strength. The stagnant economic conditions in major export partners and the impact of the worst drought in 100 years cast a shadow over prospects for 2003. Austria Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to EU aspirant economies. Slowing growth in Germany and elsewhere in the world held the economy to only 1.2% growth in 2001, 0.6% in 2002, and 0.8% in 2003.. To meet increased competition from both EU and Central European countries, Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the economy, continue to deregulate the service sector, and lower its tax burden. A key issue is the encouragement of much greater participation in the labor market by its ageing population. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth. Bahamas, The The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the slowdown in the US economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held back growth in these sectors in 2002. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US, the source of most of the visitors. Bahrain In Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil granted as aid. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems. Baker Island no economic activity Bangladesh Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. Although half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Economic reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms, but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key areas. Barbados Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a light-manufacturing sector. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002 mainly due to a 3% decline in tourism. Growth should be positive in 2003, the precise level largely dependent on economic conditions in the US and Europe. Bassas da India no economic activity Belarus Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprise. In addition to the burdens imposed by high inflation and persistent trade deficits, businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder. Close relations with Russia, possibly leading to reunion, color the pattern of economic developments. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from the West and its open-market economies. Belgium This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US. Belize In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by cane sugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.5% in 1999, 10.8% in 2000, 4.6% in 2001, and 3.7% in 2002. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. Benin The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past six years, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for speeded-up structural reforms. Bermuda Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, with its economy primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - has been severely hit as American tourists have chosen not to travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002, but remains below the pre-11 September level. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable. Bhutan The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, providing the main livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Bolivia Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries, made considerable progress in the 1990s toward the development of a market-oriented economy. Successes under President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (1993-97) included the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and becoming an associate member of the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur), as well as the privatization of the state airline, telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Growth slowed in 1999, in part due to tight government budget policies, which limited needed appropriations for anti-poverty programs, and the fallout from the Asian financial crisis. In 2000, major civil disturbances held down growth to 2.5%. Bolivia's GDP failed to grow in 2001 due to the global slowdown and laggard domestic activity. Growth picked up slightly in 2002, but the first quarter of 2003 saw extensive civil riots and looting and loss of confidence in the government. Bolivia will remain highly dependent on foreign aid unless and until it can develop its substantial natural resources. Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the socialist economic structure of Yugoslavia. TITO had pushed the development of military industries in the republic with the result that Bosnia hosted a number of Yugoslavia's defense plants. The bitter interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet by 80% from 1990 to 1995, unemployment to soar, and human misery to multiply. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. GDP remains far below the 1990 level. Economic data are of limited use because, although both entities issue figures, national-level statistics are limited. Moreover, official data do not capture the large share of black market activity. The marka - the national currency introduced in 1998 - is now pegged to the euro, and the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has dramatically increased its reserve holdings. Implementation of privatization, however, has been slow, and local entities only reluctantly support national-level institutions. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down. The country receives substantial amounts of reconstruction assistance and humanitarian aid from the international community but will have to prepare for an era of declining assistance. Botswana Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $9,500 in 2002. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for nine-tenths of export earnings. Tourism, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is 21%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. Long-term prospects are overshadowed by the prospects of a leveling off in diamond mining production. Bouvet Island no economic activity; declared a nature reserve Brazil Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. The maintenance of large current account deficits via capital account surpluses became problematic as investors became more risk averse to emerging markets as a consequence of the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the Russian bond default in August 1998. After crafting a fiscal adjustment program and pledging progress on structural reform, Brazil received a $41.5 billion IMF-led international support program in November 1998. In January 1999, the Brazilian Central Bank announced that the real would no longer be pegged to the US dollar. The consequent devaluation helped moderate the downturn in economic growth in 1999, and the country posted moderate GDP growth in 2000. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-03 - to less than 2% - because of a slowdown in major markets and the hiking of interest rates by the Central Bank to combat inflationary pressures. New president DA SILVA, who took office 1 January 2003, has given priority to reforming the complex tax code, trimming the overblown civil service pension system, and continuing the fight against inflation. British Indian Ocean Territory All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing. British Virgin Islands The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998. Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as its currency since 1959. Brunei This small, wealthy economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. Bulgaria Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the European Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of the then socialist government. As a result, the government became committed to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning. A $300 million stand-by agreement negotiated with the IMF at the end of 2001 has supported government efforts to overcome high rates of poverty and unemployment. Burkina Faso One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has few natural resources, a fragile soil, and a highly unequal distribution of income. About 90% of the population is engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture, which is vulnerable to variations in rainfall. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies, and exports and economic growth have increased. Maintenance of macroeconomic progress depends on continued low inflation, reduction in the trade deficit, and reforms designed to encourage private investment. The internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade and industrial prospects and deepens the need for international assistance. Burma Burma is a resource-rich country that suffers from abject rural poverty. The military regime took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism", but those efforts have since stalled. Burma has been unable to achieve monetary or fiscal stability, resulting in an economy that suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including a steep inflation rate and an official exchange rate that overvalues the Burmese kyat by more than 100 times the market rate. In addition, most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta suppressed the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently ignored the results of the 1990 election. Burma is data poor, and official statistics are often dated and inaccurate. Published estimates of Burma's foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and border trade - often estimated to be one to two times the official economy. Burundi Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the population. Since October 1993 an ethnic-based war has resulted in the death of over 200,000 persons, sent 800,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 525,000 others internally. Doubts about the prospects for sustainable peace continue to impede development. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in ten adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Cambodia Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997-1998 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment and tourism fell off. In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, progress was made on economic reforms and growth resumed at 5.0%. Despite severe flooding, GDP grew at 5.0% in 2000, 6.3% in 2001, and 5.2% in 2002. Tourism was Cambodia's fastest growing industry, with arrivals up 34% in 2000 and up another 40% in 2001 before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US. Even given these stout growth estimates, the long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. Fear of renewed political instability and corruption within the government discourage foreign investment and delay foreign aid. The government is addressing these issues with assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors. Cameroon Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the economy. Canada As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. As a result of the close cross-border relationship, the economic sluggishness in the United States in 2001-02 had a negative impact on the Canadian economy. Real growth averaged nearly 3% during 1993-2000, but declined in 2001, with moderate recovery in 2002. Unemployment is up, with contraction in the manufacturing and natural resource sectors. Nevertheless, given its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic prospects. Two shadows loom, the first being the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas, which has been raising the specter of a split in the federation. Another long-term concern is the flow south to the US of professionals lured by higher pay, lower taxes, and the immense high-tech infrastructure. A key strength in the economy is the substantial trade surplus. Cape Verde This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 2001 was only 11%, of which fishing accounts for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 2003 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. Cayman Islands With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Central African Republic Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP growth likely to be no more than 1.3% in 2003. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. Chad Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major oilfield and pipeline projects that began in 2000. Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and stock raising for its livelihood. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's export earnings, but Chad will begin to export oil in 2004. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves estimated at 1 billion barrels in southern Chad. Oil production is scheduled to come on stream in late 2003. Chile Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 4.4% in 2000. Growth fell back to 2.8% in 2001 and 1.8% in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation of the Argentine peso. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, putting pressure on President LAGOS to improve living standards. One bright spot was the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which will take effect on 1 January 2004. China In late 1978 the Chinese leadership began moving the economy from a sluggish, Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system. Whereas the system operates within a political framework of strict Communist control, the economic influence of non-state organizations and individual citizens has been steadily increasing. The authorities switched to a system of household and village responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprises in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. In 2003, with its 1.3 billion people but a GDP of just $5,000 per capita, China stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US (measured on a purchasing power parity basis). Agriculture and industry have posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment has helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. The leadership, however, often has experienced - as a result of its hybrid system - the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy and lassitude) and of capitalism (windfall gains and growing income disparities). China thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. The government has struggled to (a) collect revenues due from provinces, businesses, and individuals; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises, many of which had been shielded from competition by subsidies and had been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 80 to 120 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to maintaining long-term growth in living standards. Another long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment, notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. Beijing says it will intensify efforts to stimulate growth through spending on infrastructure - such as water control and power grids - and poverty relief and through rural tax reform aimed at eliminating arbitrary local levies on farmers. Accession to the World Trade Organization helps strengthen China's ability to maintain strong growth rates but at the same time puts additional pressure on the hybrid system of strong political controls and growing market influences. China has benefited from a huge expansion in computer internet use. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's remarkable economic growth. Christmas Island Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, slated to begin operation in 2003. Clipperton Island Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. Colombia Colombia's economy suffers from weak domestic and foreign demand, austere government budgets, and serious internal armed conflict. Other economic problems facing the new president URIBE range from reforming the pension system to reducing high unemployment. Two of Colombia's leading exports, oil and coffee, face an uncertain future; new exploration is needed to offset declining oil production, while coffee harvests and prices are depressed. Colombian business leaders are calling for greater progress in solving the conflict with insurgent groups. On the positive side, several international financial institutions have praised the economic reforms introduced by President URIBE and have pledged enough funding to cover Colombia's debt servicing costs in 2003. Comoros One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. Congo, Democratic Republic of the The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The war, which began in August 1998, has dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, has increased external debt, and has resulted in the deaths from war, famine, and disease of perhaps 3.5 million people. Foreign businesses have curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. The war has intensified the impact of such basic problems as an uncertain legal framework, corruption, inflation, and lack of openness in government economic policy and financial operations. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. A number of IMF and World Bank missions have met with the government to help it develop a coherent economic plan, and President KABILA has begun implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies outside the GDP data. Congo, Republic of the The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing to a shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. However, economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic problems of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. Cook Islands Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. Coral Sea Islands no economic activity Costa Rica Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. At the same time, distribution of income remains severely unequal. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. However, traditional export sectors have not kept pace. Low coffee prices and an overabundance of bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt, with the need to modernize the state-owned electricity and telecommunications sector, and with the problem of bringing down inflation. Cote d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to weather conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still largely dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly 68% of the population. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling by multilateral lenders and France. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump in growth to 5% annually during 1996-99. Growth was negative in 2000-02 because of the difficulty of meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices of key exports, and severe civil war fighting. Croatia Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav average. The economy emerged from its mild recession in 2000 with tourism the main factor, but massive structural unemployment remains a key negative element. The government's failure to press the economic reforms needed to spur growth is largely the result of coalition politics and public resistance, particularly from the trade unions. Opponents fear reforms would cut jobs, wages, and social benefits. The government has a heavy backload of civil cases, many involving tenure land. The country is likely to experience only moderate growth without disciplined fiscal and structural reform. Cuba The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has undertaken limited reforms in recent years to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services but is unlikely to implement extensive changes. A major feature of the economy is the dichotomy between relatively efficient export enclaves and inefficient domestic sectors. The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the severe economic depression of the early 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. High oil import prices, recessions in key export markets, damage from Hurricanes Isidore and Lili, and the tourist slump after 11 September 2001 hampered growth in 2002. Cyprus The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by political instability in the region and fluctuations in economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants are now online. The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly one-third of the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing and investment. It remains heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of the work force. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides grants and loans to support economic development. Ankara provided $200 million in 2002 and pledged $450 million for the 2003-05 period. Future events throughout the island will be highly influenced by the outcome of negotiations on the UN-sponsored agreement to unite the Greek and Turkish areas and by the arrangements under which the island joins the EU. Czech Republic One of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states, the Czech Republic has been recovering from recession since mid-1999. Growth in 2000-03 was supported by exports to the EU, primarily to Germany, and a near doubling of foreign direct investment. Domestic demand is playing an ever more important role in underpinning growth as interest rates drop and the availability of credit cards and mortgages increases. High current account deficits - averaging around 5% of GDP in the last several years - could be a persistent problem. Inflation is under control. The EU put the Czech Republic just behind Poland and Hungary in preparations for accession, which will give further impetus and direction to structural reform. Moves to complete banking, telecommunications, and energy privatization will encourage additional foreign investment, while intensified restructuring among large enterprises and banks and improvements in the financial sector should strengthen output growth. But revival in the European economies remains essential to stepped-up growth. Denmark This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. Government objectives include streamlining the bureaucracy and further privatization of state assets. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but Denmark has decided not to join the 12 other EU members in the euro; even so, the Danish Krone remains pegged to the euro. Given the sluggish state of the European economy, growth in 2003 was a mere 1.1%. Djibouti The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city, the remainder being mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of 50% continues to be a major problem. Inflation is not a concern, however, because of the fixed tie of the franc to the US dollar. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last seven years because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors. Another factor limiting growth is the negative impact on port activity now that Ethiopia has more trade route options. Dominica The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and international economic developments. Hurricane Luis devastated the country's banana crop in 1995 after tropical storms wiped out a quarter of the 1994 crop. The economy subsequently has been fueled by increases in construction, soap production, and tourist arrivals. Development of the tourism industry remains difficult however, because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the absence of an international airport. Economic growth is sluggish, and unemployment is greater than 20%. The government has been attempting to develop an offshore financial sector in order to diversify the island's production base. Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic's economy experienced dramatic growth over the last decade, even though the economy was hit hard by Hurricane Georges in 1998. Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoy nearly 40% of national income. Growth probably will slow in 2003 with reduced tourism and expected low growth in the US economy, the source of 87% of export revenues. East Timor In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of East Timor was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias, and 260,000 people fled westward. Over the next three years, however, a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By mid-2002, all but about 50,000 of the refugees had returned. The country faces great challenges in continuing the rebuilding of infrastructure and the strengthening of the infant civil administration. One promising long-term project is the planned development of oil resources in nearby waters. Ecuador Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Because the country exports primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. The aftermath of El Nino and depressed oil market of 1997-98 drove Ecuador's economy into a free-fall in 1999. The beginning of 1999 saw the banking sector collapse, which helped precipitate an unprecedented default on external loans later that year. Continued economic instability drove a 70% depreciation of the currency throughout 1999, which forced a desperate government to "dollarize" the currency regime in 2000. The move stabilized the currency, but did not stave off the ouster of the government. Gustavo NOBOA, who assumed the presidency in January 2000, has managed to pass substantial economic reforms and mend relations with international financial institutions. Ecuador completed its first standby agreement since 1986 when the IMF Board approved a 10 December 2001 disbursement of $96 million, the final installment of a $300 million standby credit agreement. In February 2003, newly installed president Lucio GUTIERREZ faced a budget gap and massive foreign debt. He has pledged to use oil revenues to pay off debt and is seeking additional IMF support. Egypt Egypt improved its macroeconomic performance throughout most of the last decade by following IMF advice on fiscal, monetary, and structural reform policies. As a result, Egypt managed to tame inflation, slash budget deficits, and attract more foreign investment. In the past four years, however, the pace of reform has slackened, and excessive spending on national infrastructure projects has widened budget deficits again. Lower foreign exchange earnings since 1998 resulted in pressure on the Egyptian pound and periodic dollar shortages. Monetary pressures have increased since 11 September 2001 because of declines in tourism and Suez Canal tolls, and Egypt has devalued the pound several times in the past year. The development of a gas export market is a major bright spot for future growth prospects. In the short term, regional tensions will continue to affect tourism and hold back prospects for economic expansion. El Salvador In recent years, this Central American economy has been suffering from a weak tax collection system, factory closings, the aftermaths of Hurricane Mitch of 1998 and the devastating earthquakes of early 2001, and weak world coffee prices. On the bright side, inflation has fallen to single digit levels, and total exports have grown substantially. The trade deficit has been offset by annual remittances of almost $2 billion from Salvadorans living abroad and by external aid. The US dollar is now the legal tender. Because competitor countries have fluctuating exchange rates, El Salvador must face the challenge of raising productivity and lowering costs. Equatorial Guinea The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been unsuccessfully trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government officials and their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth will remain strong in 2003, led by oil. Eritrea Since independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993, Eritrea has faced the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country. Like the economies of many African nations, the economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero in 1999 and to -1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and loss, including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000 homes. The attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most productive region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Even during the war, Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure, asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing war damaged roads and bridges. Since the war ended, the government has maintained a firm grip on the economy, expanding the use of the military and party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's development agenda. Erratic rainfall and the delayed demobilization of agriculturalists from the military kept cereal production well below normal, holding down growth in 2002. Eritrea's economic future depends upon its ability to master social problems such as illiteracy, unemployment, and low skills, and to open its economy to private enterprise so the diaspora's money and expertise can foster economic growth. Estonia Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization, is steadily moving toward a modern market economy with increasing ties to the West, including the pegging of its currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecoms sectors. A major goal is accession to the EU, possibly by 2004. The economy is greatly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading partners. The high current account deficit remains a concern. Ethiopia Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, 85% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $270 million in 2000/01, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement their income. The war with Eritrea in 1999-2000 and recurrent drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001 Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Under Ethiopia's land tenure system, the government owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans. Strong growth in 2002 resulted from good rainfall early in the year, the cessation of hostilities, and renewed foreign aid and debt relief. But drought struck again late in 2002, and the World Food Program (WFP) estimates 14 million Ethiopians need food immediately to survive into 2003. The government estimates than annual growth of 7% is needed to reduce poverty, yet the maintenance of 5% in 2003 will be quite difficult (one estimate is for 1.5% growth). Europa Island no economic activity Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. Faroe Islands The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export prices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget surpluses, which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what is a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. Fiji Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's ability to manage its budget. Finland Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important, with exports equaling almost one-third of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe - Finland was one of the 11 countries joining the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on 1 January 1999 - will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. Growth in 2003 was held back by the global slowdown but will pick up in 2004 provided the world economy suffers no further blows. France France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The Socialist-led government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, but still retains controlling stakes in several leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales, and remains dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. The current government has lowered income taxes and introduced measures to boost employment. At the end of 2002 the government was focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweek and restrictions on lay-offs. The government was also pushing for pension reforms and simplification of administrative procedures. The tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe. The current economic slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the deficit above the EU's 3% debt limit. Business investment remains listless because of low rates of capital utilization, high debt, and the steep cost of capital. French Guiana The economy is tied closely to the larger French economy through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou (which accounts for 25% of GDP), fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities. Forest and woodland cover 90% of the country. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated; rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. French Polynesia Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. French Southern and Antarctic Lands Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Gabon Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet because of high income inequality a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% on 12 January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in 1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119 million in October 2000. Those agreements mandate progress in privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional financial support in January 1997 after Gabon had met IMF targets for mid-1996. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices in 1999-2000 helped growth, but drops in production hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December 2001. Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal and other adjustments in line with IMF policies. Gambia, The The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts; the following two marketing seasons have seen substantially lower prices and sales. A decline in tourism in 2000 has also held back growth. Unemployment and underemployment rates are extremely high. Shortrun economic progress remains highly dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management as forwarded by IMF technical help and advice, and on expected growth in the construction sector. Gaza Strip Economic output in the Gaza Strip - under the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority since the Cairo Agreement of May 1994 - declined by about one-third between 1992 and 1996. The downturn was largely the result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of generalized border closures in response to security incidents in Israel - which disrupted previously established labor and commodity market relationships between Israel and the WBGS (West Bank and Gaza Strip). The most serious negative social effect of this downturn was the emergence of high unemployment; unemployment in the WBGS during the 1980s was generally under 5%; by 1995 it had risen to over 20%. Israel's use of comprehensive closures decreased during the next few years and, in 1998, Israel implemented new policies to reduce the impact of closures and other security procedures on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor. These changes fueled an almost three-year-long economic recovery in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; real GDP grew by 5% in 1998 and 6% in 1999. Recovery was upended in the last quarter of 2000 with the outbreak of violence, triggering tight Israeli closures of Palestinian self-rule areas and a severe disruption of trade and labor movements. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in Palestinian Authority areas resulted in the destruction of capital plant and administrative structure, widespread business closures, and a sharp drop in GDP. Another major loss has been the decline in income earned by Palestinian workers in Israel. International aid of $2 billion in 2001-02 to the Gaza Strip and West Bank have prevented the complete collapse of the economy. Georgia Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as citrus fruits, tea, hazelnuts, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains since 1995, achieving positive GDP growth and curtailing inflation. However, the Georgian Government suffers from limited resources due to a chronic failure to collect tax revenues. Georgia also suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the T'bilisi distribution network in 1998, but collection rates are low, making the venture unprofitable. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on its role as a transit state for pipelines and trade. The start of construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline will bring much-needed investment and job opportunities. Germany Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy has turned in a weak performance throughout much of the 1990s and early 2000s. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term problem, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70 billion. Germany's ageing population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made unemployment a chronic problem. Growth in 2002 and 2003 fell short of 1%. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are further addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government revenues and the rise in expenditures have raised the deficit above the EU's 3% debt limit. Ghana Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 36% of GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002. Policy priorities include tighter monetary and fiscal policies, accelerated privatization, and improvement of social services. Gibraltar Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. Glorioso Islands no economic activity Greece Greece has a mixed capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for half of GDP and with per capita GDP 70% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of GDP. The economy has improved steadily with economic growth averaging 4% since 1997, exceeding EU growth by more than 1 percentage point. Remaining challenges include the reduction of the public debt, inflation, and unemployment; and further restructuring of the economy, including privatizing several state enterprises, undertaking pension and other reforms, and minimizing bureaucratic inefficiencies. The Olympic Games will be held in Athens in mid-2004. Greenland The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting hydrocarbon and minerals exploration activities, it will take several years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. Grenada Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output. Guadeloupe The Caribbean economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It also depends on France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, mainly from France. Light industry features sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young. Hurricanes periodically devastate the economy. Guam The economy depends on US military spending, tourism, and the export of fish and handicrafts. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1 billion in 1998. Over the past 20 years, the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones. More than 1 million tourists visit Guam each year. The industry has recently suffered setbacks because of the continuing Japanese slowdown; the Japanese normally make up almost 90% of the tourists. Most food and industrial goods are imported. Guam faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of military downsizing. Guatemala The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. Former President ARZU (1996-2000) worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political modernization. President PORTILLO has continued the liberalization program but with more sporadic results. The 1996 signing of the peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, but numerous corruption scandals associated with the PORTILLO administration have dampened investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Ongoing challenges include increasing the government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, and narrowing the trade deficit. A free trade agreement between the US and Central American countries promises greater access to US and neighboring markets. Guernsey Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance, etc. - account for about 55% of total income in this tiny Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the rules of the game under which Guernsey operates. Guinea Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. The government made encouraging progress in budget management in 1997-99, and reform progress was praised in the World Bank/IMF October 2000 assessment. However, fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders has caused major economic disruptions. In addition to direct defense costs, the violence has led to a sharp decline in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets. Multilateral aid - including Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief - and single digit inflation permitted moderate 3.7% growth in 2002. Growth should strengthen in 2003 because of a slowly improving security situation and increased investor confidence. Guinea-Bissau One of the 10 poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks sixth in cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice is the major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting between Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread damage to the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in GDP that year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war, trade reform and price liberalization were the most successful part of the country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Because of high costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and other mineral resources is not a near-term prospect. However, unexploited offshore oil reserves could provide much-needed revenue in the long run. The inequality of income distribution is one of the most extreme in the world. The government and international donors continue to work out plans to forward economic development from a lamentably low base. Government drift and indecision, however, have resulted in low growth in 2002 and dim prospects for 2003. Guyana The Guyanese economy has exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term by restructuring and partial privatization. Haiti About 80% of the population lives in abject poverty. Nearly 70% of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and employs about two-thirds of the economically active work force. Following legislative elections in May 2000, fraught with irregularities, international donors - including the US and EU - suspended almost all aid to Haiti. The economy shrank an estimated 1.2% in 2001 and an estimated 0.9% in 2002. The contraction will likely intensify in 2003 unless a political agreement with donors is reached on economic policy. Suspended aid and loan disbursements totaled more than $500 million at the start of 2003. Heard Island and McDonald Islands No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands. Holy See (Vatican City) This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual tax on Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, as well as by special collections (known as Peter's Pence); the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; fees for admission to museums; and the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. Honduras Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere with an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income, is banking on expanded trade privileges under the Enhanced Caribbean Basin Initiative and on debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. While the country has met most of its macroeconomic targets, it failed to meet the IMF's goals to liberalize its energy and telecommunications sectors. Growth remains dependent on the status of the US economy, its major trading partner, on commodity prices, particularly coffee, and on reduction of the high crime rate. Hong Kong Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Imports and exports, including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997 it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has increased competitive pressure on Hong Kong's service industries, and Hong Kong's re-export business from China is a major driver of growth. Per capita GDP compares with the level in the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-1997, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past 6 years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn of 2001-2002. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak has also battered Hong Kong's economy but the resumption of strong growth began in 2003. Howland Island no economic activity Hungary Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income one-half that of the Big Four European nations. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union in May 2004. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 to the second-highest rating among all the Central European transition economies. Inflation has declined substantially, from 14% in 1998 to 4.7% in 2003; unemployment has persisted around the 6% level. Germany is by far Hungary's largest economic partner. Short-term issues include the reduction of the public sector deficit to 3% in 2004 and avoiding unjustified increases in wages. Iceland Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system (including generous housing subsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Government policies include reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Growth had been remarkably steady in 1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an environment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and inflation dropped back from 5% to 2%. India India's economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of support services. Overpopulation severely handicaps the economy and about a quarter of the population is too poor to be able to afford an adequate diet. Government controls have been reduced on imports and foreign investment, and privatization of domestic output has proceeded slowly. The economy has posted an excellent average growth rate of 6% since 1990, reducing poverty by about 10 percentage points. India has large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language; India is a major exporter of software services and software workers; the information technology sector leads the strong growth pattern. The World Bank and others worry about the continuing public-sector budget deficit, running at approximately 10% of GDP in 1997-2002. In 2003 the state-owned Indian Bank substantially reduced non-performing loans, attracted new customers, and turned a profit. Deep-rooted problems remain, notably conflicts among political and cultural groups. Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Indonesia Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, faces severe economic development problems stemming from secessionist movements and the low level of security in the regions; the lack of reliable legal recourse in contract disputes; corruption; weaknesses in the banking system; and strained relations with the IMF. Investor confidence will remain low and few new jobs will be created under these circumstances. In November 2001, Indonesia agreed with the IMF on a series of economic reforms in 2002, thus enabling further IMF disbursements. Negotiations with the IMF and bilateral donors continued in 2002. Keys to future growth remain internal reform, the build-up of the confidence of international donors and investors, and a strong comeback in the global economy. Iran Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. President KHATAMI has continued to follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI and has indicated that he will pursue diversification of Iran's oil-reliant economy although he has made little progress toward that goal. Relatively high oil prices in recent years have enabled Iran to amass some $15 billion in foreign exchange reserves, but have not solved Iran's structural economic problems, including high unemployment and inflation. Iraq Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran led the government to implement austerity measures, borrow heavily, and later reschedule foreign debt payments; Iraq suffered economic losses from the war of at least $100 billion. After hostilities ended in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have hurt the economy, implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program beginning in December 1996 helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999 the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs. Oil exports have recently been more than three-quarters prewar level. However, 28% of Iraq's export revenues under the program have been deducted to meet UN Compensation Fund and UN administrative expenses. The drop in GDP in 2001-02 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. Per capita food imports increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services steadily improved. Per capita output and living standards were still well below the prewar level, but any estimates have a wide range of error. The military victory of the US-led coalition in March-April 2003 resulted in the shutdown of much of the central economic administrative structure and the loss of a comparatively small amount of capital plant. Ireland Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging a robust 8% in 1995-2002. The global slowdown, especially in the information technology sector, pressed growth down to 2.7% in 2003. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Industry accounts for 46% of GDP and about 80% of exports and employs 28% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's growth, the economy has also benefited from a rise in consumer spending, construction, and business investment. Per capita GDP is 10% above that of the four big European economies. Over the past decade, the Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb inflation, reduce government spending, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined in launching the euro currency system in January 1999 along with 10 other EU nations. Israel Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel imports significant quantities of grain but is largely self-sufficient in other agricultural products. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable current account deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and military aid. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR during the period 1989-99, coupled with the opening of new markets at the end of the Cold War, energized Israel's economy, which grew rapidly in the early 1990s; growth began moderating in 1996 when the government imposed tighter fiscal and monetary policies and the immigration bonus petered out. Growth was a strong 7.2% in 2000, but the bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict, difficulties in the high-technology, construction, and tourist sectors, and fiscal austerity in the face of growing inflation led to small declines in GDP in 2001 and 2002. Italy Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less developed, welfare-dependent agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported. Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a tight fiscal policy in order to meet the requirements of the Economic and Monetary Unions and has benefited from lower interest and inflation rates. The current government has enacted numerous short-term reforms aimed at improving competitiveness and long-term growth. Italy has moved slowly, however, on implementing needed structural reforms, such as lightening the high tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension system, because of the current economic slowdown and opposition from labor unions. Jamaica The economy, which depends heavily on tourism and bauxite, has been stagnant since 1995. After five years of recession, the economy inched ahead, by 0.8% in 2000, 1.7% in 2001, and 0.8% in 2002; the global economic slowdown, particularly in the United States after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, has stunted the economic recovery. Serious problems include: high interest rates; increased foreign competition; a pressured, sometimes sliding, exchange rate; a widening merchandise trade deficit; and a growing internal debt, the result of government bailouts to various ailing sectors of the economy, particularly the financial sector. Depressed economic conditions have led to increased civil unrest, including serious violent crime. Jamaica's medium-term prospects will depend upon encouraging investment and tourism, maintaining a competitive exchange rate, selling off reacquired firms, and implementing proper fiscal and monetary policies. Jan Mayen Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations located on the island. Japan Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second-most-technologically-powerful economy in the world after the US and third-largest economy after the US and China. One notable characteristic of the economy is the working together of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in closely-knit groups called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding. Industry, the most important sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. The much smaller agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self-sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades overall real economic growth had been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of overinvestment during the late 1980s and contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. Government efforts to revive economic growth have met with little success and were further hampered in 2000-2003 by the slowing of the US, European, and Asian economies. Japan's huge government debt, which is approaching 150% of GDP, and the ageing of the population are two major long-run problems. Robotics constitutes a key long-term economic strength with Japan possessing 410,000 of the world's 720,000 "working robots." Internal conflict over the proper way to reform the ailing banking system continues. Jarvis Island no economic activity Jersey The economy is based largely on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. In 1996 the finance sector accounted for about 60% of the island's output. Tourism, another mainstay of the economy, accounts for 24% of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. Johnston Atoll Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Jordan Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of water and other natural resources such as oil. Debt, poverty, and unemployment are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH since assuming the throne in 1999 has undertaken some broad economic reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Amman in the past three years has worked closely with the IMF, practiced careful monetary policy, and made significant headway with privatization. The government also has liberalized the trade regime sufficiently to secure Jordan's membership in the WTrO (2000), a free trade accord with US (2000), and an association agreement with the EU (2001). These measures have helped improve productivity and have put Jordan on the foreign investment map. The US-led war in Iraq in 2003 dealt an economic blow to Jordan, which was dependent on Iraq for discounted oil. It remains unclear how Jordan will finance energy imports in the absence of such a deal. Other ongoing challenges include fiscal adjustment to reduce the budget deficit and broader investment incentives to promote job-creating ventures. Juan de Nova Island Up to 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, the largest of the former Soviet republics in territory, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also is a large agricultural - livestock and grain - producer. Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources and also on a growing machine-building sector specializing in construction equipment, tractors, agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The breakup of the USSR in December 1991 and the collapse in demand for Kazakhstan's traditional heavy industry products resulted in a short-term contraction of the economy, with the steepest annual decline occurring in 1994. In 1995-97, the pace of the government program of economic reform and privatization quickened, resulting in a substantial shifting of assets into the private sector. Kazakhstan enjoyed double-digit growth in 2000-01 - and a solid 9.5% in 2002 - thanks largely to its booming energy sector, but also to economic reform, good harvests, and foreign investment. The opening of the Caspian Consortium pipeline in 2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield to the Black Sea, substantially raised export capacity. The country has embarked upon an industrial policy designed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the oil sector, by developing light industry. Additionally, the policy aims to reduce the influence of foreign investment and foreign personnel; the government has engaged in several disputes with foreign oil companies over the terms of production agreements, and tensions continue. Kenya Kenya, the regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, is hampered by corruption and reliance upon several primary goods whose prices remain low. Following strong economic growth in 1995 and 1996, Kenya's economy has stagnated, with GDP growth failing to keep up with the rate of population growth. In 1997, the IMF suspended Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems, causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output. As a result, GDP contracted by 0.3% in 2000. The IMF, which had resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1%. Growth fell below 1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence, meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections. In the key December 27, 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. Substantial donor support and rooting out corruption are essential to making Kenya realize its substantial economic potential. Kingman Reef no economic activity Kiribati A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP. The financial sector is at an early stage of development as is the expansion of private sector initiatives. Foreign financial aid from UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and China is a critical supplement to GDP, equal to 25%-50% of GDP in recent years. Remittances from workers abroad account for more than $5 million each year. Korea, North North Korea, one of the world's most centrally planned and isolated economies, faces desperate economic conditions. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment and spare parts shortages. Industrial and power output have declined in parallel. The nation has suffered its tenth year of food shortages because of a lack of arable land; collective farming; weather-related problems, including major drought in 2000; and chronic shortages of fertilizer and fuel. Massive international food aid deliveries have allowed the regime to escape mass starvation since 1995-96, but the population remains the victim of prolonged malnutrition and deteriorating living conditions. Large-scale military spending eats up resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Recently, the regime has placed emphasis on earning hard currency, developing information technology, addressing power shortages, and attracting foreign aid, but in no way at the expense of relinquishing central control over key national assets or undergoing widespread market-oriented reforms. In 2003, heightened political tensions with key donor countries and general donor fatigue have held down the flow of desperately needed food aid and have threatened fuel aid as well. Korea, South As one of the Four Tigers of East Asia, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern world economy. Three decades ago GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is 18 times North Korea's and equal to the lesser economies of the European Union. This success through the late 1980s was achieved by a system of close government/business ties, including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-99 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model, including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. Growth plunged to a negative 6.6% in 1998, then strongly recovered to 10.8% in 1999 and 9.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001 because of the slowing global economy, falling exports, and the perception that much-needed corporate and financial reforms had stalled. Led by consumer spending and exports, growth in 2002 was an impressive 6.2%, despite anemic global growth, followed by moderate 2.8% growth in 2003. In 2003 the six-day work week was reduced to five days. Kuwait Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 98 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country. Oil production declined by an estimated 8% in 2002 but is expected to return to the 2001 level in 2003. Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been fairly progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With fits and starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in 2001, 2.1% in 2002, and 4.0% in 2003. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Growth was held down to 2.1% in 1998 largely because of the spillover from Russia's economic difficulties, but moved ahead to 3.6% in 1999, 5% in 2000, and 5% again in 2001. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002 and again in 2003. On the positive side, the government and the international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Further restructuring of domestic industry and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth. Laos The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official Communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% in 1988-2001 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and mining. Latvia Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership continues as a top foreign policy goal. The current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit. Lebanon The 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Peace enabled the central government to restore control in Beirut, begin collecting taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. Economic recovery was helped by a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers. Family remittances, banking services, manufactured and farm exports, and international aid provided the main sources of foreign exchange. Lebanon's economy made impressive gains since the launch in 1993 of "Horizon 2000," the government's $20 billion reconstruction program. Real GDP grew 8% in 1994, 7% in 1995, 4% in 1996 and in 1997, but slowed to 1.2% in 1998, -1.6% in 1999, -0.6% in 2000, 0.8% in 2001, and 1.5% in 2002. During the 1990s annual inflation fell to almost 0% from more than 100%. Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure. The government nonetheless faces serious challenges in the economic arena. It has funded reconstruction by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks. In order to reduce the ballooning national debt, the re-installed HARIRI government began an economic austerity program to rein in government expenditures, increase revenue collection, and privatize state enterprises. The HARIRI government met with international donors at the Paris II conference in November 2002 to seek bilateral assistance restructuring its domestic debt at lower rates of interest. While privatization of state-owned enterprises had not occurred by the end of 2002, the government had successfully avoided a currency devaluation and debt default in 2002. Lesotho Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on remittances from miners employed in South Africa and customs duties from the Southern Africa Customs Union for the majority of government revenue, but the government has strengthened its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to South Africa, also generating royalties for Lesotho. As the number of mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, a small manufacturing base has developed based on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries and a rapidly growing apparel-assembly sector. The economy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture, especially livestock, although drought has decreased agricultural activity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of income remains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF. Liberia Civil war and misgovernment have destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some have returned; many will not. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the settlement of civil warfare, the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies, including the encouragement of foreign investment, and generous support from donor countries. Libya The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute practically all export earnings and about one-quarter of GDP. These oil revenues and a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to periodic shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food. Higher oil prices in the last three years led to an increase in export revenues, which has improved macroeconomic balances but has done little to stimulate broad-based economic growth. Libya is making slow progress toward economic liberalization and the upgrading of economic infrastructure, but truly market-based reforms will be slow in coming. Liechtenstein Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. Lithuania Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most trade with Russia, has slowly rebounded from the 1998 Russian financial crisis. Unemployment remains high, still 10.7% in 2003, but is improving. Growing domestic consumption and increased investment have furthered recovery. Trade has been increasingly oriented toward the West. Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade Organization and has moved ahead with plans to join the EU. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities, particularly in the energy sector, is nearing completion. Overall, more than 80% of enterprises have been privatized. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy. Luxembourg This stable, high-income economy features solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 22% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensive foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and trans-border workers for more than 30% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, has suffered from the global economic slump, the country has maintained a fairly strong growth rate and enjoys an extraordinarily high standard of living. Macau Macau's economy four years after reversion to China remains one of the most open in the world. The territory's net exports of goods and services account for 39% of GDP with tourism and apparel exports as the mainstays. Although the territory was hit hard by the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the global downturn in 2001, its economy grew an estimated 9.5% in 2002. A rapid rise in the number of mainland visitors because of China's easing of restrictions on travel drove the recovery. The budget also returned to surplus in 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and a hike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 63% of government revenue. The liberalization of Macao's gambling monopoly may contribute to GDP growth, as the three companies awarded gambling licenses have pledged to invest $2.2 billion - roughly 33% of GDP - in the territory. Much of Macau's textile industry may move to the mainland as the Multi-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territory may have to rely more on gambling and trade-related services to generate growth. Growth fell to 4% in 2003, according to early government forecasts, with the drop in large measure due to concerns over the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of At independence in November 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on Yugoslavia, one of its largest markets, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. However, the leadership's commitment to economic reform, free trade, and regional integration was undermined by the ethnic Albanian insurgency of 2001. The economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth barely recovered in 2002 to 0.3%, then rose to 2.8% in 2003. Unemployment at one-third of the workforce remains the most critical economic problem. But even this issue is overshadowed by the fragile political situation. Madagascar Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank and IMF led policy of privatization and liberalization, which has placed the country on a slow and steady growth path. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for one-fourth of GDP and employing four-fifths of the population. Export earnings primarily are earned in the small industrial sector, which features textile manufacturing and agriculture processing. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel are serious concerns. The separatist political crisis of 2002 undermined macroeconomic stability, with the estimated drop in output being subject to a wide margin of error. Poverty reduction will be the centerpiece of economic policy for the next few years. Malawi Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounted for nearly 40% of GDP and 88% of export revenues in 2001. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. In November 2002 the World Bank approved a $50 million drought recovery package, which is to be used for famine relief. The government faces strong challenges, e.g., to fully develop a market economy, to improve educational facilities, to face up to environmental problems, to deal with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and to satisfy foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for over 50% of exports. Malaysia Malaysia, a middle-income country, transformed itself from 1971 through the late 1990s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. Growth was almost exclusively driven by exports - particularly of electronics - and, as a result Malaysia was hard hit by the global economic downturn and the slump in the Information Technology (IT) sector in 2001. GDP in 2001 grew only 0.5% due to an estimated 11% contraction in exports, but a substantial fiscal stimulus package mitigated the worst of the recession and the economy rebounded in 2002. Healthy foreign exchange reserves and relatively small external debt make it unlikely that Malaysia will experience a crisis similar to the one in 1997, but the economy remains vulnerable to a more protracted slowdown in Japan and the US, top export destinations and key sources of foreign investment. Maldives Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Almost 400,000 tourists visited the islands in 1998. Fishing is a second leading sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level. Mali Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, along with gold. The government has continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2002. Worker remittances and external trade routes have been jeopardized by continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire. Malta Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. The island remains divided politically, however, over the question of joining the EU. Continued sluggishness in the global economy is holding back exports, tourism, and overall growth. Man, Isle of Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets. Marshall Islands US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production is primarily subsistence and is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US has provided more than $1 billion in aid since 1986. Negotiations have continued for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade. Martinique The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism, which employs more than 11,000 people, has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. Mauritania Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Ongoing negotiations with the IMF involve problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. Substantial oil production and exports probably will not begin until 2005. Mauritius Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on foreign investment. Mauritius has attracted more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector and responsible fiscal management, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The government is encouraging foreign investment in the information technology field. Mayotte Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism. Mexico Mexico has a free market economy with a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. Recent administrations have expanded competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity, natural gas distribution, and airports. Income distribution remains highly unequal. Trade with the US and Canada has tripled since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994. Following 6.9% growth in 2000, real GDP fell 0.3% in 2001, recovering to only a plus 1% in 2002, with the US slowdown the principal cause. Mexico implemented free trade agreements with Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and the European Free Trade Area in 2001, putting more than 90% of trade under free trade agreements. Foreign direct investment reached $25 billion in 2001, of which $12.5 billion came from the purchase of Mexico's second-largest bank, Banamex, by Citigroup. Micronesia, Federated States of Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. In November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with the US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth. Midway Islands The economy is based on providing support services for the national wildlife refuge activities located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Moldova Moldova remains a very poor country despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. The economy returned to positive growth, of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001, 7.2% in 2002, and 5.3% in 2003. Further reforms will come slowly because of strong political forces backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. Monaco Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In 2001, a major new construction project will extend the pier used by cruise ships in the main harbor. The principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates below are extremely rough. Mongolia Economic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and breeding of livestock. Mongolia also has extensive mineral deposits; copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990-1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. Mongolia was driven into deep recession, prolonged by the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party's (MPRP) reluctance to undertake serious economic reform. The Democratic Coalition (DC) government embraced free-market economics, eased price controls, liberalized domestic and international trade, and attempted to restructure the banking system and the energy sector. Major domestic privatization programs were undertaken, as well as the fostering of foreign investment through international tender of the oil distribution company, a leading cashmere company, and banks. Reform was held back by the ex-Communist MPRP opposition and by the political instability brought about through four successive governments under the DC. Economic growth picked up in 1997-1999 after stalling in 1996 due to a series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of copper and cashmere. In August and September 1999, the economy suffered from a temporary Russian ban on exports of oil and oil products, and Mongolia remains vulnerable in this sector. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1997. The international donor community pledged over $300 million per year at the Consultative Group Meeting, held in Ulaanbaatar in June 1999. The MPRP government, elected in July 2000, is anxious to improve the investment climate; it must also deal with a heavy burden of external debt. Falling prices for Mongolia's mainly primary sector exports, widespread opposition to privatization, and adverse effects of weather on agriculture in early 2000 and 2001 restrained real GDP growth in 2000-2001. Despite drought problems in 2002, GDP rose 4.0%, followed by a solid 5.0% increase in 2003. The first applications under the land privatization law have been marked by a number of disputes over particular sites. Russia claims Mongolia owes it $11 billion from the old Soviet period; any settlement could substantially increase Mongolia's foreign debt burden. Montserrat Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade. Morocco Morocco faces the problems typical of developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and achieving sustainable economic growth. Following structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is now fully convertible for current account transactions, and reforms of the financial sector have been implemented. Droughts depressed activity in the key agricultural sector and contributed to a stagnant economy in 1999 and 2000. During that time, however, Morocco reported large foreign exchange inflows from the sale of a mobile telephone license and partial privatization of the state-owned telecommunications company. Favorable rainfall in 2001 led to a growth of 6.5%. Good harvest conditions continued to support GDP growth in 2002. Formidable long-term challenges include: servicing the external debt; modernizing the industrial sector; preparing the economy for freer trade with the EU and US; and improving education and attracting foreign investment to boost living standards and job prospects for Morocco's youth. Mozambique At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation was brought to single digits during the late 1990s although it returned to double digits in 2000-02. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's workforce. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the MOZAL aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date has increased export earnings. Additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing should further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. Namibia The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides the great inequality of income distribution; nearly one-third of Namibians had annual incomes of less than $1400 in constant 1994 dollars, according to a 1993 study. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged to the South African rand. Privatization of several enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign investment. Nauru Revenues of this tiny island have come from exports of phosphates, but reserves are expected to be exhausted within a few years. Phosphate production has declined since 1989, as demand has fallen in traditional markets and as the marginal cost of extracting the remaining phosphate increases, making it less internationally competitive. While phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World, few other resources exist with most necessities being imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income have been invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. The government has been borrowing heavily from the trusts to finance fiscal deficits. To cut costs the government has called for a freeze on wages, a reduction of over-staffed public service departments, privatization of numerous government agencies, and closure of some overseas consulates. In recent years Nauru has encouraged the registration of offshore banks and corporations. Tens of billions of dollars have been channeled through their accounts. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist, with estimates of Nauru's GDP varying widely. Navassa Island no economic activity Nepal Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with 42% of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population and accounting for 40% of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Textile and carpet production, accounting for about 80% of foreign exchange earnings in recent years, contracted in 2001-02 due to the overall slowdown in the world economy and pressures by Maoist insurgents on factory owners and workers. Security concerns in the wake of the Maoist conflict and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US have led to a decrease in tourism, another key source of foreign exchange. Since 1991, the government has been moving forward with economic reforms, e.g., by reducing business licenses and registration requirements to simplify investment procedures, reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries, and laying off civil servants. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. The international community's role of funding more than 60% of Nepal's development budget and more than 28% of total budgetary expenditures will likely continue as a major ingredient of growth. Netherlands The Netherlands is a prosperous and open economy depending heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-03, as part of the global economic slowdown, but for the four years before that, annual growth averaged nearly 4%, well above the EU average. The government is wrestling with a deteriorating budget position, and is moving toward the EU 3% limit. Netherlands Antilles Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined or remained even in each of the past six years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, the US and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. New Caledonia New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than one-fourth of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years. New Zealand Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring, transforming New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes (but left behind many at the bottom of the ladder), broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. While per capita incomes have been rising, however, they remain below the level of the four largest EU economies, and there is some government concern that New Zealand is not closing the gap. New Zealand is heavily dependent on trade - particularly in agricultural products - to drive growth, and it has been affected by the global economic slowdown and the slump in commodity prices. Thus far the New Zealand economy has been relatively resilient, although growth may slow to 2.5% in 2003. Nicaragua Nicaragua, one of the hemisphere's poorest countries, faces low per capita income, flagging socio-economic indicators, and huge external debt. Distribution of income is one of the most unequal on the globe. While the country has made progress toward macroeconomic stability over the past few years, a banking crisis and scandal has shaken the economy. Nicaragua will continue to be dependent on international aid and debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Donors have made aid conditional on the openness of government financial operation, poverty alleviation, and human rights. Nicaragua met the conditions for additional debt service relief in December 2000. Growth should move up moderately in 2003 because of increased private investment and exports. Niger Niger is a poor, landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, because of declining world demand. The 50% devaluation of the West African franc in January 1994 boosted exports of livestock, cowpeas, onions, and the products of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid - which was suspended following the April 1999 coup d'etat - for operating expenses and public investment. In 2000-01, the World Bank approved a structural adjustment loan of $105 million to help support fiscal reforms. However, reforms could prove difficult given the government's bleak financial situation. The IMF approved a $73 million poverty reduction and growth facility for Niger in 2000 and announced $115 million in debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Further disbursements of aid occurred in 2002. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Nigeria The oil-rich Nigerian economy, long hobbled by political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management, is undergoing substantial reform under the new civilian administration. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65% of budgetary revenues. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms. The agreement was allowed to expire by the IMF in November 2001, however, and Nigeria apparently received much less multilateral assistance than expected in 2002. Nonetheless, increases in foreign oil investment and oil production kept growth at 3% in 2002. The government lacks the strength to implement the market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as modernization of the banking system; to curb inflation by blocking excessive wage demands; and to resolve regional disputes over the distribution of earnings from the oil industry. When the uncertainties in the global economy are added in, estimates of Nigeria's prospects for 2003 must have a wide margin of error. Niue The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although Premier LAKATANI announced in February 2002 that Niue will shut down the offshore banking industry. Economic aid from New Zealand in 2002 was about $2.6 million. Norfolk Island Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. Northern Mariana Islands The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. Norway The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises). The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil production and international oil prices; in 1999, oil and gas accounted for 35% of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia export more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994. The government has moved ahead with privatization. With arguably the highest quality of life worldwide, Norwegians still worry about that time in the next two decades when the oil and gas begin to run out. Accordingly, Norway has been saving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $43 billion. GDP growth was a lackluster 1% in 2002 and 2003 against the background of a faltering European economy. Oman Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000. GDP growth improved in 2001 despite the global slowdown and then fell back to 2.2% in 2002. In order to reduce unemployment, the government is trying to replace expatriate workers with local workers. Another government objective is the development of the nation's gas resources. Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings. Pakistan Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, suffers from internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring India. Pakistan's economic prospects, although still marred by poor human development indicators, continued to improve in 2002 following unprecedented inflows of foreign assistance beginning in 2001. Foreign exchange reserves have grown to record levels, supported largely by fast growth in recorded worker remittances. Trade levels rebounded after a sharp decline in late 2001. The government has made significant inroads in macroeconomic reform since 2000, but progress is beginning to slow. Although it is in the second year of its $1.3 billion IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, Islamabad continues to require waivers for politically difficult reforms. Long-term prospects remain uncertain as development spending remains low, regional tensions remain high, and political tensions weaken Pakistan's commitment to lender-recommended economic reforms. GDP growth will continue to hinge on crop performance; dependence on foreign oil leaves the import bill vulnerable to fluctuating oil prices; and efforts to open and modernize the economy remain uneven. Palau The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in FY00/01. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. Palmyra Atoll no economic activity Panama Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000-02. The government has been backing public works programs, tax reforms, new regional trade agreements, and development of tourism in order to stimulate growth. Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The economy has faltered over the past three years but will probably improve slightly in 2003. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had tried to restore integrity to state institutions, stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national budget, privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville. The government has had considerable success in attracting international support, specifically gaining the backing of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistance loans. Significant challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE, including gaining further investor confidence, continuing efforts to privatize government assets, and maintaining the support of members of Parliament. Paracel Islands China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. Paraguay Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3% annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and 2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure. Peru Thanks to foreign investment and the cooperation between the government and the IMF and World Bank, growth was strong in 1994-97 and inflation was brought under control. In 1998, El Nino's impact on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in Brazilian markets undercut growth. The following year was again lean year for Peru, with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financial crisis working its way through the economy. Political instability resulting from the presidential election and FUJIMORI's subsequent departure from office limited growth in 2000. The downturn in the global economy further curtailed growth in 2001. President TOLEDO, who assumed the presidency in July 2001, has been working to reinvigorate the economy and reduce unemployment. Economic growth in 2002 is estimated at 4.8%, led by construction in the retail and gas sectors. Philippines In 1998, the Philippine economy - a mixture of agriculture, light industry, and supporting services - deteriorated as a result of spillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weather conditions. Growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but recovered to about 3.3% in 1999, 4.5% in 2000, and 4.5% in 2001. In 2002, the Philippines recorded GDP growth of 4.4% but also incurred a record budget deficit. As a result, the Philippines is burdened with a public sector debt equal to more than 100% of GDP. Growth eased to 3.8% in 2003. The government has promised economic reforms including going forward with privatization, reforming the tax system, and promoting additional trade integration within its region. Considerable drive is required to update the educational system and the road network. Pitcairn Islands The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. Poland Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalization throughout the 1990s and today stands out as a success story among transition economies. Even so, much remains to be done. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has encouraged the development of the private business sector, but legal and bureaucratic obstacles alongside persistent corruption are hampering its further development. Poland's agricultural sector remains handicapped by structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, railroads, and energy), while recently initiated, have stalled due to a lack of political will on the part of the government. Structural reforms in health care, education, the pension system, and state administration have resulted in larger than expected fiscal pressures. Further progress in public finance depends mainly on privatization of Poland's remaining state sector, the reduction of state employment, and an overhaul of the tax code to incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers most of whom pay no tax. The government's determination to enter the EU has shaped most aspects of its economic policy and new legislation; in June 2003, 77% of the voters approved membership, now scheduled for May 2004. Improving Poland's export competitiveness and containing the internal budget deficit are top priorities. Due to political uncertainty, the zloty has recently depreciated in relation to the euro and the dollar while currencies of the other euro-zone aspirants have been appreciating. GDP per capita equals that of the 3 Baltic states. Portugal Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past decade, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies. Economic growth has been above the EU average for much of the past decade, but fell back in 2001-03. GDP per capita stands at 70% of that of the leading EU economies. A poor educational system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. The coalition government faces tough choices in its attempts to boost Portugal's economic competitiveness and to keep the budget deficit within the 3% EU ceiling. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-02, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy. Qatar Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 14.5 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important to the economy. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 17.9 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves. Since 2000, Qatar has consistently posted trade surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, and Qatar's economy is expected to receive an added boost as it begins to increase liquid natural gas exports. Reunion The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, but services now dominate. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to relieve high unemployment, which amounts to one-third of the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better off than other segments of the population, often approaching European standards, whereas minority groups suffer the poverty and unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent. The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from France. Romania Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept growth above 4%. An IMF Standby Agreement, signed in 2001, has been accompanied by slow but palpable gains in privatization, deficit reduction, and the curbing of inflation. Nonetheless, recent macroeconomic gains have done little to address Romania's widespread poverty, while corruption and red tape hinder foreign investment. Russia A decade after the implosion of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Russia is still struggling to establish a modern market economy and achieve strong economic growth. In contrast to its trading partners in Central Europe - which were able within 3 to 5 years to overcome the initial production declines that accompanied the launch of market reforms - Russia saw its economy contract for five years, as the executive and legislature dithered over the implementation of many of the basic foundations of a market economy. Russia achieved a slight recovery in 1997, but the government's stubborn budget deficits and the country's poor business climate made it vulnerable when the global financial crisis swept through in 1998. The crisis culminated in the August depreciation of the ruble, a debt default by the government, and a sharp deterioration in living standards for most of the population. The economy subsequently has rebounded, growing by an average of more than 6% annually in 1999-2002 on the back of higher oil prices and the 60% depreciation of the ruble in 1998. These GDP numbers, along with a renewed government effort to advance lagging structural reforms, have raised business and investor confidence over Russia's prospects in its second decade of transition. Yet serious problems persist. Oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices. Russia's industrial base is increasingly dilapidated and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to maintain vigorous economic growth. Other problems include a weak banking system, a poor business climate that discourages both domestic and foreign investors, corruption, local and regional government intervention in the courts, and widespread lack of trust in institutions. In 2003 President PUTIN further tightened his control over the "oligarchs," especially in the realm of political expression. Rwanda Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa; landlocked with few natural resources and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange earners are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels, although poverty levels are higher now. GDP has rebounded, and inflation has been curbed. Export earnings, however, have been hindered by low beverage prices, depriving the country of much needed hard currency. Attempts to diversify into non-traditional agriculture exports such as flowers and vegetables have been stymied by a lack of adequate transportation infrastructure. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with population growth, requiring food to be imported. Rwanda continues to receive substantial amounts of aid money and was approved for IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in late 2000. But Kigali's high defense expenditures cause tension between the government and international donors and lending agencies. Saint Helena The economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $5 million in 1997 or almost one-half of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK. Saint Kitts and Nevis Sugar was the traditional mainstay of the Saint Kitts economy until the 1970s. Although the crop still dominates the agricultural sector, activities such as tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking have assumed larger roles in the economy. As tourism revenues are now the chief source of the islands' foreign exchange, a decline in stopover tourist arrivals following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has eroded government finances. The opening of a 1,000+ bed Marriott hotel in February 2003 is expected to bring in much-needed revenue. Saint Lucia The recent changes in the EU import preference regime and the increased competition from Latin American bananas have made economic diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry. Economic fundamentals remain solid. Saint Pierre and Miquelon The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. The islands are heavily subsidized by France to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Bananas and other agricultural products remain the staple of this lower-middle income country's economy. Although tourism and other services have been growing moderately in recent years, the government has been ineffective at introducing new industries. Unemployment remains high, and economic growth hinges upon seasonal variations in the agricultural and tourism sectors. Tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002, and tourism in the Eastern Caribbean has suffered low arrivals following 11 September 2001. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking sector, but its restrictive secrecy laws have come under international review. As of June 2001, it remained on the Financial Action Task Force's list of noncooperative jurisdictions. Saint Vincent is also the largest producer of marijuana in the Eastern Caribbean and is increasingly being used as a transshipment point for illegal narcotics from South America. Samoa The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, and agriculture and fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. The decline of fish stocks in the area is a continuing problem. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for 25% of GDP; about 88,000 tourists visited the islands in 2001. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, meantime protecting the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low. San Marino The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 2000 more than 3 million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries are banking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food. Sao Tome and Principe This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 28 years ago. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices brighten prospects for 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Sao Tome's success in implementing structural reforms has been rewarded by international donors, who pledged increased assistance in 2001. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic that substantial petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea; production could begin as early as 2004. Saudi Arabia This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 25% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is supporting private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Priorities for government spending in the short term include additional funds for the water and sewage systems and for education. Water shortages and rapid population growth constrain the government's efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products. Senegal In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which was linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging 5% annually during 1995-2002. Annual inflation had been pushed down to less than 1%, but rose to an estimated 3.3% in 2001 and 3.0% in 2002. Investment rose steadily from 13.8% of GDP in 1993 to 16.5% in 1997. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff. Senegal also realized full Internet connectivity in 1996, creating a miniboom in information technology-based services. Private activity now accounts for 82% of GDP. In 2003, GDP will probably again grow at about 5%. On the negative side, Senegal faces deep-seated urban problems of chronic unemployment, trade union militancy, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction. Serbia and Montenegro MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of economic sanctions, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the war in Kosovo have left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. Since the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in October 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government has implemented stabilization measures and embarked on an aggressive market reform program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A World Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors' Conference held in June 2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic restructuring. An agreement rescheduling the country's $4.5 billion Paris Club government debts was concluded in November 2001; it will write off 66% of the debt; a similar debt relief agreement on its $2.8 billion London Club commercial debt is still pending. The smaller republic of Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and continues to maintain its own central bank, uses the euro instead of the Yugoslav dinar as official currency, collects customs tariffs, and manages its own budget. Kosovo, while technically still part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia and Montenegro) according to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, is moving toward local autonomy under United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and is dependent on the international community for financial and technical assistance. The euro and the Yugoslav dinar are official currencies, and UNMIK collects taxes and manages the budget. The complexity of Serbia and Montenegro political relationships, slow progress in privatization, and stagnation in the European economy are holding back the economy. Arrangements with the IMF, especially requirements for fiscal discipline, are an important element in policy formation. Severe unemployment remains a key political economic problem. Seychelles Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. A sharp drop illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war, and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Other issues facing the government are the curbing of the budget deficit, including the containment of social welfare costs, and further privatization of public enterprises. Growth slowed in 1998-2002, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors. Also, tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official exchange rate; without a devaluation of the currency the tourist sector should remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development, following a 11-year civil war. About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Plans continue to reopen bauxite and rutile mines shut down during the conflict. The major source of hard currency consists of the mining of diamonds. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and to supplement government revenues. Singapore Singapore, a highly developed and successful free market economy, enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hard hit in 2001-2002 by the global recession and the slump in the technology sector. The government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to the external business cycle than the current export-led model but is unlikely to abandon efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. Slovakia Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDA government has made excellent progress in 2001-03 in macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands, and foreign investment has picked up. Slovakia's economy exceeded expectations in 2001-03, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an unacceptable 15% in 2003, remains the economy's Achilles heel. The government faces other strong challenges in 2004, especially the cutting of budget and current account deficits, the containment of inflation, and the strengthening of the health care system. Slovenia Slovenia, with its historical ties to Western Europe, enjoys a GDP per capita substantially higher than that of the other transitioning economies of Central Europe. Privatization of the economy proceeded at an accelerated pace in 2002-3, and the budget deficit dropped from 3.0% of GDP in 2002 to 1.9% in 2003. Despite the economic slowdown in Europe in 2001-03, Slovenia maintained 3% growth. Structural reforms to improve the business environment allow for greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and help to lower unemployment. Further measures to curb inflation are also needed. Corruption and the high degree of coordination between government, business, and central bank policy are issues of concern in the run-up to Slovenia's scheduled 1 May 2004 accession to the European Union. Solomon Islands The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. However, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key business enterprises, and an empty government treasury have led to serious economic disarray, indeed near collapse. Tanker deliveries of crucial fuel supplies (including those for electrical generation) have become sporadic due to the government's inability to pay and attacks against ships. Telecommunications are threatened by the nonpayment of bills and by the lack of technical and maintenance staff many of whom have left the country. Somalia Somalia's economic fortunes are being driven by its deep political divisions. The northern area has declared its independence as "Somaliland"; the central area, Puntland, is a self-declared autonomous state; and the remaining southern portion is riddled with the struggles of rival factions. Economic life continues, in part because much activity is local and relatively easily protected. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings, but Saudi Arabia's recent ban on Somali livestock, because of Rift Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the sector. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and sold as scrap metal. Despite the seeming anarchy, Somalia's service sector has managed to survive and grow. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money exchange services have sprouted throughout the country, handling between $200 million and $500 million in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate, and security is provided by militias. The ongoing civil disturbances and clan rivalries, however, have interfered with any broad-based economic development and international aid arrangements. In 2002 Somalia's overdue financial obligations to the IMF continued to grow. South Africa South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in the world; and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. However, growth has not been strong enough to lower South Africa's high unemployment rate; and daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era, especially poverty and lack of economic empowerment among the disadvantaged groups. High crime and HIV/AIDS infection rates also deter investment. South African economic policy is fiscally conservative, but pragmatic, focusing on targeting inflation and liberalizing trade as means to increase job growth and household income. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting finfish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Southern Ocean Fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July to 30 June) landed 112,934 metric tons, of which 87% was krill and 11% Patagonian toothfish. International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 2000-01 season landed, by one estimate, 8,376 metric tons of Patagonian and antarctic toothfish. In the 2000-01 antarctic summer 12,248 tourists, most of them seaborne, visited the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, compared to 14,762 the previous year. Spain Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is 80% that of the four leading West European economies. Its center-right government successfully worked to gain admission to the first group of countries launching the European single currency (the euro) on 1 January 1999. The AZNAR administration has continued to advocate liberalization, privatization, and deregulation of the economy and has introduced some tax reforms to that end. Unemployment has been steadily falling under the AZNAR administration but remains high at 11.7%. The government intends to make further progress in changing labor laws and reforming pension schemes, which are key to the sustainability of both Spain's internal economic advances and its competitiveness in a single currency area. A general strike in mid-2002 reduced cooperation between labor and government. Growth of 2.4% in 2003 was satisfactory given the background of a faltering European economy. Adjusting to the monetary and other economic policies of an integrated Europe - and reducing unemployment - will pose challenges to Spain over the next few years. Spratly Islands Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. Sri Lanka In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy for market-oriented policies and export-oriented trade. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. By 1996 plantation crops made up only 20% of exports (compared with 93% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for 63%. GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.5% in the early 1990s until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The economy rebounded in 1997-2000 with average growth of 5.3%, but 2001 saw the first contraction in the country's history, -1.4%, due to a combination of power shortages, severe budgetary problems, the global slowdown, and continuing civil strife. Growth recovered to 3.2% in 2002. About 800,000 Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% in the Middle East. They send home about $1 billion a year. Sudan Sudan has turned around a struggling economy with sound economic policies and infrastructure investments, but it still faces formidable economic problems, notably the low level of per capita output. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMF macroeconomic reforms. In 1999 Sudan began exporting crude oil and in the last quarter of 1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which, along with monetary policy, has stabilized the exchange rate. Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded export processing zones helped maintain GDP growth at 5.1% in 2002. Agriculture production remains Sudan's most important sector, employing 80% of the work force and contributing 43% of GDP, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Chronic domestic instability, lagging reforms, adverse weather, and weak world agricultural prices - but, above all, the low starting point - ensure that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years. Suriname The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on renewed commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending. However, in 2002, President VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raise for civil servants, which threatens his earlier gains in stabilizing the economy. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development financing. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors. Svalbard Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus. Swaziland In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends more than two-thirds of its exports. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2002 because of drought, and more than one-third of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS. Sweden Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown, revenue declines, and spending increases. The Swedish central bank (the Riksbank) is focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003. On September 14, 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty. Switzerland Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003. Syria Syria's predominantly statist economy has been growing, on average, more slowly than its 2.4% annual population growth rate, causing a persistent decline in per capita GDP. Recent legislation allows private banks to operate in Syria, although a private banking sector will take years and further government cooperation to develop. External factors such as the international war on terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the war between the US-led coalition and Iraq probably will drive real annual GDP growth levels back below their 3.5% spike in 2002. A long-run economic constraint is the pressure on water supplies caused by rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and increased water pollution. Taiwan Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by government authorities. In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The trade surplus is substantial, and foreign reserves are the world's third largest. Agriculture contributes 2% to GDP, down from 32% in 1952. While Taiwan is a major investor throughout Southeast Asia, China has become the largest destination for investment and has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market. Because of its conservative financial approach and its entrepreneurial strengths, Taiwan suffered little compared with many of its neighbors from the Asian financial crisis in 1998. The global economic downturn, combined with problems in policy coordination by the administration and bad debts in the banking system, pushed Taiwan into recession in 2001, the first year of negative growth ever recorded. Unemployment also reached record levels. Output recovered moderately in 2002 in the face of continued global slowdown, fragile consumer confidence, and bad bank loans. Growing economic ties with China are a dominant long-term factor. Exports to China - mainly parts and equipment for the assembly of goods for export to developed countries - drove Taiwan's economic recovery in 2002. Tajikistan Tajikistan has the lowest per capita GDP among the 15 former Soviet republics. Only 8% to 10% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Even though 60% of its people continue to live in abject poverty, Tajikistan has experienced steady economic growth since 1997. Continued privatization of medium and large state-owned enterprises will further increase productivity. Tajikistan's economic situation, however, remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural reforms, weak governance, widespread unemployment, and the external debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia in December 2002, including an interest rate of 4%, a 3-year grace period, and a US $49.8 million credit to the Central Bank of Tajikistan. Tanzania Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Growth in 1991-2002 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Oil and gas exploration and development played an important role in this growth. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment. Continued donor support and solid macroeconomic policies should support continued real GDP growth of 5% in 2003. Thailand Thailand has a free enterprise economy and welcomes foreign investment. Exports feature computers and electrical appliances. After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand's currency in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the baht. Long pegged at 25 to the dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the dollar in January 1998, and the economy contracted by 10.2% that same year. Thailand then entered a recovery stage, expanding by 4.2% in 1999 and 4.4% in 2000, largely due to strong exports. An ailing financial sector and the slow pace of corporate debt restructuring, combined with a softening of global demand, slowed growth to 1.4% in 2001. Increased consumption and investment spending pushed GDP growth up to 5.2% in 2002 despite a sluggish global economy. Togo This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings, with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate, but production fell an estimated 22% in 2002 due to power shortages and the cost of developing new deposits. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Progress depends on following through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Tokelau Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public services, with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. Tonga Tonga has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. A leading performer the past four years has been the booming natural gas sector. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from low inflation and a trade surplus. The year 2002 was marked by solid growth in the oil sector, offset in part by domestic political uncertainty. Tromelin Island no economic activity Tunisia Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Real growth averaged 5.4% in 1997-2001 but slowed to 1.9% in 2002 because of agricultural drought, slow investment, and lackluster tourism. Increased rainfall portends higher growth levels for 2003, but continued regional tension from the war in Iraq will most likely continue to suppress tourism earnings. Tunisia has agreed to gradually remove barriers to trade with the European Union over the next decade. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are among the challenges for the future. Turkey Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that in 2001 still accounted for 40% of employment. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The most important industry - and largest exporter - is textiles and clothing, which is almost entirely in private hands. In recent years the economic situation has been marked by erratic economic growth and serious imbalances. Real GNP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001. Meanwhile, the public sector fiscal deficit has regularly exceeded 10% of GDP - due in large part to the huge burden of interest payments, which account for more than 50% of central government spending. Inflation, in recent years in the high double-digit range, fell to 26% in 2003. Perhaps because of these problems, foreign direct investment in Turkey remains low - less than $1 billion annually. In late 2000 and early 2001 a growing trade deficit and serious weaknesses in the banking sector plunged the economy into crisis - forcing Turkey to float the lira and pushing the country into recession. Results in 2002-03 were much better, because of strong financial support from the IMF and tighter fiscal policy. Continued slow global growth and serious political tensions in the Middle East could result in negative growth in 2004. Turkmenistan Turkmenistan is largely desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton, making it the world's tenth-largest producer. With an authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. In 1998-2003, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by 38% in 2003, largely because of higher international oil and gas prices. Overall prospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty, the burden of foreign debt, and the unwillingness of the government to adopt market-oriented reforms. However, Turkmenistan's cooperation with the international community in transporting humanitarian aid to Afghanistan may foreshadow a change in the atmosphere for foreign investment, aid, and technological support. Turkmenistan's economic statistics are state secrets, and GDP and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. In any event, GDP increased substantially in 2003 because of a strong recovery in agriculture and rapid industrial growth. Turks and Caicos Islands The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than half of the 93,000 visitors in 1998. Major sources of government revenue include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts. Tourism fell by 6% in 2002 but appeared to be picking up at yearend. Tuvalu Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Government revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. About 1,000 Tuvaluans work in Nauru in the phosphate mining industry. Nauru has begun repatriating Tuvaluans, however, as phosphate resources decline. Substantial income is received annually from an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this Fund has grown from an initial $17 million to over $35 million in 1999. The US government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu, because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign aid, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts of up to 7%. In 1998, Tuvalu began deriving revenue from use of its area code for "900" lines and in 2000, from the lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name. Royalties from these new technology sources could increase substantially over the next decade. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and investment income from overseas assets. Uganda Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Ongoing Ugandan involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, corruption within the government, and slippage in the government's determination to press reforms raise doubts about the continuation of strong growth. In 2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC debt relief added up to about $2 billion. Growth for 2001-02 was solid despite continued decline in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export. Prospects for 2003 are mixed, with probable strengthening of coffee prices yet with halting growth in the economies of major export customers. Ukraine After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially natural gas, to meet some 85% of its annual energy requirements. Shortly after independence in December 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Now in his second term, President KUCHMA has pledged to reduce the number of government agencies, streamline the regulatory process, create a legal environment to encourage entrepreneurs, and enact a comprehensive tax overhaul. Reforms in the more politically sensitive areas of structural reform and land privatization are still lagging. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms. GDP in 2000 showed strong export-based growth of 6% - the first growth since independence - and industrial production grew 12.9%. The economy continued to expand in 2001 as real GDP rose 9% and industrial output grew by over 14%. Growth of 4.1% in 2002 was more moderate, in part a reflection of faltering growth in the developed world. In general, growth has been undergirded by strong domestic demand, low inflation, and solid consumer and investor confidence. Growth was a sturdy 6% in 2003 despite a loss of mementum in needed economic reforms. United Arab Emirates The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement. United Kingdom The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quartet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. GDP growth slipped in 2001-03 as the global downturn, the high value of the pound, and the bursting of the "new economy" bubble hurt manufacturing and exports. Still, the economy is one of the strongest in Europe; inflation, interest rates, and unemployment remain low. The relatively good economic performance has complicated the BLAIR government's efforts to make a case for Britain to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Critics point out, however, that the economy is doing well outside of EMU, and they point to public opinion polls that continue to show a majority of Britons opposed to the single currency. Meantime, the government has been speeding up the improvement of education, transport, and health services, at a cost in higher taxes. The war in March-April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, together with the subsequent problems of restoring the economy and the polity, involve a heavy commitment of British military forces. United States The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $37,600. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment, although their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The years 1994-2000 witnessed solid increases in real output, low inflation rates, and a drop in unemployment to below 5%. The year 2001 saw the end of boom psychology and performance, with output increasing only 0.3% and unemployment and business failures rising substantially. The response to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 showed the remarkable resilience of the economy. Moderate recovery took place in 2002, with the GDP growth rate rising to 2.45%. A major short-term problem in first half 2002 was a sharp decline in the stock market, fueled in part by the exposure of dubious accounting practices in some major corporations. The war in March/April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq shifted resources to military industries and introduced uncertainties about investment and employment in other sectors of the economy. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. Uruguay Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn, stemming largely from lower demand in Argentina and Brazil, which together account for nearly half of Uruguay's exports. Total GDP in these four years dropped by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year. Unemployment rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF and the US has limited the damage, which is still extensive. Moves to reschedule debt and promote economic recovery may help limit a further decline in output in 2003. Uzbekistan Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter, a large producer of gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Following independence in December 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Uzbekistan responded to the negative external conditions generated by the Asian and Russian financial crises by emphasizing import substitute industrialization and by tightening export and currency controls within its already largely closed economy. The government, while aware of the need to improve the investment climate, sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, the government's control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. Vanuatu The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with about 50,000 visitors in 1997, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. A severe earthquake in November 1999 followed by a tsunami, caused extensive damage to the northern island of Pentecote and left thousands homeless. Another powerful earthquake in January 2002 caused extensive damage in the capital, Port-Vila, and surrounding areas, and also was followed by a tsunami. GDP growth rose less than 3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of foreign aid. Venezuela Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. Despite higher oil prices at the end of 2002 and into 2003, domestic political instability, culminating in a two-month national oil strike from December 2002 to February 2003, temporarily halted economic activity. The economy is likely to remain in a recession in 2003, after sinking an estimated 8.9 percent in 2002. Vietnam Vietnam is a poor, densely-populated country that has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally planned economy. Substantial progress was achieved from 1986 to 1996 in moving forward from an extremely low starting point - growth averaged around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asian financial crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economy but, rather than prompting reform, reaffirmed the government's belief that shifting to a market-oriented economy would lead to disaster. GDP growth of 8.5% in 1997 fell to 6% in 1998 and 5% in 1999. Growth then rose to 6% to 7% in 2000-02 even against the background of global recession. These numbers mask some major difficulties in economic performance. Many domestic industries, including coal, cement, steel, and paper, have reported large stockpiles of inventory and tough competition from more efficient foreign producers. Meanwhile, Vietnamese authorities have moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement entered into force near the end of 2001 and is expected to significantly increase Vietnam's exports to the US. The US is assisting Vietnam with implementing the legal and structural reforms called for in the agreement. Virgin Islands Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment. Wake Island Economic activity is limited to providing services to contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Wallis and Futuna The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. West Bank Real per capita GDP for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) declined by about one-third between 1992 and 1996 due to the combined effect of falling aggregate incomes and rapid population growth. The downturn in economic activity was largely the result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of border closures in response to security incidents in Israel - which disrupted labor and commodity market relationships between Israel and the WBGS. The most serious social effect of this downturn was rising unemployment; unemployment in the WBGS during the 1980s was generally under 5%; by 1995 it had risen to over 20%. Israel's use of comprehensive closures during the next five years decreased and, in 1998, Israel implemented new policies to reduce the impact of closures and other security procedures on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor. These changes fueled an almost three-year-long economic recovery in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; real GDP grew by 5% in 1998 and 6% in 1999. Recovery was upended in the last quarter of 2000 with the outbreak of violence, which triggered tight Israeli closures of Palestinian self-rule areas and severely disrupted trade and labor movements. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in Palestinian Authority areas have resulted in the destruction of much capital plant and administrative structure, widespread business closures, and a sharp drop in GDP. Another major loss has been the decline in earnings of Palestinian workers in Israel. International aid of $2 billion in 2001-02 to the West Bank and Gaza Strip have prevented the complete collapse of the economy. Western Sahara Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. World Growth in global output (gross world product, GWP) fell from 4.8% in 2000 to 2.2% in 2001 and 2.7% in 2002. The causes: sluggishness in the US economy (21% of GWP) and in the 15 EU economies (19% of GWP); continued stagnation in the Japanese economy (7.2% of GWP); and spillover effects in the less developed regions of the world. China, the second-largest economy in the world (12% of GWP), proved an exception, continuing its rapid annual growth, officially announced as 8% but estimated by many observers as perhaps two percentage points lower. Russia (2.6% of GWP), with 4% growth, continued to make uneven progress, its GDP per capita still only one-third that of the leading industrial nations. The other 14 successor nations of the USSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations again experienced widely divergent growth rates; the three Baltic nations continued as strong performers, in the 5% range of growth. The developing nations also varied in their growth results, with many countries facing population increases that erode gains in output. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government often finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, in Indonesia, and in Canada. Externally, the central government is losing decision-making powers to international bodies. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from the economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses economic risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political differences among the participating nations. The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuate a further growing risk to global prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the reallocation of resources away from investment to anti-terrorist programs. The opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq added new uncertainties to global economic prospects. (For specific economic developments in each country of the world in 2002, see the individual country entries.) Yemen Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, reported strong growth in the mid-1990s with the onset of oil production, but has been harmed by periodic declines in oil prices. Yemen has embarked on an IMF-supported structural adjustment program designed to modernize and streamline the economy, which has led to substantial foreign debt relief and restructuring. International donors, meeting in Paris in October 2002, agreed on a further $2.3 billion economic support package. Yemen has worked to maintain tight control over spending and implement additional components of the IMF program. A high population growth rate and internal political dissension complicate the government's task. Zambia Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's economic growth remains below the 5% to 7% necessary to reduce poverty significantly. Privatization of government-owned copper mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. However, low mineral prices have slowed the benefits of privatizing the mines and have reduced incentives for further private investment in the sector. Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty. Zimbabwe The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable fiscal deficit, an overvalued exchange rate, soaring inflation, and bare shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspended because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 59% in 1999, to 60% in 2000, to over 100% by yearend 2001, to 228% in early 2003. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has nearly destroyed the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs. This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2117 Pipelines (km) Afghanistan gas 651 km (2003) Albania gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2003) Algeria condensate 1,344 km; gas 87,347 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,213 km; oil 6,496 km (2003) Angola gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km; oil 845 km; refined products 56 km (2003) Argentina gas 26,797 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 3,668 km; refined products 2,945 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2003) Armenia gas 2,031 km (2003) Australia condensate 36 km; condensate/gas 243 km; gas 27,321 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 4,779 km; oil/gas/water 104 km; water 40 km (2003) Austria gas 2,722 km; oil 687 km; refined products 149 km (2003) Azerbaijan gas 5,001 km; oil 1,631 km (2003) Bahrain gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2003) Bangladesh gas 2,016 km (2003) Belarus gas 4,519 km; oil 1,811 km; refined products 1,686 km (2003) Belgium gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2003) Bolivia gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,460 km; refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2003) Bosnia and Herzegovina gas 170 km; oil 9 km (2003) Brazil condensate/gas 243 km; gas 10,984 km; liquid petroleum gas 341 km; oil 5,113 km; refined products 4,800 km (2003) Brunei gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2003) Bulgaria gas 2,425 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2003) Burma gas 2,056 km; oil 558 km (2003) Cameroon gas 90 km; liquid petroleum gas 9 km; oil 1,124 km (2003) Canada crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km Chad oil 205 km (2003) Chile gas 2,267 km; gas/liquid petroleum gas 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 531 km; oil 983 km; refined products 545 km (2003) China gas 13,845 km; oil 15,143 km; refined products 3,280 km (2003) Colombia gas 4,360 km; oil 6,134 km; refined products 3,140 km (2003) Congo, Democratic Republic of the gas 54 km; oil 71 km (2003) Congo, Republic of the gas 53 km; oil 673 km (2003) Costa Rica refined products 421 km (2003) Cote d'Ivoire condensate 107 km; gas 223 km; oil 104 km (2003) Croatia gas 1,374 km; oil 583 km (2003) Cuba gas 49 km; oil 230 km (2003) Czech Republic gas 7,020 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2003) Denmark condensate 12 km; gas 3,892 km; oil 455 km; oil/gas/water 2 km; unknown (oil/water) 64 km (2003) Dominican Republic crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km East Timor NA Ecuador gas 71 km; oil 1,575 km; refined products 1,185 km (2003) Egypt condensate 327 km; condensate/gas 94 km; gas 6,145 km; liquid petroleum gas 382 km; oil 5,726 km; oil/gas/water 36 km; water 62 km (2003) Equatorial Guinea condensate 37 km; gas 39 km; liquid natural gas 4 km; oil 24 km (2003) Estonia gas 859 km (2003) Finland gas 694 km (2003) France gas 13,946 km; oil 3,024 km; refined products 4,889 km (2003) Gabon gas 210 km; oil 1,426 km; water 3 km (2003) Georgia gas 1,495 km; oil 1,029 km; refined products 232 km (2003) Germany condensate 325 km; gas 25,289 km; oil 3,743 km; refined products 3,827 km (2003) Ghana refined products 74 km (2003) Gibraltar 0 km Greece gas 1,531 km; oil 108 km (2003) Guatemala oil 480 km (2003) Hungary gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2003) India gas 5,798 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,195 km; oil 5,613 km; refined products 5,567 km (2003) Indonesia condensate 672 km; condensate/gas 125 km; gas 8,183 km; oil 7,429 km; oil/gas/water 66 km; refined products 1,329 km; water 72 km (2003) Iran condensate/gas 212 km; gas 16,998 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km; oil 8,256 km; refined products 7,808 km (2003) Iraq gas 1,739 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,343 km (2003) Ireland gas 1,795 km (2003) Israel gas 100 km; oil 1,509 km (2003) Italy gas 17,448 km; oil 1,245 km (2003) Jamaica petroleum products 10 km Japan gas 2,719 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 60 km (2003) Jordan gas 10 km; oil 743 km (2003) Kazakhstan condensate 640 km; gas 10,527 km; oil 9,771 km; refined products 1,187 km; water 1,465 km (2003) Kenya refined products 752 km (2003) Korea, North oil 136 km (2003) Korea, South gas 1,433 km; refined products 827 km (2003) Kuwait gas 169 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2003) Kyrgyzstan gas 367 km; oil 13 km (2003) Laos refined products 540 km (2003) Latvia gas 1,097 km; oil 412 km; refined products 421 km (2003) Lebanon oil 209 km (2003) Libya condensate 225 km; gas 3,196 km; oil 6,872 km (2003) Liechtenstein gas 20 km (2003) Lithuania gas 1,698 km; oil 331 km; refined products 109 km (2003) Luxembourg gas 155 km (2003) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2003) Malaysia condensate 279 km; gas 5,047 km; oil 1,841 km; refined products 114 km (2003) Mexico crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km Midway Islands 7.8 km Moldova gas 606 km (2003) Morocco gas 695 km; oil 285 km (2003) Mozambique gas 189 km; refined products 292 km (2003) Netherlands condensate 325 km; gas 6,998 km; oil 590 km; refined products 716 km (2003) New Zealand gas 2,213 km; liquid petroleum gas 79 km; oil 160 km; refined products 304 km (2003) Nicaragua oil 54 km (2003) Nigeria condensate 105 km; gas 1,660 km; oil 3,634 km (2003) Norway condensate 411 km; gas 6,199 km; oil 2,213 km; oil/gas/water 746 km; unknown (oil/water) 38 km; water 96 km (2003) Oman gas 3,599 km; oil 3,187 km (2003) Pakistan gas 9,945 km; oil 1,821 km (2003) Panama crude oil 130 km (2001) Papua New Guinea oil 264 km (2003) Peru gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2003) Philippines gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2003) Poland gas 12,901 km; oil 737 km (2003) Portugal gas 482 km (2003) Qatar condensate 90 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 902 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 722 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2003) Romania gas 3,508 km; oil 2,427 km (2003) Russia gas 135,771 km; oil 70,833 km; refined products 11,536 km; water 23 km (2003) Saudi Arabia condensate 212 km; gas 837 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,187 km; oil 5,062 km; refined products 69 km (2003) Senegal gas 564 km (2003) Serbia and Montenegro gas 3,177 km; oil 393 km (2003) Singapore gas 139 km (2003) Slovakia gas 6,769 km; oil 449 km (2003) Slovenia gas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2003) Somalia crude oil 15 km South Africa condensate 100 km; gas 741 km; oil 847 km; refined products 1,354 km (2003) Spain gas 7,290 km; oil 730 km; refined products 3,110 km; unknown (oil/water) 397 km (2003) Sri Lanka crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987) Sudan gas 156 km; oil 2,297 km; refined products 810 km (2003) Suriname oil 51 km (2003) Sweden gas 798 km (2003) Switzerland gas 1,831 km; oil 212 km; refined products 7 km (2003) Syria gas 2,300 km; oil 2,183 km (2003) Taiwan condensate 25 km; gas 435 km (2003) Tajikistan gas 540 km; oil 38 km (2003) Tanzania gas 5 km; oil 866 km (2003) Thailand gas 3,066 km; refined products 265 km (2003) Trinidad and Tobago condensate 253 km; gas 1,117 km; oil 478 km (2003) Tunisia gas 3,059 km; oil 1,203 km; refined products 345 km (2003) Turkey gas 3,177 km; oil 3,562 km (2003) Turkmenistan gas 6,634 km; oil 853 km (2003) Ukraine gas 20,069 km; oil 4,435 km; refined products 4,098 km (2003) United Arab Emirates condensate 383 km; gas 1,765 km; liquid petroleum gas 186 km; oil 1,266 km (2003) United Kingdom condensate 370 km; gas 21,263 km; liquid petroleum gas 59 km; oil 6,420 km; oil/gas/water 63 km; refined products 4,474 km; water 650 km (2003) United States petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2003) Uruguay gas 192 km (2003) Uzbekistan gas 9,012 km; oil 869 km; refined products 33 km (2003) Venezuela extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,262 km; oil 7,484 km; refined products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2003) Vietnam condensate/gas 432 km; gas 210 km; oil 3 km; refined products 206 km (2003) Yemen gas 88 km; oil 1,174 km (2003) Zambia oil 771 km (2003) Zimbabwe refined products 261 km (2003) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2118 Political parties and leaders Afghanistan NA; note - political parties in Afghanistan are in flux and many prominent players have plans to create new parties; the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) is headed by President Hamid KARZAI; the TISA is a coalition government formed of leaders from across the Afghan political spectrum; there are also several political factions not holding positions in the Transitional government that are forming new groups and parties in the hopes of participating in 2004 elections Albania Agrarian Party of Albania or PASH [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Zef BUSHATI]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance or PAD [Nerltan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Guri DUROLLARI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Abaz ERMENJI]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQUIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy or DS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albanian Party of Labor) [Fatos NANO]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO] Algeria Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Democratic National Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile in Germany)]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boujerra SOLTANI]; National Entente Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Ali BENFLIS, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or MRN [Abdellah DJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [leader NA]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Lahbib ADAMI]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland)]; Union for Democracy and Liberty [Mouley BOUKHALAFA]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 American Samoa Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA] Andorra Democratic Party or PD (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Marc FORNE MOLNE] (used to be Liberal Union or UL); Liberal Union or UL [Francesc CERQUEDA]; National Democratic Group or AND [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vicenc MATEU ZAMORA]; New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU CASSANY]; Social Democratic Party or PSD (formerly part of National Democratic Group of AND) [leader NA]; Union of the People of Ordino (Unio Parroquial d'Ordino) or UPO [Simo DURO COMA] note: there are two other small parties Angola Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [interim leader: PAULO Lukamba "Gato"], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO] note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly Anguilla Anguilla United Party or AUP [Hubert HUGHES]; The United Front or UF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA Antigua and Barbuda Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - United National Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor Movement or PLM) Argentina Action for the Republic or AR [Domingo CAVALLO]; Alternative for a Republic of Equals or ARI [Elisa CARRIO]; Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso (a four-party coalition) [Dario Pedro ALESSANDRO]; Justicialist Party or PJ [Carlos Saul MENEM] (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Angel ROZAS]; Federal Recreate Movement [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY]; several provincial parties Armenia Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Ruben MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and the People's Party); National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Albert BAZEYAN and Aram SARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN, chairman]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN] Aruba Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY] Australia Australian Democrats [Andrew BARTLETT]; Australian Labor Party [Mark LATHAM]; Australian Progressive Alliance [Meg LEES]; Country Labor Party [leader NA]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; The Nationals [John ANDERSON]; One Nation Party [Len HARRIS] Austria Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Herbert HAUPT]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens Alternative or GA [Alexander VAN DER BELLEN] Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shvkat HACIYEVA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [Heydar ALIYEV, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardust ALIZADE] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties Bahamas, The Free National Movement or FNM [Tommy TURNQUEST]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE] Bahrain political parties prohibited but politically oriented societies are allowed Bangladesh Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA, chairperson]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-E-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR] Barbados Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Clyde Mascoll] Belarus Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Belarusian Communist Party or KPB [Viktor CHIKIN, chairman]; Belarusian Ecological Green Party (merger of Belarusian Ecological Party and Green Party of Belarus) [leader NA]; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Anatoliy BARANKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Popular Front or BNF [Vintsuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democrat Party or SDBP [Nikolay STATKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Party or Hromada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Socialist Party [Vyacheslav KUZNETSOV]; Civic Accord Bloc (United Civic Party) or CAB [Anatol LIABEDZKA]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDPB [Sergei GAYDUKEVICH, chairman]; Party of Communists Belarusian or PKB [Sergei KALYAKIN, chairman]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice or RPPS [Anatoliy NETYLKIN, chairman]; Social-Democrat Party of Popular Accord or PPA [Leanid SECHKA]; Women's Party or "Nadezhda" [Valentina POLEVIKOVA, chairperson] Belgium AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dirk HOLEMANS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Yves LETERME]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUK, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH (used to be Social Christian Party or PSC) [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR (used to be Liberal Reformation Party or PRL) [Antoine DUQUESNE]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Steve STEVAERT]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties Belize People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman] Benin African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA]; Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and 4 other small parties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties Bermuda National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Chairman Wayne FURBERT] Bhutan no legal parties Bolivia Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB [Romel PANTOJA]; Civic Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Marshal of Ayacucho Institutional Vanguard or VIMA [Freddy ZABALA]; Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR [Jaime PAZ Zamora]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Evo MORALES]; Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; Nationalist Democratic Action or ADN [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA]; New Republican Force or NFR [Manfred REYES-VILLA]; Pachakuti Indigenous Movement or MIP [Felipe QUISPE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jeres JUSTINIANO] note: the MNR, MIR, and UCS comprise the ruling coalition Bosnia and Herzegovina Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ilija SIMIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ [Barisa COLAK (acting)]; Croat Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Mijo IVANIC-LONIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zdravko HRISTIC]; Croat Peasants Party or HSS [Ilija SIMIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ [Fikret ABDIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; New Croat Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBiH [Safet HALILOVIC]; Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Sulejman TIHIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Pro-European People's Party or PROENS [Jadranko PRLIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Dragan KALINIC]; Serb Radical Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Radislav KANJERIC]; Social Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC] Botswana Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus MOGAE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Mokgweetsi KGOSIPULA]; Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO] note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats; the BAM parties are: the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO], the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO], and the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE] Brazil Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Jose Carlos MARTINEZ]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Jose ANIBAL]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Miguel ARRAES]; Brazilian Progressive Party or PPB [Paulo Salim MALUF]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Renato RABELLO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Leonel BRIZOLA]; Green Party or PV [leader NA]; Liberal Front Party or PFL [Jorge BORNHAUSEN]; Liberal Party or PL [Deputy Valdemar COSTA Neto]; National Order Reconstruction Party or PRONA [Dr. Eneas CARNEIRO]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Senator Roberto FREIRE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [leader NA]; Worker's Party or PT [Jose GENOINO] British Virgin Islands Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] Brunei Brunei Solidarity National Party or PPKB in Malay [Haji Mohd HATTA bin Haji Zainal Abidin, president]; note - the PPKB is the only legal political party in Brunei; it was registered in 1985 but became largely inactive after 1988; it was revived in 1995 and again in 1998; it has less than 200 registered party members; other parties include Brunei People's Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1965, deregistered by the Brunei Government in 1988) Bulgaria Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or VMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Simeon II or NMS2 [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Nadezhda MIKHAYLOVA]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Democratic Forces or UtdDF (a coalition between the UDF and other center-right parties) Burkina Faso African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or RDA-ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Confederation for Federation and Democracy or CFD [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina Faso or UVDB [Ram OVEDRAGO] Burma National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, chairman, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary]; National Unity Party or NUP (proregime) [THA KYAW]; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [KHUN TUN OO]; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (proregime, a social and political organization) [THAN AUNG, general secretary]; and other smaller parties Burundi the two national, mainstream, governing parties are: Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Alphonse KADEGE, president]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president] note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA [Terrence NSANZE]; Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development or RADDES [Joseph NZEYIMANA]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]; People's Reconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA] Cambodia Buddhist Liberal Party or BLP [IENG MOULY]; Cambodian Pracheachon Party or Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Khmer Citizen Party or KCP [NGUON SOEUR]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP (formerly Khmer Nation Party or KNP) [SAM RANGSI] Cameroon Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA]; Democratic Rally of the Cameroon People or RDCP [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [leader Marcel YONDO]; Movement for the Youth of Cameroon or MYC [Dieudonne TINA]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK] Canada Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Canadian Alliance [Stephen HARPER]; Liberal Party [Paul MARTIN]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON]; Progressive Conservative Party [Peter MACKAY] Cape Verde African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Jacinto SANTOS, president]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Anibal MEDINA, president]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president] Cayman Islands there are no formal political parties but the following loose groupings act as political organizations; National Team [leader NA]; Democratic Alliance [leader NA]; Team Cayman [leader NA]; United Democratic Party [leader NA] Central African Republic Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of deposed president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] Chad Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarlejy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Mamadou BISSO]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman] (originally in opposition but now the party in power and the party of the president); Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE]; Viva Rally for Development and Progress or Viva RNDP [Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE] Chile Alliance for Chile ("Alianza") or APC - including RN and UDI; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Adolfo ZALDIVAR]; Coalition of Parties for Democracy ("Concertacion") or CPD - including PDC, PS, PPD, PRSD; Communist Party or PC [Gladys MARIN]; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Pablo LONGUEIRA]; National Renewal or RN [Sebastian PINERA]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Guido GIRARDI]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Orlando CANTUARIAS]; Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA] China Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP Christmas Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands none Colombia Conservative Party or PSC [Carlos HOLGUIN Sardi]; Liberal Party or PL [Piedad CORDOBA and Juan Manuel LOPEZ Cabrales]; Colombian Communist Party or PCC [Jaime CAICEDO]; 19 of April Movement or M-19 [Antonio NAVARRO Wolff] note: Colombia has about 60 formally recognized political parties, most of which do not have a presence in either house of Congress Comoros Forces pour l'Action Republicaine or FAR [Col. Abdourazak ABDULHAMID]; Forum pour la Redressement National or FRN (alliance of 12 parties); Front Democratique or FD [Moustoifa Said CHEIKH]; Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed RACHID]; Movement des Citoyens pour la Republique or MCR [Mahamoud MRADABI]; Mouvement Populaire Anjouanais or MPA (Anjouan separatist movement) [leader NA]; Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Movement pour le Socialisme et la Democratie or MSD (splinter group of FD) [Abdou SOEFOU]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE] Congo, Democratic Republic of the Democratic Social Christian Party or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Forces for Renovation for Union and Solidarity or FONUS [Joseph OLENGHANKOY]; National Congolese Lumumbist Movement or MNC [Francois LUMUMBA]; Popular Movement of the Revolution or MPR (three factions: MPR-Fait Prive [Catherine NZUZI wa Mbombo]; MPR/Vunduawe [Felix VUNDUAWE]; MPR/Mananga [MANANGA Dintoka Mpholo]); Unified Lumumbast Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba]; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans or UFERI (two factions: UFERI [Lokambo OMOKOKO]; UFERI/OR [Adolph Kishwe MAYA]) Congo, Republic of the the most important of the many parties are the Democratic and Patriotic Forces or FDP (an alliance of Convention for Alternative Democracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT, Liberal Republican Party, National Union for Democracy and Progress, Patriotic Union for the National Reconstruction, and Union for the National Renewal) [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR [leader NA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO] Cook Islands Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER] Costa Rica Agricultural Labor Action or PALA [Carlos Alberto SOLIS Blanco]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Jose M. NUNEZ]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Alejandro MADRIGAL]; National Independent Party or PNI [Jorge GONZALEZ Marten]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Sonia PICADO]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis Manuel CHACON] note: mainly a two-party system - PUSC and PLN - until the 3 February 2002 election in which the PAC captured a significant percentage, forcing a run-off in April 2002 Cote d'Ivoire Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or PDCI-RDA [Aime Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace or UDPCI [leader NA]; over 20 smaller parties Croatia Croatian Bloc or HB [Ivic PASALIC]; Croatian Christian Democratic Union or HKDU [Anto KOVACEVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Anto DJAPIC]; Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Zlatko TOMCIC]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Vesna PUSIC]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Drazen BUDISA]; Croatian True Revival Party or HIP [Miroslav TUDJMAN]; Democratic Centre or DC [Mate GRANIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Liberal Party or LS [Ivo BANAC]; Party of Liberal Democrats or LIBRA [Goran GRANIC]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Ivica RACAN] note: the Social Democratic Party or SDP and the Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS formed a coalition as did the HSS, HNS, LP, and IDS, which together defeated the Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ in the 2000 lower house parliamentary election; the IDS subsequently left the governing coalition in June 2001 over its inability to win greater autonomy for Istria Cuba only party - Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary] Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: Democratic Party or DIKO [Tassos PAPADOPOULOS]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADHIS]; Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDIS]; Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; New Horizons [Nikolaus KOUTSOU]; Restorative Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS]; Social Democrats Movement or KISOS (formerly United Democratic Union of Cyprus or EDEK) [Yiannakis OMIROU]; United Democrats Movement or EDE [George VASSILIOU]; Turkish Cypriot area: Communal Liberation Party or TKP [Mustafa AKINCI]; Democratic Party or DP [Serder DENKTASH]; National Birth Party or UDP [Enver EMIN]; National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Our Party or BP [Okyay SADIKOGLU]; Patriotic Unity Movement or YBH [Izzet IZCAN]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT] Czech Republic Christian and Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Miroslav KALOUSEK, chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [Michael ZANTOVSKY, chairman]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Miroslav GREBENICEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Czechoslovakia or KSC [Miroslav STEPAN, chairman]; Czech National Social Party of CSNS [Jan SULA, chairman]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Vladimir SPIDLA, chairman]; Freedom Union-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Petr MARES, chairman]; Quad Coalition [Karel KUHNL, chairman] (includes KDU-CSL, US, ODA, DEU) Denmark Center Democratic Party [Mimi JAKOBSEN]; Christian People's Party [Marianne KARLSMOSE]; Conservative Party (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party) [Bendt BENDTSEN]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Social Democratic Party [Mogens LYKKETOFT]; Social Liberal Party (sometimes called the Radical Left) [Marianne JELVED, leader; Johannes LEBECH, chairman]; Socialist People's Party [Holger K. NIELSEN]; Red-Green Unity List (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party) [collective leadership] Djibouti Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP (governing party) [Ismail Omar GUELLEH]; Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed Dini AHMED]; Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ [leader NA] Dominica Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Pierre CHARLES]; United Workers Party or UWP [Edison JAMES] Dominican Republic Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Hatuey DE CAMPS]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Eduardo ESTRELLA] East Timor Associacao Social-Democrata Timorense or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; Christian Democratic Party of Timor or PDC [Antonio XIMENES]; Christian Democratic Union of Timor or UDC [Vicente da Silva GUTERRES]; Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; Liberal Party or PL [leader NA]; Maubere Democratic Party or PDM [leader NA]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor or FRETILIN [Lu OLO]; Social Democrat Party of East Timor or PSD [Mario CARRASCALAO]; Socialist Party of Timor or PST [leader NA]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes) or KOTA [Clementino dos Reis AMARAL]; Timor Democratic Union or UDT [Joao CARRASCALAO]; Timor Labor Party or PTT [Paulo Freitas DA SILVA]; Timorese Nationalist Party or PNT [Abilio ARAUJO]; Timorese Popular Democratic Association or APODETI [Frederico Almeida-Santos DA COSTA] Ecuador Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM]; Democratic Left or ID [Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos]; National Action Institutional Renewal Party or PRIAN [leader NA]; Pachakutik Movement [Miguel LLUCO]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [leader NA]; Popular Democracy or DP [Dr. Juan Manuel FUERTES]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Gustavo TERAN Acosta]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]; Socialist Party or PS [leader NA] Egypt Nasserist Arab Democratic Party or Nasserists [Dia' al-din DAWUD]; National Democratic Party or NDP [President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK] - governing party; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Khalid MUHI AL-DIN]; New Wafd Party or NWP [No'man GOMA]; Socialist Liberal Party or LSP [leader NA] note: formation of political parties must be approved by the government El Salvador Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER]; Democratic Convergence or CD [Ruben ZAMORA, secretary general] (includes Social Democratic Party or PSD [Juan MEDRANO, leader); Democratic Party or PD [Jorge MELENDEZ]; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Fabio CASTILLO]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Kirio Waldo SALGADO, president]; National Action Party or PAN [Gustavo Rogelio SALINAS, secretary general]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, president]; National Republican Alliance or ARENA [Walter ARAUJO]; Social Christian Union or USC (formed by the merger of Christian Social Renewal Party or PRSC and Unity Movement or MU) [Abraham RODRIGUEZ, president] Equatorial Guinea Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MIKO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Miguel Esono EMAN]; Popular Union or UP [Andres Moises Bda ADA]; Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP [Victorino Bolekia BONAY]; Union of Independent Democrats of UDI [Daniel OYONO] Eritrea People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, the only party recognized by the government [ISAIAS Afworki]; note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January 2001, but the full National Assembly has not yet debated or voted on it Estonia Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Siim KALLAS]; Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [leader NA]; Moderates (Moodukad) [Ivari PADAR]; Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit) [Tunne KELAM, chairman]; Res Publica [Juhan PARTS]; Russian Baltic Party [Sergei IVANOV] Ethiopia Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP [leader NA]; Amhara National Democratic Movement or ANDM [ADDISU Legesse]; Bench Madji People's Democratic Organization or BMPDO [leader NA]; Benishangul Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [leader NA]; Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF [MELES Zenawi] (an alliance of ANDM, OPDO, SEPDF, and TPLF); Gedeyo People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or GPRDF [leader NA]; Gurage Nationalities' Democratic Movement or GNDM [leader NA]; Kafa Shaka People's Democratic Organization or KSPDO [leader NA]; Kembata, Alabaa and Tembaro or KAT [leader NA]; Oromo People's Democratic Organization or OPDO [JUNEDI Sado]; Sidamo People's Democratic Organization or SPDO [leader NA]; South Omo People's Democratic Movement or SOPDM [leader NA]; Tigrayan People's Liberation Front or TPLF [MELES Zenawi]; Walayta, Gamo, Gofa, Dawro, and Konta People's Democratic Organization or WGGPDO [leader NA]; dozens of small parties Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none; all independents Faroe Islands Center Party [Tordur NICLASEN]; Home Rule Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; People's Party [Oli BRECKMANN]; Republican Party [Finnabogi ISAKSON]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN] Fiji Bai Kei Viti Party or BKV [Ratu Tevita MOMOEDONU]; Conservative Alliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or MV [Ratu Rakuita VAKALALABURE]; Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Felipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP [Adi Kuini SPEED], Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Felipe BOLE], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Tupeni BABA]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDRHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP [leader NA] (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP [leader NA]; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM [leader NA]; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR [leader NA]; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Meli BOGILEKA]; Party of the Truth or POTT [leader NA]; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis Mick BEDDOES] Finland Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Bjarne KALLIS]; Green League or VIHR [Osmo SOININVAARA]; Left Alliance or VAS (Communist) composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative [Suvi-Anne SIIMES]; National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Ville ITALA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Paavo LIPPONEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Jan-Erik ENESTAM] France Citizen and Republican Movement or MCR [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT]; Democratic and European Social Rally or RDSE (mainly RAD and PRG) [leader NA]; French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Left Radical Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Liberal Democracy or DL (originally Republican Party or PR; now merged into the UMP) [Alain MADELIN]; Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR (merged into UMP) [Serge LEPELTIER]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Greens [Martine BILLARD, Denis BAUPIN, Stephane POCRAIN, Maryse ARDITI]; Union for French Democracy or UDF (coalition of DL, CDS, UDF, RP, and other parties) [Francois BAYROU]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (including RPR, DL, and a part of UDF) [Alain JUPPE] French Guiana Guyanese Democratic Action or ADG [Andre LECANTE]; Guyanese Socialist Party or PSG [Marie-Claude VERDAN]; Guyana Democratic Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Popular National Guyanese Party or PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Roland HO-WEN-SZE]; Socialist Party or PS [Pierre RIBARDIERE]; Walwari Committee [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON] French Polynesia Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; People's Rally for the Republic of Polynesia or RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; The New Star (Te Fetia Api) [leader NA] Gabon Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG, former sole party [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE,]; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Pierre EMBONI]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU] Gambia, The Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambian People's Party-Progressive People's Party-United Democratic Party or GPP-PPP-UDP Coalition [Ousainou DARBOE]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA] note: in August 2001, an independent electoral commission allowed the reregistration of the GPP, NCP, and PPP, three parties banned since 1996 Georgia Citizen's Union of Georgia or CUG [Avtandil JORBENADZE]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTURIA]; New National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New Right [Levaii GACHECHILADZE]; Republican Party [David BERDZENISHVILI]; "Revival" Union Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI] Germany Alliance '90/Greens [Angelika BEER and Reinhard BUETIKOFER]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Edmund STOIBER, chairman]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE, chairman]; Party of Democratic Socialism or PDS [Lothar BISKY]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Gerhard SCHROEDER, chairman] Ghana Convention People's Party or CPP [Nii Noi DOWUONA, general secretary]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA, chairman]; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTY]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People's Convention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman]; People's Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU, general secretary] Gibraltar Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO] Greece Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Nikolaos KONSTANTOPOULOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Konstandinos SIMITIS] Greenland Akulliit Party [Bjarne KREUTZMANN]; Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark) [Augusta SALLING]; Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule) [Josef MOTZFELDT]; Issituup (Polar Party) [Nicolai HEINRICH]; Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List, an independent right-of-center party with no official platform [leader NA]; Siumut (Forward Party, a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) [Hans ENOKSEN] Grenada Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Herbert PREUDHOMME]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [leader vacant]; New National Party or NNP [George McGUIRE]; People Labor Movement or PLM [leader NA] Guadeloupe Communist Party of Guadeloupe or PCG [Mona CADOCE]; FGPS [Dominique LARIFLA]; Progressive Democratic Party or PPDG [Henri BANGOU]; Rally for the Republic or RPR (may have become UMP) [Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY]; Socialist Party or PS [Georges LOUISOR]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Marcel ESDRAS] Guam Democratic Party (controls the legislature) [speaker, Vicente (Ben) PANGELINAN]; Republican Party (party of Governor CAMACHO) [leader NA] Guatemala Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democratic Union or UD [Rodolfo PAIZ Andrade]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [leader NA]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALES Garcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Secretary General Alba ESTELA Maldonado]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU [Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values or MPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Secretary General Leonel LOPEZ Rodas]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN, formed by an alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whom subsequently defected [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth Varenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio BALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [retired General Otto PEREZ Molina]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]; Reform Movement or MR [Secretary General Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE]; Unionista Party [leader NA] Guernsey none; all independents Guinea Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or UNP [Paul Louis FABER]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE] Guinea-Bissau African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Francisco BENANTE]; Front for the Liberation and Independence of Guinea or FLING [Francois MENDY]; Guinea-Bissau Resistance-Ba Fata Movement or RGB-MB [Helder Vaz LOPES]; Guinean Civic Forum or FCG [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; International League for Ecological Protection or LIPE [Alhaje Bubacar DJALO, president]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Abubacer BALDE, secretary general]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor MANDINGA]; Social Renovation Party or PRS [Kumba YALA]; Union for Change or UM [Jorge MANDINGA, president, Dr. Anne SAAD, secretary general]; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Victor Sau'de MARIA] Guyana Alliance for Guyana or AFG (includes Guyana Labor Party or GLP and Working People's Alliance or WPA) [Rupert ROOPNARAINE]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Guyana Labor Party or GLP [leader NA]; People's National Congress or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE] Haiti Alliance for the Liberation and Advancement of Haiti or ALAH [Reynold GEORGES]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convergence (opposition coalition composed of ESPACE, OPL, and MOCHRENA) [Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES, Evans PAUL, Luc MESADIEU, Victor BENOIT]; Democratic Consultation Group coalition or ESPACE [Evans PAUL, Victor BENOIT] composed of the following parties: National Congress of Democratic Movements or KONAKOM, National Progressive Revolutionary Party or PANPRA, Generation 2004, and Haiti Can; Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Marie-France CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic Party or PADEM [Clark PARENT]; Lavalas Family or FL [Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert DE RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Rene THEODORE]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; Movement for the Organization of the Country or MOP [Gesner COMEAU and Jean MOLIERE]; National Cooperative Action Movement or MKN [Volrick Remy JOSEPH]; National Front for Change and Democracy or FNCD [Evans PAUL and Turneb DELPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate or PLB [Renaud BERNARDIN]; Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES] Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Dr. Hernan CORRALES Padilla]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [leader NA]; Liberal Party or PL [Roberto MICHELETTI Bain]; National Innovation and Unity Party-Social Democratic Party or PINU-SD [Olban F. VALLADARES]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Raphael CALLEJAS] Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong [Jasper TSANG Yok-sing, chairman]; Democratic Party [Martin LEE Chu-ming, chairman]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [leader NA]; Hong Kong Progressive Alliance [Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]; New Century Forum [NQ Ching-fai, chairman] note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Citizens Party, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party, New Century Forum Hungary Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Laszlo VARGA, chairman]; Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz-MPP [Jozsef SZASER, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Justice and Life Party or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Laszlo KOVACS, chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman] Iceland Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List)or SDA [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Women's List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR] India All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [C. Jayalalitha JAYARAM]; All India Forward Bloc or AIFB, [D. BISWAS (general secretary)]; Asom Gana Parishad [Brindaban GOSWAMI]; Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Jana KRISNAMURTHY]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India/Marxist-Leninist or CPI/ML [Dipankar BHATTACHARYA]; Congress (I) Party [Sonia GANDHI]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK (a regional party in Tamil Nadu) [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National League [Suliaman SAITH]; Janata Dal (Secular) [H. D. Deve GOWDA]; Janata Dal (United) or JDU [Sharad YADAV]; Kerala Congress (Mani faction) [K. M. MANI]; Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or MDMK [VAIKO]; Muslim League [G. M. BANATWALA]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Revolutionary Socialist Party or RSP [Abani ROY]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV]; Shiromani Akali Dal [G. S. TOHRA]; Shiv Sena [Bal THACKERAY]; Tamil Maanila Congress [G. K. VASAN]; Telugu Desam Party or TDP [Chandrababu NAIDU]; Trinamool Congress [Mamata BANERJEE] Indonesia Crescent Moon and Star Party or PBB [Yusril Ihza MAHENDRA, chairman]; Federation of Functional Groups or Golkar [Akbar TANDJUNG, general chairman]; Indonesia Democracy Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri, chairperson]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Alwi SHIHAB, chairman]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Amien RAIS, chairman]; Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Hidayat NUR WAHID, chairman]; United Development Party or PPP (federation of former Islamic parties) [Hamzah HAZ, chairman] Iran a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad front achieved considerable success at elections to the sixth Majles in early 2000, and groups in the coalition include: Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF); Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran); Solidarity Party; Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO); and Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun); a new apparently conservative group, the Builders of Islamic Iran, emerged at the local level in early 2003 Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland Fianna Fail [Bertie AHERN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [Trevor SARGENT]; Labor Party [Pat RABITTE]; Progressive Democrats [Mary HARNEY]; Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Sean GARLAND] Israel Center Party [Dan MERIDOR]; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) [Muhammad BARAKA]; Democratic Movement [Roman BRONFMAN]; Gesher [David LEVI]; Green Leaf Party [Boaz WACHTEL and Shlomi SANDAK]; Herut [Michael KLEINER]; Labor Party [Binyamin BEN-ELIEZER]; Likud Party [Ariel SHARON]; Meimad [Rabbi Michael MELCHIOR]; Meretz [Yossi SARID]; National Democratic Alliance (Balad) [Azmi BISHARA]; National Religious Party [Yitzhak LEVY]; National Union [Benyamin ELON] (includes Tekuma and Moledet); One Israel [Ra'anan COHEN]; One Nation [Amir PERETZ]; Shas [Eliyahu YISHAI]; Shinui [Tommy LAPID]; United Arab List [Abd al-Malik DAHAMSHAH]; United Torah Judaism [Meir PORUSH]; Yisra'el Ba'Aliya or YBA [Natan SHARANSKY]; Yisra'el Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Italy Center-Left Olive Tree Coalition [Francesco RUTELLI] - Democrats of the Left, Daisy Alliance (including Italian Popular Party, Italian Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, The Democrats), Sunflower Alliance (including Green Federation, Italian Democratic Socialists), Italian Communist Party; Center-Right Freedom House Coalition [Silvio BERLUSCONI] (formerly House of Liberties and Freedom Alliance) - Forza Italia, National Alliance, The Whiteflower Alliance (includes Christian Democratic Center, United Christian Democrats), Northern League; Christian Democratic Center or CCD [Marco FOLLINI]; Democrats of the Left or DS [Piero FASSINO]; Forza Italia or FI [Silvio BERLUSCONI]; Green Federation [Alfonso Pecoraro SCANIO]; Italian Communist Party or PdCI [Armando COSSUTTA]; Italian Popular Party or PPI [Pierluigi CASTAGNETTI]; Italian Renewal or RI [Lamberto DINI]; Italian Social Democrats or SDI [Enrico BOSELLI]; Socialist Movement-Tricolor Flame or MS-Fiamma [Pino RAUTI]; National Alliance or AN [Gianfranco FINI]; Northern League or NL [Umberto BOSSI]; Southern Tyrols People's Party or SVP (German speakers) [Siegfried BRUGGER]; Sunflower Alliance (includes Green Federation, Italian Social Democrats); The Daisy Alliance (includes Italian Popular Party, Italian Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, The Democrats); The Democrats [Arturo PARISI]; The Radicals (formerly Pannella Reformers and Autonomous List) [Marco PANNELLA]; The Whiteflower Alliance (includes Christian Democratic Center, United Christian Democrats); Union of Democrats for Europe or UDEUR [Clemente MASTELLA]; United Christian Democrats or CDU [Rocco BUTTIGLIONE] Jamaica Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Edward SEAGA]; National Democratic Movement or NDM [Bruce GOLDING]; People's National Party or PNP [Percival James PATTERSON] Japan Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Naoto KAN, leader; Katsuya OKADA, secretary general]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII, chairman; Tadayoshi ICHIDA, secretary general]; Komeito [Takenori KANZAKI, president; Tetsuzo FUYUSHIBA, secretary general]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Junichiro KOIZUMI, president; Shinzo ABE, secretary general]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA, chairperson; Seiji MATAICHI, secretary general] Jersey none; all independents Jordan Al-Umma (Nation) Party [Ahmad al-HANANDEH, secretary general]; Arab Land Party [Dr. Muhammad al-'ORAN, secretary general]; Communist Party [Munir HAMARINAH, secretary general]; Constitutional Front [Mahdi al-TALL, secretary general]; Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'id DHIYAB, secretary general]; Jordanian Progressive Party [Fawwaz al-ZUBI, secretary general]; Jordanian People's Democratic (Hashd) Party [Salim al-NAHHAS, secretary general]; Islamic Action Front [Hazma MANSOUR, secretary general]; National Action (Haqq) Party [Muhammad al-ZUBI, secretary general]; National Constitutional Party [Abdul Hadi MAJALI, secretary general]; (Arab) Socialist Ba'th Party [Taysif al-HIMSI, secretary general]; Pan-Arab (Democratic) Movement [Mahmud al-NUWAYHI, secretary general] Kazakhstan Agrarian Party [Romin MADINOV]; Ak Zhol Party "White Road" [Bulat ABILOV, Uraz ZHANDOSOV, Zhanat YERTLESOVA, cofounders]; AUL "Village" [leader NA]; Civic Party [Azat PERUASHEV, first secretary]; Communist Party or KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN, first secretary]; Otan "Fatherland" [Gani YESIMOV, chairman]; Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV] note: only seven parties in Kazakhstan have been registered under the new political party law passed in July 2002 Kenya Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People [Kimaniwa NYOIKE, chairman]; Kenya African National Union or KANU [Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Mwai KIBAKI] - the governing party Kiribati Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Taberannang TIMEON]; Maneaban Te Mauri Party or MTM [Teburoro TITO]; Maurin Kiribati Pati or MKP [leader NA]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Dr. Harry TONG] note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures Korea, North Chondoist Chongu Party [YU Mi-yong, chairwoman]; Social Democratic Party [KIM Yong-tae, chairman]; major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Chong-il, general secretary] Korea, South Democratic People's Party or DPP [leader NA]; Grand National Party or GNP [CH'OE Pyong-ryol, chairman]; Millennium Democratic Party or MDP [CHO Sun-hyong, chairman]; United Liberal Democrats or ULD [KIM Chong-p'il, president]; Uri Party [KIM Kun-t'ae, chairman] Kuwait none; formation of political parties is illegal Kyrgyzstan Agrarian Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson S. SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Arkin ALIYEV]; Ata-Meken or Fatherland [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Banner National Revival Party or ASABA [Chaprashty BAZARBAY]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Democratic Women's Party of Kyrgyzstan [T. A. SHAILIYEVA]; Dignity Party [Feliks KULOV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Tursunbay Bakir UULU]; Justice Party [Chingiz AYTMATOV]; Movement for the People's Salvation [Jumgalbek AMAMBAYEV]; Mutual Help Movement or Ashar [Jumagazy USUPOV]; My Country Party of Action [Almazbek ISMANKULOV]; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE [Yury RAZGULYAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Absamat M. MASALIYEV]; Party of the Veterans of the War in Afghanistan [leader NA]; Peasant Party [leader NA]; People's Party [Melis ESHIMKANOV]; Republican Popular Party of Kyrgyzstan [J. SHARSHENALIYEV]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [J. IBRAMOV]; Union of Democratic Forces (composed of Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or PSD [J. IBRAMOV], Economic Revival Party, and Birimdik Party) Laos Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed Latvia Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Janis NAGLIS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE] Lebanon political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines; numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic considerations Lesotho Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Tseliso MAKHAKHE]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justine Metsing LEKHANYA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD [Phebe MOTEBANO, chairwoman; Pakalitha MOSISILI, leader] - the governing party; Lesotho People's Congress or LPC [Kelebone MAOPE]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Charles MOFELI]; Marematlou Freedom Party or MFP and Setlamo Alliance [Vincent MALEBO]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Chief Peete Nkoebe PEETE]; Sefate Democratic Party or SDP [Bofihla NKUEBE] Liberia Alliance of Political Parties (a coalition of LAP and LUP) [leader NA]; All Liberia Coalition Party or ALCOP [Peter KERBAY]; Liberian Action Party or LAP [C. Gyude BRYANT]; Liberian People's Party or LPP [Koffa NAGBE]; Liberia Unification Party or LUP [leader NA]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Cyril ALLEN] - governing party; United People's Party or UPP [Wesley JOHNSON]; Unity Party or UP [Charles CLARKE] Libya none Liechtenstein Fatherland Union or VU [Oswald KRANZ]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Ernst WALCH]; The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Karin JENNY, Rene HASLER] Lithuania Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI, chairman]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [Andrius KUBILIUS, chairman]; Lithuanian Center Union or LCS [Kestutis GLAVECKAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Christian Democrats or LKD [Kazys BOBELIS]; Lithuanian Farmer's Party or LUP [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Green Party [Rimantas BRAZIULIS]; Lithuanian Liberal Youth [Neringa MOROZAITE]; Lithuanian National Democratic Party [Vygintas GONTIS]; Lithuanian Social Democratic Coalition [Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman] consists of the Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party or LDDP, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP, and New Democracy; Moderate Conservative Union [Gediminas VAGNORIUS]; Modern Christian Democratic Union [Vytautas BOGUSIS, chairman]; New Democracy and Farmer's Union [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE, chairman]; New Union-Social Liberals [Arturas PAULAUSKAS, chairman]; Young Lithuania [Arnoldas PLATELIS] Luxembourg Action Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV (known also as Christian Social Party or PCS) [Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie POLFER]; Green Party [Abbes JACOBY and Felix BRAS]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Jean ASSELBORN]; Marxist and Reformed Communist Party DEI LENK (the Left) [no formal leadership]; other minor parties Macau there are no formal political parties, however, there are civic associations that, for purposes of legislative voting, join together to form political blocs Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Democratic Alternative or DA [Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic Union for Integration or DUI (also BDI) [Ali AHMETI]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH [Arben XHAFERI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-True Macedonian Reform Option or VMRO-VMRO [Boris ZMEJKOVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Macedonian [Boris STOJMENOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Risto PENOV]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV]; National Democratic Party or PDK [Kastriot HAXHIREXHA]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD [Abdurrahman HALITI]; Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Together for Macedonia coalition (including the SDSM and LDP) [Branko CRVENKOVSKI]; Union of Romanies of Macedonia or SRM [leader NA] Madagascar Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [leader vacant]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [leader NA]; National Union or FP [leader NA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON] Malawi Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Chakufwa CHIHANA]; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [John TEMBO, president; Gwanda CHAKUAMBA, vice president]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI] - governing party Malaysia ruling coalition parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [LIM Kheng Yaik]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [CHONG Kah Kiat]; Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [LING Ong Ka Ting]; Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongresi India Malaysia) or MIC [S. Samy VELLU]; Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak or PBDS [Leo MOGGIE]; Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu or PBB [Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Sabah) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]; Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [WONG Soon Kah]; United Malays National Organization or UMNO [ABDULLAH Ahmad Badawi]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [leader NA]; opposition parties: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KERK Kim Hock]; Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]; National Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Nasional) or Keadilan [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismael]; National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (the ruling coalition dominated by the UMNO and includes MCA, MIC, PGRM, PBDS, SUPP, PBB, PBS, LDP, SAPP, UPKO) [ABDULLAH Ahmad Badawi] Maldives although political parties are not banned, none exist Mali Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda Traore KEITA, party chairman]; Block of Alternative for the Renewal of Africa or BARA [Yoro DIAKITE]; Democratic and Social Convention or CDS [Mamadou Bakary SANGARE, chairman]; Hope 2002 [leader NA]; Movement for the Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA [Mohamed Lamine TRAORE, Mouhamedou DICKO]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL, chairman]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Me Idrissa TRAORE]; Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Yoro DIAKITE, chairman; Tiebile DRAME, secretary general]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Ali GNANGADO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Almamy SYLLA, chairman]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Bonbasor KEITA, chairman]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Bamou TOURE, secretary general]; Union of Democratic Forces for Progress or UFDP [Youssouf TOURE, secretary general]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY] Malta Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Edward FENECH ADAMI] Man, Isle of Man Labor Party [leader NA]; Alliance for Progressive Government [leader NA]; Man Nationalist Party [leader NA] note: most members sit as independents Marshall Islands traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING] Martinique Martinique Communist Party or PCM [Pierre SUEDILLE]; Martinique Independence Movement or MIM [Alfred MARIE-JEANNE]; Martinique Progressive Party or PPM [Camille DARSIERES]; Martinique Socialist Party or PMS [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Movement of Democrats and Ecologists for a Sovereign Martinique or Modemas [Garcin MALSA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michel CHARLONE]; Socialist Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Jean MAREN] Mauritania Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Kebe ABDOULAYE]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS] note: the Action for Change party was banned in January 2002; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based Mauritius Hizbullah [Cehl Mohamed FAKEEMEEAH]; Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER] - in coalition with MSM; Mauritian Social Democrat Party or PMSD [Charles Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH] - governing party; Rodrigues Movement or MR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR [Serge CLAIR] Mayotte Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular Movement or MPM [Ahmed MADI]; Federation of Mahorans or RPR [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Movement for Department Status Mayotte or MDM [Mouhoutar SALIM]; Socialist Party or PS (local branch of French Parti Socialiste) [Ibrahim ABUBACAR]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE] Mexico Convergence for Democracy or CD [Dante DELGADO Ranauro]; Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI [Dulce Maria SAURI Riancho]; Mexican Green Ecological Party or PVEM [Jorge Emilio GONZALEZ Martinez]; National Action Party or PAN [Luis Felipe BRAVO Mena]; Party of the Democratic Revolution or PRD [Amalia GARCIA Medina]; Party of the Nationalist Society or PSN [Gustavo RIOJAS Santana]; Social Alliance Party or PAS [Guillermo CALDERON Dominguez]; Workers Party or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez] Micronesia, Federated States of no formal parties Moldova Braghis Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS]; Communist Party or PCM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Social Democratic Union (composed of Braghis Alliance and the Democratic Party of Moldova) [leader NA] Monaco National and Democratic Union or UND [Jean-Louis CAMPORA]; Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM [leader NA] Mongolia Citizens' Will Party or CWP (also called Civil Will Party or Civil Courage Party) [Sanjaasurengyn OYUN]; Democratic Party or DP [D. DORLIGJAN]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian New Socialist Democratic Party or MNSDP [B. ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian Republican Party or MRP [B. JARGALSAIHAN] note: the MPRP is the ruling party Montserrat National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE] Morocco Action Party or PA [Muhammad EL IDRISSI]; Alliance of Liberties or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; Annahj Addimocrati or Annahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Avant Garde Social Democratic Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Citizen Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizen's Initiatives for Development [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union or UC [Mohamed ABIED (interim)]; Democratic and Independence Party or PDI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Front of Democratic Forces or FFD [Thami EL KHYARI]; Istiqlal Party (Independence Party) or PI [Abbas El FASSI]; Justice and Development Party (formerly the Constitutional and Democratic Popular Movement) or PJD [Abdelkrim EL KHATIB]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Ahmed OSMAN]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Parti Al Ahd or Al Ahd [Najib EL OUAZZANI, chairman]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Party of Renewal and Equity or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Party of the Unified Socialist Left or GSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abderrahman EL-YOUSSOUFI] Mozambique Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO, president]; Mozambique National Resistance-Electoral Union (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana-Uniao Eleitoral) or Renamo-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president] Namibia Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB] Nauru loose multiparty system; Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]; Nauru Party (informal) [leader NA]; Naoero Amo (Nauru First) Party [leader NA] Nepal Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML [Madhav Kumar NEPAL, general secretary]; National Democratic Party or NDP (also called Rastriya Prajantra Party or RPP) [Surya Bahadur THAPA, chairman]; National People's Front (Rastriya Jana Morcha) [Chitra Bahadur, chairman]; Nepal Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party or NSP [Bhadri Prasad MANDAL, acting party president]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE, party chairman]; Nepali Congress or NC [Girija Prasad KOIRALA, party president; Sushil KOIRALA, general secretary]; Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal [Lila Mani POKHAREL, general secretary] Netherlands Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Maxime Jacques Marcel VERHAGEN]; Christian Union Party [Andre ROUVOET]; Democrats 66 or D66 [Boris DITTRICH]; Green Party [Femke HALSEMA]; Labor Party or PvdA [Wouter BOS]; List Pim Fortuyn [Mat HERBEN]; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Gerrit ZALM]; Socialist Party [Jan MARIJNISSEN]; a host of minor parties Netherlands Antilles Antillean Restructuring Party or PAR [Miguel POURIER]; C 93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi ABRAHAM]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ]; Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY]; Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Foundation Energetic Management Anti-Narcotics or FAME [Eric LODEWIJKS]; Labor Party People's Crusade or PLKP [Errol COVA]; National People's Party or PNP [Susanne F. C. CAMELIA-ROMER]; New Antilles Movement or MAN [Kenneth GIJSBERTHA]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB [Ramon BOOI]; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten or SPA [Vance JAMES, Jr.]; People's Party or PAPU [Richard Hodi]; Pro Curacao Party or PPK [Winston LOURENS]; Saba Democratic Labor Movement [Steve HASSELL]; Saba Unity Party [Carmen SIMMONDS]; St. Eustatius Alliance or SEA [Kenneth VAN PUTTEN]; Serious Alternative People's Party or Sapp [Julian ROLLOCKS]; Social Action Cause or KAS [Benny DEMEI]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Will JOHNSTON]; Workers' Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT, Rignald LAK, Editha WRIGHT] note: political parties are indigenous to each island New Caledonia Alliance pour la Caledonie or APLC [Didier LE ROUX]; Federation des Comites de Coordination des Independantistes or FCCI [Francois BURCK]; Front National or FN [Guy GEORGE]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK [Ernest UNE]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS [leader NA] (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE and Elie POIGOUNE]; Rally for Caledonia in the Republic (anti independent) or RPCR [Jacques LAFLEUR]; Union Nationale pour l'Independance or UNI [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; note - may no longer exist, but Paul NEAOUTYINE has since become a president of Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM [Victor TUTUGORO] New Zealand ACT New Zealand [Richard PREBBLE]; Alliance (a coalition of the New Labor Party, Democratic Party, New Zealand Liberal Party, and Mana Motuhake) [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; Green Party [Jeanette FITZSIMONS and Rod DONALD]; National Party or NP [Don BRASH]; New Zealand First Party or NZFP [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Helen CLARK]; United Future or UF [Peter DUNNE] Nicaragua Conservative Party of Nicaragua or PCN [Dr. Fernando AGUERO Rocha]; Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Virgilio GODOY]; Liberal Alliance (ruling alliance including Liberal Constitutional Party or PLC, New Liberal Party or PALI, Independent Liberal Party for National Unity or PLIUN, and Central American Unionist Party or PUCA) [leader NA]; National Conservative Party or PC [Pedro SOLARZANO, Noel VIDAURRE]; National Project or PRONAL [Benjamin LANZAS]; Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Path or PCCN [Guillermo OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ]; Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN [Salvador TALAVERA]; Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]; Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Sergio RAMIREZ]; Unity Alliance or AU [Alejandro SERRANO]; Union Nacional Opositora 96 or UNO-96 [Alfredo CESAR Aguirre] Niger Democratic Rally of the People-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Mamadou TANDJA, chairman]; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya or PNDS-Tarayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; Union of Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua or UPDP-Chamoua [Professor Andre' SALIFOU, chairman] Nigeria Alliance for Democracy or AD [Alhaji Adamu ABDULKADIR]; All Nigeria Peoples' Party or ANPP [Don ETIEBET]; All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Chekwas OKORIE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Audu OGBEH]; Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples Party or UNPP [Saleh JAMBO] Niue Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]; Alliance of Independents or AI [leader NA] Norfolk Island none Northern Mariana Islands Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Benigno R. FITIAL] Norway Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [Valgerd Svarstad HAUGLAND]; Coastal Party [Steinar BASTESEN]; Conservative Party [Jan PETERSEN]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN] Oman none Pakistan Awami National Party or ANP [Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Movement/Hayee Group or BNM/H [Dr. Hayee BALUCH]; Baluch National Party or BNP [Sardar Akhtar MENGAL]; Baluch National Party/Awami or BNP/Awami [Moheem Kahn BALOCH]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP [Akbar Khan BUGTI]; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-HAQ faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani faction or JUP/NO [Shah Ahmad NOORANI]; Millat Party or MP [Farooq LEGHARI]; Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction or MQM/A [Altaf HUSSAIN]; Muhajir Quami Movement, Haqiqi faction or MQM/H [Afaq AHMAD]; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan or MMA [leader NA]; National Alliance or NA [Farooq Ahmad Khan LEGHARI]; National People's Party or NPP [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI]; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakhtun Quami Party or PQP [Mohammed Afzal KHAN]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Democratic Party or PDP [Nawabadzada KHAN]; Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League, Junejo faction or PML/J [Hamid Nasir CHATTHA]; Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League, Quaid-l-Azam faction or PML/Q [Chaudhry Shujjat HUSSEIN]; Pakistan Muslim League, Zia-ul-HAQ or PML/Z [Ejaz ul-Haq]; Pakistan National Party or PNP [Hasil BIZENJO]; Pakistan People's Party or PPP [Benazir BHUTTO]; Pakistan People's Party/Sherpao or PPP/S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan People's Party/Shaheed Bhutto or PPP/SB [Ghinva BHUTTO]; Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Amin FAHIM]; Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i-Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI]; Tehrik-i-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN] note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently Palau none Panama Arnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Civic Renewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA]; Democratic Change [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo]; National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES]; Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo] Papua New Guinea Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Bernard NAROKOBI]; National Alliance or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; George MANOA, party president]; National Front Party [leader NA]; National Party or NP [leader NA]; Papua New Guinea Revival Party [John PUNDARI]; Papua New Guinea United Party or Pangu Pati [Pate WAMP, party leader; Chris HAIVETA, parliamentary leader]; People's Action Party or PAP [Ted DIRO]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Labor Party or PLP [Peter YAMA]; People's National Congress or PNC [Bill SKATE]; People's Progress Party or PPP [Michael NALI]; People's Unity Party or PUP [leader NA]; United Party or UP [Rimbiuk PATO] note: 43 political parties registered to participate in the June 2002 elections Paraguay Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS]; Movimiento Patria Querida or MPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Colorados Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Diego ABENTE Brun]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Julio Cesar FRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Peru Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP [Alan GARCIA]; Independent Moralizing Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru Posible or PP [Luis SOLARI]; Popular Action or AP [Javier DIAZ Orihuela]; Solucion Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP [Alberto ANDRADE]; Union for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia] Philippines Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president, Agapito AQUINO, secretary general]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president]; Liberal Party or LP [Florencio ABAD, president; Franklin DRILON, chairman]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN, president; Faustino DY, chairman]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL, chairman; Jejomar BINAY, president]; PMP [Horacio MORALES, president]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president] Pitcairn Islands none Poland Catholic-National Movement or RKN [Antoni MACIEREWICZ]; Citizens Platform or PO [Donald TUSK]; Conservative Peasants Party or SKL-RNP [Artur BALAZS]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Leszek MILLER]; Freedom Union or UW [Wladyslaw FRASYNIUK]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Henryk KROLL]; Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI]; League of Polish Families or LPR [Marek KOTLINOWSKI]; Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland or ROP [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Peasant-Democratic Party or PLD [Roman JAGIELINSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [Jan LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish Peasant Bloc or PBL [Wojciech MOJZESOWICZ]; Polish Peasant Party or PSL [Jaroslaw KALINOWSKI]; Samoobrona [Andrzej LEPPER]; Social Movement or RS [Krzysztof PIESIEWICZ]; Union of Labor or UP [Marek POL] Portugal The Greens or PEV [no leader]; Popular Party or PP [Paulo PORTAS]; Portuguese Communist Party/The Greens or PCP/PEV [Carlos CARVALHAS]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Eduardo Ferro RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO]; United Democratic Coalition or CDU [Carlos CARVALHAS]; The Left Bloc [no leader] Puerto Rico National Democratic Party [Celeste BENITEZ]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP (pro-US statehood) [Carlos PESQUERA]; Popular Democratic Party or PPD (pro-commonwealth) [Sila M. CALDERON]; Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP (pro-independence) [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] Qatar none Reunion Communist Party of Reunion or PCR [Paul VERGES]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Andre Maurice PIHOUEE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jean-Claude FRUTEAU]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Gilbert GERARD] Romania Democratic Party or PD [Traian BASESCU]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Theodor STOLOJAN]; Romania Mare Party (Greater Romanian Party) or PRM [Corneliu Vadim TUDOR]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Adrian NASTASE], formerly known as the Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR Russia Communist Party of the Russian Federation or KPRF [Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR [Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Motherland Bloc (Rodina) [Sergey GLAZYEV and Dmitriy ROGOZIN]; People's Party [Gennadiy RAYKOV]; Union of Rightist Forces or SPS [Anatoliy Borisovich CHUBAYS, Yegor Timurovich GAYDAR, Irina Mutsuovna KHAKAMADA, Boris Yefimovich NEMTSOV]; United Russia [Boris Vyacheslavovich GRYZLOV]; Yabloko Party [Grigoriy Alekseyevich YAVLINSKIY] Rwanda Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Jean-Nipomuscene NAYINZIRA]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [J. Damascene NTAWUKURIRYAYO]; Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [leader NA]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR [Celestin KABANDA]; Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal Party or PL [Pie MUGABO]; Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned) [Pasteur BIZIMUNGU and Charles NTAKARUTINKA]; Rwanda Patriotic Front or FPR [Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME]; Rwandan Socialist Party or PSR [leader NA] Saint Helena none Saint Kitts and Nevis Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Vance AMORY]; Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]; People's Action Movement or PAM [Lindsey GRANT]; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS] Saint Lucia National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Dr. Morella JOSEPH] Saint Pierre and Miquelon PRG [leader NA]; Rassemblement pour la Republique or RPR (now UMP) [leader NA]; Socialist Party or PS [leader NA]; Union pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA] Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Reform Party or NRP [Joel MIGUEL]; New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Ken BOYEA]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [leader NA]; United People's Movement or UPM [Adrian SAUNDERS]; Unity Labor Party or ULP [Ralph GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU) Samoa Christian Democratic Party [leader NA]; Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA, chairman]; Samoa All People's Party or SAPP [Matatumua MAIMOANA]; Samoan National Development Party or SNDP [LE MAMEA Ropati, chairman] (opposition); Samoa National Party [FETU Tiatia, party secretary]; Samoan Progressive Conservative Party [LEOTA Ituau Ale]; Samoan United Independents Party or SUIP [Dr. Saleimoa VAAI] San Marino Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Ideas in Movement or IM [Alessandro ROSSI]; National Alliance or AN [leader NA]; Party of Democrats or PD [Claudio FELICI]; San Marino Christian Democratic Party or PDCS [Giovanni LONFERNINI]; San Marino Popular Alliance of Democrats or APDS [Roberto GIORGETTI]; San Marino Socialist Party or PSS [Alberto CECCHETTI]; Socialists for Reform or SR [Renzo GIARDI] Sao Tome and Principe Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties Saudi Arabia none allowed Senegal African Party for Democracy and Socialism or And Jef (also known as PADS/AJ) [Landing SAVANE, secretary general]; African Party of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic and Patriotic Convention or CDP (also known as Garab-Gi) [Dr. Iba Der THIAM]; Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for Socialism and Democracy or FSD [Cheikh Abdoulaye DIEYE]; Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madier DIOUF]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE]; Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition (a coalition led by the PDS) [Abdoulaye WADE]; Union for Democratic Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA]; other small parties Serbia and Montenegro Democratic Opposition of Serbia or DOS (a coalition of many small parties including DSS) [leader NA]; Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Jozsef KASZA]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Dr. Ibrahim RUGOVA, president]; Democratic List for European Montenegro or DLECG [Milo DJUKANOVIC, Ranko KRIVOKAPIC]; Democratic Party or DS [collective interim leadership led by Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC]; Party of Serb Unity or SSJ [Borislav PELEVIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Socialist Party or SPS (former Communist Party and party of Slobodan MILOSEVIC) [Zoran ANDJELKOVIC, general secretary]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Rasim LJAJIC]; Together for Changes or ZP [leader NA] Seychelles Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Daniel BELLE]; Mouvement Seychellois pour la Democratie [Jacques HODOUL]; Seychelles National Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [Wavel RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] - the governing party Sierra Leone All People's Congress or APC [Alhaji Sat KOROMA, interim chairman]; Citizens United for Peace and Progress or CUPP [Alfred Musa CONTEH, interim chairman]; Coalition for Progress Party or CPP [Jeridine WILLIAM-SARHO, interim leader]; Democratic Center Party or DCP [Adu Aiah KOROMA]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [George E. L. PALMER]; Democratic Party or DP [Henry BALO, acting chairman]; National Alliance Democratic Party or NADP [Mohamed Yahya SILLAH, chairman]; National Democratic Alliance or NDA [Amadu M. B. JALLOH]; National People's Party or NPP [Andrew TURAY]; National Republican Party or NRP [Stephen Sahr MAMBU]; National Unity Movement or NUM [Sam LEIGH, interim chairman]; National Unity Party or NUP [John BENJAMINE, interim leader]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman]; People's Democratic Alliance or PDA [Cpl. (Ret.) Abdul Rahman KAMARA, interim chairman]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Osman KAMARA]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward John KARGBO]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Abass Chernok BUNDU, chairman]; Revolutionary United Front Party or RUFP [Foday Saybana SANKOH, chairman]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Andrew Victor LUNGAY]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Ahmad Tejan KABBAH, chairman]; United National People's Party or UNPP [John KAREFA-SMART in exile, Raymond KAMARA, acting leader]; Young People's Party or YPP [Cornelius DEVEAUS, interim chairman] Singapore governing party: People's Action Party or PAP [GOH Chok Tong]; opposition parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [leader NA]; National Solidarity Party or NSP [Steve CHIA]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong] (includes SPP, PKMS, NSP, SJP); Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Singapore Justice Party or SJP [leader NA]; Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS [Muhammad ALI Aman]; Singapore People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong]; Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Kiang] Slovakia Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Democratic Party or DS [Ludovit KANIK]; Direction (Smer) [Robert FICO]; Movement for a Democratic Slovakia-People's Party or HZDS-LS [Vladimir MECIAR]; New Citizens Alliance or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Bela BUGAR]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef SEVC]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union or SDKU [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA] Slovenia Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS [Anton ROUS]; Liberal Democratic or LDS [Anton ROP]; New Slovenia or NSi [Andrej BAJUK]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People's Party or SLS [Franc BUT]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [Dominic CERNJAK]; Social Democratic Party of Slovenia or SDS [Janez JANSA]; United List of Social Democrats or ZLSD [Borut PAHOR] Solomon Islands Association of Independents [Snyder RINI]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [Allan KEMAKEZA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Alliance for Change Coalition or SIACC [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU] note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions Somalia none South Africa African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE, president]; African National Congress or ANC [Thabo MBEKI, president]; Democratic Alliance (formed from the merger of the Democratic Party or DP and the New National Party or NNP; note - NNP split from DP in 2001) [Anthony LEON]; Freedom Front or FF [Dr. Pieter MULDER, president]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president]; New National Party or NNP [Marthinus VAN SCHALKWYK]; Pan-Africanist Congress or PAC [Stanley MOGOBA, president]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA] Spain Basque Nationalist Party or PNV [Xabier ARZALLUS Antia]; Canarian Coalition or CC (a coalition of five parties) [Paulino RIVERO]; Convergence and Union or CiU [Jordi PUJOL i Soley, secretary general] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Jordi PUJOL i Soley] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN y LLEIDA]); Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Xose Manuel BEIRAS]; Party of Independents from Lanzarote or PIL [Dimas MARTIN Martin]; Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO]; United Left or IU (a coalition of parties including the PCE and other small parties) [Gaspar LLAMAZARES] Sri Lanka All Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [KUMARGURUPARAM]; Ceylon Workers Congress or CWC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party or CP [D. GUNASEKERA]; Democratic United National (Lalith) Front or DUNLF [Shrimani ATULATHMUDALI]; Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Tilvan SILVA]; National Unity Alliance or NUA [Ferial ASHRAFF]; People's Alliance or PA [Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [leader NA]; Sihala Urumaya or SU [Tilak KARUNARATNE]; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM]; Sri Lanka Progressive Front or SLPF [P. Nelson PERERA]; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [SABARATNAM]; Tamil National Alliance or TNA [Nadarajah RAVIRAJ]; Tamil United Liberation Front or TULF [R. SAMPATHAN]; United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Upcountry People's Front or UPF [P. CHANDRASEKARAN]; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim parties, represented in either Parliament or provincial councils Sudan the government allows political "associations" under a 1998 law revised in 2000; to obtain government approval parties must accept the constitution and refrain from advocating or using violence against the regime; approved parties include the National Congress Party or NCP [Ibrahim Ahmed UMAR], Popular National Congress or PNC [Hassan al-TURABI], and over 20 minor, pro-government parties Suriname Democratic Alternative '91 or DA '91 (a coalition of the Alternative Forum or AF and Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP, formed in January 1991) [Winston JESSURUN]; Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP 2000 (coalition of two parties, Democratic Party and Democrats of the 21st Century) [Jules WIJDENBOSCH]; Independent Progressive Democratic Alternative or OPDA [Joginder RAMKHILAWAN]; Millennium Combination or MC (a coalition of three parties, Democratic Alternative, Party for National Unity and Solidarity, and National Democratic Party) [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; Naya Kadam or NK [leader NA]; Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN]; Party of National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]; Pertjaja Luhur [Paul SOMOHARDJO]; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union or PALU [Ir Iwan KROLIS]; The New Front or NF (a coalition of four parties Suriname National Party or NPS, Progressive Reform Party or VHP, Suriname Labor Party or SPA, and Pertjaja Luhur) [Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN]; The Progressive Development Alliance (a combination of three parties, Renewed Progressive Party or HPP, Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF, and Suriname Progressive People's Party or PSV) [Harry KISOENSINGH] Swaziland political parties are banned by the constitution - the following are considered political associations; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]; Swaziland National Front or SWANAFRO [Elmond SHONGWE, president] Sweden Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Alf SVENSSON]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or VP (formerly Communist) [Ulla HOFFMAN (acting)]; Liberal People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON] Switzerland Christian Democratic People's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Philipp STAEHELIN, president]; Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER and Patrice MUGNY, co-presidents]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Christiane LANGENBERGER, president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christiane BRUNNER, president]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor parties Syria National Progressive Front or NPF (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party (governing party) [President Bashar al-ASAD, secretary general], Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Ahmad al ASAD], Syrian Communist Party [leader NA], Unionist Socialist Party [leader NA], Arab Socialist Party [Abd al-Ghani QANNUT], and Arab Socialist Unionist Movement [Sami SUFAN]) [President Bashar al-ASAD, chairman]; Syrian Arab Socialist Party or ASP [Safwan QUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party or SCP [Yusuf FAYSAL]; Syrian Social National Party [Jubran URAYJI] Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [CHEN Shui-bian, chairman]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [LIEN Chan, chairman]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG (SOONG Chu-yu), chairman]; Taiwan Solidarity Union or TSU [HUANG Chu-wen, chairman]; other minor parties including the Chinese New Party or CNP Tajikistan Democratic Party or DPT [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV, chairman]; Islamic Revival Party [Said Abdullo NURI, chairman]; People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMONOV]; Social Democratic Party or SDPT [Rahmatullo ZOIROV]; Socialist Party or SPT [Sherali KENJAYEV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV] Tanzania Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party of Democracy and Development) or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM (Revolutionary Party) [Benjamin William MKAPA]; Civic United Front or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]; Democratic Party (unregistered) [Christopher MTIKLA]; Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine Lyatonga MREMA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO] Thailand Democratic Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [BANTADTAN Banyat]; National Development Party or NDP (Chat Phattana) [KORN Dabbaransi]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BANHAN Sinlapa-acha]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [THAKSIN Chinnawat] Togo Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and Equality or MOCEP [leader NA]; Rally for the Support for Development and Democracy or RSDD [Hanay OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [President Gnassingbe EYADEMA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU] note: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President EYADEMA, was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12 April 1991 Tokelau none Tonga there are no political parties Trinidad and Tobago National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Hochoy CHARLES]; People's Empowerment Party or PEP [leader NA]; People's National Movement or PNM [Patrick MANNING]; Team Unity or TUN [Ramesh MAHARAJ]; United National Congress or UNC [Basdeo PANDAY] Tunisia Al-Tajdid Movement [Adel CHAOUCH]; Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD [President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (official ruling party)]; Liberal Social Party or PSL [Mounir BEJI]; Movement of Democratic Socialists or MDS [Khamis CHAMMARI]; Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed Belhaj AMOR]; Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Abderrahmane TLILI] Turkey Democratic Left Party or DSP [Bulent ECEVIT]; Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayip ERDOGAN]; Motherland Party or ANAP [Ahmet Mesut YILMAZ]; Nationalist Action Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI]; Republican People's Party or CHP [Deniz BAYKAL]; True Path Party (sometimes translated as Correct Way Party) or DYP [Tansu CILLER]; Young Party or GP [Cem UZAN] Turkmenistan Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Saparmurat NIYAZOV] note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries; the two most prominent opposition groups-in-exile have been Gundogar and Erkin; Gundogar was led by former Foreign Minister Boris SHIKHUMRADOV until his arrest and imprisonment in the wake of the 25 November 2002 assassination attempt on President NIYAZOV; Erkin is led by former Foreign Minister Abdy KULIEV and is based out of Moscow Turks and Caicos Islands People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Wendal SWANN] Tuvalu there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings Uganda only one political organization, the Movement (formerly the NRM)[President MUSEVENI, chairman] is allowed to operate unfettered; note - the president maintains that the Movement is not a political party, but a mass organization, which claims the loyalty of all Ugandans note: the constitution requires the suspension of political parties while the Movement organization is in governance; of the political parties that exist but are prohibited from sponsoring candidates, the most important are the Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Milton OBOTE]; Democratic Party or DP [Paul SSEMOGERERE]; Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Justice Forum [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]; and National Democrats Forum [Chapaa KARUHANGA] Ukraine Agrarian Party [Kateryna VASHCHUK]; Communist Party of Ukraine or CPU [Petro SYMONENKO]; Democratic Initiatives [Stepan HAVRYSH]; European Choice [Volodymyr STASYUK]; Our Ukraine [Viktor YUSHCHENKO]; People's Choice [Mykola HAPOCHKA]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Valeriy PUSTOVOYTENKO, chairman]; People's Power [Bohdan HUBSKYY]; Regions of Ukraine [Viktor YANUKOVYCH]; Socialist Party of Ukraine or SPU [Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman]; United Social Democratic Party [Leonid KRAVCHUK]; Working Ukraine-Industrialists and Entrepreneurs [Ihor SHAROV]; Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO] note: and numerous smaller parties United Arab Emirates none United Kingdom Conservative and Unionist Party [Michael HOWARD]; Democratic Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Rev. Ian PAISLEY]; Labor Party [Anthony (Tony) BLAIR]; Liberal Democrats [Charles KENNEDY]; Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Ieuan Wyn Jones]; Scottish National Party or SNP [John SWINNEY]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Gerry ADAMS]; Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [Mark DURKAN]; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [David TRIMBLE] United States Democratic Party [Terence McAULIFFE]; Green Party [leader NA]; Libertarian Party [Steve DASBACH]; Republican Party [Governor Marc RACICOT] Uruguay Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE Ibanez]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera]; New Sector/Space Coalition or Nuevo Espacio [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or Encuentro Progresista/Frente Amplio [Tabare VAZQUEZ] Uzbekistan Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Anwar JURABAYEV, first secretary]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or MTP [Aziz KAYUMOV, chairman]; People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Abdulkhafiz JALALOV, first secretary]; Self-Sacrificers Party or Fidokorlar National Democratic Party [Ahtam TURSUNOV, first secretary]; note - Fatherland Progress Party merged with Self-Sacrificers Party Vanuatu Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [Dinh Van THAN]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuaaku Party (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN] Venezuela Democratic Action or AD [Claudio FERMIN]; Fifth Republic Movement or MVR [Garcia PONCE]; Homeland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNIZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; National Convergence or Convergencia [Juan Jose CALDERA]; Radical Cause or La Causa R [Antonio HERRERA]; Social Christian Party or COPEI [Oswaldo ALVAREZ Paz]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer] Vietnam only party - Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH, general secretary] Virgin Islands Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Wallis and Futuna Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) [leader NA]; Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG [leader NA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA] Yemen there are over 12 political parties active in Yemen, some of the more prominent are: General People's Congress or GPC [President Ali Abdallah SALIH]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah [Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR]; National Arab Socialist Baath Party [Dr. Qassim SALAAM]; Nasserite Unionist Party [Abdel Malik al-MAKHLAFI]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Ali Salih MUQBIL] note: President SALIH's General People's Congress or GPC won a landslide victory in the April 1997 legislative election and no longer governs in coalition with Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR's Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah - the two parties had been in coalition since the end of the civil war in 1994; the YSP, a loyal opposition party, boycotted the April 1997 legislative election, but announced that it would participate in Yemen's first local elections, held in February 2001; these local elections aim to decentralize political power and are a key element of the government's political reform program Zambia Agenda for Zambia or AZ [Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA]; Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Christon TEMBO]; Heritage Party or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Liberal Progressive Front or LPF [Roger CHONGWE, president]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Levy MWANAWASA, acting president]; National Leadership for Development or NLD [Yobert SHAMAPANDE]; National Party or NP [Dr. Sam CHIPUNGU]; Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Zambian Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin MWILA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Gwendoline KONIE]; United National Independence Party or UNIP [Francis NKHOMA, president]; United Party for National Development or UPND [Anderson MAZOKA] Zimbabwe Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; National Alliance for Good Governance or NAGG [Shakespeare MAYA]; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA] This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2119 Population Afghanistan 28,717,213 (July 2003 est.) Albania 3,582,205 (July 2003 est.) Algeria 32,818,500 (July 2003 est.) American Samoa 70,260 (July 2003 est.) Andorra 69,150 (July 2003 est.) Angola 10,766,471 (July 2003 est.) Anguilla 12,738 (July 2003 est.) Antarctica no indigenous inhabitants, but there are seasonally staffed research stations note: approximately 27 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, send personnel to perform seasonal (summer) and year-round research on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters of the treaty region; summer (January) population - 3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population - 964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); year-round stations - 42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 6, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (1998-99); summer-only stations - 32 total; Argentina 3, Australia 4, Bulgaria 1, Chile 7, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 3, NZ 1, Peru 1, Russia 3, Sweden 2, UK 5 (1998-99); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (July 2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 67,897 (July 2003 est.) Argentina 38,740,807 (July 2003 est.) Armenia 3,326,448 note: Armenia's first census since independence was conducted in October 2001; official results are not expected until late 2003 (July 2003 est.) Aruba 70,844 (July 2003 est.) Ashmore and Cartier Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2003 est.) Australia 19,731,984 (July 2003 est.) Austria 8,188,207 (July 2003 est.) Azerbaijan 7,830,764 (July 2003 est.) Bahamas, The 297,477 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Bahrain 667,238 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Baker Island uninhabited note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.) Bangladesh 138,448,210 (July 2003 est.) Barbados 277,264 (July 2003 est.) Bassas da India uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Belarus 10,322,151 (July 2003 est.) Belgium 10,289,088 (July 2003 est.) Belize 266,440 (July 2003 est.) Benin 7,041,490 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Bermuda 64,482 (July 2003 est.) Bhutan 2,139,549 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2003 est.) Bolivia 8,586,443 (July 2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 3,989,018 (July 2003 est.) Botswana 1,573,267 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Bouvet Island uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Brazil 182,032,604 note: Brazil took a count in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,799,170; that figure was about 3.3% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census; estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) British Indian Ocean Territory no indigenous inhabitants note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960's and 1970's, in November 2000 they were granted the right of return by a British High Court ruling, though no timetable has been set; in 2001, there were approximately 1,500 UK and US military personnel and 2,000 civilian contractors living on the island of Diego Garcia (July 2003 est.) British Virgin Islands 21,730 (July 2003 est.) Brunei 358,098 (July 2003 est.) Bulgaria 7,537,929 (July 2003 est.) Burkina Faso 13,228,460 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Burma 42,510,537 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Burundi 6,096,156 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Cambodia 13,124,764 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Cameroon 15,746,179 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Canada 32,207,113 (July 2003 est.) Cape Verde 412,137 (July 2003 est.) Cayman Islands 41,934 (July 2003 est.) Central African Republic 3,683,538 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Chad 9,253,493 (July 2003 est.) Chile 15,665,216 (July 2003 est.) China 1,286,975,468 (July 2003 est.) Christmas Island 433 (July 2003 est.) Clipperton Island uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 630 (July 2003 est.) Colombia 41,662,073 (July 2003 est.) Comoros 632,948 (July 2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 56,625,039 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 2,954,258 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Cook Islands 21,008 (July 2003 est.) Coral Sea Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (July 2003 est.) Costa Rica 3,896,092 (July 2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 16,962,491 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Croatia 4,422,248 (July 2003 est.) Cuba 11,263,429 (July 2003 est.) Cyprus 771,657 (July 2003 est.) Czech Republic 10,249,216 (July 2003 est.) Denmark 5,384,384 (July 2003 est.) Djibouti 457,130 (July 2003 est.) Dominica 69,655 (July 2003 est.) Dominican Republic 8,715,602 (July 2003 est.) East Timor 997,853 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (2002 est.) (July 2003 est.) Ecuador 13,710,234 (July 2003 est.) Egypt 74,718,797 (July 2003 est.) El Salvador 6,470,379 (July 2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea 510,473 (July 2003 est.) Eritrea 4,362,254 (July 2003 est.) Estonia 1,408,556 (July 2003 est.) Ethiopia 66,557,553 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Europa Island no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2,967 (July 2003 est.) Faroe Islands 46,345 (July 2003 est.) Fiji 868,531 (July 2003 est.) Finland 5,190,785 (July 2003 est.) France 60,180,529 (July 2003 est.) French Guiana 186,917 (July 2003 est.) French Polynesia 262,125 (July 2003 est.) French Southern and Antarctic Lands no indigenous inhabitants (July 2002 est.) note: in 2002, there were 145 researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January) (July 2003 est.) Gabon 1,321,560 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Gambia, The 1,501,050 (July 2003 est.) Gaza Strip 1,274,868 (July 2002 est.) note: in addition, there are more than 5,000 Israeli settlers in the Gaza Strip (July 2003 est.) Georgia 4,934,413 (July 2003 est.) Germany 82,398,326 (July 2003 est.) Ghana 20,467,747 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Gibraltar 27,776 (July 2003 est.) Glorioso Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2003 est.) Greece 10,665,989 (July 2003 est.) Greenland 56,385 (July 2003 est.) Grenada 89,258 (July 2003 est.) Guadeloupe 440,189 (July 2003 est.) Guam 163,941 (July 2003 est.) Guatemala 13,909,384 (July 2003 est.) Guernsey 64,818 (July 2003 est.) Guinea 9,030,220 (July 2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau 1,360,827 (July 2003 est.) Guyana 702,100 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Haiti 7,527,817 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Heard Island and McDonald Islands uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) 911 (July 2003 est.) Honduras 6,669,789 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Hong Kong 7,394,170 (July 2003 est.) Howland Island uninhabited note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.) Hungary 10,045,407 (July 2003 est.) Iceland 280,798 (July 2003 est.) India 1,049,700,118 (July 2003 est.) Indonesia 234,893,453 (July 2003 est.) Iran 68,278,826 (July 2003 est.) Iraq 24,683,313 (July 2003 est.) Ireland 3,924,140 (July 2003 est.) Israel 6,116,533 (July 2002 est.) note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, more than 5,000 in the Gaza Strip, and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (February 2003 est.) (July 2003 est.) Italy 57,998,353 (July 2003 est.) Jamaica 2,695,867 (July 2003 est.) Jan Mayen no indigenous inhabitants note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2003 est.) Japan 127,214,499 (July 2003 est.) Jarvis Island uninhabited note: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.) Jersey 90,156 (July 2003 est.) Johnston Atoll no indigenous inhabitants note: in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel present; as of September 2001, population had decreased significantly when US Army Chemical Activity Pacific (USACAP) departed; as of January 2003 the island population was just above 800 personnel, including US Air Force, US Department of Defense civilian, and civilian contractor personnel (January 2003 est.) (July 2003 est.) Jordan 5,460,265 (July 2003 est.) Juan de Nova Island no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; occasionally visited by scientists (July 2003 est.) Kazakhstan 16,763,795 (July 2003 est.) Kenya 31,639,091 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Kingman Reef uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Kiribati 98,549 (July 2003 est.) Korea, North 22,466,481 (July 2003 est.) Korea, South 48,289,037 (July 2003 est.) Kuwait 2,183,161 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan 4,892,808 (July 2003 est.) Laos 5,921,545 (July 2003 est.) Latvia 2,348,784 (July 2003 est.) Lebanon 3,727,703 (July 2003 est.) Lesotho 1,861,959 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Liberia 3,317,176 (July 2003 est.) Libya 5,499,074 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Liechtenstein 33,145 (July 2003 est.) Lithuania 3,592,561 (July 2003 est.) Luxembourg 454,157 (July 2003 est.) Macau 469,903 (July 2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 2,063,122 note: a census was taken 1-15 November 2002, but results are not yet available (July 2003 est.) Madagascar 16,979,744 (July 2003 est.) Malawi 11,651,239 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Malaysia 23,092,940 (July 2003 est.) Maldives 329,684 (July 2003 est.) Mali 11,626,219 (July 2003 est.) Malta 400,420 (July 2003 est.) Man, Isle of 74,261 (July 2003 est.) Marshall Islands 56,429 (July 2003 est.) Martinique 425,966 (July 2003 est.) Mauritania 2,912,584 (July 2003 est.) Mauritius 1,210,447 (July 2003 est.) Mayotte 178,437 (July 2003 est.) Mexico 104,907,991 (July 2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 108,143 (July 2003 est.) Midway Islands no indigenous inhabitants; approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services cooperator living at the atoll (July 2003 est.) Moldova 4,439,502 (July 2003 est.) Monaco 32,130 (July 2003 est.) Mongolia 2,712,315 (July 2003 est.) Montserrat 8,995 note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2003 est.) Morocco 31,689,265 (July 2003 est.) Mozambique 17,479,266 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2003 est.) Namibia 1,927,447 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Nauru 12,570 (July 2003 est.) Navassa Island uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island (July 2003 est.) Nepal 26,469,569 (July 2003 est.) Netherlands 16,150,511 (July 2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles 216,226 (July 2003 est.) New Caledonia 210,798 (July 2003 est.) New Zealand 3,951,307 (July 2003 est.) Nicaragua 5,128,517 (July 2003 est.) Niger 11,058,590 (July 2003 est.) Nigeria 133,881,703 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Niue 2,145 (July 2003 est.) Norfolk Island 1,853 (July 2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 80,006 (July 2003 est.) Norway 4,546,123 (July 2003 est.) Oman 2,807,125 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Pakistan 150,694,740 (July 2003 est.) Palau 19,717 (July 2003 est.) Palmyra Atoll no indigenous inhabitants; 4 to 20 Nature Conservancy staff, US Fish and Wildlife staff (July 2003 est.) Panama 2,960,784 (July 2003 est.) Papua New Guinea 5,295,816 (July 2003 est.) Paracel Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2003 est.) Paraguay 6,036,900 (July 2003 est.) Peru 28,409,897 (July 2003 est.) Philippines 84,619,974 (July 2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands 47 (July 2003 est.) Poland 38,622,660 (July 2003 est.) Portugal 10,102,022 (July 2003 est.) Puerto Rico 3,885,877 (July 2003 est.) Qatar 817,052 (July 2003 est.) Reunion 755,171 (July 2003 est.) Romania 22,271,839 (July 2003 est.) Russia 144,526,278 (July 2003 est.) Rwanda 7,810,056 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Saint Helena 7,367 (July 2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 38,763 (July 2003 est.) Saint Lucia 162,157 (July 2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 6,976 (July 2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 116,812 (July 2003 est.) Samoa 178,173 (July 2003 est.) San Marino 28,119 (July 2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 175,883 (July 2003 est.) Saudi Arabia 24,293,844 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2003 est.) Senegal 10,580,307 (July 2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 10,655,774 note: a census was taken in Serbia 1-15 April 2002 (July 2003 est.) Seychelles 80,469 (July 2003 est.) Sierra Leone 5,732,681 (July 2003 est.) Singapore 4,608,595 (July 2003 est.) Slovakia 5,430,033 (July 2003 est.) Slovenia 1,935,677 (July 2003 est.) Solomon Islands 509,190 (July 2003 est.) Somalia 8,025,190 note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2003 est.) South Africa 42,768,678 note: South Africa took a census October 1996 that showed a population of 40,583,611 (after an official adjustment for a 6.8% underenumeration based on a postenumeration survey); estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March 2001, to be replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the British Antarctic Survey, which also has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Spain 40,217,413 (July 2003 est.) Spratly Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states (July 2003 est.) Sri Lanka 19,742,439 (2003 est.) note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island; as of yearend 2000, approximately 65,000 were housed in 131 refugee camps in south India, another 40,000 lived outside the Indian camps, and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought refuge in the West (July 2003 est.) Sudan 38,114,160 (July 2003 est.) Suriname 435,449 (July 2003 est.) Svalbard 2,811 (July 2003 est.) Swaziland 1,161,219 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Sweden 8,878,085 (July 2003 est.) Switzerland 7,318,638 (July 2003 est.) Syria 17,585,540 (July 2002 est.) note: in addition, about 40,000 people live in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 20,000 Arabs (18,000 Druze and 2,000 Alawites) and about 20,000 Israeli settlers (February 2003 est.) (July 2003 est.) Taiwan 22,603,001 (July 2003 est.) Tajikistan 6,863,752 (July 2003 est.) Tanzania 35,922,454 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Thailand 64,265,276 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Togo 5,429,299 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Tokelau 1,418 (July 2003 est.) Tonga 108,141 (July 2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 1,104,209 (July 2003 est.) Tromelin Island uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2003 est.) Tunisia 9,924,742 (July 2003 est.) Turkey 68,109,469 (July 2003 est.) Turkmenistan 4,775,544 (July 2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 19,350 (July 2003 est.) Tuvalu 11,305 (July 2003 est.) Uganda 25,632,794 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Ukraine 48,055,439 (July 2003 est.) United Arab Emirates 2,484,818 note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December 1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2003 est.) United Kingdom 60,094,648 (July 2003 est.) United States 290,342,554 (July 2003 est.) Uruguay 3,413,329 (July 2003 est.) Uzbekistan 25,981,647 (July 2003 est.) Vanuatu 199,414 (July 2003 est.) Venezuela 24,654,694 (July 2003 est.) Vietnam 81,624,716 (July 2003 est.) Virgin Islands 124,778 (July 2003 est.) Wake Island no indigenous inhabitants note: US military personnel have left the island, but contractor personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were present (July 2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna 15,734 (July 2003 est.) West Bank 2,237,194 (July 2002 est.) note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.) (July 2003 est.) Western Sahara 261,794 (July 2003 est.) World 6,302,309,691 (July 2003 est.) Yemen 19,349,881 (July 2003 est.) Zambia 10,307,333 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) Zimbabwe 12,576,742 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2120 Ports and harbors Afghanistan Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Albania Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Algeria Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes American Samoa Aunu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta'u Andorra none Angola Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo Anguilla Blowing Point, Road Bay Antarctica there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent Antigua and Barbuda Saint John's Arctic Ocean Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US) Argentina Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia Armenia none Aruba Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Ashmore and Cartier Islands none; offshore anchorage only Atlantic Ocean Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Australia Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville Austria Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna Azerbaijan Baku (Baki) Bahamas, The Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau Bahrain Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah Baker Island none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Bangladesh Chittagong, Dhaka, Mongla Port, Narayanganj Barbados Bridgetown, Speightstown (Port Charles Marina) Bassas da India none; offshore anchorage only Belarus Mazyr Belgium Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Belize Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Benin Cotonou, Porto-Novo Bermuda Hamilton, Saint George's, Dockyard Bhutan none Bolivia Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje Botswana none Bouvet Island none; offshore anchorage only Brazil Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, Vitoria British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Garcia British Virgin Islands Road Town Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong Bulgaria Burgas, Lom, Nesebur, Ruse, Varna, Vidin Burkina Faso none Burma Bassein, Bhamo, Chauk, Mandalay, Moulmein, Myitkyina, Rangoon, Akyab (Sittwe), Tavoy Burundi Bujumbura Cambodia Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong Kaoh Kong, Phnom Penh Cameroon Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko Canada Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, New Westminster, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), St. John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Sydney, Trois-Rivieres, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor Cape Verde Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal Cayman Islands Cayman Brac, George Town Central African Republic Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Chad none Chile Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso China Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Huangpu, Lianyungang, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wenzhou, Xiamen, Xingang, Yantai, Zhanjiang (2001) Christmas Island Flying Fish Cove Clipperton Island none; offshore anchorage only Cocos (Keeling) Islands none; lagoon anchorage only Colombia Bahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo Comoros Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou Congo, Democratic Republic of the Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka Congo, Republic of the Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire Cook Islands Avarua, Avatiu Coral Sea Islands none; offshore anchorage only Costa Rica Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro Croatia Dubrovnik, Dugi Rat, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split, Vukovar (inland waterway port on Danube), Zadar Cuba Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba Cyprus Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Vasilikos Czech Republic Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem Denmark Abenra, Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Frederikshavn, Hirtshals, Kolding, Odense, Roenne (Bornholm), Vejle Djibouti Djibouti Dominica Portsmouth, Roseau Dominican Republic Barahona, La Romana, Manzanillo, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo East Timor NA Ecuador Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo Egypt Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez El Salvador Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El Triunfo Equatorial Guinea Bata, Luba, Malabo Eritrea Assab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits'iwa) Estonia Haapsalu, Kunda, Muuga, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn Ethiopia none; Ethiopia is landlocked and was by agreement with Eritrea using the ports of Assab and Massawa; since the border dispute with Eritrea flared, Ethiopia has used the port of Djibouti for nearly all of its imports Europa Island none; offshore anchorage only Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Stanley note: the primary port is located in Stanley Harbour and known locally as FIPASS (Falkland Interim Port and Storage System); the facility consists of seven permanently moored barges providing 300 meters of berthing space; it was installed by the military after 1982 and handed over to the Falkland Islands Government in 1988 Faroe Islands Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur Fiji Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Malau, Savusavu, Suva, Vuda Finland Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus France Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nates, Paris, Rouen, Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg French Guiana Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni French Polynesia Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa French Southern and Antarctic Lands none; offshore anchorage only Gabon Cap Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo, Port-Gentil Gambia, The Banjul Gaza Strip Gaza Georgia Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi Germany Berlin, Bonn, Brake, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cologne, Dresden, Duisburg, Emden, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Luebeck, Magdeburg, Mannheim, Rostock, Stuttgart Ghana Takoradi, Tema Gibraltar Gibraltar Glorioso Islands none; offshore anchorage only Greece Alexandroupolis, Elefsis, Irakleion (Crete), Kavala, Kerkyra, Chalkis, Igoumenitsa, Lavrion, Patrai, Peiraiefs (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Volos Greenland Aasiaat (Egedesminde), Ilulissat (Jakobshavn), Kangerlussuaq, Nanortalik, Narsarsuaq, Nuuk (Godthab), Qaqortoq (Julianehab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Tasiilaq (March 2001) Grenada Grenville, Saint George's Guadeloupe Basse-Terre, Gustavia (on Saint Barthelemy), Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre Guam Apra Harbor Guatemala Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla Guernsey Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Guinea Boke, Conakry, Kamsar Guinea-Bissau Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim Guyana Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika Haiti Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Les Cayes, Miragoane, Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc Heard Island and McDonald Islands none; offshore anchorage only Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras La Ceiba, Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela, Puerto Lempira Hong Kong Hong Kong Howland Island none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Hungary Budapest, Dunaujvaros Iceland Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar India Chennai (Madras), Cochin, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), Vishakhapatnam Indian Ocean Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta; India) Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South Africa) Indonesia Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Makassar, Palembang, Semarang, Surabaya Iran Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war), Ahvaz, Bandar 'Abbas, Bandar-e Anzali, Bushehr, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni, Bandar-e Lengeh, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Bandar-e Torkaman, Chabahar (Bandar Beheshti), Jazireh-ye Khark, Jazireh-ye Lavan, Jazireh-ye Sirri, Khorramshahr (limited operation since November 1992), Now Shahr Iraq Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have limited functionality Ireland Arklow, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Foynes, Galway, Limerick, New Ross, Waterford Israel Ashdod, Ashqelon, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa, Tel Aviv-Yafo Italy Augusta (Sicily), Bagnoli, Bari, Brindisi, Gela, Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Milazzo, Naples, Porto Foxi, Porto Torres (Sardinia), Salerno, Savona, Taranto, Trieste, Venice (2001) Jamaica Alligator Pond, Discovery Bay, Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Rocky Point, Port Esquivel (Longswharf) Jan Mayen none; offshore anchorage only Japan Akita, Amagasaki, Chiba, Hachinohe, Hakodate, Higashi-Harima, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kawasaki, Kinuura, Kobe, Kushiro, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Sakai, Sakaide, Shimizu, Tokyo, Tomakomai Jarvis Island none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner of the island Jersey Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Johnston Atoll Johnston Island Jordan Al 'Aqabah Juan de Nova Island none; offshore anchorage only Kazakhstan Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk) Kenya Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa Kingman Reef none; offshore anchorage only Kiribati Banaba, Betio, English Harbour, Kanton Korea, North Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan Korea, South Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o, P'ohang, Pusan, Tonghae-hang, Ulsan, Yosu Kuwait Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud Kyrgyzstan Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye) Laos none Latvia Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils Lebanon Antilyas, Batroun, Beirut, Chekka, El Mina, Ez Zahrani, Jbail, Jounie, Naqoura, Sidon, Tripoli, Tyre Lesotho none Liberia Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia, Robertsport Libya Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah, Ra's Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah Liechtenstein none Lithuania Butinge, Kaunas, Klaipeda Luxembourg Mertert Macau Macau Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of none Madagascar Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Malawi Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba Malaysia Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, George Town (Penang), Port Dickson, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjung Berhala, Tanjung Kidurong, Tawau Maldives Gan, Male Mali Koulikoro Malta Marsaxlokk, Valletta Man, Isle of Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey Marshall Islands Majuro Martinique Fort-de-France, La Trinite Mauritania Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso Mauritius Port Louis Mayotte Dzaoudzi Mexico Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, La Paz, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz Micronesia, Federated States of Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen Midway Islands Sand Island Moldova none Monaco Monaco Mongolia none Montserrat Plymouth (abandoned), Little Bay (anchorages and ferry landing), Carr's Bay Morocco Agadir, El Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla Mozambique Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane Namibia Luderitz, Walvis Bay Nauru Nauru Navassa Island none; offshore anchorage only Nepal none Netherlands Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, IJmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht, Vlissingen Netherlands Antilles Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad New Caledonia Mueo, Noumea, Thio New Zealand Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington Nicaragua Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur Niger none Nigeria Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri Niue none; offshore anchorage only Norfolk Island none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Northern Mariana Islands Saipan, Tinian Norway Bergen, Drammen, Floro, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger, Tromso, Trondheim Oman Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut Pacific Ocean Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Pakistan Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim Palau Koror Palmyra Atoll West Lagoon Panama Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area), Vacamonte Papua New Guinea Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul Paracel Islands small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded Paraguay Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion Peru Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado, Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reaches of the Amazon and its tributaries Philippines Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga Pitcairn Islands Adamstown (on Bounty Bay) Poland Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Ustka, Warsaw, Wroclaw Portugal Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castelo Puerto Rico Aguadilla, Arecibo, Fajardo, Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Mayaguez, Playa de Ponce, San Juan Qatar Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id (Musay'id) Reunion Le Port, Pointe des Galets Romania Braila, Constanta, Galati, Mangalia, Sulina, Tulcea Russia Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', De-Kastri, Indigirskiy, Kaliningrad, Kandalaksha, Kazan', Khabarovsk, Kholmsk, Krasnoyarsk, Lazarev, Mago, Mezen', Moscow, Murmansk, Nakhodka, Nevel'sk, Novorossiysk, Onega, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Rostov, Shakhtersk, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Taganrog, Tuapse, Uglegorsk, Vanino, Vladivostok, Volgograd, Vostochnyy, Vyborg Rwanda Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye Saint Helena Georgetown (on Ascension), Jamestown Saint Kitts and Nevis Basseterre, Charlestown Saint Lucia Castries, Vieux Fort Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Pierre Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Kingstown Samoa Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa San Marino none Sao Tome and Principe Santo Antonio, Sao Tome Saudi Arabia Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al Sinaiyah Senegal Dakar, Kaolack, Matam, Podor, Richard Toll, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor Serbia and Montenegro Bar, Belgrade, Kotor, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Tivat, Zelenika Seychelles Victoria Sierra Leone Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel Singapore Singapore Slovakia Bratislava, Komarno Slovenia Izola, Koper, Piran Solomon Islands Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina Somalia Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu South Africa Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Grytviken Southern Ocean McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica note: few ports or harbors exist on the southern side of the Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most of them to short periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without icebreaker escort; most antarctic ports are operated by government research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to commercial or private vessels; vessels in any port south of 60 degrees south are subject to inspection by Antarctic Treaty observers (see Article 7) Spain Aviles, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Cartagena, Castellon de la Plana, Ceuta, Huelva, La Coruna, Las Palmas (Canary Islands), Malaga, Melilla, Pasajes, Gijon, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Santander, Tarragona, Valencia, Vigo Spratly Islands none; offshore anchorage only Sri Lanka Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee Sudan Juba, Khartoum, Kusti, Malakal, Nimule, Port Sudan, Sawakin Suriname Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen Svalbard Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden Swaziland none Sweden Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall Switzerland Basel Syria Baniyas, Jablah, Latakia, Tartus Taiwan Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung Tajikistan none Tanzania Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar Thailand Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla Togo Kpeme, Lome Tokelau none; offshore anchorage only Tonga Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai Trinidad and Tobago Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora Tromelin Island none; offshore anchorage only Tunisia Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis Turkey Gemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun, Istanbul, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Icel (Mersin), Samsun, Trabzon Turkmenistan Turkmenbasy Turks and Caicos Islands Grand Turk, Providenciales Tuvalu Funafuti, Nukufetau Uganda Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell Ukraine Berdyans'k, Feodosiya, Illichivs'k, Izmayil, Kerch, Kherson, Kiev (Kyyiv), Kiliya, Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa, Reni, Sevastopol', Yalta, Yuzhnyy United Arab Emirates 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn United Kingdom Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Dover, Falmouth, Felixstowe, Glasgow, Grangemouth, Hull, Leith, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Peterhead, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Scapa Flow, Southampton, Sullom Voe, Teesport, Tyne United States Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon), Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo Uruguay Colonia, Fray Bentos, Juan La Caze, La Paloma, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Punta del Este, Piriapolis Uzbekistan Termiz (Amu Darya) Vanuatu Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) Venezuela Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon Vietnam Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Vinh, Vung Tau Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix Wake Island none; two offshore anchorages for large ships Wallis and Futuna Leava, Mata-Utu West Bank none Western Sahara Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) World Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, Mina' al Ahmadi (Kuwait), New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohama Yemen Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, As Salif, Ras Issa, Mocha, Nishtun Zambia Mpulungu Zimbabwe Binga, Kariba This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2121 Railways (km) Afghanistan total: 24.6 km broad gauge: 9.6 km 1.524-m gauge from Gushgy (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi; 15 km 1.524-m gauge from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya (2001) Albania total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Algeria total: 3,973 km standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2002) American Samoa 0 km Andorra 0 km Angola total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2002) Anguilla 0 km Antigua and Barbuda total: 77 km narrow gauge: 64 km 0.760-m gauge; 13 km 0.610-m gauge (used almost exclusively for handling sugarcane) (2001 est.) Argentina total: 34,463 km (168 km electrified) broad gauge: 20,736 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified) standard gauge: 3,115 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) narrow gauge: 10,375 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) Armenia total: 852 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 852 km 1.520-m gauge (779 km electrified) (2002) Aruba 0 km Australia total: 41,588 km (4,612 km electrified) broad gauge: 2,193 km 1.600-m gauge standard gauge: 23,648 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 15,456 km 1.067-m gauge dual gauge: 291 km dual gauge (2002) Austria total: 6,024 km (3,641 km electrified) standard gauge: 5,566 km 1.435-m gauge (3,524 km electrified) narrow gauge: 34 km 1.000-m gauge (28 km electrified); 424 km 0.760-m gauge (89 km electrified) (2002) Azerbaijan total: 2,122 km broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2002) Bahamas, The 0 km Bahrain 0 km Bangladesh total: 2,706 km broad gauge: 884 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Barbados 0 km Belarus total: 5,523 km broad gauge: 5,523 km 1.520-m gauge (875 km electrified) (2002) Belgium total: 3,471 km standard gauge: 3,471 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2002) Belize 0 km Benin total: 578 km narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Bermuda 0 km Bhutan 0 km Bolivia total: 3,519 km narrow gauge: 3,519 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 1,021 km (795 km electrified) standard gauge: 1,021 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Botswana total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Brazil total: 31,543 km (1,981 km electrified) broad gauge: 4,961 km 1.600-m gauge (692 km electrified) standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge (630 km electrified) narrow gauge: 25,992 km 1.000-m gauge (581 km electrified) dual gauge: 396 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (78 km electrified) (2002) British Virgin Islands 0 km Brunei total: 13 km (private line) narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge (2001 est.) Bulgaria total: 4,294 km standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified) narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2002) Burkina Faso total: 622 km narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge note:: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote D'Ivoire (2002) Burma total: 3,955 km narrow gauge: 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Burundi 0 km Cambodia total: 602 km narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Cameroon total: 1,008 km narrow gauge: 1,008 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Canada total: 49,422 km standard gauge: 49,422 km 1.435-m gauge (129 km electrified) (2002) Cape Verde 0 km Cayman Islands 0 km Central African Republic 0 km Chad 0 km Chile total: 6,585 km broad gauge: 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) China total: 71,600 km standard gauge: 68,000 km 1.435-m gauge (14,600 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,600 km 1.000-m and 0.750-m gauge local industrial lines (2002) Christmas Island 24 km to serve phosphate mines Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0 km Colombia total: 3,304 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Comoros 0 km Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 4,772 km narrow gauge: 3,621 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge (2002) Congo, Republic of the total: 894 km narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Cook Islands 0 km Costa Rica total: 950 km narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) (2002) Cote d'Ivoire total: 660 km narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso (2002) Croatia total: 2,296 km standard gauge: 2,296 km 1.435-m gauge (983 km electrified) (2002) Cuba total: 3,442 km standard gauge: 3,442 km 1.435-m gauge (142 km electrified) note: an additional 7,742 km of track is used by sugar plantations; about 65% of this track is standard gauge; the rest is narrow gauge (2002) Cyprus 0 km Czech Republic total: 9,462 km standard gauge: 9,363 km 1.435-m gauge (1,745 km electrified) narrow gauge: 99 km 0.760-m gauge (2002) Denmark total: 3,164 km standard gauge: 2,324 km 1.435-m gauge (595 km electrified) note:: total includes 840 km of suburban track (2002) Djibouti total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2002) Dominica 0 km Dominican Republic total: 1,503 km standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge note:: 986 km also operated by sugar companies in 1.076-m, 0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges (2002) East Timor 0 km Ecuador total: 966 km narrow gauge: 966 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Egypt total: 5,105 km standard gauge: 5,105 km 1.435-m gauge (42 km electrified) (2002) El Salvador total: 283 km narrow gauge: 283 km 0.914-m gauge note: length of operational route reduced from 562 km to 283 km by disuse and lack of maintenance (2002) Equatorial Guinea total: 0 km Eritrea total: 306 km narrow gauge: 306 km 0.950-m gauge note: railway is being rebuilt (2002) Estonia total: 968 km broad gauge: 968 km 1.520-m/1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) note:: gauge being increased from 1.520-m to 1.524-m to reduce wear on wheels and rail as lines are modernized (2002) Ethiopia total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 km Faroe Islands 0 km Fiji total: 597 km narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to September) (2002) Finland total: 5,850 km broad gauge: 5,850 km 1.524-m gauge (2,400 km electrified) (2002) France total: 32,682 km standard gauge: 32,515 km 1.435-m gauge (14,104 km electrified) narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) French Guiana 0 km French Polynesia 0 km Gabon total: 814 km standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Gambia, The 0 km Gaza Strip total: NA km; note - one line, abandoned and in disrepair, little trackage remains (2001 est.) Georgia total: 1,612 km broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (2002) Germany total: 45,514 km (21,000 km electrified) standard gauge: 45,276 km 1.435-m gauge (20,084 km electrified) narrow gauge: 214 km 1.000-m gauge (16 km electrified); 24 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) Ghana total: 953 km narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Greece total: 2,571 km (764 km electrified) standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge dual gauge: 23 km combined 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail system) (2002) Greenland 0 km Grenada 0 km Guadeloupe NA km; privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines Guam 0 km Guatemala total: 886 km narrow gauge: 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Guernsey 5 km Guinea total: 1,115 km standard gauge: 311 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 804 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Guinea-Bissau 0 km Guyana total: 187 km standard gauge: 139 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge note: all dedicated to ore transport (2001 est.) Haiti total: 40 km narrow gauge: 40 km 0.760-m gauge; single-track note: privately owned industrial line; closed in early 1990s (2001 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) total: 0.86 km standard gauge: 0.86 km 1.435-m gauge note: a spur of the Italian Railways system, serving Rome's Saint Peter's station (2001 est.) Honduras total: 699 km narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Hong Kong total: 34 km standard gauge: 34 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified and double-tracked) note: connects to China railway system at Hong Kong-China border (2001) Hungary total: 7,875 km broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,620 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified) narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge note: Hungary and Austria jointly manage a cross-border, standard-gauge railway connecting Gyor, Sopron, and Ebenfurt (Gysev railroad) with a route length of 101 km in Hungary and 65 km in Austria; 156 km of this line is electrified (2002) Iceland 0 km India total: 63,518 km (15,009 km electrified) broad gauge: 45,142 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 15,013 km 1.000-m gauge; 3,363 km 0.762-m gauge and 0.610-m gauge (2002) Indonesia total: 6,458 km narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (125 km electrified); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) Iran total: 7,201 km broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge standard gauge: 7,107 km 1.435-m gauge (146 km electrified) (2002) Iraq total: 1,963 km standard gauge: 1,963 km 1.435-m gauge (2003) Ireland total: 3,312 km broad gauge: 1,947 km 1.600-m gauge (46 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2002) Israel total: 640 km standard gauge: 640 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Italy total: 19,493 km standard gauge: 18,090 km 1.435-m gauge (11,375 km electrified) narrow gauge: 88 km 1.000-m gauge (88 km electrified); 1,315 km 0.950-m gauge (189 km electrified) (2002) Jamaica total: 272 km standard gauge: 272 km 1.435-m gauge; note - 207 km, belonging to the Jamaica Railway Corporation, were in common carrier service but are no longer operational; the remaining track is privately owned and used to transport bauxite (2002) Japan total: 23,168 km (15,995 km electrified) standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified) narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 19,855 km 1.067-m gauge (12,683 km electrified); 31 km 0.762-m gauge (31 km electrified) (2002) Jersey 0 km Jordan total: 505 km narrow gauge: 505 km 1.050-m gauge (2002) Juan de Nova Island total: NA km; short line going to a jetty Kazakhstan total: 13,601 km broad gauge: 13,601 km 1.520-m gauge (3,661 km electrified) (2002) Kenya total: 2,778 km narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Kiribati 0 km Korea, North total: 5,214 km standard gauge: 4,549 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) narrow gauge: 665 km 0.762-m gauge (2002) Korea, South total: 3,125 km standard gauge: 3,125 km 1.435-m gauge (661 km electrified) (2002) Kuwait 0 km Kyrgyzstan total: 420 km broad gauge: 420 km 1.520-m gauge (2002) Laos 0 km Latvia total: 2,347 km broad gauge: 2,314 km 1.520-m gauge (270 km electrified) narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) Lebanon total: 401 km standard gauge: 319 km 1.435-m narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050-m note: rail system is unusable because of damage in civil war (2002) Lesotho total: 2.6 km; note - owned by, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa narrow gauge: 2.6 km 1.067-m gauge (1995) Liberia total: 490 km standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge note: none of the railways are in operation (2002) Libya 0 km Liechtenstein total: 18.5 km standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified) note: owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways (2002) Lithuania total: 1,998 km broad gauge: 1,807 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 169 km 0.750-m gauge (all service suspended) (2002) Luxembourg total: 274 km standard gauge: 274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified) (2002) Macau 0 km Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) (2002) Madagascar total: 732 km narrow gauge: 732 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Malawi total: 797 km narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Malaysia total: 2,418 km standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,361 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2002) Maldives 0 km Mali total: 729 km narrow gauge: 729 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Malta 0 km Man, Isle of total: 60 km (35 km electrified) (2002) Marshall Islands 0 km Martinique 0 km Mauritania 717 km standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Mauritius 0 km Mayotte 0 km Mexico total: 19,510 km standard gauge: 19,510 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of 0 km Moldova total: 1,300 km broad gauge: 1,300 km 1.520-m gauge (2002) Monaco total: 1.7 km standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Mongolia 1,815 km broad gauge: 1,815 km 1.524-m gauge (2002) Montserrat 0 km Morocco total: 1,907 km standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (2002) Mozambique total: 3,123 km narrow gauge: 2,983 km 1.067-m gauge; 140 km 0.762-m gauge (2002) Namibia total: 2,382 km narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Nauru total: 5 km note: gauge unknown; used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast (2001) Nepal total: 59 km narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2002) Netherlands total: 2,808 km standard gauge: 2,808 km 1.435-m gauge (2,061 km electrified) (2002) Netherlands Antilles 0 km New Caledonia 0 km New Zealand total: 3,898 km narrow gauge: 3,898 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2002) Nicaragua total: 6 km narrow gauge: 6 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Niger 0 km Nigeria total: 3,557 km narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge standard gauge: 52 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Niue 0 km Norfolk Island 0 km Northern Mariana Islands 0 km Norway total: 4,178 km standard gauge: 4,178 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2002) Oman 0 km Pakistan total: 8,163 km broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified) narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Palau 0 km Panama total: 355 km broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Papua New Guinea 0 km Paraguay total: 441 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Peru total: 1,829 km standard gauge: 1,515 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 314 km 0.914-m gauge (2002) Philippines total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (405 km are not in operation) (2002) Pitcairn Islands 0 km Poland total: 23,420 km broad gauge: 646 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 21,639 km 1.435-m gauge (11,626 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,135 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m, 0.750-m, and 0.600-m (2002) Portugal total: 2,850 km broad gauge: 2,576 km 1.668-m gauge (623 km electrified) narrow gauge: 274 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Puerto Rico total: 96 km narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Qatar 0 km Reunion 0 km Romania total: 11,385 km (3,888 km electrified) standard gauge: 10,898 km 1.435-m gauge broad gage: 60 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2002) Russia total: 87,157 km broad gauge: 86,200 km 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified) narrow gauge: 957 km 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island) note:: an additional 30,000 km of non-common carrrier lines serve industries (2002) Rwanda 0 km Saint Helena 0 km Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 50 km narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane plantations during harvest season (2002) Saint Lucia 0 km Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 km Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 km Samoa 0 km San Marino 0 km; note - there is a 1.5-km cable railway connecting the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore Sao Tome and Principe 0 km Saudi Arabia total: 1,392 km standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2002) Senegal total: 906 km narrow gauge: 906 km 1.000-meter gauge (2002) Serbia and Montenegro total: 4,059 km standard gauge: 4,059 km 1.435-m gauge (1,364 km electrified) (2002) Seychelles 0 km Sierra Leone total: 84 km narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge note: Sierra Leone has no common carrier railroads; the existing railroad is private and used on a limited basis while the mine at Marampa is closed (2001) Singapore total: 38.6 km narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge note: there is also an 83 km mass transit system with 48 stations Slovakia total: 3,668 km broad gauge: 106 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 3,511 km 1.435-m gauge (1,567 km electrified) narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (2002) Slovenia total: 1,201 km standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (499 km electrified) (2002) Solomon Islands 0 km Somalia 0 km South Africa total: 22,298 km narrow gauge: 21,984 km 1.065-m gauge (10,436 km electrified); 314 km 0.610-m gauge note: includes a 2,228 km commuter rail system (2002) Spain total: 14,189 km broad gauge: 11,804 km 1.668-m gauge (6,409 km electrified) standard gauge: 455 km 1.435-m gauge (455 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,902 km 1.000-m gauge (781 km electrified); 28 km 0.914-m gauge (28 km electrified) (2002) Sri Lanka total: 1,508 km broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2002) Sudan total: 5,978 km narrow gauge: 4,578 km 1.067-m gauge; 1,400 km 0.600-m gauge plantation line (2002) Suriname total: 166 km (single-track) standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge note: Suriname railroads are not in operation (2001) Svalbard 0 km Swaziland total: 301 km narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Sweden total: 11,481 km standard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2002) Switzerland total: 4,511 km standard gauge: 3,483 km 1.435-m gauge (3,472 km electrified) narrow gauge: 982 km 1.000-m gauge (975 km electrified); 46 km 0.800-m gauge (46 km electrified) (2002) Syria total: 2,743 km standard gauge: 2,425 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 318 km 1.050-m gauge (2002) Taiwan total: 1,108 km narrow gauge: 1,108 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified) note: there also are 1,255 km of 1.067-m gauge routes belonging to the Taiwan Sugar Corporation and to the Taiwan Forestry Bureau used to haul products and limited numbers of passengers (2002) Tajikistan total: 482 km broad gauge: 482 km 1.520-m gauge (2002) Tanzania total: 3,690 km narrow gauge: 2,721 km 1.000-m gauge; 969 km 1.067-m gauge (2002) Thailand total: 4,071 km narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Togo total: 525 km narrow gauge: 525 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Tokelau 0 km Tonga 0 km Trinidad and Tobago minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; common carrier railway service was discontinued in 1968 (2001) Tunisia total: 2,152 km standard gauge: 468 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,674 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) dual gauge: 10 km 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rails) (2002) Turkey total: 8,607 km standard gauge: 8,607 km 1.435-m gauge (2,131 km electrified) (2002) Turkmenistan total: 2,440 km broad gauge: 2,440 km 1.520-m gauge (2002) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 km Tuvalu 0 km Uganda total: 1,241 km narrow gauge: 1,241 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) Ukraine total: 22,473 km broad gauge: 22,473 km 1.524-m gauge (9,250 km electrified) (2002) United Arab Emirates 0 km United Kingdom total: 16,893 km standard gauge: 16,536 km 1.435-m gauge (4,928 km electrified) broad gauge: 357 km 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) (2002) United States total: 194,731 km mainline routes standard gauge: 194,731 km 1.435-m gauge note: represents the aggregate length of roadway of all line-haul railroads including an estimate for class II and III railroads; excludes 135,185 km of yard tracks, sidings, and parallel lines (2000) Uruguay total: 2,073 km standard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gauge note: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are in partial use (2002) Uzbekistan total: 3,950 km broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2002) Vanuatu 0 km Venezuela total: 682 km standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) Vietnam total: 3,142 km standard gauge: 209 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,625 km 1.000-m gauge dual gauge: 308 km three-rail track combining 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (2002) Virgin Islands 0 km Wallis and Futuna 0 km West Bank 0 km Western Sahara 0 km World total: 1,122,650 km includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km of electrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in the Far East, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and 4,160 km in North America; note - fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained by France's Societe Nationale des Chemins-de-Fer Francais (SNCF) Le Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) - Atlantique line broad gauge: 251,153 km standard gauge: 710,754 km narrow gauge: 239,430 km Yemen 0 km Zambia total: 2,173 km narrow gauge: 2,173 km 1.067-m gauge note: includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) (2002) Zimbabwe total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) note: includes the 318 km Bulawayo-Beitbridge Railway Company line (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2122 Religions (%) Afghanistan Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1% Albania Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Algeria Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% American Samoa Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30% Andorra Roman Catholic (predominant) Angola indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.) Anguilla Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12% Antigua and Barbuda Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic) Argentina nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4% Armenia Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 2% Aruba Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish Australia Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6% Austria Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other 17% Azerbaijan Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower Bahamas, The Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2% Bahrain Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30% Bangladesh Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998) Barbados Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12% Belarus Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Belgium Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Belize Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000) Benin indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% Bermuda non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 19% Bhutan Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Bolivia Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) Bosnia and Herzegovina Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10% Botswana indigenous beliefs 85%, Christian 15% Brazil Roman Catholic (nominal) 80% British Virgin Islands Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991) Brunei Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10% Bulgaria Bulgarian Orthodox 83.8%, Muslim 12.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, Jewish 0.1%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other 2.3% (1998) Burkina Faso indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Burma Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% Burundi Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10% Cambodia Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5% Cameroon indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20% Canada Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 36%, other 18% note: based on the 1991 census Cape Verde Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Cayman Islands United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic Central African Republic indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority Chad Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7% Chile Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL% China Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) Christmas Island Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) Colombia Roman Catholic 90% Comoros Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Congo, Democratic Republic of the Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs 10% Congo, Republic of the Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Cook Islands Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) Costa Rica Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Cote d'Ivoire Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40% (2001) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) Croatia Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, Muslim 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, others and unknown 6.2% (2001) Cuba nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented Cyprus Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4% Czech Republic Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%, atheist 39.8% Denmark Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2% Djibouti Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Dominica Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% Dominican Republic Roman Catholic 95% East Timor Roman Catholic 90%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 3%, Hindu 0.5%, Buddhist, Animist (1992 est.) Ecuador Roman Catholic 95% Egypt Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6% El Salvador Roman Catholic 83% note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador Equatorial Guinea nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Eritrea Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Estonia Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Jewish Ethiopia Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8% Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Faroe Islands Evangelical Lutheran Fiji Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986) Finland Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1% France Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% French Guiana Roman Catholic French Polynesia Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% Gabon Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% Gambia, The Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% Gaza Strip Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.6% Georgia Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6% Germany Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3% Ghana indigenous beliefs 21%, Muslim 16%, Christian 63% Gibraltar Roman Catholic 76.9%, Church of England 6.9%, Muslim 6.9%, Jewish 2.3%, none or other 7% (1991) Greece Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Greenland Evangelical Lutheran Grenada Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2% Guadeloupe Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant 1% Guam Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.) Guatemala Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs Guernsey Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist Guinea Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Guinea-Bissau indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5% Guyana Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5% Haiti Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982) note: roughly half of the population also practices Voodoo Holy See (Vatican City) Roman Catholic Honduras Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority Hong Kong eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Hungary Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5% Iceland Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002) India Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% (2000) Indonesia Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998) Iran Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 10%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 1% Iraq Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Ireland Roman Catholic 91.6%, Church of Ireland 2.5%, other 5.9% (1998) Israel Jewish 80.1%, Muslim 14.6% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian 2.1%, other 3.2% (1996 est.) Italy predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community Jamaica Protestant 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican 5.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other, including some spiritual cults 34.7% Japan observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%) Jersey Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian Jordan Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.) Kazakhstan Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7% Kenya Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim 10%, other 2% note: a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely Kiribati Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant (Congregational) 40%, some Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, and Church of God (1999) Korea, North traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Korea, South Christian 49%, Buddhist 47%, Confucianist 3%, Shamanist, Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way), and other 1% Kuwait Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% Kyrgyzstan Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5% Laos Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) Latvia Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Lebanon Muslim 70% (including Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 30% (including Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Protestant), Jewish NEGL% Lesotho Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20% Liberia indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20% Libya Sunni Muslim 97% Liechtenstein Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002) Lithuania Roman Catholic (primarily), Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical Christian Baptist, Muslim, Jewish Luxembourg 87% Roman Catholic, 13% Protestants, Jews, and Muslims (2000) Macau Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3% Madagascar indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% Malawi Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 3%, other 2% Malaysia Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; note - in addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia Maldives Sunni Muslim Mali Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Malta Roman Catholic 98% Man, Isle of Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Marshall Islands Christian (mostly Protestant) Martinique Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 10.5%, Muslim 0.5%, Hindu 0.5%, other 3.5% (1997) Mauritania Muslim 100% Mauritius Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1% Mayotte Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) Mexico nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5% Micronesia, Federated States of Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47% Moldova Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000) Monaco Roman Catholic 90% Mongolia Tibetan Buddhist Lamaism 96%, Muslim (primarily in the southwest), Shamanism, and Christian 4% (1998) Montserrat Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations Morocco Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% Mozambique indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% Namibia Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Nauru Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic) Nepal Hinduism 86.2%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.8%, other 2.2% note: only official Hindu state in the world (1995) Netherlands Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40% (1998) Netherlands Antilles Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist New Caledonia Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10% New Zealand Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33% (1986) Nicaragua Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant Niger Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian Nigeria Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% Niue Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 75%, Latter-Day Saints 10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist) Norfolk Island Anglican 37.4%, Uniting Church in Australia 14.5%, Roman Catholic 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, none 12.2%, unknown 17.4%, other 3.9% (1996) Northern Mariana Islands Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Norway Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and unknown 10% (1997) Oman Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu Pakistan Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3% Palau Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this religion, which is indigenous to Palau) Panama Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% Papua New Guinea Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs 34% Paraguay Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant Peru Roman Catholic 90% Philippines Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% Pitcairn Islands Seventh-Day Adventist 100% Poland Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5% Portugal Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995) Puerto Rico Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15% Qatar Muslim 95% Reunion Roman Catholic 86%, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist (1995) Romania Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 87%, Protestant 6.8%, Catholic 5.6%, other (mostly Muslim) 0.4%, unaffiliated 0.2% (2002) Russia Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other Rwanda Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001) Saint Helena Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic Saint Kitts and Nevis Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic Saint Lucia Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 3%, other Protestant 7% Saint Pierre and Miquelon Roman Catholic 99% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, Hindu Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant Samoa Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist) San Marino Roman Catholic Sao Tome and Principe Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist) Saudi Arabia Muslim 100% Senegal Muslim 94%, indigenous beliefs 1%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic) Serbia and Montenegro Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 11% Seychelles Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1% Sierra Leone Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10% Singapore Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist Slovakia Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5% Slovenia Roman Catholic (Uniate 2%) 70.8%, Lutheran 1%, Muslim 1%, atheist 4.3%, other 22.9% Solomon Islands Anglican 45%, Roman Catholic 18%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 12%, Baptist 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, other Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs 4% Somalia Sunni Muslim South Africa Christian 68% (includes most whites and Coloreds, about 60% of blacks and about 40% of Indians), Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5% (60% of Indians), indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5% Spain Roman Catholic 94%, other 6% Sri Lanka Buddhist 70%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 7% (1999) Sudan Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum) Suriname Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5% Swaziland Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30% Sweden Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist Switzerland Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990) Syria Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo) Taiwan mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5% Tajikistan Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5% Tanzania mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim Thailand Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991) Togo indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Muslim 20% Tokelau Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant Tonga Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents) Trinidad and Tobago Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7% Tunisia Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1% Turkey Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Turkmenistan Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2% Turks and Caicos Islands Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990) Tuvalu Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6% Uganda Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18% Ukraine Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish United Arab Emirates Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% United Kingdom Anglican and Roman Catholic 40 million, Muslim 1.5 million, Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 500,000, Hindu 500,000, Jewish 350,000 United States Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10% (1989) Uruguay Roman Catholic 66% (less than half of the adult population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, nonprofessing or other 31% Uzbekistan Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Vanuatu Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% (including Jon Frum Cargo cult) Venezuela nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Vietnam Buddhist, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic, some Protestant), indigenous beliefs, Muslim Virgin Islands Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Wallis and Futuna Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% West Bank Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8% Western Sahara Muslim World Christians 32.79% (of which Roman Catholics 17.33%, Protestants 5.62%, Orthodox 3.51%, Anglicans 1.31%), Muslims 19.6%, Hindus 13.31%, Buddhists 5.88%, Sikhs 0.38%, Jews 0.24%, other religions 12.83%, non-religious 12.53%, atheists 2.44% (2001 est.) Yemen Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu Zambia Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1% Zimbabwe syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1% This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2123 Suffrage Afghanistan NA; previously males 15-50 years of age Albania 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Algeria 18 years of age; universal American Samoa 18 years of age; universal Andorra 18 years of age; universal Angola 18 years of age; universal Anguilla 18 years of age; universal Antigua and Barbuda 18 years of age; universal Argentina 18 years of age; universal and mandatory Armenia 18 years of age; universal Aruba 18 years of age; universal Australia 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Austria 18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential elections Azerbaijan 18 years of age; universal Bahamas, The 18 years of age; universal Bahrain 18 years of age; universal Bangladesh 18 years of age; universal Barbados 18 years of age; universal Belarus 18 years of age; universal Belgium 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Belize 18 years of age; universal Benin 18 years of age; universal Bermuda 18 years of age; universal Bhutan each family has one vote in village-level elections Bolivia 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single) Bosnia and Herzegovina 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal Botswana 18 years of age; universal Brazil voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age British Virgin Islands 18 years of age; universal Brunei none Bulgaria 18 years of age; universal Burkina Faso universal Burma 18 years of age; universal Burundi NA years of age; universal adult Cambodia 18 years of age; universal Cameroon 20 years of age; universal Canada 18 years of age; universal Cape Verde 18 years of age; universal Cayman Islands 18 years of age; universal Central African Republic 21 years of age; universal Chad 18 years of age; universal Chile 18 years of age; universal and compulsory China 18 years of age; universal Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 18 years of age; universal Comoros 18 years of age; universal Congo, Democratic Republic of the 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Congo, Republic of the 18 years of age; universal Cook Islands NA years of age; universal adult Costa Rica 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Cote d'Ivoire 18 years of age; universal Croatia 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Cuba 16 years of age; universal Cyprus 18 years of age; universal Czech Republic 18 years of age; universal Denmark 18 years of age; universal Djibouti 18 years of age; universal adult Dominica 18 years of age; universal Dominican Republic 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote East Timor 17 years of age; universal Ecuador 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters Egypt 18 years of age; universal and compulsory El Salvador 18 years of age; universal Equatorial Guinea 18 years of age; universal adult Eritrea 18 years of age; universal Estonia 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens Ethiopia 18 years of age; universal Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 18 years of age; universal Faroe Islands 18 years of age; universal Fiji 21 years of age; universal Finland 18 years of age; universal France 18 years of age; universal French Guiana 18 years of age; universal French Polynesia 18 years of age; universal Gabon 21 years of age; universal Gambia, The 18 years of age; universal Georgia 18 years of age; universal Germany 18 years of age; universal Ghana 18 years of age; universal Gibraltar 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have been residents six months or more Greece 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Greenland 18 years of age; universal Grenada 18 years of age; universal Guadeloupe 18 years of age; universal Guam 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections Guatemala 18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day) Guernsey 18 years of age; universal Guinea 18 years of age; universal Guinea-Bissau 18 years of age; universal Guyana 18 years of age; universal Haiti 18 years of age; universal Holy See (Vatican City) limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Honduras 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Hong Kong direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies Hungary 18 years of age; universal Iceland 18 years of age; universal India 18 years of age; universal Indonesia 17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age Iran 15 years of age; universal Iraq formerly 18 years of age; universal; note - in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland 18 years of age; universal Israel 18 years of age; universal Italy 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25) Jamaica 18 years of age; universal Japan 20 years of age; universal Jersey NA years of age; universal adult Jordan 18 years of age; universal Kazakhstan 18 years of age; universal Kenya 18 years of age; universal Kiribati 18 years of age; universal Korea, North 17 years of age; universal Korea, South 20 years of age; universal Kuwait adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21 note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time Kyrgyzstan 18 years of age; universal Laos 18 years of age; universal Latvia 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens Lebanon 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education Lesotho 18 years of age; universal Liberia 18 years of age; universal Libya 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Liechtenstein 18 years of age; universal Lithuania 18 years of age; universal Luxembourg 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Macau direct election 18 years of age, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 18 years of age; universal Madagascar 18 years of age; universal Malawi 18 years of age; universal Malaysia 21 years of age; universal Maldives 21 years of age; universal Mali 18 years of age; universal Malta 18 years of age; universal Man, Isle of 18 years of age; universal Marshall Islands 18 years of age; universal Martinique 18 years of age; universal Mauritania 18 years of age; universal Mauritius 18 years of age; universal Mayotte 18 years of age; universal Mexico 18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced) Micronesia, Federated States of 18 years of age; universal Moldova 18 years of age; universal Monaco 21 years of age; universal Mongolia 18 years of age; universal Montserrat 18 years of age; universal Morocco 18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003) Mozambique 18 years of age; universal Namibia 18 years of age; universal Nauru 20 years of age; universal and compulsory Nepal 18 years of age; universal Netherlands 18 years of age; universal Netherlands Antilles 18 years of age; universal New Caledonia 18 years of age; universal New Zealand 18 years of age; universal Nicaragua 16 years of age; universal Niger 18 years of age; universal Nigeria 18 years of age; universal Niue 18 years of age; universal Norfolk Island 18 years of age; universal Northern Mariana Islands 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Norway 18 years of age; universal Oman in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for the Majlis al-Shura Pakistan 18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims Palau 18 years of age; universal Panama 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Papua New Guinea 18 years of age; universal Paraguay 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75 Peru 18 years of age; universal Philippines 18 years of age; universal Pitcairn Islands 18 years of age; universal with three years residency Poland 18 years of age; universal Portugal 18 years of age; universal Puerto Rico 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Qatar 18 years of age; universal Reunion 18 years of age; universal Romania 18 years of age; universal Russia 18 years of age; universal Rwanda 18 years of age; universal adult Saint Helena NA years of age Saint Kitts and Nevis 18 years of age; universal Saint Lucia 18 years of age; universal Saint Pierre and Miquelon 18 years of age; universal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18 years of age; universal Samoa 21 years of age; universal San Marino 18 years of age; universal Sao Tome and Principe 18 years of age; universal Saudi Arabia none Senegal 18 years of age; universal Serbia and Montenegro 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal Seychelles 17 years of age; universal Sierra Leone 18 years of age; universal Singapore 21 years of age; universal and compulsory Slovakia 18 years of age; universal Slovenia 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Solomon Islands 21 years of age; universal Somalia 18 years of age; universal South Africa 18 years of age; universal Spain 18 years of age; universal Sri Lanka 18 years of age; universal Sudan 17 years of age; universal, but noncompulsory Suriname 18 years of age; universal Swaziland 18 years of age Sweden 18 years of age; universal Switzerland 18 years of age; universal Syria 18 years of age; universal Taiwan 20 years of age; universal Tajikistan 18 years of age; universal Tanzania 18 years of age; universal Thailand 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Togo NA years of age; universal adult Tokelau 21 years of age; universal Tonga 21 years of age; universal Trinidad and Tobago 18 years of age; universal Tunisia 20 years of age; universal Turkey 18 years of age; universal Turkmenistan 18 years of age; universal Turks and Caicos Islands 18 years of age; universal Tuvalu 18 years of age; universal Uganda 18 years of age; universal Ukraine 18 years of age; universal United Arab Emirates none United Kingdom 18 years of age; universal United States 18 years of age; universal Uruguay 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Uzbekistan 18 years of age; universal Vanuatu 18 years of age; universal Venezuela 18 years of age; universal Vietnam 18 years of age; universal Virgin Islands 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Wallis and Futuna 18 years of age; universal Western Sahara none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed Yemen 18 years of age; universal Zambia 18 years of age; universal Zimbabwe 18 years of age; universal This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2124 Telephone system Afghanistan general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph service domestic: in 1997, telecommunications links were established between Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Kabul through satellite and microwave systems international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); commercial satellite telephone center in Ghazni Albania general assessment: Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for every village; in 1992, following the fall of the Communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece Algeria general assessment: telephone density in Algeria is very low, not exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed main lines increased in the last few years to a little more than 2,000,000, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers; much of the infrastructure is outdated and inefficient domestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic earth stations are planned) international: 5 submarine cables; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat (1998) American Samoa general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Andorra general assessment: NA domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: landline circuits to France and Spain Angola general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Anguilla general assessment: NA domestic: modern internal telephone system international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) Antarctica general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: NA international: via satellite from some research stations Antigua and Barbuda general assessment: NA domestic: good automatic telephone system international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe Argentina general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunication technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; the major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is being improved; however, telephone density is presently minimal, and making telephone service universally available will take time domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding international: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables; two international gateways near Buenos Aires (1999) Armenia general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion domestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service) international: Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and through the Moscow international switch and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (2000) Aruba general assessment: NA domestic: more than adequate international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links Australia general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones international: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean regions) (1998) Austria general assessment: highly developed and efficient domestic: there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons; the fiber optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat; in addition, there are about 600 VSAT (very small aperture terminals) (2002) Azerbaijan general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low (2002) domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and other industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than Turkey (1997) Bahamas, The general assessment: modern facilities domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed international: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997) Bahrain general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones international: tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997) Bangladesh general assessment: totally inadequate for a modern country domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2000) Barbados general assessment: NA domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia Belarus general assessment: the Ministry of Telecommunications controls all telecommunications through its carrier (a joint stock company) Beltelcom which is a monopoly domestic: local - Minsk has a digital metropolitan network and a cellular NMT-450 network; waiting lists for telephones are long; local service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity - Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus's fiber optics form synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries' systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational international: Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations Belgium general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat Belize general assessment: above-average system domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Benin general assessment: NA domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable Bermuda general assessment: NA domestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Bhutan general assessment: NA domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990) Bolivia general assessment: new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile cellular telephone use expanding rapidly domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Bosnia and Herzegovina general assessment: telephone and telegraph network needs modernization and expansion; many urban areas are below average as contrasted with services in other former Yugoslav republics domestic: NA international: no satellite earth stations Botswana general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of mobile cellular service and participation in regional development domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile cellular service is growing fast international: two international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Brazil general assessment: good working system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations international: 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station British Indian Ocean Territory general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet international: international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000) British Virgin Islands general assessment: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: submarine cable to Bermuda Brunei general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001) Bulgaria general assessment: extensive but antiquated domestic: more than two-thirds of the lines are residential; telephone service is available in most villages; a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of the regions, the others are connected by digital microwave radio relay international: direct dialing to 58 countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 2 Intelsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) Burkina Faso general assessment: all services only fair domestic: microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Burma general assessment: meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government; international service is good domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Burundi general assessment: primitive system domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Cambodia general assessment: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; rural areas have little telephone service domestic: NA international: adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Cameroon general assessment: available only to business and government domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Canada general assessment: excellent service provided by modern technology domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations international: 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) Cape Verde general assessment: effective system, being improved domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic cable system which is scheduled for completion in 2003 international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Cayman Islands general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Central African Republic general assessment: fair system domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Chad general assessment: primitive system domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Chile general assessment: modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) China general assessment: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); several international fiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, and Germany (2000) Christmas Island general assessment: service provided by the Australian network domestic: only analog mobile telephone service is available international: satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000) Cocos (Keeling) Islands general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication system domestic: NA international: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type (2002) Colombia general assessment: modern system in many respects domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities international: satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat; 3 fully digitalized international switching centers; 8 submarine cables Comoros general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion Congo, Democratic Republic of the general assessment: poor domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Congo, Republic of the general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Cook Islands general assessment: NA domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Costa Rica general assessment: very good domestic telephone service domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available international: connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999) Cote d'Ivoire general assessment: well developed by African standards but operating well below capacity domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial submarine cables (June 1999) Croatia general assessment: NA domestic: reconstruction plan calls for replacement of all analog circuits with digital and enlarging the network; a backup will be included in the plan for the main trunk international: digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of two fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; Croatia is also investing in ADRIA 1, a joint fiber-optic project with Germany, Albania, and Greece (2000) Cuba general assessment: NA domestic: principal trunk system, end to end of country, is coaxial cable; fiber-optic distribution in Havana and on Isla de la Juventud; 2 microwave radio relay installations (one is old, US-built; the other newer, built during the period of Soviet support); both analog and digital mobile cellular service established international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) Cyprus general assessment: excellent in both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay international: tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat Czech Republic general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; growth in the use of mobile cellular telephones is particularly vigorous domestic: 86% of exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems now being enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar Denmark general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems international: 18 submarine fiber-optic cables linking Denmark with Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Canada; satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (1997) Djibouti general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country domestic: microwave radio relay network international: submarine cable to Jiddah, Suez, Sicily, Marseilles, Colombo, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network Dominica general assessment: NA domestic: fully automatic network international: microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia Dominican Republic general assessment: NA domestic: relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwave radio relay network international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) East Timor NA Ecuador general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Egypt general assessment: large system; underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Internet access and cellular service are available domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel and a signatory to Project Oxygen (a global submarine fiber-optic cable system) El Salvador general assessment: NA domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System Equatorial Guinea general assessment: poor system with adequate government services domestic: NA international: international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Eritrea general assessment: inadequate domestic: very inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002) international: NA; note - international connections exist Estonia general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; internet services are available throughout most of the country - only about 11,000 subscriber requests were unfilled by September 2000 domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and internet services is available throughout the country international: fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; two international switches are located in Tallinn (2001) Ethiopia general assessment: open-wire and microwave radio relay system; adequate for government use domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service international: open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) general assessment: NA domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries Faroe Islands general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed international: satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable Fiji general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center domestic: NA international: access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Finland general assessment: modern system with excellent service domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and an extensive cellular net provide domestic needs international: 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) France general assessment: highly developed domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries French Guiana general assessment: NA domestic: fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) French Polynesia general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Gabon general assessment: adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of the growing mobile cell system domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable to be in service in 2002 Gambia, The general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire international: microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Gaza Strip general assessment: NA domestic: rudimentary telephone services provided by an open-wire system international: NA Georgia general assessment: NA domestic: local - T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi have cellular telephone networks; urban telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available international: Georgia and Russia are working on a fiber-optic line between P'ot'i and Sochi (Russia); present international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available Germany general assessment: Germany has one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part domestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries international: Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the INMARSAT, INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, and INTERSPUTNIK satellite systems (2001) Ghana general assessment: poor to fair system; Internet accessible; many rural communities not yet connected; expansion of services is underway domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors Gibraltar general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Greece general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands international: tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) Greenland general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995 domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite international: satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean) Grenada general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone system domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links international: new SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad Guadeloupe general assessment: domestic facilities inadequate domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique Guam general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service and local access to the Internet international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for MCI, Sprint, AT&T, IT&E, and GTE, linking the US and Asia) Guatemala general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala domestic: NA international: connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Guernsey general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 1 submarine cable Guinea general assessment: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Guinea-Bissau general assessment: small system domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and cellular communications international: NA Guyana general assessment: fair system for long-distance calling domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines international: tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Haiti general assessment: domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Holy See (Vatican City) general assessment: automatic exchange domestic: tied into Italian system international: uses Italian system Honduras general assessment: inadequate system domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System Hong Kong general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe Hungary general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones international: Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals Iceland general assessment: extensive domestic service domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) India general assessment: mediocre service; local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban areas; major objective is to continue to expand and modernize long-distance network to keep pace with rapidly growing number of local subscriber lines; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission of private and private-public investors, but, with telephone density at about two for each 100 persons and a waiting list of over 2 million, demand for main line telephone service will not be satisfied for a very long time domestic: local service is provided by microwave radio relay and coaxial cable, with open wire and obsolete electromechanical and manual switchboard systems still in use in rural areas; starting in the 1980s, a substantial amount of digital switch gear has been introduced for local and long-distance service; long-distance traffic is carried mostly by coaxial cable and low-capacity microwave radio relay; since 1985 significant trunk capacity has been added in the form of fiber-optic cable and a domestic satellite system with 254 earth stations; mobile cellular service is provided in four metropolitan cities international: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); nine gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gaidhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam; 4 submarine cables - LOCOM linking Chennai (Madras) to Penang; Indo-UAE-Gulf cable linking Mumbai (Bombay) to Al Fujayrah, UAE; India-SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-2 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay); Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with landing site at Mumbai (Bombay) (2000) Indonesia general assessment: domestic service fair, international service good domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net; domestic satellite communications system international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Iran general assessment: inadequate but currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected domestic: as a result of heavy investing in the telephone system since 1994, the number of long-distance channels in the microwave radio relay trunk has grown substantially; many villages have been brought into the net; the number of main lines in the urban systems has approximately doubled; and thousands of mobile cellular subscribers are being served; moreover, the technical level of the system has been raised by the installation of thousands of digital switches international: HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; satellite earth stations - 9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat Iraq general assessment: an unknown number of telecommunication facilities were damaged during the March-April 2003 war domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational Ireland general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay domestic: microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Israel general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) Italy general assessment: modern, well developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA Eutelsat; 21 submarine cables Jamaica general assessment: fully automatic domestic telephone network domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); 3 coaxial submarine cables Japan general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); submarine cables to China, Philippines, Russia, and US (via Guam) (1999) Jersey general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 3 submarine cables Johnston Atoll general assessment: 33 commercial lines, 15 incoming and 18 outgoing; adequate telecommunications domestic: 60-channel submarine cable (broken in January 2002), 24 DSN circuits by satellite, Automated Digital Network (AUTODIN) with standard remote terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS) station (scheduled for decommissioning March 2003), UHF/VHF air-ground radio, a link to the Pacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network (PCTN) satellite international: NA (2002) Jordan general assessment: service has improved recently with the increased use of digital switching equipment, but better access to the telephone system is needed in the rural areas and easier access to pay telephones is needed by the urban public domestic: microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; considerable use of mobile cellular systems; Internet service is available international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals; fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; connection to international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); participant in MEDARABTEL; international links total about 4,000 Kazakhstan general assessment: service is poor; equipment antiquated domestic: intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; mobile cellular systems are available in most of Kazakhstan international: international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat Kenya general assessment: unreliable; little attempt to modernize except for service to business domestic: trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat Kiribati general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) note: Kiribati is being linked to the Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should improve telephone service Korea, North general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Russian (Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing Korea, South general assessment: excellent domestic and international services domestic: NA international: fiber-optic submarine cable to China; the Russia-Korea-Japan submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region) Kuwait general assessment: the quality of service is excellent domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat Kyrgyzstan general assessment: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably limited to Bishkek region international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line Laos general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: radiotelephone communications international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Latvia general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998) Lebanon general assessment: telecommunications system severely damaged by civil war; rebuilding well underway domestic: primarily microwave radio relay and cable international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations); coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cables Lesotho general assessment: rudimentary system domestic: consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system; a cellular mobile telephone system is growing international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Liberia general assessment: telephone and telegraph service via microwave radio relay network; main center is Monrovia domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Libya general assessment: telecommunications system is being modernized; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996 domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (1999) Liechtenstein general assessment: automatic telephone system domestic: NA international: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay Lithuania general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an improved international capability and better residential access domestic: a national, fiber-optic cable, interurban, trunk system is nearing completion; rural exchanges are being improved and expanded; mobile cellular systems are being installed; access to the Internet is available; still many unsatisfied telephone subscriber applications international: landline connections to Latvia and Poland; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite Luxembourg general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable international: 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America) Macau general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: NA international: HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Madagascar general assessment: system is above average for the region domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links connect regions international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) Malawi general assessment: NA domestic: system employs open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Malaysia general assessment: modern system; international service excellent domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2001) Maldives general assessment: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service international: satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Mali general assessment: domestic system unreliable but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) Malta general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Man, Isle of general assessment: NA domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable Marshall Islands general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2001) Martinique general assessment: domestic facilities are adequate domestic: NA international: microwave radio relay to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Mauritania general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made) domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat Mauritius general assessment: small system with good service domestic: primarily microwave radio relay trunk system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries Mayotte general assessment: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications domestic: NA international: microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros (2001) Mexico general assessment: low telephone density with about 12 main lines per 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; the opening to competition in January 1997 improved prospects for development domestic: adequate telephone service for business and government, but the population is poorly served; domestic satellite system with 120 earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network; considerable use of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, and mobile cellular service international: satellite earth stations - 32 Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to South America, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancing domestic communications), numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations; linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections; high capacity Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cable with access to the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and Italy (1997) Micronesia, Federated States of general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002) Moldova general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some effort to modernize is under way domestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile cellular telephone service being introduced international: service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik Monaco general assessment: modern automatic telephone system domestic: NA international: no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system Mongolia general assessment: very low density: about 3.5 telephones for each thousand persons domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region) Montserrat general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Morocco general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities; however density is low with only 4.6 main lines available for each 100 persons domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay international: 7 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (1998) Mozambique general assessment: fair system but not available generally (telephone density is only 16 telephones for each 1,000 persons) domestic: the system consists of open-wire lines and trunk connection by microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean) Namibia general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital international: fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002) Nauru general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Nepal general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network domestic: NA international: radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Netherlands general assessment: highly developed and well maintained domestic: the existing system of multi-conductor cables is gradually being replaced by fiber-optic cables; the density of cellular telephone traffic is rapidly increasing and further modernization of the system is expected in 2001, with the introduction of the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (1996) Netherlands Antilles general assessment: generally adequate facilities domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international: submarine cables - 2; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) New Caledonia general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) New Zealand general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Nicaragua general assessment: inadequate system being upgraded by foreign investment domestic: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Niger general assessment: small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger domestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) Nigeria general assessment: an inadequate system, further limited by poor maintenance; major expansion is required and a start has been made domestic: intercity traffic is carried by coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, a domestic communications satellite system with 19 earth stations, and a coastal submarine cable; mobile cellular facilities and the Internet are available international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); coaxial submarine cable SAFE (South African Far East) Niue domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island international: NA Norfolk Island general assessment: adequate domestic: NA international: radiotelephone service with Sydney (Australia) Northern Mariana Islands general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Norway general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobile systems instead of fixed-wire systems international: 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999) Oman general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable domestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat Pakistan general assessment: the domestic system is mediocre, but improving; service is adequate for government and business use, in part because major businesses have established their own private systems; since 1988, the government has promoted investment in the national telecommunications system on a priority basis, significantly increasing network capacity; despite major improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services are still not readily available to the majority of the rural population domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (1999) Palau general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Panama general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed domestic: NA international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System Papua New Guinea general assessment: services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services domestic: mostly radiotelephone international: submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service Paraguay general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching center is Asuncion domestic: fair microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Peru general assessment: adequate for most requirements domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cable Philippines general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and inter-island service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations international: 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan Pitcairn Islands general assessment: only party line telephone service is available for this small, closely related community domestic: party line service only international: radiotelephone Poland general assessment: underdeveloped and outmoded system in the process of being overhauled; partial privatization of the state-owned telephone monopoly is underway; the long waiting list for main line telephone service has resulted in a boom in mobile cellular telephone use domestic: cable, open-wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular networks; local exchanges 56.6% digital international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) Portugal general assessment: undergoing rapid development in recent years, Portugal's telephone system, by the end of 1998, achieved a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities and a main line telephone density of 53% domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations international: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region) is planned Puerto Rico general assessment: modern system, integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable to US Qatar general assessment: modern system centered in Doha domestic: NA international: tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat Reunion general assessment: adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis domestic: modern open-wire and microwave radio relay network international: radiotelephone communication to Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Romania general assessment: poor domestic service, but improving domestic: 90% of telephone network is automatic; trunk network is mostly microwave radio relay, with some fiber-optic cable; about one-third of exchange capacity is digital; roughly 3,300 villages have no service international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; new digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest; note - Romania is an active participant in several international telecommunication network projects (1999) Russia general assessment: the telephone system has undergone significant changes in the 1990s; there are more than 1,000 companies licensed to offer communication services; access to digital lines has improved, particularly in urban centers; Internet and e-mail services are improving; Russia has made progress toward building the telecommunications infrastructure necessary for a market economy; however, a large demand for main line service remains unsatisfied domestic: cross-country digital trunk lines run from Saint Petersburg to Khabarovsk, and from Moscow to Novorossiysk; the telephone systems in 60 regional capitals have modern digital infrastructures; cellular services, both analog and digital, are available in many areas; in rural areas, the telephone services are still outdated, inadequate, and low density international: Russia is connected internationally by three undersea fiber-optic cables; digital switches in several cities provide more than 50,000 lines for international calls; satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systems Rwanda general assessment: telephone system primarily serves business and government domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the prefectures by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone international: international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service) Saint Helena general assessment: can communicate worldwide domestic: automatic network international: HF radiotelephone from Saint Helena to Ascensionm, which is a major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Saint Kitts and Nevis general assessment: good interisland and international connections domestic: inter island links to Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) are handled by VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone international: international calls are carried by radiotelephone to Antigua and Barbuda and switched there to submarine cable or to Intelsat; or carried to Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) by radiotelephone and switched to Intelsat Saint Lucia general assessment: adequate system domestic: system is automatically switched international: direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados; international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsat from Martinique Saint Pierre and Miquelon general assessment: adequate domestic: NA international: radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system Saint Vincent and the Grenadines general assessment: adequate system domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines international: VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia Samoa general assessment: adequate domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) San Marino general assessment: adequate connections domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system international: connected to Italian international network Sao Tome and Principe general assessment: adequate facilities domestic: minimal system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Saudi Arabia general assessment: modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems international: microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) Senegal general assessment: good system domestic: above-average urban system; microwave radio relay, coaxial cable and fiber-optic cable in trunk system international: 4 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Serbia and Montenegro general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Seychelles general assessment: effective system domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago international: direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Sierra Leone general assessment: marginal telephone and telegraph service domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Singapore general assessment: major consideration given to serving business interests; excellent international service domestic: excellent domestic facilities international: submarine cables to Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region) Slovakia general assessment: a modernization and privatization program is increasing accessibility to telephone service, reducing the waiting time for new subscribers, and generally improving service quality domestic: predominantly an analog system that is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; mobile cellular capability has been added international: three international exchanges (one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services Slovenia general assessment: NA domestic: 100% digital (2000) international: NA Solomon Islands general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Somalia general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers international: international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite South Africa general assessment: the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa domestic: consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: coastal radiotelephone station at Grytviken Spain general assessment: generally adequate, modern facilities; teledensity is 44 main lines for each 100 persons domestic: NA international: 22 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries Sri Lanka general assessment: very inadequate domestic service, particularly in rural areas; likely improvement with privatization of national telephone company and encouragement to private investment; good international service (1999) domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and two fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems; telephone density remains low at 2.6 main lines per 100 persons (1999) international: submarine cables to Indonesia and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (1999) Sudan general assessment: large, well-equipped system by regional standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in 1996 and have expanded substantially domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2000) Suriname general assessment: international facilities are good domestic: microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Svalbard general assessment: probably adequate domestic: local telephone service international: satellite earth station - 1 of unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only) Swaziland general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system domestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Sweden general assessment: excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels international: 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) Switzerland general assessment: excellent domestic and international services domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) Syria general assessment: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel Taiwan general assessment: provides telecommunications service for every business and private need domestic: thoroughly modern; completely digitalized international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe (1999) Tajikistan general assessment: poorly developed and not well maintained; many towns are not reached by the national network domestic: cable and microwave radio relay international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 2 Intelsat Tanzania general assessment: fair system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service; VSAT (very small aperture terminal) system under construction domestic: trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Thailand general assessment: service to general public adequate, but investment in technological upgrades reduced by recession; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Togo general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; cellular system has capacity of 10,000 telephones international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie Tokelau general assessment: adequate domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with 3 satellite earth stations, established in 1997 Tonga general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (1996) Trinidad and Tobago general assessment: excellent international service; good local service domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana Tunisia general assessment: above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet access available domestic: trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and microwave radio relay international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; two international gateway digital switches Turkey general assessment: undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially with cellular telephones domestic: additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; the number of subscribers to mobile cellular telephone service is growing rapidly international: international service is provided by three submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, linking Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; also by 12 Intelsat earth stations, and by 328 mobile satellite terminals in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2002) Turkmenistan general assessment: poorly developed domestic: NA international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; a new telephone link from Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat Turks and Caicos Islands general assessment: fair cable and radiotelephone services domestic: NA international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Tuvalu general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands international: NA Uganda general assessment: seriously inadequate; two cellular systems have been introduced, but a sharp increase in the number of main lines is essential; e-mail and Internet services are available domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile cellular systems for short-range traffic international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and Tanzania Ukraine general assessment: Ukraine's telecommunication development plan, running through 2005, emphasizes improving domestic trunk lines, international connections, and the mobile cellular system domestic: at independence in December 1991, Ukraine inherited a telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair; more than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied; telephone density is now rising slowly and the domestic trunk system is being improved; the mobile cellular telephone system is expanding at a high rate international: two new domestic trunk lines are a part of the fiber-optic Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) system and three Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic Trans-European Lines (TEL) project which connects 18 countries; additional international service is provided by the Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and by earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems United Arab Emirates general assessment: modern system of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia United Kingdom general assessment: technologically advanced domestic and international system domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and fiber-optic systems international: 40 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large international switching centers United States general assessment: a very large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country international: 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000) Uruguay general assessment: fully digitalized domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002) Uzbekistan general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernization domestic: the domestic telephone system is being expanded and technologically improved, particularly in Tashkent (Toshkent) and Samarqand, under contracts with prominent companies in industrialized countries; moreover, by 1998, six cellular networks had been placed in operation - four of the GSM type (Global System for Mobile Communication), one D-AMPS type (Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System), and one AMPS type (Advanced Mobile Phone System) international: linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian facilities for international communications; Inmarsat also provides an international connection, albeit an expensive one; satellite earth stations - NA (1998) Vanuatu general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Venezuela general assessment: modern and expanding domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services international: 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network Vietnam general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but its performance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighbors domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; since 1991, main lines in use have been substantially increased and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Virgin Islands general assessment: NA domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA Wake Island general assessment: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic: NA international: NA Wallis and Futuna general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA West Bank general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA note: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for communication services in the West Bank Western Sahara general assessment: sparse and limited system domestic: NA international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco World general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Yemen general assessment: since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, and GSM cellular mobile telephone systems international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti Zambia general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Zimbabwe general assessment: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed but unused main lines domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, and a substantial mobile cellular network; Internet connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns and for some of the smaller ones international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; two international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and Gweru) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2125 Terrain Afghanistan mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Albania mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast Algeria mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain American Samoa five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island) Andorra rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys Angola narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau Anguilla flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Antarctica about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent Antigua and Barbuda mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas Arctic Ocean central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges may be three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge) Argentina rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border Armenia Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Aruba flat with a few hills; scant vegetation Ashmore and Cartier Islands low with sand and coral Atlantic Ocean surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin Australia mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Austria in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping Azerbaijan large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea Bahamas, The long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Bahrain mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Baker Island low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Bangladesh mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Barbados relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Bassas da India volcanic rock Belarus generally flat and contains much marshland Belgium flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast Belize flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Benin mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Bermuda low hills separated by fertile depressions Bhutan mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Bolivia rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin Bosnia and Herzegovina mountains and valleys Botswana predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Bouvet Island volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible Brazil mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt British Indian Ocean Territory flat and low (most areas do not exceed four meters in elevation) British Virgin Islands coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Brunei flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Bulgaria mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Burkina Faso mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast Burma central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Burundi hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains Cambodia mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Cameroon diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north Canada mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast Cape Verde steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Cayman Islands low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs Central African Republic vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Chad broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south Chile low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east China mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Christmas Island steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Clipperton Island coral atoll Cocos (Keeling) Islands flat, low-lying coral atolls Colombia flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains Comoros volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Congo, Democratic Republic of the vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Congo, Republic of the coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Cook Islands low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Coral Sea Islands sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Costa Rica coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes Cote d'Ivoire mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest Croatia geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands Cuba mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast Cyprus central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast Czech Republic Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country Denmark low and flat to gently rolling plains Djibouti coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Dominica rugged mountains of volcanic origin Dominican Republic rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed East Timor mountainous Ecuador coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) Egypt vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta El Salvador mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Equatorial Guinea coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Eritrea dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains Estonia marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south Ethiopia high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Europa Island low and flat Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Faroe Islands rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Fiji mostly mountains of volcanic origin Finland mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills France mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east French Guiana low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains French Polynesia mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs French Southern and Antarctic Lands volcanic Gabon narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Gambia, The flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Gaza Strip flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Georgia largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland Germany lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Ghana mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area Gibraltar a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar Glorioso Islands low and flat Greece mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Greenland flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Grenada volcanic in origin with central mountains Guadeloupe Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin Guam volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south Guatemala mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten) Guernsey mostly level with low hills in southwest Guinea generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Guinea-Bissau mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east Guyana mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Haiti mostly rough and mountainous Heard Island and McDonald Islands Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky Holy See (Vatican City) low hill Honduras mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Hong Kong hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Howland Island low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area Hungary mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border Iceland mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords India upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Indian Ocean surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge Indonesia mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains Iran rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Iraq mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Ireland mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Israel Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Italy mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands Jamaica mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Jan Mayen volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers Japan mostly rugged and mountainous Jarvis Island sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Jersey gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Johnston Atoll mostly flat Jordan mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River Juan de Nova Island low and flat Kazakhstan extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central Asia Kenya low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Kingman Reef low and nearly level Kiribati mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Korea, North mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east Korea, South mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Kuwait flat to slightly undulating desert plain Kyrgyzstan peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation Laos mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Latvia low plain Lebanon narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains Lesotho mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains Liberia mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Libya mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Liechtenstein mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third Lithuania lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Luxembourg mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast Macau generally flat Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River Madagascar narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Malawi narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Malaysia coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Maldives flat, with white sandy beaches Mali mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Malta mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Man, Isle of hills in north and south bisected by central valley Marshall Islands low coral limestone and sand islands Martinique mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Mauritania mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Mauritius small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Mayotte generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks Mexico high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert Micronesia, Federated States of islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk Midway Islands low, nearly level Moldova rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Monaco hilly, rugged, rocky Mongolia vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central Montserrat volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Morocco northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains Mozambique mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west Namibia mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Nauru sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Navassa Island raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high) Nepal Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Netherlands mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Netherlands Antilles generally hilly, volcanic interiors New Caledonia coastal plains with interior mountains New Zealand predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains Nicaragua extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes Niger predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north Nigeria southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Niue steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau Norfolk Island volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains Northern Mariana Islands southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic Norway glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north Oman central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Pacific Ocean surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest Pakistan flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west Palau varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Palmyra Atoll very low Panama interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills Papua New Guinea mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills Paracel Islands mostly low and flat Paraguay grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere Peru western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Philippines mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Pitcairn Islands rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Poland mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border Portugal mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south Puerto Rico mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas Qatar mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel Reunion mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast Romania central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps Russia broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions Rwanda mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east Saint Helena Saint Helena - rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains note: the other islands of the group have a volcanic origin Saint Kitts and Nevis volcanic with mountainous interiors Saint Lucia volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys Saint Pierre and Miquelon mostly barren rock Saint Vincent and the Grenadines volcanic, mountainous Samoa narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior San Marino rugged mountains Sao Tome and Principe volcanic, mountainous Saudi Arabia mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Senegal generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Serbia and Montenegro extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands off the coast Seychelles Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Sierra Leone coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Singapore lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve Slovakia rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south Slovenia a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east Solomon Islands mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Somalia mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north South Africa vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Southern Ocean the Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 meters over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep, its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 meters (the global mean is 133 meters); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million square kilometers in March to about 18.8 million square kilometers in September, better than a sixfold increase in area; the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (21,000 km in length) moves perpetually eastward; it is the world's largest ocean current, transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100 times the flow of all the world's rivers Spain large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north Spratly Islands flat Sri Lanka mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Sudan generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south, northeast and west; desert dominates the north Suriname mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Svalbard wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coasts Swaziland mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains Sweden mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Switzerland mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Syria primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west Taiwan eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Tajikistan Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest Tanzania plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Thailand central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere Togo gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Tokelau low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Tonga most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base Trinidad and Tobago mostly plains with some hills and low mountains Tromelin Island low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic Tunisia mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Turkey high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges Turkmenistan flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west Turks and Caicos Islands low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps Tuvalu very low-lying and narrow coral atolls Uganda mostly plateau with rim of mountains Ukraine most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south United Arab Emirates flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east United Kingdom mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast United States vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii Uruguay mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Uzbekistan mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Vanuatu mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Venezuela Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast Vietnam low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Virgin Islands mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Wake Island atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim Wallis and Futuna volcanic origin; low hills West Bank mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east Western Sahara mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast World the greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in the Pacific Ocean Yemen narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula Zambia mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains Zimbabwe mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2127 Total fertility rate (children born/woman) Afghanistan 5.64 children born/woman (2003 est.) Albania 2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.) Algeria 2.55 children born/woman (2003 est.) American Samoa 3.3 children born/woman (2003 est.) Andorra 1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.) Angola 6.38 children born/woman (2003 est.) Anguilla 1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.) Argentina 2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.) Armenia 1.56 children born/woman (2003 est.) Aruba 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) Australia 1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.) Austria 1.41 children born/woman (2003 est.) Azerbaijan 2.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) Bahamas, The 2.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) Bahrain 2.71 children born/woman (2003 est.) Bangladesh 3.17 children born/woman (2003 est.) Barbados 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) Belarus 1.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) Belgium 1.62 children born/woman (2003 est.) Belize 3.86 children born/woman (2003 est.) Benin 6.04 children born/woman (2003 est.) Bermuda 1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.) Bhutan 4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.) Bolivia 3.23 children born/woman (2003 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.71 children born/woman (2003 est.) Botswana 3.27 children born/woman (2003 est.) Brazil 2.01 children born/woman (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands 1.72 children born/woman (2003 est.) Brunei 2.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) Bulgaria 1.13 children born/woman (2003 est.) Burkina Faso 6.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) Burma 2.15 children born/woman (2003 est.) Burundi 5.99 children born/woman (2003 est.) Cambodia 3.58 children born/woman (2003 est.) Cameroon 4.63 children born/woman (2003 est.) Canada 1.61 children born/woman (2003 est.) Cape Verde 3.77 children born/woman (2003 est.) Cayman Islands 1.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) Central African Republic 4.68 children born/woman (2003 est.) Chad 6.44 children born/woman (2003 est.) Chile 2.09 children born/woman (2003 est.) China 1.7 children born/woman (2003 est.) Christmas Island NA children born/woman (2003 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA children born/woman (2003 est.) Colombia 2.61 children born/woman (2003 est.) Comoros 5.21 children born/woman (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.69 children born/woman (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 3.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) Cook Islands NA children born/woman (2003 est.) Costa Rica 2.38 children born/woman (2003 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 5.51 children born/woman (2003 est.) Croatia 1.93 children born/woman (2003 est.) Cuba 1.61 children born/woman (2003 est.) Cyprus 1.88 children born/woman (2003 est.) Czech Republic 1.18 children born/woman (2003 est.) Denmark 1.73 children born/woman (2003 est.) Djibouti 5.56 children born/woman (2003 est.) Dominica 1.99 children born/woman (2003 est.) Dominican Republic 2.92 children born/woman (2003 est.) East Timor 3.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) Ecuador 2.99 children born/woman (2003 est.) Egypt 3.02 children born/woman (2003 est.) El Salvador 3.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea 4.75 children born/woman (2003 est.) Eritrea 5.74 children born/woman (2003 est.) Estonia 1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.) Ethiopia 5.55 children born/woman (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA children born/woman Faroe Islands 2.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) Fiji 2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.) Finland 1.7 children born/woman (2003 est.) France 1.85 children born/woman (2003 est.) French Guiana 3.09 children born/woman (2003 est.) French Polynesia 2.14 children born/woman (2003 est.) Gabon 4.83 children born/woman (2003 est.) Gambia, The 5.53 children born/woman (2003 est.) Gaza Strip 6.17 children born/woman (2003 est.) Georgia 1.51 children born/woman (2003 est.) Germany 1.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) Ghana 3.32 children born/woman (2003 est.) Gibraltar 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) Greece 1.35 children born/woman (2003 est.) Greenland 2.43 children born/woman (2003 est.) Grenada 2.45 children born/woman (2003 est.) Guadeloupe 1.92 children born/woman (2003 est.) Guam 3.62 children born/woman (2003 est.) Guatemala 4.67 children born/woman (2003 est.) Guernsey 1.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) Guinea 5.9 children born/woman (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau 5.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) Guyana 2.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) Haiti 4.86 children born/woman (2003 est.) Honduras 4.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) Hong Kong 1.32 children born/woman (2003 est.) Hungary 1.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) Iceland 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) India 2.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) Indonesia 2.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) Iran 1.99 children born/woman (2003 est.) Iraq 4.52 children born/woman (2003 est.) Ireland 1.89 children born/woman (2003 est.) Israel 2.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) Italy 1.26 children born/woman (2003 est.) Jamaica 2.01 children born/woman (2003 est.) Japan 1.38 children born/woman (2003 est.) Jersey 1.57 children born/woman (2003 est.) Jordan 3 children born/woman (2003 est.) Kazakhstan 2.16 children born/woman (2003 est.) Kenya 3.47 children born/woman (2003 est.) Kiribati 4.28 children born/woman (2003 est.) Korea, North 2.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) Korea, South 1.56 children born/woman (2003 est.) Kuwait 3.08 children born/woman (2003 est.) Kyrgyzstan 3.12 children born/woman (2003 est.) Laos 4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.) Latvia 1.2 children born/woman (2003 est.) Lebanon 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) Lesotho 3.52 children born/woman (2003 est.) Liberia 6.23 children born/woman (2003 est.) Libya 3.49 children born/woman (2003 est.) Liechtenstein 1.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) Lithuania 1.43 children born/woman (2003 est.) Luxembourg 1.7 children born/woman (2003 est.) Macau 1.32 children born/woman (2003 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 1.75 children born/woman (2003 est.) Madagascar 5.73 children born/woman (2003 est.) Malawi 6.1 children born/woman (2003 est.) Malaysia 3.13 children born/woman (2003 est.) Maldives 5.26 children born/woman (2003 est.) Mali 6.66 children born/woman (2003 est.) Malta 1.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) Man, Isle of 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) Marshall Islands 4.12 children born/woman (2003 est.) Martinique 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) Mauritania 6.08 children born/woman (2003 est.) Mauritius 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) Mayotte 6.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) Mexico 2.53 children born/woman (2003 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 3.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) Moldova 1.74 children born/woman (2003 est.) Monaco 1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.) Mongolia 2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.) Montserrat 1.8 children born/woman (2003 est.) Morocco 2.89 children born/woman (2003 est.) Mozambique 4.87 children born/woman (2003 est.) Namibia 4.71 children born/woman (2003 est.) Nauru 3.4 children born/woman (2003 est.) Nepal 4.39 children born/woman (2003 est.) Netherlands 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles 2.04 children born/woman (2003 est.) New Caledonia 2.39 children born/woman (2003 est.) New Zealand 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) Nicaragua 3 children born/woman (2003 est.) Niger 6.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) Nigeria 5.4 children born/woman (2003 est.) Niue NA children born/woman (2003 est.) Norfolk Island NA children born/woman (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 1.75 children born/woman (2003 est.) Norway 1.8 children born/woman (2003 est.) Oman 5.94 children born/woman (2003 est.) Pakistan 4.1 children born/woman (2003 est.) Palau 2.47 children born/woman (2003 est.) Panama 2.53 children born/woman (2003 est.) Papua New Guinea 4.13 children born/woman (2003 est.) Paraguay 4.02 children born/woman (2003 est.) Peru 2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.) Philippines 3.29 children born/woman (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA children born/woman (2003 est.) Poland 1.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) Portugal 1.49 children born/woman (2003 est.) Puerto Rico 2.02 children born/woman (2003 est.) Qatar 3.02 children born/woman (2003 est.) Reunion 2.53 children born/woman (2003 est.) Romania 1.36 children born/woman (2003 est.) Russia 1.33 children born/woman (2003 est.) Rwanda 5.6 children born/woman (2003 est.) Saint Helena 1.54 children born/woman (2003 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) Saint Lucia 2.29 children born/woman (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.95 children born/woman (2003 est.) Samoa 3.21 children born/woman (2003 est.) San Marino 1.31 children born/woman (2003 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 5.88 children born/woman (2003 est.) Saudi Arabia 6.15 children born/woman (2003 est.) Senegal 4.93 children born/woman (2003 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 1.77 children born/woman (2003 est.) Seychelles 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) Sierra Leone 5.86 children born/woman (2003 est.) Singapore 1.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) Slovakia 1.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) Slovenia 1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.) Solomon Islands 4.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) Somalia 6.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) South Africa 2.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) Spain 1.26 children born/woman (2003 est.) Sri Lanka 1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.) Sudan 5.1 children born/woman (2003 est.) Suriname 2.4 children born/woman (2003 est.) Svalbard NA children born/woman (2003 est.) Swaziland 3.92 children born/woman (2003 est.) Sweden 1.54 children born/woman (2003 est.) Switzerland 1.48 children born/woman (2003 est.) Syria 3.72 children born/woman (2003 est.) Taiwan 1.57 children born/woman (2003 est.) Tajikistan 4.17 children born/woman (2003 est.) Tanzania 5.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) Thailand 1.91 children born/woman (2003 est.) Togo 4.97 children born/woman (2003 est.) Tokelau NA children born/woman (2003 est.) Tonga 3 children born/woman (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 1.78 children born/woman (2003 est.) Tunisia 1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.) Turkey 2.03 children born/woman (2003 est.) Turkmenistan 3.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 3.15 children born/woman (2003 est.) Tuvalu 3.05 children born/woman (2003 est.) Uganda 6.72 children born/woman (2003 est.) Ukraine 1.34 children born/woman (2003 est.) United Arab Emirates 3.09 children born/woman (2003 est.) United Kingdom 1.66 children born/woman (2003 est.) United States 2.07 children born/woman (2003 est.) Uruguay 2.35 children born/woman (2003 est.) Uzbekistan 3 children born/woman (2003 est.) Vanuatu 2.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) Venezuela 2.36 children born/woman (2003 est.) Vietnam 2.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) Virgin Islands 2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA children born/woman (2003 est.) West Bank 4.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) Western Sahara NA children born/woman (2003 est.) World 2.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) Yemen 6.82 children born/woman (2003 est.) Zambia 5.25 children born/woman (2003 est.) Zimbabwe 3.66 children born/woman (2003 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2128 Government type Afghanistan transitional Albania emerging democracy Algeria republic American Samoa NA Andorra parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives Angola republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system Anguilla NA Antarctica Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica. The 24th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Russia in July 2001. At the end of 2001, there were 45 treaty member nations: 27 consultative and 18 non-consultative. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 20 nonclaimant nations. The US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims. The US does not recognize the claims of others. Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. The year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full consultative (voting) status, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), and the US. Non-consultative (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), Ukraine (1992), and Venezuela (1999). Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations. Other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes: 1) marine pollution, 2) fauna and flora, 3) environmental impact assessments, 4) waste management, and 5) protected area management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research. Antigua and Barbuda constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament Argentina republic Armenia republic Aruba parliamentary democracy Australia democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign Austria federal republic Azerbaijan republic Bahamas, The constitutional parliamentary democracy Bahrain constitutional hereditary monarchy Bangladesh parliamentary democracy Barbados parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth Belarus republic Belgium federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch Belize parliamentary democracy Benin republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991 Bermuda parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government Bhutan monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Bolivia republic Bosnia and Herzegovina emerging federal democratic republic Botswana parliamentary republic Brazil federative republic British Virgin Islands NA Brunei constitutional sultanate Bulgaria parliamentary democracy Burkina Faso parliamentary republic Burma military regime Burundi republic Cambodia multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993 Cameroon unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990) note: preponderance of power remains with the president Canada confederation with parliamentary democracy Cape Verde republic Cayman Islands British crown colony Central African Republic republic Chad republic Chile republic China Communist state Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia republic; executive branch dominates government structure Comoros independent republic Congo, Democratic Republic of the dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative government Congo, Republic of the republic Cook Islands self-governing parliamentary democracy Costa Rica democratic republic Cote d'Ivoire republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 Croatia presidential/parliamentary democracy Cuba Communist state Cyprus republic note: a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 after a Greek junta-based coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly support a settlement based on a federation (Greek Cypriot position) or confederation (Turkish Cypriot position) Czech Republic parliamentary democracy Denmark constitutional monarchy Djibouti republic Dominica parliamentary democracy; republic within the Commonwealth Dominican Republic representative democracy East Timor republic Ecuador republic Egypt republic El Salvador republic Equatorial Guinea republic Eritrea transitional government note: following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections had been scheduled to take place in December 2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) Estonia parliamentary republic Ethiopia federal republic Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA Fiji republic note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987 Finland republic France republic French Guiana NA French Polynesia NA Gabon republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990) Gambia, The republic under multiparty democratic rule Georgia republic Germany federal republic Ghana constitutional democracy Gibraltar NA Greece parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974 Greenland parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy Grenada constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament Guadeloupe NA Guam NA Guatemala constitutional democratic republic Guernsey NA Guinea republic Guinea-Bissau republic, multiparty since mid-1991 Guyana republic within the Commonwealth Haiti elected government Holy See (Vatican City) ecclesiastical Honduras democratic constitutional republic Hong Kong limited democracy Hungary parliamentary democracy Iceland constitutional republic India federal republic Indonesia republic Iran theocratic republic Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland republic Israel parliamentary democracy Italy republic Jamaica constitutional parliamentary democracy Japan constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government Jersey NA Jordan constitutional monarchy Kazakhstan republic Kenya republic Kiribati republic Korea, North authoritarian socialist; one-man dictatorship Korea, South republic Kuwait nominal constitutional monarchy Kyrgyzstan republic Laos Communist state Latvia parliamentary democracy Lebanon republic Lesotho parliamentary constitutional monarchy Liberia republic Libya Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship Liechtenstein hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis Lithuania parliamentary democracy Luxembourg constitutional monarchy Macau limited democracy Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of parliamentary democracy Madagascar republic Malawi multiparty democracy Malaysia constitutional monarchy note: Malaya (what is now Peninsular Malaysia) formed 31 August 1957; Federation of Malaysia (Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore) formed 9 July 1963 (Singapore left the federation on 9 August 1965); nominally headed by the paramount ruler and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, George Town (Penang), Sabah, and Sarawak, where governors are appointed by the Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of the federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., the right to maintain their own immigration controls); Sabah - holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - holds 28 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government Maldives republic Mali republic Malta republic Man, Isle of parliamentary democracy Marshall Islands constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 Martinique NA Mauritania republic Mauritius parliamentary democracy Mayotte NA Mexico federal republic Micronesia, Federated States of constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986; economic provisions of the Compact are being renegotiated Moldova republic Monaco constitutional monarchy Mongolia parliamentary Montserrat NA Morocco constitutional monarchy Mozambique republic Namibia republic Nauru republic Nepal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy Netherlands constitutional monarchy Netherlands Antilles parliamentary New Caledonia NA New Zealand parliamentary democracy Nicaragua republic Niger republic Nigeria republic transitioning from military to civilian rule Niue self-governing parliamentary democracy Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature Norway constitutional monarchy Oman monarchy Pakistan federal republic Palau constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 Panama constitutional democracy Papua New Guinea constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy Paraguay constitutional republic Peru constitutional republic Philippines republic Pitcairn Islands NA Poland republic Portugal parliamentary democracy Puerto Rico commonwealth Qatar traditional monarchy Reunion NA Romania republic Russia federation Rwanda republic; presidential, multiparty system Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament Saint Lucia Westminster-style parliamentary democracy Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth Samoa constitutional monarchy under native chief San Marino independent republic Sao Tome and Principe republic Saudi Arabia monarchy Senegal republic under multiparty democratic rule Serbia and Montenegro republic Seychelles republic Sierra Leone constitutional democracy Singapore parliamentary republic Slovakia parliamentary democracy Slovenia parliamentary democratic republic Solomon Islands parliamentary democracy tending toward anarchy Somalia no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary national government South Africa republic Spain parliamentary monarchy Sri Lanka republic Sudan authoritarian regime - ruling military junta took power in 1989; government is run by an alliance of the military and the National Congress Party (NCP), formerly the National Islamic Front (NIF), which espouses an Islamist platform Suriname constitutional democracy Svalbard NA Swaziland monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth Sweden constitutional monarchy Switzerland federal republic Syria republic under military regime since March 1963 Taiwan multiparty democratic regime headed by popularly-elected president and unicameral legislature Tajikistan republic Tanzania republic Thailand constitutional monarchy Togo republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule Tokelau NA Tonga hereditary constitutional monarchy Trinidad and Tobago parliamentary democracy Tunisia republic Turkey republican parliamentary democracy Turkmenistan republic Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began debating republic status in 1992 Uganda republic Ukraine republic United Arab Emirates federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates United Kingdom constitutional monarchy United States Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition Uruguay constitutional republic Uzbekistan republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Vanuatu parliamentary republic Venezuela federal republic Vietnam Communist state Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA Western Sahara legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR),led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991 Yemen republic Zambia republic Zimbabwe parliamentary democracy This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2129 Unemployment rate (%) Afghanistan NA% Albania 17% officially; may be as high as 30% (2001 est.) Algeria 31% (2002 est.) American Samoa 6% (2000) Andorra 0% Angola extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.) Anguilla 6.7% (2001) Antigua and Barbuda 11% (2001 est.) Argentina 21.5% (37377) Armenia 20% (2001 est.) Aruba 0.6% Australia 6.3% (2002) Austria 4.8% (2002 est.) Azerbaijan 16% (official rate is 1.2%) (2003 est.) Bahamas, The 6.9% (2001 est.) Bahrain 15% (1998 est.) Bangladesh 40% (includes underemployment) (2002 est.) Barbados 10% (2001 est.) Belarus 2.1% officially registered unemployed (December 2000); large number of underemployed workers Belgium 7.2% (2002 est.) Belize 9.1% (2002) Benin NA% Bermuda 4.5% (1993) Bhutan NA% Bolivia 7.6% note: widespread underemployment (2000) Bosnia and Herzegovina 40% (2002 est.) Botswana 40% (official rate is 21%) (2001 est.) Brazil 6.4% (2001 est.) British Virgin Islands 3% (1995) Brunei 10% (2001 est.) Bulgaria 18% (2002 est.) Burkina Faso NA% Burma 5.1% (2001 est.) Burundi NA% Cambodia 2.8% (1999 est.) Cameroon 30% (2001 est.) Canada 7.6% (2002 est.) Cape Verde 21% (2000 est.) Cayman Islands 4.1% (1997) Central African Republic 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.) Chad NA% Chile 9.2% (2002) China urban unemployment roughly 10%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (2002 est.) Christmas Island NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands 60% (2000 est.) Colombia 17.4% (2002 est.) Comoros 20% (1996 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA% Congo, Republic of the NA% Cook Islands 13% (1996) Costa Rica 6.3% (2002 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 13% in urban areas (1998) Croatia 21.7% (2002 est.) Cuba 4.1% (2001 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 3.3%; Turkish Cypriot area: 5.6% (2002 est.) Czech Republic 9.8% (2002) Denmark 5.1% (2002) Djibouti 50% (2000 est.) Dominica 23% (2000 est.) Dominican Republic 14.5% (2002 est.) East Timor 50% (including underemployment) Ecuador 7.7%; note - widespread underemployment (2001 est.) Egypt 12% (2001 est.) El Salvador 10% - but the economy has much underemployment. (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 30% (1998 est.) Eritrea NA% Estonia 12.4% (2001) Ethiopia NA% Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) full employment; labor shortage Faroe Islands 1% (October 2000) Fiji 7.6% (1999) Finland 8.5% (2002 est.) France 9.1% (2002 est.) French Guiana 22% (2001) French Polynesia 11.8% (1994) Gabon 21% (1997 est.) Gambia, The NA% Gaza Strip 50% (includes West Bank) (2002 est.) Georgia 17% (2001 est.) Germany 9.8% (2002 est.) Ghana 20% (1997 est.) Gibraltar 2% (2001 est.) Greece 10.3% (2002 est.) Greenland 10% (2000 est.) Grenada 12.5% (2000) Guadeloupe 27.8% (1998) Guam 15% (2000 est.) Guatemala 7.5% (1999 est.) Guernsey 0.5% (1999 est.) Guinea NA% Guinea-Bissau NA% Guyana 9.1% (understated) (2000) Haiti widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs (2002 est.) Honduras 28% (2002 est.) Hong Kong 7.5% (2002 est.) Hungary 5.8% (2002 est.) Iceland 2.8% (2002 est.) India 8.8% (2002) Indonesia 10.6% (2002 est.) Iran 16.3% (2003 est.) Iraq NA% Ireland 4.3% (2002 est.) Israel 10.4% (2002 est.) Italy 9.1% (2002 est.) Jamaica 15.4% (2002 est.) Japan 5.4% (2002) Jersey 0.7% (1998 est.) Jordan 16% official rate; actual rate is 25%-30% (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 8.8% (2002 est.) Kenya 40% (2001 est.) Kiribati 2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.) Korea, North NA% Korea, South 3.1% (2002 est.) Kuwait 7% (2002 est.) Kyrgyzstan 7.2% (1999 est.) Laos 5.7% (1997 est.) Latvia 7.6% (2001 est.) Lebanon 18% (1997 est.) Lesotho 45% (2002) Liberia NA Libya 30% (2001) Liechtenstein 1.3% (37500) Lithuania 12.5% (2001 est.) Luxembourg 4.1% (2002 est.) Macau 6.3% (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 37% (2002 est.) Madagascar 5.9% (1998) Malawi NA% Malaysia 3.8% (2002 est.) Maldives NEGL% Mali 14.6% urban areas; 5.3% rural areas (2001 est.) Malta 7% (2002 est.) Man, Isle of 0.7% (March 2003) Marshall Islands 30.9% (1999 est.) Martinique 27.2% (1998) Mauritania 21% (1999 est.) Mauritius 8.8% (2002 est.) Mayotte 38% (1999) Mexico urban - 3% plus considerable underemployment (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of 16% (1999 est.) Moldova 8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad) (2002 est.) Monaco 3.1% (1998) Mongolia 20% (2000) Montserrat 6% (1998 est.) Morocco 19% (2002 est.) Mozambique 21% (1997 est.) Namibia 35% (1998) Nauru 0% Nepal 47% (2001 est.) Netherlands 3% (2002 est.) Netherlands Antilles 15% (1998 est.) New Caledonia 19% (1996) New Zealand 5.3% (2002 est.) Nicaragua 24% plus considerable underemployment (2002 est.) Niger NA% Nigeria 28% (1992 est.) Niue NA% Norfolk Island NA% Northern Mariana Islands NA% Norway 3.9% (2002 est.) Oman NA% Pakistan 7.8% plus substantial underemployment (2002 est.) Palau 2.3% (2000 est.) Panama 16% (2002 est.) Papua New Guinea NA% Paraguay 18.2% (2002 est.) Peru 9.4%; widespread underemployment (2002 est.) Philippines 10.2% (2002) Pitcairn Islands NA% Poland 18.1% (2002) Portugal 4.7% (2002 est.) Puerto Rico 12% (2002) Qatar 2.7% (2001) Reunion 36% (1999 est.) Romania 8.3% (2002) Russia 7.9% plus considerable underemployment (2002) Rwanda NA% Saint Helena 14% (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.5% (1997) Saint Lucia 16.5% (1997 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 9.8% (1997) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 22% (1997 est.) Samoa NA%; note - substantial underemployment San Marino 2.6% (2001) Sao Tome and Principe NA% Saudi Arabia 25% (2002) Senegal 48% (urban youth 40%) (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 32% (2002 est.) Seychelles NA% Sierra Leone NA% Singapore 4.6% (2002 est.) Slovakia 17.2% (2002 est.) Slovenia 11% (2002 est.) Solomon Islands NA% Somalia NA% South Africa 37% (includes workers no longer looking for employment) (2001 est.) Spain 11.3% (2002 est.) Sri Lanka 8% (2002) Sudan 18.7% (2002 est.) Suriname 17% (2000) Swaziland 34% (2000 est.) Sweden 4% (2002 est.) Switzerland 1.9% (2002 est.) Syria 20% (2002 est.) Taiwan 5.2% (2002 est.) Tajikistan 40% (2002 est.) Tanzania NA% Thailand 2.9% (2002 est.) Togo NA% Tokelau NA% Tonga 13.3% (1996 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 10.8% (2002) Tunisia 15.4% (2002 est.) Turkey 10.8% (plus underemployment of 6.1%) (2002 est.) Turkmenistan NA% Turks and Caicos Islands 10% (1997 est.) Tuvalu NA% Uganda NA% Ukraine 3.8% officially registered; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers (2002) United Arab Emirates NA% United Kingdom 5.2% (2002 est.) United States 5.8% (2002) Uruguay 19.4% (2002) Uzbekistan 10% plus another 20% underemployed (1999 est.) Vanuatu NA% Venezuela 17% (2002 est.) Vietnam 25% (1995 est.) Virgin Islands 4.9% (March 1999) Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank 50% (includes Gaza Strip) (2002 est.) Western Sahara NA% World 30% combined unemployment and underemployment in many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 4%-12% unemployment Yemen 30% (1995 est.) Zambia 50% (2000 est.) Zimbabwe 70% (2002 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2137 Military - note American Samoa defense is the responsibility of the US Andorra defense is the responsibility of France and Spain Anguilla defense is the responsibility of the UK Antarctica the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes Aruba defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ashmore and Cartier Islands defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Baker Island defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Bassas da India defense is the responsibility of France Bermuda defense is the responsibility of the UK Bouvet Island defense is the responsibility of Norway British Indian Ocean Territory defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 British Virgin Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK Cayman Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK Christmas Island defense is the responsibility of Australia Clipperton Island defense is the responsibility of France Cocos (Keeling) Islands defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory does have a five-person police force Cook Islands defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request Coral Sea Islands defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors Cuba Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993 Europa Island defense is the responsibility of France Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) defense is the responsibility of the UK Faroe Islands defense is the responsibility of Denmark French Guiana defense is the responsibility of France French Polynesia defense is the responsibility of France French Southern and Antarctic Lands defense is the responsibility of France Georgia a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia Gibraltar defense is the responsibility of the UK Glorioso Islands defense is the responsibility of France Greenland defense is the responsibility of Denmark Guadeloupe defense is the responsibility of France Guam defense is the responsibility of the US Guernsey defense is the responsibility of the UK Heard Island and McDonald Islands defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols Holy See (Vatican City) defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope Hong Kong defense is the responsibility of China Howland Island defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Iceland defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik Jan Mayen defense is the responsibility of Norway Jarvis Island defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Jersey defense is the responsibility of the UK Johnston Atoll defense is the responsibility of the US Juan de Nova Island defense is the responsibility of France Kingman Reef defense is the responsibility of the US Kiribati Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ Lesotho the Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defense Force's (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs Liechtenstein defense is the responsibility of Switzerland Man, Isle of defense is the responsibility of the UK Marshall Islands defense is the responsibility of the US Martinique defense is the responsibility of France Mayotte defense is the responsibility of France; small contingent of French forces stationed on the island Micronesia, Federated States of Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on the US for its defense Midway Islands defense is the responsibility of the US Monaco defense is the responsibility of France Montserrat defense is the responsibility of the UK Nauru Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia Navassa Island defense is the responsibility of the US Netherlands Antilles defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands New Caledonia defense is the responsibility of France Niue defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Norfolk Island defense is the responsibility of Australia Northern Mariana Islands defense is the responsibility of the US Palau defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years Palmyra Atoll defense is the responsibility of the US Panama on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression" Paracel Islands occupied by China Pitcairn Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK Puerto Rico defense is the responsibility of the US Reunion defense is the responsibility of France Saint Helena defense is the responsibility of the UK Saint Pierre and Miquelon defense is the responsibility of France Samoa Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship South Africa with the end of Apartheid and the establishment of majority rule, former military, black homelands forces, and ex-opposition forces were integrated into the South African National Defense Force (SANDF); as of 2003 the integration process was considered complete South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK Spratly Islands Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs, of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam Svalbard demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920) Tokelau defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Tromelin Island defense is the responsibility of France Turks and Caicos Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK United States note: 2002 estimates for military manpower are based on projections that do not take into consideration the results of the 2000 census Virgin Islands defense is the responsibility of the US Wake Island defense is the responsibility of the US Wallis and Futuna defense is the responsibility of France Yemen establishment of a Coast Guard, scheduled for May 2001, has been delayed This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2138 Communications - note Bouvet Island automatic meteorological station Coral Sea Islands there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland Europa Island 1 meteorological station Glorioso Islands 1 meteorological station Juan de Nova Island 1 meteorological station Saint Helena Gough Island has a meteorological station Tromelin Island important meteorological station This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2140 Government - note Bosnia and Herzegovina The Dayton Agreement, signed in Paris on 14 December 1995, retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's exterior border and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government - based on proportional representation similar to that which existed in the former socialist regime - is charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. The Dayton Agreement also recognized a second tier of government, comprised of two entities - a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb Republika Srpska (RS) - each presiding over roughly one-half the territory. The Federation and RS governments are charged with overseeing internal functions. The Bosniak/Croat Federation is further divided into 10 cantons. The Dayton Agreement established the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. Malawi the executive exerts considerable influence over the legislature Somalia although an interim government was created in 2000 other governing bodies continue to exist and control various cities and regions of the country, including Somaliland, Puntland, and traditional clan and faction strongholds This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2142 Country name Afghanistan conventional long form: Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan local short form: Afghanestan former: Republic of Afghanistan Albania conventional long form: Republic of Albania conventional short form: Albania local long form: Republika e Shqiperise local short form: Shqiperia former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania Algeria conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah local short form: Al Jaza'ir American Samoa conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS Andorra conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra local short form: Andorra Angola conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola Anguilla conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla Antarctica conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda Argentina conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina local short form: Argentina Armenia conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic Aruba conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands Australia conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia Austria conventional long form: Republic of Austria conventional short form: Austria local long form: Republik Oesterreich local short form: Oesterreich Azerbaijan conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan conventional short form: Azerbaijan local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi local short form: none former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic Bahamas, The conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas Bahrain conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun Baker Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island Bangladesh conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh former: East Pakistan Barbados conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados Bassas da India conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India Belarus conventional long form: Republic of Belarus conventional short form: Belarus local long form: Respublika Byelarus' local short form: none former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic Belgium conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique/Belgie Belize conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras Benin conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey Bermuda conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands Bhutan conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan Bolivia conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Republica de Bolivia local short form: Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina local long form: none local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina Botswana conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland Bouvet Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island Brazil conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil British Indian Ocean Territory conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT British Virgin Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI Brunei conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei Bulgaria conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria Burkina Faso conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta Burma conventional long form: Union of Burma conventional short form: Burma local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar) local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw Burundi conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republika y'u Burundi local short form: Burundi former: Urundi Cambodia conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea local short form: Kampuchea former: Khmer Republic, Kampuchea Republic Cameroon conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon former: French Cameroon Canada conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada Cape Verde conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde Cayman Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands Central African Republic conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Centrafricaine local short form: none former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR Chad conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form: Republique du Tchad local short form: Tchad Chile conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile China conventional long form: People's Republic of China conventional short form: China local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo local short form: Zhong Guo abbreviation: PRC Christmas Island conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Clipperton Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia Comoros conventional long form: Union of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local long form: Union des Comores local short form: Comores Congo, Democratic Republic of the conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo local short form: none former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire abbreviation: DROC Congo, Republic of the conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville) local long form: Republique du Congo local short form: none former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo Cook Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands Coral Sea Islands conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands Costa Rica conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire local short form: Cote d'Ivoire former: Ivory Coast Croatia conventional long form: Republic of Croatia conventional short form: Croatia local long form: Republika Hrvatska local short form: Hrvatska Cuba conventional long form: Republic of Cuba conventional short form: Cuba local long form: Republica de Cuba local short form: Cuba Cyprus conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus note: the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) Czech Republic conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: Czech Republic local long form: Ceska Republika local short form: Ceska Republika Denmark conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark Djibouti conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland Dominica conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica Dominican Republic conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: none East Timor conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste conventional short form: East Timor local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] former: Portuguese Timor Ecuador conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador Egypt conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) El Salvador conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador Equatorial Guinea conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial former: Spanish Guinea Eritrea conventional long form: State of Eritrea conventional short form: Eritrea local long form: Hagere Ertra local short form: Ertra former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia Estonia conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic Ethiopia conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik local short form: Ityop'iya former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa abbreviation: FDRE Europa Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Europa Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Europa Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar Fiji conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands conventional short form: Fiji Finland conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen Tasavalta local short form: Suomi France conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique Francaise local short form: France French Guiana conventional long form: Department of Guiana conventional short form: French Guiana local long form: none local short form: Guyane French Polynesia conventional long form: Territory of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise former: French Colony of Oceania French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises Gabon conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise local short form: Gabon Gambia, The conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia Gaza Strip conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah Georgia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic Germany conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich Ghana conventional long form: Republic of Ghana conventional short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast Gibraltar conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar Glorioso Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses Greece conventional long form: Hellenic Republic conventional short form: Greece local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia local short form: Ellas or Ellada former: Kingdom of Greece Greenland conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat Grenada conventional long form: none conventional short form: Grenada Guadeloupe conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupe conventional short form: Guadeloupe local long form: Departement de la Guadeloupe local short form: Guadeloupe Guam conventional long form: Territory of Guam conventional short form: Guam local long form: Guahan Guatemala conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala Guernsey conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey Guinea conventional long form: Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea Guinea-Bissau conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau local short form: Guine-Bissau former: Portuguese Guinea Guyana conventional long form: Co-operative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana Haiti conventional long form: Republic of Haiti conventional short form: Haiti local long form: Republique d'Haiti local short form: Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City) conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) Honduras conventional long form: Republic of Honduras conventional short form: Honduras local long form: Republica de Honduras local short form: Honduras Hong Kong conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Hong Kong local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu local short form: Xianggang abbreviation: HK Howland Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island Hungary conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag Iceland conventional long form: Republic of Iceland conventional short form: Iceland local long form: Lydhveldidh Island local short form: Island India conventional long form: Republic of India conventional short form: India Indonesia conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia conventional short form: Indonesia local long form: Republik Indonesia local short form: Indonesia former: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies Iran conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran conventional short form: Iran local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran local short form: Iran former: Persia Iraq conventional long form: Republic of Iraq conventional short form: Iraq local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah local short form: Al Iraq Ireland conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland Israel conventional long form: State of Israel conventional short form: Israel local long form: Medinat Yisra'el local short form: Yisra'el Italy conventional long form: Italian Republic conventional short form: Italy local long form: Repubblica Italiana local short form: Italia former: Kingdom of Italy Jamaica conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jamaica Jan Mayen conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen Japan conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan Jarvis Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jarvis Island Jersey conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey conventional short form: Jersey Johnston Atoll conventional long form: none conventional short form: Johnston Atoll Jordan conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan Juan de Nova Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Juan de Nova Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Juan de Nova Kazakhstan conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan conventional short form: Kazakhstan local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy local short form: none former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic Kenya conventional long form: Republic of Kenya conventional short form: Kenya former: British East Africa Kingman Reef conventional long form: none conventional short form: Kingman Reef Kiribati conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss former: Gilbert Islands Korea, North conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk local short form: none note: the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to their country abbreviation: DPRK Korea, South conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local long form: Taehan-min'guk local short form: none note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Han'guk" to refer to their country abbreviation: ROK Kuwait conventional long form: State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt Kyrgyzstan conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: none former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic Laos conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: none Latvia conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Lebanon conventional long form: Lebanese Republic conventional short form: Lebanon local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah local short form: Lubnan Lesotho conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland Liberia conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia Libya conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma local short form: none Liechtenstein conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein conventional short form: Liechtenstein local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein local short form: Liechtenstein Lithuania conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic Luxembourg conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg Macau conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Macau local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese) local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: none local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija abbreviation: F.Y.R.O.M. Madagascar conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic Malawi conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland Malaysia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Federation of Malaysia Maldives conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje Mali conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic Malta conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta Man, Isle of conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man Marshall Islands conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Martinique conventional long form: Department of Martinique conventional short form: Martinique local long form: Departement de la Martinique local short form: Martinique Mauritania conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form: Muritaniyah Mauritius conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius conventional short form: Mauritius Mayotte conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte conventional short form: Mayotte Mexico conventional long form: United Mexican States conventional short form: Mexico local long form: Estados Unidos Mexicanos local short form: Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) abbreviation: FSM Midway Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Midway Islands Moldova conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: none former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia Monaco conventional long form: Principality of Monaco conventional short form: Monaco local long form: Principaute de Monaco local short form: Monaco Mongolia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Mongolia local long form: none local short form: Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia Montserrat conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat Morocco conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah local short form: Al Maghrib Mozambique conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique conventional short form: Mozambique local long form: Republica de Mocambique local short form: Mocambique former: Portuguese East Africa Namibia conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa Nauru conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru former: Pleasant Island Navassa Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island Nepal conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal conventional short form: Nepal Netherlands conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands conventional short form: Netherlands local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden local short form: Nederland Netherlands Antilles conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen former: Curacao and Dependencies New Caledonia conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies conventional short form: New Caledonia local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie New Zealand conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand abbreviation: NZ Nicaragua conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form: Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form: Nicaragua Niger conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local long form: Republique du Niger local short form: Niger Nigeria conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria conventional short form: Nigeria Niue conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue former: Savage Island Norfolk Island conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island conventional short form: Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands former: Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Norway conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway conventional short form: Norway local long form: Kongeriket Norge local short form: Norge Oman conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman local short form: Uman former: Muscat and Oman Pakistan conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan Palau conventional long form: Republic of Palau conventional short form: Palau local long form: Beluu er a Belau local short form: Belau former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Palmyra Atoll conventional long form: none conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll Panama conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama local short form: Panama Papua New Guinea conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea abbreviation: PNG Paracel Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands Paraguay conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay Peru conventional long form: Republic of Peru conventional short form: Peru local long form: Republica del Peru local short form: Peru Philippines conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines conventional short form: Philippines local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas local short form: Pilipinas Pitcairn Islands conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands Poland conventional long form: Republic of Poland conventional short form: Poland local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska local short form: Polska Portugal conventional long form: Portuguese Republic conventional short form: Portugal local long form: Republica Portuguesa local short form: Portugal Puerto Rico conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico conventional short form: Puerto Rico Qatar conventional long form: State of Qatar conventional short form: Qatar local long form: Dawlat Qatar local short form: Qatar note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar Reunion conventional long form: Department of Reunion conventional short form: Reunion local long form: none local short form: Ile de la Reunion former: Bourbon Island Romania conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania Russia conventional long form: Russian Federation conventional short form: Russia local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya local short form: Rossiya former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Rwanda conventional long form: Rwandese Republic conventional short form: Rwanda local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda local short form: Rwanda former: Ruanda Saint Helena conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Saint Lucia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa conventional short form: Samoa former: Western Samoa San Marino conventional long form: Republic of San Marino conventional short form: San Marino local long form: Repubblica di San Marino local short form: San Marino Sao Tome and Principe conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe Saudi Arabia conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conventional short form: Saudi Arabia local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah Senegal conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal Serbia and Montenegro conventional long form: Serbia and Montenegro conventional short form: none local long form: Srbija i Crna Gora local short form: none Seychelles conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles Sierra Leone conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone Singapore conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore Slovakia conventional long form: Slovak Republic conventional short form: Slovakia local long form: Slovenska Republika local short form: Slovensko Slovenia conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia conventional short form: Slovenia local long form: Republika Slovenija local short form: Slovenija Solomon Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Solomon Islands former: British Solomon Islands Somalia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Somalia former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic South Africa conventional long form: Republic of South Africa conventional short form: South Africa former: Union of South Africa abbreviation: RSA South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands conventional short form: none Spain conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain conventional short form: Spain local short form: Espana Spratly Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Spratly Islands Sri Lanka conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka conventional short form: Sri Lanka former: Serendib, Ceylon Sudan conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan conventional short form: Sudan local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan local short form: As-Sudan former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Suriname conventional long form: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana Svalbard conventional long form: none conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen) Swaziland conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland conventional short form: Swaziland Sweden conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige Switzerland conventional long form: Swiss Confederation conventional short form: Switzerland local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian) local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian) Syria conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic conventional short form: Syria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah local short form: Suriyah former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt) Taiwan conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: T'ai-wan former: Formosa Tajikistan conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan conventional short form: Tajikistan local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston local short form: Tojikiston former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic Tanzania conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania conventional short form: Tanzania former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Thailand conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand former: Siam Togo conventional long form: Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique Togolaise local short form: none former: French Togoland Tokelau conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau Tonga conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands Trinidad and Tobago conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago Tromelin Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin Tunisia conventional long form: Tunisian Republic conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis Turkey conventional long form: Republic of Turkey conventional short form: Turkey local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti local short form: Turkiye Turkmenistan conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turkmenistan local long form: none local short form: Turkmenistan former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic Turks and Caicos Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight," referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands Uganda conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda Ukraine conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ukraine local long form: none local short form: Ukrayina former: Ukrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic United Arab Emirates conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE United Kingdom conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland conventional short form: United Kingdom abbreviation: UK United States conventional long form: United States of America conventional short form: United States abbreviation: US or USA Uruguay conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province Uzbekistan conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi local short form: Ozbekiston former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic Vanuatu conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides Venezuela conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela local short form: Venezuela Vietnam conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam conventional short form: Vietnam local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam local short form: Viet Nam abbreviation: SRV Virgin Islands conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies Wake Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island Wallis and Futuna conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna West Bank conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank Western Sahara conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara former: Spanish Sahara Yemen conventional long form: Republic of Yemen conventional short form: Yemen local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah local short form: Al Yaman Zambia conventional long form: Republic of Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia Zimbabwe conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2144 Location Afghanistan Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran Albania Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro Algeria Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia American Samoa Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Andorra Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain Angola Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo Anguilla Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Antarctica continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico Arctic Ocean body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle Argentina Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay Armenia Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey Aruba Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Ashmore and Cartier Islands Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island Atlantic Ocean body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere Australia Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Austria Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia Azerbaijan Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range Bahamas, The Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba Bahrain Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia Baker Island Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Bangladesh Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India Barbados Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Bassas da India Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique Belarus Eastern Europe, east of Poland Belgium Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Belize Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Benin Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Bermuda North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US) Bhutan Southern Asia, between China and India Bolivia Central South America, southwest of Brazil Bosnia and Herzegovina Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia Botswana Southern Africa, north of South Africa Bouvet Island island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Brazil Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean British Indian Ocean Territory archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia British Virgin Islands Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Brunei Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Bulgaria Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey Burkina Faso Western Africa, north of Ghana Burma Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand Burundi Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Cambodia Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos Cameroon Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria Canada Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US Cape Verde Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Cayman Islands Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras Central African Republic Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Chad Central Africa, south of Libya Chile Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru China Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam Christmas Island Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Clipperton Island Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico Cocos (Keeling) Islands Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka Colombia Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Comoros Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Congo, Democratic Republic of the Central Africa, northeast of Angola Congo, Republic of the Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon Cook Islands Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Coral Sea Islands Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Costa Rica Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Cote d'Ivoire Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia Croatia Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia Cuba Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida Cyprus Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey Czech Republic Central Europe, southeast of Germany Denmark Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn) Djibouti Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia Dominica Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago Dominican Republic Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti East Timor Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - East Timor includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco Ecuador Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru Egypt Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula El Salvador Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras Equatorial Guinea Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon Eritrea Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan Estonia Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia Ethiopia Eastern Africa, west of Somalia Europa Island Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Faroe Islands Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway Fiji Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Finland Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia France Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain French Guiana Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname French Polynesia Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia French Southern and Antarctic Lands southeast of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land" Gabon Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Gambia, The Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal Gaza Strip Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Georgia Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia Germany Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark Ghana Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo Gibraltar Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain Glorioso Islands Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar Greece Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Greenland Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Grenada Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Guadeloupe Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico Guam Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Guatemala Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize Guernsey Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France Guinea Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone Guinea-Bissau Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal Guyana Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Haiti Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic Heard Island and McDonald Islands islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica Holy See (Vatican City) Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Honduras Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua Hong Kong Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Howland Island Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Hungary Central Europe, northwest of Romania Iceland Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK India Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan Indian Ocean body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia Indonesia Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Iran Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Iraq Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait Ireland Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain Israel Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Italy Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia Jamaica Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba Jan Mayen Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland Japan Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Jarvis Island Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands Jersey Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France Johnston Atoll Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 NM (1328 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Jordan Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia Juan de Nova Island Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique Kazakhstan Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural River in eastern-most Europe Kenya Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania Kingman Reef Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Kiribati Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator; the capital Tarawa is about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory lies in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (GMT +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction lie on the other side of the International Date Line Korea, North Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea Korea, South Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea Kuwait Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Kyrgyzstan Central Asia, west of China Laos Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Latvia Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Lebanon Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria Lesotho Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Liberia Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Libya Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia Liechtenstein Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Lithuania Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia Luxembourg Western Europe, between France and Germany Macau Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Southeastern Europe, north of Greece Madagascar Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique Malawi Southern Africa, east of Zambia Malaysia Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam Maldives Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Mali Western Africa, southwest of Algeria Malta Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Man, Isle of Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland Marshall Islands Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Martinique Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Mauritania Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Mauritius Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Mayotte Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique Mexico Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US Micronesia, Federated States of Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia Midway Islands Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo Moldova Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania Monaco Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy Mongolia Northern Asia, between China and Russia Montserrat Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Morocco Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara Mozambique South-eastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania Namibia Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Nauru Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands Navassa Island Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica Nepal Southern Asia, between China and India Netherlands Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany Netherlands Antilles Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - one includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela; the other is east of the Virgin Islands New Caledonia Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia New Zealand Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia Nicaragua Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras Niger Western Africa, southeast of Algeria Nigeria Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Niue Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga Norfolk Island Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Northern Mariana Islands Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Norway Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden Oman Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE Pacific Ocean body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere Pakistan Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north Palau Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Palmyra Atoll Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Panama Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Papua New Guinea Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia Paracel Islands Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines Paraguay Central South America, northeast of Argentina Peru Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Philippines Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Pitcairn Islands Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand Poland Central Europe, east of Germany Portugal Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain Puerto Rico Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic Qatar Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia Reunion Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Romania Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine Russia Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean Rwanda Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Saint Helena islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa Saint Kitts and Nevis Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago Saint Lucia Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Saint Pierre and Miquelon Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Samoa Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand San Marino Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy Sao Tome and Principe Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon Saudi Arabia Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Senegal Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania Serbia and Montenegro Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina Seychelles Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Sierra Leone Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Singapore Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Slovakia Central Europe, south of Poland Slovenia Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia Solomon Islands Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea Somalia Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia South Africa Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America Southern Ocean body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica Spain Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France Spratly Islands Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines Sri Lanka Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India Sudan Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea Suriname Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana Svalbard Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway Swaziland Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa Sweden Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Switzerland Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Syria Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey Taiwan Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China Tajikistan Central Asia, west of China Tanzania Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique Thailand Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Togo Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana Tokelau Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Tonga Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Tromelin Island Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Tunisia Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya Turkey southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria Turkmenistan Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan Turks and Caicos Islands Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti Tuvalu Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Uganda Eastern Africa, west of Kenya Ukraine Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and Russia United Arab Emirates Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia United Kingdom Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France United States North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico Uruguay Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil Uzbekistan Central Asia, north of Afghanistan Vanuatu Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Venezuela Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Vietnam Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia Virgin Islands Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Wake Island Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands Wallis and Futuna Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand West Bank Middle East, west of Jordan Western Sahara Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Yemen Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Zambia Southern Africa, east of Angola Zimbabwe Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2145 Map references Afghanistan Asia Albania Europe Algeria Africa American Samoa Oceania Andorra Europe Angola Africa Anguilla Central America and the Caribbean Antarctica Antarctic Region Antigua and Barbuda Central America and the Caribbean Arctic Ocean Arctic Region Argentina South America Armenia Asia Aruba Central America and the Caribbean Ashmore and Cartier Islands Southeast Asia Atlantic Ocean Political Map of the World Australia Oceania Austria Europe Azerbaijan Asia Bahamas, The Central America and the Caribbean Bahrain Middle East Baker Island Oceania Bangladesh Asia Barbados Central America and the Caribbean Bassas da India Africa Belarus Europe Belgium Europe Belize Central America and the Caribbean Benin Africa Bermuda North America Bhutan Asia Bolivia South America Bosnia and Herzegovina Europe Botswana Africa Bouvet Island Antarctic Region Brazil South America British Indian Ocean Territory Political Map of the World British Virgin Islands Central America and the Caribbean Brunei Southeast Asia Bulgaria Europe Burkina Faso Africa Burma Southeast Asia Burundi Africa Cambodia Southeast Asia Cameroon Africa Canada North America Cape Verde Political Map of the World Cayman Islands Central America and the Caribbean Central African Republic Africa Chad Africa Chile South America China Asia Christmas Island Southeast Asia Clipperton Island Political Map of the World Cocos (Keeling) Islands Southeast Asia Colombia South America Comoros Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of the Africa Congo, Republic of the Africa Cook Islands Oceania Coral Sea Islands Oceania Costa Rica Central America and the Caribbean Cote d'Ivoire Africa Croatia Europe Cuba Central America and the Caribbean Cyprus Middle East Czech Republic Europe Denmark Europe Djibouti Africa Dominica Central America and the Caribbean Dominican Republic Central America and the Caribbean East Timor Southeast Asia Ecuador South America Egypt Africa El Salvador Central America and the Caribbean Equatorial Guinea Africa Eritrea Africa Estonia Europe Ethiopia Africa Europa Island Africa Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) South America Faroe Islands Europe Fiji Oceania Finland Europe France Europe French Guiana South America French Polynesia Oceania French Southern and Antarctic Lands Antarctic Region Gabon Africa Gambia, The Africa Gaza Strip Middle East Georgia Asia Germany Europe Ghana Africa Gibraltar Europe Glorioso Islands Africa Greece Europe Greenland Arctic Region Grenada Central America and the Caribbean Guadeloupe Central America and the Caribbean Guam Oceania Guatemala Central America and the Caribbean Guernsey Europe Guinea Africa Guinea-Bissau Africa Guyana South America Haiti Central America and the Caribbean Heard Island and McDonald Islands Antarctic Region Holy See (Vatican City) Europe Honduras Central America and the Caribbean Hong Kong Southeast Asia Howland Island Oceania Hungary Europe Iceland Arctic Region India Asia Indian Ocean Political Map of the World Indonesia Southeast Asia Iran Middle East Iraq Middle East Ireland Europe Israel Middle East Italy Europe Jamaica Central America and the Caribbean Jan Mayen Arctic Region Japan Asia Jarvis Island Oceania Jersey Europe Johnston Atoll Oceania Jordan Middle East Juan de Nova Island Africa Kazakhstan Asia Kenya Africa Kingman Reef Oceania Kiribati Oceania Korea, North Asia Korea, South Asia Kuwait Middle East Kyrgyzstan Asia Laos Southeast Asia Latvia Europe Lebanon Middle East Lesotho Africa Liberia Africa Libya Africa Liechtenstein Europe Lithuania Europe Luxembourg Europe Macau Southeast Asia Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Europe Madagascar Africa Malawi Africa Malaysia Southeast Asia Maldives Asia Mali Africa Malta Europe Man, Isle of Europe Marshall Islands Oceania Martinique Central America and the Caribbean Mauritania Africa Mauritius Political Map of the World Mayotte Africa Mexico North America Micronesia, Federated States of Oceania Midway Islands Oceania Moldova Europe Monaco Europe Mongolia Asia Montserrat Central America and the Caribbean Morocco Africa Mozambique Africa Namibia Africa Nauru Oceania Navassa Island Central America and the Caribbean Nepal Asia Netherlands Europe Netherlands Antilles Central America and the Caribbean New Caledonia Oceania New Zealand Oceania Nicaragua Central America and the Caribbean Niger Africa Nigeria Africa Niue Oceania Norfolk Island Oceania Northern Mariana Islands Oceania Norway Europe Oman Middle East Pacific Ocean Political Map of the World Pakistan Asia Palau Oceania Palmyra Atoll Oceania Panama Central America and the Caribbean Papua New Guinea Oceania Paracel Islands Southeast Asia Paraguay South America Peru South America Philippines Southeast Asia Pitcairn Islands Oceania Poland Europe Portugal Europe Puerto Rico Central America and the Caribbean Qatar Middle East Reunion World Romania Europe Russia Asia Rwanda Africa Saint Helena Africa Saint Kitts and Nevis Central America and the Caribbean Saint Lucia Central America and the Caribbean Saint Pierre and Miquelon North America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Central America and the Caribbean Samoa Oceania San Marino Europe Sao Tome and Principe Africa Saudi Arabia Middle East Senegal Africa Serbia and Montenegro Europe Seychelles Africa Sierra Leone Africa Singapore Southeast Asia Slovakia Europe Slovenia Europe Solomon Islands Oceania Somalia Africa South Africa Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Antarctic Region Southern Ocean Antarctic Region Spain Europe Spratly Islands Southeast Asia Sri Lanka Asia Sudan Africa Suriname South America Svalbard Arctic Region Swaziland Africa Sweden Europe Switzerland Europe Syria Middle East Taiwan Southeast Asia Tajikistan Asia Tanzania Africa Thailand Southeast Asia Togo Africa Tokelau Oceania Tonga Oceania Trinidad and Tobago Central America and the Caribbean Tromelin Island Africa Tunisia Africa Turkey Middle East Turkmenistan Asia Turks and Caicos Islands Central America and the Caribbean Tuvalu Oceania Uganda Africa Ukraine Asia, Europe United Arab Emirates Middle East United Kingdom Europe United States North America Uruguay South America Uzbekistan Asia Vanuatu Oceania Venezuela South America Vietnam Southeast Asia Virgin Islands Central America and the Caribbean Wake Island Oceania Wallis and Futuna Oceania West Bank Middle East Western Sahara Africa World Physical Map of the World, Political Map of the World, Standard Time Zones of the World Yemen Middle East Zambia Africa Zimbabwe Africa This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2146 Irrigated land (sq km) Afghanistan 23,860 sq km (1998 est.) Albania 3,400 sq km (1998 est.) Algeria 5,600 sq km (1998 est.) American Samoa NA sq km Andorra NA sq km Angola 750 sq km (1998 est.) Anguilla NA sq km Antarctica 0 sq km (1998 est.) Antigua and Barbuda NA sq km Argentina 15,610 sq km (1998 est.) Armenia 2,870 sq km (1998 est.) Aruba 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Australia 24,000 sq km (1998 est.) Austria 457 sq km (2000 est.) Azerbaijan 14,550 sq km (1998 est.) Bahamas, The NA sq km Bahrain 50 sq km (1998 est.) Baker Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Bangladesh 38,440 sq km (1998 est.) Barbados 10 sq km (1998 est.) Bassas da India 0 sq km (1998 est.) Belarus 1,150 sq km (1998 est.) Belgium 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.) Belize 30 sq km (1998 est.) Benin 120 sq km (1998 est.) Bermuda NA sq km Bhutan 400 sq km (1998 est.) Bolivia 1,280 sq km (1998 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 20 sq km (1998 est.) Botswana 10 sq km (1998 est.) Bouvet Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Brazil 26,560 sq km (1998 est.) British Indian Ocean Territory 0 sq km (1998 est.) British Virgin Islands NA sq km Brunei 10 sq km (1998 est.) Bulgaria 8,000 sq km (1998 est.) Burkina Faso 250 sq km (1998 est.) Burma 15,920 sq km (1998 est.) Burundi 740 sq km (1998 est.) Cambodia 2,700 sq km (1998 est.) Cameroon 330 sq km (1998 est.) Canada 7,200 sq km (1998 est.) Cape Verde 30 sq km (1998 est.) Cayman Islands NA sq km Central African Republic NA sq km Chad 200 sq km (1998 est.) Chile 18,000 sq km (1998 est.) China 525,800 sq km (1998 est.) Christmas Island NA sq km Clipperton Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA sq km Colombia 8,500 sq km (1998 est.) Comoros NA sq km Congo, Democratic Republic of the 110 sq km (1998 est.) Congo, Republic of the 10 sq km (1998 est.) Cook Islands NA sq km Coral Sea Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Costa Rica 1,260 sq km (1998 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 730 sq km (1998 est.) Croatia 30 sq km (1998 est.) Cuba 870 sq km (1998 est.) Cyprus 400 sq km (1998 est.) Czech Republic 240 sq km (1998 est.) Denmark 4,760 sq km (1998 est.) Djibouti 10 sq km (1998 est.) Dominica NA sq km Dominican Republic 2,590 sq km (1998 est.) East Timor 1,065 sq km (est.) Ecuador 8,650 sq km (1998 est.) Egypt 33,000 sq km (1998 est.) El Salvador 360 sq km (1998 est.) Equatorial Guinea NA sq km Eritrea 220 sq km (1998 est.) Estonia 40 sq km (1998 est.) Ethiopia 1,900 sq km (1998 est.) Europa Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA sq km Faroe Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Fiji 30 sq km (1998 est.) Finland 640 sq km (1998 est.) France 20,000 sq km (1998 est.) French Guiana 20 sq km (1998 est.) French Polynesia NA sq km French Southern and Antarctic Lands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Gabon 150 sq km (1998 est.) Gambia, The 20 sq km (1998 est.) Gaza Strip 120 sq km (1998 est.) Georgia 4,700 sq km (1998 est.) Germany 4,850 sq km (1998 est.) Ghana 110 sq km (1998 est.) Gibraltar NA sq km Glorioso Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Greece 14,220 sq km (1998 est.) Greenland NA sq km Grenada NA sq km Guadeloupe 20 sq km (1998 est.) Guam NA sq km Guatemala 1,250 sq km (1998 est.) Guernsey NA sq km Guinea 950 sq km (1998 est.) Guinea-Bissau 170 sq km (1998 est.) Guyana 1,500 sq km (1998 est.) Haiti 750 sq km (1998 est.) Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) 0 sq km (1998 est.) Honduras 760 sq km (1998 est.) Hong Kong 20 sq km (1998 est.) Howland Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Hungary 2,100 sq km (1998 est.) Iceland NA sq km India 590,000 sq km (1998 est.) Indonesia 48,150 sq km (1998 est.) Iran 75,620 sq km (1998 est.) Iraq 35,250 sq km (1998 est.) Ireland NA sq km Israel 1,990 sq km (1998 est.) Italy 26,980 sq km (1998 est.) Jamaica 250 sq km (1998 est.) Jan Mayen 0 sq km (1998 est.) Japan 26,790 sq km (1998 est.) Jarvis Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Jersey NA sq km Johnston Atoll 0 sq km (1998 est.) Jordan 750 sq km (1998 est.) Juan de Nova Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Kazakhstan 23,320 sq km (1998 est.) Kenya 670 sq km (1998 est.) Kingman Reef 0 sq km (1998 est.) Kiribati NA sq km Korea, North 14,600 sq km (1998 est.) Korea, South 11,590 sq km (1998 est.) Kuwait 60 sq km (1998 est.) Kyrgyzstan 10,740 sq km (1998 est.) Laos 1,640 sq km note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.) Latvia 200 sq km note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (1998 est.) Lebanon 1,200 sq km (1998 est.) Lesotho 10 sq km (1998 est.) Liberia 30 sq km (1998 est.) Libya 4,700 sq km (1998 est.) Liechtenstein NA sq km Lithuania 90 sq km (1998 est.) Luxembourg 40 sq km (includes Belgium) (1998 est.) Macau NA sq km Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 550 sq km (1998 est.) Madagascar 10,900 sq km (1998 est.) Malawi 280 sq km (1998 est.) Malaysia 3,650 sq km (1998 est.) Maldives NA sq km Mali 1,380 sq km (1998 est.) Malta 20 sq km (1998 est.) Man, Isle of 0 sq km (1998 est.) Marshall Islands 0 sq km Martinique 30 sq km (1998 est.) Mauritania 490 sq km (1998 est.) Mauritius 200 sq km (1998 est.) Mayotte NA sq km Mexico 65,000 sq km (1998 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA sq km Midway Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Moldova 3,070 sq km (1998 est.) Monaco NA sq km Mongolia 840 sq km (1998 est.) Montserrat NA sq km Morocco 12,910 sq km (1998 est.) Mozambique 1,070 sq km (1998 est.) Namibia 70 sq km (1998 est.) Nauru NA sq km Navassa Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Nepal 11,350 sq km (1998 est.) Netherlands 5,650 sq km (1998 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA sq km New Caledonia 160 sq km (1991) New Zealand 2,850 sq km (1998 est.) Nicaragua 880 sq km (1998 est.) Niger 660 sq km (1998 est.) Nigeria 2,330 sq km (1998 est.) Niue NA sq km Norfolk Island NA sq km Northern Mariana Islands NA sq km Norway 1,270 sq km (1998 est.) Oman 620 sq km (1998 est.) Pakistan 180,000 sq km (1998 est.) Palau NA sq km Palmyra Atoll 0 sq km (1998 est.) Panama 320 sq km (1998 est.) Papua New Guinea NA sq km Paracel Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Paraguay 670 sq km (1998 est.) Peru 11,950 sq km (1998 est.) Philippines 15,500 sq km (1998 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA sq km Poland 1,000 sq km (1998 est.) Portugal 6,320 sq km (1998 est.) Puerto Rico 400 sq km (1998 est.) Qatar 130 sq km (1998 est.) Reunion 120 sq km (1998 est.) Romania 28,800 sq km (1998 est.) Russia 46,630 sq km (1998 est.) Rwanda 40 sq km (1998 est.) Saint Helena NA sq km Saint Kitts and Nevis NA sq km Saint Lucia 30 sq km (1998 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA sq km Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10 sq km (1998 est.) Samoa NA sq km San Marino NA sq km Sao Tome and Principe 100 sq km (1998 est.) Saudi Arabia 16,200 sq km (1998 est.) Senegal 710 sq km (1998 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 570 sq km Seychelles NA sq km Sierra Leone 290 sq km (1998 est.) Singapore NA sq km Slovakia 1,740 sq km (1998 est.) Slovenia 20 sq km (1998 est.) Solomon Islands NA sq km Somalia 2,000 sq km (1998 est.) South Africa 13,500 sq km (1998 est.) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Spain 36,400 sq km (1998 est.) Spratly Islands 0 sq km (1998 est.) Sri Lanka 6,510 sq km (1998 est.) Sudan 19,500 sq km (1998 est.) Suriname 490 sq km (1998 est.) Svalbard NA sq km Swaziland 690 sq km (1998 est.) Sweden 1,150 sq km (1998 est.) Switzerland 250 sq km (1998 est.) Syria 12,130 sq km (1998 est.) Taiwan NA sq km Tajikistan 7,200 sq km (1998 est.) Tanzania 1,550 sq km (1998 est.) Thailand 47,490 sq km (1998 est.) Togo 70 sq km (1998 est.) Tokelau NA sq km Tonga NA sq km Trinidad and Tobago 30 sq km (1998 est.) Tromelin Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Tunisia 3,800 sq km (1998 est.) Turkey 42,000 sq km (1998 est.) Turkmenistan 17,500 sq km (2003 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA sq km Tuvalu NA sq km Uganda 90 sq km (1998 est.) Ukraine 24,540 sq km (1998 est.) United Arab Emirates 720 sq km (1998 est.) United Kingdom 1,080 sq km (1998 est.) United States 214,000 sq km (1998 est.) Uruguay 1,800 sq km (1998 est.) Uzbekistan 42,810 sq km (1998 est.) Vanuatu NA sq km Venezuela 540 sq km (1998 est.) Vietnam 30,000 sq km (1998 est.) Virgin Islands NA sq km Wake Island 0 sq km (1998 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA sq km West Bank NA sq km Western Sahara NA sq km World 2,714,320 sq km (1998 est.) Yemen 4,900 sq km (1998 est.) Zambia 460 sq km (1998 est.) Zimbabwe 1,170 sq km (1998 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2147 Area (sq km) Afghanistan total: 647,500 sq km land: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km Albania total: 28,748 sq km land: 27,398 sq km water: 1,350 sq km Algeria total: 2,381,740 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km American Samoa total: 199 sq km land: 199 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island Andorra total: 468 sq km land: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km Angola total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Anguilla total: 102 sq km land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km Antarctica total: 14 million sq km land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.) note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe Antigua and Barbuda total: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) land: 443 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km Arctic Ocean total: 14.056 million sq km note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies Argentina total: 2,766,890 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 30,200 sq km Armenia total: 29,800 sq km land: 28,400 sq km water: 1,400 sq km Aruba total: 193 sq km land: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km Ashmore and Cartier Islands total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island Atlantic Ocean total: 76.762 million sq km note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies Australia total: 7,686,850 sq km land: 7,617,930 sq km water: 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island Austria total: 83,858 sq km land: 82,738 sq km water: 1,120 sq km Azerbaijan total: 86,600 sq km land: 86,100 sq km water: 500 sq km note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991 Bahamas, The total: 13,940 sq km land: 10,070 sq km water: 3,870 sq km Bahrain total: 665 sq km land: 665 sq km water: 0 sq km Baker Island total: 1.4 sq km land: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km Bangladesh total: 144,000 sq km land: 133,910 sq km water: 10,090 sq km Barbados total: 431 sq km land: 431 sq km water: 0 sq km Bassas da India total: 0.2 sq km land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km Belarus total: 207,600 sq km land: 207,600 sq km water: 0 sq km Belgium total: 30,510 sq km land: 30,230 sq km water: 280 sq km Belize total: 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km Benin total: 112,620 sq km land: 110,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km Bermuda total: 53.3 sq km land: 53.3 sq km water: 0 sq km Bhutan total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km Bolivia total: 1,098,580 sq km land: 1,084,390 sq km water: 14,190 sq km Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 51,129 sq km land: 51,129 sq km water: 0 sq km Botswana total: 600,370 sq km land: 585,370 sq km water: 15,000 sq km Bouvet Island total: 58.5 sq km land: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Brazil total: 8,511,965 sq km land: 8,456,510 sq km water: 55,455 sq km note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo British Indian Ocean Territory total: 60 sq km land: 60 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago British Virgin Islands total: 153 sq km land: 153 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada Brunei total: 5,770 sq km land: 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km Bulgaria total: 110,910 sq km land: 110,550 sq km water: 360 sq km Burkina Faso total: 274,200 sq km land: 273,800 sq km water: 400 sq km Burma total: 678,500 sq km land: 657,740 sq km water: 20,760 sq km Burundi total: 27,830 sq km land: 25,650 sq km water: 2,180 sq km Cambodia total: 181,040 sq km land: 176,520 sq km water: 4,520 sq km Cameroon total: 475,440 sq km land: 469,440 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Canada total: 9,984,670 sq km land: 9,093,507 sq km water: 891,163 sq km Cape Verde total: 4,033 sq km land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km Cayman Islands total: 262 sq km land: 262 sq km water: 0 sq km Central African Republic total: 622,984 sq km land: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km Chad total: 1.284 million sq km land: 1,259,200 sq km water: 24,800 sq km Chile total: 756,950 sq km land: 748,800 sq km water: 8,150 sq km note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez China total: 9,596,960 sq km land: 9,326,410 sq km water: 270,550 sq km Christmas Island total: 135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km Clipperton Island total: 6 sq km land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island Colombia total: 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank Comoros total: 2,170 sq km land: 2,170 sq km water: 0 sq km Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 2,345,410 sq km land: 2,267,600 sq km water: 77,810 sq km Congo, Republic of the total: 342,000 sq km land: 341,500 sq km water: 500 sq km Cook Islands total: 240 sq km land: 240 sq km water: 0 sq km Coral Sea Islands total: less than 3 sq km land: less than 3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important Costa Rica total: 51,100 sq km land: 50,660 sq km water: 440 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco Cote d'Ivoire total: 322,460 sq km land: 318,000 sq km water: 4,460 sq km Croatia total: 56,542 sq km land: 56,414 sq km water: 128 sq km Cuba total: 110,860 sq km land: 110,860 sq km water: 0 sq km Cyprus total: 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish Cypriot area) land: 9,240 sq km water: 10 sq km Czech Republic total: 78,866 sq km land: 77,276 sq km water: 1,590 sq km Denmark total: 43,094 sq km land: 42,394 sq km water: 700 sq km note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland Djibouti total: 23,000 sq km land: 22,980 sq km water: 20 sq km Dominica total: 754 sq km land: 754 sq km water: 0 sq km Dominican Republic total: 48,730 sq km land: 48,380 sq km water: 350 sq km East Timor total: 15,007 sq km land: NA sq km water: NA sq km Ecuador total: 283,560 sq km land: 276,840 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands Egypt total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km El Salvador total: 21,040 sq km land: 20,720 sq km water: 320 sq km Equatorial Guinea total: 28,051 sq km land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km Eritrea total: 121,320 sq km land: 121,320 sq km water: 0 sq km Estonia total: 45,226 sq km land: 43,211 sq km water: 2,015 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea Ethiopia total: 1,127,127 sq km land: 1,119,683 sq km water: 7,444 sq km Europa Island total: 28 sq km land: 28 sq km water: 0 sq km Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 12,173 sq km land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Faroe Islands total: 1,399 sq km land: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) Fiji total: 18,270 sq km land: 18,270 sq km water: 0 sq km Finland total: 337,030 sq km land: 305,470 sq km water: 31,560 sq km France total: 547,030 sq km land: 545,630 sq km water: 1,400 sq km note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions French Guiana total: 91,000 sq km land: 89,150 sq km water: 1,850 sq km French Polynesia total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) land: 3,660 sq km water: 507 sq km French Southern and Antarctic Lands total: 7,829 sq km land: 7,829 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Gabon total: 267,667 sq km land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km Gambia, The total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km Gaza Strip total: 360 sq km land: 360 sq km water: 0 sq km Georgia total: 69,700 sq km land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Germany total: 357,021 sq km land: 349,223 sq km water: 7,798 sq km Ghana total: 239,460 sq km land: 230,940 sq km water: 8,520 sq km Gibraltar total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Glorioso Islands total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock Greece total: 131,940 sq km land: 130,800 sq km water: 1,140 sq km Greenland total: 2,166,086 sq km land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) (2000 est.) Grenada total: 344 sq km land: 344 sq km water: 0 sq km Guadeloupe total: 1,780 sq km land: 1,706 sq km water: 74 sq km note: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and Saint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin) Guam total: 549 sq km land: 549 sq km water: 0 sq km Guatemala total: 108,890 sq km land: 108,430 sq km water: 460 sq km Guernsey total: 78 sq km land: 78 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands Guinea total: 245,857 sq km land: 245,857 sq km water: 0 sq km Guinea-Bissau total: 36,120 sq km land: 28,000 sq km water: 8,120 sq km Guyana total: 214,970 sq km land: 196,850 sq km water: 18,120 sq km Haiti total: 27,750 sq km land: 27,560 sq km water: 190 sq km Heard Island and McDonald Islands total: 412 sq km land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km Holy See (Vatican City) total: 0.44 sq km land: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km Honduras total: 112,090 sq km land: 111,890 sq km water: 200 sq km Hong Kong total: 1,092 sq km land: 1,042 sq km water: 50 sq km Howland Island total: 1.6 sq km land: 1.6 sq km water: 0 sq km Hungary total: 93,030 sq km land: 92,340 sq km water: 690 sq km Iceland total: 103,000 sq km land: 100,250 sq km water: 2,750 sq km India total: 3,287,590 sq km land: 2,973,190 sq km water: 314,400 sq km Indian Ocean total: 68.556 million sq km note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Flores Sea, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Java Sea, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies Indonesia total: 1,919,440 sq km land: 1,826,440 sq km water: 93,000 sq km Iran total: 1.648 million sq km land: 1.636 million sq km water: 12,000 sq km Iraq total: 437,072 sq km land: 432,162 sq km water: 4,910 sq km Ireland total: 70,280 sq km land: 68,890 sq km water: 1,390 sq km Israel total: 20,770 sq km land: 20,330 sq km water: 440 sq km Italy total: 301,230 sq km land: 294,020 sq km water: 7,210 sq km note: includes Sardinia and Sicily Jamaica total: 10,991 sq km land: 10,831 sq km water: 160 sq km Jan Mayen total: 373 sq km land: 373 sq km water: 0 sq km Japan total: 377,835 sq km land: 374,744 sq km water: 3,091 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) Jarvis Island total: 4.5 sq km land: 4.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Jersey total: 116 sq km land: 116 sq km water: 0 sq km Johnston Atoll total: 2.8 sq km land: 2.8 sq km water: 0 sq km Jordan total: 92,300 sq km land: 91,971 sq km water: 329 sq km Juan de Nova Island total: 4.4 sq km land: 4.4 sq km water: 0 sq km Kazakhstan total: 2,717,300 sq km land: 2,669,800 sq km water: 47,500 sq km Kenya total: 582,650 sq km land: 569,250 sq km water: 13,400 sq km Kingman Reef total: 1 sq km land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km Kiribati total: 811 sq km land: 811 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands Korea, North total: 120,540 sq km land: 120,410 sq km water: 130 sq km Korea, South total: 98,480 sq km land: 98,190 sq km water: 290 sq km Kuwait total: 17,820 sq km land: 17,820 sq km water: 0 sq km Kyrgyzstan total: 198,500 sq km land: 191,300 sq km water: 7,200 sq km Laos total: 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Latvia total: 64,589 sq km land: 63,589 sq km water: 1,000 sq km Lebanon total: 10,400 sq km land: 10,230 sq km water: 170 sq km Lesotho total: 30,355 sq km land: 30,355 sq km water: 0 sq km Liberia total: 111,370 sq km land: 96,320 sq km water: 15,050 sq km Libya total: 1,759,540 sq km land: 1,759,540 sq km water: 0 sq km Liechtenstein total: 160 sq km land: 160 sq km water: 0 sq km Lithuania total: 65,200 sq km land: NA sq km water: NA sq km Luxembourg total: 2,586 sq km land: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km Macau total: 25.4 sq km land: 25.4 sq km water: 0 sq km Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total: 25,333 sq km land: 24,856 sq km water: 477 sq km Madagascar total: 587,040 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,500 sq km Malawi total: 118,480 sq km land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,400 sq km Malaysia total: 329,750 sq km land: 328,550 sq km water: 1,200 sq km Maldives total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km Mali total: 1.24 million sq km land: 1.22 million sq km water: 20,000 sq km Malta total: 316 sq km land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km Man, Isle of total: 572 sq km land: 572 sq km water: 0 sq km Marshall Islands total: 181.3 sq km land: 181.3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik Martinique total: 1,100 sq km land: 1,060 sq km water: 40 sq km Mauritania total: 1,030,700 sq km land: 1,030,400 sq km water: 300 sq km Mauritius total: 2,040 sq km land: 2,030 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues Mayotte total: 374 sq km land: 374 sq km water: 0 sq km Mexico total: 1,972,550 sq km land: 1,923,040 sq km water: 49,510 sq km Micronesia, Federated States of total: 702 sq km land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) Midway Islands total: 6.2 sq km land: 6.2 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Island Moldova total: 33,843 sq km land: 33,371 sq km water: 472 sq km Monaco total: 1.95 sq km land: 1.95 sq km water: 0 sq km Mongolia total: 1.565 million sq km land: 1,555,400 sq km water: 9,600 sq km Montserrat total: 102 sq km land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km Morocco total: 446,550 sq km land: 446,300 sq km water: 250 sq km Mozambique total: 801,590 sq km land: 784,090 sq km water: 17,500 sq km Namibia total: 825,418 sq km land: 825,418 sq km water: 0 sq km Nauru total: 21 sq km land: 21 sq km water: 0 sq km Navassa Island total: 5.2 sq km land: 5.2 sq km water: 0 sq km Nepal total: 140,800 sq km land: 136,800 sq km water: 4,000 sq km Netherlands total: 41,526 sq km land: 33,883 sq km water: 7,643 sq km Netherlands Antilles total: 960 sq km land: 960 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin) New Caledonia total: 19,060 sq km land: 18,575 sq km water: 485 sq km New Zealand total: 268,680 sq km land: NA sq km water: NA sq km note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands Nicaragua total: 129,494 sq km land: 120,254 sq km water: 9,240 sq km Niger total: 1.267 million sq km land: 1,266,700 sq km water: 300 sq km Nigeria total: 923,768 sq km land: 910,768 sq km water: 13,000 sq km Niue total: 260 sq km land: 260 sq km water: 0 sq km Norfolk Island total: 34.6 sq km land: 34.6 sq km water: 0 sq km Northern Mariana Islands total: 477 sq km land: 477 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian Norway total: 324,220 sq km land: 307,860 sq km water: 16,360 sq km Oman total: 212,460 sq km land: 212,460 sq km water: 0 sq km Pacific Ocean total: 155.557 million sq km note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies Pakistan total: 803,940 sq km land: 778,720 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Palau total: 458 sq km land: 458 sq km water: 0 sq km Palmyra Atoll total: 11.9 sq km land: 11.9 sq km water: 0 sq km Panama total: 78,200 sq km land: 75,990 sq km water: 2,210 sq km Papua New Guinea total: 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km Paracel Islands total: NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km Paraguay total: 406,750 sq km land: 397,300 sq km water: 9,450 sq km Peru total: 1,285,220 sq km land: 1.28 million sq km water: 5,220 sq km Philippines total: 300,000 sq km land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km Pitcairn Islands total: 47 sq km land: 47 sq km water: 0 sq km Poland total: 312,685 sq km land: 304,465 sq km water: 8,220 sq km Portugal total: 92,391 sq km land: 91,951 sq km water: 440 sq km note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands Puerto Rico total: 9,104 sq km land: 8,959 sq km water: 145 sq km Qatar total: 11,437 sq km land: 11,437 sq km water: 0 sq km Reunion total: 2,517 sq km land: 2,507 sq km water: 10 sq km Romania total: 237,500 sq km land: 230,340 sq km water: 7,160 sq km Russia total: 17,075,200 sq km land: 16,995,800 sq km water: 79,400 sq km Rwanda total: 26,338 sq km land: 24,948 sq km water: 1,390 sq km Saint Helena total: 410 sq km land: 410 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Saint Helena Island, Ascension, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha, which consists of Tristan da Cunha Island, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, and the three Nightingale Islands Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km) land: 261 sq km water: 0 sq km Saint Lucia total: 616 sq km land: 606 sq km water: 10 sq km Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 242 sq km land: 242 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) land: 389 sq km water: 0 sq km Samoa total: 2,944 sq km land: 2,934 sq km water: 10 sq km San Marino total: 61.2 sq km land: 61.2 sq km water: 0 sq km Sao Tome and Principe total: 1,001 sq km land: 1,001 sq km water: 0 sq km Saudi Arabia total: 1,960,582 sq km land: 1,960,582 sq km water: 0 sq km Senegal total: 196,190 sq km land: 192,000 sq km water: 4,190 sq km Serbia and Montenegro total: 102,350 sq km land: 102,136 sq km water: 214 sq km Seychelles total: 455 sq km land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km Sierra Leone total: 71,740 sq km land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km Singapore total: 692.7 sq km land: 682.7 sq km water: 10 sq km Slovakia total: 48,845 sq km land: 48,800 sq km water: 45 sq km Slovenia total: 20,273 sq km land: 20,151 sq km water: 122 sq km Solomon Islands total: 28,450 sq km land: 27,540 sq km water: 910 sq km Somalia total: 637,657 sq km land: 627,337 sq km water: 10,320 sq km South Africa total: 1,219,912 sq km land: 1,219,912 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands total: 3,903 sq km land: 3,903 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of some nine islands Southern Ocean total: 20.327 million sq km note: includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodies Spain total: 504,782 sq km land: 499,542 sq km water: 5,240 sq km note: there are 19 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera Spratly Islands total: less than 5 sq km land: less than 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea Sri Lanka total: 65,610 sq km land: 64,740 sq km water: 870 sq km Sudan total: 2,505,810 sq km land: 2.376 million sq km water: 129,810 sq km Suriname total: 163,270 sq km land: 161,470 sq km water: 1,800 sq km Svalbard total: 62,049 sq km land: 62,049 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island) Swaziland total: 17,363 sq km land: 17,203 sq km water: 160 sq km Sweden total: 449,964 sq km land: 410,934 sq km water: 39,030 sq km Switzerland total: 41,290 sq km land: 39,770 sq km water: 1,520 sq km Syria total: 185,180 sq km land: 184,050 sq km water: 1,130 sq km note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory Taiwan total: 35,980 sq km land: 32,260 sq km water: 3,720 sq km note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy Tajikistan total: 143,100 sq km land: 142,700 sq km water: 400 sq km Tanzania total: 945,087 sq km land: 886,037 sq km water: 59,050 sq km note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar Thailand total: 514,000 sq km land: 511,770 sq km water: 2,230 sq km Togo total: 56,785 sq km land: 54,385 sq km water: 2,400 sq km Tokelau total: 10 sq km land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km Tonga total: 748 sq km land: 718 sq km water: 30 sq km Trinidad and Tobago total: 5,128 sq km land: 5,128 sq km water: 0 sq km Tromelin Island total: 1 sq km land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km Tunisia total: 163,610 sq km land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km Turkey total: 780,580 sq km land: 770,760 sq km water: 9,820 sq km Turkmenistan total: 488,100 sq km land: 488,100 sq km water: 0 sq km Turks and Caicos Islands total: 430 sq km land: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km Tuvalu total: 26 sq km land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km Uganda total: 236,040 sq km land: 199,710 sq km water: 36,330 sq km Ukraine total: 603,700 sq km land: 603,700 sq km water: 0 sq km United Arab Emirates total: 82,880 sq km land: 82,880 sq km water: 0 sq km United Kingdom total: 244,820 sq km land: 241,590 sq km water: 3,230 sq km note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands United States total: 9,629,091 sq km land: 9,158,960 sq km water: 470,131 sq km note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia Uruguay total: 176,220 sq km land: 173,620 sq km water: 2,600 sq km Uzbekistan total: 447,400 sq km land: 425,400 sq km water: 22,000 sq km Vanuatu total: 12,200 sq km land: 12,200 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes more than 80 islands Venezuela total: 912,050 sq km land: 882,050 sq km water: 30,000 sq km Vietnam total: 329,560 sq km land: 325,360 sq km water: 4,200 sq km Virgin Islands total: 352 sq km land: 349 sq km water: 3 sq km Wake Island total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Wallis and Futuna total: 274 sq km land: 274 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets West Bank total: 5,860 sq km land: 5,640 sq km water: 220 sq km note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967 Western Sahara total: 266,000 sq km land: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km World total: 510.072 million sq km land: 148.94 million sq km water: 361.132 million sq km note: 70.8% of the world's surface is water, 29.2% is land Yemen total: 527,970 sq km land: 527,970 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen) Zambia total: 752,614 sq km land: 740,724 sq km water: 11,890 sq km Zimbabwe total: 390,580 sq km land: 386,670 sq km water: 3,910 sq km This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2149 Diplomatic representation in the US Afghanistan chief of mission: ambassador Seyyed Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: 202-483-6410 FAX: 202-483-6487 consulate(s) general: New York Albania chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Fatos TARIFA chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 Algeria chief of mission: Ambassador Idriss JAZAIRY chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174 American Samoa none (territory of the US) Andorra chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630 Angola chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston and New York Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5211 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami Argentina chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Octavio BORDON chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Armenia chief of mission: Ambassador Arman KIRAKOSSIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Aruba none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Ashmore and Cartier Islands none (territory of Australia) Australia chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. THAWLEY chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco Austria chief of mission: Ambassador Eva NOWOTNY chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Azerbaijan chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 Bahamas, The chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua SEARS chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York Bahrain chief of mission: Ambassador Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid AL KHALIFA chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741 FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general: New York Bangladesh chief of mission: Ambassador Syed Hasan AHMAD chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Barbados chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 339-9201 FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York consulate(s): Los Angeles Belarus chief of mission: Ambassador Mikhail KHVOSTOV chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604 FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 consulate(s) general: New York Belgium chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Belize chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Benin chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 Bermuda none (overseas territory of the UK) Bhutan none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York Bolivia chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime APARICIO Otero chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Washington, DC Bosnia and Herzegovina chief of mission: Ambassador Igor DAVIDOVIC chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502 consulate(s) general: New York Botswana chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 Brazil chief of mission: Ambassador Rubens Antonio BARBOSA; note - Ambassador-Designate Roberto ABDENUR expected to arrive March 2004 chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco British Indian Ocean Territory none (overseas territory of the UK) British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei chief of mission: Ambassador Anak Dato Haji PUTEH chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 Bulgaria chief of mission: Ambassador Elena B. POPTODOROVA chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 consulate(s): New York Burkina Faso chief of mission: Ambassador Tertius ZONGO chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882 Burma chief of mission: Ambassador LINN MYAING chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9044 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9046 consulate(s) general: New York Burundi chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine NTAMOBWA chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578 Cambodia chief of mission: Ambassador ROLAND ENG chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381 Cameroon chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826 Canada chief of mission: Ambassador Michael F. KERGIN chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle consulate(s): Miami, Princeton, San Francisco, and San Jose Cape Verde chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITO chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston Cayman Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Central African Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893 Chad chief of mission: Ambassador Hassaballah Abdelhadi Ahmat SOUBIANE chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937 Chile chief of mission: Ambassador Andres BIANCHI chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) China chief of mission: Ambassador YANG Jiechi chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco Christmas Island none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia) Colombia chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC consulate(s): Atlanta Comoros chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmoud M. ABOUD (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN) chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Union of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711 FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699 Congo, Democratic Republic of the chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691 FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 Congo, Republic of the chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860 Cook Islands none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Coral Sea Islands none (territory of Australia) Costa Rica chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime DAREMBLUM Rosenstein chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Durham (North Carolina), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Tampa consulate(s): Austin Cote d'Ivoire chief of mission: Ambassador Pascal Dago KOKORA chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 FAX: [1] (202) 462-9444 Croatia chief of mission: Ambassador Ivan GRDESIC chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899 FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Cuba none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Dagoberto RODRIGUEZ Barrera (since August 2001); address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518 Cyprus chief of mission: Ambassador Euripides L. EVRIVIADES chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 consulate(s) general: New York consulate(s): New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Osman ERTUG; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 Czech Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Martin PALOUS chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Denmark chief of mission: Ambassador Ulrik Andreas FEDERSPIEL chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Djibouti chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302 Dominica chief of mission: Ambassador Swinburne LESTRADE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791 consulate(s) general: New York Dominican Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo GUILIANI Cury chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Jacksonville, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Mobile and Ponce (Puerto Rico) East Timor chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Luis GUTERRES chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: 202 965-1515 FAX: 202 965-1517 consulate(s) general: New York (the ambassador resides in New York) (2003) Ecuador chief of mission: Ambassador Raul GANGOTENA Rivadeneira chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Egypt chief of mission: Ambassador M. Nabil FAHMY chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco El Salvador chief of mission: Ambassador Rene Antonio LEON Rodriguez chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671 FAX: [1] (202) 234-3834 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC Equatorial Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Teodoro Biyogo NSUE chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252 Eritrea chief of mission: Ambassador GIRMA Asmerom chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991 FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304 consulate(s) general: Oakland (California) Estonia chief of mission: Ambassador Juri LUIK chancery: 1730 M Street NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 consulate(s) general: New York Ethiopia chief of mission: Ambassador KASSAHUN Ayele chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200 FAX: [1] (202) 686-9551 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Fiji chief of mission: Ambassador Anare JALE chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996 Finland chief of mission: Ambassador Jukka Robert VALTASAARI chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800 FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York France chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-David LEVITTE chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco French Guiana none (overseas department of France) French Polynesia none (overseas territory of France) French Southern and Antarctic Lands none (overseas territory of France) Gabon chief of mission: Ambassador Jules Marius OGOUEBANDJA chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668 consulate(s): New York Gambia, The chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Lena Manga Sagnia SECK chancery: Suite 905, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 Georgia chief of mission: Ambassador Levan MIKELADZE chancery: Suite 300, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 393-6060 Germany chief of mission: Ambassador Wolfgang Friedrich ISCHINGER chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-8140 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Ghana chief of mission: Ambassador Alan J. KYEREMATEN chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 consulate(s) general: New York Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK) Glorioso Islands none (possession of France) Greece chief of mission: Ambassador Yeoryious SAVVAIDES chancery: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans Greenland none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Grenada chief of mission: Ambassador Denis G. ANTOINE chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561 FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 consulate(s) general: New York Guadeloupe none (overseas department of France) Guam none (territory of the US) Guatemala chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio Fernando ARENALES Forno chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco Guernsey none (British crown dependency) Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010 Guinea-Bissau chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Henrique Adriano DA SILVA chancery: 1511 K Street NW, Suite 519, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 347-3950 FAX: [1] (202) 347-3954 Guyana chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 consulate(s) general: New York Haiti chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chief of Mission Harry Frantz LEO chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Heard Island and McDonald Islands none (territory of Australia) Holy See (Vatican City) chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036 Honduras chief of mission: Ambassador Mario Miguel CANAHUATI chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2604 FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa honorary consulate(s): Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Jacksonville Hong Kong none (special administrative region of China) Hungary chief of mission: Ambassador Andras SIMONYI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Iceland chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653 FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656 consulate(s) general: New York India chief of mission: Ambassador Lalit MANSINGH chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Embassy located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 FAX: [1] (202) 483-3972 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco Indonesia chief of mission: Ambassador SOEMADI Brotodiningrat chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200 FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco Iran none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990 Iraq in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition Ireland chief of mission: Ambassador Noel FAHEY; note - FAHEY has announced that he will leave chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco Israel chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel AYALON chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Italy chief of mission: Ambassador Sergio VENTO chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 518-2151 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco consulate(s): Detroit Jamaica chief of mission: Ambassador Seymour MULLINGS chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660 FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York Japan chief of mission: Ambassador Ryozo KATO chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and Seattle consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) Jersey none (British crown dependency) Jordan chief of mission: Ambassador Karim Tawfiq KAWAR chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 Juan de Nova Island none (possession of France) Kazakhstan chief of mission: Ambassador Kanat B. SAUDABAYEV chancery: 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5488 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5845 consulate(s): New York Kenya chief of mission: Ambassador Yusuf Abdulraham NZIBO chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829 consulate(s) general: offices in Los Angeles and New York are closed; mission to the UN remains open Kiribati Kiribati does not have an embassy in the US; there is an honorary consulate in Honolulu Korea, North none; note - North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Korea, South chief of mission: Ambassador HAN Sung-chu (HAN Sung-joo) chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0205 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle consulate(s): New York, Tamuning (Guam) Kuwait chief of mission: Ambassador Sheikh SALIM al-Abdallah Jabir Al Sabah chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517 Kyrgyzstan chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 338-5141 FAX: [1] (202) 338-5139 consulate(s): New York Laos chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923 Latvia chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214 FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785 Lebanon chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Farid ABBOUD chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6320 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324 consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles Lesotho chief of mission: Ambassador Molelekeng E. RAPOLAKI chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815 Liberia chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Aaron B. KOLLIE chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 consulate(s) general: New York Libya Libya does not have an embassy in the US Liechtenstein chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460 FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459 Lithuania chief of mission: Ambassador Vygaudas USACKAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York Luxembourg chief of mission: Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS-PACCOURD chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270 consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco Macau none (special administrative region of China) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of chief of mission: Ambassador Nikola DIMITROV chancery: Suite 302, 1101 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3063 FAX: [1] (202) 337-3093 consulate(s) general: New York Madagascar chief of mission: Ambassador Rajaonarivony NARISOA chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 FAX: [1] (202) 483-7603 consulate(s) general: New York Malawi chief of mission: Ambassador Paul Tony Steven KANDIERO chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1007 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0976 Malaysia chief of mission: Ambassador GHAZZALI bin Sheikh Abdul Khalid chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Maldives Maldives does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York; permanent representative is Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF Mali chief of mission: Ambassador Abdoulaye DIOP chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603 Malta chief of mission: Ambassador John LOWELL chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York Man, Isle of none (British crown dependency) Marshall Islands chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu Martinique none (overseas department of France) Mauritania chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamedou Ould MICHEL chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623 Mauritius chief of mission: Ambassador Usha JEETAH chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983 Mayotte none (territorial collectivity of France) Mexico chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Jose BREMER Martino chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 728-1698 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Laredo (Texas), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Albuquerque, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Indianapolis (Indiana), Las Vegas, McAllen (Texas), Midland (Texas), Omaha, Orlando, Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Presidio (Texas), Raleigh, Saint Louis, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, Santa Ana (California), Seattle, Tucson, Yuma (Arizona) Micronesia, Federated States of chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam) Moldova chief of mission: Ambassador Mihail MANOLI chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204 Monaco Monaco does not have an embassy in the US consulate(s) general: New York Mongolia chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLD chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 consulate(s) general: New York Montserrat none (overseas territory of the UK) Morocco chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 consulate(s) general: New York Mozambique chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE chancery: 1990 M Street NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245 Namibia chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443 Nauru Nauru does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a UN office at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, New York 10017; telephone: (212) 937-0074 consulate(s): Hagatna (Guam) Nepal chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Jai Pratap RANA chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534 consulate(s) general: New York Netherlands chief of mission: Ambassador Boudewijn J. VAN EENENNAAM chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York consulate(s): Boston Netherlands Antilles none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France) New Zealand chief of mission: Ambassador L. John WOOD chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Nicaragua chief of mission: Ambassador Salvador STADTHAGEN (since 5 December 2003) chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6542 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York Niger chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 FAX: [1] (202)483-3169 Nigeria chief of mission: Ambassador Jibril Muhammad AMINU chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400 FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385 consulate(s) general: Atlanta and New York Niue none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia) Norway chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco Oman chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Ali bin Thani AL-KHUSSAIBY chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933 Pakistan chief of mission: Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir QAZI chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6205 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, and Sunnyvale (California) Palau chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA chancery: 1800 K Street NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) Panama chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ALFARO Estripeaut chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa Papua New Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 Paraguay chief of mission: Ambassador Leila Teresa RACHID COWLES chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508 consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York Peru chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869 FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington (DC) Philippines chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam) consulate(s): San Diego Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland chief of mission: Ambassador Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 FAX: [1] (202) 328-6270 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Portugal chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Manuel Dos Reis Alves CATARINO chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726 consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San Francisco consulate(s): Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island) Puerto Rico none (commonwealth associated with the US) Qatar chief of mission: Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061 consulate(s) general: Houston Reunion none (overseas department of France) Romania chief of mission: Ambassador Sorin Dumitru DUCARU chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Russia chief of mission: Ambassador Yuriy Viktorovich USHAKOV chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708 FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735 consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco, and Seattle Rwanda chief of mission: Ambassador Zac NSENGA chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544 Saint Helena none (overseas territory of the UK) Saint Kitts and Nevis chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Izben Cordinal WILLIAMS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636 FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740 consulate(s) general: New York Saint Lucia chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia Merlyn JOHNNY chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial collectivity of France) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines chief of mission: Ambassador Ellsworth I. A. JOHN chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York Samoa chief of mission: Ambassador Feturi ELISAIA chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797 San Marino San Marino does not have an embassy in the US honorary consulate(s) general: Washington, DC and New York honorary consulate(s): Detroit and Honolulu Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580 Saudi Arabia chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York Senegal chief of mission: Ambassador Amadou Lamine BA chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315 consulate(s) general: New York Serbia and Montenegro chief of mission: Ambassador Ivan VUJACIC chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933 consulate(s) general: Chicago Seychelles chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 Sierra Leone chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARA chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263 FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793 Singapore chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 consulate(s) general: San Francisco consulate(s): New York Slovakia chief of mission: Ambassador Rastislav KACER chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 Slovenia chief of mission: Ambassador Davorin KRACUN chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: New York and Cleveland Solomon Islands chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Colin BECK chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193 FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925 Somalia Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991); note - the TNG and other factions have representatives in Washington and at the United Nations South Africa chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara Joyce Mosima MASEKELA chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Spain chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Javier RUPEREZ Rubio chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340 FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Sri Lanka chief of mission: Ambassador Devinda R. SUBASINGHE chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 (through 4028) FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Sudan chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affairs, Ad Interim Khidir Haroun AHMED (since April 2001) chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406 Suriname chief of mission: Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami Swaziland chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683 FAX: [1] (202) 244-8059 Sweden chief of mission: Ambassador Jan ELIASSON chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Switzerland chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Boston Syria chief of mission: Ambassador (acting) Imad MUSTAFA chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313 FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548 Taiwan none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the US with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 12 other US cities Tajikistan chief of mission: Ambassador Khamrokhon ZARIPOV chancery: 1725 K Sreet NW, Suite 409, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090 FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091 Tanzania chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew Mhando DARAJA chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408 Thailand chief of mission: Ambassador SAKTHIP Krairiksh chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Togo chief of mission: Ambassador Akoussoulelou BODJONA chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190 Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga chief of mission: Ambassador Sonatane T. T. TUPOU chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1136 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 consulate(s) general: San Francisco Trinidad and Tobago chief of mission: Ambassador Marina Annette VALERE (as of February 2003) chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York Tunisia chief of mission: Ambassador Hatem ATALLAH chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850 FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858 Turkey chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Osman Faruk LOGOGLU chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York Turkmenistan chief of mission: Ambassador Mered Bairamovich ORAZOV chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0697 Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, New York 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 Uganda chief of mission: Ambassador Edith Grace SSEMPALA chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727 Ukraine chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sergiy KORSUNSKYI chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 349-2920 FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York United Arab Emirates chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 United Kingdom chief of mission: Ambassador David G. MANNING chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Dallas, Denver, Miami, and Seattle Uruguay chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo FERNANDEZ-FAINGOLD chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York Uzbekistan chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-6803 FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804 consulate(s) general: New York Vanuatu Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN Venezuela chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214 FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Vietnam chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Tam CHIEN chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 consulate(s) general: San Francisco Virgin Islands none (territory of the US) Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France) Western Sahara none Yemen chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahhab Abdallah al-HAJRI chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760 FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017 Zambia chief of mission: Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826 Zimbabwe chief of mission: Ambassador Simbi Veke MUBAKO chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2150 Telephones - main lines in use Afghanistan 29,000 (1998) Albania 120,000 (2001) Algeria 2.3 million (1998) American Samoa 13,000 (1997) Andorra 32,946 (December 1998) Angola 72,000 (1998) Anguilla 4,974 (2000) Antarctica 0 note: information for US bases only (2001) Antigua and Barbuda 28,000 (1996) Argentina 7.5 million (1998) Armenia 600,000 (2002) Aruba 33,000 (1997) Australia 10.05 million (2000) Austria 4 million (consisting of 3,600,000 analog main lines plus 400,000 Integrated Services Digital Network connections); in addition, there are 100,000 Asymmetric Digital Services lines (2001) Azerbaijan 865,000 (2002) Bahamas, The 96,000 (1997) Bahrain 152,000 (1997) Bangladesh 500,000 (2000) Barbados 108,000 (1997) Belarus 2.313 million (1997) Belgium 4.769 million (1997) Belize 31,000 (1997) Benin 51,000 (2000) Bermuda 52,000 (1997) Bhutan 6,000 (1997) Bolivia 327,600 (1996) Bosnia and Herzegovina 303,000 (1997) Botswana 131,000 (September 2001) Brazil 17.039 million (1997) British Indian Ocean Territory NA British Virgin Islands 10,000 (1996) Brunei 79,000 (1996) Bulgaria 3,186,731 (2001) Burkina Faso 53,200 (2000) Burma 250,000 (2000) Burundi 18,000 (2002) Cambodia 21,800 (mid-1998) Cameroon 95,000 (2001) Canada 20,802,900 (1999) Cape Verde 60,935 (2002) Cayman Islands 19,000 (1995) Central African Republic 9,500 (2000) Chad 9,700 (1999) Chile 2.603 million (1998) China 135 million (2000) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands 287 (1992) Colombia 5,433,565 (December 1997) Comoros 7,000 (2000) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 20,000 (2000) Congo, Republic of the 22,000 (1998) Cook Islands 5,000 (1997) Costa Rica 450,000 (1998) note: 584,000 installed in 1997, but only about 450,000 were in use in 1998 Cote d'Ivoire 263,700 (2000) Croatia 1,721,139 (2000) Cuba 473,031 (2000) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 405,000 (1998);; Turkish Cypriot area: 83,162 (1998) Czech Republic 3.869 million (2000) Denmark 4.785 million (1997) Djibouti 10,000 (2002) Dominica 19,000 (1996) Dominican Republic 709,000 (1997) East Timor NA Ecuador 1,115,272 (1999) Egypt 3,971,500 (December 1998) El Salvador 380,000 (1998) Equatorial Guinea 6,000 (1998) Eritrea 30,000 (2001) Estonia 501,691 (2000) Ethiopia 231,900 (2000) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands 24,851 (1999) Fiji 80,901 (1999) Finland 2,847,900 (2001) France 34.86 million (yearend 1998) French Guiana 47,000 (1997) French Polynesia 52,000 (1997) Gabon 39,000 (1998) Gambia, The 31,900 (2000) Gaza Strip 95,729 (total for Gaza Strip and West Bank) (1997) Georgia 620,000 (1997) Germany 50.9 million (March 2001) Ghana 240,000 (2001) Gibraltar 19,000 (1997) Greece 5.431 million (1997) Greenland 25,617 (yearend 1999) Grenada 27,000 (1997) Guadeloupe 171,000 (1996) Guam 84,134 (1998) Guatemala 665,061 (June 2000) Guernsey 44,000 (1996) Guinea 37,000 (1998) Guinea-Bissau 10,000 (2001) Guyana 70,000 (2000) Haiti 60,000 (1997) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 234,000 (1997) Hong Kong 3.839 million (1999) Hungary 3.095 million (1997) Iceland 196,984 (2001) India 27.7 million (October 2000) Indonesia 5,588,310 (1998) Iran 6.313 million (1997) Iraq 675,000 (1997); note - an unknown number of telephone lines were damaged or destroyed during the March-April war Ireland 1.6 million (2002) Israel 2.8 million (1999) Italy 25 million (1999) Jamaica 353,000 (1996) Japan 60.381 million (1997) Jersey 65,500 (1997) Jordan 403,000 (1997) Kazakhstan 1.92 million (2001) Kenya 310,000 (2001) Kiribati 3,800 (1999) Korea, North 1.1 million (1997) Korea, South 24 million (2000) Kuwait 412,000 (1997) Kyrgyzstan 351,000 (1997) Laos 25,000 (1997) Latvia 734,693 (2000) Lebanon 700,000 (1999) Lesotho 22,200 (2000) Liberia 6,700 (2000) Libya 500,000 (1998) Liechtenstein 20,072 (2000) Lithuania 1.142 million (2001) Luxembourg 314,700 (1999) Macau 176,902 (November 2001) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 408,000 (1997) Madagascar 55,000 (2000) Malawi 45,000 (2000) Malaysia 4.6 million (2000) Maldives 21,000 (1999) Mali 45,000 (2000) Malta 187,000 (1997) Man, Isle of 51,000 (1999) Marshall Islands 4,186 (2001) Martinique 170,000 (1997) Mauritania 26,500 (2001) Mauritius 280,900 (2000) Mayotte 12,000 (1998) Mexico 12.332 million (2000) Micronesia, Federated States of 11,000 (2001) Moldova 627,000 (1997) Monaco 31,027 (1995) Mongolia 104,100 (1999) Montserrat 4,000 (1997) Morocco 1.391 million (1998) Mozambique 90,000 (2001) Namibia 110,200 (2000) Nauru 2,000 (1996) Nepal 236,816 (January 2000) Netherlands 9,132,400 (1999) Netherlands Antilles 76,000 (1995) New Caledonia 47,000 (1997) New Zealand 1.92 million (2000) Nicaragua 140,000 (1996) Niger 20,000 (2001) Nigeria 500,000 (2000 est.) Niue 376 (1991) Norfolk Island 1,087 (1983) Northern Mariana Islands 21,000 (1996) Norway 2.735 million (1998) Oman 201,000 (1997) Pakistan 2.861 million (March 1999) Palau 6,700 (2002) Panama 396,000 (1997) Papua New Guinea 61,152 (1999) Paraguay 290,475 (2001) Peru 1.8 million (2000) Philippines 6.98 million (2001) Pitcairn Islands 1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line) (1997) Poland 8.07 million (1998) Portugal 5.3 million (yearend 1998) Puerto Rico 1.322 million (1997) Qatar 142,000 (1997) Reunion 268,500 (1999) Romania 3.777 million (1997) Russia 30 million (1998) Rwanda 600,000 note - 90% in Kigali (2002) Saint Helena 2,000 (1997) Saint Kitts and Nevis 17,000 (1997) Saint Lucia 37,000 (1997) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,000 (1997) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 20,500 (1998) Samoa 8,183 (1998) San Marino 18,000 (1998) Sao Tome and Principe 4,600 (2000) Saudi Arabia 3.9 million (2002 est.) Senegal 234,916 (2001) Serbia and Montenegro 2.017 million (1995) Seychelles 19,635 (1997) Sierra Leone 25,000 (2001) Singapore 1.95 million (2000) Slovakia 1,934,558 (1998) Slovenia 722,000 (1997) Solomon Islands 8,000 (1997) Somalia 15,000 (2000) South Africa more than 5 million (2001) Spain 17.336 million (1999) Sri Lanka 494,509 (1998) Sudan 400,000 (2000) Suriname 64,000 (1997) Svalbard NA Swaziland 38,500 (2001) Sweden 6.017 million (December 1998) Switzerland 4.82 million (1998) Syria 1.313 million (1997) Taiwan 12.49 million (September 2000) Tajikistan 363,000 (1997) Tanzania 127,000 (1998) Thailand 5.6 million (2000) Togo 25,000 (1997) Tokelau NA Tonga 8,000 (1996) Trinidad and Tobago 252,000 (1999) Tunisia 654,000 (1997) Turkey 19.5 million (1999) Turkmenistan 363,000 (1997) Turks and Caicos Islands 3,000 (1994) Tuvalu 1,000 (1997) Uganda 50,074; however, 80,868 main lines have been installed (1998) Ukraine 9.45 million (April 1999) United Arab Emirates 915,223 (1998) United Kingdom 34.878 million (1997) United States 194 million (1997) Uruguay 929,141 (2001) Uzbekistan 1.98 million (1999) Vanuatu 5,500 (1998) Venezuela 2.6 million (however, 3,500,000 have been installed) (1998) Vietnam 2.6 million (2000) Virgin Islands 65,000 (1997) Wallis and Futuna 1,125 (1994) West Bank 95,729 (total for West Bank and Gaza Strip) (1997) Western Sahara about 2,000 (1999 est.) World NA Yemen 291,359 (1999) Zambia 130,000 (including approximately 40,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (2002) Zimbabwe 212,000 (in addition, there are about 20,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (1997) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2151 Telephones - mobile cellular Afghanistan NA Albania 250,000 (2001) Algeria 33,500 (1999) American Samoa 2,550 (1997) Andorra 14,117 (December 1998) Angola 25,800 (2000) Anguilla 1,629 (2000) Antarctica NA; Iridium system in use Antigua and Barbuda 1,300 (1996) Argentina 3 million (December 1999) Armenia 50,000 (2002) Aruba 3,402 (1997) Australia 8.6 million (2000) Austria 6 million (2001) Azerbaijan 800,000 (2002) Bahamas, The 6,152 (1997) Bahrain 58,543 (1997) Bangladesh 283,000 (2000) Barbados 8,013 (1997) Belarus 8,167 (1997) Belgium 974,494 (1997) Belize 3,023 (1997) Benin 55,500 (2000) Bermuda 7,980 (1996) Bhutan NA Bolivia 116,000 (1997) Bosnia and Herzegovina 9,000 (1997) Botswana 270,000 (September 2001) Brazil 4.4 million (1997) British Virgin Islands NA Brunei 43,524 (1996) Bulgaria 1.054 million (2001) Burkina Faso 25,200 (2000) Burma 8,492 (1997) Burundi 30,000 (2002) Cambodia 80,000 (2000) Cameroon 300,000 (2002) Canada 8,751,300 (1997) Cape Verde 28,119 (2002) Cayman Islands 2,534 (1995) Central African Republic 710 (1998) Chad 5,500 (2000) Chile 944,225 (1998) China 65 million (January 2001) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 1,800,229 (December 1998) Comoros NA Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15,000 (2000) Congo, Republic of the 3,300 (1998) Cook Islands 0 (1994) Costa Rica 143,000 (2000) Cote d'Ivoire 450,000 (2000) Croatia 1.3 million (2001) Cuba 2,994 (1997) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 68,000 (1998); Turkish Cypriot area: 70,000 (1999) Czech Republic 4.346 million (2000) Denmark 1,444,016 (1997) Djibouti 5,000 (2002) Dominica 461 (1996) Dominican Republic 130,149 (1997) East Timor NA Ecuador 384,000 (1999) Egypt 380,000 (1999) El Salvador 40,163 (1997) Equatorial Guinea 300 (1998) Eritrea NA; note - mobile cellular service was introduced in May 2001 Estonia 711,000 (yearend 2001) Ethiopia 17,800 (2000) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands 10,761 (1999) Fiji 5,200 (1997) Finland 3,728,600 (2001) France 11.078 million (yearend 1998) French Guiana NA French Polynesia 5,427 (1997) Gabon 120,000 (2000) Gambia, The 5,624 (2000) Gaza Strip NA Georgia 185,500 (2000) Germany 55.3 million (June 2001) Ghana 150,000 (2001) Gibraltar 1,620 (1997) Greece 937,700 (1997) Greenland 12,676 (yearend 1999) Grenada 976 (1997) Guadeloupe NA Guam 55,000 (1998) Guatemala 663,296 (September 2000) Guernsey 12,000 (1997) Guinea 21,567 (1998) Guinea-Bissau 0 (2001) Guyana 6,100 (2000) Haiti over 180,000 (January 2003) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 14,427 (1997) Hong Kong 3.7 million (December 1999) Hungary 1.269 million (July 1999) Iceland 248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001) India 2.93 million (November 2000) Indonesia 1.07 million (1998) Iran 265,000 (August 1998) Iraq NA; service available in northern Iraq (2001) Ireland 3 million (2002) Israel 2.5 million (1999) Italy 20.5 million (1999) Jamaica 54,640 (1996) Japan 63.88 million (2000) Jersey 4,400 (1997) Jordan 11,500 (1995) Kazakhstan 400,000 (2001) Kenya 540,000 (2001) Kiribati NA Korea, North NA Korea, South 28 million (September 2000) Kuwait 210,000 (1997) Kyrgyzstan NA Laos 4,915 (1997) Latvia 401,263 (2000) Lebanon 580,000 (1999) Lesotho 21,600 (2000) Liberia 0 (1998) Libya 20,000 (1998) Liechtenstein NA Lithuania 500,000 (2001) Luxembourg 215,741 (2000) Macau 158,251 (November 2001) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 12,362 (1997) Madagascar 63,100 (2000) Malawi 49,000 (2000) Malaysia 5 million (2000) Maldives 1,290 (1997) Mali 40,000 (2001) Malta 17,691 (1997) Man, Isle of NA Marshall Islands 489 (2001) Martinique 15,000 (1997) Mauritania 35,000 (2001) Mauritius 180,000 (2000) Mayotte 0 (2000) Mexico 2.02 million (1998) Micronesia, Federated States of newly installed in Pohnpei and Yap Moldova 2,200 (1997) Monaco NA Mongolia 110,000 (2001) Montserrat 70 (1994) Morocco 116,645 (1998) Mozambique 287,000 (2002) Namibia 82,000 (2000 est.) Nauru 450 (1994) Nepal NA Netherlands 4,081,891 (April 1999) Netherlands Antilles 13,977 (1996) New Caledonia 13,040 (1998) New Zealand 2.2 million (2000) Nicaragua 7,911 (1997) Niger 6,700 (2002) Nigeria 200,000 (2001) Niue 0 (1991) Norfolk Island 0 (1983) Northern Mariana Islands 1,200 (1995) Norway 2,080,408 (1998) Oman 59,822 (1997) Pakistan 158,000 (1998) Palau 1,000 (2002) Panama 17,000 (1997) Papua New Guinea 3,053 (1996) Paraguay 510,000 (2001) Peru 504,995 (1998) Philippines 11.35 million (2001) Poland 13 million (2002) Portugal 3,074,194 (1999) Puerto Rico 169,265 (1996) Qatar 43,476 (1997) Reunion 197,000 (September 2000) Romania 645,500 (1999) Russia 19 million (January 2003) Rwanda 81,000 (2001) note: Rwanda has mobile cellular service between Kigali and several prefecture capitals (2002) Saint Helena 0 (1997) Saint Kitts and Nevis 205 (1997) Saint Lucia 1,600 (1997) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 (1994) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa 1,545 (February 1998) San Marino 3,010 (1998) Sao Tome and Principe 6,942 (1997) Saudi Arabia 2.9 million (2002 est.) Senegal 373,965 (2001) Serbia and Montenegro 87,000 (1997) Seychelles 16,316 (1999) Sierra Leone 30,000 (2001) Singapore 2.74 million (2000) Slovakia 736,662 (April 1999) Slovenia 1 million (2000) Solomon Islands 658 (1997) Somalia NA South Africa 7.06 million (2001) Spain 8.394 million (1999) Sri Lanka 228,604 (1999) Sudan 20,000 (2000) Suriname 4,090 (1997) Svalbard NA Swaziland 45,000 (2001) Sweden 3.835 million (October 1998) Switzerland 1.967 million (1999) Syria NA Taiwan 16 million (September 2000) Tajikistan 2,500 (1997) Tanzania 30,000 (1999) Thailand 3.1 million (2002) Togo 2,995 (1997) Tokelau 0 (2001) Tonga 302 (1996) Trinidad and Tobago 17,411 (1997) Tunisia 50,000 (1998) Turkey 17.1 million (2001) Turkmenistan 4,300 (1998) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 (1994) Tuvalu 0 (1994) Uganda 9,000 (1998) Ukraine 236,000 (1998) United Arab Emirates 1 million (1999) United Kingdom 43.5 million (yearend 1998) United States 69.209 million (1998) Uruguay 350,000 (2001) Uzbekistan 130,000 (2003) Vanuatu 310 (2000) Venezuela 2 million (1998) Vietnam 730,155 (2000) Virgin Islands 2,000 (1992) Wallis and Futuna 0 (1994) West Bank NA Western Sahara 0 (1999) World NA Yemen 32,042 (2000) Zambia 90,000 (2002) Zimbabwe 111,000 (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2152 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Afghanistan 1 (2000) Albania 10 (2001) Algeria 2 (2000) American Samoa 1 (2000) Andorra 1 (2000) Angola 1 (2000) Anguilla 16 (2000) Antarctica NA Antigua and Barbuda 16 (2000) Argentina 33 (2000) Armenia 9 (2001) Aruba NA Australia 571 (2002) Austria 37 (2000) Azerbaijan 2 (2000) Bahamas, The 19 (2000) Bahrain 1 (2000) Bangladesh 10 (2000) Barbados 19 (2000) Belarus 23 (2002) Belgium 61 (2000) Belize 2 (2000) Benin 4 (2002) Bermuda 20 (2000) Bhutan NA Bolivia 9 (2000) Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 (2000) Botswana 11 (2001) Brazil 50 (2000) British Indian Ocean Territory 1 (2000) British Virgin Islands 16 (2000) Brunei 2 (2000) Bulgaria 200 (2001) Burkina Faso 1 (2002) Burma 1 note: as of September 2000, Internet connections were legal only for the government, tourist offices, and a few large businesses (2000) Burundi 1 (2000) Cambodia 2 (2000) Cameroon 1 (2002) Canada 760 (2000 est.) Cape Verde 1 (2002) Cayman Islands 16 (2000) Central African Republic 1 (2002) Chad 1 (2002) Chile 7 (2000) China 3 (2000) Christmas Island 2 (2000) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 2 (2000) Colombia 18 (2000) Comoros 1 (2000) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1 (2001) Congo, Republic of the 1 (2000) Cook Islands 3 (2000) Costa Rica 3 (of which only one is legal) (2000) Cote d'Ivoire 5 (2001) Croatia 9 (2000) Cuba 5 (2001) Cyprus 6 (2000) Czech Republic more than 300 (2000) Denmark 13 (2000) Djibouti 1 (2000) Dominica 16 (2000) Dominican Republic 24 (2000) East Timor NA Ecuador 31 (2001) Egypt 50 (2000) El Salvador 4 (2000) Equatorial Guinea 1 (2002) Eritrea 5 (2001) Estonia 38 (2001) Ethiopia 1 (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2 (2000) Faroe Islands 2 (2000) Fiji 2 (2000) Finland 3 (2002) France 62 (2000) French Guiana 2 (2000) French Polynesia 2 (2000) Gabon 1 (2001) Gambia, The 2 (2001) Gaza Strip 3 (1999) Georgia 6 (2000) Germany 200 (2001) Ghana 12 (2000) Gibraltar 2 (2000) Greece 27 (2000) Greenland 1 (2000) Grenada 14 (2000) Guadeloupe 3 (2000) Guam 20 (2000) Guatemala 5 (2000) Guernsey NA Guinea 4 (2001) Guinea-Bissau 2 (2002) Guyana 3 (2000) Haiti 3 (2000) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 8 (2000) Hong Kong 17 (2000) Hungary 16 (2000) Iceland 20 (2001) India 43 (2000) Indonesia 24 (2000) Iran 100 (2002) Iraq 1 (2000) Ireland 22 (2000) Israel 21 (2000) Italy 93 (Italy and Holy See) (2000) Jamaica 21 (2000) Jan Mayen 13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000) Japan 73 (2000) Jersey NA Johnston Atoll 1 256 KB circuit to US Department of Defense-run Nonsecure Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET) (2002) Jordan 5 (2000) Kazakhstan 10 (with their own international channels) (2001) Kenya 65 (2001) Kiribati 1 (2000) Korea, North 1 (2000) Korea, South 11 (2000) Kuwait 3 (2000) Kyrgyzstan NA Laos 1 (2000) Latvia 41 (2001) Lebanon 22 (2000) Lesotho 1 (2000) Liberia 2 (2001) Libya 1 (2002) Liechtenstein 44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000) Lithuania 32 (2001) Luxembourg 8 (2000) Macau 1 (2000) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 6 (2000) Madagascar 2 (2000) Malawi 3 (2002) Malaysia 7 (2000) Maldives 1 (2000) Mali 13 (2001) Malta 6 (2002) Man, Isle of NA Marshall Islands 1 (2002) Martinique 2 (2000) Mauritania 5 (2001) Mauritius 2 (2000) Mayotte NA Mexico 51 (2000) Micronesia, Federated States of 1 (2000) Moldova 2 (1999) Monaco 2 (2000) Mongolia 5 (2001) Montserrat 17 (2000) Morocco 8 (2000) Mozambique 11 (2002) Namibia 2 (2000) Nauru 1 (2000) Nepal 6 (2000) Netherlands 52 (2000) Netherlands Antilles 6 New Caledonia 1 (2000) New Zealand 36 (2000) Nicaragua 3 (2000) Niger 1 (2002) Nigeria 11 (2000) Niue 1 (2000) Norfolk Island 2 (2000) Northern Mariana Islands 1 (2001) Norway 13 (2000) Oman 1 (2000) Pakistan 30 (2000) Palau 1 (2002) Panama 6 (2000) Papua New Guinea 3 (2000) Paraguay 4 (2000) Peru 10 (2000) Philippines 33 (2000) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 19 (2000) Portugal 16 (2000) Puerto Rico 76 (2000) Qatar 1 (2000) Reunion 1 (2000) Romania 38 (2000) Russia 300 (June 2000) Rwanda 2 (2002) Saint Helena 1 (2000) Saint Kitts and Nevis 16 (2000) Saint Lucia 15 (2000) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1 (2000) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15 (2000) Samoa 2 (2000) San Marino 2 (2000) Sao Tome and Principe 1 (2002) Saudi Arabia 22 (2003) Senegal 1 (2002) Serbia and Montenegro 9 (2000) Seychelles 1 (2000) Sierra Leone 1 (2001) Singapore 9 (2000) Slovakia 6 (2000) Slovenia 11 (2000) Solomon Islands 1 (2000) Somalia 3 (one each in Boosaaso, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu) (2000) South Africa 150 (2001) Spain 56 (2000) Sri Lanka 5 (2000) Sudan 2 (2002) Suriname 2 (2000) Svalbard 13 (Svalbard and Jan Mayen) (2000) Swaziland 5 (2002) Sweden 29 (2000) Switzerland 44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000) Syria 1 (2000) Taiwan 8 (2000) Tajikistan 4 (2002) Tanzania 6 (2000) Thailand 15 (2000) Togo 3 (2001) Tokelau 1 (2000) Tonga 2 (2000) Trinidad and Tobago 17 (2000) Tunisia 1 (2000) Turkey 50 (2001) Turkmenistan 1 Turks and Caicos Islands 14 (2000) Tuvalu 1 (2000) Uganda 2 (2000) Ukraine 260 (2001) United Arab Emirates 1 (2000) United Kingdom more than 400 (2000) United States 7,000 (2002 est.) Uruguay 14 (2001) Uzbekistan 42 (2000) Vanuatu 1 (2000) Venezuela 16 (2000) Vietnam 5 (2000) Virgin Islands 50 (2000) Wallis and Futuna 1 (2000) West Bank 8 (1999) Western Sahara 1 (2000) World 10,350 (2000 est.) Yemen 1 (2000) Zambia 5 (2001) Zimbabwe 6 (2000) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2153 Internet users Afghanistan NA Albania 12,000 (2001) Algeria 180,000 (2001) American Samoa NA Andorra 24,500 (2001) Angola 60,000 (2002) Anguilla 919 (2000) Antigua and Barbuda 5,000 (2001) Argentina 3.88 million (2001) Armenia 30,000 (2001) Aruba 24,000 (2002) Australia 10.63 million (2002) Austria 3.7 million (2002) Azerbaijan 25,000 (2002) Bahamas, The 16,900 (2002) Bahrain 140,200 (2002) Bangladesh 150,000 (2002) Barbados 6,000 (2000) Belarus 422,000 (2002) Belgium 3.76 million (2002) Belize 18,000 (2002) Benin 25,000 (2002) Bermuda 25,000 (2000) Bhutan 2,500 (2002) Bolivia 78,000 (2000) Bosnia and Herzegovina 45,000 (2002) Botswana 33,000 (2001) Brazil 13.98 million (2002) British Virgin Islands NA Brunei 35,000 (2002) Bulgaria 585,000 (2001) Burkina Faso 25,000 (2002) Burma 10,000 (2002) Burundi 6,000 (2002) Cambodia 10,000 (2002) Cameroon 45,000 note: Cameroon also had more than 100 cyber-cafes in 2001 (December 2001) Canada 16.84 million (2002) Cape Verde 12,000 (2002) Cayman Islands NA Central African Republic 2,000 (2002) Chad 4,000 (2002) Chile 3.1 million (2002) China 45.8 million (2002) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 1.15 million (2002) Comoros 2,500 (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6,000 (2002) Congo, Republic of the 500 (2001) Cook Islands NA Costa Rica 384,000 (2002) Cote d'Ivoire 70,000 (2002) Croatia 480,000 (2001) Cuba 120,000 (2002) Cyprus 150,000 (2002) Czech Republic 2.69 million (2001) Denmark 3.37 million (2002) Djibouti 3,300 (2002) Dominica 2,000 (2000) Dominican Republic 186,000 (2002) East Timor NA Ecuador 328,000 (2002) Egypt 600,000 (2002) El Salvador 40,000 (2000) Equatorial Guinea 900 (2002) Eritrea 10,000 (2002) Estonia 429,700 (2002) Ethiopia 20,000 (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA; however one-half of all households are reported to have internet access (2002) Faroe Islands 3,000 (2000) Fiji 15,000 (2002) Finland 2.69 million (2002) France 16.97 million (2002) French Guiana 2,000 (2000) French Polynesia 16,000 (2002) Gabon 18,000 (2002) Gambia, The 5,000 (2001) Gaza Strip 60,000 (includes West Bank) (2001) Georgia 25,000 (2002) Germany 32.1 million (2002) Ghana 200,000 (2002) Gibraltar NA Greece 1.4 million (2002) Greenland 20,000 (2002) Grenada 5,200 (2002) Guadeloupe 4,000 (2000) Guam 5,000 (2000) Guatemala 200,000 (2002) Guernsey NA Guinea 15,000 (2002) Guinea-Bissau 4,000 (2002) Guyana 95,000 (2002) Haiti 30,000 (2002) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 40,000 (2000) Hong Kong 4.35 million (2002) Hungary 1.2 million (2001) Iceland 220,000 (2002) India 7 million (2002) Indonesia 4.4 million (2002) Iran 1.326 million (2002 est.) Iraq 12,500 (2001) Ireland 1.31 million (2002) Israel 1.94 million (2001) Italy 19.25 million (2001) Jamaica 100,000 (2002) Japan 56 million (2002) Jersey NA Jordan 212,000 (2002) Kazakhstan 100,000 (2002) Kenya 500,000 (2002) Kiribati 1,000 (2000) Korea, North NA Korea, South 25.6 million (2002) Kuwait 200,000 (2002) Kyrgyzstan 51,600 (2001) Laos 10,000 (2002) Latvia 312,000 (2001) Lebanon 300,000 (2001) Lesotho 5,000 (2002) Liberia 500 (2000) Libya 20,000 (2001) Liechtenstein NA Lithuania 341,000 (2001) Luxembourg 100,000 (2001) Macau 101,000 (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 100,000 (2001) Madagascar 35,000 (2002) Malawi 35,000 (2002) Malaysia 5.7 million (2002) Maldives 6,000 (2001) Mali 30,000 (2002) Malta 59,000 (2002) Man, Isle of NA Marshall Islands 900 (2002) Martinique 5,000 (2000) Mauritania 7,500 (2001) Mauritius 158,000 (2002) Mayotte NA Mexico 3.5 million (2002) Micronesia, Federated States of 2,000 (2000) Moldova 15,000 (2000) Monaco NA Mongolia 40,000 (2002) Montserrat NA Morocco 400,000 (2002) Mozambique 22,500 (2000) Namibia 45,000 (2002) Nauru NA Nepal 60,000 (2002) Netherlands 9.73 million (2002) Netherlands Antilles 2,000 (2000) New Caledonia 24,000 (2001) New Zealand 2.06 million (2002) Nicaragua 20,000 (2000) Niger 12,000 (2002) Nigeria 100,000 (2000) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway 2.68 million (2002) Oman 120,000 (2002) Pakistan 1.2 million (2000) Panama 45,000 (2000) Papua New Guinea 135,000 (2001) Paraguay 20,000 (2000) Peru 3 million (2002) Philippines 4.5 million (2002) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 6.4 million (2001) Portugal 4.4 million (2002) Puerto Rico 600,000 (2002) Qatar 75,000 (2001) Reunion 10,000 (2000) Romania 1 million (2002) Russia 18 million (2002) Rwanda 20,000 (2002) Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis 2,000 (2000) Saint Lucia 3,000 (2000) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3,500 (2001) Samoa 3,000 (2002) San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe 9,000 (2002) Saudi Arabia 1.453 million (2002) Senegal 100,000 (2002) Serbia and Montenegro 400,000 (2001) Seychelles 9,000 (2002) Sierra Leone 20,000 (2001) Singapore 2.31 million (2002) Slovakia 700,000 (2000) Slovenia 600,000 (2001) Solomon Islands 8,400 (2002) Somalia 200 (2000) South Africa 3.068 million (2002) Spain 7.89 million (2002) Sri Lanka 121,500 (2001) Sudan 56,000 (2002) Suriname 14,500 (2002) Svalbard NA Swaziland 7,000 (2002) Sweden 6.02 million (2002) Switzerland 3.85 million (2002) Syria 60,000 (2002) Taiwan 11.6 million (2001) Tajikistan 5,000 (2002) Tanzania 300,000 (2002) Thailand 1.2 million (2001) Togo 50,000 (2002) Tokelau NA Tonga 1,000 (2000) Trinidad and Tobago 120,000 (2002) Tunisia 400,000 (2002) Turkey 2.5 million (2002) Turkmenistan 2,000 (2000) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu NA Uganda 60,000 (2002) Ukraine 750,000 (2001) United Arab Emirates 900,000 (2002) United Kingdom 34.3 million (2002) United States 165.75 million (2002) Uruguay 400,000 (2002) Uzbekistan 100,000 (2002) Vanuatu 3,000 (2000) Venezuela 1.3 million (2002) Vietnam 400,000 (2002) Virgin Islands 12,000 (2000) Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank 60,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2001) Western Sahara NA World 604,111,719 (2002 est.) Yemen 17,000 (2002) Zambia 25,000 (2002) Zimbabwe 100,000 (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2154 Internet country code Afghanistan .af Albania .al Algeria .dz American Samoa .as Andorra .ad Angola .ao Anguilla .ai Antarctica .aq Antigua and Barbuda .ag Argentina .ar Armenia .am Aruba .aw Australia .au Austria .at Azerbaijan .az Bahamas, The .bs Bahrain .bh Bangladesh .bd Barbados .bb Belarus .by Belgium .be Belize .bz Benin .bj Bermuda .bm Bhutan .bt Bolivia .bo Bosnia and Herzegovina .ba Botswana .bw Bouvet Island .bv Brazil .br British Indian Ocean Territory .io British Virgin Islands .vg Brunei .bn Bulgaria .bg Burkina Faso .bf Burma .mm Burundi .bi Cambodia .kh Cameroon .cm Canada .ca Cape Verde .cv Cayman Islands .ky Central African Republic .cf Chad .td Chile .cl China .cn Christmas Island .cx Cocos (Keeling) Islands .cc Colombia .co Comoros .km Congo, Democratic Republic of the .cd Congo, Republic of the .cg Cook Islands .ck Costa Rica .cr Cote d'Ivoire .ci Croatia .hr Cuba .cu Cyprus .cy Czech Republic .cz Denmark .dk Djibouti .dj Dominica .dm Dominican Republic .do East Timor .tp Ecuador .ec Egypt .eg El Salvador .sv Equatorial Guinea .gq Eritrea .er Estonia .ee Ethiopia .et Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) .fk Faroe Islands .fo Fiji .fj Finland .fi France .fr French Guiana .gf French Polynesia .pf French Southern and Antarctic Lands .tf Gabon .ga Gambia, The .gm Georgia .ge Germany .de Ghana .gh Gibraltar .gi Greece .gr Greenland .gl Grenada .gd Guadeloupe .gp Guam .gu Guatemala .gt Guernsey .gg Guinea .gn Guinea-Bissau .gw Guyana .gy Haiti .ht Heard Island and McDonald Islands .hm Holy See (Vatican City) .va Honduras .hn Hong Kong .hk Hungary .hu Iceland .is India .in Indonesia .id Iran .ir Iraq .iq Ireland .ie Israel .il Italy .it Jamaica .jm Japan .jp Jersey .je Jordan .jo Kazakhstan .kz Kenya .ke Kiribati .ki Korea, North .kp Korea, South .kr Kuwait .kw Kyrgyzstan .kg Laos .la Latvia .lv Lebanon .lb Lesotho .ls Liberia .lr Libya .ly Liechtenstein .li Lithuania .lt Luxembourg .lu Macau .mo Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of .mk Madagascar .mg Malawi .mw Malaysia .my Maldives .mv Mali .ml Malta .mt Man, Isle of .im Marshall Islands .mh Martinique .mq Mauritania .mr Mauritius .mu Mayotte .yt Mexico .mx Micronesia, Federated States of .fm Moldova .md Monaco .mc Mongolia .mn Montserrat .ms Morocco .ma Mozambique .mz Namibia .na Nauru .nr Nepal .np Netherlands .nl Netherlands Antilles .an New Caledonia .nc New Zealand .nz Nicaragua .ni Niger .ne Nigeria .ng Niue .nu Norfolk Island .nf Northern Mariana Islands .mp Norway .no Oman .om Pakistan .pk Palau .pw Panama .pa Papua New Guinea .pg Paraguay .py Peru .pe Philippines .ph Pitcairn Islands .pn Poland .pl Portugal .pt Puerto Rico .pr Qatar .qa Reunion .re Romania .ro Russia .ru; Russia also has responsibility for a legacy domain ".su" that was allocated to the Soviet Union, its legal status and ownership are contested by the Russian Government, ICANN, and several Russian commercial entities Rwanda .rw Saint Helena .sh Saint Kitts and Nevis .kn Saint Lucia .lc Saint Pierre and Miquelon .pm Saint Vincent and the Grenadines .vc Samoa .ws San Marino .sm Sao Tome and Principe .st Saudi Arabia .sa Senegal .sn Serbia and Montenegro .yu Seychelles .sc Sierra Leone .sl Singapore .sg Slovakia .sk Slovenia .si Solomon Islands .sb Somalia .so South Africa .za South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands .gs Spain .es Sri Lanka .lk Sudan .sd Suriname .sr Svalbard .sj Swaziland .sz Sweden .se Switzerland .ch Syria .sy Taiwan .tw Tajikistan .tj Tanzania .tz Thailand .th Togo .tg Tokelau .tk Tonga .to Trinidad and Tobago .tt Tunisia .tn Turkey .tr Turkmenistan .tm Turks and Caicos Islands .tc Tuvalu .tv Uganda .ug Ukraine .ua United Arab Emirates .ae United Kingdom .uk United States .us Uruguay .uy Uzbekistan .uz Vanuatu .vu Venezuela .ve Vietnam .vn Virgin Islands .vi Wallis and Futuna .wf Western Sahara .eh Yemen .ye Zambia .zm Zimbabwe .zw This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%) Afghanistan 0.01% (2001 est.) Albania NA Algeria 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) American Samoa NA% Andorra NA% Angola 5.5% (2001 est.) Anguilla NA% Antigua and Barbuda NA% Argentina 0.7% (2001 est.) Armenia 0.2% (2001 est.) Aruba NA% Australia 0.1% (2001 est.) Austria 0.2% (2001 est.) Azerbaijan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Bahamas, The 3.5% (2001 est.) Bahrain 0.3% (2001 est.) Bangladesh less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Barbados 1.2% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) Belarus 0.3% (2001 est.) Belgium 0.2% (2001 est.) Belize 2% (2001 est.) Benin 3.6% (2001 est.) Bermuda NA% Bhutan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Bolivia 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Botswana 38.8% (2001 est.) Brazil 0.7% (2001 est.) British Virgin Islands NA% Brunei 0.2% (2001 est.) Bulgaria less than 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 6.5% (2001 est.) Burma 1.99% (2001 est.) Burundi 8.3% (2001 est.) Cambodia 2.7% (2001 est.) Cameroon 11.8% (2001 est.) Canada 0.3% (2001 est.) Cape Verde 0.04% (2001 est.) Cayman Islands NA% Central African Republic 12.9% (2001 est.) Chad 3.6% 5%-7% (2001 est.) Chile 0.3% (2001 est.) China less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Christmas Island NA% Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA% Colombia 0.4% (2001 est.) Comoros 0.12% (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.9% (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 7.2% (2001 est.) Cook Islands NA% Costa Rica 0.6% (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 9.7% (2001 est.) Croatia less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Cuba less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Cyprus 0.3% (2001 est.) Czech Republic less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Denmark 0.2% (2001 est.) Djibouti 11.75% (2001 est.) Dominica NA% Dominican Republic 2.5% (2001 est.) East Timor NA% Ecuador 0.3% (2001 est.) Egypt less than 0.1% (2001 est.) El Salvador 0.6% (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 3.4% (2001 est.) Eritrea 2.8% (2001 est.) Estonia 1% (2001 est.) Ethiopia 6.4% (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA% Faroe Islands NA% Fiji 0.1% (2001 est.) Finland less than 0.1% (2001 est.) France 0.3% (2001 est.) French Guiana NA% French Polynesia NA% Gabon 9% (2001 est.) Gambia, The 1.6% (2001 est.) Gaza Strip NA% Georgia less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Germany 0.1% (2001 est.) Ghana 3% (2001 est.) Gibraltar NA% Greece 0.2% (2001 est.) Greenland NA% Grenada NA% Guadeloupe NA% Guam NA% Guatemala 1% (2001 est.) Guernsey NA% Guinea 1.54% (2001 est.) Guinea-Bissau 2.8% (2001 est.) Guyana 2.7% (2001 est.) Haiti 6.1% (2001 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA% Honduras 1.6% (2001 est.) Hong Kong 0.1% (2001 est.) Hungary 0.1% (2001 est.) Iceland 0.2% (2001 est.) India 0.8% (2001 est.) Indonesia 0.1% (2001 est.) Iran less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Iraq less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Ireland 0.1% (2001 est.) Israel 0.1% (2001 est.) Italy 0.4% (2001 est.) Jamaica 1.2% (2001 est.) Japan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Jersey NA% Jordan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 0.1% (2001 est.) Kenya 15% (2001 est.) Kiribati NA% Korea, North NA Korea, South less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Kuwait 0.12% (2001 est.) Kyrgyzstan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Laos less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Latvia 0.4% (2001 est.) Lebanon 0.09% (2001 est.) Lesotho 31% (2001 est.) Liberia 9% (2001 est.) Libya 0.2% (2001 est.) Liechtenstein NA% Lithuania 0.1% (2001 est.) Luxembourg 0.2% (2001 est.) Macau NA% Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Madagascar 0.3% (2001 est.) Malawi 15% (2001 est.) Malaysia 0.4% (2001 est.) Maldives 0.1% (2001 est.) Mali 1.7% (2001 est.) Malta 0.1% (2001 est.) Man, Isle of NA% Marshall Islands NA% Martinique NA% Mauritania 1.8% (2001 est.) Mauritius 0.1% (2001 est.) Mayotte NA% Mexico 0.3% (2001 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA% Moldova 0.2% (2001 est.) Monaco NA% Mongolia less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Montserrat NA% Morocco 0.1% (2001 est.) Mozambique 13% 12.6 to 16.4%, estimates vary (2001 est.) Namibia 22.5% (2001 est.) Nauru NA% Nepal 0.5% (2001 est.) Netherlands 0.2% (2001 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA% New Caledonia NA% New Zealand 0.1% (2001 est.) Nicaragua 0.2% (2001 est.) Niger 4% (2001 est.) Nigeria 5.8% (2001 est.) Niue NA% Norfolk Island NA% Northern Mariana Islands NA% Norway 0.1% (2001 est.) Oman 0.1% (2001 est.) Pakistan 0.1% (2001 est.) Palau NA% Panama 1.5% (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 0.7% (2001 est.) Paraguay 0.11% (2001 est.) Peru 0.4% (2001 est.) Philippines less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA% Poland 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) Portugal 0.5% (2001 est.) Puerto Rico NA% Qatar 0.09% (2001 est.) Reunion NA% Romania less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Russia 0.9% (2001 est.) Rwanda 8.9% (2001 est.) Saint Helena NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis NA% Saint Lucia NA% Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA% Samoa NA% San Marino NA% Sao Tome and Principe NA% Saudi Arabia 0.01% (2001 est.) Senegal 0.5% (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 0.2% (2001 est.) Seychelles NA% Sierra Leone 7% (2001 est.) Singapore 0.2% (2001 est.) Slovakia less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Slovenia less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Solomon Islands NA% Somalia 1% (2001 est.) South Africa 20.1% (2001 est.) Spain 0.5% (2001 est.) Sri Lanka less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Sudan 2.6% (2001 est.) Suriname 1.2% (2001 est.) Svalbard 0% (2001) Swaziland 33.4% (2001 est.) Sweden 0.1% (2001 est.) Switzerland 0.5% (2001 est.) Syria 0.01% (2001 est.) Taiwan NA Tajikistan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Tanzania 7.8% (2001 est.) Thailand 1.8% (2001 est.) Togo 6% (2001 est.) Tokelau NA% Tonga NA% Trinidad and Tobago 2.5% (2001 est.) Tunisia 0.04% (2001 est.) Turkey less than 0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) Turkmenistan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA% Tuvalu NA% Uganda 5% (2001 est.) Ukraine 1% (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates 0.18% (2001 est.) United Kingdom 0.1% (2001 est.) United States 0.6% (2001 est.) Uruguay 0.3% (2001 est.) Uzbekistan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Vanuatu NA% Venezuela 0.5% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.) Vietnam 0.3% (2001 est.) Virgin Islands NA% Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank NA% Western Sahara NA% World NA% Yemen 0.1% (2001 est.) Zambia 21.5% (2001 est.) Zimbabwe 33.7% (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS Afghanistan NA Albania NA Algeria NA American Samoa NA Andorra NA Angola 350,000 (2001 est.) Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda NA Argentina 130,000 (2001 est.) Armenia less than 2,400 (2001 est.) Aruba NA Australia 12,000 (2001 est.) Austria 9,900 (2001 est.) Azerbaijan less than 1,400 (2001 est.) Bahamas, The 6,200 (2001 est.) Bahrain less than 1,000 Bangladesh 13,000 (2001 est.) Barbados 1,800 (2001 est.) Belarus 15,000 (2001 est.) Belgium 8,500 (2001 est.) Belize 2,500 (2001 est.) Benin 120,000 (2001 est.) Bermuda NA Bhutan less than 100 (1999 est.) Bolivia 4,600 (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina NA Botswana 330,000 (2001 est.) Brazil 610,000 (2001 est.) British Virgin Islands NA Brunei less than 100 (2001 est.) Bulgaria 346 (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 440,000 (2001 est.) Burma 530,000 (2001 est.) Burundi 390,000 (2001 est.) Cambodia 170,000 (2001 est.) Cameroon 920,000 (2001 est.) Canada 55,000 (2001 est.) Cape Verde 775 (2001) Cayman Islands NA Central African Republic 250,000 (2001 est.) Chad 150,000 (2001 est.) Chile 20,000 (2001 est.) China 850,000 (2001 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 140,000 (2001 est.) Comoros NA Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.3 million (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 110,000 (2001 est.) Cook Islands NA Costa Rica 11,000 (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 770,000 (2001 est.) Croatia 200 (2001 est.) Cuba 3,200 (2001 est.) Cyprus less than 1,000 (1999 est.) Czech Republic 500 (2001 est.) Denmark 3,800 (2001 est.) Djibouti 37,000 (2001 est.) Dominica NA Dominican Republic 130,000 (2001 est.) East Timor NA Ecuador 20,000 (2001 est.) Egypt 8,000 (2001 est.) El Salvador 24,000 (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 5,900 (2001 est.) Eritrea 55,000 (2001 est.) Estonia less than 7,700 (2001 est.) Ethiopia 2.1 million (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA Fiji 300 (2001 est.) Finland 1,200 (2001 est.) France 100,000 (2001 est.) French Guiana NA French Polynesia NA Gabon 23,000 (1999 est.) Gambia, The 8,400 (2001 est.) Gaza Strip NA Georgia less than 900 (2001 est.) Germany 41,000 (2001 est.) Ghana 360,000 (2001 est.) Gibraltar NA Greece 8,800 (2001 est.) Greenland 100 (1999) Grenada NA Guadeloupe NA Guam NA Guatemala 67,000 (2001 est.) Guernsey NA Guinea 55,000 (1999 est.) Guinea-Bissau 17,000 (2001 est.) Guyana 18,000 (2001 est.) Haiti 250,000 (2001 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 57,000 (2001 est.) Hong Kong 2,600 (2001 est.) Hungary 2,800 (2001 est.) Iceland 220 (2001 est.) India 3.97 million (2001 est.) Indonesia 120,000 (2001 est.) Iran 20,000 (2001 est.) Iraq less than 1,000 Ireland 2,400 (2001 est.) Israel 2,400 (1999 est.) Italy 100,000 (2001 est.) Jamaica 20,000 (2001 est.) Japan 12,000 (2001 est.) Jersey NA Jordan less than 1,000 Kazakhstan 6,000 (2001 est.) Kenya 2.5 million (2001 est.) Kiribati NA Korea, North NA Korea, South 4,000 (2001 est.) Kuwait NA Kyrgyzstan over 500 (2001 est.) Laos 1,400 (2001 est.) Latvia 5,000 (2001 est.) Lebanon NA Lesotho 360,000 (2001 est.) Liberia 125,000 (2001 est.) Libya 7,000 (2001 est.) Liechtenstein NA Lithuania less than 1,300 (2001 est.) Luxembourg NA Macau NA Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of less than 100 (1999 est.) Madagascar 22,000 (2001 est.) Malawi 850,000 (2001 est.) Malaysia 42,000 (2001 est.) Maldives less than 100 (2001 est.) Mali 110,000 (2001 est.) Malta NA Man, Isle of NA Marshall Islands NA Martinique NA Mauritania 6,600 (1999 est.) Mauritius 700 (2001 est.) Mayotte NA Mexico 150,000 (2001 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova 5,500 (2001 est.) Monaco NA Mongolia less than 100 (1999 est.) Montserrat NA Morocco 13,000 (2001 est.) Mozambique 1.1 million (2001 est.) Namibia 230,000 (2001 est.) Nauru NA Nepal 58,000 (2001 est.) Netherlands 17,000 (2001 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia NA New Zealand 1,200 (2001 est.) Nicaragua 5,800 (2001 est.) Niger NA Nigeria 3.5 million (2001 est.) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway 1,800 (2001 est.) Oman 1,300 (2001 est.) Pakistan 78,000 (2001 est.) Palau NA Panama 25,000 (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 17,000 (2001 est.) Paraguay 3,000 (1999 est.) Peru 53,000 (2001 est.) Philippines 9,400 (2001 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland NA Portugal 27,000 (2001 est.) Puerto Rico 7,397 (1997) Qatar NA Reunion NA Romania 6,500 (2001 est.) Russia 700,000 (2001 est.) Rwanda 500,000 (2001 est.) Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia NA Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa 12 San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia NA Senegal 27,000 (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 10,000 (2001 est.) Seychelles NA Sierra Leone 170,000 (2001 est.) Singapore 3,400 (2001 est.) Slovakia less than 100 (1999 est.) Slovenia 280 (2001 est.) Solomon Islands NA Somalia 43,000 (2001 est.) South Africa 5 million (2001 est.) Spain 130,000 (2001 est.) Sri Lanka 4,800 (2001 est.) Sudan 450,000 (2001 est.) Suriname 3,700 (2001 est.) Svalbard 0 (2001) Swaziland 170,000 (2001 est.) Sweden 3,300 (2001 est.) Switzerland 19,000 (2001 est.) Syria NA Taiwan NA Tajikistan less than 200 (2001 est.) Tanzania 1.5 million (2001 est.) Thailand 670,000 (2001 est.) Togo 150,000 (2001 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga NA Trinidad and Tobago 17,000 (2001 est.) Tunisia NA Turkey NA Turkmenistan less than 100 (1999 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu NA Uganda 600,000 (2001 est.) Ukraine 250,000 (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates NA United Kingdom 34,000 (2001 est.) United States 900,000 (2001 est.) Uruguay 6,300 (2001 est.) Uzbekistan less than 740 (2001 est.) Vanuatu NA Venezuela 62,000 (1999 est.) Vietnam 130,000 (2001 est.) Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank NA Western Sahara NA World NA Yemen 9,900 (2001 est.) Zambia 1.2 million (2001 est.) Zimbabwe 2.3 million (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2157 HIV/AIDS - deaths Afghanistan NA Albania NA Algeria NA American Samoa NA Andorra NA Angola 24,000 (2001 est.) Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda NA Argentina 1,800 (2001 est.) Armenia less than 100 (2001 est.) Aruba NA Australia less than 100 (2001 est.) Austria less than 100 (2001 est.) Azerbaijan less than 100 (2001 est.) Bahamas, The 610 (2001 est.) Bahrain NA Bangladesh 650 (2001 est.) Barbados 250 (2001 est.) Belarus 1,000 (2001 est.) Belgium less than 100 (2001 est.) Belize 300 (2001 est.) Benin 8,100 (2001 est.) Bermuda NA Bhutan NA Bolivia 290 (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 100 (2001 est.) Botswana 26,000 (2001 est.) Brazil 8,400 (2001 est.) British Virgin Islands NA Brunei NA Bulgaria 100 (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 44,000 (2001 est.) Burma 65,000 (2001 est.) Burundi 40,000 (2001 est.) Cambodia 12,000 (2001 est.) Cameroon 53,000 (2001 est.) Canada less than 500 (2001 est.) Cape Verde 225 (as of 2001) Cayman Islands NA Central African Republic 22,000 (2001 est.) Chad 14,000 (confirmed AIDS cases, actual number far higher but difficult to estimate) (2001 est.) Chile 220 (2001 est.) China 30,000 (2001 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 5,600 (2001 est.) Comoros NA Congo, Democratic Republic of the 120,000 (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 11,000 (2001 est.) Cook Islands NA Costa Rica 890 (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 75,000 (2001 est.) Croatia less than 10 (2001 est.) Cuba 120 (2001 est.) Cyprus NA Czech Republic less than 10 (2001 est.) Denmark less than 100 (2001 est.) Djibouti 2,000 (2001 est.) Dominica NA Dominican Republic 7,800 (2001 est.) East Timor NA Ecuador 1,700 (2001 est.) Egypt NA El Salvador 2,100 (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 370 (2001 est.) Eritrea 350 (2001 est.) Estonia less than 100 (2001 est.) Ethiopia 160,000 (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA Fiji NA Finland less than 100 (2001 est.) France 800 (2001 est.) French Guiana NA French Polynesia NA Gabon 3,000 (2001 est.) Gambia, The 400 (2001 est.) Gaza Strip NA Georgia less than 100 (2001 est.) Germany 660 (2001 est.) Ghana 28,000 (2001 est.) Gibraltar NA Greece less than 100 (2001 est.) Greenland NA Grenada NA Guadeloupe NA Guam NA Guatemala 5,200 (2001 est.) Guernsey NA Guinea 9,000 (2001 est.) Guinea-Bissau 1,200 (2001 est.) Guyana 1,300 (2001 est.) Haiti 30,000 (2001 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 3,300 (2001 est.) Hong Kong less than 100 (2001 est.) Hungary less than 100 (2001 est.) Iceland less than 100 (2001 est.) India 310,000 (2001 est.) Indonesia 4,600 (2001 est.) Iran 290 (2001 est.) Iraq NA Ireland less than 100 (2001 est.) Israel 100 (2001 est.) Italy 1,100 (2001 est.) Jamaica 980 (2001 est.) Japan 430 (2001 est.) Jersey NA Jordan NA Kazakhstan less than 300 (2001 est.) Kenya 190,000 (2001 est.) Kiribati NA Korea, North NA Korea, South 220 (2001 est.) Kuwait NA Kyrgyzstan less than 100 (2001 est.) Laos less than 150 (2001 est.) Latvia less than 100 (2001 est.) Lebanon NA Lesotho 25,000 (2001 est.) Liberia 5,000 (2001 est.) Libya NA Liechtenstein NA Lithuania less than 100 (2001 est.) Luxembourg less than 100 (2001 est.) Macau NA Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of less than 100 (2001 est.) Madagascar 870 (2001 est.) Malawi 80,000 (2001 est.) Malaysia 2,500 (2001 est.) Maldives NA Mali 11,000 (2001 est.) Malta less than 100 (2001 est.) Man, Isle of NA Marshall Islands NA Martinique NA Mauritania 610 (2001 est.) Mauritius less than 100 (2001 est.) Mayotte NA Mexico 4,200 (2001 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova less than 300 (2001 est.) Monaco NA Mongolia NA Montserrat NA Morocco NA Mozambique 60,000 (2001 est.) Namibia 13,000 (2001 est.) Nauru NA Nepal 2,400 (2001 est.) Netherlands 110 (2001 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia NA New Zealand less than 100 (2001 est.) Nicaragua 400 (2001 est.) Niger 6,000 (2001 est.) Nigeria 170,000 (2001 est.) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway less than 100 (2001 est.) Oman NA Pakistan 4,500 (2001 est.) Palau NA Panama 1,900 (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 880 (2001 est.) Paraguay 220 (2001 est.) Peru 3,900 (2001 est.) Philippines 720 (2001 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 100 (2001 est.) Portugal 1,000 (2001 est.) Puerto Rico NA Qatar NA Reunion NA Romania 350 (2001 est.) Russia 9,000 (2001 est.) Rwanda 49,000 (2001 est.) Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia NA Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa 3 San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia NA Senegal 2,500 (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro less than 100 (2001 est.) Seychelles NA Sierra Leone 11,000 (2001 est.) Singapore 140 (2001 est.) Slovakia less than 100 (2001 est.) Slovenia less than 100 (2001 est.) Solomon Islands NA Somalia NA South Africa 360,000 (2001 est.) Spain 2,300 (2001 est.) Sri Lanka 250 (2001 est.) Sudan 23,000 (2001 est.) Suriname 330 (2001 est.) Svalbard 0 (2001) Swaziland 12,000 (2001 est.) Sweden less than 100 (2001 est.) Switzerland less than 100 (2001 est.) Syria NA Taiwan NA Tajikistan less than 100 (2001 est.) Tanzania 140,000 (2001 est.) Thailand 55,000 (2001 est.) Togo 12,000 (2001 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga NA Trinidad and Tobago 1,200 (2001 est.) Tunisia NA Turkey NA Turkmenistan less than 100 (2001 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu NA Uganda 84,000 (2001 est.) Ukraine 11,000 (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates NA United Kingdom 460 (2001 est.) United States 15,000 (2001 est.) Uruguay less than 500 (2001 est.) Uzbekistan less than 100 (2001 est.) Vanuatu NA Venezuela 2,000 (2001 est.) Vietnam 6,600 (2001 est.) Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank NA Western Sahara NA World NA Yemen NA Zambia 120,000 (2001 est.) Zimbabwe 200,000 (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2158 Currency code Afghanistan AFA Albania ALL Algeria DZD American Samoa USD Andorra EUR Angola AOA Anguilla XCD Antigua and Barbuda XCD Argentina ARS Armenia AMD Aruba AWG Australia AUD Austria EUR Azerbaijan AZM Bahamas, The BSD Bahrain BHD Bangladesh BDT Barbados BBD Belarus BYB/BYR Belgium EUR Belize BZD Benin XOF Bermuda BMD Bhutan BTN; INR Bolivia BOB Bosnia and Herzegovina BAM Botswana BWP Brazil BRL British Virgin Islands USD Brunei BND Bulgaria BGN Burkina Faso XOF Burma MMK Burundi BIF Cambodia KHR Cameroon XAF Canada CAD Cape Verde CVE Cayman Islands KYD Central African Republic XAF Chad XAF Chile CLP China CNY Christmas Island AUD Cocos (Keeling) Islands AUD Colombia COP Comoros KMF Congo, Democratic Republic of the CDF Congo, Republic of the XAF Cook Islands NZD Costa Rica CRC Cote d'Ivoire XOF Croatia HRK Cuba CUP Cyprus CYP; TRL Czech Republic CZK Denmark DKK Djibouti DJF Dominica XCD Dominican Republic DOP East Timor IDR Ecuador USD Egypt EGP El Salvador USD Equatorial Guinea XAF Eritrea ERN Estonia EEK Ethiopia ETB Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) FKP Faroe Islands DKK Fiji FJD Finland EUR France EUR French Guiana EUR; FRF French Polynesia XPF Gabon XAF Gambia, The GMD Gaza Strip ILS Georgia GEL Germany EUR Ghana GHC Gibraltar GIP Greece EUR Greenland DKK Grenada XCD Guadeloupe EUR; FRF Guam USD Guatemala GTQ; USD Guernsey GBP Guinea GNF Guinea-Bissau XOF; GWP Guyana GYD Haiti HTG Holy See (Vatican City) EUR Honduras HNL Hong Kong HKD Hungary HUF Iceland ISK India INR Indonesia IDR Iran IRR Iraq IQD Ireland EUR Israel ILS Italy EUR Jamaica JMD Japan JPY Jersey GBP Jordan JOD Kazakhstan KZT Kenya KES Kiribati AUD Korea, North KPW Korea, South KRW Kuwait KWD Kyrgyzstan KGS Laos LAK Latvia LVL Lebanon LBP Lesotho LSL; ZAR Liberia LRD Libya LYD Liechtenstein CHF Lithuania LTL Luxembourg EUR Macau MOP Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of MKD Madagascar MGF Malawi MWK Malaysia MYR Maldives MVR Mali XOF Malta MTL Man, Isle of GBP Marshall Islands USD Martinique EUR Mauritania MRO Mauritius MUR Mayotte EUR Mexico MXN Micronesia, Federated States of USD Moldova MDL Monaco EUR Mongolia MNT Montserrat XCD Morocco MAD Mozambique MZM Namibia NAD; ZAR Nauru AUD Nepal NPR Netherlands EUR Netherlands Antilles ANG New Caledonia XPF New Zealand NZD Nicaragua NIO Niger XOF Nigeria NGN Niue NZD Norfolk Island AUD Northern Mariana Islands USD Norway NOK Oman OMR Pakistan PKR Palau USD Panama PAB; USD Papua New Guinea PGK Paraguay PYG Peru PEN Philippines PHP Pitcairn Islands NZD Poland PLN Portugal EUR Puerto Rico USD Qatar QAR Reunion EUR Romania ROL Russia RUR Rwanda RWF Saint Helena SHP Saint Kitts and Nevis XCD Saint Lucia XCD Saint Pierre and Miquelon EUR Saint Vincent and the Grenadines XCD Samoa SAT (former WST code is still in wide use) San Marino EUR Sao Tome and Principe STD Saudi Arabia SAR Senegal XOF Serbia and Montenegro YUM Seychelles SCR Sierra Leone SLL Singapore SGD Slovakia SKK Slovenia SIT Solomon Islands SBD Somalia SOS South Africa ZAR Spain EUR Sri Lanka LKR Sudan SDD Suriname SRG Svalbard NOK Swaziland SZL Sweden SEK Switzerland CHF Syria SYP Taiwan TWD Tajikistan TJS Tanzania TZS Thailand THB Togo XOF Tokelau NZD Tonga TOP Trinidad and Tobago TTD Tunisia TND Turkey TRL Turkmenistan TMM Turks and Caicos Islands USD Tuvalu AUD Uganda UGX Ukraine UAH United Arab Emirates AED United Kingdom GBP United States USD Uruguay UYU Uzbekistan UZS Vanuatu VUV Venezuela VEB Vietnam VND Virgin Islands USD Wallis and Futuna XPF West Bank ILS; JOD Western Sahara MAD Yemen YER Zambia ZMK Zimbabwe ZWD This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2172 Distribution of family income - Gini index Algeria 35.3 (1995) Armenia 44.4 (1996) Australia 35.2 (1994) Austria 31 (1995) Azerbaijan 36 (1995) Bangladesh 33.6 (FY 95/96) Belarus 21.7 (1998) Belgium 28.7 (1996) Bolivia 58.9 (1997) Brazil 60.7 (1998) Bulgaria 26.4 (2001) Burkina Faso 48.2 (1994) Burundi 42.5 (1998) Cambodia 40.4 (1997) Cameroon 47.7 (1996) Canada 31.5 (1994) Central African Republic 61.3 (1993) Chile 56.7 (1998) China 40 (2001) Colombia 57.1 (1996) Costa Rica 45.9 (1997) Cote d'Ivoire 36.7 (1995) Croatia 29 (1998) Czech Republic 25.4 (1996) Denmark 24.7 (1992) Dominican Republic 47.4 (1998) East Timor 38 (2002 est.) Ecuador 43.7 (1995) Egypt 28.9 (1995) El Salvador 52.2 (1998) Estonia 37 (1999) Ethiopia 40 (1995) Finland 25.6 (1991) France 32.7 (1995) Georgia 37.1 (1996) Germany 30 (1994) Ghana 40.7 (1999) Greece 32.7 (1993) Guatemala 55.8 (1998) Guinea 40.3 (1994) Honduras 56.3 (1998) Hungary 24.4 (1998) India 37.8 (1997) Indonesia 31.7 (1999) Ireland 35.9 (1987) Israel 35.5 (2001) Italy 27.3 (1995) Jamaica 37.9 (2000) Japan 24.9 (1993) Jordan 36.4 (1997) Kazakhstan 35.4 (1996) Kenya 44.9 (1997) Korea, South 31.6 (1993) Kyrgyzstan 34.6 (1999) Laos 37 (1997) Latvia 32 (1999) Lesotho 56 (1986-87) Lithuania 34 (1999) Madagascar 38.1 (1999) Malaysia 49.2 (1997) Mali 50.5 (1994) Mauritania 37.3 (1995) Mauritius 37 (1987 est.) Mexico 53.1 (1998) Moldova 40.6 (1997) Mongolia 33.2 (1995) Morocco 39.5 (1998-99) Mozambique 39.6 (1996-97) Nepal 36.7 (FY 95/96) Netherlands 32.6 (1994) Nicaragua 60.3 (1998) Niger 50.5 (1995) Nigeria 50.6 (1996-97) Norway 25.8 (1995) Pakistan 41 (FY98/99) Panama 48.5 (1997) Papua New Guinea 50.9 (1996) Paraguay 57.7 (1998) Peru 46.2 (1996) Philippines 46.2 (1997) Poland 31.6 (1998) Portugal 35.6 (1994-95) Romania 31.1 (1998) Russia 39.9 (2001) Rwanda 28.9 (1985) Senegal 41.3 (1995) Sierra Leone 62.9 (1989) Slovakia 26.3 (1996) Slovenia 28.4 (1998) South Africa 59.3 (1993-94) Spain 32.5 (1990) Sri Lanka 34.4 (1995) Sweden 25 (1992) Switzerland 33.1 (1992) Taiwan 32.6 (2000) Tajikistan 34.7 (1998) Tanzania 38.2 (1993) Thailand 41.4 (1998) Tunisia 41.7 (1995) Turkey 41.5 (1994) Turkmenistan 40.8 (1998) Uganda 37.4 (1996) Ukraine 29 (1999) United Kingdom 36.8 (1995) United States 40.8 (1997) Uruguay 42.3 (1989) Uzbekistan 44.7 (1998) Venezuela 49.5 (1998) Vietnam 36.1 (1998) Yemen 33.4 (1998) Zambia 52.6 (1998) Zimbabwe 50.1 (1995) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2173 Oil - production (bbl/day) Afghanistan 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Albania 5,952 bbl/day (2001 est.) Algeria 1.52 million bbl/day (2001 est.) American Samoa 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Angola 742,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Argentina 828,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Armenia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Aruba 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Australia 731,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Austria 20,670 bbl/day (2001 est.) Azerbaijan 307,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bahamas, The 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bahrain 43,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bangladesh 3,581 bbl/day (2001 est.) Barbados 1,271 bbl/day (2001 est.) Belarus 37,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Belgium 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Belize 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Benin 700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bermuda 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bhutan 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bolivia 44,340 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Botswana 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Brazil 1.561 million bbl/day (2001 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Brunei 217,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bulgaria 603 bbl/day (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Burma 14,170 bbl/day (2001 est.) Burundi 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cambodia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cameroon 76,650 bbl/day (2001 est.) Canada 2.738 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Cape Verde 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cayman Islands 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Central African Republic 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Chad 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Chile 13,640 bbl/day (2001 est.) China 3.3 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Colombia 614,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Comoros 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 275,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cook Islands 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Costa Rica 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Croatia 29,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cuba 50,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cyprus 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Czech Republic 7,419 bbl/day (2001 est.) Denmark 346,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Djibouti 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Dominica 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Dominican Republic 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Ecuador 421,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Egypt 816,900 bbl/day (2001 est.) El Salvador 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 181,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Eritrea 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Estonia 5,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Ethiopia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Faroe Islands 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Fiji 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Finland 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) France 34,920 bbl/day (2001 est.) French Guiana 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) French Polynesia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Gabon 301,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Gambia, The 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Georgia 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Germany 85,860 bbl/day (2001 est.) Ghana 7,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Gibraltar 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Greece 5,992 bbl/day (2001 est.) Greenland 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Grenada 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guadeloupe 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guam 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guatemala 21,080 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guinea 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guyana 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Haiti 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Honduras 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Hong Kong 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Hungary 41,190 bbl/day (2001 est.) Iceland 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) India 732,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Indonesia 1.451 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Iran 3.804 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Iraq 2.452 million bbl/day (2001 est.); note - production was disrupted as a result of the March-April 2003 war (2001 est.) Ireland 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Israel 80 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.) Italy 79,460 bbl/day (2001 est.) Jamaica 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Japan 17,330 bbl/day (2001 est.) Jordan 40 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 798,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Kenya 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Kiribati 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Korea, North 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Korea, South 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Kuwait 2.117 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Kyrgyzstan 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Laos 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Latvia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Lebanon 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Lesotho 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Liberia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Libya 1.429 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Lithuania 4,594 bbl/day (2001 est.) Luxembourg 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Macau 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Madagascar 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Malawi 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Malaysia 729,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Maldives 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mali 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Malta 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Martinique 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mauritania 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mauritius 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mexico 3.59 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Moldova 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mongolia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Montserrat 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Morocco 400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mozambique 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Namibia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Nauru 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Nepal 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Netherlands 46,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) New Caledonia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) New Zealand 42,160 bbl/day (2001 est.) Nicaragua 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Niger 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Nigeria 2.256 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Niue 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Norway 3.408 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Oman 963,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Pakistan 62,870 bbl/day (2001 est.) Panama 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 67,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Paraguay 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Peru 95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Philippines 8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.) Poland 17,180 bbl/day (2001 est.) Portugal 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Puerto Rico 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Qatar 864,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Reunion 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Romania 127,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Russia 7.286 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Rwanda 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Helena 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Lucia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Samoa 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saudi Arabia 8.711 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Senegal 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Seychelles 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sierra Leone 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Singapore 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Slovakia 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Slovenia 20 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.) Solomon Islands 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Somalia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) South Africa 196,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Spain 7,099 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sri Lanka 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sudan 209,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Suriname 10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Swaziland 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sweden 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Switzerland 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Syria 522,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Taiwan 1,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Tajikistan 250 bbl/day (2001 est.) Tanzania 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Thailand 173,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Togo 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Tonga 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 125,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Tunisia 72,580 bbl/day (2001 est.) Turkey 48,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Turkmenistan 162,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 bbl/day NA (2001 est.) Uganda 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Ukraine 86,490 bbl/day (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates 2.566 million bbl/day (2001 est.) United Kingdom 2.541 million bbl/day (2001 est.) United States 8.054 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Uruguay 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Uzbekistan 142,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Vanuatu 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Venezuela 3.08 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Vietnam 356,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Virgin Islands 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Western Sahara 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) World 75.46 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Yemen 438,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Zambia 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Zimbabwe 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2174 Oil - consumption (bbl/day) Afghanistan 3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Albania 22,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Algeria 209,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) American Samoa 3,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Angola 31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Argentina 486,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Armenia 5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Aruba 6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Australia 796,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Austria 262,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Azerbaijan 140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bahamas, The 23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bahrain 31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bangladesh 71,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Barbados 10,900 bbl/day (2001 est.) Belarus 230,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Belgium 595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Belize 5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Benin 11,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bermuda 4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bhutan 1,020 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bolivia 49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Botswana 16,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Brazil 2.199 million bbl/day (2001 est.) British Virgin Islands 420 bbl/day (2001 est.) Brunei 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Bulgaria 94,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 8,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Burma 38,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Burundi 2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cambodia 3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cameroon 22,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Canada 1.703 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Cape Verde 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cayman Islands 2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Central African Republic 2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Chad 1,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Chile 241,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) China 4.975 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Colombia 252,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Comoros 700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cook Islands 450 bbl/day (2001 est.) Costa Rica 37,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 32,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Croatia 89,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cuba 163,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Cyprus 49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Czech Republic 175,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Denmark 218,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Djibouti 11,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Dominica 600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Dominican Republic 129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Ecuador 129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Egypt 562,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) El Salvador 39,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Eritrea 6,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Estonia 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Ethiopia 23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Faroe Islands 4,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Fiji 5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Finland 211,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) France 2.026 million bbl/day (2001 est.) French Guiana 6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) French Polynesia 4,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Gabon 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Gambia, The 1,900 bbl/day (2001 est.) Georgia 31,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Germany 2.813 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Ghana 38,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Gibraltar 42,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Greece 405,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Greenland 3,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Grenada 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guadeloupe 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guam 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guatemala 61,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guinea 8,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guinea-Bissau 2,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Guyana 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Haiti 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Honduras 29,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Hong Kong 257,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Hungary 140,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Iceland 16,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) India 2.13 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Indonesia 1.045 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Iran 1.277 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Iraq 460,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Ireland 174,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Israel 260,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Italy 1.866 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Jamaica 66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Japan 5.29 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Jordan 103,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 195,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Kenya 57,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Kiribati 190 bbl/day (2001 est.) Korea, North 85,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Korea, South 2.14 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Kuwait 273,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Kyrgyzstan 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Laos 2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Latvia 44,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Lebanon 107,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Lesotho 1,500 bbl/day (2001) Liberia 3,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Libya 216,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Lithuania 72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Luxembourg 50,650 bbl/day (2001 est.) Macau 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Madagascar 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Malawi 5,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Malaysia 472,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Maldives 3,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mali 4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Malta 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Martinique 13,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mauritania 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mauritius 21,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mexico 1.507 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Moldova 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mongolia 8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Montserrat 400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Morocco 167,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Mozambique 8,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Namibia 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Nauru 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Nepal 16,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Netherlands 895,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Netherlands Antilles 72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) New Caledonia 8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) New Zealand 132,700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Nicaragua 24,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Niger 5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Nigeria 275,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Niue 20 bbl/day (2001 est.) Norway 171,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oman 53,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Pakistan 365,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Panama 52,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Paraguay 25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Peru 161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Philippines 343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Poland 424,100 bbl/day (2001 est.) Portugal 339,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) Puerto Rico 190,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Qatar 29,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Reunion 18,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Romania 215,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Russia 2.595 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Rwanda 5,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Helena 200 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 710 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Lucia 2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.) Samoa 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Saudi Arabia 1.452 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Senegal 31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 64,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Seychelles 4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sierra Leone 6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Singapore 700,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Slovakia 82,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Slovenia 53,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Solomon Islands 1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.) Somalia 4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) South Africa 460,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Spain 1.497 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Sri Lanka 75,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sudan 50,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Suriname 10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Swaziland 3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Sweden 328,600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Switzerland 290,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) Syria 265,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Taiwan 988,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Tajikistan 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Tanzania 17,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Thailand 785,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Togo 10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Tonga 1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Tunisia 87,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Turkey 619,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Turkmenistan 63,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.) Uganda 8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Ukraine 290,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates 310,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) United Kingdom 1.71 million bbl/day (2001 est.) United States 19.65 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Uruguay 41,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) Uzbekistan 142,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Vanuatu 600 bbl/day (2001 est.) Venezuela 505,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Vietnam 185,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Virgin Islands 66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Western Sahara 1,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) World 76.21 million bbl/day (2001 est.) Yemen 74,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Zambia 11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Zimbabwe 23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2175 Oil - imports (bbl/day) Afghanistan NA (2001) Albania NA (2001) Algeria NA (2001) American Samoa NA (2001) Angola NA (2001) Antigua and Barbuda NA (2001) Argentina NA (2001) Armenia NA (2001) Aruba NA (2001) Australia 530,800 bbl/day (2001) Austria 262,000 bbl/day (2001) Azerbaijan NA (2001) Bahamas, The NA (2001) Bahrain NA (2001) Bangladesh NA (2001) Barbados NA (2001) Belarus NA (2001) Belgium 1.042 million bbl/day (2001) Belize NA (2001) Benin NA (2001) Bermuda NA (2001) Bhutan NA (2001) Bolivia NA (2001) Bosnia and Herzegovina NA (2001) Botswana NA (2001) Brazil NA (2001) British Virgin Islands NA (2001) Brunei NA (2001) Bulgaria NA (2001) Burkina Faso NA (2001) Burma NA (2001) Burundi NA (2001) Cambodia NA (2001) Cameroon NA (2001) Canada 1.145 million bbl/day (2001) Cape Verde NA (2001) Cayman Islands NA (2001) Central African Republic NA (2001) Chad NA (2001) Chile NA (2001) China NA (2001) Colombia NA (2001) Comoros NA (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA (2001) Congo, Republic of the NA (2001) Cook Islands NA (2001) Costa Rica NA (2001) Cote d'Ivoire NA (2001) Croatia NA (2001) Cuba NA (2001) Cyprus NA (2001) Czech Republic 192,300 bbl/day (2001) Denmark 195,000 bbl/day (2001) Djibouti NA (2001) Dominica NA (2001) Dominican Republic NA (2001) Ecuador NA (2001) Egypt NA (2001) El Salvador NA (2001) Equatorial Guinea NA (2001) Eritrea NA (2001) Estonia NA (2001) Ethiopia NA (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA (2001) Faroe Islands NA (2001) Fiji NA (2001) Finland 318,300 bbl/day (2001) France 2.281 million bbl/day (2001) French Guiana NA (2001) French Polynesia NA (2001) Gabon NA (2001) Gambia, The NA (2001) Georgia NA (2001) Germany 3.081 million bbl/day (2001) Ghana NA (2001) Gibraltar NA (2001) Greece 468,300 bbl/day (2001) Greenland NA (2001) Grenada NA (2001) Guadeloupe NA (2001) Guam NA (2001) Guatemala NA (2001) Guinea NA (2001) Guinea-Bissau NA (2001) Guyana NA (2001) Haiti NA (2001) Honduras NA (2001) Hong Kong NA (2001) Hungary 136,600 bbl/day (2001) Iceland 15,470 bbl/day (2001) India NA (2001) Indonesia NA (2001) Iran NA (2001) Iraq NA (2001) Ireland 178,600 bbl/day (2001) Israel NA (2001) Italy 2.158 million bbl/day (2001) Jamaica NA (2001) Japan 5.449 million bbl/day (2001) Jordan NA (2001) Kazakhstan NA (2001) Kenya NA (2001) Kiribati NA (2001) Korea, North NA (2001) Korea, South 2.965 million bbl/day (2001) Kuwait NA (2001) Kyrgyzstan NA (2001) Laos NA (2001) Latvia NA (2001) Lebanon NA (2001) Lesotho NA (2001) Liberia NA (2001) Libya NA (2001) Lithuania NA (2001) Luxembourg 50,700 bbl/day (2001) Macau NA (2001) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of NA (2001) Madagascar NA (2001) Malawi NA (2001) Malaysia NA (2001) Maldives NA (2001) Mali NA (2001) Malta NA (2001) Martinique NA (2001) Mauritania NA (2001) Mauritius NA (2001) Mexico 374,700 bbl/day (2001) Moldova NA (2001) Mongolia NA (2001) Montserrat NA (2001) Morocco NA (2001) Mozambique NA (2001) Namibia NA (2001) Nauru NA (2001) Nepal NA (2001) Netherlands 2.284 million bbl/day (2001) Netherlands Antilles NA (2001) New Caledonia NA (2001) New Zealand 119,700 bbl/day (2001) Nicaragua NA (2001) Niger NA (2001) Nigeria NA (2001) Niue NA (2001) Norway 88,870 bbl/day (2001) Oman NA (2001) Pakistan NA (2001) Panama NA (2001) Papua New Guinea NA (2001) Paraguay NA (2001) Peru NA (2001) Philippines NA (2001) Poland 413,700 bbl/day (2001) Portugal 357,300 bbl/day (2001) Puerto Rico NA (2001) Qatar NA (2001) Reunion NA (2001) Romania NA (2001) Russia NA (2001) Rwanda NA (2001) Saint Helena NA (2001) Saint Kitts and Nevis NA (2001) Saint Lucia NA (2001) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA (2001) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA (2001) Samoa NA (2001) Sao Tome and Principe NA (2001) Saudi Arabia NA (2001) Senegal NA (2001) Serbia and Montenegro NA (2001) Seychelles NA (2001) Sierra Leone NA (2001) Singapore NA (2001) Slovakia NA (2001) Slovenia NA (2001) Solomon Islands NA (2001) Somalia NA (2001) South Africa NA (2001) Spain 1.582 million bbl/day (2001) Sri Lanka NA (2001) Sudan NA (2001) Suriname NA (2001) Swaziland NA (2001) Sweden 553,100 bbl/day (2001) Switzerland 289,500 bbl/day (2001) Syria NA (2001) Taiwan NA (2001) Tajikistan NA (2001) Tanzania NA (2001) Thailand NA (2001) Togo NA (2001) Tonga NA (2001) Trinidad and Tobago NA (2001) Tunisia NA (2001) Turkey 616,500 bbl/day (2001) Turkmenistan NA (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands NA (2001) Uganda NA (2001) Ukraine NA (2001) United Arab Emirates NA (2001) United Kingdom 1.418 million bbl/day (2001) United States NA (2001) Uruguay NA (2001) Uzbekistan NA (2001) Vanuatu NA (2001) Venezuela NA (2001) Vietnam NA (2001) Virgin Islands NA (2001) Western Sahara NA (2001) Yemen NA (2001) Zambia NA (2001) Zimbabwe NA (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2176 Oil - exports (bbl/day) Afghanistan NA (2001) Albania NA (2001) Algeria NA (2001) American Samoa NA (2001) Angola NA (2001) Antigua and Barbuda NA (2001) Argentina NA (2001) Armenia NA (2001) Aruba NA (2001) Australia 523,400 bbl/day (2001) Austria 35,470 bbl/day (2001) Azerbaijan NA (2001) Bahamas, The NA (2001) Bahrain NA (2001) Bangladesh NA (2001) Barbados NA (2001) Belarus NA (2001) Belgium 450,000 bbl/day (2001) Belize NA (2001) Benin NA (2001) Bermuda NA (2001) Bhutan NA (2001) Bolivia NA (2001) Bosnia and Herzegovina NA (2001) Botswana NA (2001) Brazil NA (2001) British Virgin Islands NA (2001) Brunei NA (2001) Bulgaria NA (2001) Burkina Faso NA (2001) Burma NA (2001) Burundi NA (2001) Cambodia NA (2001) Cameroon NA (2001) Canada 2.008 million bbl/day (2001) Cape Verde NA (2001) Cayman Islands NA (2001) Central African Republic NA (2001) Chad NA (2001) Chile NA (2001) China NA (2001) Colombia NA (2001) Comoros NA (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA (2001) Congo, Republic of the NA (2001) Cook Islands NA (2001) Costa Rica NA (2001) Cote d'Ivoire NA (2001) Croatia NA (2001) Cuba NA (2001) Cyprus NA (2001) Czech Republic 26,670 bbl/day (2001) Denmark 332,100 bbl/day (2001) Djibouti NA (2001) Dominica NA (2001) Dominican Republic NA (2001) Ecuador NA (2001) Egypt NA (2001) El Salvador NA (2001) Equatorial Guinea NA (2001) Eritrea NA (2001) Estonia NA (2001) Ethiopia NA (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA (2001) Faroe Islands NA (2001) Fiji NA (2001) Finland 101,000 bbl/day (2001) France 409,600 bbl/day (2001) French Guiana NA (2001) French Polynesia NA (2001) Gabon NA (2001) Gambia, The NA (2001) Georgia NA (2001) Germany 404,300 bbl/day (2001) Ghana NA (2001) Gibraltar NA (2001) Greece 84,720 bbl/day (2001) Greenland NA (2001) Grenada NA (2001) Guadeloupe NA (2001) Guam NA (2001) Guatemala NA (2001) Guinea NA (2001) Guinea-Bissau NA (2001) Guyana NA (2001) Haiti NA (2001) Honduras NA (2001) Hong Kong NA (2001) Hungary 47,180 bbl/day (2001) Iceland 0 bbl/day (2001) India NA (2001) Indonesia NA (2001) Iran NA (2001) Iraq NA (2001) Ireland 27,450 bbl/day (2001) Israel NA (2001) Italy 456,600 bbl/day (2001) Jamaica NA (2001) Japan 93,360 bbl/day (2001) Jordan NA (2001) Kazakhstan NA (2001) Kenya NA (2001) Kiribati NA (2001) Korea, North NA (2001) Korea, South 804,700 bbl/day (2001) Kuwait NA (2001) Kyrgyzstan NA (2001) Laos NA (2001) Latvia NA (2001) Lebanon NA (2001) Lesotho NA (2001) Liberia NA (2001) Libya NA (2001) Lithuania NA (2001) Luxembourg 634 bbl/day (2001) Macau NA (2001) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of NA (2001) Madagascar NA (2001) Malawi NA (2001) Malaysia NA (2001) Maldives NA (2001) Mali NA (2001) Malta NA (2001) Martinique NA (2001) Mauritania NA (2001) Mauritius NA (2001) Mexico 1.881 million bbl/day (2001) Moldova NA (2001) Mongolia NA (2001) Montserrat NA (2001) Morocco NA (2001) Mozambique NA (2001) Namibia NA (2001) Nauru NA (2001) Nepal NA (2001) Netherlands 1.418 million bbl/day (2001) Netherlands Antilles NA (2001) New Caledonia NA (2001) New Zealand 30,220 bbl/day (2001) Nicaragua NA (2001) Niger NA (2001) Nigeria NA (2001) Niue NA (2001) Norway 3.466 million bbl/day (2001) Oman NA (2001) Pakistan NA (2001) Panama NA (2001) Papua New Guinea NA (2001) Paraguay NA (2001) Peru NA (2001) Philippines NA (2001) Poland 53,000 bbl/day (2001) Portugal 28,830 bbl/day (2001) Puerto Rico NA (2001) Qatar NA (2001) Reunion NA (2001) Romania NA (2001) Russia NA (2001) Rwanda NA (2001) Saint Helena NA (2001) Saint Kitts and Nevis NA (2001) Saint Lucia NA (2001) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA (2001) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA (2001) Samoa NA (2001) Sao Tome and Principe NA (2001) Saudi Arabia NA (2001) Senegal NA (2001) Serbia and Montenegro NA (2001) Seychelles NA (2001) Sierra Leone NA (2001) Singapore NA (2001) Slovakia NA (2001) Slovenia NA (2001) Solomon Islands NA (2001) Somalia NA (2001) South Africa NA (2001) Spain 135,100 bbl/day (2001) Sri Lanka NA (2001) Sudan NA (2001) Suriname NA (2001) Swaziland NA (2001) Sweden 203,700 bbl/day (2001) Switzerland 10,420 bbl/day (2001) Syria NA (2001) Taiwan NA (2001) Tajikistan NA (2001) Tanzania NA (2001) Thailand NA (2001) Togo NA (2001) Tonga NA (2001) Trinidad and Tobago NA (2001) Tunisia NA (2001) Turkey 46,110 bbl/day (2001) Turkmenistan NA (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands NA (2001) Uganda NA (2001) Ukraine NA (2001) United Arab Emirates NA (2001) United Kingdom 2.205 million bbl/day (2001) United States NA (2001) Uruguay NA (2001) Uzbekistan NA (2001) Vanuatu NA (2001) Venezuela NA (2001) Vietnam NA (2001) Virgin Islands NA (2001) Western Sahara NA (2001) Yemen NA (2001) Zambia NA (2001) Zimbabwe NA (2001) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2177 Median age (years) Afghanistan total: 18.9 years male: 19.1 years female: 18.7 years (2002) Albania total: 26.5 years male: 24.8 years female: 28.1 years (2002) Algeria total: 22.5 years male: 22.3 years female: 22.6 years (2002) American Samoa total: 21.6 years male: 21.1 years female: 22.2 years (2002) Andorra total: 39.1 years male: 39.4 years female: 38.8 years (2002) Angola total: 18.2 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.2 years (2002) Anguilla total: 30 years male: 30 years female: 29.9 years (2002) Antigua and Barbuda total: 29.1 years male: 28.6 years female: 29.6 years (2002) Argentina total: 29 years male: 28 years female: 29.9 years (2002) Armenia total: 32.3 years male: 30.6 years female: 34.1 years (2002) Aruba total: 37.1 years male: 35.3 years female: 38.5 years (2002) Australia total: 36 years male: 35.2 years female: 36.8 years (2002) Austria total: 39.4 years male: 38.2 years female: 40.7 years (2002) Azerbaijan total: 27.1 years male: 25.7 years female: 28.6 years (2002) Bahamas, The total: 27 years male: 26.2 years female: 27.7 years (2002) Bahrain total: 28.7 years male: 31.6 years female: 25.1 years (2002) Bangladesh total: 21.2 years male: 21.2 years female: 21.1 years (2002) Barbados total: 33.3 years male: 32.2 years female: 34.4 years (2002) Belarus total: 36.7 years male: 34.1 years female: 39.3 years (2002) Belgium total: 40 years male: 38.7 years female: 41.3 years (2002) Belize total: 18.9 years male: 18.8 years female: 19 years (2002) Benin total: 16.4 years male: 15.9 years female: 16.9 years (2002) Bermuda total: 38.7 years male: 37.8 years female: 39.6 years (2002) Bhutan total: 20.1 years male: 19.9 years female: 20.3 years (2002) Bolivia total: 20.8 years male: 20.1 years female: 21.5 years (2002) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 35.5 years male: 35.1 years female: 35.9 years (2002) Botswana total: 19.1 years male: 18.4 years female: 19.8 years (2002) Brazil total: 27 years male: 26.2 years female: 27.7 years (2002) British Virgin Islands total: 30.7 years male: 31 years female: 30.4 years (2002) Brunei total: 26.4 years male: 27 years female: 25.7 years (2002) Bulgaria total: 40.5 years male: 38.4 years female: 42.4 years (2002) Burkina Faso total: 16.8 years male: 16.4 years female: 17.2 years (2002) Burma total: 25.3 years male: 24.8 years female: 25.9 years (2002) Burundi total: 16.3 years male: 15.9 years female: 16.7 years (2002) Cambodia total: 19.2 years male: 18.4 years female: 20 years (2002) Cameroon total: 18.4 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.5 years (2002) Canada total: 37.8 years male: 36.9 years female: 38.8 years (2002) Cape Verde total: 18.7 years male: 17.9 years female: 19.6 years (2002) Cayman Islands total: 36.1 years male: 35.8 years female: 36.4 years (2002) Central African Republic total: 17.9 years male: 17.6 years female: 18.3 years (2002) Chad total: 16 years male: 15.2 years female: 16.8 years (2002) Chile total: 29.5 years male: 28.6 years female: 30.4 years (2002) China total: 31.5 years male: 31.2 years female: 31.7 years (2002) Colombia total: 25.6 years male: 24.8 years female: 26.4 years (2002) Comoros total: 18.6 years male: 18.3 years female: 18.9 years (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 15.8 years male: 15.4 years female: 16.1 years (2002) Congo, Republic of the total: 20.2 years male: 19.8 years female: 20.7 years (2002) Costa Rica total: 25.4 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.8 years (2002) Cote d'Ivoire total: 17 years male: 17.3 years female: 16.6 years (2002) Croatia total: 38.9 years male: 37.1 years female: 40.7 years (2002) Cuba total: 34.5 years male: 33.9 years female: 35.1 years (2002) Cyprus total: 34.2 years male: 33.1 years female: 35.2 years (2002) Czech Republic total: 38.4 years male: 36.6 years female: 40.2 years (2002) Denmark total: 39.1 years male: 38.1 years female: 40.1 years (2002) Djibouti total: 18.3 years male: 18.9 years female: 17.7 years (2002) Dominica total: 28.4 years male: 28.1 years female: 28.8 years (2002) Dominican Republic total: 23.5 years male: 23.3 years female: 23.7 years (2002) East Timor total: 19.7 years male: 19.8 years female: 19.6 years (2002) Ecuador total: 22.5 years male: 22 years female: 23 years (2002) Egypt total: 23.1 years male: 22.8 years female: 23.5 years (2002) El Salvador total: 21.1 years male: 20 years female: 22.2 years (2002) Equatorial Guinea total: 18.7 years male: 18 years female: 19.3 years (2002) Eritrea total: 17.6 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.7 years (2002) Estonia total: 38.1 years male: 34.7 years female: 41.3 years (2002) Ethiopia total: 17.3 years male: 17.3 years female: 17.4 years (2002) Faroe Islands total: 35.1 years male: 34.5 years female: 35.8 years (2002) Fiji total: 23.7 years male: 23.3 years female: 24.2 years (2002) Finland total: 40.3 years male: 38.8 years female: 41.8 years (2002) France total: 38.3 years male: 36.8 years female: 39.8 years (2002) French Guiana total: 28.2 years male: 29.2 years female: 27.1 years (2002) French Polynesia total: 26.7 years male: 27.1 years female: 26.3 years (2002) Gabon total: 18.5 years male: 18.3 years female: 18.7 years (2002) Gambia, The total: 17.4 years male: 17.3 years female: 17.6 years (2002) Gaza Strip total: 15.3 years male: 15.1 years female: 15.5 years (2002) Georgia total: 34.8 years male: 32.6 years female: 37 years (2002) Germany total: 41.3 years male: 39.9 years female: 42.8 years (2002) Ghana total: 19.8 years male: 19.5 years female: 20 years (2002) Gibraltar total: 38.8 years male: 38.6 years female: 39 years (2002) Greece total: 39.8 years male: 38.6 years female: 41 years (2002) Greenland total: 33.1 years male: 34.3 years female: 31.7 years (2002) Grenada total: 20.5 years male: 21 years female: 20 years (2002) Guadeloupe total: 31 years male: 30.2 years female: 31.9 years (2002) Guam total: 25.2 years male: 25.6 years female: 24.9 years (2002) Guatemala total: 18.3 years male: 18.1 years female: 18.5 years (2002) Guernsey total: 40.2 years male: 39.3 years female: 41.1 years (2002) Guinea total: 17.7 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.9 years (2002) Guinea-Bissau total: 18.8 years male: 18.2 years female: 19.4 years (2002) Guyana total: 25.7 years male: 25.2 years female: 26.3 years (2002) Haiti total: 17.9 years male: 17.4 years female: 18.5 years (2002) Honduras total: 18.8 years male: 18.4 years female: 19.2 years (2002) Hong Kong total: 37.5 years male: 37.1 years female: 37.7 years (2002) Hungary total: 38.4 years male: 35.7 years female: 41.1 years (2002) Iceland total: 34 years male: 33.2 years female: 34.7 years (2002) India total: 24.1 years male: 24.1 years female: 24.2 years (2002) Indonesia total: 25.8 years male: 25.4 years female: 26.2 years (2002) Iran total: 22.9 years male: 22.7 years female: 23.2 years (2002) Iraq total: 19 years male: 18.9 years female: 19.1 years (2002) Ireland total: 33.1 years male: 32.2 years female: 34 years (2002) Israel total: 28.9 years male: 28.1 years female: 29.8 years (2002) Italy total: 41 years male: 39.4 years female: 42.6 years (2002) Jamaica total: 26.5 years male: 25.8 years female: 27.2 years (2002) Japan total: 42 years male: 40.3 years female: 43.8 years (2002) Jersey total: 39.8 years male: 39.1 years female: 40.6 years (2002) Jordan total: 21.8 years male: 22.4 years female: 21.1 years (2002) Kazakhstan total: 28.2 years male: 26.6 years female: 29.7 years (2002) Kenya total: 18.4 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.5 years (2002) Kiribati total: 19.7 years male: 19.3 years female: 20.2 years (2002) Korea, North total: 31.1 years male: 30 years female: 32.3 years (2002) Korea, South total: 33.2 years male: 32.2 years female: 34.2 years (2002) Kuwait total: 25.9 years male: 28.4 years female: 21.8 years (2002) Kyrgyzstan total: 22.7 years male: 21.8 years female: 23.6 years (2002) Laos total: 18.5 years male: 18.1 years female: 18.9 years (2002) Latvia total: 39 years male: 35.5 years female: 42.1 years (2002) Lebanon total: 26.4 years male: 25.4 years female: 27.5 years (2002) Lesotho total: 19.8 years male: 19.3 years female: 20.4 years (2002) Liberia total: 18.1 years male: 17.7 years female: 18.4 years (2002) Libya total: 22.1 years male: 22.2 years female: 21.9 years (2002) Liechtenstein total: 38.3 years male: 37.9 years female: 38.8 years (2002) Lithuania total: 36.6 years male: 33.9 years female: 39.2 years (2002) Luxembourg total: 38.1 years male: 37.2 years female: 38.9 years (2002) Macau total: 33.1 years male: 32.9 years female: 33.3 years (2002) Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of total: 32.5 years male: 31.4 years female: 33.6 years (2002) Madagascar total: 17.4 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.6 years (2002) Malawi total: 16.4 years male: 16.1 years female: 16.7 years (2002) Malaysia total: 23.6 years male: 23 years female: 24.3 years (2002) Maldives total: 17.3 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.4 years (2002) Mali total: 16.3 years male: 15.7 years female: 16.9 years (2002) Malta total: 37.2 years male: 35.6 years female: 38.8 years (2002) Man, Isle of total: 39.1 years male: 37.8 years female: 40.6 years (2002) Marshall Islands total: 19.3 years male: 19.3 years female: 19.2 years (2002) Martinique total: 32.7 years male: 32 years female: 33.3 years (2002) Mauritania total: 16.9 years male: 16.6 years female: 17.2 years (2002) Mauritius total: 29.8 years male: 29.1 years female: 30.8 years (2002) Mayotte total: 16.9 years male: 18.1 years female: 15.7 years (2002) Mexico total: 23.8 years male: 22.9 years female: 24.6 years (2002) Moldova total: 32 years male: 29.8 years female: 34.2 years (2002) Monaco total: 45 years male: 43 years female: 47 years (2002) Mongolia total: 23.5 years male: 23.2 years female: 23.9 years (2002) Montserrat total: 27.8 years male: 27.7 years female: 27.9 years (2002) Morocco total: 23 years male: 22.5 years female: 23.5 years (2002) Mozambique total: 19 years male: 18.7 years female: 19.3 years (2002) Namibia total: 18.3 years male: 17.9 years female: 18.6 years (2002) Nauru total: 19.6 years male: 19.3 years female: 20 years (2002) Nepal total: 19.7 years male: 19.6 years female: 19.9 years (2002) Netherlands total: 38.6 years male: 37.7 years female: 39.5 years (2002) Netherlands Antilles total: 31.8 years male: 30.3 years female: 33.2 years (2002) New Caledonia total: 26.9 years male: 26.7 years female: 27.2 years (2002) New Zealand total: 33.1 years male: 32.4 years female: 33.9 years (2002) Nicaragua total: 20.4 years male: 20 years female: 20.8 years (2002) Niger total: 16.1 years male: 15.6 years female: 16.6 years (2002) Nigeria total: 18 years male: 18.1 years female: 17.9 years (2002) Northern Mariana Islands total: 30.4 years male: 31 years female: 30.1 years (2002) Norway total: 37.7 years male: 36.7 years female: 38.7 years (2002) Oman total: 19.4 years male: 22.3 years female: 16.5 years (2002) Pakistan total: 19.8 years male: 19.7 years female: 20 years (2002) Palau total: 30.8 years male: 31.8 years female: 29.7 years (2002) Panama total: 25.6 years male: 25.4 years female: 25.9 years (2002) Papua New Guinea total: 20.8 years male: 21 years female: 20.6 years (2002) Paraguay total: 20.9 years male: 20.7 years female: 21.2 years (2002) Peru total: 23.5 years male: 23.2 years female: 23.7 years (2002) Philippines total: 21.8 years male: 21.3 years female: 22.4 years (2002) Poland total: 36 years male: 34.1 years female: 38 years (2002) Portugal total: 37.6 years male: 35.8 years female: 39.3 years (2002) Puerto Rico total: 33.3 years male: 31.6 years female: 34.9 years (2002) Qatar total: 31.2 years male: 36.4 years female: 21.6 years (2002) Reunion total: 26.4 years male: 25.2 years female: 27.5 years (2002) Romania total: 35.4 years male: 34 years female: 37.1 years (2002) Russia total: 37.6 years male: 34.7 years female: 40.3 years (2002) Rwanda total: 18.1 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.3 years (2002) Saint Helena total: 34.2 years male: 34.4 years female: 33.9 years (2002) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 27.1 years male: 26.3 years female: 27.9 years (2002) Saint Lucia total: 24.1 years male: 23.3 years female: 24.9 years (2002) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 32.9 years male: 32.7 years female: 33.1 years (2002) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 25.3 years male: 25.1 years female: 25.5 years (2002) Samoa total: 23.7 years male: 26.3 years female: 20.2 years (2002) San Marino total: 39.6 years male: 39.2 years female: 40 years (2002) Sao Tome and Principe total: 16.1 years male: 15.5 years female: 16.7 years (2002) Saudi Arabia total: 18.8 years male: 20.9 years female: 16.8 years (2002) Senegal total: 17.8 years male: 17.2 years female: 18.4 years (2002) Serbia and Montenegro total: 36.2 years male: 34.3 years female: 37.9 years (2002) Seychelles total: 26.9 years male: 25.8 years female: 27.9 years (2002) Sierra Leone total: 17.5 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.8 years (2002) Singapore total: 34.5 years male: 34.3 years female: 34.8 years (2002) Slovakia total: 35 years male: 33.3 years female: 36.7 years (2002) Slovenia total: 38.6 years male: 37.1 years female: 40.2 years (2002) Solomon Islands total: 18.2 years male: 18.1 years female: 18.3 years (2002) Somalia total: 17.6 years male: 17.6 years female: 17.6 years (2002) South Africa total: 24.5 years male: 24 years female: 25 years (2002) Spain total: 38.7 years male: 37.4 years female: 40.1 years (2002) Sri Lanka total: 28.7 years male: 27.7 years female: 29.7 years (2002) Sudan total: 17.7 years male: 17.5 years female: 17.9 years (2002) Suriname total: 25.5 years male: 25.1 years female: 26 years (2002) Swaziland total: 18.5 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.8 years (2002) Sweden total: 40.1 years male: 39 years female: 41.4 years (2002) Switzerland total: 40.2 years male: 39.3 years female: 41.2 years (2002) Syria total: 19.7 years male: 19.6 years female: 19.9 years (2002) Taiwan total: 33.2 years male: 32.9 years female: 33.6 years (2002) Tajikistan total: 19.3 years male: 19 years female: 19.6 years (2002) Tanzania total: 17.5 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.7 years (2002) Thailand total: 30.1 years male: 29.4 years female: 30.8 years (2002) Togo total: 17.3 years male: 16.9 years female: 17.7 years (2002) Tonga total: 19.8 years male: 19.3 years female: 20.3 years (2002) Trinidad and Tobago total: 29.9 years male: 29.5 years female: 30.4 years (2002) Tunisia total: 26.2 years male: 25.7 years female: 26.7 years (2002) Turkey total: 26.8 years male: 26.7 years female: 27 years (2002) Turkmenistan total: 21.1 years male: 20.2 years female: 22 years (2002) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 27 years male: 27.7 years female: 26.3 years (2002) Tuvalu total: 24.2 years male: 22.9 years female: 25.8 years (2002) Uganda total: 14.7 years male: 14.6 years female: 14.8 years (2002) Ukraine total: 38 years male: 34.8 years female: 40.9 years (2002) United Arab Emirates total: 27.6 years male: 36.1 years female: 21.9 years (2002) United Kingdom total: 38.4 years male: 37.3 years female: 39.5 years (2002) United States total: 35.8 years male: 34.5 years female: 37.1 years (2002) Uruguay total: 31.8 years male: 30.2 years female: 33.4 years (2002) Uzbekistan total: 21.8 years male: 21.2 years female: 22.5 years (2002) Vanuatu total: 21.9 years male: 22 years female: 21.8 years (2002) Venezuela total: 24.8 years male: 24.3 years female: 25.4 years (2002) Vietnam total: 24.5 years male: 23.6 years female: 25.5 years (2002) Virgin Islands total: 31.2 years male: 28.6 years female: 33.7 years (2002) West Bank total: 17.9 years male: 17.7 years female: 18 years (2002) Yemen total: 16.4 years male: 16.4 years female: 16.4 years (2002) Zambia total: 16.5 years male: 16.4 years female: 16.6 years (2002) Zimbabwe total: 18.9 years male: 18.9 years female: 18.9 years (2002) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2178 Oil - proved reserves (bbl) Afghanistan 0 bbl (37257) Albania 185.5 million bbl (37257) Algeria 13.1 billion bbl (37257) Angola 5.691 billion bbl (37257) Argentina 2.927 billion bbl (37257) Australia 3.664 billion bbl (37257) Austria 85.69 million bbl (37257) Azerbaijan 589 million bbl (37257) Bahrain 62.28 million bbl (37257) Bangladesh 28.45 million bbl (37257) Barbados 1.254 million bbl (37257) Benin 4.105 million bbl (37257) Bolivia 458.8 million bbl (37257) Brazil 8.507 billion bbl (37257) Brunei 1.255 billion bbl (37257) Bulgaria 8.1 million bbl (37257) Burma 142.5 million bbl (37257) Cameroon 200 million bbl (37257) Canada 5.112 billion bbl (37257) Chile 81.05 million bbl (37257) China 26.75 billion bbl (37257) Colombia 1.8 billion bbl (37257) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.538 billion bbl (37257) Congo, Republic of the 93.5 million bbl (37257) Cote d'Ivoire 50 million bbl (37257) Croatia 93.6 million bbl (37257) Cuba 532 million bbl (37257) Czech Republic 17.25 million bbl (37257) Denmark 1.23 billion bbl (37257) Ecuador 2.358 billion bbl (37257) Egypt 3.308 billion bbl (37257) Equatorial Guinea 563.5 million bbl (37257) Ethiopia 214,000 bbl (37257) France 144.3 million bbl (37257) Gabon 2.45 billion bbl (37257) Germany 327.3 million bbl (37257) Ghana 8.255 million bbl (37257) Greece 4.5 million bbl (37257) Guatemala 263 million bbl (37257) Hungary 110.7 million bbl (37257) India 4.33 billion bbl (37257) Indonesia 7.083 billion bbl (37257) Iran 94.39 billion bbl (37257) Iraq 113.8 billion bbl (37257) Ireland 0 bbl (37257) Israel 1.92 million bbl (37257) Italy 586.6 million bbl (37257) Japan 29.29 million bbl (37257) Jordan 445,000 bbl (37257) Kazakhstan 2.709 billion bbl (37257) Kuwait 97.68 billion bbl (37257) Libya 29.75 billion bbl (37257) Madagascar 0 bbl (37257) Malaysia 3.729 billion bbl (37257) Mexico 25.03 billion bbl (37257) Morocco 900,000 bbl (37257) Mozambique 0 bbl (37257) Namibia 0 bbl (37257) Netherlands 88.06 million bbl (37257) New Zealand 89.62 million bbl (37257) Nigeria 27 billion bbl (37257) Norway 9.859 billion bbl (37257) Oman 5.703 billion bbl (37257) Pakistan 297.1 million bbl (37257) Papua New Guinea 345.2 million bbl (37257) Peru 614.7 million bbl (37257) Philippines 164 million bbl (37257) Poland 116.4 million bbl (37257) Qatar 14.51 billion bbl (37257) Romania 1.055 billion bbl (37257) Russia 51.22 billion bbl (37257) Rwanda 0 bbl (37257) Saudi Arabia 261.7 billion bbl (37257) Serbia and Montenegro 38.75 million bbl (37257) Slovakia 4.5 million bbl (37257) Somalia 0 bbl (37257) South Africa 7.84 million bbl (37257) Spain 10.5 million bbl (37257) Sudan 631.5 million bbl (37257) Suriname 37 million bbl (37257) Syria 2.4 billion bbl (37257) Taiwan 2 million bbl (37257) Tanzania 0 bbl (37257) Thailand 551.5 million bbl (37257) Trinidad and Tobago 716 million bbl (37257) Tunisia 417 million bbl (37257) Turkey 288.4 million bbl (37257) Turkmenistan 273 million bbl (37257) Ukraine 197.5 million bbl (37257) United Arab Emirates 80.31 billion bbl (37257) United Kingdom 4.741 billion bbl (37257) United States 22.45 billion bbl (37257) Uzbekistan 297 million bbl (37257) Venezuela 63.95 billion bbl (37257) Vietnam 1.4 billion bbl (37257) World 1.025 trillion bbl (37257) Yemen 3.2 billion bbl (37257) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2179 Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m) Afghanistan 49.98 billion cu m (37257) Albania 3.316 billion cu m (37257) Algeria 4.739 trillion cu m (37257) Angola 79.57 billion cu m (37257) Argentina 768 billion cu m (37257) Australia 2.407 trillion cu m (37257) Austria 24.9 billion cu m (37257) Azerbaijan 62.3 billion cu m (37257) Bahrain 46 billion cu m (37257) Bangladesh 150.3 billion cu m (37257) Barbados 70.79 million cu m (37257) Benin 608.8 million cu m (37257) Bolivia 727.2 billion cu m (37257) Brazil 221.7 billion cu m (37257) Brunei 315 billion cu m (37257) Bulgaria 3.724 billion cu m (37257) Burma 314.4 billion cu m (37257) Cameroon 55.22 billion cu m (37257) Canada 1.691 trillion cu m (37257) Chile 67.78 billion cu m (37257) China 1.29 trillion cu m (37257) Colombia 132 billion cu m (37257) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 104.8 billion cu m (37257) Congo, Republic of the 495.5 million cu m (37257) Cote d'Ivoire 14.87 billion cu m (37257) Croatia 34.36 billion cu m (37257) Cuba 42.62 billion cu m (37257) Czech Republic 3.057 billion cu m (37257) Denmark 81.98 billion cu m (37257) Ecuador 106.5 billion cu m (37257) Egypt 1.264 trillion cu m (37257) Equatorial Guinea 68.53 billion cu m (37257) Ethiopia 12.46 billion cu m (37257) France 12.86 billion cu m (37257) Gabon 66.47 billion cu m (37257) Germany 298.3 billion cu m (37257) Ghana 11.89 billion cu m (37257) Greece 254.9 million cu m (37257) Guatemala 1.543 billion cu m (37257) Hungary 50.45 billion cu m (37257) India 542.4 billion cu m (37257) Indonesia 2.549 trillion cu m (37257) Iran 24.8 trillion cu m (37257) Iraq 3.149 trillion cu m (37257) Ireland 9.911 billion cu m (37257) Israel 20.81 billion cu m (37257) Italy 209.7 billion cu m (37257) Japan 20.02 billion cu m (37257) Jordan 3.256 billion cu m (37257) Kazakhstan 920.3 billion cu m (37257) Kuwait 1.548 trillion cu m (37257) Libya 1.321 trillion cu m (37257) Madagascar 0 cu m (37257) Malaysia 2.23 trillion cu m (37257) Mexico 969.2 billion cu m (37257) Morocco 665.4 million cu m (37257) Mozambique 63.71 billion cu m (37257) Namibia 31.15 billion cu m (37257) Netherlands 1.693 trillion cu m (37257) New Zealand 58.94 billion cu m (37257) Nigeria 4.007 trillion cu m (37257) Norway 1.716 trillion cu m (37257) Oman 846.4 billion cu m (37257) Pakistan 695.6 billion cu m (37257) Papua New Guinea 385.5 billion cu m (37257) Peru 245.1 billion cu m (37257) Philippines 104.6 billion cu m (37257) Poland 154.4 billion cu m (37257) Qatar 17.93 trillion cu m (37257) Romania 111.1 billion cu m (37257) Russia 47.86 trillion cu m (37257) Rwanda 28.32 billion cu m (37257) Saudi Arabia 6.339 trillion cu m (37257) Serbia and Montenegro 24.07 billion cu m (37257) Slovakia 7.504 billion cu m (37257) Somalia 2.832 billion cu m (37257) South Africa 14.16 million cu m (37257) Spain 254.9 million cu m (37257) Sudan 99.11 billion cu m (37257) Suriname 0 cu m (37257) Syria 240.7 billion cu m (37257) Taiwan 38.23 billion cu m (37257) Tanzania 11.33 billion cu m (37257) Thailand 368.2 billion cu m (37257) Trinidad and Tobago 610.6 billion cu m (37257) Tunisia 77.16 billion cu m (37257) Turkey 8.685 billion cu m (37257) Turkmenistan 1.43 trillion cu m (37257) Ukraine 560.7 billion cu m (37257) United Arab Emirates 5.892 trillion cu m (37257) United Kingdom 714.9 billion cu m (37257) United States 5.195 trillion cu m (37257) Uzbekistan 937.3 billion cu m (37257) Venezuela 4.202 trillion cu m (37257) Vietnam 192.6 billion cu m (37257) World 161.2 trillion cu m (37257) Yemen 480 billion cu m (37257) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2180 Natural gas - production (cu m) Afghanistan 220 million cu m (2001 est.) Albania 30 million cu m (2001 est.) Algeria 80.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Angola 530 million cu m (2001 est.) Argentina 37.15 billion cu m (2001 est.) Armenia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Australia 33.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) Austria 1.731 billion cu m (2001 est.) Azerbaijan 5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bahrain 8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bangladesh 9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Barbados 29.17 million cu m (2001 est.) Belarus 200 million cu m (2001 est.) Belgium 0 cu m (2001 est.) Bolivia 4.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 cu m (2001 est.) Brazil 5.95 billion cu m (2001 est.) Brunei 10.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bulgaria 4 million cu m (2001 est.) Burma 7.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Cameroon 0 cu m (2001 est.) Canada 186.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Chile 1.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) China 30.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Colombia 5.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0 cu m (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Croatia 1.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Cuba 600 million cu m (2001 est.) Czech Republic 160 million cu m (2001 est.) Denmark 8.38 billion cu m (2001 est.) Ecuador 160 million cu m (2001 est.) Egypt 21.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 20 million cu m (2001 est.) Estonia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Finland 0 cu m (2001 est.) France 1.898 billion cu m (2001 est.) Gabon 80 million cu m (2001 est.) Georgia 60 million cu m (2001 est.) Germany 22.16 billion cu m (2001 est.) Greece 35 million cu m (2001 est.) Hong Kong 0 cu m (2001 est.) Hungary 3.231 billion cu m (2001 est.) India 22.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) Indonesia 69 billion cu m (2001 est.) Iran 61.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Iraq 2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Ireland 815 million cu m (2001 est.) Israel 10 million cu m (2001 est.) Italy 15.49 billion cu m (2001 est.) Japan 2.519 billion cu m (2001 est.) Jordan 290 million cu m (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 10.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) Korea, South 0 cu m (2001 est.) Kuwait 9.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Kyrgyzstan 16 million cu m (2001 est.) Latvia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Libya 6.18 billion cu m (2001 est.) Lithuania 0 cu m (2001 est.) Luxembourg 0 cu m (2001 est.) Malaysia 53.66 billion cu m (2001 est.) Mexico 36.87 billion cu m (2001 est.) Moldova 0 cu m (2001 est.) Morocco 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Mozambique 60 million cu m (2001 est.) Netherlands 77.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) New Zealand 6.504 billion cu m (2001 est.) Nigeria 15.68 billion cu m (2001 est.) Norway 54.6 billion cu m (2001 est.) Oman 13.77 billion cu m (2001 est.) Pakistan 23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 110 million cu m (2001 est.) Peru 370 million cu m (2001 est.) Philippines 10 million cu m (2001 est.) Poland 5.471 billion cu m (2001 est.) Portugal 0 cu m (2001 est.) Puerto Rico 0 cu m (2001 est.) Qatar 32.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Romania 14.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Russia 580.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Saudi Arabia 53.69 billion cu m (2001 est.) Senegal 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 602 million cu m (2001 est.) Singapore 0 cu m (2001 est.) Slovakia 292 million cu m (2001 est.) Slovenia 0 cu m (2001 est.) South Africa 1.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Spain 516 million cu m (2001 est.) Sweden 0 cu m (2001 est.) Switzerland 0 cu m (2001 est.) Syria 5.84 billion cu m (2001 est.) Taiwan 750 million cu m (2001 est.) Tajikistan 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Thailand 18.73 billion cu m (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 15.19 billion cu m (2001 est.) Tunisia 2.25 billion cu m (2001 est.) Turkey 312 million cu m (2001 est.) Turkmenistan 48.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Ukraine 18.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates 44.94 billion cu m (2001 est.) United Kingdom 105.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) United States 548.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Uruguay 0 cu m (2001 est.) Uzbekistan 63.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Venezuela 31.71 billion cu m (2001 est.) Vietnam 1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) World 2.569 trillion cu m (2001 est.) Yemen 0 cu m (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2181 Natural gas - consumption (cu m) Afghanistan 220 million cu m (2001 est.) Albania 30 million cu m (2001 est.) Algeria 22.32 billion cu m (2001 est.) Angola 530 million cu m (2001 est.) Argentina 31.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Armenia 1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Australia 23.33 billion cu m (2001 est.) Austria 7.81 billion cu m (2001 est.) Azerbaijan 6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bahrain 8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bangladesh 9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Barbados 29.17 million cu m (2001 est.) Belarus 18 billion cu m (2001 est.) Belgium 15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bolivia 1.15 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 300 million cu m (2001 est.) Brazil 9.59 billion cu m (2001 est.) Brunei 1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bulgaria 5.804 billion cu m (2001 est.) Burma 2.15 billion cu m (2001 est.) Cameroon 0 cu m (2001 est.) Canada 82.25 billion cu m (2001 est.) Chile 6.47 billion cu m (2001 est.) China 30.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Colombia 5.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0 cu m (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.) Croatia 2.84 billion cu m (2001 est.) Cuba 600 million cu m (2001 est.) Czech Republic 9.892 billion cu m (2001 est.) Denmark 5.28 billion cu m (2001 est.) Ecuador 160 million cu m (2001 est.) Egypt 21.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 20 million cu m (2001 est.) Estonia 1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.) Finland 4.557 billion cu m (2001 est.) France 42.01 billion cu m (2001 est.) Gabon 80 million cu m (2001 est.) Georgia 1.16 billion cu m (2001 est.) Germany 94.34 billion cu m (2001 est.) Greece 2.021 billion cu m (2001 est.) Hong Kong 680.9 million cu m (2001 est.) Hungary 13.37 billion cu m (2001 est.) India 22.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) Indonesia 36.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Iran 65.59 billion cu m (2001 est.) Iraq 2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Ireland 4.199 billion cu m (2001 est.) Israel 10 million cu m (2001 est.) Italy 71.18 billion cu m (2001 est.) Japan 80.42 billion cu m (2001 est.) Jordan 290 million cu m (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 14.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Korea, South 20.92 billion cu m (2001 est.) Kuwait 9.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Kyrgyzstan 2.016 billion cu m (2001 est.) Latvia 1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Libya 5.41 billion cu m (2001 est.) Lithuania 2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Luxembourg 865 million cu m (2001 est.) Malaysia 31.25 billion cu m (2001 est.) Mexico 38.84 billion cu m (2001 est.) Moldova 2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) Morocco 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Mozambique 60 million cu m (2001 est.) Netherlands 49.72 billion cu m (2001 est.) New Zealand 6.504 billion cu m (2001 est.) Nigeria 7.85 billion cu m (2001 est.) Norway 4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Oman 6.34 billion cu m (2001 est.) Pakistan 23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 110 million cu m (2001 est.) Peru 370 million cu m (2001 est.) Philippines 10 million cu m (2001 est.) Poland 13.85 billion cu m (2001 est.) Portugal 2.542 billion cu m (2001 est.) Puerto Rico 630 million cu m (2001 est.) Qatar 15.86 billion cu m (2001 est.) Romania 19.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Russia 408.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Saudi Arabia 53.69 billion cu m (2001 est.) Senegal 50 million cu m (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 602 million cu m (2001 est.) Singapore 2.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Slovakia 7.932 billion cu m (2001 est.) Slovenia 1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.) South Africa 1.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Spain 17.96 billion cu m (2001 est.) Sweden 949 million cu m (2001 est.) Switzerland 3.093 billion cu m (2001 est.) Syria 5.84 billion cu m (2001 est.) Taiwan 6.64 billion cu m (2001 est.) Tajikistan 1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Thailand 23.93 billion cu m (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 11.54 billion cu m (2001 est.) Tunisia 3.83 billion cu m (2001 est.) Turkey 15.94 billion cu m (2001 est.) Turkmenistan 9.6 billion cu m (2001 est.) Ukraine 74.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates 37.86 billion cu m (2001 est.) United Kingdom 92.85 billion cu m (2001 est.) United States 640.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Uruguay 40 million cu m (2001 est.) Uzbekistan 45.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Venezuela 31.71 billion cu m (2001 est.) Vietnam 1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) World 2.556 trillion cu m (2001 est.) Yemen 0 cu m (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2182 Natural gas - imports (cu m) Afghanistan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Albania 0 cu m (2001 est.) Algeria 0 cu m (2001 est.) Angola 0 cu m (2001 est.) Argentina 0 cu m (2001 est.) Armenia 1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Australia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Austria 6.033 billion cu m (2001 est.) Azerbaijan 1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bahrain 0 cu m (2001 est.) Bangladesh 0 cu m (2001 est.) Barbados 0 cu m (2001 est.) Belarus 17.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Belgium 15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bolivia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 300 million cu m (2001 est.) Brazil 3.64 billion cu m (2001 est.) Brunei 0 cu m (2001 est.) Bulgaria 5.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Burma 0 cu m (2001 est.) Cameroon 0 cu m (2001 est.) Canada 4.46 billion cu m (2001 est.) Chile 5.27 billion cu m (2001 est.) China 0 cu m (2001 est.) Colombia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0 cu m (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 0 cu m (2001 est.) Croatia 1.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) Cuba 0 cu m (2001 est.) Czech Republic 9.521 billion cu m (2001 est.) Denmark 0 cu m (2001 est.) Ecuador 0 cu m (2001 est.) Egypt 0 cu m (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0 cu m (2001 est.) Estonia 1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.) Finland 4.567 billion cu m (2001 est.) France 40.26 billion cu m (2001 est.) Gabon 0 cu m (2001 est.) Georgia 1.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Germany 78.73 billion cu m (2001 est.) Greece 2.018 billion cu m (2001 est.) Hong Kong 680.9 million cu m (2001 est.) Hungary 9.587 billion cu m (2001 est.) India 0 cu m (2001 est.) Indonesia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Iran 4.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Iraq 0 cu m (2001 est.) Ireland 3.384 billion cu m (2001 est.) Israel 0 cu m (2001 est.) Italy 54.78 billion cu m (2001 est.) Japan 77.73 billion cu m (2001 est.) Jordan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 8.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Korea, South 21.11 billion cu m (2001 est.) Kuwait 0 cu m (2001 est.) Kyrgyzstan 2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Latvia 1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Libya 0 cu m (2001 est.) Lithuania 2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.) Luxembourg 867 million cu m (2001 est.) Malaysia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Mexico 2.967 billion cu m (2001 est.) Moldova 2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) Morocco 0 cu m (2001 est.) Mozambique 0 cu m (2001 est.) Netherlands 20.78 billion cu m (2001 est.) New Zealand 0 cu m (2001 est.) Nigeria 0 cu m (2001 est.) Norway 0 cu m (2001 est.) Oman 0 cu m (2001 est.) Pakistan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 0 cu m (2001 est.) Peru 0 cu m (2001 est.) Philippines 0 cu m (2001 est.) Poland 8.782 billion cu m (2001 est.) Portugal 2.553 billion cu m (2001 est.) Puerto Rico 630 million cu m (2001 est.) Qatar 0 cu m (2001 est.) Romania 5.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Russia 32.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) Saudi Arabia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Senegal 0 cu m (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 0 cu m (2001 est.) Singapore 2.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Slovakia 7.205 billion cu m (2001 est.) Slovenia 1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.) South Africa 0 cu m (2001 est.) Spain 17.26 billion cu m (2001 est.) Sweden 968 million cu m (2001 est.) Switzerland 3.093 billion cu m (2001 est.) Syria 0 cu m (2001 est.) Taiwan 6.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Tajikistan 1.25 billion cu m (2001 est.) Thailand 5.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 0 cu m (2001 est.) Tunisia 1.58 billion cu m (2001 est.) Turkey 15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) Turkmenistan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Ukraine 55.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates 0 cu m (2001 est.) United Kingdom 2.7 billion cu m (2001 est.) United States 114.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Uruguay 40 million cu m (2001 est.) Uzbekistan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Venezuela 0 cu m (2001 est.) Vietnam 0 cu m (2001 est.) World 697.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Yemen 0 cu m (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== @2183 Natural gas - exports (cu m) Afghanistan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Albania 0 cu m (2001 est.) Algeria 57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.) Angola 0 cu m (2001 est.) Argentina 6.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) Armenia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Australia 9.744 billion cu m (2001 est.) Austria 403 million cu m (2001 est.) Azerbaijan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Bahrain 0 cu m (2001 est.) Bangladesh 0 cu m (2001 est.) Barbados 0 cu m (2001 est.) Belarus 0 cu m (2001 est.) Belgium 0 cu m (2001 est.) Bolivia 2.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 cu m (2001 est.) Brazil 0 cu m (2001 est.) Brunei 9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Bulgaria 0 cu m (2001 est.) Burma 5.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) Cameroon 0 cu m (2001 est.) Canada 109 billion cu m (2001 est.) Chile 0 cu m (2001 est.) China 0 cu m (2001 est.) Colombia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0 cu m (2001 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 0 cu m (2001 est.) Croatia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Cuba 0 cu m (2001 est.) Czech Republic 1 million cu m (2001 est.) Denmark 3.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Ecuador 0 cu m (2001 est.) Egypt 0 cu m (2001 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0 cu m (2001 est.) Estonia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Finland 0 cu m (2001 est.) France 1.725 billion cu m (2001 est.) Gabon 0 cu m (2001 est.) Georgia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Germany 6.674 billion cu m (2001 est.) Greece 0 cu m (2001 est.) Hong Kong 0 cu m (2001 est.) Hungary 4 million cu m (2001 est.) India 0 cu m (2001 est.) Indonesia 32.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) Iran 110 million cu m (2001 est.) Iraq 0 cu m (2001 est.) Ireland 0 cu m (2001 est.) Israel 0 cu m (2001 est.) Italy 61 million cu m (2001 est.) Japan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Jordan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) Korea, South 0 cu m (2001 est.) Kuwait 0 cu m (2001 est.) Kyrgyzstan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Latvia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Libya 770 million cu m (2001 est.) Lithuania 0 cu m (2001 est.) Luxembourg 0 cu m (2001 est.) Malaysia 22.41 billion cu m (2001 est.) Mexico 254 million cu m (2001 est.) Moldova 0 cu m (2001 est.) Morocco 0 cu m (2001 est.) Mozambique 0 cu m (2001 est.) Netherlands 49.28 billion cu m (2001 est.) New Zealand 0 cu m (2001 est.) Nigeria 7.83 billion cu m (2001 est.) Norway 50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.) Oman 7.43 billion cu m (2001 est.) Pakistan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Papua New Guinea 0 cu m (2001 est.) Peru 0 cu m (2001 est.) Philippines 0 cu m (2001 est.) Poland 41 million cu m (2001 est.) Portugal 0 cu m (2001 est.) Puerto Rico 0 cu m (2001 est.) Qatar 16.54 billion cu m (2001 est.) Romania 0 cu m (2001 est.) Russia 205.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) Saudi Arabia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Senegal 0 cu m (2001 est.) Serbia and Montenegro 0 cu m (2001 est.) Singapore 0 cu m (2001 est.) Slovakia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Slovenia 0 cu m (2001 est.) South Africa 0 cu m (2001 est.) Spain 0 cu m (2001 est.) Sweden 0 cu m (2001 est.) Switzerland 0 cu m (2001 est.) Syria 0 cu m (2001 est.) Taiwan 410 million cu m (2001 est.) Tajikistan 0 cu m (2001 est.) Thailand 0 cu m (2001 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 3.65 billion cu m (2001 est.) Tunisia 0 cu m (2001 est.) Turkey 0 cu m (2001 est.) Turkmenistan 38.6 billion cu m (2001 est.) Ukraine 0 cu m (2001 est.) United Arab Emirates 7.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) United Kingdom 15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.) United States 11.16 billion cu m (2001 est.) Uruguay 0 cu m (2001 est.) Uzbekistan 17.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Venezuela 0 cu m (2001 est.) Vietnam 0 cu m (2001 est.) World 703.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) Yemen 0 cu m (2001 est.) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2001 Rank Country GDP Date of Information 1 World $ 49,000,000,000,000 2002 est. 2 United States $ 10,450,000,000,000 2002 est. 3 China $ 5,989,000,000,000 2002 est. 4 Japan $ 3,651,000,000,000 2002 est. 5 India $ 2,664,000,000,000 2002 est. 6 Germany $ 2,160,000,000,000 2002 est. 7 France $ 1,558,000,000,000 2002 est. 8 United Kingdom $ 1,528,000,000,000 2002 est. 9 Italy $ 1,455,000,000,000 2002 est. 10 Russia $ 1,409,000,000,000 2002 est. 11 Brazil $ 1,376,000,000,000 2002 est. 12 Korea, South $ 941,500,000,000 2002 est. 13 Canada $ 934,100,000,000 2002 est. 14 Mexico $ 924,400,000,000 2002 est. 15 Spain $ 850,700,000,000 2002 est. 16 Indonesia $ 714,200,000,000 2002 est. 17 Australia $ 525,500,000,000 2002 est. 18 Turkey $ 489,700,000,000 2002 est. 19 Iran $ 458,300,000,000 2002 est. 20 Thailand $ 445,800,000,000 2002 est. 21 Netherlands $ 437,800,000,000 2002 est. 22 South Africa $ 427,700,000,000 2002 est. 23 Taiwan $ 406,000,000,000 2002 est. 24 Argentina $ 403,800,000,000 2002 est. 25 Philippines $ 379,700,000,000 2002 est. 26 Poland $ 373,200,000,000 2002 est. 27 Belgium $ 299,700,000,000 2002 est. 28 Pakistan $ 295,300,000,000 2002 est. 29 Egypt $ 289,800,000,000 2002 est. 30 Saudi Arabia $ 268,900,000,000 2002 est. 31 Colombia $ 251,600,000,000 2002 est. 32 Bangladesh $ 238,200,000,000 2002 est. 33 Switzerland $ 233,400,000,000 2002 est. 34 Sweden $ 230,700,000,000 2002 est. 35 Austria $ 227,700,000,000 2002 est. 36 Ukraine $ 218,000,000,000 2002 est. 37 Greece $ 203,300,000,000 2002 est. 38 Hong Kong $ 198,500,000,000 2002 est. 39 Malaysia $ 198,400,000,000 2002 est. 40 Portugal $ 195,200,000,000 2002 est. 41 Vietnam $ 183,800,000,000 2002 est. 42 Algeria $ 173,800,000,000 2002 est. 43 Romania $ 169,300,000,000 2002 est. 44 Czech Republic $ 157,100,000,000 2002 est. 45 Chile $ 156,100,000,000 2002 est. 46 Denmark $ 155,300,000,000 2002 est. 47 Norway $ 149,100,000,000 2002 est. 48 Peru $ 138,800,000,000 2002 est. 49 Hungary $ 134,000,000,000 2002 est. 50 Finland $ 133,800,000,000 2002 est. 51 Venezuela $ 131,700,000,000 2002 est. 52 Morocco $ 121,800,000,000 2002 est. 53 Kazakhstan $ 120,000,000,000 2002 est. 54 Israel $ 117,400,000,000 2002 est. 55 Ireland $ 113,700,000,000 2002 est. 56 Nigeria $ 112,500,000,000 2002 est. 57 Singapore $ 112,400,000,000 2002 est. 58 Belarus $ 90,190,000,000 2002 est. 59 New Zealand $ 78,400,000,000 2002 est. 60 Sri Lanka $ 73,700,000,000 2002 est. 61 Burma $ 73,690,000,000 2002 est. 62 Slovakia $ 67,340,000,000 2002 est. 63 Tunisia $ 67,130,000,000 2002 est. 64 Uzbekistan $ 66,060,000,000 2002 est. 65 Syria $ 63,480,000,000 2002 est. 66 Iraq $ 58,000,000,000 2002 est. 67 United Arab Emirates $ 53,970,000,000 2002 est. 68 Dominican Republic $ 53,780,000,000 2002 est. 69 Guatemala $ 53,200,000,000 2002 est. 70 Sudan $ 52,900,000,000 2002 est. 71 Bulgaria $ 49,230,000,000 2002 est. 72 Ethiopia $ 48,530,000,000 2002 est. 73 Croatia $ 43,120,000,000 2002 est. 74 Puerto Rico $ 43,010,000,000 2002 est. 75 Ecuador $ 42,650,000,000 2002 est. 76 Ghana $ 41,250,000,000 2002 est. 77 Nepal $ 37,320,000,000 2002 est. 78 Slovenia $ 37,060,000,000 2002 est. 79 Kuwait $ 36,850,000,000 2002 est. 80 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 34,000,000,000 2002 est. 81 Libya $ 33,360,000,000 2002 est. 82 Kenya $ 32,890,000,000 2002 est. 83 Costa Rica $ 32,000,000,000 2002 est. 84 Turkmenistan $ 31,340,000,000 2002 est. 85 Cuba $ 30,690,000,000 2002 est. 86 Uganda $ 30,490,000,000 2002 est. 87 Lithuania $ 30,080,000,000 2002 est. 88 El Salvador $ 29,410,000,000 2002 est. 89 Azerbaijan $ 28,610,000,000 2002 est. 90 Cameroon $ 26,840,000,000 2002 est. 91 Uruguay $ 26,820,000,000 2002 est. 92 Zimbabwe $ 26,070,000,000 2002 est. 93 Paraguay $ 25,190,000,000 2002 est. 94 Cote d'Ivoire $ 24,030,000,000 2002 est. 95 Serbia and Montenegro $ 23,150,000,000 2002 est. 96 Jordan $ 22,630,000,000 2002 est. 97 Oman $ 22,400,000,000 2002 est. 98 Korea, North $ 22,260,000,000 2002 est. 99 Luxembourg $ 21,940,000,000 2002 est. 100 Bolivia $ 21,150,000,000 2002 est. 101 Latvia $ 20,990,000,000 2002 est. 102 Cambodia $ 20,420,000,000 2002 est. 103 Tanzania $ 20,420,000,000 2002 est. 104 Mozambique $ 19,520,000,000 2002 est. 105 Afghanistan $ 19,000,000,000 2002 est. 106 Guinea $ 18,690,000,000 2002 est. 107 Angola $ 18,360,000,000 2002 est. 108 Panama $ 18,060,000,000 2002 est. 109 Lebanon $ 17,610,000,000 2002 est. 110 Honduras $ 16,290,000,000 2002 est. 111 Georgia $ 16,050,000,000 2002 est. 112 Qatar $ 15,910,000,000 2002 est. 113 Albania $ 15,690,000,000 2002 est. 114 Senegal $ 15,640,000,000 2002 est. 115 Estonia $ 15,520,000,000 2002 est. 116 Yemen $ 15,070,000,000 2002 est. 117 Burkina Faso $ 14,510,000,000 2002 est. 118 Kyrgyzstan $ 13,880,000,000 2002 est. 119 Botswana $ 13,480,000,000 2002 est. 120 Namibia $ 13,150,000,000 2002 est. 121 Madagascar $ 12,590,000,000 2002 122 Mauritius $ 12,150,000,000 2002 est. 123 Armenia $ 12,130,000,000 2002 est. 124 Moldova $ 11,510,000,000 2002 est. 125 Nicaragua $ 11,160,000,000 2002 est. 126 Trinidad and Tobago $ 11,070,000,000 2002 est. 127 Papua New Guinea $ 10,860,000,000 2002 est. 128 Haiti $ 10,600,000,000 2002 est. 129 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $ 10,570,000,000 2002 est. 130 Laos $ 10,400,000,000 2002 est. 131 Jamaica $ 10,080,000,000 2002 est. 132 Bahrain $ 9,910,000,000 2002 est. 133 Mali $ 9,775,000,000 2002 est. 134 Cyprus $ 9,400,000,000 2002 est. 135 Chad $ 9,297,000,000 2002 est. 136 Rwanda $ 8,920,000,000 2002 est. 137 Niger $ 8,713,000,000 2002 est. 138 Macau $ 8,600,000,000 2002 est. 139 Tajikistan $ 8,476,000,000 2002 est. 140 Iceland $ 8,444,000,000 2002 est. 141 Gabon $ 8,354,000,000 2002 est. 142 Zambia $ 8,240,000,000 2002 est. 143 Togo $ 7,594,000,000 2002 est. 144 Benin $ 7,380,000,000 2002 est. 145 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 7,300,000,000 2002 est. 146 Malta $ 6,818,000,000 2002 est. 147 Malawi $ 6,811,000,000 2002 est. 148 Brunei $ 6,500,000,000 2002 est. 149 Swaziland $ 5,542,000,000 2002 est. 150 Lesotho $ 5,106,000,000 2002 est. 151 Mongolia $ 5,060,000,000 2002 est. 152 Mauritania $ 4,891,000,000 2002 est. 153 Fiji $ 4,822,000,000 2002 est. 154 Bahamas, The $ 4,590,000,000 2002 est. 155 Martinique $ 4,500,000,000 2001 est. 156 Central African Republic $ 4,296,000,000 2002 est. 157 Somalia $ 4,270,000,000 2001 est. 158 Reunion $ 4,174,000,000 1999 est. 159 Barbados $ 4,153,000,000 2002 est. 160 Guadeloupe $ 3,700,000,000 1997 est. 161 Eritrea $ 3,300,000,000 2002 est. 162 Guam $ 3,200,000,000 2000 est. 163 Burundi $ 3,146,000,000 2002 est. 164 Liberia $ 3,116,000,000 2002 est. 165 New Caledonia $ 3,000,000,000 2002 est. 166 Sierra Leone $ 2,826,000,000 2002 est. 167 Bhutan $ 2,700,000,000 2002 est. 168 Guyana $ 2,628,000,000 2002 est. 169 Gambia, The $ 2,582,000,000 2002 est. 170 Congo, Republic of the $ 2,500,000,000 2002 est. 171 Netherlands Antilles $ 2,400,000,000 2002 est. 172 Virgin Islands $ 2,400,000,000 2001 est. 173 French Guiana $ 2,260,000,000 2002 est. 174 Bermuda $ 2,250,000,000 2002 est. 175 Jersey $ 2,200,000,000 1999 est. 176 Aruba $ 1,940,000,000 2002 est. 177 West Bank $ 1,700,000,000 2002 est. 178 Man, Isle of $ 1,600,000,000 2001 est. 179 Suriname $ 1,469,000,000 2002 est. 180 Andorra $ 1,300,000,000 2000 est. 181 Guernsey $ 1,300,000,000 1999 est. 182 French Polynesia $ 1,300,000,000 2001 est. 183 Belize $ 1,280,000,000 2002 est. 184 Cayman Islands $ 1,270,000,000 2002 est. 185 Equatorial Guinea $ 1,270,000,000 2002 est. 186 Maldives $ 1,250,000,000 2002 est. 187 Greenland $ 1,100,000,000 2001 est. 188 Faroe Islands $ 1,000,000,000 2001 est. 189 Samoa $ 1,000,000,000 2002 est. 190 San Marino $ 940,000,000 2001 est. 191 Guinea-Bissau $ 901,400,000 2002 est. 192 Northern Mariana Islands $ 900,000,000 2000 est. 193 Northern Mariana Islands $ 900,000,000 2000 est. 194 Northern Mariana Islands $ 900,000,000 2000 est. 195 Monaco $ 870,000,000 1999 est. 196 Saint Lucia $ 866,000,000 2002 est. 197 Liechtenstein $ 825,000,000 1999 est. 198 Solomon Islands $ 800,000,000 2001 est. 199 Cyprus $ 787,000,000 2002 est. 200 Antigua and Barbuda $ 750,000,000 2002 est. 201 Gaza Strip $ 735,000,000 2002 est. 202 Seychelles $ 626,000,000 2002 est. 203 Djibouti $ 619,000,000 2002 est. 204 Cape Verde $ 600,000,000 2002 est. 205 Vanuatu $ 563,000,000 2002 est. 206 American Samoa $ 500,000,000 2000 est. 207 Gibraltar $ 500,000,000 1997 est. 208 Comoros $ 441,000,000 2002 est. 209 Grenada $ 440,000,000 2002 est. 210 East Timor $ 440,000,000 2001 est. 211 Dominica $ 380,000,000 2002 est. 212 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 339,000,000 2002 est. 213 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 339,000,000 2002 est. 214 British Virgin Islands $ 320,000,000 2002 est. 215 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 277,000,000 2002 est. 216 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 277,000,000 2002 est. 217 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 277,000,000 2002 est. 218 Tonga $ 236,000,000 2001 est. 219 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 231,000,000 2000 est. 220 Sao Tome and Principe $ 200,000,000 2002 est. 221 Palau $ 174,000,000 2001 est. 222 Palau $ 174,000,000 2001 est. 223 Palau $ 174,000,000 2001 est. 224 Marshall Islands $ 115,000,000 2001 est. 225 Cook Islands $ 105,000,000 2001 est. 226 Anguilla $ 104,000,000 2001 est. 227 Mayotte $ 85,000,000 1998 est. 228 Kiribati $ 79,000,000 2001 est. 229 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 75,000,000 2002 est. 230 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 74,000,000 1996 est. 231 Nauru $ 60,000,000 2001 est. 232 Wallis and Futuna $ 30,000,000 2000 est. 233 Montserrat $ 29,000,000 2002 est. 234 Saint Helena $ 18,000,000 1998 est. 235 Tuvalu $ 12,200,000 2000 est. 236 Niue $ 7,600,000 2000 est. 237 Tokelau $ 1,500,000 1993 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2003 Rank Country GDP - real growth rate(%) Date of Information 1 Turkmenistan 21.10 2002 est. 2 Equatorial Guinea 20.00 2002 est. 3 East Timor 18.00 2001 est. 4 Man, Isle of 13.50 5 Armenia 12.90 2002 est. 6 Liechtenstein 11.00 1999 est. 7 Azerbaijan 10.60 2002 est. 8 Faroe Islands 10.00 2001 est. 9 Rwanda 9.70 2002 est. 10 Kazakhstan 9.50 2002 est. 11 Macau 9.50 2002 est. 12 Angola 9.40 2002 est. 13 Tajikistan 9.10 2002 est. 14 China 8.00 2002 est. 15 Turkey 7.80 2002 est. 16 Bhutan 7.70 2002 est. 17 Mozambique 7.70 2002 est. 18 Iran 7.60 2002 est. 19 San Marino 7.50 2001 est. 20 Chad 7.40 2002 est. 21 Albania 7.30 2002 est. 22 Cook Islands 7.10 2001 est. 23 Vietnam 7.00 2002 est. 24 Ireland 6.90 2002 est. 25 Lithuania 6.70 2002 est. 26 Sierra Leone 6.60 2002 est. 27 Moldova 6.50 2002 est. 28 Korea, South 6.30 2002 est. 29 Latvia 6.10 2002 est. 30 Tanzania 6.10 2002 est. 31 Benin 6.00 2002 est. 32 Estonia 6.00 2002 est. 33 Gambia, The 5.70 2001 est. 34 Guernsey 5.70 1999 est. 35 Laos 5.70 2002 est. 36 Uganda 5.50 2002 est. 37 Georgia 5.40 2002 est. 38 Burma 5.30 2002 est. 39 Kyrgyzstan 5.30 2002 est. 40 Peru 5.30 2002 est. 41 Thailand 5.30 2002 est. 42 Croatia 5.20 2002 est. 43 Sudan 5.10 2002 est. 44 Samoa 5.00 2002 est. 45 Jordan 4.90 2002 est. 46 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.90 2000 est. 47 Romania 4.90 2002 est. 48 Bangladesh 4.80 2002 est. 49 Bulgaria 4.80 2002 est. 50 Ukraine 4.80 2002 est. 51 Tunisia 4.80 2002 est. 52 Belarus 4.70 2002 est. 53 Fiji 4.60 2002 est. 54 Burkina Faso 4.60 2002 est. 55 Qatar 4.60 2002 est. 56 Morocco 4.60 2002 est. 57 Burundi 4.50 2002 est. 58 Cambodia 4.50 2002 est. 59 Mali 4.50 2002 est. 60 Ghana 4.50 2002 est. 61 Slovakia 4.40 2002 est. 62 Philippines 4.40 2002 est. 63 Pakistan 4.40 FY01/02 est. 64 India 4.30 2002 est. 65 Russia 4.30 2002 est. 66 Botswana 4.20 2002 est. 67 Uzbekistan 4.20 2002 est. 68 Dominican Republic 4.10 2002 est. 69 Malaysia 4.10 2002 est. 70 Yemen 4.10 2002 est. 71 Cameroon 4.00 2002 est. 72 Greece 4.00 2002 est. 73 Serbia and Montenegro 4.00 2002 est. 74 Sao Tome and Principe 4.00 2002 est. 75 Lesotho 4.00 2002 est. 76 French Polynesia 4.00 2001 est. 77 Cape Verde 4.00 2002 est. 78 Mongolia 3.90 2002 est. 79 Andorra 3.80 2000 est. 80 Belize 3.70 2002 est. 81 Indonesia 3.70 2002 est. 82 Guinea 3.70 2002 est. 83 Australia 3.60 2002 est. 84 Syria 3.60 2002 est. 85 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3.50 2002 est. 86 Djibouti 3.50 2002 est. 87 Somalia 3.50 2002 est. 88 Taiwan 3.50 2002 est. 89 Ecuador 3.40 2002 est. 90 Algeria 3.30 2002 est. 91 Saint Lucia 3.30 2002 est. 92 Canada 3.30 2002 est. 93 Hungary 3.30 2002 est. 94 Mauritania 3.30 2002 est. 95 New Zealand 3.30 2002 est. 96 Sri Lanka 3.20 2002 est. 97 Egypt 3.20 2002 est. 98 Slovenia 3.20 2002 est. 99 Trinidad and Tobago 3.20 2002 est. 100 Nigeria 3.20 2002 est. 101 Antigua and Barbuda 3.00 2002 est. 102 Tuvalu 3.00 2000 est. 103 Tonga 3.00 2001 est. 104 South Africa 3.00 2002 est. 105 Ethiopia 3.00 2002 est. 106 Brunei 3.00 2002 est. 107 Bahrain 2.90 2002 est. 108 Togo 2.90 2002 est. 109 Niger 2.90 2002 est. 110 Anguilla 2.80 2001 est. 111 Costa Rica 2.80 2002 est. 112 Bolivia 2.80 2002 est. 113 World 2.70 2001 est. 114 Cyprus 2.60 2002 est. 115 Grenada 2.50 2002 est. 116 Reunion 2.50 2002 est. 117 Honduras 2.50 2002 est. 118 Senegal 2.40 2002 est. 119 United States 2.40 2002 est. 120 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.30 2002 est. 121 Hong Kong 2.30 2002 est. 122 Mauritius 2.30 2002 est. 123 Zambia 2.30 2002 est. 124 Namibia 2.30 2002 est. 125 Maldives 2.30 2002 est. 126 Guatemala 2.20 2002 est. 127 Oman 2.20 2002 est. 128 Singapore 2.20 2002 est. 129 Chile 2.10 2002 est. 130 El Salvador 2.10 2002 est. 131 Comoros 2.00 2002 est. 132 Virgin Islands 2.00 2001 est. 133 Spain 2.00 2002 est. 134 Liberia 2.00 2002 est. 135 Lebanon 2.00 2002 est. 136 Czech Republic 2.00 2002 est. 137 Eritrea 2.00 2002 est. 138 Sweden 1.90 2002 est. 139 Greenland 1.80 2001 est. 140 United Kingdom 1.80 2002 est. 141 United Arab Emirates 1.80 2002 est. 142 Cayman Islands 1.70 2002 est. 143 Cyprus 1.70 2002 est. 144 Malawi 1.70 2002 est. 145 Denmark 1.60 2002 est. 146 Swaziland 1.60 2002 est. 147 Finland 1.60 2002 est. 148 Brazil 1.50 2002 est. 149 Seychelles 1.50 2002 est. 150 Kiribati 1.50 2001 est. 151 Central African Republic 1.50 2002 est. 152 Colombia 1.50 2002 est. 153 Poland 1.40 2002 est. 154 Dominica 1.20 2002 est. 155 Suriname 1.20 2002 est. 156 France 1.20 2002 est. 157 Malta 1.20 2002 est. 158 Libya 1.20 2002 est. 159 Austria 1.10 2002 est. 160 Nicaragua 1.10 2002 est. 161 Kenya 1.10 2002 est. 162 Cuba 1.10 2002 est. 163 Guyana 1.10 2002 est. 164 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.00 2002 est. 165 Saudi Arabia 1.00 2002 est. 166 British Virgin Islands 1.00 2002 est. 167 Marshall Islands 1.00 2001 est. 168 Jamaica 1.00 2002 est. 169 Norway 1.00 2002 est. 170 Palau 1.00 2001 est. 171 Korea, North 1.00 2002 est. 172 Belgium 0.70 2002 est. 173 Panama 0.70 2002 est. 174 Mexico 0.70 2002 est. 175 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0.70 2002 est. 176 Bermuda 0.50 2002 est. 177 Italy 0.40 2002 est. 178 Luxembourg 0.40 2002 est. 179 Portugal 0.40 2002 est. 180 Gabon 0.20 2002 est. 181 Germany 0.20 2002 est. 182 Netherlands 0.20 2002 est. 183 Japan 0.20 2002 est. 184 Bahamas, The 0.10 2002 est. 185 Switzerland 0.10 2002 est. 186 Congo, Republic of the 0.00 2002 est. 187 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 2002 est. 188 Puerto Rico -0.20 2002 est. 189 Niue -0.30 2000 est. 190 Vanuatu -0.30 2002 est. 191 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.50 2002 est. 192 Iceland -0.60 2002 est. 193 Nepal -0.60 2002 est. 194 Israel -0.80 2002 est. 195 Haiti -0.90 2002 est. 196 Montserrat -1.00 2002 est. 197 Aruba -1.50 2002 est. 198 Cote d'Ivoire -1.60 2002 est. 199 Saint Kitts and Nevis -1.90 2002 est. 200 Kuwait -2.00 2002 est. 201 Paraguay -2.70 2002 est. 202 Barbados -2.80 2002 est. 203 Iraq -3.00 2002 est. 204 Papua New Guinea -3.10 2002 est. 205 Guinea-Bissau -4.30 2002 est. 206 Venezuela -8.90 2002 est. 207 Solomon Islands -10.00 2001 est. 208 Uruguay -10.80 2002 est. 209 Argentina -10.90 2002 est. 210 Madagascar -11.90 2002 est. 211 Zimbabwe -13.00 2002 est. 212 Gaza Strip -15.00 2002 est. 213 West Bank -22.00 2002 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2004 Rank Country GDP - per capita Date of Information 1 Luxembourg $ 48,900 2002 est. 2 United States $ 36,300 2002 est. 3 Bermuda $ 35,200 2002 est. 4 Cayman Islands $ 35,000 2002 est. 5 San Marino $ 34,600 2001 est. 6 Norway $ 33,000 2002 est. 7 Switzerland $ 32,000 2002 est. 8 Iceland $ 30,200 2002 est. 9 Canada $ 29,300 2002 est. 10 Ireland $ 29,300 2002 est. 11 Belgium $ 29,200 2002 est. 12 Denmark $ 28,900 2002 est. 13 Japan $ 28,700 2002 est. 14 Aruba $ 28,000 2002 est. 15 Austria $ 27,900 2002 est. 16 Hong Kong $ 27,200 2002 est. 17 Netherlands $ 27,200 2002 est. 18 Monaco $ 27,000 1999 est. 19 Australia $ 26,900 2002 est. 20 Germany $ 26,200 2002 est. 21 France $ 26,000 2002 est. 22 Sweden $ 26,000 2002 est. 23 Finland $ 25,800 2002 est. 24 United Kingdom $ 25,500 2002 est. 25 Singapore $ 25,200 2002 est. 26 Italy $ 25,100 2002 est. 27 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 25,000 2002 est. 28 Liechtenstein $ 25,000 1999 est. 29 Jersey $ 24,800 1999 est. 30 United Arab Emirates $ 22,100 2002 est. 31 Faroe Islands $ 22,000 2001 est. 32 Spain $ 21,200 2002 est. 33 Guam $ 21,000 2000 est. 34 Man, Isle of $ 21,000 2001 est. 35 New Zealand $ 20,100 2002 est. 36 Qatar $ 20,100 2002 est. 37 Guernsey $ 20,000 1999 est. 38 Greenland $ 20,000 2001 est. 39 Korea, South $ 19,600 2002 est. 40 Israel $ 19,500 2002 est. 41 Portugal $ 19,400 2002 est. 42 Slovenia $ 19,200 2002 est. 43 Greece $ 19,100 2002 est. 44 Andorra $ 19,000 2000 est. 45 Virgin Islands $ 19,000 2001 est. 46 Brunei $ 18,600 2002 est. 47 Macau $ 18,500 2002 est. 48 Taiwan $ 18,000 2002 est. 49 Gibraltar $ 17,500 1997 est. 50 Kuwait $ 17,500 2002 est. 51 Malta $ 17,200 2002 est. 52 British Virgin Islands $ 16,000 2002 est. 53 Bahamas, The $ 15,300 2002 est. 54 Czech Republic $ 15,300 2002 est. 55 Bahrain $ 15,100 2002 est. 56 Barbados $ 15,000 2002 est. 57 Cyprus $ 15,000 2002 est. 58 French Guiana $ 14,400 2000 est. 59 New Caledonia $ 14,000 2002 est. 60 Hungary $ 13,300 2002 est. 61 Northern Mariana Islands $ 12,500 2000 est. 62 Slovakia $ 12,400 2002 est. 63 Netherlands Antilles $ 11,400 2002 est. 64 Saudi Arabia $ 11,400 2002 est. 65 Puerto Rico $ 11,100 2002 est. 66 Antigua and Barbuda $ 11,000 2002 est. 67 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 11,000 1996 est. 68 Estonia $ 11,000 2002 est. 69 Martinique $ 10,700 2001 est. 70 Argentina $ 10,500 2002 est. 71 Chile $ 10,100 2002 est. 72 Mauritius $ 10,100 2002 est. 73 South Africa $ 10,000 2002 est. 74 Trinidad and Tobago $ 10,000 2002 est. 75 Croatia $ 9,800 2002 est. 76 Poland $ 9,700 2002 est. 77 Russia $ 9,700 2002 est. 78 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 9,600 2000 est. 79 Guadeloupe $ 9,000 1997 est. 80 Palau $ 9,000 2001 est. 81 Latvia $ 8,900 2002 est. 82 Mexico $ 8,900 2002 est. 83 Malaysia $ 8,800 2002 est. 84 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 8,800 2002 est. 85 Belarus $ 8,700 2002 est. 86 Anguilla $ 8,600 2001 est. 87 Botswana $ 8,500 2002 est. 88 Lithuania $ 8,400 2002 est. 89 Costa Rica $ 8,300 2002 est. 90 Oman $ 8,300 2002 est. 91 American Samoa $ 8,000 2000 est. 92 Uruguay $ 7,900 2002 est. 93 World $ 7,900 2002 est. 94 Seychelles $ 7,800 2002 est. 95 Brazil $ 7,600 2002 est. 96 Romania $ 7,600 2002 est. 97 Turkey $ 7,300 2002 est. 98 Kazakhstan $ 7,200 2002 est. 99 Thailand $ 7,000 2002 est. 100 Namibia $ 6,900 2002 est. 101 Iran $ 6,800 2002 est. 102 Tunisia $ 6,800 2002 est. 103 Turkmenistan $ 6,700 2002 est. 104 Bulgaria $ 6,500 2002 est. 105 Gabon $ 6,500 2002 est. 106 Dominican Republic $ 6,300 2002 est. 107 Libya $ 6,200 2002 est. 108 Panama $ 6,200 2002 est. 109 Colombia $ 6,100 2002 est. 110 Cyprus $ 6,000 2002 est. 111 Fiji $ 5,600 2002 est. 112 Samoa $ 5,600 2002 est. 113 Reunion $ 5,600 2002 est. 114 Algeria $ 5,400 2002 est. 115 Saint Lucia $ 5,400 2002 est. 116 Venezuela $ 5,400 2002 est. 117 Dominica $ 5,400 2002 est. 118 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $ 5,100 2002 est. 119 Cook Islands $ 5,000 2001 est. 120 Peru $ 5,000 2002 est. 121 Nauru $ 5,000 2001 est. 122 Grenada $ 5,000 2002 est. 123 French Polynesia $ 5,000 2001 est. 124 Belize $ 4,900 2002 est. 125 Lebanon $ 4,800 2002 est. 126 Swaziland $ 4,800 2002 est. 127 China $ 4,700 2002 est. 128 El Salvador $ 4,600 2002 est. 129 Philippines $ 4,600 2002 est. 130 Ukraine $ 4,500 2002 est. 131 Albania $ 4,400 2002 est. 132 Jordan $ 4,300 2002 est. 133 Paraguay $ 4,300 2002 est. 134 Egypt $ 4,000 2002 est. 135 Guatemala $ 3,900 2002 est. 136 Maldives $ 3,900 2002 est. 137 Morocco $ 3,900 2002 est. 138 Guyana $ 3,800 2002 est. 139 Jamaica $ 3,800 2002 est. 140 Azerbaijan $ 3,700 2002 est. 141 Sri Lanka $ 3,700 2002 est. 142 Syria $ 3,700 2002 est. 143 Armenia $ 3,600 2002 est. 144 Niue $ 3,600 2000 est. 145 Montserrat $ 3,400 2002 est. 146 Suriname $ 3,400 2002 est. 147 Ecuador $ 3,200 2002 est. 148 Georgia $ 3,200 2001 est. 149 Indonesia $ 3,100 2002 est. 150 Kyrgyzstan $ 2,900 2002 est. 151 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 2,900 2002 est. 152 Vanuatu $ 2,900 2002 est. 153 Cuba $ 2,700 2002 est. 154 Lesotho $ 2,700 2002 est. 155 Equatorial Guinea $ 2,700 2002 est. 156 India $ 2,600 2002 est. 157 Uzbekistan $ 2,600 2002 est. 158 Moldova $ 2,600 2002 est. 159 Bolivia $ 2,500 2002 est. 160 Saint Helena $ 2,500 1998 est. 161 Honduras $ 2,500 2002 est. 162 Iraq $ 2,400 2002 est. 163 Vietnam $ 2,300 2002 est. 164 Nicaragua $ 2,200 2002 est. 165 Tonga $ 2,200 2001 est. 166 Serbia and Montenegro $ 2,200 2002 est. 167 Guinea $ 2,100 2002 est. 168 Zimbabwe $ 2,100 2002 est. 169 Papua New Guinea $ 2,100 2002 est. 170 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 2,000 2002 est. 171 Wallis and Futuna $ 2,000 2000 est. 172 Ghana $ 2,000 2002 est. 173 Pakistan $ 2,000 FY01/02 est. 174 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 1,900 2002 est. 175 Mongolia $ 1,900 2002 est. 176 Bangladesh $ 1,800 2002 est. 177 Laos $ 1,800 2002 est. 178 Gambia, The $ 1,800 2002 est. 179 Angola $ 1,700 2002 est. 180 Mauritania $ 1,700 2002 est. 181 Cameroon $ 1,700 2002 est. 182 Solomon Islands $ 1,700 2001 est. 183 Burma $ 1,700 2002 est. 184 Cambodia $ 1,600 2002 est. 185 Marshall Islands $ 1,600 2001 est. 186 Senegal $ 1,500 2002 est. 187 Cape Verde $ 1,400 2002 est. 188 Cote d'Ivoire $ 1,400 2002 est. 189 Sudan $ 1,400 2002 est. 190 Togo $ 1,400 2002 est. 191 Nepal $ 1,400 2002 est. 192 Haiti $ 1,400 2002 est. 193 Bhutan $ 1,300 2002 est. 194 Tajikistan $ 1,300 2002 est. 195 Djibouti $ 1,300 2002 est. 196 Central African Republic $ 1,200 2002 est. 197 Sao Tome and Principe $ 1,200 2002 est. 198 Uganda $ 1,200 2002 est. 199 Rwanda $ 1,200 2002 est. 200 Benin $ 1,100 2002 est. 201 Kenya $ 1,100 2002 est. 202 Mozambique $ 1,100 2002 est. 203 Burkina Faso $ 1,100 2002 est. 204 Tuvalu $ 1,100 2000 est. 205 Chad $ 1,000 2002 est. 206 Korea, North $ 1,000 2002 est. 207 Tokelau $ 1,000 1993 est. 208 Liberia $ 1,000 2002 est. 209 Congo, Republic of the $ 900 2002 est. 210 Mali $ 900 2002 est. 211 Nigeria $ 900 2002 est. 212 Kiribati $ 800 2001 est. 213 Zambia $ 800 2002 est. 214 Yemen $ 800 2002 est. 215 West Bank $ 800 2002 est. 216 Niger $ 800 2002 est. 217 Madagascar $ 800 2002 est. 218 Afghanistan $ 700 2002 est. 219 Comoros $ 700 2002 est. 220 Eritrea $ 700 2002 est. 221 Ethiopia $ 700 2002 est. 222 Guinea-Bissau $ 700 2002 est. 223 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 600 2002 est. 224 Tanzania $ 600 2002 est. 225 Gaza Strip $ 600 2002 est. 226 Mayotte $ 600 1998 est. 227 Malawi $ 600 2002 est. 228 Somalia $ 600 2002 est. 229 Burundi $ 500 2002 est. 230 East Timor $ 500 2001 est. 231 Sierra Leone $ 500 2002 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2034 Rank Country Military expenditures - percent of GDP(%) Date of Information 1 Korea, North 33.90 FY02 2 Mali 15.00 FY02 3 Saudi Arabia 13.00 4 Ethiopia 12.60 FY00 5 Oman 12.20 FY01 6 Eritrea 12.00 FY02 7 Qatar 10.00 8 Israel 8.75 FY02 9 Jordan 8.60 FY01 10 Maldives 8.60 FY02 11 Afghanistan 7.70 FY02 12 Bahrain 6.70 FY01 13 Armenia 6.50 FY01 14 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 6.00 15 Syria 5.90 16 Kuwait 5.50 FY01 17 Angola 5.40 FY02 18 Burundi 5.30 FY02 19 New Caledonia 5.30 FY96 20 Yemen 5.20 FY01 21 Brunei 5.00 FY02 22 Greece 4.91 23 Singapore 4.90 24 Lebanon 4.80 25 Swaziland 4.75 FY00 26 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.60 27 Pakistan 4.60 FY02 28 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.50 29 Turkey 4.50 2002 est. 30 Djibouti 4.40 FY02 31 China 4.30 FY02 32 Sri Lanka 4.20 33 Laos 4.20 34 Algeria 4.10 35 Egypt 4.10 FY99 36 Cuba 4.00 37 Morocco 4.00 38 Libya 3.90 39 Tajikistan 3.90 FY01 40 Cyprus 3.80 41 Mauritania 3.70 FY02 42 Botswana 3.50 FY02 43 Colombia 3.40 FY01 44 Turkmenistan 3.40 45 Ecuador 3.40 46 Guinea 3.30 FY02 47 United States 3.20 48 Zimbabwe 3.20 FY02 49 Chile 3.10 50 Iran 3.10 51 United Arab Emirates 3.10 52 Cambodia 3.00 53 Rwanda 3.00 FY02 54 Comoros 3.00 FY02 55 Australia 2.90 FY02 56 Congo, Republic of the 2.80 FY01 57 Korea, South 2.80 FY02 58 Guinea-Bissau 2.80 FY02 59 Benin 2.70 FY02 60 Taiwan 2.70 FY02 61 Bulgaria 2.70 FY02 62 Azerbaijan 2.60 63 France 2.57 2002 64 Equatorial Guinea 2.50 FY02 65 Vietnam 2.50 66 Sudan 2.50 67 Romania 2.47 2002 68 Namibia 2.40 FY02 69 Croatia 2.39 2002 est. 70 United Kingdom 2.32 2002 71 India 2.30 FY02 72 Fiji 2.20 FY02 73 Mongolia 2.20 FY02 74 Portugal 2.20 FY99/00 75 Norway 2.13 2002 76 Burma 2.10 77 Uganda 2.10 FY02 78 Sweden 2.10 FY01 79 Czech Republic 2.10 FY01 80 Malaysia 2.03 81 Estonia 2.00 2002 est. 82 Gabon 2.00 FY02 83 Uzbekistan 2.00 84 World 2.00 85 Finland 2.00 FY98/99 86 Brazil 1.90 FY99 87 Chad 1.90 FY02 88 Lithuania 1.90 FY01 89 Bhutan 1.90 FY02 90 Slovakia 1.89 2002 91 Belize 1.87 92 Bangladesh 1.80 FY96 93 Bolivia 1.80 FY99 94 Kenya 1.80 FY02 95 Peru 1.80 96 Seychelles 1.80 FY02 97 Togo 1.80 FY02 98 Hungary 1.75 2002 est. 99 Poland 1.71 2002 100 Malta 1.70 2000 101 Slovenia 1.70 FY00 102 South Africa 1.70 FY02 103 Italy 1.64 2002 104 Costa Rica 1.60 105 Cape Verde 1.60 FY02 106 Suriname 1.60 107 Netherlands 1.50 FY00/01 est. 108 Sierra Leone 1.50 FY02 109 Tunisia 1.50 110 Philippines 1.50 111 Albania 1.49 FY02 112 Belgium 1.40 FY01/02 113 Belarus 1.40 FY02 114 Denmark 1.40 FY99/00 115 Burkina Faso 1.40 FY02 116 Ukraine 1.40 FY02 117 Thailand 1.40 118 Trinidad and Tobago 1.40 1999 119 Senegal 1.40 FY02 120 Papua New Guinea 1.40 FY02 121 Paraguay 1.40 122 Kyrgyzstan 1.40 FY01 123 Cote d'Ivoire 1.40 FY02 124 Cameroon 1.40 FY98 125 Germany 1.38 2002 126 Argentina 1.30 FY00 127 Haiti 1.30 FY00 128 Indonesia 1.30 129 Liberia 1.30 FY02 130 Panama 1.30 131 Latvia 1.20 FY01 132 Nicaragua 1.20 133 Madagascar 1.20 FY02 134 Spain 1.15 2002 135 Canada 1.10 FY01/02 136 Central African Republic 1.10 FY02 137 Dominican Republic 1.10 138 Niger 1.10 FY02 139 Nepal 1.10 FY02 140 Uruguay 1.10 2000 141 Japan 1.00 FY02 142 Mexico 1.00 143 Mozambique 1.00 144 New Zealand 1.00 FY02 145 Switzerland 1.00 FY01 146 Nigeria 1.00 FY02 147 Ireland 0.90 FY00/01 148 Venezuela 0.90 149 Zambia 0.90 FY02 150 Somalia 0.90 FY02 151 Kazakhstan 0.90 FY02 152 Austria 0.80 FY01/02 153 Sao Tome and Principe 0.80 FY01 154 Luxembourg 0.80 FY01/02 155 Bahamas, The 0.70 FY99 156 Malawi 0.70 FY02 157 El Salvador 0.70 158 Ghana 0.60 FY02 159 Guatemala 0.60 160 Honduras 0.60 161 Georgia 0.59 162 Moldova 0.40 FY02 163 Gambia, The 0.30 FY02 164 Mauritius 0.20 FY02 165 Tanzania 0.20 FY02 166 Bermuda 0.11 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2038 Rank Country Electricity - production(kWh) Date of Information 1 World 14,850,000,000,000 2001 est. 2 United States 3,719,000,000,000 2001 3 China 1,420,000,000,000 2001 4 Japan 1,037,000,000,000 2001 5 Russia 846,500,000,000 2001 6 Canada 566,300,000,000 2001 7 Germany 544,800,000,000 2001 8 India 533,300,000,000 2001 9 France 520,100,000,000 2001 10 United Kingdom 360,900,000,000 2001 11 Brazil 321,200,000,000 2001 12 Korea, South 290,700,000,000 2001 13 Italy 258,800,000,000 2001 14 Spain 222,500,000,000 2001 15 Mexico 198,600,000,000 2001 16 Australia 198,200,000,000 2001 17 South Africa 195,600,000,000 2001 18 Ukraine 164,700,000,000 2001 19 Sweden 152,900,000,000 2001 20 Taiwan 151,100,000,000 2001 21 Poland 135,000,000,000 2001 22 Iran 124,600,000,000 2001 23 Saudi Arabia 122,400,000,000 2001 24 Norway 120,100,000,000 2001 25 Turkey 116,600,000,000 2001 26 Thailand 97,600,000,000 2001 27 Argentina 97,170,000,000 2001 28 Indonesia 95,780,000,000 2001 29 Netherlands 88,320,000,000 2001 30 Venezuela 87,600,000,000 2001 31 Ecuador 75,230,000,000 2001 32 Egypt 75,230,000,000 2001 33 Belgium 74,280,000,000 2001 34 Finland 71,200,000,000 2001 35 Czech Republic 70,040,000,000 2001 36 Switzerland 68,680,000,000 2001 37 Malaysia 68,340,000,000 2001 38 Pakistan 66,960,000,000 2001 39 Austria 58,750,000,000 2001 40 Kazakhstan 52,430,000,000 2001 41 Romania 50,860,000,000 2001 42 Greece 49,790,000,000 2001 43 Philippines 45,210,000,000 2001 44 Paraguay 44,890,000,000 2001 45 Uzbekistan 44,490,000,000 2001 46 Portugal 44,320,000,000 2001 47 Colombia 42,990,000,000 2001 48 Israel 42,240,000,000 2001 49 Chile 41,660,000,000 2001 50 Bulgaria 41,380,000,000 2001 51 United Arab Emirates 37,740,000,000 2001 52 New Zealand 37,510,000,000 2001 53 Iraq 36,010,000,000 2001 54 Denmark 35,470,000,000 2001 55 Hungary 34,390,000,000 2001 56 Serbia and Montenegro 31,710,000,000 2001 57 Kuwait 31,490,000,000 2001 58 Hong Kong 30,480,000,000 2001 59 Singapore 30,480,000,000 2001 60 Slovakia 30,290,000,000 2001 61 Korea, North 30,010,000,000 2001 62 Vietnam 29,800,000,000 2001 63 Algeria 24,690,000,000 2001 64 Belarus 24,400,000,000 2001 65 Ireland 23,530,000,000 2001 66 Syria 23,260,000,000 2001 67 Puerto Rico 20,900,000,000 2001 68 Peru 20,590,000,000 2001 69 Libya 20,180,000,000 2001 70 Azerbaijan 18,230,000,000 2001 71 Nigeria 15,670,000,000 2001 72 Bangladesh 15,330,000,000 2001 73 Lithuania 14,620,000,000 2001 74 Cuba 14,380,000,000 2001 75 Tajikistan 14,180,000,000 2001 76 Slovenia 13,690,000,000 2001 77 Kyrgyzstan 13,450,000,000 2001 78 Morocco 13,350,000,000 2001 79 Croatia 12,120,000,000 2001 80 Tunisia 10,480,000,000 2001 81 Turkmenistan 10,180,000,000 2001 82 Bosnia and Herzegovina 9,979,000,000 2001 83 Oman 9,274,000,000 2001 84 Qatar 9,264,000,000 2001 85 Dominican Republic 9,186,000,000 2001 86 Ghana 8,801,000,000 2001 87 Uruguay 7,963,000,000 2001 88 Estonia 7,937,000,000 2001 89 Iceland 7,894,000,000 2001 90 Zambia 7,751,000,000 2001 91 Georgia 7,270,000,000 2001 92 Mozambique 7,193,000,000 2001 93 Jordan 7,091,000,000 2001 94 Costa Rica 6,839,000,000 2001 95 Zimbabwe 6,735,000,000 2001 96 Lebanon 6,728,000,000 2001 97 Armenia 6,479,000,000 2001 98 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 6,465,000,000 2001 99 Sri Lanka 6,360,000,000 2001 100 Jamaica 6,272,000,000 2001 101 Bahrain 6,257,000,000 2001 102 Guatemala 6,237,000,000 2001 103 Burma 6,139,000,000 2001 104 Trinidad and Tobago 5,315,000,000 2001 105 Albania 5,289,000,000 2001 106 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5,243,000,000 2001 107 Cote d'Ivoire 4,605,000,000 2001 108 Latvia 4,365,000,000 2001 109 Panama 4,039,000,000 2001 110 Kenya 4,033,000,000 2001 111 Bolivia 3,901,000,000 2001 112 Honduras 3,778,000,000 2001 113 El Salvador 3,729,000,000 2001 114 Cameroon 3,613,000,000 2001 115 Cyprus 3,401,000,000 2001 116 Moldova 3,394,000,000 2001 117 Yemen 3,010,000,000 2001 118 Tanzania 2,906,000,000 2001 119 Nicaragua 2,549,000,000 2001 120 Brunei 2,497,000,000 2001 121 Sudan 2,389,000,000 2001 122 Mongolia 2,225,000,000 2001 123 Suriname 1,959,000,000 2001 124 Uganda 1,928,000,000 2001 125 Bhutan 1,896,000,000 2001 126 Malta 1,768,000,000 2001 127 Nepal 1,755,000,000 2001 128 Ethiopia 1,713,000,000 2001 129 New Caledonia 1,613,000,000 2001 130 Macau 1,611,000,000 2002 131 Bahamas, The 1,560,000,000 2001 132 Senegal 1,518,000,000 2001 133 Papua New Guinea 1,496,000,000 2001 134 Angola 1,450,000,000 2001 135 Laos 1,317,000,000 2001 136 Mauritius 1,311,000,000 2001 137 Guadeloupe 1,155,000,000 2001 138 Martinique 1,151,000,000 2001 139 Reunion 1,080,000,000 2001 140 Netherlands Antilles 1,061,000,000 2001 141 Virgin Islands 1,030,000,000 2001 142 Guyana 852,000,000 2001 143 Madagascar 830,200,000 2001 144 Guam 830,000,000 2001 145 Gabon 798,400,000 2001 146 Guinea 790,600,000 2001 147 Barbados 780,000,000 2001 148 Malawi 769,200,000 2001 149 Bermuda 643,700,000 2001 150 Haiti 580,000,000 2001 151 Aruba 531,900,000 2001 152 Fiji 520,100,000 2001 153 Mali 480,200,000 2001 154 Liberia 468,800,000 2001 155 Luxembourg 457,000,000 2001 156 French Guiana 455,000,000 2001 157 French Polynesia 428,300,000 2001 158 Botswana 409,800,000 2001 159 Cayman Islands 381,900,000 2001 160 Congo, Republic of the 358,100,000 2001 161 Swaziland 348,300,000 2001 162 Afghanistan 334,800,000 2001 163 Burkina Faso 279,200,000 2001 164 Benin 274,300,000 2001 165 Sierra Leone 250,100,000 2001 166 Somalia 245,100,000 2001 167 Greenland 245,000,000 2001 168 Niger 242,000,000 2001 169 Eritrea 220,500,000 2001 170 Belize 199,500,000 2001 171 Djibouti 180,000,000 2001 172 Faroe Islands 160,400,000 2001 173 Seychelles 160,000,000 2001 174 Mauritania 157,400,000 2001 175 Burundi 155,400,000 2001 176 Grenada 138,000,000 2001 177 American Samoa 130,000,000 2001 178 Saint Lucia 120,200,000 2001 179 Cambodia 119,000,000 2001 180 Maldives 117,000,000 2001 181 Central African Republic 106,000,000 2001 182 Antigua and Barbuda 105,300,000 2001 183 Samoa 105,100,000 2001 184 Togo 101,600,000 2001 185 Saint Kitts and Nevis 100,300,000 2001 186 Gibraltar 100,000,000 2001 187 Rwanda 96,780,000 2001 188 Chad 94,040,000 2001 189 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 92,480,000 2001 190 Western Sahara 90,000,000 2001 191 Gambia, The 85,330,000 2001 192 Dominica 72,410,000 2001 193 Guinea-Bissau 55,000,000 2001 194 Johnston Atoll 44,200,000 1999 195 Vanuatu 43,460,000 2001 196 Cape Verde 42,030,000 2001 197 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 42,030,000 2001 198 British Virgin Islands 38,100,000 2001 199 Solomon Islands 32,000,000 2001 200 Nauru 30,000,000 2001 201 Cook Islands 27,430,000 2001 202 Tonga 27,270,000 2001 203 Namibia 26,950,000 2001 204 Equatorial Guinea 23,560,000 2001 205 Comoros 21,270,000 2001 206 Sao Tome and Principe 17,000,000 2001 207 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 16,330,000 2001 208 Kiribati 7,000,000 2001 209 Saint Helena 5,000,000 2001 210 Turks and Caicos Islands 5,000,000 2001 211 Niue 3,000,000 2001 212 Montserrat 2,500,000 2001 213 Lesotho 0 2001 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2042 Rank Country Electricity - consumption(kWh) Date of Information 1 World 13,930,000,000,000 2001 est. 2 United States 3,602,000,000,000 2001 3 China 1,312,000,000,000 2001 4 Japan 964,200,000,000 2001 5 Russia 773,000,000,000 2001 6 Germany 506,800,000,000 2001 7 Canada 504,400,000,000 2001 8 India 497,200,000,000 2001 9 France 415,300,000,000 2001 10 United Kingdom 346,100,000,000 2001 11 Brazil 335,900,000,000 2001 12 Italy 289,100,000,000 2001 13 Korea, South 270,300,000,000 2001 14 Spain 210,400,000,000 2001 15 Mexico 186,700,000,000 2001 16 Australia 184,400,000,000 2001 17 South Africa 181,200,000,000 2001 18 Ukraine 152,400,000,000 2001 19 Taiwan 140,500,000,000 2001 20 Sweden 134,900,000,000 2001 21 Poland 118,800,000,000 2001 22 Iran 115,900,000,000 2001 23 Norway 115,300,000,000 2001 24 Saudi Arabia 113,800,000,000 2001 25 Turkey 112,600,000,000 2001 26 Netherlands 99,420,000,000 2001 27 Argentina 92,120,000,000 2001 28 Thailand 90,910,000,000 2001 29 Indonesia 89,080,000,000 2001 30 Venezuela 81,470,000,000 2001 31 Belgium 78,180,000,000 2001 32 Finland 76,180,000,000 2001 33 Ecuador 69,960,000,000 2001 34 Egypt 69,960,000,000 2001 35 Malaysia 63,480,000,000 2001 36 Pakistan 62,270,000,000 2001 37 Czech Republic 55,600,000,000 2001 38 Austria 54,850,000,000 2001 39 Switzerland 53,430,000,000 2001 40 Greece 48,800,000,000 2001 41 Kazakhstan 48,360,000,000 2001 42 Uzbekistan 47,070,000,000 2001 43 Romania 46,100,000,000 2001 44 Philippines 42,040,000,000 2001 45 Portugal 41,480,000,000 2001 46 Chile 40,130,000,000 2001 47 Colombia 39,810,000,000 2001 48 Israel 37,820,000,000 2001 49 Hong Kong 37,120,000,000 2001 50 Hungary 35,150,000,000 2001 51 United Arab Emirates 35,100,000,000 2001 52 New Zealand 34,880,000,000 2001 53 Iraq 33,490,000,000 2001 54 Bulgaria 32,520,000,000 2001 55 Denmark 32,410,000,000 2001 56 Serbia and Montenegro 32,370,000,000 2001 57 Kuwait 29,290,000,000 2001 58 Singapore 28,350,000,000 2001 59 Korea, North 27,910,000,000 2001 60 Vietnam 27,710,000,000 2001 61 Belarus 26,690,000,000 2001 62 Slovakia 24,410,000,000 2001 63 Algeria 22,900,000,000 2001 64 Ireland 21,630,000,000 2001 65 Syria 21,630,000,000 2001 66 Puerto Rico 19,440,000,000 2001 67 Peru 19,150,000,000 2001 68 Libya 18,770,000,000 2001 69 Azerbaijan 16,650,000,000 2001 70 Morocco 14,610,000,000 2001 71 Nigeria 14,550,000,000 2001 72 Tajikistan 14,520,000,000 2001 73 Croatia 14,270,000,000 2001 74 Bangladesh 14,250,000,000 2001 75 Slovenia 13,830,000,000 2001 76 Cuba 13,380,000,000 2001 77 Kyrgyzstan 10,460,000,000 2001 78 Zimbabwe 9,813,000,000 2001 79 Tunisia 9,748,000,000 2001 80 Ghana 8,835,000,000 2001 81 Lithuania 8,683,000,000 2001 82 Oman 8,625,000,000 2001 83 Qatar 8,616,000,000 2001 84 Dominican Republic 8,543,000,000 2001 85 Turkmenistan 8,509,000,000 2001 86 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8,116,000,000 2001 87 Georgia 7,611,000,000 2001 88 Lebanon 7,440,000,000 2001 89 Iceland 7,341,000,000 2001 90 Jordan 6,860,000,000 2001 91 Estonia 6,192,000,000 2001 92 Uruguay 6,152,000,000 2001 93 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 6,112,000,000 2001 94 Costa Rica 6,109,000,000 2001 95 Luxembourg 6,070,000,000 2001 96 Latvia 6,046,000,000 2001 97 Sri Lanka 5,915,000,000 2001 98 Albania 5,898,000,000 2001 99 Jamaica 5,833,000,000 2001 100 Bahrain 5,819,000,000 2001 101 Armenia 5,784,000,000 2001 102 Burma 5,709,000,000 2001 103 Guatemala 5,559,000,000 2001 104 Zambia 5,458,000,000 2001 105 Trinidad and Tobago 4,943,000,000 2001 106 Kenya 3,981,000,000 2001 107 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3,839,000,000 2001 108 Honduras 3,822,000,000 2001 109 El Salvador 3,777,000,000 2001 110 Panama 3,681,000,000 2001 111 Bolivia 3,634,000,000 2001 112 Cameroon 3,360,000,000 2001 113 Moldova 3,216,000,000 2001 114 Cyprus 3,163,000,000 2001 115 Cote d'Ivoire 2,983,000,000 2001 116 Yemen 2,800,000,000 2001 117 Tanzania 2,752,000,000 2001 118 Paraguay 2,637,000,000 2001 119 Nicaragua 2,388,000,000 2001 120 Brunei 2,322,000,000 2001 121 Sudan 2,222,000,000 2001 122 Mongolia 2,194,000,000 2001 123 Suriname 1,822,000,000 2001 124 Nepal 1,764,000,000 2001 125 Macau 1,688,000,000 2002 126 Malta 1,644,000,000 2001 127 Uganda 1,620,000,000 2001 128 Ethiopia 1,594,000,000 2001 129 Botswana 1,564,000,000 2001 130 New Caledonia 1,500,000,000 2001 131 Bahamas, The 1,451,000,000 2001 132 Senegal 1,412,000,000 2001 133 Papua New Guinea 1,391,000,000 2001 134 Mozambique 1,390,000,000 2001 135 Angola 1,348,000,000 2001 136 Mauritius 1,219,000,000 2001 137 Guadeloupe 1,074,000,000 2001 138 Martinique 1,070,000,000 2001 139 Reunion 1,005,000,000 2001 140 Netherlands Antilles 986,800,000 2001 141 Swaziland 962,900,000 2001 142 Virgin Islands 957,900,000 2001 143 Laos 824,700,000 2001 144 Guyana 792,400,000 2001 145 Madagascar 772,100,000 2001 146 Guam 771,900,000 2001 147 Gabon 742,500,000 2001 148 Guinea 735,200,000 2001 149 Barbados 725,400,000 2001 150 Malawi 715,300,000 2001 151 Congo, Republic of the 633,000,000 2001 152 Benin 631,100,000 2001 153 Togo 614,500,000 2001 154 Namibia 603,100,000 2001 155 Bermuda 598,600,000 2001 156 Haiti 539,400,000 2001 157 Afghanistan 511,400,000 2001 158 Aruba 494,700,000 2001 159 Fiji 483,700,000 2001 160 Mali 446,600,000 2001 161 Liberia 435,900,000 2001 162 French Guiana 423,200,000 2001 163 French Polynesia 398,300,000 2001 164 Bhutan 379,500,000 2001 165 Cayman Islands 355,200,000 2001 166 Niger 325,100,000 2001 167 Burkina Faso 259,600,000 2001 168 Sierra Leone 232,600,000 2001 169 Greenland 227,900,000 2001 170 Somalia 227,900,000 2001 171 Eritrea 205,100,000 2001 172 Belize 185,500,000 2001 173 Burundi 177,500,000 2001 174 Djibouti 167,400,000 2001 175 Faroe Islands 149,100,000 2001 176 Seychelles 148,800,000 2001 177 Mauritania 146,300,000 2001 178 Rwanda 140,000,000 2001 179 Grenada 128,300,000 2001 180 American Samoa 120,900,000 2001 181 Saint Lucia 111,800,000 2001 182 Cambodia 110,600,000 2001 183 Maldives 108,800,000 2001 184 Central African Republic 98,630,000 2001 185 Antigua and Barbuda 97,890,000 2001 186 Samoa 97,740,000 2001 187 Saint Kitts and Nevis 93,260,000 2001 188 Gibraltar 93,000,000 2001 189 Chad 87,460,000 2001 190 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 86,000,000 2001 191 Western Sahara 83,700,000 2001 192 Gambia, The 79,360,000 2001 193 Dominica 67,350,000 2001 194 Guinea-Bissau 51,150,000 2001 195 Anguilla 42,600,000 196 Vanuatu 40,420,000 2001 197 Lesotho 40,000,000 2001 198 Cape Verde 39,080,000 2001 199 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 39,080,000 2001 200 British Virgin Islands 35,430,000 2001 201 Solomon Islands 29,760,000 2001 202 Nauru 27,900,000 2001 203 Cook Islands 25,510,000 2001 204 Tonga 25,360,000 2001 205 Equatorial Guinea 21,910,000 2001 206 Comoros 19,780,000 2001 207 Sao Tome and Principe 15,810,000 2001 208 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 15,190,000 2001 209 Kiribati 6,510,000 2001 210 Saint Helena 4,650,000 2001 211 Turks and Caicos Islands 4,650,000 2001 212 Niue 2,790,000 2001 213 Montserrat 2,325,000 2001 214 Johnston Atoll 2,002,000 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2054 Rank Country Birth rate(births/1,000 population) Date of Information 1 Niger 49.54 2003 est. 2 Mali 47.79 2003 est. 3 Chad 47.06 2003 est. 4 Uganda 46.57 2003 est. 5 Somalia 46.42 2003 est. 6 Angola 45.57 2003 est. 7 Liberia 45.28 2003 est. 8 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 45.12 2003 est. 9 Burkina Faso 44.78 2003 est. 10 Malawi 44.70 2003 est. 11 Sierra Leone 43.89 2003 est. 12 Yemen 43.23 2003 est. 13 Benin 43.15 2003 est. 14 Mayotte 42.86 2003 est. 15 Guinea 42.50 2003 est. 16 Madagascar 42.16 2003 est. 17 Mauritania 42.16 2003 est. 18 Sao Tome and Principe 41.87 2003 est. 19 Gaza Strip 41.23 2003 est. 20 Djibouti 40.78 2003 est. 21 Gambia, The 40.77 2003 est. 22 Afghanistan 40.63 2003 est. 23 Rwanda 40.10 2003 est. 24 Cote d'Ivoire 40.01 2003 est. 25 Ethiopia 39.81 2003 est. 26 Burundi 39.72 2003 est. 27 Zambia 39.53 2003 est. 28 Tanzania 39.50 2003 est. 29 Eritrea 39.44 2003 est. 30 Nigeria 38.75 2003 est. 31 Comoros 38.50 2003 est. 32 Guinea-Bissau 38.41 2003 est. 33 Mozambique 38.20 2003 est. 34 Oman 37.47 2003 est. 35 Saudi Arabia 37.20 2003 est. 36 Equatorial Guinea 36.94 2003 est. 37 Laos 36.93 2003 est. 38 Maldives 36.71 2003 est. 39 Gabon 36.54 2003 est. 40 Sudan 36.48 2003 est. 41 Senegal 36.23 2003 est. 42 Central African Republic 35.93 2003 est. 43 Cameroon 35.49 2003 est. 44 Togo 35.23 2003 est. 45 Guatemala 35.05 2003 est. 46 Bhutan 34.82 2003 est. 47 Marshall Islands 34.18 2003 est. 48 Namibia 34.10 2003 est. 49 West Bank 34.07 2003 est. 50 Haiti 34.06 2003 est. 51 Iraq 33.66 2003 est. 52 Tajikistan 32.78 2003 est. 53 Nepal 32.46 2003 est. 54 Solomon Islands 32.45 2003 est. 55 Honduras 31.67 2003 est. 56 Kiribati 31.24 2003 est. 57 Papua New Guinea 31.07 2003 est. 58 Belize 30.46 2003 est. 59 Zimbabwe 30.34 2003 est. 60 Paraguay 30.14 2003 est. 61 Bangladesh 29.90 2003 est. 62 Pakistan 29.59 2003 est. 63 Syria 29.54 2003 est. 64 Congo, Republic of the 29.46 2003 est. 65 Swaziland 29.37 2003 est. 66 Kenya 28.81 2003 est. 67 Turkmenistan 28.02 2003 est. 68 El Salvador 27.90 2003 est. 69 East Timor 27.75 2003 est. 70 Libya 27.43 2003 est. 71 Cambodia 27.28 2003 est. 72 Lesotho 27.26 2003 est. 73 Cape Verde 26.95 2003 est. 74 Micronesia, Federated States of 26.47 2003 est. 75 Philippines 26.30 2003 est. 76 Nicaragua 26.29 2003 est. 77 Nauru 26.09 2003 est. 78 Uzbekistan 26.09 2003 est. 79 Kyrgyzstan 26.06 2003 est. 80 Ghana 25.84 2003 est. 81 Bolivia 25.53 2003 est. 82 Botswana 25.50 2003 est. 83 Ecuador 24.94 2003 est. 84 Tonga 24.51 2003 est. 85 Egypt 24.36 2003 est. 86 Vanuatu 24.26 2003 est. 87 Dominican Republic 23.94 2003 est. 88 Malaysia 23.70 2003 est. 89 Jordan 23.68 2003 est. 90 Turks and Caicos Islands 23.51 2003 est. 91 India 23.28 2003 est. 92 American Samoa 23.26 2003 est. 93 Morocco 23.26 2003 est. 94 Guam 23.19 2003 est. 95 Fiji 23.06 2003 est. 96 Grenada 22.87 2003 est. 97 Peru 22.81 2003 est. 98 Algeria 21.94 2003 est. 99 Mexico 21.92 2003 est. 100 Kuwait 21.83 2003 est. 101 Colombia 21.59 2003 est. 102 Tuvalu 21.58 2003 est. 103 Indonesia 21.49 2003 est. 104 Mongolia 21.39 2003 est. 105 French Guiana 21.33 2003 est. 106 Saint Lucia 20.93 2003 est. 107 Panama 20.78 2003 est. 108 World 20.43 2003 est. 109 Reunion 20.17 2003 est. 110 Northern Mariana Islands 19.97 2003 est. 111 Venezuela 19.78 2003 est. 112 Brunei 19.68 2003 est. 113 Lebanon 19.68 2003 est. 114 Vietnam 19.58 2003 est. 115 New Caledonia 19.45 2003 est. 116 Costa Rica 19.40 2003 est. 117 Suriname 19.40 2003 est. 118 Azerbaijan 19.28 2003 est. 119 Burma 19.15 2003 est. 120 Bahrain 19.02 2003 est. 121 Palau 19.02 2003 est. 122 South Africa 18.87 2003 est. 123 Israel 18.67 2003 est. 124 Bahamas, The 18.57 2003 est. 125 United Arab Emirates 18.48 2003 est. 126 Saint Kitts and Nevis 18.45 2003 est. 127 Kazakhstan 18.36 2003 est. 128 Antigua and Barbuda 18.23 2003 est. 129 Albania 18.20 2003 est. 130 Guyana 17.87 2003 est. 131 French Polynesia 17.74 2003 est. 132 Brazil 17.67 2003 est. 133 Korea, North 17.61 2003 est. 134 Turkey 17.59 2003 est. 135 Montserrat 17.57 2003 est. 136 Argentina 17.47 2003 est. 137 Jamaica 17.35 2003 est. 138 Iran 17.23 2003 est. 139 Uruguay 17.19 2003 est. 140 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17.16 2003 est. 141 Seychelles 16.89 2003 est. 142 Dominica 16.78 2003 est. 143 Tunisia 16.53 2003 est. 144 Thailand 16.37 2003 est. 145 Guadeloupe 16.16 2003 est. 146 Sri Lanka 16.12 2003 est. 147 Chile 16.10 2003 est. 148 Mauritius 16.10 2003 est. 149 Greenland 16.09 2003 est. 150 Virgin Islands 15.80 2003 est. 151 Netherlands Antilles 15.76 2003 est. 152 Qatar 15.68 2003 est. 153 Samoa 15.41 2003 est. 154 Puerto Rico 15.00 2003 est. 155 British Virgin Islands 15.00 2003 est. 156 Martinique 14.96 2003 est. 157 Anguilla 14.68 2003 est. 158 Ireland 14.63 2003 est. 159 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 14.62 2003 est. 160 Moldova 14.31 2003 est. 161 New Zealand 14.14 2003 est. 162 United States 14.14 2003 est. 163 Iceland 14.13 2003 est. 164 Faroe Islands 13.81 2003 est. 165 Cayman Islands 13.33 2003 est. 166 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 13.20 2003 est. 167 Barbados 13.15 2003 est. 168 China 12.96 2003 est. 169 Saint Helena 12.90 2003 est. 170 Cyprus 12.77 2003 est. 171 Croatia 12.76 2003 est. 172 Malta 12.75 2003 est. 173 Singapore 12.75 2003 est. 174 Trinidad and Tobago 12.74 2003 est. 175 Taiwan 12.74 2003 est. 176 Serbia and Montenegro 12.74 2003 est. 177 Bosnia and Herzegovina 12.65 2003 est. 178 Korea, South 12.60 2003 est. 179 Armenia 12.57 2003 est. 180 Australia 12.55 2003 est. 181 France 12.54 2003 est. 182 Norway 12.17 2003 est. 183 Bermuda 12.13 2003 est. 184 Macau 12.07 2003 est. 185 Luxembourg 11.92 2003 est. 186 Cuba 11.87 2003 est. 187 Aruba 11.86 2003 est. 188 Georgia 11.79 2003 est. 189 Denmark 11.52 2003 est. 190 Portugal 11.45 2003 est. 191 Man, Isle of 11.38 2003 est. 192 Netherlands 11.31 2003 est. 193 Gibraltar 11.09 2003 est. 194 Canada 10.99 2003 est. 195 United Kingdom 10.99 2003 est. 196 Liechtenstein 10.92 2003 est. 197 Romania 10.79 2003 est. 198 Hong Kong 10.71 2003 est. 199 Finland 10.54 2003 est. 200 San Marino 10.49 2003 est. 201 Lithuania 10.48 2003 est. 202 Poland 10.47 2003 est. 203 Belgium 10.45 2003 est. 204 Jersey 10.44 2003 est. 205 Belarus 10.18 2003 est. 206 Slovakia 10.10 2003 est. 207 Russia 10.09 2003 est. 208 Spain 10.08 2003 est. 209 Ukraine 9.89 2003 est. 210 Greece 9.79 2003 est. 211 Sweden 9.71 2003 est. 212 Andorra 9.65 2003 est. 213 Japan 9.61 2003 est. 214 Switzerland 9.59 2003 est. 215 Monaco 9.46 2003 est. 216 Austria 9.43 2003 est. 217 Guernsey 9.43 2003 est. 218 Hungary 9.32 2003 est. 219 Estonia 9.24 2003 est. 220 Slovenia 9.23 2003 est. 221 Italy 9.18 2003 est. 222 Czech Republic 9.01 2003 est. 223 Germany 8.60 2003 est. 224 Latvia 8.55 2003 est. 225 Bulgaria 8.02 2003 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2066 Rank Country Death rate(deaths/1,000 population) Date of Information 1 Botswana 31.00 2003 est. 2 Mozambique 30.04 2003 est. 3 Angola 25.83 2003 est. 4 Lesotho 24.58 2003 est. 5 Zambia 24.30 2003 est. 6 Malawi 22.64 2003 est. 7 Zimbabwe 22.02 2003 est. 8 Rwanda 21.72 2003 est. 9 Niger 21.71 2003 est. 10 Swaziland 21.08 2003 est. 11 Sierra Leone 20.66 2003 est. 12 Ethiopia 20.17 2003 est. 13 Central African Republic 19.73 2003 est. 14 Djibouti 19.45 2003 est. 15 Mali 19.21 2003 est. 16 Namibia 19.17 2003 est. 17 Burkina Faso 18.76 2003 est. 18 South Africa 18.42 2003 est. 19 Cote d'Ivoire 18.41 2003 est. 20 Liberia 17.84 2003 est. 21 Burundi 17.80 2003 est. 22 Somalia 17.64 2003 est. 23 Tanzania 17.38 2003 est. 24 Afghanistan 17.15 2003 est. 25 Uganda 16.95 2003 est. 26 Guinea-Bissau 16.62 2003 est. 27 Ukraine 16.39 2003 est. 28 Chad 16.38 2003 est. 29 Kenya 16.01 2003 est. 30 Guinea 15.70 2003 est. 31 Cameroon 15.30 2003 est. 32 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14.87 2003 est. 33 Georgia 14.71 2003 est. 34 Latvia 14.70 2003 est. 35 Bulgaria 14.34 2003 est. 36 Congo, Republic of the 14.20 2003 est. 37 Belarus 14.05 2003 est. 38 Russia 13.99 2003 est. 39 Nigeria 13.76 2003 est. 40 Benin 13.65 2003 est. 41 Bhutan 13.47 2003 est. 42 Estonia 13.42 2003 est. 43 Haiti 13.36 2003 est. 44 Eritrea 13.23 2003 est. 45 Mauritania 13.04 2003 est. 46 Hungary 13.00 2003 est. 47 Lithuania 12.89 2003 est. 48 Monaco 12.82 2003 est. 49 Moldova 12.70 2003 est. 50 Equatorial Guinea 12.54 2003 est. 51 Laos 12.39 2003 est. 52 Gambia, The 12.35 2003 est. 53 Romania 12.25 2003 est. 54 Burma 12.17 2003 est. 55 Madagascar 11.88 2003 est. 56 Togo 11.51 2003 est. 57 Man, Isle of 11.49 2003 est. 58 Croatia 11.25 2003 est. 59 Gabon 11.17 2003 est. 60 Senegal 10.88 2003 est. 61 Kazakhstan 10.78 2003 est. 62 Czech Republic 10.74 2003 est. 63 Denmark 10.72 2003 est. 64 Serbia and Montenegro 10.62 2003 est. 65 Sweden 10.58 2003 est. 66 Ghana 10.53 2003 est. 67 Germany 10.34 2003 est. 68 Portugal 10.21 2003 est. 69 United Kingdom 10.21 2003 est. 70 Armenia 10.16 2003 est. 71 Slovenia 10.15 2003 est. 72 Italy 10.12 2003 est. 73 Belgium 10.07 2003 est. 74 Poland 9.96 2003 est. 75 Greece 9.86 2003 est. 76 Guernsey 9.84 2003 est. 77 Nepal 9.84 2003 est. 78 Finland 9.82 2003 est. 79 Norway 9.72 2003 est. 80 Austria 9.69 2003 est. 81 Azerbaijan 9.68 2003 est. 82 Sudan 9.59 2003 est. 83 Spain 9.48 2003 est. 84 Guyana 9.27 2003 est. 85 Cambodia 9.26 2003 est. 86 Slovakia 9.22 2003 est. 87 Jersey 9.17 2003 est. 88 Kyrgyzstan 9.10 2003 est. 89 France 9.05 2003 est. 90 Yemen 9.04 2003 est. 91 Barbados 9.02 2003 est. 92 Uruguay 8.97 2003 est. 93 Gibraltar 8.93 2003 est. 94 Turkmenistan 8.87 2003 est. 95 Comoros 8.86 2003 est. 96 Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.85 2003 est. 97 World 8.83 2003 est. 98 Switzerland 8.82 2003 est. 99 Pakistan 8.79 2003 est. 100 Luxembourg 8.78 2003 est. 101 Trinidad and Tobago 8.71 2003 est. 102 Faroe Islands 8.70 2003 est. 103 Bahamas, The 8.68 2003 est. 104 Netherlands 8.66 2003 est. 105 Bangladesh 8.63 2003 est. 106 Kiribati 8.63 2003 est. 107 Japan 8.55 2003 est. 108 India 8.49 2003 est. 109 Tajikistan 8.46 2003 est. 110 United States 8.44 2003 est. 111 Mayotte 8.34 2003 est. 112 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.21 2003 est. 113 Vanuatu 8.13 2003 est. 114 Uzbekistan 7.97 2003 est. 115 Ireland 7.94 2003 est. 116 Bolivia 7.91 2003 est. 117 San Marino 7.86 2003 est. 118 Malta 7.80 2003 est. 119 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 7.78 2003 est. 120 Puerto Rico 7.68 2003 est. 121 Greenland 7.66 2003 est. 122 Maldives 7.65 2003 est. 123 Cyprus 7.63 2003 est. 124 Papua New Guinea 7.63 2003 est. 125 Canada 7.61 2003 est. 126 Argentina 7.58 2003 est. 127 New Zealand 7.54 2003 est. 128 Bermuda 7.46 2003 est. 129 Grenada 7.46 2003 est. 130 Cuba 7.38 2003 est. 131 Montserrat 7.34 2003 est. 132 Tuvalu 7.34 2003 est. 133 Australia 7.31 2003 est. 134 Mongolia 7.18 2003 est. 135 Sao Tome and Principe 7.11 2003 est. 136 Nauru 7.08 2003 est. 137 Palau 7.00 2003 est. 138 Dominica 6.99 2003 est. 139 Iceland 6.95 2003 est. 140 Korea, North 6.93 2003 est. 141 Dominican Republic 6.88 2003 est. 142 Cape Verde 6.86 2003 est. 143 Thailand 6.86 2003 est. 144 Liechtenstein 6.85 2003 est. 145 Suriname 6.83 2003 est. 146 Mauritius 6.81 2003 est. 147 Guatemala 6.78 2003 est. 148 China 6.74 2003 est. 149 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 6.74 2003 est. 150 Seychelles 6.49 2003 est. 151 Albania 6.48 2003 est. 152 Sri Lanka 6.46 2003 est. 153 Honduras 6.44 2003 est. 154 Martinique 6.41 2003 est. 155 East Timor 6.41 2003 est. 156 Samoa 6.41 2003 est. 157 Netherlands Antilles 6.40 2003 est. 158 Aruba 6.38 2003 est. 159 Lebanon 6.32 2003 est. 160 Indonesia 6.26 2003 est. 161 Panama 6.25 2003 est. 162 Saint Helena 6.24 2003 est. 163 Israel 6.20 2003 est. 164 Taiwan 6.20 2003 est. 165 Hong Kong 6.19 2003 est. 166 Vietnam 6.19 2003 est. 167 Brazil 6.13 2003 est. 168 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.08 2003 est. 169 Belize 6.05 2003 est. 170 Guadeloupe 6.04 2003 est. 171 Korea, South 6.03 2003 est. 172 El Salvador 6.01 2003 est. 173 Turkey 5.95 2003 est. 174 Iraq 5.84 2003 est. 175 Saudi Arabia 5.79 2003 est. 176 Morocco 5.78 2003 est. 177 Andorra 5.74 2003 est. 178 Fiji 5.70 2003 est. 179 Peru 5.69 2003 est. 180 Virgin Islands 5.68 2003 est. 181 Antigua and Barbuda 5.64 2003 est. 182 Chile 5.63 2003 est. 183 Colombia 5.63 2003 est. 184 New Caledonia 5.63 2003 est. 185 Philippines 5.60 2003 est. 186 Iran 5.54 2003 est. 187 Tonga 5.54 2003 est. 188 Reunion 5.49 2003 est. 189 Anguilla 5.42 2003 est. 190 Jamaica 5.42 2003 est. 191 Egypt 5.35 2003 est. 192 Ecuador 5.29 2003 est. 193 Saint Lucia 5.24 2003 est. 194 Malaysia 5.12 2003 est. 195 Micronesia, Federated States of 5.10 2003 est. 196 Algeria 5.09 2003 est. 197 Syria 5.04 2003 est. 198 Marshall Islands 5.03 2003 est. 199 Tunisia 5.02 2003 est. 200 Mexico 4.97 2003 est. 201 Venezuela 4.90 2003 est. 202 French Guiana 4.80 2003 est. 203 Cayman Islands 4.70 2003 est. 204 Nicaragua 4.69 2003 est. 205 Paraguay 4.64 2003 est. 206 French Polynesia 4.53 2003 est. 207 British Virgin Islands 4.46 2003 est. 208 Qatar 4.43 2003 est. 209 American Samoa 4.38 2003 est. 210 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.34 2003 est. 211 Costa Rica 4.31 2003 est. 212 Singapore 4.31 2003 est. 213 Guam 4.29 2003 est. 214 West Bank 4.16 2003 est. 215 Solomon Islands 4.12 2003 est. 216 Gaza Strip 4.03 2003 est. 217 United Arab Emirates 4.02 2003 est. 218 Bahrain 3.99 2003 est. 219 Oman 3.97 2003 est. 220 Macau 3.85 2003 est. 221 Libya 3.49 2003 est. 222 Brunei 3.39 2003 est. 223 Jordan 2.62 2003 est. 224 Kuwait 2.45 2003 est. 225 Northern Mariana Islands 2.44 2003 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2067 Rank Country Military expenditures - dollar figure Date of Information 1 United States $ 276,700,000,000 2 China $ 55,910,000,000 FY02 3 France $ 46,500,000,000 2000 4 Japan $ 39,520,000,000 FY02 5 Germany $ 38,800,000,000 2002 6 United Kingdom $ 31,700,000,000 2002 7 Italy $ 20,200,000,000 2002 8 Saudi Arabia $ 18,300,000,000 9 Brazil $ 13,408,000,000 10 Korea, South $ 13,094,300,000 FY02 11 India $ 11,520,000,000 FY02 12 Australia $ 11,390,000,000 FY02 13 Iran $ 9,700,000,000 14 Israel $ 8,970,000,000 FY02 15 Spain $ 8,600,000,000 2002 16 Turkey $ 8,100,000,000 2002 est. 17 Canada $ 7,861,000,000 FY01/02 18 Taiwan $ 7,574,000,000 FY02 19 Netherlands $ 6,500,000,000 FY00/01 est. 20 Greece $ 6,120,000,000 21 Korea, North $ 5,217,400,000 FY02 22 Singapore $ 4,470,000,000 23 Sweden $ 4,395,000,000 FY01 24 Argentina $ 4,300,000,000 25 Egypt $ 4,040,000,000 FY99 26 Mexico $ 4,000,000,000 27 Poland $ 3,500,000,000 2002 28 Colombia $ 3,300,000,000 29 Norway $ 3,113,000,000 30 Belgium $ 3,077,000,000 FY01/02 31 Pakistan $ 2,964,000,000 FY02 32 Switzerland $ 2,548,000,000 FY01 33 Chile $ 2,500,000,000 34 Denmark $ 2,470,000,000 FY99/00 35 Oman $ 2,424,000,000 FY01 36 Kuwait $ 1,967,300,000 37 Algeria $ 1,870,000,000 38 Finland $ 1,800,000,000 FY98/99 39 Thailand $ 1,775,000,000 40 South Africa $ 1,746,000,000 FY02 41 Malaysia $ 1,690,000,000 42 United Arab Emirates $ 1,600,000,000 43 Austria $ 1,497,000,000 FY01/02 44 Morocco $ 1,400,000,000 45 Iraq $ 1,300,000,000 FY00 46 Libya $ 1,300,000,000 47 Portugal $ 1,286,000,000 FY99/00 48 Czech Republic $ 1,190,200,000 FY01 49 Hungary $ 1,080,000,000 2002 est. 50 Indonesia $ 1,000,000,000 51 Peru $ 1,000,000,000 52 Philippines $ 995,000,000 53 Romania $ 985,000,000 2002 54 Venezuela $ 934,000,000 55 Syria $ 858,000,000 56 Ethiopia $ 800,000,000 FY00 57 Jordan $ 757,500,000 FY01 58 Qatar $ 723,000,000 59 Ecuador $ 720,000,000 60 Sri Lanka $ 719,000,000 61 Ireland $ 700,000,000 FY00/01 62 Serbia and Montenegro $ 654,000,000 2002 63 Vietnam $ 650,000,000 64 Zimbabwe $ 625,100,000 FY02 65 Ukraine $ 617,900,000 FY02 66 New Zealand $ 605,700,000 FY02 67 Sudan $ 581,000,000 68 Bangladesh $ 559,000,000 FY96 69 Lebanon $ 541,000,000 70 Bahrain $ 526,200,000 FY01 71 Afghanistan $ 525,200,000 FY02 72 Croatia $ 520,000,000 2002 est. 73 Yemen $ 482,500,000 FY01 74 Mali $ 419,700,000 FY02 75 Nigeria $ 417,900,000 FY02 76 Slovakia $ 406,000,000 2002 77 Cyprus $ 384,000,000 78 Slovenia $ 370,000,000 FY00 79 Bulgaria $ 356,000,000 FY02 80 Tunisia $ 356,000,000 81 Brunei $ 329,700,000 FY02 82 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 250,000,000 83 Uruguay $ 250,000,000 1999 84 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 234,300,000 85 Lithuania $ 230,800,000 FY01 86 Angola $ 222,700,000 FY02 87 Kazakhstan $ 221,800,000 FY02 88 Botswana $ 207,300,000 FY02 89 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $ 200,000,000 90 Uzbekistan $ 200,000,000 91 New Caledonia $ 192,300,000 FY96 92 Kenya $ 185,200,000 FY02 93 Dominican Republic $ 180,000,000 94 Belarus $ 176,100,000 FY02 95 Estonia $ 155,000,000 2002 est. 96 Guinea $ 154,000,000 FY02 97 Luxembourg $ 147,800,000 FY01/02 98 Bolivia $ 147,000,000 99 Cote d'Ivoire $ 143,500,000 FY02 100 Armenia $ 135,000,000 FY01 101 Panama $ 128,000,000 102 Paraguay $ 125,000,000 103 Uganda $ 124,700,000 FY02 104 Azerbaijan $ 121,000,000 105 Guatemala $ 120,000,000 106 Cameroon $ 118,600,000 FY00 107 Cambodia $ 112,000,000 108 El Salvador $ 112,000,000 109 Eritrea $ 95,750,000 FY02 110 Trinidad and Tobago $ 90,000,000 1999 111 Turkmenistan $ 90,000,000 112 Latvia $ 87,000,000 FY01 113 Congo, Republic of the $ 84,000,000 FY01 114 Gabon $ 81,900,000 FY02 115 Benin $ 80,800,000 FY02 116 Namibia $ 73,100,000 FY02 117 Costa Rica $ 69,000,000 118 Senegal $ 68,600,000 FY02 119 Malta $ 60,000,000 2000 est. 120 Rwanda $ 59,570,000 FY02 121 Nepal $ 57,220,000 FY02 122 Albania $ 56,500,000 FY02 123 Laos $ 55,000,000 124 Madagascar $ 52,300,000 FY02 125 Haiti $ 50,000,000 FY00 126 Burkina Faso $ 45,830,000 FY02 127 Burundi $ 42,130,000 FY02 128 Chad $ 40,740,000 FY02 129 Papua New Guinea $ 40,210,000 FY02 130 Fiji $ 39,210,000 FY02 131 Burma $ 39,000,000 132 Mauritania $ 37,110,000 FY02 133 Ghana $ 36,010,000 FY02 134 Tajikistan $ 35,400,000 FY01 135 Mozambique $ 35,100,000 136 Honduras $ 35,000,000 137 Maldives $ 34,460,000 FY02 138 Lesotho $ 34,000,000 1999 139 Zambia $ 33,460,000 FY02 140 Equatorial Guinea $ 30,000,000 FY02 141 Jamaica $ 30,000,000 142 Djibouti $ 26,530,000 FY02 143 Nicaragua $ 26,000,000 144 Togo $ 23,720,000 FY02 145 Mongolia $ 23,100,000 FY02 146 Georgia $ 23,000,000 147 Niger $ 20,540,000 FY02 148 Bahamas, The $ 20,000,000 FY95/96 149 Swaziland $ 20,000,000 FY01 150 Tanzania $ 19,680,000 FY02 151 Kyrgyzstan $ 19,200,000 FY01 152 Somalia $ 17,100,000 FY02 153 Central African Republic $ 13,430,000 FY02 154 Malawi $ 13,010,000 FY02 155 Seychelles $ 12,800,000 FY02 156 Sierra Leone $ 10,260,000 FY02 157 Mauritius $ 9,712,000 FY02 158 Bhutan $ 9,300,000 FY02 159 Cape Verde $ 9,300,000 FY02 160 Liberia $ 7,800,000 FY02 161 Belize $ 7,700,000 162 Moldova $ 6,400,000 FY02 163 Comoros $ 6,000,000 FY02 164 Guinea-Bissau $ 5,600,000 FY02 165 East Timor $ 4,400,000 FY03 166 Bermuda $ 4,028,000 January 2002 167 Gambia, The $ 1,200,000 FY02 168 San Marino $ 700,000 FY00/01 169 Sao Tome and Principe $ 400,000 FY01 170 Iceland $ 0 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2078 Rank Country Exports Date of Information 1 World $ 6,600,000,000,000 2002 est. 2 United States $ 687,000,000,000 2002 est. 3 Germany $ 608,000,000,000 2002 est. 4 Japan $ 383,800,000,000 2002 est. 5 China $ 325,600,000,000 2002 est. 6 France $ 307,800,000,000 2002 7 United Kingdom $ 286,300,000,000 2002 8 Canada $ 260,500,000,000 2002 est. 9 Italy $ 259,200,000,000 2002 est. 10 Netherlands $ 243,300,000,000 2002 11 Hong Kong $ 200,300,000,000 2002 est. 12 Korea, South $ 162,600,000,000 2002 est. 13 Belgium $ 162,000,000,000 2002 est. 14 Mexico $ 158,400,000,000 2002 est. 15 Taiwan $ 130,000,000,000 2002 est. 16 Singapore $ 127,000,000,000 2002 est. 17 Spain $ 122,200,000,000 2002 est. 18 Russia $ 104,600,000,000 2002 est. 19 Switzerland $ 100,300,000,000 2002 est. 20 Malaysia $ 95,200,000,000 2002 est. 21 Ireland $ 86,600,000,000 2002 est. 22 Sweden $ 80,600,000,000 2002 est. 23 Saudi Arabia $ 71,000,000,000 2001 24 Austria $ 70,000,000,000 2001 25 Norway $ 68,200,000,000 2002 est. 26 Thailand $ 67,700,000,000 2002 est. 27 Australia $ 66,300,000,000 2002 est. 28 Brazil $ 59,400,000,000 2002 est. 29 Denmark $ 56,300,000,000 2002 est. 30 Indonesia $ 52,300,000,000 2002 est. 31 Puerto Rico $ 46,900,000,000 2001 32 United Arab Emirates $ 44,900,000,000 2002 est. 33 India $ 44,500,000,000 2001 34 Czech Republic $ 40,800,000,000 2002 35 Finland $ 40,100,000,000 2002 36 Philippines $ 35,100,000,000 2002 37 Turkey $ 35,100,000,000 2002 38 Poland $ 32,400,000,000 2002 est. 39 South Africa $ 31,800,000,000 2002 est. 40 Hungary $ 31,400,000,000 2002 est. 41 Venezuela $ 28,600,000,000 2001 42 Israel $ 28,100,000,000 2002 est. 43 Portugal $ 25,900,000,000 2001 44 Argentina $ 25,300,000,000 2002 45 Iran $ 24,800,000,000 2002 est. 46 Algeria $ 19,500,000,000 2002 est. 47 Ukraine $ 18,100,000,000 2002 est. 48 Chile $ 17,800,000,000 2002 est. 49 Nigeria $ 17,300,000,000 2002 est. 50 Vietnam $ 16,500,000,000 2002 est. 51 Kuwait $ 16,000,000,000 2002 est. 52 New Zealand $ 15,000,000,000 2002 est. 53 Romania $ 13,700,000,000 2002 est. 54 Iraq $ 13,000,000,000 2002 est. 55 Colombia $ 12,900,000,000 2002 est. 56 Slovakia $ 12,900,000,000 2002 est. 57 Greece $ 12,600,000,000 2002 58 Libya $ 11,800,000,000 2002 est. 59 Qatar $ 10,900,000,000 2002 est. 60 Oman $ 10,600,000,000 2002 est. 61 Kazakhstan $ 10,300,000,000 2002 est. 62 Slovenia $ 10,300,000,000 2002 63 Luxembourg $ 10,100,000,000 2002 64 Pakistan $ 9,800,000,000 FY02/03 est. 65 Angola $ 8,600,000,000 2002 est. 66 Belarus $ 7,700,000,000 2002 67 Peru $ 7,600,000,000 2002 est. 68 Morocco $ 7,500,000,000 2002 est. 69 Egypt $ 7,000,000,000 2002 est. 70 Tunisia $ 6,800,000,000 2002 est. 71 Bangladesh $ 6,200,000,000 2002 72 Syria $ 6,200,000,000 2002 est. 73 Bahrain $ 5,800,000,000 2002 74 Panama $ 5,800,000,000 2002 est. 75 Lithuania $ 5,400,000,000 2002 est. 76 Bulgaria $ 5,300,000,000 2002 est. 77 Dominican Republic $ 5,300,000,000 2002 est. 78 Costa Rica $ 5,100,000,000 2002 79 Ecuador $ 4,900,000,000 2002 est. 80 Croatia $ 4,900,000,000 2002 81 Sri Lanka $ 4,600,000,000 2002 82 Cote d'Ivoire $ 4,400,000,000 2002 est. 83 Trinidad and Tobago $ 4,200,000,000 2002 est. 84 Estonia $ 3,400,000,000 2002 85 Yemen $ 3,400,000,000 2002 est. 86 Brunei $ 3,000,000,000 2000 est. 87 El Salvador $ 3,000,000,000 2002 est. 88 Turkmenistan $ 2,970,000,000 2002 est. 89 Uzbekistan $ 2,800,000,000 2002 est. 90 Burma $ 2,700,000,000 2002 91 Guatemala $ 2,700,000,000 2002 est. 92 Gabon $ 2,600,000,000 2002 est. 93 Equatorial Guinea $ 2,500,000,000 2002 est. 94 Jordan $ 2,500,000,000 2002 est. 95 Liechtenstein $ 2,470,000,000 1996 96 Botswana $ 2,400,000,000 2002 est. 97 Serbia and Montenegro $ 2,400,000,000 2002 98 Congo, Republic of the $ 2,400,000,000 2002 est. 99 Macau $ 2,360,000,000 2002 100 Iceland $ 2,300,000,000 2002 101 Latvia $ 2,300,000,000 2002 102 Ghana $ 2,200,000,000 2002 est. 103 Kenya $ 2,100,000,000 2002 est. 104 Uruguay $ 2,100,000,000 2002 est. 105 Azerbaijan $ 2,000,000,000 2002 106 Paraguay $ 2,000,000,000 2002 est. 107 Malta $ 2,000,000,000 2001 108 Cameroon $ 1,900,000,000 2002 est. 109 Aruba $ 1,880,000,000 2002 est. 110 Cuba $ 1,800,000,000 2002 est. 111 Sudan $ 1,800,000,000 2002 est. 112 Papua New Guinea $ 1,800,000,000 2002 est. 113 Mauritius $ 1,600,000,000 2002 est. 114 Zimbabwe $ 1,570,000,000 2001 est. 115 Jamaica $ 1,400,000,000 2002 est. 116 Cambodia $ 1,380,000,000 2001 est. 117 Bolivia $ 1,300,000,000 2002 est. 118 Honduras $ 1,300,000,000 2002 est. 119 Namibia $ 1,210,000,000 2002 est. 120 Afghanistan $ 1,200,000,000 2001 est. 121 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 1,200,000,000 2002 est. 122 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 1,150,000,000 2002 est. 123 Senegal $ 1,150,000,000 2002 est. 124 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $ 1,100,000,000 2002 est. 125 Cyprus $ 1,030,000,000 2002 est. 126 Lebanon $ 1,000,000,000 2002 est. 127 Tanzania $ 863,000,000 2001 128 Korea, North $ 842,000,000 2001 est. 129 Guinea $ 835,000,000 2002 est. 130 Swaziland $ 820,000,000 2002 est. 131 Nepal $ 720,000,000 2001 est. 132 Tajikistan $ 710,000,000 2002 est. 133 Zambia $ 709,000,000 2001 134 Madagascar $ 700,000,000 2002 135 Mali $ 680,000,000 2002 est. 136 Mozambique $ 680,000,000 2002 est. 137 Nicaragua $ 637,000,000 2002 est. 138 Gaza Strip $ 603,000,000 139 West Bank $ 603,000,000 140 Moldova $ 590,000,000 2002 est. 141 Bahamas, The $ 560,700,000 2002 est. 142 Netherlands Antilles $ 553,000,000 2002 143 Armenia $ 525,000,000 2001 est. 144 Georgia $ 515,000,000 2002 est. 145 Mongolia $ 501,000,000 2002 est. 146 Guyana $ 500,000,000 2002 147 Kyrgyzstan $ 488,000,000 2002 est. 148 Uganda $ 476,000,000 2002 est. 149 Togo $ 449,000,000 2002 150 Suriname $ 445,000,000 2002 151 Fiji $ 442,000,000 2001 152 Malawi $ 435,000,000 201 153 Ethiopia $ 433,000,000 2001 est. 154 Lesotho $ 422,000,000 2002 est. 155 Faroe Islands $ 418,000,000 2001 156 New Caledonia $ 400,000,000 2000 157 Greenland $ 364,000,000 2001 158 Mauritania $ 355,000,000 2002 159 American Samoa $ 345,000,000 1999 160 Laos $ 345,000,000 2002 est. 161 Albania $ 340,000,000 2002 est. 162 Haiti $ 298,000,000 2002 163 Niger $ 293,000,000 2002 est. 164 Belize $ 290,000,000 2002 est. 165 French Polynesia $ 260,000,000 2000 166 Martinique $ 250,000,000 1997 167 Burkina Faso $ 250,000,000 2002 est. 168 Seychelles $ 235,000,000 2002 169 Barbados $ 227,000,000 2002 170 Reunion $ 214,000,000 1997 171 Benin $ 207,000,000 2002 172 Chad $ 197,000,000 2002 est. 173 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 169,200,000 2000 174 French Guiana $ 155,000,000 175 Bhutan $ 154,000,000 2000 est. 176 Guadeloupe $ 140,000,000 1997 177 Gambia, The $ 138,000,000 2002 est. 178 Central African Republic $ 134,000,000 2002 est. 179 Somalia $ 126,000,000 2001 est. 180 Liberia $ 110,000,000 2002 est. 181 Maldives $ 110,000,000 2001 est. 182 Gibraltar $ 81,100,000 1997 183 Grenada $ 78,000,000 2000 est. 184 Guam $ 75,700,000 1999 est. 185 Guinea-Bissau $ 71,000,000 2002 est. 186 Djibouti $ 70,000,000 2002 est. 187 Saint Lucia $ 68,300,000 2000 est. 188 Rwanda $ 68,000,000 2002 est. 189 Andorra $ 58,000,000 1998 190 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 53,700,000 2000 est. 191 Bermuda $ 51,000,000 2000 192 Dominica $ 50,000,000 2002 est. 193 Solomon Islands $ 47,000,000 2001 est. 194 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 47,000,000 2001 est. 195 Cyprus $ 46,000,000 2002 est. 196 Antigua and Barbuda $ 40,000,000 197 Sierra Leone $ 35,000,000 2000 est. 198 Cape Verde $ 30,000,000 2002 est. 199 Nauru $ 27,000,000 1995 200 Burundi $ 26,000,000 2002 est. 201 British Virgin Islands $ 25,300,000 2002 202 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 22,000,000 FY 99/00 est. 203 Vanuatu $ 22,000,000 2001 204 Eritrea $ 20,000,000 2001 205 Palau $ 18,000,000 2001 est. 206 Comoros $ 16,300,000 2001 est. 207 Samoa $ 15,500,000 2001 208 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 12,000,000 1999 209 Cook Islands $ 9,100,000 2000 210 Marshall Islands $ 9,000,000 2000 211 Tonga $ 8,900,000 2001 est. 212 East Timor $ 8,000,000 2001 est. 213 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 7,600,000 1995 214 Kiribati $ 6,000,000 1998 215 Sao Tome and Principe $ 5,500,000 2002 est. 216 Mayotte $ 3,440,000 1997 217 Anguilla $ 2,600,000 1999 218 Norfolk Island $ 1,500,000 FY 91/92 219 Cayman Islands $ 1,200,000 1999 220 Saint Helena $ 704,000 1995 221 Montserrat $ 700,000 2001 222 Tuvalu $ 276,000 1997 223 Wallis and Futuna $ 250,000 1999 224 Niue $ 137,200 1999 225 Tokelau $ 98,000 1983 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2079 Rank Country Debt - external Date of Information 1 World $ 2,000,000,000,000 2002 est. 2 United States $ 862,000,000,000 1995 est. 3 Brazil $ 222,400,000,000 2002 4 Australia $ 176,800,000,000 yearend 2002 est. 5 Argentina $ 155,000,000,000 2001 est. 6 Russia $ 153,500,000,000 yearend 2002 7 Mexico $ 150,000,000,000 2000 est. 8 China $ 149,400,000,000 2002 est. 9 Korea, South $ 135,200,000,000 yearend 2002 est. 10 Indonesia $ 131,000,000,000 2002 est. 11 Iraq $ 120,000,000,000 2002 est. 12 Turkey $ 118,300,000,000 Yearend 2001 13 India $ 100,600,000,000 2001 est. 14 Spain $ 90,000,000,000 1993 est. 15 Sweden $ 66,500,000,000 1994 16 Poland $ 64,000,000,000 2002 17 Greece $ 63,400,000,000 2002 est. 18 Thailand $ 62,500,000,000 2002 est. 19 Philippines $ 60,300,000,000 2002 20 Hong Kong $ 49,500,000,000 2002 est. 21 Malaysia $ 47,500,000,000 2002 est. 22 Israel $ 42,800,000,000 2001 est. 23 Chile $ 40,400,000,000 2002 24 Colombia $ 38,400,000,000 2002 est. 25 Venezuela $ 38,200,000,000 2000 26 New Zealand $ 33,000,000,000 2002 est. 27 Pakistan $ 32,300,000,000 2002 est. 28 Hungary $ 31,500,000,000 2002 est. 29 Egypt $ 30,500,000,000 2002 est. 30 Finland $ 30,000,000,000 December 1993 31 Nigeria $ 29,700,000,000 2002 est. 32 Peru $ 29,200,000,000 2002 est. 33 Belgium $ 28,300,000,000 1999 est. 34 Saudi Arabia $ 25,900,000,000 2003 est. 35 South Africa $ 24,700,000,000 2002 est. 36 Taiwan $ 24,700,000,000 2002 37 Czech Republic $ 23,800,000,000 2002 38 Syria $ 22,000,000,000 2002 est. 39 Denmark $ 21,700,000,000 2000 40 Algeria $ 21,600,000,000 2002 est. 41 United Arab Emirates $ 18,500,000,000 2002 est. 42 Morocco $ 17,700,000,000 2002 est. 43 Bangladesh $ 16,500,000,000 2002 44 Croatia $ 16,500,000,000 yearend 2002 est. 45 Sudan $ 15,800,000,000 2002 est. 46 Qatar $ 15,400,000,000 2002 est. 47 Ecuador $ 14,400,000,000 2002 48 Ukraine $ 14,200,000,000 2002 49 Vietnam $ 14,100,000,000 2001 50 Romania $ 13,700,000,000 2002 est. 51 Tunisia $ 13,600,000,000 2003 est. 52 Portugal $ 13,100,000,000 1997 est. 53 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 12,900,000,000 2000 est. 54 Cuba $ 12,300,000,000 2002 est. 55 Austria $ 12,100,000,000 2001 est. 56 Korea, North $ 12,000,000,000 1996 est. 57 Uruguay $ 11,800,000,000 2002 est. 58 Ireland $ 11,000,000,000 1998 59 Kuwait $ 10,400,000,000 2000 est. 60 Bulgaria $ 10,300,000,000 yearend 2002 61 Cote d'Ivoire $ 10,300,000,000 2002 est. 62 Angola $ 9,900,000,000 2002 est. 63 Sri Lanka $ 9,800,000,000 2002 64 Slovakia $ 9,600,000,000 2002 est. 65 Lebanon $ 9,300,000,000 2002 est. 66 Serbia and Montenegro $ 9,200,000,000 2001 est. 67 Iran $ 8,700,000,000 2002 est. 68 Cameroon $ 8,600,000,000 2002 est. 69 Jordan $ 8,200,000,000 2002 est. 70 Singapore $ 8,200,000,000 2002 est. 71 Cyprus $ 8,000,000,000 2002 72 Slovenia $ 7,900,000,000 2001 73 Ghana $ 7,200,000,000 2002 est. 74 Panama $ 7,000,000,000 2002 est. 75 Tanzania $ 6,800,000,000 2002 est. 76 Kazakhstan $ 6,600,000,000 2002 est. 77 Yemen $ 6,200,000,000 2002 78 Burma $ 6,100,000,000 2002 est. 79 Bolivia $ 5,900,000,000 2002 est. 80 Lithuania $ 5,800,000,000 2002 est. 81 Zambia $ 5,800,000,000 2001 82 Nicaragua $ 5,800,000,000 2002 est. 83 Kenya $ 5,700,000,000 2002 est. 84 Oman $ 5,700,000,000 2002 est. 85 El Salvador $ 5,600,000,000 2001 est. 86 Honduras $ 5,400,000,000 2002 87 Ethiopia $ 5,300,000,000 2001 est. 88 Jamaica $ 5,300,000,000 2002 est. 89 Congo, Republic of the $ 5,000,000,000 2000 est. 90 Guatemala $ 4,900,000,000 2002 est. 91 Costa Rica $ 4,800,000,000 2002 est. 92 Dominican Republic $ 4,800,000,000 2002 est. 93 Madagascar $ 4,600,000,000 2002 94 Uzbekistan $ 4,600,000,000 2002 est. 95 Libya $ 4,400,000,000 2001 est. 96 Zimbabwe $ 3,900,000,000 2002 est. 97 Gabon $ 3,800,000,000 2002 est. 98 Bahrain $ 3,700,000,000 2002 99 Guinea $ 3,400,000,000 2000 est. 100 Latvia $ 3,400,000,000 2000 est. 101 Estonia $ 3,300,000,000 2001 est. 102 Mali $ 3,300,000,000 2000 103 Paraguay $ 3,200,000,000 2002 est. 104 Senegal $ 3,100,000,000 2002 est. 105 Malawi $ 2,900,000,000 2002 106 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 2,800,000,000 2001 107 Uganda $ 2,800,000,000 2002 est. 108 Papua New Guinea $ 2,800,000,000 2002 est. 109 Trinidad and Tobago $ 2,800,000,000 2002 est. 110 Iceland $ 2,600,000,000 1999 111 Somalia $ 2,600,000,000 2000 est. 112 Nepal $ 2,550,000,000 FY 00/01 113 Laos $ 2,530,000,000 1999 114 Mauritania $ 2,500,000,000 2000 115 Mauritius $ 2,400,000,000 2002 est. 116 Turkmenistan $ 2,400,000,000 2001 est. 117 Liberia $ 2,100,000,000 2000 est. 118 Canada $ 1,900,000,000 2000 119 Georgia $ 1,700,000,000 2001 120 Benin $ 1,600,000,000 2000 121 Niger $ 1,600,000,000 1999 est. 122 Kyrgyzstan $ 1,500,000,000 2002 est. 123 Sierra Leone $ 1,500,000,000 2002 est. 124 Azerbaijan $ 1,400,000,000 2002 125 Togo $ 1,400,000,000 2000 126 Netherlands Antilles $ 1,350,000,000 1996 127 Moldova $ 1,300,000,000 2002 128 Burkina Faso $ 1,300,000,000 2000 129 Rwanda $ 1,300,000,000 2000 est. 130 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $ 1,300,000,000 2001 est. 131 French Guiana $ 1,200,000,000 1988 132 Guyana $ 1,200,000,000 2002 133 Haiti $ 1,200,000,000 1999 134 Burundi $ 1,140,000,000 2001 135 Chad $ 1,100,000,000 2000 est. 136 Tajikistan $ 1,000,000,000 2002 est. 137 Mozambique $ 966,000,000 2002 est. 138 Guinea-Bissau $ 941,500,000 2000 est. 139 Mongolia $ 913,000,000 2001 est. 140 Armenia $ 905,000,000 June 2001 141 Central African Republic $ 881,400,000 2000 est. 142 Belarus $ 851,000,000 2001 est. 143 Cambodia $ 829,000,000 1999 est. 144 Albania $ 784,000,000 2000 145 Lesotho $ 735,000,000 2002 146 Barbados $ 692,000,000 2002 147 Namibia $ 517,000,000 2002 est. 148 Gambia, The $ 476,000,000 2001 est. 149 Belize $ 475,000,000 2001 est. 150 Bahamas, The $ 371,600,000 2001 151 Djibouti $ 366,000,000 2002 est. 152 Botswana $ 360,000,000 2002 153 Cape Verde $ 325,000,000 2002 154 Suriname $ 321,000,000 2002 est. 155 Swaziland $ 320,000,000 2002 est. 156 Eritrea $ 311,000,000 2000 est. 157 Aruba $ 285,000,000 1996 158 Maldives $ 281,000,000 2003 est. 159 Macau $ 255,000,000 2000 est. 160 Sao Tome and Principe $ 253,800,000 2000 161 Equatorial Guinea $ 248,000,000 2000 est. 162 Bhutan $ 245,000,000 2000 163 Comoros $ 232,000,000 2000 est. 164 Antigua and Barbuda $ 231,000,000 1999 165 Saint Lucia $ 214,000,000 2000 166 Samoa $ 197,000,000 2000 167 Grenada $ 196,000,000 2000 168 Martinique $ 180,000,000 1994 169 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 171,000,000 2001 170 Seychelles $ 170,000,000 2002 est. 171 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 167,200,000 2000 172 Dominica $ 161,500,000 2001 173 Bermuda $ 145,000,000 FY 99/00 174 Cook Islands $ 141,000,000 1996 est. 175 Solomon Islands $ 137,000,000 2001 est. 176 Fiji $ 135,900,000 2000 177 Malta $ 130,000,000 1997 178 Gaza Strip $ 108,000,000 1997 est. 179 West Bank $ 108,000,000 1997 est. 180 Marshall Islands $ 86,500,000 FY 99/00 est. 181 New Caledonia $ 79,000,000 1998 est. 182 Cayman Islands $ 70,000,000 1996 183 Vanuatu $ 68,600,000 2000 est. 184 Faroe Islands $ 64,000,000 1999 185 Tonga $ 57,500,000 June 2001 186 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 53,100,000 FY 02/03 est. 187 British Virgin Islands $ 36,100,000 1997 188 Nauru $ 33,300,000 189 Greenland $ 25,000,000 1999 190 Kiribati $ 10,000,000 1999 est. 191 Montserrat $ 8,900,000 1997 192 Anguilla $ 8,800,000 1998 193 Niue $ 418,000 2002 est. 194 Brunei $ 0 195 Norway $ 0 196 Tokelau $ 0 197 Palau $ 0 FY 99/00 198 Liechtenstein $ 0 2001 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2085 Rank Country Highways(km) Date of Information 1 United States 6,334,859 2000 2 India 3,319,644 1999 est. 3 Brazil 1,724,929 2000 4 Canada 1,408,000 2002 5 China 1,402,698 2000 6 Japan 1,161,894 1999 7 France 894,000 2000 8 Australia 811,603 1999 est. 9 Spain 663,795 1999 10 Russia 532,393 2000 11 Italy 479,688 1999 12 Turkey 385,960 1999 13 United Kingdom 371,913 1999 14 Poland 364,656 2000 15 South Africa 362,099 2000 16 Indonesia 342,700 1999 est. 17 Mexico 329,532 1999 est. 18 Pakistan 254,410 1999 19 Germany 230,735 1999 20 Argentina 215,471 1999 21 Sweden 212,402 2000 22 Bangladesh 207,486 1999 23 Philippines 201,994 2000 24 Austria 200,000 2000 25 Romania 198,603 2000 26 Nigeria 194,394 1999 est. 27 Hungary 188,203 1999 28 Ukraine 169,491 2000 29 Iran 167,157 1998 30 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 157,000 1999 est. 31 Saudi Arabia 151,470 1999 32 Belgium 148,216 2000 33 Greece 117,000 1999 est. 34 Netherlands 116,500 1999 35 Colombia 110,000 2000 36 Algeria 104,000 1999 37 Sri Lanka 96,695 1999 38 Venezuela 96,155 1999 est. 39 Vietnam 93,300 1999 est. 40 Ireland 92,500 2000 est. 41 New Zealand 92,053 2000 42 Norway 91,454 2000 43 Tanzania 88,200 1999 est. 44 Korea, South 86,990 1999 est. 45 Libya 83,200 1999 est. 46 Uzbekistan 81,600 1999 est. 47 Kazakhstan 81,331 2000 48 Chile 79,814 2000 49 Finland 77,943 2001 50 Lithuania 75,243 2000 51 Belarus 74,385 2000 52 Latvia 73,202 2000 53 Peru 72,900 1999 est. 54 Denmark 71,591 2000 55 Switzerland 71,011 2000 56 Portugal 68,732 2000 57 Yemen 67,000 1999 est. 58 Zambia 66,781 1999 est. 59 Namibia 66,467 2000 60 Malaysia 65,877 1999 61 Thailand 64,600 1999 est. 62 Egypt 64,000 1999 est. 63 Kenya 63,942 2000 64 Cuba 60,858 1999 est. 65 Morocco 57,707 2000 66 Czech Republic 55,408 2000 67 Bolivia 53,790 2000 est. 68 Angola 51,429 1999 69 Estonia 51,411 2000 70 Cote d'Ivoire 50,400 1999 est. 71 Madagascar 49,827 1999 est. 72 Serbia and Montenegro 49,805 2000 73 Mongolia 49,250 2000 74 Iraq 45,550 2000 est. 75 Syria 43,381 1999 76 Ecuador 43,197 2000 77 Slovakia 42,717 2000 78 Ghana 39,409 1999 est. 79 Bulgaria 37,286 2000 80 Taiwan 35,931 2000 81 Costa Rica 35,892 2000 82 Oman 34,965 2001 83 Cameroon 34,300 1999 est. 84 Chad 33,400 1999 est. 85 Ethiopia 31,571 2000 86 Korea, North 31,200 1999 est. 87 Guinea 30,500 1999 est. 88 Mozambique 30,400 1999 est. 89 Paraguay 29,500 1999 est 90 Malawi 28,400 1999 est. 91 Burma 28,200 1996 est. 92 Croatia 28,123 2000 93 Tajikistan 27,767 2000 94 Uganda 27,000 1999 est. 95 Azerbaijan 24,981 2000 96 Turkmenistan 24,000 1999 est. 97 Central African Republic 23,810 1999 est. 98 Somalia 22,100 1999 est. 99 Bosnia and Herzegovina 21,846 1999 est 100 Laos 21,716 1999 est. 101 Afghanistan 21,000 1999 est. 102 Georgia 20,362 2000 103 Slovenia 20,177 2000 104 Papua New Guinea 19,600 1999 est. 105 Nicaragua 19,032 2000 106 Tunisia 18,997 2000 107 Jamaica 18,700 1999 est. 108 Kyrgyzstan 18,500 1999 est. 109 Zimbabwe 18,338 1999 est. 110 Albania 18,000 2000 111 Israel 16,281 2000 112 Armenia 15,918 2000 113 Mali 15,100 1999 est. 114 Senegal 14,576 2000 115 Burundi 14,480 1999 est. 116 Puerto Rico 14,400 1999 est. 117 Guatemala 14,118 1999 118 Honduras 13,603 1999 est. 119 Cyprus 13,491 2000/1996 120 Nepal 13,223 1999 est. 121 Iceland 12,955 2003 122 Congo, Republic of the 12,800 1999 est. 123 Moldova 12,657 1999 124 Dominican Republic 12,600 1999 125 Burkina Faso 12,506 1999 126 Cambodia 12,323 2000 est 127 Rwanda 12,000 1999 est. 128 Sudan 11,900 1999 est. 129 Panama 11,400 1999 130 Sierra Leone 11,330 1999 131 Liberia 10,600 1999 est. 132 Botswana 10,217 1999 133 Niger 10,100 1999 est. 134 El Salvador 10,029 1999 est. 135 Uruguay 8,983 1999 est. 136 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 8,684 1999 est. 137 Gabon 8,464 2000 est. 138 Trinidad and Tobago 8,320 1999 est. 139 Guyana 7,970 1999 est. 140 Mauritania 7,720 2000 141 Togo 7,520 1999 est. 142 Lebanon 7,300 1999 est. 143 Jordan 7,245 2000 144 Benin 6,787 1999 est. 145 Western Sahara 6,200 1991 est 146 Lesotho 5,940 1999 147 Luxembourg 5,189 2000 148 New Caledonia 4,825 1999 149 West Bank 4,500 1997 est. 150 Suriname 4,492 2000 151 Kuwait 4,450 1999 est. 152 Guinea-Bissau 4,400 1999 est. 153 Haiti 4,160 1999 est. 154 Eritrea 4,010 1999 est. 155 East Timor 3,800 1995 156 Bhutan 3,690 1999 est. 157 Fiji 3,440 1999 est. 158 Bahrain 3,261 2000 159 Swaziland 3,247 1998 160 Singapore 3,066 1999 161 Djibouti 2,890 1999 est. 162 Equatorial Guinea 2,880 1999 est. 163 Belize 2,872 1999 est. 164 Reunion 2,724 1994 165 Gambia, The 2,700 1999 166 Bahamas, The 2,693 1999 est. 167 French Polynesia 2,590 1999 168 Brunei 2,525 2000 169 Guadeloupe 2,467 1998 170 Malta 2,254 2000 171 Martinique 2,105 2000 172 Mauritius 1,926 2000 173 Hong Kong 1,831 1999 est. 174 Barbados 1,793 1999 175 Solomon Islands 1,360 1999 est. 176 Qatar 1,230 1999 est. 177 Saint Lucia 1,210 1999 est. 178 Cape Verde 1,100 1999 est. 179 United Arab Emirates 1,088 1999 est. 180 Vanuatu 1,070 1999 est. 181 Grenada 1,040 1999 est. 182 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,040 1999 est. 183 Guam 885 184 Comoros 880 1999 est 185 Virgin Islands 856 2000 186 Aruba 800 1995 187 Man, Isle of 800 1999 188 Samoa 790 1999 est. 189 Cayman Islands 785 2000 190 Dominica 780 1999 est. 191 French Guiana 722 1996 192 Tonga 680 1999 est. 193 Kiribati 670 1999 est. 194 Netherlands Antilles 600 195 Jersey 577 196 Faroe Islands 463 1999 197 Bermuda 450 2002 198 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 440 2002 199 Seychelles 373 1997 est. 200 Northern Mariana Islands 362 1991 201 American Samoa 350 202 Cook Islands 320 2000 203 Sao Tome and Principe 320 1999 est. 204 Saint Kitts and Nevis 320 1999 est 205 Macau 271 2000 206 Andorra 269 1994 207 Antigua and Barbuda 250 1999 est. 208 Liechtenstein 250 209 Micronesia, Federated States of 240 1999 est. 210 Christmas Island 240 2000 211 Niue 234 2001 212 Montserrat 227 2003 213 San Marino 220 2001 214 Saint Helena 198 2000 215 British Virgin Islands 177 2000 216 Turks and Caicos Islands 121 2000 217 Wallis and Futuna 120 218 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 114 219 Anguilla 105 1997 220 Mayotte 93 221 Norfolk Island 80 2001 222 Palau 61 223 Monaco 50 1999 est. 224 Nauru 30 1999 est. 225 Gibraltar 29 2002 226 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 15 2003 227 Tuvalu 8 1999 est. 228 Pitcairn Islands 6 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2087 Rank Country Imports Date of Information 1 World $ 6,600,000,000,000 2002 est. 2 United States $ 1,165,000,000,000 2002 est. 3 Germany $ 487,300,000,000 2002 est. 4 United Kingdom $ 330,100,000,000 2002 5 France $ 303,700,000,000 2002 est. 6 China $ 295,300,000,000 2002 est. 7 Japan $ 292,100,000,000 2002 est. 8 Italy $ 238,200,000,000 2002 est. 9 Canada $ 229,000,000,000 2002 est. 10 Hong Kong $ 208,100,000,000 2002 est. 11 Netherlands $ 201,100,000,000 2001 est. 12 Mexico $ 168,400,000,000 2002 13 Spain $ 156,600,000,000 2002 est. 14 Belgium $ 152,000,000,000 2001 15 Korea, South $ 148,400,000,000 2002 est. 16 Singapore $ 113,000,000,000 2002 est. 17 Taiwan $ 113,000,000,000 2002 18 Switzerland $ 94,400,000,000 2002 est. 19 Malaysia $ 76,800,000,000 2002 est. 20 Austria $ 74,000,000,000 2001 21 Sweden $ 68,600,000,000 2002 est. 22 Australia $ 68,000,000,000 2002 est. 23 Russia $ 60,700,000,000 2002 est. 24 Thailand $ 58,100,000,000 2002 est. 25 India $ 53,800,000,000 2001 26 Turkey $ 50,800,000,000 2002 est. 27 Ireland $ 48,600,000,000 2002 est. 28 Denmark $ 47,900,000,000 2002 est. 29 Brazil $ 46,200,000,000 2002 30 Poland $ 43,400,000,000 2002 31 Czech Republic $ 43,200,000,000 2002 32 Saudi Arabia $ 39,500,000,000 2001 33 Portugal $ 39,000,000,000 2001 34 Norway $ 37,300,000,000 2002 est. 35 Hungary $ 33,900,000,000 2002 est. 36 Philippines $ 33,500,000,000 2002 37 Indonesia $ 32,100,000,000 2002 est. 38 Finland $ 31,800,000,000 2002 est. 39 Greece $ 31,400,000,000 2002 40 Israel $ 30,800,000,000 2002 est. 41 United Arab Emirates $ 30,800,000,000 2002 est. 42 Puerto Rico $ 29,100,000,000 2001 43 South Africa $ 26,600,000,000 2002 est. 44 Iran $ 21,800,000,000 2002 est. 45 Venezuela $ 18,800,000,000 2001 46 Ukraine $ 18,000,000,000 2002 est. 47 Vietnam $ 16,800,000,000 2002 est. 48 Romania $ 16,700,000,000 2002 est. 49 Chile $ 15,600,000,000 2002 50 Slovakia $ 15,400,000,000 2001 est. 51 Egypt $ 15,200,000,000 2002 est. 52 Nigeria $ 13,600,000,000 2002 est. 53 Luxembourg $ 13,250,000,000 2002 54 Colombia $ 12,500,000,000 2002 est. 55 New Zealand $ 12,500,000,000 2001 est. 56 Pakistan $ 11,100,000,000 FY02/03 est. 57 Slovenia $ 11,100,000,000 2002 58 Croatia $ 10,700,000,000 2002 59 Algeria $ 10,600,000,000 2002 est. 60 Morocco $ 10,400,000,000 2002 est. 61 Kazakhstan $ 9,600,000,000 2002 est. 62 Argentina $ 9,000,000,000 2002 63 Belarus $ 8,800,000,000 2002 64 Dominican Republic $ 8,700,000,000 2002 est. 65 Tunisia $ 8,700,000,000 2002 66 Bangladesh $ 8,500,000,000 2002 67 Iraq $ 7,800,000,000 2002 est. 68 Kuwait $ 7,300,000,000 2002 est. 69 Peru $ 7,300,000,000 2002 est. 70 Bulgaria $ 6,900,000,000 2002 est. 71 Lithuania $ 6,800,000,000 2002 est. 72 Panama $ 6,700,000,000 2002 est. 73 Costa Rica $ 6,400,000,000 2002 74 Libya $ 6,300,000,000 2002 est. 75 Serbia and Montenegro $ 6,300,000,000 2002 76 Ecuador $ 6,000,000,000 2002 est. 77 Lebanon $ 6,000,000,000 2002 78 Guatemala $ 5,600,000,000 2002 est. 79 Oman $ 5,500,000,000 2002 est. 80 Sri Lanka $ 5,400,000,000 2002 81 El Salvador $ 4,900,000,000 2002 82 Syria $ 4,900,000,000 2002 est. 83 Cuba $ 4,800,000,000 2001 est. 84 Estonia $ 4,400,000,000 2002 85 Jordan $ 4,400,000,000 2002 est. 86 Bahrain $ 4,200,000,000 2002 87 Angola $ 4,100,000,000 2002 est. 88 Cyprus $ 3,900,000,000 2002 est. 89 Latvia $ 3,900,000,000 2002 90 Qatar $ 3,900,000,000 2002 est. 91 Trinidad and Tobago $ 3,800,000,000 2002 est. 92 Jamaica $ 3,100,000,000 2002 est. 93 Kenya $ 3,000,000,000 2002 est. 94 Yemen $ 2,900,000,000 2002 est. 95 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 2,800,000,000 2002 est. 96 Malta $ 2,800,000,000 2001 97 Ghana $ 2,800,000,000 2002 est. 98 Honduras $ 2,700,000,000 2002 est. 99 Macau $ 2,530,000,000 2002 100 Burma $ 2,500,000,000 2002 101 Uzbekistan $ 2,500,000,000 2002 est. 102 Reunion $ 2,500,000,000 1997 103 Cote d'Ivoire $ 2,500,000,000 2002 est. 104 Paraguay $ 2,400,000,000 2002 est. 105 Turkmenistan $ 2,250,000,000 2002 est. 106 Aruba $ 2,210,000,000 2002 est. 107 Iceland $ 2,100,000,000 2002 108 Martinique $ 2,000,000,000 1997 109 Botswana $ 1,900,000,000 2002 est. 110 Gaza Strip $ 1,900,000,000 111 West Bank $ 1,900,000,000 112 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of $ 1,900,000,000 2002 est. 113 Uruguay $ 1,870,000,000 2002 est. 114 Bahamas, The $ 1,860,000,000 2002 est. 115 Azerbaijan $ 1,800,000,000 2002 116 Mauritius $ 1,800,000,000 2002 est. 117 Zimbabwe $ 1,739,000,000 2001 est. 118 Cambodia $ 1,730,000,000 2001 est. 119 Cameroon $ 1,700,000,000 2002 est. 120 Guadeloupe $ 1,700,000,000 1997 121 Nicaragua $ 1,700,000,000 2002 est. 122 Tanzania $ 1,670,000,000 2001 123 Ethiopia $ 1,630,000,000 2001 124 Bolivia $ 1,600,000,000 2002 est. 125 Nepal $ 1,600,000,000 2001 est. 126 Albania $ 1,500,000,000 2002 est. 127 Sudan $ 1,500,000,000 2002 est. 128 Senegal $ 1,460,000,000 2002 est. 129 Netherlands Antilles $ 1,430,000,000 2002 130 Brunei $ 1,400,000,000 2000 est. 131 Namibia $ 1,380,000,000 2002 est. 132 Korea, North $ 1,314,000,000 2001 est. 133 Afghanistan $ 1,300,000,000 2001 est. 134 French Polynesia $ 1,200,000,000 2000 135 Mozambique $ 1,180,000,000 2002 est. 136 Haiti $ 1,140,000,000 2002 137 Uganda $ 1,140,000,000 2002 est. 138 Zambia $ 1,123,000,000 2001 139 Gabon $ 1,100,000,000 2002 est. 140 Papua New Guinea $ 1,100,000,000 2002 est. 141 Andorra $ 1,077,000,000 1998 142 New Caledonia $ 1,000,000,000 2000 143 Armenia $ 991,000,000 2001 est. 144 Barbados $ 987,000,000 2002 145 Madagascar $ 985,000,000 2002 146 Moldova $ 980,000,000 2002 est. 147 Swaziland $ 938,000,000 2002 148 Liechtenstein $ 917,300,000 1996 149 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 890,000,000 2002 est. 150 Tajikistan $ 830,000,000 2002 est. 151 Georgia $ 750,000,000 2002 est. 152 Lesotho $ 738,000,000 2002 est. 153 Congo, Republic of the $ 730,000,000 2002 est. 154 Bermuda $ 719,000,000 2000 155 Guinea $ 670,000,000 2002 est. 156 Mongolia $ 659,000,000 2002 est. 157 Fiji $ 642,000,000 2001 158 Mali $ 630,000,000 2002 est. 159 French Guiana $ 625,000,000 160 Kyrgyzstan $ 587,000,000 2002 est. 161 Guyana $ 575,000,000 2002 162 Chad $ 570,000,000 2002 est. 163 Equatorial Guinea $ 562,000,000 2002 est. 164 Togo $ 561,000,000 2002 165 Laos $ 555,000,000 2002 est. 166 Burkina Faso $ 525,000,000 2002 est. 167 Malawi $ 505,000,000 2001 168 Eritrea $ 500,000,000 2001 169 Gibraltar $ 492,000,000 1997 170 Benin $ 479,000,000 2002 171 Faroe Islands $ 469,000,000 1999 172 Cayman Islands $ 457,400,000 1999 173 American Samoa $ 452,000,000 1999 174 Belize $ 430,000,000 2002 est. 175 Greenland $ 403,000,000 2001 176 Maldives $ 395,000,000 2001 est. 177 Seychelles $ 380,000,000 2002 178 Niger $ 368,000,000 2002 est. 179 Mauritania $ 360,000,000 2000 180 Antigua and Barbuda $ 357,000,000 2000 est. 181 Somalia $ 343,000,000 2001 est. 182 Saint Lucia $ 319,400,000 2000 est. 183 Cyprus $ 301,000,000 2002 est. 184 Suriname $ 300,000,000 2002 185 Grenada $ 270,000,000 2000 est. 186 Djibouti $ 255,000,000 2002 est. 187 Rwanda $ 253,000,000 2002 est. 188 East Timor $ 237,000,000 2001 est. 189 Gambia, The $ 225,000,000 2002 est. 190 Cape Verde $ 220,000,000 2002 est. 191 Guam $ 203,000,000 1999 est. 192 Bhutan $ 196,000,000 2000 est. 193 Sierra Leone $ 190,000,000 2002 est. 194 British Virgin Islands $ 187,000,000 2002 est. 195 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 185,600,000 2000 est. 196 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 175,600,000 2000 197 Liberia $ 165,000,000 2002 est. 198 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 152,000,000 2001 est. 199 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 149,000,000 FY 99/00 est. 200 Mayotte $ 141,300,000 1997 201 Burundi $ 135,000,000 2002 est. 202 Dominica $ 135,000,000 2002 est. 203 Samoa $ 130,100,000 2001 204 Central African Republic $ 102,000,000 2002 est. 205 Palau $ 99,000,000 2001 est. 206 Vanuatu $ 93,000,000 2001 207 Solomon Islands $ 82,000,000 2001 est. 208 Anguilla $ 80,900,000 1999 209 Tonga $ 70,000,000 2001 est. 210 Guinea-Bissau $ 59,000,000 2002 est. 211 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 55,000,000 1999 212 Marshall Islands $ 54,000,000 2000 213 Cook Islands $ 50,700,000 2000 214 Kiribati $ 44,000,000 1999 215 Comoros $ 39,800,000 2001 est. 216 Nauru $ 33,000,000 1995 217 Sao Tome and Principe $ 24,800,000 2002 est. 218 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 24,700,000 1995 219 Norfolk Island $ 17,900,000 FY 91/92 220 Montserrat $ 17,000,000 2001 221 Saint Helena $ 14,434,000 1995 222 Tuvalu $ 7,200,000 1998 223 Niue $ 2,380,000 1999 224 Tokelau $ 323,000 1983 225 Wallis and Futuna $ 300,000 1999 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2089 Rank Country Industrial production growth rate(%) Date of Information 1 Equatorial Guinea 30.00 2002 est. 2 Burundi 18.00 2001 3 Cambodia 16.00 2001 est. 4 Lesotho 15.50 1999 5 Armenia 15.00 2002 est. 6 Cote d'Ivoire 15.00 1998 est. 7 Burkina Faso 14.00 2001 est. 8 China 12.60 2002 est. 9 Tajikistan 10.30 2000 est. 10 Vietnam 10.20 2002 est. 11 Kazakhstan 10.00 2002 est. 12 Bhutan 9.30 1996 est. 13 Albania 9.00 2000 est. 14 Moldova 9.00 2002 est. 15 Nepal 8.70 FY 99/00 16 Tonga 8.60 FY 98/99 17 Sudan 8.50 1999 est. 18 Turkey 8.50 2002 est. 19 East Timor 8.50 20 Tanzania 8.40 1999 est. 21 Benin 8.30 2001 est. 22 Senegal 8.10 2002 est. 23 Faroe Islands 8.00 1999 est. 24 Mauritius 8.00 2000 est. 25 Laos 7.50 1999 est. 26 Guyana 7.10 1997 est. 27 Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.00 2002 est. 28 Greece 7.00 2000 est. 29 Rwanda 7.00 2001 est. 30 Ethiopia 6.70 2001 est. 31 Korea, South 6.50 2002 est. 32 Peru 6.50 2002 est. 33 Suriname 6.50 1994 est. 34 Uganda 6.30 2002 est. 35 Antigua and Barbuda 6.00 1997 est. 36 Algeria 6.00 2001 est. 37 Ukraine 6.00 2002 est. 38 Taiwan 6.00 2002 39 San Marino 6.00 1997 est. 40 Romania 6.00 2002 41 Lithuania 6.00 2002 est. 42 Kyrgyzstan 6.00 2000 est. 43 India 6.00 2002 est. 44 Ireland 6.00 2002 est. 45 Azerbaijan 6.00 2002 est. 46 Latvia 5.70 2002 est. 47 Iran 5.50 2001 est. 48 Ecuador 5.10 2001 est. 49 Zambia 5.10 2001 est. 50 Brunei 5.00 2002 est. 51 Chad 5.00 1995 52 Estonia 5.00 2000 est. 53 Malaysia 5.00 2002 est. 54 Finland 5.00 2002 est. 55 Indonesia 4.90 2002 est. 56 Mexico 4.90 2002 est. 57 Belize 4.60 1999 58 Belgium 4.50 2000 est. 59 Slovakia 4.40 2002 est. 60 Maldives 4.40 1996 est. 61 Nicaragua 4.40 2000 est. 62 Australia 4.30 2002 est. 63 Cameroon 4.20 1999 est. 64 Guatemala 4.10 1999 65 Mongolia 4.10 2002 est. 66 Colombia 4.00 2001 est. 67 Honduras 4.00 1999 est. 68 Philippines 4.00 2000 est. 69 Yemen 4.00 2002 est. 70 United Arab Emirates 4.00 2000 71 Oman 4.00 2000 est. 72 Bolivia 3.90 1998 73 Austria 3.80 2001 est. 74 Ghana 3.80 2000 est. 75 Russia 3.70 2002 est. 76 Swaziland 3.70 FY 95/96 77 Czech Republic 3.50 2002 78 Tunisia 3.50 2002 est. 79 Uzbekistan 3.50 2000 est. 80 Mozambique 3.40 2000 81 Guinea 3.20 1994 82 Man, Isle of 3.20 FY 96/97 83 Switzerland 3.20 2001 84 Anguilla 3.10 1997 est. 85 Hungary 3.10 2002 est. 86 Central African Republic 3.00 2002 87 World 3.00 2002 est. 88 Thailand 3.00 2000 est. 89 South Africa 3.00 2002 est. 90 Georgia 3.00 2000 91 Djibouti 3.00 1996 est. 92 El Salvador 3.00 2002 est. 93 New Zealand 3.00 2001 est. 94 Madagascar 3.00 2000 est. 95 Costa Rica 2.90 2002 est. 96 Croatia 2.80 2002 est. 97 Samoa 2.80 2000 98 Guinea-Bissau 2.60 1997 est. 99 Trinidad and Tobago 2.60 2002 est. 100 Belarus 2.50 2002 est. 101 Botswana 2.40 2001 est. 102 Pakistan 2.40 FY01/02 est. 103 Slovenia 2.40 2002 104 Brazil 2.30 2002 est. 105 Canada 2.20 2002 est. 106 Egypt 2.20 2002 est. 107 Bahrain 2.00 2000 est. 108 Bulgaria 2.00 2002 est. 109 Mauritania 2.00 2000 est. 110 Dominican Republic 2.00 2001 est. 111 Bangladesh 1.80 2002 est. 112 Serbia and Montenegro 1.70 2002 est. 113 Gabon 1.60 2002 est. 114 Portugal 1.50 2002 est. 115 Denmark 1.40 2002 est. 116 Norway 1.20 2002 est. 117 Spain 1.20 2002 est. 118 Sri Lanka 1.10 2002 119 Angola 1.00 120 Cook Islands 1.00 2002 121 Jordan 1.00 2002 est. 122 Argentina 1.00 2000 est. 123 Vanuatu 1.00 1997 est. 124 Turkmenistan 1.00 2002 est. 125 Saudi Arabia 1.00 1997 est. 126 Kenya 0.90 2002 est. 127 Sweden 0.90 2002 est. 128 Grenada 0.70 1997 est. 129 Kiribati 0.70 1991 est. 130 Morocco 0.50 1999 est. 131 Panama 0.50 2002 est. 132 Nigeria 0.40 2002 est. 133 Poland 0.30 2001 134 Cuba 0.20 2001 est. 135 Iceland 0.20 2002 est. 136 Congo, Republic of the 0.00 2002 est. 137 Paraguay 0.00 2000 est. 138 Netherlands 0.00 2002 est. 139 Luxembourg 0.00 2002 est. 140 Cyprus -0.30 2002 141 France -0.30 2002 142 United States -0.40 2002 est. 143 New Caledonia -0.60 1996 144 Malawi -0.80 2002 est. 145 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.90 1997 est. 146 Cyprus -1.40 2002 147 Japan -1.40 2002 est. 148 Chile -1.50 2002 est. 149 Israel -1.50 2002 est. 150 Comoros -2.00 1999 est. 151 Jamaica -2.00 2000 est. 152 Germany -2.10 2002 est. 153 Italy -2.80 2002 154 Zimbabwe -3.10 2002 est. 155 Barbados -3.20 2000 est. 156 United Kingdom -3.40 2002 est. 157 Kuwait -5.00 2002 est. 158 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of -5.00 2002 est. 159 Venezuela -5.40 2002 est. 160 Saint Lucia -8.90 1997 est. 161 Hong Kong -9.70 2002 est. 162 Singapore -9.80 2002 est. 163 Dominica -10.00 1997 est. 164 Uruguay -12.00 2002 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2091 Rank Country Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births) Date of Information 1 Mozambique 199.00 2003 est. 2 Angola 193.82 2003 est. 3 Sierra Leone 146.86 2003 est. 4 Afghanistan 142.48 2003 est. 5 Liberia 132.18 2003 est. 6 Niger 123.64 2003 est. 7 Somalia 120.34 2003 est. 8 Mali 119.20 2003 est. 9 Tajikistan 113.43 2003 est. 10 Guinea-Bissau 110.29 2003 est. 11 Djibouti 106.96 2003 est. 12 Malawi 105.15 2003 est. 13 Bhutan 104.68 2003 est. 14 Tanzania 103.68 2003 est. 15 Ethiopia 103.22 2003 est. 16 Rwanda 102.61 2003 est. 17 Burkina Faso 99.78 2003 est. 18 Zambia 99.29 2003 est. 19 Cote d'Ivoire 98.33 2003 est. 20 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 96.56 2003 est. 21 Chad 95.74 2003 est. 22 Congo, Republic of the 95.34 2003 est. 23 Central African Republic 93.30 2003 est. 24 Guinea 93.30 2003 est. 25 Equatorial Guinea 89.02 2003 est. 26 Laos 88.94 2003 est. 27 Uganda 87.90 2003 est. 28 Benin 86.76 2003 est. 29 Lesotho 86.21 2003 est. 30 Azerbaijan 82.41 2003 est. 31 Madagascar 80.21 2003 est. 32 Comoros 79.51 2003 est. 33 Pakistan 76.53 2003 est. 34 Eritrea 76.32 2003 est. 35 Haiti 76.01 2003 est. 36 Cambodia 75.94 2003 est. 37 Kyrgyzstan 75.34 2003 est. 38 Gambia, The 74.93 2003 est. 39 Mauritania 73.80 2003 est. 40 Turkmenistan 73.17 2003 est. 41 Burundi 71.54 2003 est. 42 Uzbekistan 71.51 2003 est. 43 Nigeria 71.35 2003 est. 44 Nepal 70.57 2003 est. 45 Burma 70.35 2003 est. 46 Cameroon 70.12 2003 est. 47 Togo 68.73 2003 est. 48 Namibia 68.44 2003 est. 49 Swaziland 67.44 2003 est. 50 Botswana 67.34 2003 est. 51 Zimbabwe 66.47 2003 est. 52 Bangladesh 66.08 2003 est. 53 Mayotte 65.98 2003 est. 54 Sudan 65.59 2003 est. 55 Yemen 65.02 2003 est. 56 Kenya 63.36 2003 est. 57 South Africa 60.84 2003 est. 58 Maldives 60.13 2003 est. 59 India 59.59 2003 est. 60 Kazakhstan 58.73 2003 est. 61 Vanuatu 58.11 2003 est. 62 Senegal 57.57 2003 est. 63 Mongolia 57.16 2003 est. 64 Bolivia 56.05 2003 est. 65 Iraq 55.16 2003 est. 66 Gabon 55.05 2003 est. 67 Papua New Guinea 54.84 2003 est. 68 Ghana 53.02 2003 est. 69 World 51.38 2003 est. 70 Kiribati 51.26 2003 est. 71 Georgia 51.24 2003 est. 72 Cape Verde 50.50 2003 est. 73 East Timor 50.47 2003 est. 74 Saudi Arabia 47.94 2003 est. 75 Sao Tome and Principe 46.04 2003 est. 76 Morocco 44.87 2003 est. 77 Turkey 44.20 2003 est. 78 Iran 44.17 2003 est. 79 Moldova 41.58 2003 est. 80 Armenia 40.86 2003 est. 81 Indonesia 38.09 2003 est. 82 Guatemala 37.92 2003 est. 83 Algeria 37.74 2003 est. 84 Guyana 37.55 2003 est. 85 Albania 37.28 2003 est. 86 Peru 36.97 2003 est. 87 Egypt 35.26 2003 est. 88 Dominican Republic 34.19 2003 est. 89 Micronesia, Federated States of 32.39 90 Ecuador 31.97 2003 est. 91 Brazil 31.74 2003 est. 92 Syria 31.67 2003 est. 93 Marshall Islands 31.58 2003 est. 94 Nicaragua 31.39 2003 est. 95 Vietnam 30.83 2003 est. 96 Honduras 29.96 2003 est. 97 Samoa 29.73 2003 est. 98 Paraguay 27.71 2003 est. 99 Belize 27.07 2003 est. 100 Tunisia 26.91 2003 est. 101 Libya 26.80 2003 est. 102 El Salvador 26.75 2003 est. 103 Lebanon 26.43 2003 est. 104 Bahamas, The 26.21 2003 est. 105 Korea, North 25.66 2003 est. 106 China 25.26 2003 est. 107 Philippines 24.98 2003 est. 108 Trinidad and Tobago 24.97 2003 est. 109 Suriname 24.74 2003 est. 110 Gaza Strip 24.15 2003 est. 111 Venezuela 23.79 2003 est. 112 Mexico 23.68 2003 est. 113 Solomon Islands 22.88 2003 est. 114 Anguilla 22.80 2003 est. 115 Bosnia and Herzegovina 22.70 2003 est. 116 Colombia 22.47 2003 est. 117 Thailand 21.83 2003 est. 118 Panama 21.44 2003 est. 119 Tuvalu 21.34 2003 est. 120 Oman 21.01 2003 est. 121 Antigua and Barbuda 20.90 2003 est. 122 Ukraine 20.87 2003 est. 123 Saint Helena 20.70 2003 est. 124 West Bank 20.68 2003 est. 125 Qatar 20.03 2003 est. 126 Russia 19.51 2003 est. 127 Malaysia 19.00 2003 est. 128 Jordan 18.86 2003 est. 129 British Virgin Islands 18.80 2003 est. 130 Bahrain 18.59 2003 est. 131 Romania 18.40 2003 est. 132 Serbia and Montenegro 16.90 2003 est. 133 Turks and Caicos Islands 16.87 2003 est. 134 Greenland 16.80 2003 est. 135 Seychelles 16.41 2003 est. 136 Argentina 16.16 2003 est. 137 Mauritius 16.11 2003 est. 138 Palau 15.76 2003 est. 139 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15.70 2003 est. 140 United Arab Emirates 15.58 2003 est. 141 Saint Kitts and Nevis 15.39 2003 est. 142 Dominica 15.34 2003 est. 143 Sri Lanka 15.22 2003 est. 144 Grenada 14.63 2003 est. 145 Latvia 14.59 2003 est. 146 Saint Lucia 14.37 2003 est. 147 Lithuania 14.17 2003 est. 148 Belarus 13.87 2003 est. 149 Uruguay 13.80 2003 est. 150 Bulgaria 13.70 2003 est. 151 Brunei 13.50 2003 est. 152 Fiji 13.35 2003 est. 153 Tonga 13.35 2003 est. 154 Jamaica 13.26 2003 est. 155 French Guiana 12.84 2003 est. 156 Barbados 12.72 2003 est. 157 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 12.14 2003 est. 158 Estonia 12.03 2003 est. 159 Netherlands Antilles 10.71 2003 est. 160 Kuwait 10.57 2003 est. 161 Costa Rica 10.56 2003 est. 162 Nauru 10.33 2003 est. 163 American Samoa 9.82 2003 est. 164 Puerto Rico 9.38 2003 est. 165 Guadeloupe 9.07 2003 est. 166 Bermuda 9.05 2003 est. 167 Virgin Islands 9.00 2003 est. 168 Poland 8.95 2003 est. 169 Chile 8.88 2003 est. 170 French Polynesia 8.78 2003 est. 171 Cayman Islands 8.64 2003 est. 172 Hungary 8.58 2003 est. 173 Slovakia 8.55 2003 est. 174 Reunion 8.13 2003 est. 175 New Caledonia 8.06 2003 est. 176 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 7.97 2003 est. 177 Montserrat 7.77 2003 est. 178 Cyprus 7.54 2003 est. 179 Martinique 7.44 2003 est. 180 Israel 7.37 2003 est. 181 Korea, South 7.31 2003 est. 182 Cuba 7.15 2003 est. 183 Croatia 6.92 2003 est. 184 United States 6.75 2003 est. 185 Taiwan 6.65 2003 est. 186 Faroe Islands 6.52 2003 est. 187 Guam 6.46 2003 est. 188 Italy 6.19 2003 est. 189 Man, Isle of 6.17 2003 est. 190 Aruba 6.14 2003 est. 191 Greece 6.12 2003 est. 192 New Zealand 6.07 2003 est. 193 San Marino 5.97 2003 est. 194 Portugal 5.73 2003 est. 195 Hong Kong 5.63 2003 est. 196 Monaco 5.63 2003 est. 197 Malta 5.62 2003 est. 198 Northern Mariana Islands 5.52 2003 est. 199 Jersey 5.43 2003 est. 200 Czech Republic 5.37 2003 est. 201 Ireland 5.34 2003 est. 202 Gibraltar 5.31 2003 est. 203 United Kingdom 5.28 2003 est. 204 Denmark 4.90 2003 est. 205 Canada 4.88 2003 est. 206 Guernsey 4.85 2003 est. 207 Liechtenstein 4.85 2003 est. 208 Australia 4.83 2003 est. 209 Luxembourg 4.65 2003 est. 210 Belgium 4.57 2003 est. 211 Spain 4.54 2003 est. 212 Macau 4.42 2003 est. 213 Slovenia 4.42 2003 est. 214 France 4.37 2003 est. 215 Switzerland 4.36 2003 est. 216 Austria 4.33 2003 est. 217 Netherlands 4.26 2003 est. 218 Germany 4.23 2003 est. 219 Andorra 4.06 2003 est. 220 Norway 3.87 2003 est. 221 Finland 3.73 2003 est. 222 Singapore 3.57 2003 est. 223 Iceland 3.50 2003 est. 224 Sweden 3.42 2003 est. 225 Japan 3.30 2003 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2092 Rank Country Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%) Date of Information 1 Zimbabwe 134.50 2002 est. 2 Angola 106.00 2002 est. 3 Iraq 70.00 2002 est. 4 Burma 53.70 2002 est. 5 Turkey 45.20 2002 est. 6 Belarus 42.80 2002 est. 7 Argentina 41.00 2002, yearend 8 Venezuela 31.20 2002 est. 9 Malawi 27.40 2001 est. 10 Uzbekistan 26.00 2001 est. 11 Cyprus 24.50 2002 est. 12 Romania 22.50 2002 est. 13 Zambia 21.00 2002 est. 14 Serbia and Montenegro 19.00 2002 est. 15 Suriname 17.00 2002 est. 16 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 16.00 2002 est. 17 Iran 15.30 2002 est. 18 Mozambique 15.20 2002 est. 19 Eritrea 15.00 2001 20 Russia 15.00 2002 est. 21 Liberia 15.00 2002 est. 22 Ghana 14.50 2002 est. 23 Nigeria 14.20 2002 est. 24 Uruguay 14.10 2002 est. 25 Ecuador 12.50 2002 est. 26 Yemen 12.20 2002 est. 27 Burundi 12.00 2002 est. 28 Tajikistan 12.00 2001 est. 29 Haiti 11.90 2001 est. 30 Indonesia 11.90 2002 est. 31 Swaziland 11.80 2002 est. 32 Paraguay 10.50 2002 est. 33 Laos 10.00 2002 est. 34 Lesotho 10.00 2002 est. 35 South Africa 9.90 2002 est. 36 Papua New Guinea 9.80 2002 est. 37 Sri Lanka 9.60 2002 est. 38 Sudan 9.20 2002 est. 39 Costa Rica 9.10 2002 est. 40 Sao Tome and Principe 9.00 2002 est. 41 Tonga 8.40 2001 est. 42 Brazil 8.30 2002 43 Botswana 8.10 2002 est. 44 Guatemala 8.10 2002 est. 45 Namibia 8.00 2001 46 Honduras 7.70 2002 est. 47 Madagascar 7.40 2001 est. 48 Slovenia 7.40 2002 est. 49 Cuba 7.10 2002 est. 50 Jamaica 7.00 2002 est. 51 Mauritius 6.40 2002 est. 52 Mexico 6.40 2002 est. 53 Colombia 6.20 2002 est. 54 Albania 6.00 2002 est. 55 Chad 6.00 2002 est. 56 Equatorial Guinea 6.00 2002 est. 57 Guinea 6.00 2002 est. 58 Kazakhstan 6.00 2002 est. 59 Bulgaria 5.90 2002 est. 60 Israel 5.70 2002 est. 61 Gambia, The 5.50 2002 est. 62 Rwanda 5.50 2002 est. 63 Moldova 5.50 2002 est. 64 India 5.40 2002 est. 65 Dominican Republic 5.30 2002 est. 66 Hungary 5.30 2002 est. 67 Georgia 5.20 2002 est. 68 Iceland 5.20 2002 est. 69 Faroe Islands 5.10 1999 70 Puerto Rico 5.00 2002 est. 71 Tuvalu 5.00 2000 est. 72 Turkmenistan 5.00 2002 est. 73 Tanzania 4.80 2002 est. 74 Guyana 4.70 2002 est. 75 Jersey 4.70 1998 76 Ireland 4.60 2002 est. 77 Cameroon 4.50 2002 est. 78 Mali 4.50 2002 est. 79 Andorra 4.30 2000 80 Trinidad and Tobago 4.30 2002 est. 81 Egypt 4.30 2002 est. 82 Congo, Republic of the 4.00 2002 est. 83 Togo 4.00 2002 est. 84 Samoa 4.00 2001 est. 85 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.00 1995 86 Ethiopia 4.00 2003 est. 87 Guinea-Bissau 4.00 2002 est. 88 Guernsey 3.99 2000 est. 89 Martinique 3.90 1990 90 Pakistan 3.90 2002 est. 91 Vietnam 3.90 2002 est. 92 El Salvador 3.80 2001 est. 93 Estonia 3.70 2002 est. 94 Portugal 3.70 2002 est. 95 Nicaragua 3.70 2002 est. 96 Central African Republic 3.60 2001 est. 97 Man, Isle of 3.60 March 2003 est. 98 Morocco 3.60 2002 est. 99 Greece 3.60 2002 est. 100 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3.60 1998 101 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.50 2002 est. 102 Comoros 3.50 2001 est. 103 Burkina Faso 3.50 2001 est. 104 Lebanon 3.50 2002 est. 105 Netherlands 3.40 2002 est. 106 Palau 3.40 2000 est. 107 Benin 3.30 2002 est. 108 Cambodia 3.30 2002 est. 109 Jordan 3.30 2002 est. 110 San Marino 3.30 2001 111 Slovakia 3.30 2002 est. 112 Aruba 3.20 2002 est. 113 Cook Islands 3.20 2000 est. 114 Saint Helena 3.20 1997 est. 115 Vanuatu 3.20 2001 est. 116 Cote d'Ivoire 3.20 2002 est. 117 Bangladesh 3.10 2002 est. 118 Philippines 3.10 2002 est. 119 Algeria 3.00 2002 est. 120 Bhutan 3.00 2002 est. 121 Cape Verde 3.00 2002 122 Hong Kong 3.00 2002 est. 123 Mauritania 3.00 2002 est. 124 Saint Lucia 3.00 2001 est. 125 Spain 3.00 2002 est. 126 Senegal 3.00 2002 est. 127 Niger 3.00 2002 est. 128 Mongolia 3.00 2002 est. 129 Australia 2.80 2002 est. 130 United Arab Emirates 2.80 2002 est. 131 Cyprus 2.80 2002 est. 132 Nepal 2.80 2001 est. 133 Korea, South 2.80 2002 est. 134 Grenada 2.80 2001 est. 135 Cayman Islands 2.80 2002 136 New Zealand 2.70 2002 est. 137 Azerbaijan 2.60 2002 est. 138 Montserrat 2.60 2002 est. 139 Chile 2.50 2002 est. 140 Kiribati 2.50 2001 est. 141 British Virgin Islands 2.50 2002 142 Tunisia 2.50 2002 est. 143 Italy 2.40 2002 est. 144 Malta 2.40 2002 est. 145 Anguilla 2.30 146 Denmark 2.30 2002 est. 147 Gabon 2.30 2002 est. 148 Bermuda 2.30 July 2002 149 Canada 2.20 2002 est. 150 Gaza Strip 2.20 2001 est. 151 Croatia 2.20 2002 est. 152 West Bank 2.20 2001 est. 153 Sweden 2.20 2002 est. 154 Kyrgyzstan 2.10 2002 est. 155 United Kingdom 2.10 2002 est. 156 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2.10 1991-96 average 157 Bolivia 2.00 2001 est. 158 Virgin Islands 2.00 1992 159 Kuwait 2.00 2002 est. 160 Marshall Islands 2.00 2001 est. 161 Fiji 2.00 2002 est. 162 Djibouti 2.00 2002 est. 163 Latvia 2.00 2002 est. 164 Belize 1.90 2002 est. 165 Qatar 1.90 2002 166 Kenya 1.90 2002 est. 167 Finland 1.90 2002 est. 168 Malaysia 1.90 2002 est. 169 Poland 1.90 2002 est. 170 Austria 1.80 2002 est. 171 Bahamas, The 1.80 2001 est. 172 Solomon Islands 1.80 2001 est. 173 France 1.80 2002 est. 174 Belgium 1.70 2002 est. 175 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.70 2001 est. 176 Greenland 1.60 1999 est. 177 Luxembourg 1.60 2002 est. 178 United States 1.60 2002 179 French Guiana 1.50 2002 est. 180 Gibraltar 1.50 1998 181 French Polynesia 1.50 182 Germany 1.30 2002 est. 183 Norway 1.30 2001 est. 184 Northern Mariana Islands 1.20 1997 est. 185 Armenia 1.10 2002 est. 186 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 1.10 2002 est. 187 Panama 1.10 2001 est. 188 Dominica 1.00 2001 est. 189 Sierra Leone 1.00 2002 est. 190 Saudi Arabia 1.00 2002 est. 191 Niue 1.00 1995 192 Maldives 1.00 2002 est. 193 Libya 1.00 2001 est. 194 Liechtenstein 1.00 2001 195 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.00 2002 est. 196 Syria 0.90 2002 est. 197 Lithuania 0.80 2002 est. 198 Czech Republic 0.60 2002 est. 199 Thailand 0.60 2002 est. 200 Bahrain 0.50 2002 est. 201 Seychelles 0.50 2002 est. 202 Switzerland 0.50 2002 est. 203 Antigua and Barbuda 0.40 2000 est. 204 Netherlands Antilles 0.40 2002 est. 205 Peru 0.20 2002 est. 206 Uganda 0.10 2002 est. 207 Guam 0.00 1999 est. 208 Taiwan -0.20 2002 est. 209 Singapore -0.40 2002 est. 210 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.40 2001 est. 211 Oman -0.50 2002 est. 212 Barbados -0.60 2002 est. 213 New Caledonia -0.60 2000 est. 214 China -0.80 2002 est. 215 Japan -0.90 2002 est. 216 Ukraine -1.20 2002 est. 217 Brunei -2.00 2002 est. 218 Macau -2.60 2002 est. 219 Nauru -3.60 1993 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2095 Rank Country Labor force Date of Information 1 China 744,000,000 2001 est. 2 India 406,000,000 1999 3 United States 141,800,000 2001 4 Indonesia 99,000,000 1999 5 Brazil 79,000,000 1999 est. 6 Russia 71,800,000 2002 est. 7 Japan 67,700,000 December 2001 8 Nigeria 66,000,000 1999 est. 9 Bangladesh 64,100,000 1998 10 Germany 41,900,000 2001 11 Pakistan 40,400,000 2000 12 Mexico 39,800,000 2000 13 Vietnam 38,200,000 1998 est. 14 Philippines 33,700,000 2002 15 Thailand 33,400,000 2001 est. 16 United Kingdom 29,700,000 2001 17 France 26,600,000 2001 est. 18 Turkey 23,800,000 2001 3rd quarter 19 Burma 23,700,000 1999 est. 20 Italy 23,600,000 2001 est. 21 Ukraine 22,800,000 yearend 1997 22 Korea, South 22,000,000 2001 23 Iran 21,000,000 1998 24 Egypt 20,600,000 2001 est. 25 Colombia 18,300,000 1999 est. 26 Poland 17,600,000 2000 est. 27 Spain 17,100,000 2001 28 South Africa 17,000,000 29 Canada 16,400,000 2001 est. 30 Argentina 15,000,000 1999 31 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14,510,000 1993 est. 32 Tanzania 13,495,000 33 Uganda 12,000,000 2001 est. 34 Uzbekistan 11,900,000 1998 est. 35 Morocco 11,000,000 1999 36 Sudan 11,000,000 1996 est. 37 Afghanistan 10,000,000 2000 est. 38 Taiwan 10,000,000 2003 39 Nepal 10,000,000 1996 est. 40 Kenya 10,000,000 2001 est. 41 Malaysia 9,900,000 2001 est. 42 Romania 9,900,000 1999 est. 43 Venezuela 9,900,000 1999 44 Korea, North 9,600,000 45 Algeria 9,400,000 2001 est. 46 Australia 9,200,000 37256 47 Mozambique 9,200,000 2000 est. 48 Ghana 9,000,000 2000 est. 49 Kazakhstan 8,400,000 1999 50 Peru 7,500,000 2000 est. 51 Madagascar 7,300,000 2000 52 Netherlands 7,200,000 2000 53 Saudi Arabia 7,000,000 54 Sri Lanka 6,600,000 1998 55 Iraq 6,500,000 2002 est. 56 Cambodia 6,000,000 1998 est. 57 Chile 5,900,000 2000 est. 58 Zimbabwe 5,800,000 2000 est. 59 Czech Republic 5,203,000 1999 est. 60 Syria 5,200,000 2000 est. 61 Portugal 5,100,000 2000 62 Angola 5,000,000 1997 est. 63 Burkina Faso 5,000,000 2002 64 Belarus 4,800,000 2000 65 Rwanda 4,600,000 2000 66 Malawi 4,500,000 2001 est. 67 Belgium 4,440,000 2001 68 Sweden 4,400,000 2000 est. 69 Greece 4,370,000 2002 est. 70 Austria 4,300,000 2001 71 Cuba 4,300,000 2000 est. 72 Zambia 4,290,000 2000 73 Guatemala 4,200,000 1999 est. 74 Hungary 4,200,000 1997 75 Switzerland 4,000,000 2001 76 Mali 3,930,000 2001 est. 77 Bulgaria 3,830,000 2000 est. 78 Azerbaijan 3,700,000 2001 79 Ecuador 3,700,000 80 Somalia 3,700,000 81 Burundi 3,700,000 2000 82 Haiti 3,600,000 1995 83 Hong Kong 3,520,000 2001 est. 84 Tajikistan 3,187,000 2000 85 Guinea 3,000,000 1999 86 Serbia and Montenegro 3,000,000 2001 est. 87 Slovakia 3,000,000 1999 88 Denmark 2,856,000 2000 est. 89 Kyrgyzstan 2,700,000 2000 90 Tunisia 2,690,000 2001 est. 91 Finland 2,600,000 2000 est. 92 Bolivia 2,500,000 93 Israel 2,500,000 2002 est. 94 Laos 2,400,000 1999 95 Norway 2,400,000 2000 est. 96 El Salvador 2,350,000 1999 97 Turkmenistan 2,340,000 1996 98 Honduras 2,300,000 1997 est. 99 Papua New Guinea 2,300,000 1999 100 Singapore 2,190,000 2000 101 Georgia 2,100,000 2001 est. 102 Paraguay 2,000,000 2000 est. 103 New Zealand 1,920,000 2001 est. 104 Costa Rica 1,900,000 1999 105 Ireland 1,800,000 2001 106 Togo 1,740,000 1996 107 Croatia 1,700,000 2001 108 Nicaragua 1,700,000 1999 109 Moldova 1,700,000 1998 110 United Arab Emirates 1,600,000 2000 est. 111 Lebanon 1,500,000 2001 est. 112 Libya 1,500,000 2000 est. 113 Lithuania 1,500,000 2001 est. 114 Armenia 1,400,000 2001 115 Mongolia 1,400,000 2001 116 Sierra Leone 1,369,000 1981 est. 117 Jordan 1,360,000 2002 118 Kuwait 1,300,000 1998 est. 119 Puerto Rico 1,300,000 2000 120 Albania 1,283,000 2000 est. 121 Uruguay 1,200,000 2001 122 Jamaica 1,130,000 1998 123 Latvia 1,100,000 2001 est. 124 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 1,100,000 2000 est. 125 Panama 1,100,000 2000 est. 126 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,026,000 127 Oman 920,000 2002 est. 128 Slovenia 857,400 129 Lesotho 838,000 130 Mauritania 786,000 2001 131 Namibia 725,000 2000 132 Estonia 608,600 2001 est. 133 Gabon 600,000 134 Trinidad and Tobago 564,000 2000 135 Mauritius 514,000 1995 136 Guinea-Bissau 480,000 137 Guyana 418,000 2001 est. 138 Gambia, The 400,000 139 Swaziland 383,200 2000 140 Reunion 309,900 2000 141 Bahrain 295,000 1998 est. 142 Djibouti 282,000 143 Qatar 280,122 1997 est. 144 Botswana 264,000 2000 145 Luxembourg 262,300 2000 146 Macau 214,000 2002 147 Martinique 165,900 1998 148 Malta 160,000 2002 est. 149 Iceland 159,000 2000 150 Bahamas, The 156,000 1999 151 Comoros 144,500 1996 est. 152 Brunei 143,400 1999 est. 153 Fiji 137,000 1999 154 Barbados 128,500 2001 est. 155 Guadeloupe 125,900 1997 156 Suriname 100,000 157 Belize 90,000 158 Samoa 90,000 2000 est. 159 Netherlands Antilles 89,000 160 Maldives 88,000 2000 161 New Caledonia 79,395 162 French Polynesia 70,000 1996 163 Niger 70,000 164 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 67,000 1984 est. 165 Guam 60,000 2000 est. 166 French Guiana 58,800 1997 167 Jersey 57,050 1996 168 Virgin Islands 49,000 2002 est. 169 Mayotte 48,800 2000 170 Saint Lucia 43,800 171 Grenada 42,300 1996 172 Aruba 41,501 1997 est. 173 Bermuda 37,472 2000 174 Man, Isle of 36,610 1998 175 Tonga 33,908 1996 176 Andorra 33,000 2001 est. 177 Guernsey 31,322 2000 178 Seychelles 30,900 1996 179 Monaco 30,540 January 1994 180 Antigua and Barbuda 30,000 181 Liechtenstein 29,000 37256 182 Marshall Islands 28,698 183 Solomon Islands 26,842 184 Dominica 25,000 185 Greenland 24,500 1999 est. 186 Faroe Islands 24,250 October 2000 187 Cayman Islands 19,820 1995 188 San Marino 18,500 1999 189 Saint Kitts and Nevis 18,172 June 1995 190 Gibraltar 14,800 191 American Samoa 14,000 1996 192 Western Sahara 12,000 193 Palau 9,845 2000 194 Cook Islands 8,000 1996 195 Kiribati 7,870 196 Tuvalu 7,000 2001 est. 197 Anguilla 6,049 2001 198 Northern Mariana Islands 6,006 199 British Virgin Islands 4,911 1980 200 Turks and Caicos Islands 4,848 1990 est. 201 Montserrat 4,521 202 Saint Helena 3,500 1998 est. 203 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 3,261 1999 204 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,100 205 Pitcairn Islands 12 1997 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2102 Rank Country Life expectancy at birth(years) Date of Information 1 Andorra 83.49 2003 est. 2 Macau 81.87 2003 est. 3 San Marino 81.43 2003 est. 4 Japan 80.93 2003 est. 5 Singapore 80.42 2003 est. 6 Australia 80.13 2003 est. 7 Guernsey 80.04 2003 est. 8 Switzerland 79.99 2003 est. 9 Sweden 79.97 2003 est. 10 Hong Kong 79.93 2003 est. 11 Canada 79.83 2003 est. 12 Iceland 79.80 2003 est. 13 Cayman Islands 79.67 2003 est. 14 Italy 79.40 2003 est. 15 Gibraltar 79.38 2003 est. 16 France 79.28 2003 est. 17 Monaco 79.27 2003 est. 18 Liechtenstein 79.25 2003 est. 19 Spain 79.23 2003 est. 20 Norway 79.09 2003 est. 21 Israel 79.02 2003 est. 22 Jersey 78.93 2003 est. 23 Faroe Islands 78.90 2003 est. 24 Greece 78.89 2003 est. 25 Aruba 78.83 2003 est. 26 Netherlands 78.74 2003 est. 27 Martinique 78.72 2003 est. 28 Virgin Islands 78.59 2003 est. 29 Malta 78.43 2003 est. 30 Germany 78.42 2003 est. 31 Montserrat 78.36 2003 est. 32 New Zealand 78.32 2003 est. 33 Belgium 78.29 2003 est. 34 Guam 78.27 2003 est. 35 Austria 78.17 2003 est. 36 United Kingdom 78.16 2003 est. 37 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 78.11 2003 est. 38 Man, Isle of 77.98 2003 est. 39 Finland 77.92 2003 est. 40 Jordan 77.88 2003 est. 41 Luxembourg 77.66 2003 est. 42 Guadeloupe 77.53 2003 est. 43 Bermuda 77.41 2003 est. 44 Saint Helena 77.38 2003 est. 45 Ireland 77.35 2003 est. 46 Cyprus 77.27 2003 est. 47 Puerto Rico 77.26 2003 est. 48 United States 77.14 2003 est. 49 Denmark 77.10 2003 est. 50 Taiwan 76.87 2003 est. 51 Cuba 76.80 2003 est. 52 Anguilla 76.70 2003 est. 53 French Guiana 76.69 2003 est. 54 Kuwait 76.65 2003 est. 55 Costa Rica 76.43 2003 est. 56 Chile 76.35 2003 est. 57 Portugal 76.35 2003 est. 58 Northern Mariana Islands 76.16 2003 est. 59 Libya 76.07 2003 est. 60 British Virgin Islands 76.06 2003 est. 61 Uruguay 75.87 2003 est. 62 Jamaica 75.85 2003 est. 63 American Samoa 75.75 2003 est. 64 Slovenia 75.51 2003 est. 65 Argentina 75.48 2003 est. 66 French Polynesia 75.45 2003 est. 67 Netherlands Antilles 75.38 2003 est. 68 Korea, South 75.36 2003 est. 69 Czech Republic 75.18 2003 est. 70 United Arab Emirates 74.75 2003 est. 71 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 74.49 2003 est. 72 Slovakia 74.43 2003 est. 73 Paraguay 74.40 2003 est. 74 Tunisia 74.40 2003 est. 75 Croatia 74.37 2003 est. 76 Brunei 74.30 2003 est. 77 Dominica 74.12 2003 est. 78 Turks and Caicos Islands 74.00 2003 est. 79 Serbia and Montenegro 73.97 2003 est. 80 Poland 73.91 2003 est. 81 Venezuela 73.81 2003 est. 82 Bahrain 73.72 2003 est. 83 New Caledonia 73.52 2003 est. 84 Reunion 73.43 2003 est. 85 Qatar 73.14 2003 est. 86 Saint Lucia 73.08 2003 est. 87 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 73.08 2003 est. 88 West Bank 72.68 2003 est. 89 Sri Lanka 72.62 2003 est. 90 Oman 72.58 2003 est. 91 Albania 72.37 2003 est. 92 Panama 72.32 2003 est. 93 Mexico 72.30 2003 est. 94 Bosnia and Herzegovina 72.29 2003 est. 95 China 72.22 2003 est. 96 Hungary 72.17 2003 est. 97 Solomon Islands 72.10 2003 est. 98 Lebanon 72.07 2003 est. 99 Ecuador 71.89 2003 est. 100 Barbados 71.84 2003 est. 101 Bulgaria 71.80 2003 est. 102 Turkey 71.80 2003 est. 103 Mauritius 71.80 2003 est. 104 Malaysia 71.67 2003 est. 105 Saint Kitts and Nevis 71.57 2003 est. 106 Gaza Strip 71.40 2003 est. 107 Antigua and Barbuda 71.31 2003 est. 108 Seychelles 71.25 2003 est. 109 Thailand 71.24 2003 est. 110 Colombia 71.14 2003 est. 111 Brazil 71.13 2003 est. 112 Peru 70.88 2003 est. 113 Korea, North 70.79 2003 est. 114 El Salvador 70.62 2003 est. 115 Romania 70.62 2003 est. 116 Algeria 70.54 2003 est. 117 Egypt 70.41 2003 est. 118 Estonia 70.31 2003 est. 119 Samoa 70.11 2003 est. 120 Vietnam 70.05 2003 est. 121 Morocco 70.04 2003 est. 122 Cape Verde 69.83 2003 est. 123 Nicaragua 69.68 2003 est. 124 Lithuania 69.60 2003 est. 125 Trinidad and Tobago 69.59 2003 est. 126 Palau 69.50 2003 est. 127 Marshall Islands 69.39 2003 est. 128 Syria 69.39 2003 est. 129 Iran 69.35 2003 est. 130 Latvia 69.31 2003 est. 131 Philippines 69.29 2003 est. 132 Suriname 69.23 2003 est. 133 Micronesia, Federated States of 69.13 2003 est. 134 Greenland 69.00 2003 est. 135 Indonesia 68.94 2003 est. 136 Fiji 68.88 2003 est. 137 Tonga 68.88 2003 est. 138 Saudi Arabia 68.73 2003 est. 139 Belarus 68.43 2003 est. 140 Dominican Republic 67.96 2003 est. 141 Iraq 67.81 2003 est. 142 Russia 67.66 2003 est. 143 Belize 67.36 2003 est. 144 Tuvalu 67.32 2003 est. 145 Armenia 66.68 2003 est. 146 Honduras 66.65 2003 est. 147 Ukraine 66.50 2003 est. 148 Sao Tome and Principe 66.28 2003 est. 149 Bahamas, The 65.71 2003 est. 150 Guatemala 65.23 2003 est. 151 East Timor 65.20 2003 est. 152 Moldova 64.88 2003 est. 153 Bolivia 64.78 2003 est. 154 Georgia 64.76 2003 est. 155 Grenada 64.52 2003 est. 156 Tajikistan 64.37 2003 est. 157 Papua New Guinea 64.19 2003 est. 158 Uzbekistan 64.00 2003 est. 159 World 63.95 2003 est. 160 Mongolia 63.81 2003 est. 161 Kyrgyzstan 63.66 2003 est. 162 India 63.62 2003 est. 163 Kazakhstan 63.48 2003 est. 164 Maldives 63.30 2003 est. 165 Azerbaijan 63.16 2003 est. 166 Guyana 63.09 2003 est. 167 Pakistan 62.20 2003 est. 168 Nauru 61.95 2003 est. 169 Vanuatu 61.71 2003 est. 170 Bangladesh 61.33 2003 est. 171 Turkmenistan 61.19 2003 est. 172 Comoros 61.18 2003 est. 173 Yemen 60.97 2003 est. 174 Kiribati 60.93 2003 est. 175 Mayotte 60.60 2003 est. 176 Nepal 59.00 2003 est. 177 Cambodia 57.92 2003 est. 178 Sudan 57.73 2003 est. 179 Gabon 57.12 2003 est. 180 Ghana 56.53 2003 est. 181 Senegal 56.37 2003 est. 182 Madagascar 56.14 2003 est. 183 Burma 55.79 2003 est. 184 Equatorial Guinea 54.75 2003 est. 185 Gambia, The 54.38 2003 est. 186 Laos 54.30 2003 est. 187 Bhutan 53.58 2003 est. 188 Togo 53.43 2003 est. 189 Eritrea 53.18 2003 est. 190 Mauritania 51.93 2003 est. 191 Haiti 51.61 2003 est. 192 Benin 51.08 2003 est. 193 Nigeria 51.01 2003 est. 194 Congo, Republic of the 50.02 2003 est. 195 Guinea 49.54 2003 est. 196 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 48.93 2003 est. 197 Chad 48.51 2003 est. 198 Liberia 48.15 2003 est. 199 Cameroon 48.05 2003 est. 200 Somalia 47.34 2003 est. 201 Afghanistan 46.97 2003 est. 202 Guinea-Bissau 46.97 2003 est. 203 South Africa 46.56 2003 est. 204 Mali 45.43 2003 est. 205 Kenya 45.22 2003 est. 206 Uganda 44.88 2003 est. 207 Tanzania 44.56 2003 est. 208 Burkina Faso 44.46 2003 est. 209 Burundi 43.20 2003 est. 210 Djibouti 43.13 2003 est. 211 Sierra Leone 42.84 2003 est. 212 Namibia 42.77 2003 est. 213 Cote d'Ivoire 42.65 2003 est. 214 Niger 42.21 2003 est. 215 Central African Republic 41.71 2003 est. 216 Ethiopia 41.24 2003 est. 217 Swaziland 39.47 2003 est. 218 Rwanda 39.33 2003 est. 219 Zimbabwe 39.01 2003 est. 220 Malawi 37.98 2003 est. 221 Angola 36.96 2003 est. 222 Lesotho 36.94 2003 est. 223 Zambia 35.25 2003 est. 224 Botswana 32.26 2003 est. 225 Mozambique 31.30 2003 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2119 Rank Country Population Date of Information 1 World 6,302,309,691 July 2003 est. 2 China 1,286,975,468 July 2003 est. 3 India 1,049,700,118 July 2003 est. 4 United States 290,342,554 July 2003 est. 5 Indonesia 234,893,453 July 2003 est. 6 Brazil 182,032,604 July 2003 est. 7 Pakistan 150,694,740 July 2003 est. 8 Russia 144,526,278 July 2003 est. 9 Bangladesh 138,448,210 July 2003 est. 10 Nigeria 133,881,703 July 2003 est. 11 Japan 127,214,499 July 2003 est. 12 Mexico 104,907,991 July 2003 est. 13 Philippines 84,619,974 July 2003 est. 14 Germany 82,398,326 July 2003 est. 15 Vietnam 81,624,716 July 2003 est. 16 Egypt 74,718,797 July 2003 est. 17 Iran 68,278,826 July 2003 est. 18 Turkey 68,109,469 July 2003 est. 19 Ethiopia 66,557,553 July 2003 est. 20 Thailand 64,265,276 July 2003 est. 21 France 60,180,529 July 2003 est. 22 United Kingdom 60,094,648 July 2003 est. 23 Italy 57,998,353 July 2003 est. 24 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 56,625,039 July 2003 est. 25 Korea, South 48,289,037 July 2003 est. 26 Ukraine 48,055,439 July 2003 est. 27 South Africa 42,768,678 July 2003 est. 28 Burma 42,510,537 July 2003 est. 29 Colombia 41,662,073 July 2003 est. 30 Spain 40,217,413 July 2003 est. 31 Argentina 38,740,807 July 2003 est. 32 Poland 38,622,660 July 2003 est. 33 Sudan 38,114,160 July 2003 est. 34 Tanzania 35,922,454 July 2003 est. 35 Algeria 32,818,500 July 2003 est. 36 Canada 32,207,113 July 2003 est. 37 Morocco 31,689,265 July 2003 est. 38 Kenya 31,639,091 July 2003 est. 39 Afghanistan 28,717,213 July 2003 est. 40 Peru 28,409,897 July 2003 est. 41 Nepal 26,469,569 July 2003 est. 42 Uzbekistan 25,981,647 July 2003 est. 43 Uganda 25,632,794 July 2003 est. 44 Iraq 24,683,313 July 2003 est. 45 Venezuela 24,654,694 July 2003 est. 46 Saudi Arabia 24,293,844 July 2003 est. 47 Malaysia 23,092,940 July 2003 est. 48 Taiwan 22,603,001 July 2003 est. 49 Korea, North 22,466,481 July 2003 est. 50 Romania 22,271,839 July 2003 est. 51 Ghana 20,467,747 July 2003 est. 52 Sri Lanka 19,742,439 July 2003 est. 53 Australia 19,731,984 July 2003 est. 54 Yemen 19,349,881 July 2003 est. 55 Syria 17,585,540 July 2003 est. 56 Mozambique 17,479,266 July 2003 est. 57 Madagascar 16,979,744 July 2003 est. 58 Cote d'Ivoire 16,962,491 July 2003 est. 59 Kazakhstan 16,763,795 July 2003 est. 60 Netherlands 16,150,511 July 2003 est. 61 Cameroon 15,746,179 July 2003 est. 62 Chile 15,665,216 July 2003 est. 63 Guatemala 13,909,384 July 2003 est. 64 Ecuador 13,710,234 July 2003 est. 65 Burkina Faso 13,228,460 July 2003 est. 66 Cambodia 13,124,764 July 2003 est. 67 Zimbabwe 12,576,742 July 2003 est. 68 Malawi 11,651,239 July 2003 est. 69 Mali 11,626,219 July 2003 est. 70 Cuba 11,263,429 July 2003 est. 71 Niger 11,058,590 July 2003 est. 72 Angola 10,766,471 July 2003 est. 73 Greece 10,665,989 July 2003 est. 74 Serbia and Montenegro 10,655,774 July 2003 est. 75 Senegal 10,580,307 July 2003 est. 76 Belarus 10,322,151 July 2003 est. 77 Zambia 10,307,333 July 2003 est. 78 Belgium 10,289,088 July 2003 est. 79 Czech Republic 10,249,216 July 2003 est. 80 Portugal 10,102,022 July 2003 est. 81 Hungary 10,045,407 July 2003 est. 82 Tunisia 9,924,742 July 2003 est. 83 Chad 9,253,493 July 2003 est. 84 Guinea 9,030,220 July 2003 est. 85 Sweden 8,878,085 July 2003 est. 86 Dominican Republic 8,715,602 July 2003 est. 87 Bolivia 8,586,443 July 2003 est. 88 Austria 8,188,207 July 2003 est. 89 Somalia 8,025,190 July 2003 est. 90 Azerbaijan 7,830,764 July 2003 est. 91 Rwanda 7,810,056 July 2003 est. 92 Bulgaria 7,537,929 July 2003 est. 93 Haiti 7,527,817 July 2003 est. 94 Hong Kong 7,394,170 July 2003 est. 95 Switzerland 7,318,638 July 2003 est. 96 Benin 7,041,490 July 2003 est. 97 Tajikistan 6,863,752 July 2003 est. 98 Honduras 6,669,789 July 2003 est. 99 El Salvador 6,470,379 July 2003 est. 100 Israel 6,116,533 July 2003 est. 101 Burundi 6,096,156 July 2003 est. 102 Paraguay 6,036,900 July 2003 est. 103 Laos 5,921,545 July 2003 est. 104 Sierra Leone 5,732,681 July 2003 est. 105 Libya 5,499,074 July 2003 est. 106 Jordan 5,460,265 July 2003 est. 107 Slovakia 5,430,033 July 2003 est. 108 Togo 5,429,299 July 2003 est. 109 Denmark 5,384,384 July 2003 est. 110 Papua New Guinea 5,295,816 July 2003 est. 111 Finland 5,190,785 July 2003 est. 112 Nicaragua 5,128,517 July 2003 est. 113 Georgia 4,934,413 July 2003 est. 114 Kyrgyzstan 4,892,808 July 2003 est. 115 Turkmenistan 4,775,544 July 2003 est. 116 Singapore 4,608,595 July 2003 est. 117 Norway 4,546,123 July 2003 est. 118 Moldova 4,439,502 July 2003 est. 119 Croatia 4,422,248 July 2003 est. 120 Eritrea 4,362,254 July 2003 est. 121 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3,989,018 July 2003 est. 122 New Zealand 3,951,307 July 2003 est. 123 Ireland 3,924,140 July 2003 est. 124 Costa Rica 3,896,092 July 2003 est. 125 Puerto Rico 3,885,877 July 2003 est. 126 Lebanon 3,727,703 July 2003 est. 127 Central African Republic 3,683,538 July 2003 est. 128 Lithuania 3,592,561 July 2003 est. 129 Albania 3,582,205 July 2003 est. 130 Uruguay 3,413,329 July 2003 est. 131 Armenia 3,326,448 July 2003 est. 132 Liberia 3,317,176 July 2003 est. 133 Panama 2,960,784 July 2003 est. 134 Congo, Republic of the 2,954,258 July 2003 est. 135 Mauritania 2,912,584 July 2003 est. 136 Oman 2,807,125 July 2003 est. 137 Mongolia 2,712,315 July 2003 est. 138 Jamaica 2,695,867 July 2003 est. 139 United Arab Emirates 2,484,818 July 2003 est. 140 Latvia 2,348,784 July 2003 est. 141 West Bank 2,237,194 July 2003 est. 142 Kuwait 2,183,161 July 2003 est. 143 Bhutan 2,139,549 July 2003 est. 144 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 2,063,122 July 2003 est. 145 Slovenia 1,935,677 July 2003 est. 146 Namibia 1,927,447 July 2003 est. 147 Lesotho 1,861,959 July 2003 est. 148 Botswana 1,573,267 July 2003 est. 149 Gambia, The 1,501,050 July 2003 est. 150 Estonia 1,408,556 July 2003 est. 151 Guinea-Bissau 1,360,827 July 2003 est. 152 Gabon 1,321,560 July 2003 est. 153 Gaza Strip 1,274,868 July 2003 est. 154 Mauritius 1,210,447 July 2003 est. 155 Swaziland 1,161,219 July 2003 est. 156 Trinidad and Tobago 1,104,209 July 2003 est. 157 East Timor 997,853 July 2003 est. 158 Fiji 868,531 July 2003 est. 159 Qatar 817,052 July 2003 est. 160 Cyprus 771,657 July 2003 est. 161 Reunion 755,171 July 2003 est. 162 Guyana 702,100 July 2003 est. 163 Bahrain 667,238 July 2003 est. 164 Comoros 632,948 July 2003 est. 165 Equatorial Guinea 510,473 July 2003 est. 166 Solomon Islands 509,190 July 2003 est. 167 Macau 469,903 July 2003 est. 168 Djibouti 457,130 July 2003 est. 169 Luxembourg 454,157 July 2003 est. 170 Guadeloupe 440,189 July 2003 est. 171 Suriname 435,449 July 2003 est. 172 Martinique 425,966 July 2003 est. 173 Cape Verde 412,137 July 2003 est. 174 Malta 400,420 July 2003 est. 175 Brunei 358,098 July 2003 est. 176 Maldives 329,684 July 2003 est. 177 Bahamas, The 297,477 July 2003 est. 178 Iceland 280,798 July 2003 est. 179 Barbados 277,264 July 2003 est. 180 Belize 266,440 July 2003 est. 181 French Polynesia 262,125 July 2003 est. 182 Western Sahara 261,794 July 2003 est. 183 Netherlands Antilles 216,226 July 2003 est. 184 New Caledonia 210,798 July 2003 est. 185 Vanuatu 199,414 July 2003 est. 186 French Guiana 186,917 July 2003 est. 187 Mayotte 178,437 July 2003 est. 188 Samoa 178,173 July 2003 est. 189 Sao Tome and Principe 175,883 July 2003 est. 190 Guam 163,941 July 2003 est. 191 Saint Lucia 162,157 July 2003 est. 192 Virgin Islands 124,778 July 2003 est. 193 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 116,812 July 2003 est. 194 Micronesia, Federated States of 108,143 July 2003 est. 195 Tonga 108,141 July 2003 est. 196 Kiribati 98,549 July 2003 est. 197 Jersey 90,156 July 2003 est. 198 Grenada 89,258 July 2003 est. 199 Seychelles 80,469 July 2003 est. 200 Northern Mariana Islands 80,006 July 2003 est. 201 Man, Isle of 74,261 July 2003 est. 202 Aruba 70,844 July 2003 est. 203 American Samoa 70,260 July 2003 est. 204 Dominica 69,655 July 2003 est. 205 Andorra 69,150 July 2003 est. 206 Antigua and Barbuda 67,897 July 2003 est. 207 Guernsey 64,818 July 2003 est. 208 Bermuda 64,482 July 2003 est. 209 Marshall Islands 56,429 July 2003 est. 210 Greenland 56,385 July 2003 est. 211 Faroe Islands 46,345 July 2003 est. 212 Cayman Islands 41,934 July 2003 est. 213 Saint Kitts and Nevis 38,763 July 2003 est. 214 Liechtenstein 33,145 July 2003 est. 215 Monaco 32,130 July 2003 est. 216 San Marino 28,119 July 2003 est. 217 Gibraltar 27,776 July 2003 est. 218 British Virgin Islands 21,730 July 2003 est. 219 Cook Islands 21,008 July 2003 est. 220 Palau 19,717 July 2003 est. 221 Turks and Caicos Islands 19,350 July 2003 est. 222 Wallis and Futuna 15,734 July 2003 est. 223 Anguilla 12,738 July 2003 est. 224 Nauru 12,570 July 2003 est. 225 Tuvalu 11,305 July 2003 est. 226 Montserrat 8,995 July 2003 est. 227 Saint Helena 7,367 July 2003 est. 228 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 6,976 July 2003 est. 229 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2,967 July 2003 est. 230 Svalbard 2,811 July 2003 est. 231 Niue 2,145 July 2003 est. 232 Norfolk Island 1,853 July 2003 est. 233 Tokelau 1,418 July 2003 est. 234 Holy See (Vatican City) 911 July 2003 est. 235 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 630 July 2003 est. 236 Christmas Island 433 July 2003 est. 237 Pitcairn Islands 47 July 2003 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2121 Rank Country Railways(km) Date of Information 1 World 1,122,650 2 United States 194,731 2000 3 Russia 87,157 2002 4 China 71,600 2002 5 India 63,518 2002 6 Canada 49,422 2002 7 Germany 45,514 2002 8 Australia 41,588 2002 9 Argentina 34,463 2002 10 France 32,682 2002 11 Brazil 31,543 2002 12 Poland 23,420 2002 13 Japan 23,168 2002 14 Ukraine 22,473 2002 15 South Africa 22,298 2002 16 Mexico 19,510 2002 17 Italy 19,493 2002 18 United Kingdom 16,893 2002 19 Spain 14,189 2002 20 Kazakhstan 13,601 2002 21 Sweden 11,481 2002 22 Romania 11,385 2002 23 Czech Republic 9,462 2002 24 Turkey 8,607 2002 25 Pakistan 8,163 2002 26 Hungary 7,875 2002 27 Iran 7,201 2002 28 Chile 6,585 2002 29 Indonesia 6,458 2002 30 Austria 6,024 2002 31 Sudan 5,978 2002 32 Finland 5,850 2002 33 Belarus 5,523 2002 34 Korea, North 5,214 2002 35 Egypt 5,105 2002 36 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4,772 2002 37 Switzerland 4,511 2002 38 Bulgaria 4,294 2002 39 Norway 4,178 2002 40 Thailand 4,071 2002 41 Serbia and Montenegro 4,059 2002 42 Algeria 3,973 2002 43 Burma 3,955 2002 44 Uzbekistan 3,950 2002 45 New Zealand 3,898 2002 46 Tanzania 3,690 2002 47 Slovakia 3,668 2002 48 Nigeria 3,557 2002 49 Bolivia 3,519 2002 50 Belgium 3,471 2002 51 Cuba 3,442 2002 52 Ireland 3,312 2002 53 Colombia 3,304 2002 54 Denmark 3,164 2002 55 Vietnam 3,142 2002 56 Korea, South 3,125 2002 57 Mozambique 3,123 2002 58 Zimbabwe 3,077 2002 59 Portugal 2,850 2002 60 Netherlands 2,808 2002 61 Kenya 2,778 2002 62 Angola 2,761 2002 63 Syria 2,743 2002 64 Bangladesh 2,706 2002 65 Greece 2,571 2002 66 Turkmenistan 2,440 2002 67 Malaysia 2,418 2002 68 Namibia 2,382 2002 69 Latvia 2,347 2002 70 Croatia 2,296 2002 71 Zambia 2,173 2002 72 Tunisia 2,152 2002 73 Azerbaijan 2,122 2002 74 Uruguay 2,073 2002 75 Lithuania 1,998 2002 76 Iraq 1,963 2003 77 Morocco 1,907 2002 78 Peru 1,829 2002 79 Georgia 1,612 2002 80 Sri Lanka 1,508 2002 81 Dominican Republic 1,503 2002 82 Saudi Arabia 1,392 2002 83 Moldova 1,300 2002 84 Uganda 1,241 2002 85 Slovenia 1,201 2002 86 Guinea 1,115 2002 87 Taiwan 1,108 2002 88 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,021 2002 89 Cameroon 1,008 2002 90 Estonia 968 2002 91 Ecuador 966 2002 92 Ghana 953 2002 93 Costa Rica 950 2002 94 Senegal 906 2002 95 Philippines 897 2002 96 Congo, Republic of the 894 2002 97 Botswana 888 2002 98 Guatemala 886 2002 99 Armenia 852 2002 100 Gabon 814 2002 101 Malawi 797 2002 102 Madagascar 732 2002 103 Mali 729 2002 104 Honduras 699 2002 105 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 699 2002 106 Venezuela 682 2002 107 Ethiopia 681 2002 108 Cote d'Ivoire 660 2002 109 Israel 640 2002 110 Burkina Faso 622 2002 111 Cambodia 602 2002 112 Fiji 597 2002 113 Benin 578 2002 114 Togo 525 2002 115 Jordan 505 2002 116 Liberia 490 2002 117 Tajikistan 482 2002 118 Albania 447 2002 119 Paraguay 441 2002 120 Kyrgyzstan 420 2002 121 Lebanon 401 2002 122 Panama 355 2002 123 Eritrea 306 2002 124 Swaziland 301 2002 125 El Salvador 283 2002 126 Luxembourg 274 2002 127 Jamaica 272 2002 128 Guyana 187 2001 est. 129 Suriname 166 2001 130 Djibouti 100 2002 131 Puerto Rico 96 2002 132 Sierra Leone 84 2001 133 Antigua and Barbuda 77 2001 est. 134 Man, Isle of 60 2002 135 Nepal 59 2002 136 Saint Kitts and Nevis 50 2002 137 Haiti 40 2001 est. 138 Singapore 39 139 Hong Kong 34 2001 140 Afghanistan 25 2001 141 Liechtenstein 19 2002 142 Brunei 13 2001 est. 143 Nicaragua 6 2002 144 Nauru 5 2001 145 Lesotho 3 1995 146 Monaco 2 2002 147 Holy See (Vatican City) 1 2001 est. 148 Equatorial Guinea 0 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2127 Rank Country Total fertility rate(children born/woman) Date of Information 1 Somalia 6.98 2003 est. 2 Niger 6.91 2003 est. 3 Yemen 6.82 2003 est. 4 Uganda 6.72 2003 est. 5 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.69 2003 est. 6 Mali 6.66 2003 est. 7 Chad 6.44 2003 est. 8 Angola 6.38 2003 est. 9 Burkina Faso 6.34 2003 est. 10 Liberia 6.23 2003 est. 11 Gaza Strip 6.17 2003 est. 12 Saudi Arabia 6.15 2003 est. 13 Malawi 6.10 2003 est. 14 Mauritania 6.08 2003 est. 15 Mayotte 6.07 2003 est. 16 Benin 6.04 2003 est. 17 Burundi 5.99 2003 est. 18 Oman 5.94 2003 est. 19 Guinea 5.90 2003 est. 20 Sao Tome and Principe 5.88 2003 est. 21 Sierra Leone 5.86 2003 est. 22 Eritrea 5.74 2003 est. 23 Madagascar 5.73 2003 est. 24 Afghanistan 5.64 2003 est. 25 Rwanda 5.60 2003 est. 26 Djibouti 5.56 2003 est. 27 Ethiopia 5.55 2003 est. 28 Gambia, The 5.53 2003 est. 29 Cote d'Ivoire 5.51 2003 est. 30 Nigeria 5.40 2003 est. 31 Maldives 5.26 2003 est. 32 Zambia 5.25 2003 est. 33 Tanzania 5.24 2003 est. 34 Comoros 5.21 2003 est. 35 Sudan 5.10 2003 est. 36 Guinea-Bissau 5.07 2003 est. 37 Togo 4.97 2003 est. 38 Bhutan 4.94 2003 est. 39 Laos 4.94 2003 est. 40 Senegal 4.93 2003 est. 41 Mozambique 4.87 2003 est. 42 Haiti 4.86 2003 est. 43 Gabon 4.83 2003 est. 44 Equatorial Guinea 4.75 2003 est. 45 Namibia 4.71 2003 est. 46 Central African Republic 4.68 2003 est. 47 Guatemala 4.67 2003 est. 48 West Bank 4.65 2003 est. 49 Cameroon 4.63 2003 est. 50 Iraq 4.52 2003 est. 51 Nepal 4.39 2003 est. 52 Solomon Islands 4.34 2003 est. 53 Kiribati 4.28 2003 est. 54 Tajikistan 4.17 2003 est. 55 Papua New Guinea 4.13 2003 est. 56 Marshall Islands 4.12 2003 est. 57 Pakistan 4.10 2003 est. 58 Honduras 4.07 2003 est. 59 Paraguay 4.02 2003 est. 60 Swaziland 3.92 2003 est. 61 Belize 3.86 2003 est. 62 East Timor 3.79 2003 est. 63 Cape Verde 3.77 2003 est. 64 Syria 3.72 2003 est. 65 Zimbabwe 3.66 2003 est. 66 Congo, Republic of the 3.65 2003 est. 67 Guam 3.62 2003 est. 68 Cambodia 3.58 2003 est. 69 Lesotho 3.52 2003 est. 70 Micronesia, Federated States of 3.50 2003 est. 71 Turkmenistan 3.50 2003 est. 72 Libya 3.49 2003 est. 73 Kenya 3.47 2003 est. 74 Nauru 3.40 2003 est. 75 Ghana 3.32 2003 est. 76 American Samoa 3.30 2003 est. 77 Philippines 3.29 2003 est. 78 Botswana 3.27 2003 est. 79 El Salvador 3.25 2003 est. 80 Bolivia 3.23 2003 est. 81 Samoa 3.21 2003 est. 82 Bangladesh 3.17 2003 est. 83 Turks and Caicos Islands 3.15 2003 est. 84 Malaysia 3.13 2003 est. 85 Kyrgyzstan 3.12 2003 est. 86 French Guiana 3.09 2003 est. 87 United Arab Emirates 3.09 2003 est. 88 Kuwait 3.08 2003 est. 89 Tuvalu 3.05 2003 est. 90 Egypt 3.02 2003 est. 91 Qatar 3.02 2003 est. 92 Jordan 3.00 2003 est. 93 Nicaragua 3.00 2003 est. 94 Uzbekistan 3.00 2003 est. 95 Tonga 3.00 2003 est. 96 Ecuador 2.99 2003 est. 97 Vanuatu 2.98 2003 est. 98 Dominican Republic 2.92 2003 est. 99 India 2.91 2003 est. 100 Morocco 2.89 2003 est. 101 Fiji 2.81 2003 est. 102 Peru 2.81 2003 est. 103 Bahrain 2.71 2003 est. 104 World 2.65 2003 est. 105 Colombia 2.61 2003 est. 106 Algeria 2.55 2003 est. 107 Mexico 2.53 2003 est. 108 Panama 2.53 2003 est. 109 Reunion 2.53 2003 est. 110 Indonesia 2.50 2003 est. 111 Israel 2.50 2003 est. 112 Palau 2.47 2003 est. 113 Grenada 2.45 2003 est. 114 Greenland 2.43 2003 est. 115 Suriname 2.40 2003 est. 116 New Caledonia 2.39 2003 est. 117 Costa Rica 2.38 2003 est. 118 Brunei 2.37 2003 est. 119 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.37 2003 est. 120 Venezuela 2.36 2003 est. 121 Uruguay 2.35 2003 est. 122 Azerbaijan 2.34 2003 est. 123 Saint Lucia 2.29 2003 est. 124 Antigua and Barbuda 2.28 2003 est. 125 Mongolia 2.28 2003 est. 126 Argentina 2.28 2003 est. 127 Bahamas, The 2.25 2003 est. 128 Korea, North 2.25 2003 est. 129 Faroe Islands 2.24 2003 est. 130 South Africa 2.24 2003 est. 131 Vietnam 2.24 2003 est. 132 Albania 2.22 2003 est. 133 Virgin Islands 2.22 2003 est. 134 Kazakhstan 2.16 2003 est. 135 Burma 2.15 2003 est. 136 French Polynesia 2.14 2003 est. 137 Chile 2.09 2003 est. 138 Guyana 2.07 2003 est. 139 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2.07 2003 est. 140 United States 2.07 2003 est. 141 Netherlands Antilles 2.04 2003 est. 142 Turkey 2.03 2003 est. 143 Puerto Rico 2.02 2003 est. 144 Brazil 2.01 2003 est. 145 Jamaica 2.01 2003 est. 146 Dominica 1.99 2003 est. 147 Iran 1.99 2003 est. 148 Iceland 1.98 2003 est. 149 Lebanon 1.98 2003 est. 150 Mauritius 1.98 2003 est. 151 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.95 2003 est. 152 Croatia 1.93 2003 est. 153 Guadeloupe 1.92 2003 est. 154 Cayman Islands 1.91 2003 est. 155 Malta 1.91 2003 est. 156 Thailand 1.91 2003 est. 157 Bermuda 1.90 2003 est. 158 Tunisia 1.90 2003 est. 159 Sri Lanka 1.90 2003 est. 160 Ireland 1.89 2003 est. 161 Cyprus 1.88 2003 est. 162 France 1.85 2003 est. 163 Montserrat 1.80 2003 est. 164 Norway 1.80 2003 est. 165 Aruba 1.79 2003 est. 166 New Zealand 1.79 2003 est. 167 Seychelles 1.79 2003 est. 168 Martinique 1.79 2003 est. 169 Trinidad and Tobago 1.78 2003 est. 170 Serbia and Montenegro 1.77 2003 est. 171 Australia 1.76 2003 est. 172 Monaco 1.76 2003 est. 173 Anguilla 1.76 2003 est. 174 Northern Mariana Islands 1.75 2003 est. 175 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 1.75 2003 est. 176 Moldova 1.74 2003 est. 177 Denmark 1.73 2003 est. 178 British Virgin Islands 1.72 2003 est. 179 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.71 2003 est. 180 China 1.70 2003 est. 181 Luxembourg 1.70 2003 est. 182 Finland 1.70 2003 est. 183 United Kingdom 1.66 2003 est. 184 Barbados 1.65 2003 est. 185 Netherlands 1.65 2003 est. 186 Man, Isle of 1.65 2003 est. 187 Gibraltar 1.65 2003 est. 188 Belgium 1.62 2003 est. 189 Canada 1.61 2003 est. 190 Cuba 1.61 2003 est. 191 Jersey 1.57 2003 est. 192 Taiwan 1.57 2003 est. 193 Armenia 1.56 2003 est. 194 Korea, South 1.56 2003 est. 195 Saint Helena 1.54 2003 est. 196 Sweden 1.54 2003 est. 197 Georgia 1.51 2003 est. 198 Liechtenstein 1.50 2003 est. 199 Portugal 1.49 2003 est. 200 Switzerland 1.48 2003 est. 201 Lithuania 1.43 2003 est. 202 Austria 1.41 2003 est. 203 Japan 1.38 2003 est. 204 Guernsey 1.37 2003 est. 205 Poland 1.37 2003 est. 206 Germany 1.37 2003 est. 207 Romania 1.36 2003 est. 208 Greece 1.35 2003 est. 209 Belarus 1.34 2003 est. 210 Ukraine 1.34 2003 est. 211 Russia 1.33 2003 est. 212 Hong Kong 1.32 2003 est. 213 Macau 1.32 2003 est. 214 San Marino 1.31 2003 est. 215 Andorra 1.27 2003 est. 216 Slovenia 1.27 2003 est. 217 Estonia 1.27 2003 est. 218 Italy 1.26 2003 est. 219 Spain 1.26 2003 est. 220 Hungary 1.25 2003 est. 221 Slovakia 1.25 2003 est. 222 Singapore 1.24 2003 est. 223 Latvia 1.20 2003 est. 224 Czech Republic 1.18 2003 est. 225 Bulgaria 1.13 2003 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2129 Rank Country Unemployment rate(%) Date of Information 1 Kiribati 70.00 1992 est. 2 Zimbabwe 70.00 2002 est. 3 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 60.00 2000 est. 4 Gaza Strip 50.00 2002 est. 5 Zambia 50.00 2000 est. 6 West Bank 50.00 2002 est. 7 East Timor 50.00 8 Senegal 48.00 2001 est. 9 Nepal 47.00 2001 est. 10 Lesotho 45.00 2002 11 Botswana 40.00 2001 est. 12 Bangladesh 40.00 2002 est. 13 Bosnia and Herzegovina 40.00 2002 est. 14 Kenya 40.00 2001 est. 15 Tajikistan 40.00 2002 est. 16 Mayotte 38.00 1999 17 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 37.00 2002 est. 18 South Africa 37.00 2001 est. 19 Reunion 36.00 1999 est. 20 Namibia 35.00 1998 21 Swaziland 34.00 2000 est. 22 Serbia and Montenegro 32.00 2002 est. 23 Algeria 31.00 2002 est. 24 Marshall Islands 30.90 1999 est. 25 Cameroon 30.00 2001 est. 26 Yemen 30.00 1995 est. 27 World 30.00 28 Equatorial Guinea 30.00 1998 est. 29 Libya 30.00 2001 30 Honduras 28.00 2002 est. 31 Nigeria 28.00 1992 est. 32 Guadeloupe 27.80 1998 33 Martinique 27.20 1998 34 Saudi Arabia 25.00 2002 35 Vietnam 25.00 1995 est. 36 Nicaragua 24.00 2002 est. 37 Dominica 23.00 2000 est. 38 French Guiana 22.00 2001 39 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 22.00 1997 est. 40 Croatia 21.70 2002 est. 41 Argentina 21.50 37377 42 Cape Verde 21.00 2000 est. 43 Mauritania 21.00 1999 est. 44 Mozambique 21.00 1997 est. 45 Gabon 21.00 1997 est. 46 Armenia 20.00 2001 est. 47 Syria 20.00 2002 est. 48 Mongolia 20.00 2000 49 Ghana 20.00 1997 est. 50 Comoros 20.00 1996 est. 51 Uruguay 19.40 2002 52 Morocco 19.00 2002 est. 53 New Caledonia 19.00 1996 54 Sudan 18.70 2002 est. 55 Paraguay 18.20 2002 est. 56 Poland 18.10 2002 57 Bulgaria 18.00 2002 est. 58 Lebanon 18.00 1997 est. 59 Colombia 17.40 2002 est. 60 Slovakia 17.20 2002 est. 61 Albania 17.00 2001 est. 62 Georgia 17.00 2001 est. 63 Venezuela 17.00 2002 est. 64 Suriname 17.00 2000 65 Saint Lucia 16.50 1997 est. 66 Iran 16.30 2003 est. 67 Azerbaijan 16.00 2003 est. 68 Micronesia, Federated States of 16.00 1999 est. 69 Panama 16.00 2002 est. 70 Jordan 16.00 2001 est. 71 Jamaica 15.40 2002 est. 72 Tunisia 15.40 2002 est. 73 Bahrain 15.00 1998 est. 74 Guam 15.00 2000 est. 75 Netherlands Antilles 15.00 1998 est. 76 Mali 14.60 2001 est. 77 Dominican Republic 14.50 2002 est. 78 Saint Helena 14.00 1998 est. 79 Tonga 13.30 1996 est. 80 Cook Islands 13.00 1996 81 Cote d'Ivoire 13.00 1998 82 Grenada 12.50 2000 83 Lithuania 12.50 2001 est. 84 Estonia 12.40 2001 85 Egypt 12.00 2001 est. 86 Puerto Rico 12.00 2002 87 French Polynesia 11.80 1994 88 Spain 11.30 2002 est. 89 Antigua and Barbuda 11.00 2001 est. 90 Slovenia 11.00 2002 est. 91 Trinidad and Tobago 10.80 2002 92 Turkey 10.80 2002 est. 93 Indonesia 10.60 2002 est. 94 Israel 10.40 2002 est. 95 Greece 10.30 2002 est. 96 Philippines 10.20 2002 97 Barbados 10.00 2001 est. 98 Uzbekistan 10.00 99 Turks and Caicos Islands 10.00 1997 est. 100 Greenland 10.00 2000 est. 101 El Salvador 10.00 2001 est. 102 Brunei 10.00 2001 est. 103 Czech Republic 9.80 2002 104 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 9.80 1997 105 Germany 9.80 2002 est. 106 Peru 9.40 2002 est. 107 Chile 9.20 2002 108 Belize 9.10 2002 109 France 9.10 2002 est. 110 Italy 9.10 2002 est. 111 India 8.80 2002 112 Kazakhstan 8.80 2002 est. 113 Mauritius 8.80 2002 est. 114 Finland 8.50 2002 est. 115 Romania 8.30 2002 116 Sri Lanka 8.00 2002 117 Central African Republic 8.00 2001 est. 118 Moldova 8.00 2002 est. 119 Russia 7.90 2002 120 Pakistan 7.80 2002 est. 121 Ecuador 7.70 2001 est. 122 Bolivia 7.60 2000 123 Fiji 7.60 1999 124 Latvia 7.60 2001 est. 125 Canada 7.60 2002 est. 126 Guatemala 7.50 1999 est. 127 Hong Kong 7.50 2002 est. 128 Belgium 7.20 2002 est. 129 Kyrgyzstan 7.20 1999 est. 130 Kuwait 7.00 2002 est. 131 Malta 7.00 2002 est. 132 Bahamas, The 6.90 2001 est. 133 Anguilla 6.70 2001 134 Brazil 6.40 2001 est. 135 Australia 6.30 2002 136 Macau 6.30 2002 137 Costa Rica 6.30 2002 est. 138 American Samoa 6.00 2000 139 Montserrat 6.00 1998 est. 140 Madagascar 5.90 1998 141 Hungary 5.80 2002 est. 142 United States 5.80 2002 143 Laos 5.70 1997 est. 144 Cyprus 5.60 2002 est. 145 Japan 5.40 2002 146 Mali 5.30 2001 est. 147 New Zealand 5.30 2002 est. 148 Taiwan 5.20 2002 est. 149 United Kingdom 5.20 2002 est. 150 Burma 5.10 2001 est. 151 Denmark 5.10 2002 152 Virgin Islands 4.90 March 1999 153 Austria 4.80 2002 est. 154 Portugal 4.70 2002 est. 155 Singapore 4.60 2002 est. 156 Bermuda 4.50 1993 157 Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.50 1997 158 Ireland 4.30 2002 est. 159 Cayman Islands 4.10 1997 160 Cuba 4.10 2001 est. 161 Luxembourg 4.10 2002 est. 162 Sweden 4.00 2002 est. 163 Norway 3.90 2002 est. 164 Malaysia 3.80 2002 est. 165 Ukraine 3.80 2002 166 Cyprus 3.30 2002 est. 167 Korea, South 3.10 2002 est. 168 Monaco 3.10 1998 169 Mexico 3.00 2002 170 Netherlands 3.00 2002 est. 171 British Virgin Islands 3.00 1995 172 Thailand 2.90 2002 est. 173 Cambodia 2.80 1999 est. 174 Iceland 2.80 2002 est. 175 Qatar 2.70 2001 176 San Marino 2.60 2001 177 Palau 2.30 2000 est. 178 Belarus 2.10 179 Gibraltar 2.00 2001 est. 180 Kiribati 2.00 1992 est. 181 Switzerland 1.90 2002 est. 182 Liechtenstein 1.30 37500 183 Faroe Islands 1.00 October 2000 184 Man, Isle of 0.70 March 2003 185 Jersey 0.70 1998 est. 186 Aruba 0.60 187 Guernsey 0.50 1999 est. 188 Andorra 0.00 189 Nauru 0.00 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2147 Rank Country Area(sq km) Date of Information 1 World 510,072,000 2 Pacific Ocean 155,557,000 3 Atlantic Ocean 76,762,000 4 Indian Ocean 68,556,000 5 Southern Ocean 20,327,000 6 Russia 17,075,200 7 Arctic Ocean 14,056,000 8 Antarctica 14,000,000 9 Canada 9,984,670 10 United States 9,629,091 11 China 9,596,960 12 Brazil 8,511,965 13 Australia 7,686,850 14 India 3,287,590 15 Argentina 2,766,890 16 Kazakhstan 2,717,300 17 Sudan 2,505,810 18 Algeria 2,381,740 19 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2,345,410 20 Greenland 2,166,086 21 Mexico 1,972,550 22 Saudi Arabia 1,960,582 23 Indonesia 1,919,440 24 Libya 1,759,540 25 Iran 1,648,000 26 Mongolia 1,565,000 27 Peru 1,285,220 28 Chad 1,284,000 29 Niger 1,267,000 30 Angola 1,246,700 31 Mali 1,240,000 32 South Africa 1,219,912 33 Colombia 1,138,910 34 Ethiopia 1,127,127 35 Bolivia 1,098,580 36 Mauritania 1,030,700 37 Egypt 1,001,450 38 Tanzania 945,087 39 Nigeria 923,768 40 Venezuela 912,050 41 Namibia 825,418 42 Pakistan 803,940 43 Mozambique 801,590 44 Turkey 780,580 45 Chile 756,950 46 Zambia 752,614 47 Burma 678,500 48 Afghanistan 647,500 49 Somalia 637,657 50 Central African Republic 622,984 51 Ukraine 603,700 52 Botswana 600,370 53 Madagascar 587,040 54 Kenya 582,650 55 France 547,030 56 Yemen 527,970 57 Thailand 514,000 58 Spain 504,782 59 Turkmenistan 488,100 60 Cameroon 475,440 61 Papua New Guinea 462,840 62 Sweden 449,964 63 Uzbekistan 447,400 64 Morocco 446,550 65 Iraq 437,072 66 Paraguay 406,750 67 Zimbabwe 390,580 68 Japan 377,835 69 Germany 357,021 70 Congo, Republic of the 342,000 71 Finland 337,030 72 Malaysia 329,750 73 Vietnam 329,560 74 Norway 324,220 75 Cote d'Ivoire 322,460 76 Poland 312,685 77 Italy 301,230 78 Philippines 300,000 79 Ecuador 283,560 80 Burkina Faso 274,200 81 New Zealand 268,680 82 Gabon 267,667 83 Western Sahara 266,000 84 Guinea 245,857 85 United Kingdom 244,820 86 Ghana 239,460 87 Romania 237,500 88 Laos 236,800 89 Uganda 236,040 90 Guyana 214,970 91 Oman 212,460 92 Belarus 207,600 93 Kyrgyzstan 198,500 94 Senegal 196,190 95 Syria 185,180 96 Cambodia 181,040 97 Uruguay 176,220 98 Tunisia 163,610 99 Suriname 163,270 100 Bangladesh 144,000 101 Tajikistan 143,100 102 Nepal 140,800 103 Greece 131,940 104 Nicaragua 129,494 105 Eritrea 121,320 106 Korea, North 120,540 107 Malawi 118,480 108 Benin 112,620 109 Honduras 112,090 110 Liberia 111,370 111 Bulgaria 110,910 112 Cuba 110,860 113 Guatemala 108,890 114 Iceland 103,000 115 Serbia and Montenegro 102,350 116 Korea, South 98,480 117 Hungary 93,030 118 Portugal 92,391 119 Jordan 92,300 120 French Guiana 91,000 121 Azerbaijan 86,600 122 Austria 83,858 123 United Arab Emirates 82,880 124 Czech Republic 78,866 125 Panama 78,200 126 Sierra Leone 71,740 127 Ireland 70,280 128 Georgia 69,700 129 Sri Lanka 65,610 130 Lithuania 65,200 131 Latvia 64,589 132 Svalbard 62,049 133 Togo 56,785 134 Croatia 56,542 135 Bosnia and Herzegovina 51,129 136 Costa Rica 51,100 137 Slovakia 48,845 138 Dominican Republic 48,730 139 Bhutan 47,000 140 Estonia 45,226 141 Denmark 43,094 142 Netherlands 41,526 143 Switzerland 41,290 144 Guinea-Bissau 36,120 145 Taiwan 35,980 146 Moldova 33,843 147 Belgium 30,510 148 Lesotho 30,355 149 Armenia 29,800 150 Albania 28,748 151 Solomon Islands 28,450 152 Equatorial Guinea 28,051 153 Burundi 27,830 154 Haiti 27,750 155 Rwanda 26,338 156 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 25,333 157 Djibouti 23,000 158 Belize 22,966 159 El Salvador 21,040 160 Israel 20,770 161 Slovenia 20,273 162 New Caledonia 19,060 163 Fiji 18,270 164 Kuwait 17,820 165 Swaziland 17,363 166 East Timor 15,007 167 Bahamas, The 13,940 168 Vanuatu 12,200 169 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 12,173 170 Qatar 11,437 171 Gambia, The 11,300 172 Jamaica 10,991 173 Lebanon 10,400 174 Cyprus 9,250 175 Puerto Rico 9,104 176 French Southern and Antarctic Lands 7,829 177 West Bank 5,860 178 Brunei 5,770 179 Trinidad and Tobago 5,128 180 French Polynesia 4,167 181 Cape Verde 4,033 182 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 3,903 183 Samoa 2,944 184 Luxembourg 2,586 185 Reunion 2,517 186 Comoros 2,170 187 Mauritius 2,040 188 Guadeloupe 1,780 189 Faroe Islands 1,399 190 Martinique 1,100 191 Hong Kong 1,092 192 Sao Tome and Principe 1,001 193 Netherlands Antilles 960 194 Kiribati 811 195 Dominica 754 196 Tonga 748 197 Micronesia, Federated States of 702 198 Singapore 693 199 Bahrain 665 200 Saint Lucia 616 201 Man, Isle of 572 202 Guam 549 203 Northern Mariana Islands 477 204 Andorra 468 205 Palau 458 206 Seychelles 455 207 Antigua and Barbuda 443 208 Barbados 431 209 Turks and Caicos Islands 430 210 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 412 211 Saint Helena 410 212 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 389 213 Mayotte 374 214 Jan Mayen 373 215 Gaza Strip 360 216 Virgin Islands 352 217 Grenada 344 218 Malta 316 219 Maldives 300 220 Wallis and Futuna 274 221 Cayman Islands 262 222 Saint Kitts and Nevis 261 223 Niue 260 224 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 242 225 Cook Islands 240 226 American Samoa 199 227 Aruba 193 228 Marshall Islands 181 229 Liechtenstein 160 230 British Virgin Islands 153 231 Christmas Island 135 232 Jersey 116 233 Anguilla 102 234 Montserrat 102 235 Guernsey 78 236 San Marino 61 237 British Indian Ocean Territory 60 238 Bouvet Island 59 239 Bermuda 53 240 Pitcairn Islands 47 241 Norfolk Island 35 242 Europa Island 28 243 Tuvalu 26 244 Macau 25 245 Nauru 21 246 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 14 247 Palmyra Atoll 12 248 Tokelau 10 249 Gibraltar 7 250 Wake Island 7 251 Midway Islands 6 252 Clipperton Island 6 253 Navassa Island 5 254 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 5 255 Glorioso Islands 5 256 Spratly Islands 5 257 Jarvis Island 5 258 Juan de Nova Island 4 259 Coral Sea Islands 3 260 Johnston Atoll 3 261 Monaco 2 262 Howland Island 2 263 Baker Island 1 264 Kingman Reef 1 265 Tromelin Island 1 266 Holy See (Vatican City) 0 267 Bassas da India 0 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2150 Rank Country Telephones - main lines in use Date of Information 1 United States 194,000,000 1997 2 China 135,000,000 2000 3 Japan 60,381,000 1997 4 Germany 50,900,000 March 2001 5 United Kingdom 34,878,000 1997 6 France 34,860,000 yearend 1998 7 Russia 30,000,000 1998 8 India 27,700,000 October 2000 9 Italy 25,000,000 1999 10 Korea, South 24,000,000 2000 11 Canada 20,802,900 1999 12 Turkey 19,500,000 1999 13 Spain 17,336,000 1999 14 Brazil 17,039,000 1997 15 Taiwan 12,490,000 September 2000 16 Mexico 12,332,000 2000 17 Australia 10,050,000 2000 18 Ukraine 9,450,000 April 1999 19 Netherlands 9,132,400 1999 20 Poland 8,070,000 1998 21 Argentina 7,500,000 1998 22 Philippines 6,980,000 2001 23 Iran 6,313,000 1997 24 Sweden 6,017,000 December 1998 25 Thailand 5,600,000 2000 26 Indonesia 5,588,310 1998 27 Colombia 5,433,565 December 1997 28 Greece 5,431,000 1997 29 Portugal 5,300,000 yearend 1998 30 South Africa 5,000,000 2001 31 Switzerland 4,820,000 1998 32 Denmark 4,785,000 1997 33 Belgium 4,769,000 1997 34 Malaysia 4,600,000 2000 35 Austria 4,000,000 2001 36 Egypt 3,971,500 December 1998 37 Saudi Arabia 3,900,000 2002 est. 38 Czech Republic 3,869,000 2000 39 Hong Kong 3,839,000 1999 40 Romania 3,777,000 1997 41 Bulgaria 3,186,731 2001 42 Hungary 3,095,000 1997 43 Pakistan 2,861,000 44 Finland 2,847,900 2001 45 Israel 2,800,000 1999 46 Norway 2,735,000 1998 47 Chile 2,603,000 1998 48 Venezuela 2,600,000 1998 49 Vietnam 2,600,000 2000 50 Belarus 2,313,000 1997 51 Algeria 2,300,000 1998 52 Serbia and Montenegro 2,017,000 1995 53 Uzbekistan 1,980,000 1999 54 Singapore 1,950,000 2000 55 Slovakia 1,934,558 1998 56 Kazakhstan 1,920,000 2001 57 New Zealand 1,920,000 2000 58 Peru 1,800,000 2000 59 Croatia 1,721,139 2000 60 Ireland 1,600,000 2002 61 Morocco 1,391,000 1998 62 Puerto Rico 1,322,000 1997 63 Syria 1,313,000 1997 64 Lithuania 1,142,000 2001 65 Ecuador 1,115,272 1999 66 Korea, North 1,100,000 1997 67 Uruguay 929,141 2001 68 United Arab Emirates 915,223 1998 69 Azerbaijan 865,000 2002 70 Latvia 734,693 2000 71 Slovenia 722,000 1997 72 Dominican Republic 709,000 1997 73 Lebanon 700,000 1999 74 Iraq 675,000 75 Guatemala 665,061 June 2000 76 Tunisia 654,000 1997 77 Moldova 627,000 1997 78 Georgia 620,000 1997 79 Armenia 600,000 2002 80 Rwanda 600,000 2002 81 Estonia 501,691 2000 82 Bangladesh 500,000 2000 83 Libya 500,000 1998 84 Nigeria 500,000 2000 est. 85 Sri Lanka 494,509 1998 86 Cuba 473,031 2000 87 Costa Rica 450,000 88 Kuwait 412,000 1997 89 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 408,000 1997 90 Cyprus 405,000 91 Jordan 403,000 1997 92 Sudan 400,000 2000 93 Panama 396,000 1997 94 El Salvador 380,000 1998 95 Tajikistan 363,000 1997 96 Turkmenistan 363,000 1997 97 Jamaica 353,000 1996 98 Kyrgyzstan 351,000 1997 99 Bolivia 327,600 1996 100 Luxembourg 314,700 1999 101 Kenya 310,000 2001 102 Bosnia and Herzegovina 303,000 1997 103 Yemen 291,359 1999 104 Paraguay 290,475 2001 105 Mauritius 280,900 2000 106 Reunion 268,500 1999 107 Cote d'Ivoire 263,700 2000 108 Trinidad and Tobago 252,000 1999 109 Burma 250,000 2000 110 Ghana 240,000 2001 111 Nepal 236,816 January 2000 112 Senegal 234,916 2001 113 Honduras 234,000 1997 114 Ethiopia 231,900 2000 115 Zimbabwe 212,000 1997 116 Oman 201,000 1997 117 Iceland 196,984 2001 118 Malta 187,000 1997 119 Macau 176,902 November 2001 120 Guadeloupe 171,000 1996 121 Martinique 170,000 1997 122 Bahrain 152,000 1997 123 Qatar 142,000 1997 124 Nicaragua 140,000 1996 125 Botswana 131,000 September 2001 126 Zambia 130,000 2002 127 Tanzania 127,000 1998 128 Albania 120,000 2001 129 Namibia 110,200 2000 130 Barbados 108,000 1997 131 Mongolia 104,100 1999 132 Bahamas, The 96,000 1997 133 Gaza Strip 95,729 1997 134 West Bank 95,729 1997 135 Cameroon 95,000 2001 136 Mozambique 90,000 2001 137 Guam 84,134 1998 138 Cyprus 83,162 139 Fiji 80,901 1999 140 Brunei 79,000 1996 141 Netherlands Antilles 76,000 1995 142 Angola 72,000 1998 143 Guyana 70,000 2000 144 Jersey 65,500 1997 145 Virgin Islands 65,000 1997 146 Suriname 64,000 1997 147 Papua New Guinea 61,152 1999 148 Cape Verde 60,935 2002 149 Haiti 60,000 1997 150 Madagascar 55,000 2000 151 Burkina Faso 53,200 2000 152 Bermuda 52,000 1997 153 French Polynesia 52,000 1997 154 Benin 51,000 2000 155 Man, Isle of 51,000 1999 156 French Guiana 47,000 1997 157 New Caledonia 47,000 1997 158 Malawi 45,000 2000 159 Mali 45,000 2000 160 Guernsey 44,000 1996 161 Gabon 39,000 1998 162 Swaziland 38,500 2001 163 Guinea 37,000 1998 164 Saint Lucia 37,000 1997 165 Aruba 33,000 1997 166 Andorra 32,946 December 1998 167 Gambia, The 31,900 2000 168 Monaco 31,027 1995 169 Belize 31,000 1997 170 Eritrea 30,000 2001 171 Afghanistan 29,000 172 Antigua and Barbuda 28,000 1996 173 Grenada 27,000 1997 174 Mauritania 26,500 2001 175 Greenland 25,617 yearend 1999 176 Laos 25,000 1997 177 Sierra Leone 25,000 2001 178 Togo 25,000 1997 179 Faroe Islands 24,851 1999 180 Lesotho 22,200 2000 181 Congo, Republic of the 22,000 1998 182 Cambodia 21,800 mid-1998 183 Northern Mariana Islands 21,000 1996 184 Maldives 21,000 1999 185 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 20,500 1998 186 Liechtenstein 20,072 2000 187 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 20,000 2000 188 Niger 20,000 2001 189 Seychelles 19,635 1997 190 Cayman Islands 19,000 1995 191 Dominica 19,000 1996 192 Gibraltar 19,000 1997 193 Burundi 18,000 2002 194 San Marino 18,000 1998 195 Saint Kitts and Nevis 17,000 1997 196 Somalia 15,000 2000 197 American Samoa 13,000 1997 198 Mayotte 12,000 1998 199 Micronesia, Federated States of 11,000 2001 200 Djibouti 10,000 2002 201 British Virgin Islands 10,000 1996 202 Guinea-Bissau 10,000 2001 203 Chad 9,700 1999 204 Central African Republic 9,500 2000 205 Samoa 8,183 1998 206 Solomon Islands 8,000 1997 207 Tonga 8,000 1996 208 Comoros 7,000 2000 209 Liberia 6,700 2000 210 Palau 6,700 2002 211 Bhutan 6,000 1997 212 Equatorial Guinea 6,000 1998 213 Vanuatu 5,500 1998 214 Cook Islands 5,000 1997 215 Anguilla 4,974 2000 216 Sao Tome and Principe 4,600 2000 217 Marshall Islands 4,186 2001 218 Montserrat 4,000 1997 219 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,000 1997 220 Kiribati 3,800 1999 221 Turks and Caicos Islands 3,000 1994 222 Nauru 2,000 1996 223 Saint Helena 2,000 1997 224 Wallis and Futuna 1,125 1994 225 Norfolk Island 1,087 1983 226 Tuvalu 1,000 1997 227 Niue 376 1991 228 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 287 1992 229 Pitcairn Islands 1 1997 230 Antarctica 0 2001 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2151 Rank Country Telephones - mobile cellular Date of Information 1 United States 69,209,000 1998 2 China 65,000,000 January 2001 3 Japan 63,880,000 2000 4 Germany 55,300,000 June 2001 5 United Kingdom 43,500,000 yearend 1998 6 Korea, South 28,000,000 September 2000 7 Italy 20,500,000 1999 8 Russia 19,000,000 January 2003 9 Turkey 17,100,000 2001 10 Taiwan 16,000,000 September 2000 11 Poland 13,000,000 2002 12 Philippines 11,350,000 2001 13 France 11,078,000 yearend 1998 14 Canada 8,751,300 1997 15 Australia 8,600,000 2000 16 Spain 8,394,000 1999 17 South Africa 7,060,000 2001 18 Austria 6,000,000 2001 19 Malaysia 5,000,000 2000 20 Brazil 4,400,000 1997 21 Czech Republic 4,346,000 2000 22 Netherlands 4,081,891 April 1999 23 Sweden 3,835,000 October 1998 24 Finland 3,728,600 2001 25 Hong Kong 3,700,000 December 1999 26 Thailand 3,100,000 2002 27 Portugal 3,074,194 1999 28 Argentina 3,000,000 December 1999 29 Ireland 3,000,000 2002 30 India 2,930,000 November 2000 31 Saudi Arabia 2,900,000 2002 est. 32 Singapore 2,740,000 2000 33 Israel 2,500,000 1999 34 New Zealand 2,200,000 2000 35 Norway 2,080,408 1998 36 Mexico 2,020,000 1998 37 Venezuela 2,000,000 1998 38 Switzerland 1,967,000 1999 39 Colombia 1,800,229 December 1998 40 Denmark 1,444,016 1997 41 Croatia 1,300,000 2001 42 Hungary 1,269,000 July 1999 43 Indonesia 1,070,000 1998 44 Bulgaria 1,054,000 2001 45 Slovenia 1,000,000 2000 46 United Arab Emirates 1,000,000 1999 47 Belgium 974,494 1997 48 Chile 944,225 1998 49 Greece 937,700 1997 50 Azerbaijan 800,000 2002 51 Slovakia 736,662 April 1999 52 Vietnam 730,155 2000 53 Estonia 711,000 yearend 2001 54 Guatemala 663,296 September 2000 55 Romania 645,500 1999 56 Lebanon 580,000 1999 57 Kenya 540,000 2001 58 Paraguay 510,000 2001 59 Peru 504,995 1998 60 Lithuania 500,000 2001 61 Cote d'Ivoire 450,000 2000 62 Latvia 401,263 2000 63 Kazakhstan 400,000 2001 64 Ecuador 384,000 1999 65 Egypt 380,000 1999 66 Senegal 373,965 2001 67 Uruguay 350,000 2001 68 Cameroon 300,000 2002 69 Mozambique 287,000 2002 70 Bangladesh 283,000 2000 71 Botswana 270,000 September 2001 72 Iran 265,000 August 1998 73 Albania 250,000 2001 74 Iceland 248,131 2001 75 Ukraine 236,000 1998 76 Sri Lanka 228,604 1999 77 Luxembourg 215,741 2000 78 Kuwait 210,000 1997 79 Nigeria 200,000 2001 80 Reunion 197,000 September 2000 81 Georgia 185,500 2000 82 Mauritius 180,000 2000 83 Puerto Rico 169,265 1996 84 Macau 158,251 November 2001 85 Pakistan 158,000 1998 86 Ghana 150,000 2001 87 Costa Rica 143,000 2000 88 Dominican Republic 130,149 1997 89 Uzbekistan 130,000 2003 90 Gabon 120,000 2000 91 Morocco 116,645 1998 92 Bolivia 116,000 1997 93 Zimbabwe 111,000 2001 94 Mongolia 110,000 2001 95 Zambia 90,000 2002 96 Serbia and Montenegro 87,000 1997 97 Namibia 82,000 2000 est. 98 Rwanda 81,000 2002 99 Cambodia 80,000 2000 100 Cyprus 70,000 101 Cyprus 68,000 102 Madagascar 63,100 2000 103 Oman 59,822 1997 104 Bahrain 58,543 1997 105 Benin 55,500 2000 106 Guam 55,000 1998 107 Jamaica 54,640 1996 108 Armenia 50,000 2002 109 Tunisia 50,000 1998 110 Malawi 49,000 2000 111 Swaziland 45,000 2001 112 Brunei 43,524 1996 113 Qatar 43,476 1997 114 El Salvador 40,163 1997 115 Mali 40,000 2001 116 Mauritania 35,000 2001 117 Algeria 33,500 1999 118 Yemen 32,042 2000 119 Burundi 30,000 2002 120 Sierra Leone 30,000 2001 121 Tanzania 30,000 1999 122 Cape Verde 28,119 2002 123 Angola 25,800 2000 124 Burkina Faso 25,200 2000 125 Lesotho 21,600 2000 126 Guinea 21,567 1998 127 Libya 20,000 1998 128 Sudan 20,000 2000 129 Ethiopia 17,800 2000 130 Malta 17,691 1997 131 Trinidad and Tobago 17,411 1997 132 Panama 17,000 1997 133 Seychelles 16,316 1999 134 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15,000 2000 135 Martinique 15,000 1997 136 Honduras 14,427 1997 137 Andorra 14,117 December 1998 138 Netherlands Antilles 13,977 1996 139 New Caledonia 13,040 1998 140 Greenland 12,676 yearend 1999 141 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 12,362 1997 142 Guernsey 12,000 1997 143 Jordan 11,500 1995 144 Faroe Islands 10,761 1999 145 Bosnia and Herzegovina 9,000 1997 146 Uganda 9,000 1998 147 Burma 8,492 1997 148 Belarus 8,167 1997 149 Barbados 8,013 1997 150 Bermuda 7,980 1996 151 Nicaragua 7,911 1997 152 Sao Tome and Principe 6,942 1997 153 Niger 6,700 2002 154 Bahamas, The 6,152 1997 155 Guyana 6,100 2000 156 Gambia, The 5,624 2000 157 Chad 5,500 2000 158 French Polynesia 5,427 1997 159 Fiji 5,200 1997 160 Djibouti 5,000 2002 161 Laos 4,915 1997 162 Jersey 4,400 1997 163 Turkmenistan 4,300 1998 164 Suriname 4,090 1997 165 Aruba 3,402 1997 166 Congo, Republic of the 3,300 1998 167 Papua New Guinea 3,053 1996 168 Belize 3,023 1997 169 San Marino 3,010 1998 170 Togo 2,995 1997 171 Cuba 2,994 1997 172 American Samoa 2,550 1997 173 Cayman Islands 2,534 1995 174 Tajikistan 2,500 1997 175 Moldova 2,200 1997 176 Virgin Islands 2,000 1992 177 Anguilla 1,629 2000 178 Gibraltar 1,620 1997 179 Saint Lucia 1,600 1997 180 Samoa 1,545 February 1998 181 Antigua and Barbuda 1,300 1996 182 Maldives 1,290 1997 183 Northern Mariana Islands 1,200 1995 184 Palau 1,000 2002 185 Grenada 976 1997 186 Central African Republic 710 1998 187 Solomon Islands 658 1997 188 Marshall Islands 489 2001 189 Dominica 461 1996 190 Nauru 450 1994 191 Vanuatu 310 2000 192 Tonga 302 1996 193 Equatorial Guinea 300 1998 194 Saint Kitts and Nevis 205 1997 195 Montserrat 70 1994 196 Cook Islands 0 1994 197 Liberia 0 1998 198 Niue 0 1991 199 Guinea-Bissau 0 2001 200 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 1994 201 Tuvalu 0 1994 202 Western Sahara 0 1999 203 Wallis and Futuna 0 1994 204 Tokelau 0 2001 205 Saint Helena 0 1997 206 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 1994 207 Norfolk Island 0 1983 208 Mayotte 0 2000 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2153 Rank Country Internet users Date of Information 1 World 604,111,719 2 United States 165,750,000 2002 3 Japan 56,000,000 2002 4 China 45,800,000 2002 5 United Kingdom 34,300,000 2002 6 Germany 32,100,000 2002 7 Korea, South 25,600,000 2002 8 Italy 19,250,000 2001 9 Russia 18,000,000 2002 10 France 16,970,000 2002 11 Canada 16,840,000 2002 12 Brazil 13,980,000 2002 13 Taiwan 11,600,000 2001 14 Australia 10,630,000 2002 15 Netherlands 9,730,000 2002 16 Spain 7,890,000 2002 17 India 7,000,000 2002 18 Poland 6,400,000 2001 19 Sweden 6,020,000 2002 20 Malaysia 5,700,000 2002 21 Philippines 4,500,000 2002 22 Indonesia 4,400,000 2002 23 Portugal 4,400,000 2002 24 Hong Kong 4,350,000 2002 25 Argentina 3,880,000 2001 26 Switzerland 3,850,000 2002 27 Belgium 3,760,000 2002 28 Austria 3,700,000 2002 29 Mexico 3,500,000 2002 30 Denmark 3,370,000 2002 31 Chile 3,100,000 2002 32 South Africa 3,068,000 2002 33 Peru 3,000,000 2002 34 Czech Republic 2,690,000 2001 35 Finland 2,690,000 2002 36 Norway 2,680,000 2002 37 Turkey 2,500,000 2002 38 Singapore 2,310,000 2002 39 New Zealand 2,060,000 2002 40 Israel 1,940,000 2001 41 Saudi Arabia 1,453,000 2002 42 Greece 1,400,000 2002 43 Iran 1,326,000 2002 est. 44 Ireland 1,310,000 2002 45 Venezuela 1,300,000 2002 46 Hungary 1,200,000 2001 47 Thailand 1,200,000 2001 48 Pakistan 1,200,000 2000 49 Colombia 1,150,000 2002 50 Romania 1,000,000 2002 51 United Arab Emirates 900,000 2002 52 Ukraine 750,000 2001 53 Slovakia 700,000 2000 54 Egypt 600,000 2002 55 Puerto Rico 600,000 2002 56 Slovenia 600,000 2001 57 Bulgaria 585,000 2001 58 Kenya 500,000 2002 59 Croatia 480,000 2001 60 Estonia 429,700 2002 61 Belarus 422,000 2002 62 Morocco 400,000 2002 63 Vietnam 400,000 2002 64 Serbia and Montenegro 400,000 2001 65 Uruguay 400,000 2002 66 Tunisia 400,000 2002 67 Costa Rica 384,000 2002 68 Lithuania 341,000 2001 69 Ecuador 328,000 2002 70 Latvia 312,000 2001 71 Lebanon 300,000 2001 72 Tanzania 300,000 2002 73 Iceland 220,000 2002 74 Jordan 212,000 2002 75 Ghana 200,000 2002 76 Guatemala 200,000 2002 77 Kuwait 200,000 2002 78 Dominican Republic 186,000 2002 79 Algeria 180,000 2001 80 Mauritius 158,000 2002 81 Bangladesh 150,000 2002 82 Cyprus 150,000 2002 83 Bahrain 140,200 2002 84 Papua New Guinea 135,000 2001 85 Sri Lanka 121,500 2001 86 Cuba 120,000 2002 87 Oman 120,000 2002 88 Trinidad and Tobago 120,000 2002 89 Macau 101,000 2002 90 Jamaica 100,000 2002 91 Nigeria 100,000 2000 92 Zimbabwe 100,000 2002 93 Uzbekistan 100,000 2002 94 Senegal 100,000 2002 95 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 100,000 2001 96 Luxembourg 100,000 2001 97 Kazakhstan 100,000 2002 98 Guyana 95,000 2002 99 Bolivia 78,000 2000 100 Qatar 75,000 2001 101 Cote d'Ivoire 70,000 2002 102 Angola 60,000 2002 103 Gaza Strip 60,000 104 West Bank 60,000 105 Uganda 60,000 2002 106 Syria 60,000 2002 107 Nepal 60,000 2002 108 Malta 59,000 2002 109 Sudan 56,000 2002 110 Kyrgyzstan 51,600 2001 111 Togo 50,000 2002 112 Bosnia and Herzegovina 45,000 2002 113 Panama 45,000 2000 114 Cameroon 45,000 December 2001 115 Namibia 45,000 2002 116 El Salvador 40,000 2000 117 Honduras 40,000 2000 118 Mongolia 40,000 2002 119 Brunei 35,000 2002 120 Madagascar 35,000 2002 121 Malawi 35,000 2002 122 Botswana 33,000 2001 123 Armenia 30,000 2001 124 Haiti 30,000 2002 125 Mali 30,000 2002 126 Azerbaijan 25,000 2002 127 Zambia 25,000 2002 128 Burkina Faso 25,000 2002 129 Georgia 25,000 2002 130 Benin 25,000 2002 131 Bermuda 25,000 2000 132 Andorra 24,500 2001 133 Aruba 24,000 2002 134 New Caledonia 24,000 2001 135 Mozambique 22,500 2000 136 Ethiopia 20,000 2002 137 Nicaragua 20,000 2000 138 Paraguay 20,000 2000 139 Rwanda 20,000 2002 140 Sierra Leone 20,000 2001 141 Libya 20,000 2001 142 Greenland 20,000 2002 143 Belize 18,000 2002 144 Gabon 18,000 2002 145 Yemen 17,000 2002 146 Bahamas, The 16,900 2002 147 French Polynesia 16,000 2002 148 Fiji 15,000 2002 149 Moldova 15,000 2000 150 Guinea 15,000 2002 151 Suriname 14,500 2002 152 Iraq 12,500 2001 153 Albania 12,000 2001 154 Virgin Islands 12,000 2000 155 Niger 12,000 2002 156 Cape Verde 12,000 2002 157 Burma 10,000 2002 158 Reunion 10,000 2000 159 Laos 10,000 2002 160 Eritrea 10,000 2002 161 Cambodia 10,000 2002 162 Seychelles 9,000 2002 163 Sao Tome and Principe 9,000 2002 164 Solomon Islands 8,400 2002 165 Mauritania 7,500 2001 166 Swaziland 7,000 2002 167 Barbados 6,000 2000 168 Burundi 6,000 2002 169 Maldives 6,000 2001 170 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6,000 2002 171 Grenada 5,200 2002 172 Antigua and Barbuda 5,000 2001 173 Gambia, The 5,000 2001 174 Guam 5,000 2000 175 Martinique 5,000 2000 176 Tajikistan 5,000 2002 177 Lesotho 5,000 2002 178 Chad 4,000 2002 179 Guinea-Bissau 4,000 2002 180 Guadeloupe 4,000 2000 181 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3,500 2001 182 Djibouti 3,300 2002 183 Faroe Islands 3,000 2000 184 Vanuatu 3,000 2000 185 Samoa 3,000 2002 186 Saint Lucia 3,000 2000 187 Bhutan 2,500 2002 188 Comoros 2,500 2002 189 Central African Republic 2,000 2002 190 Dominica 2,000 2000 191 Micronesia, Federated States of 2,000 2000 192 Netherlands Antilles 2,000 2000 193 Turkmenistan 2,000 2000 194 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2,000 2000 195 French Guiana 2,000 2000 196 Kiribati 1,000 2000 197 Tonga 1,000 2000 198 Anguilla 919 2000 199 Equatorial Guinea 900 2002 200 Marshall Islands 900 2002 201 Congo, Republic of the 500 2001 202 Liberia 500 2000 203 Somalia 200 2000 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2155 Rank Country HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%) Date of Information 1 Botswana 38.80 2001 est. 2 Zimbabwe 33.70 2001 est. 3 Swaziland 33.40 2001 est. 4 Lesotho 31.00 2001 est. 5 Namibia 22.50 2001 est. 6 Zambia 21.50 2001 est. 7 South Africa 20.10 2001 est. 8 Kenya 15.00 2001 est. 9 Malawi 15.00 2001 est. 10 Mozambique 13.00 2001 est. 11 Central African Republic 12.90 2001 est. 12 Cameroon 11.80 2001 est. 13 Djibouti 11.75 2001 est. 14 Cote d'Ivoire 9.70 2001 est. 15 Gabon 9.00 2001 est. 16 Liberia 9.00 2001 est. 17 Rwanda 8.90 2001 est. 18 Burundi 8.30 2001 est. 19 Tanzania 7.80 2001 est. 20 Congo, Republic of the 7.20 2001 est. 21 Sierra Leone 7.00 2001 est. 22 Burkina Faso 6.50 2001 est. 23 Ethiopia 6.40 2001 est. 24 Haiti 6.10 2001 est. 25 Togo 6.00 2001 est. 26 Nigeria 5.80 2001 est. 27 Angola 5.50 2001 est. 28 Uganda 5.00 2001 est. 29 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.90 2001 est. 30 Niger 4.00 2001 est. 31 Benin 3.60 2001 est. 32 Chad 3.60 2001 est. 33 Bahamas, The 3.50 2001 est. 34 Equatorial Guinea 3.40 2001 est. 35 Ghana 3.00 2001 est. 36 Eritrea 2.80 2001 est. 37 Guinea-Bissau 2.80 2001 est. 38 Cambodia 2.70 2001 est. 39 Guyana 2.70 2001 est. 40 Sudan 2.60 2001 est. 41 Dominican Republic 2.50 2001 est. 42 Trinidad and Tobago 2.50 2001 est. 43 Belize 2.00 2001 est. 44 Burma 1.99 2001 est. 45 Mauritania 1.80 2001 est. 46 Thailand 1.80 2001 est. 47 Mali 1.70 2001 est. 48 Gambia, The 1.60 2001 est. 49 Honduras 1.60 2001 est. 50 Guinea 1.54 2001 est. 51 Panama 1.50 2001 est. 52 Barbados 1.20 2001 est. 53 Jamaica 1.20 2001 est. 54 Suriname 1.20 2001 est. 55 Estonia 1.00 2001 est. 56 Ukraine 1.00 2001 est. 57 Somalia 1.00 2001 est. 58 Guatemala 1.00 2001 est. 59 Russia 0.90 2001 est. 60 India 0.80 2001 est. 61 Argentina 0.70 2001 est. 62 Papua New Guinea 0.70 2001 est. 63 Brazil 0.70 2001 est. 64 Costa Rica 0.60 2001 est. 65 United States 0.60 2001 est. 66 El Salvador 0.60 2001 est. 67 Nepal 0.50 2001 est. 68 Senegal 0.50 2001 est. 69 Switzerland 0.50 2001 est. 70 Venezuela 0.50 2001 est. 71 Spain 0.50 2001 est. 72 Portugal 0.50 2001 est. 73 Colombia 0.40 2001 est. 74 Latvia 0.40 2001 est. 75 Malaysia 0.40 2001 est. 76 Peru 0.40 2001 est. 77 Italy 0.40 2001 est. 78 Bahrain 0.30 2001 est. 79 Vietnam 0.30 2001 est. 80 Uruguay 0.30 2001 est. 81 Mexico 0.30 2001 est. 82 Madagascar 0.30 2001 est. 83 Ecuador 0.30 2001 est. 84 Chile 0.30 2001 est. 85 Canada 0.30 2001 est. 86 France 0.30 2001 est. 87 Cyprus 0.30 2001 est. 88 Belarus 0.30 2001 est. 89 Armenia 0.20 2001 est. 90 Belgium 0.20 2001 est. 91 Serbia and Montenegro 0.20 2001 est. 92 Singapore 0.20 2001 est. 93 Nicaragua 0.20 2001 est. 94 Netherlands 0.20 2001 est. 95 Moldova 0.20 2001 est. 96 Libya 0.20 2001 est. 97 Luxembourg 0.20 2001 est. 98 Iceland 0.20 2001 est. 99 Greece 0.20 2001 est. 100 Denmark 0.20 2001 est. 101 Brunei 0.20 2001 est. 102 Austria 0.20 2001 est. 103 United Arab Emirates 0.18 2001 est. 104 Comoros 0.12 2001 est. 105 Kuwait 0.12 2001 est. 106 Paraguay 0.11 2001 est. 107 Algeria 0.10 2001 est. 108 Australia 0.10 2001 est. 109 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.10 2001 est. 110 Bhutan 0.10 2001 est. 111 Cuba 0.10 2001 est. 112 Hong Kong 0.10 2001 est. 113 Germany 0.10 2001 est. 114 Georgia 0.10 2001 est. 115 Fiji 0.10 2001 est. 116 Finland 0.10 2001 est. 117 Czech Republic 0.10 2001 est. 118 Ireland 0.10 2001 est. 119 Egypt 0.10 2001 est. 120 China 0.10 2001 est. 121 Tajikistan 0.10 2001 est. 122 Sweden 0.10 2001 est. 123 Slovenia 0.10 2001 est. 124 Philippines 0.10 2001 est. 125 Romania 0.10 2001 est. 126 Poland 0.10 2001 est. 127 Pakistan 0.10 2001 est. 128 New Zealand 0.10 2001 est. 129 Morocco 0.10 2001 est. 130 Yemen 0.10 2001 est. 131 Uzbekistan 0.10 2001 est. 132 United Kingdom 0.10 2001 est. 133 Turkmenistan 0.10 2001 est. 134 Turkey 0.10 2001 est. 135 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0.10 2001 est. 136 Mongolia 0.10 2001 est. 137 Slovakia 0.10 2001 est. 138 Lithuania 0.10 2001 est. 139 Laos 0.10 2001 est. 140 Kazakhstan 0.10 2001 est. 141 Korea, South 0.10 2001 est. 142 Kyrgyzstan 0.10 2001 est. 143 Norway 0.10 2001 est. 144 Maldives 0.10 2001 est. 145 Oman 0.10 2001 est. 146 Malta 0.10 2001 est. 147 Mauritius 0.10 2001 est. 148 Jordan 0.10 2001 est. 149 Japan 0.10 2001 est. 150 Iraq 0.10 2001 est. 151 Israel 0.10 2001 est. 152 Iran 0.10 2001 est. 153 Indonesia 0.10 2001 est. 154 Hungary 0.10 2001 est. 155 Croatia 0.10 2001 est. 156 Sri Lanka 0.10 2001 est. 157 Bulgaria 0.10 2001 est. 158 Bolivia 0.10 2001 est. 159 Bangladesh 0.10 2001 est. 160 Azerbaijan 0.10 2001 est. 161 Lebanon 0.09 2001 est. 162 Qatar 0.09 2001 est. 163 Tunisia 0.04 2001 est. 164 Cape Verde 0.04 165 Afghanistan 0.01 2001 est. 166 Syria 0.01 2001 est. 167 Saudi Arabia 0.01 2001 est. 168 Svalbard 0.00 2001 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2156 Rank Country HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS Date of Information 1 South Africa 5,000,000 2001 est. 2 India 3,970,000 2001 est. 3 Nigeria 3,500,000 2001 est. 4 Kenya 2,500,000 2001 est. 5 Zimbabwe 2,300,000 2001 est. 6 Ethiopia 2,100,000 2001 est. 7 Tanzania 1,500,000 2001 est. 8 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,300,000 2001 est. 9 Zambia 1,200,000 2001 est. 10 Mozambique 1,100,000 2001 est. 11 Cameroon 920,000 2001 est. 12 United States 900,000 2001 est. 13 China 850,000 2001 est. 14 Malawi 850,000 2001 est. 15 Cote d'Ivoire 770,000 2001 est. 16 Russia 700,000 2001 est. 17 Thailand 670,000 2001 est. 18 Brazil 610,000 2001 est. 19 Uganda 600,000 2001 est. 20 Burma 530,000 2001 est. 21 Rwanda 500,000 2001 est. 22 Sudan 450,000 2001 est. 23 Burkina Faso 440,000 2001 est. 24 Burundi 390,000 2001 est. 25 Ghana 360,000 2001 est. 26 Lesotho 360,000 2001 est. 27 Angola 350,000 2001 est. 28 Botswana 330,000 2001 est. 29 Central African Republic 250,000 2001 est. 30 Haiti 250,000 2001 est. 31 Ukraine 250,000 2001 est. 32 Namibia 230,000 2001 est. 33 Cambodia 170,000 2001 est. 34 Sierra Leone 170,000 2001 est. 35 Swaziland 170,000 2001 est. 36 Chad 150,000 2001 est. 37 Togo 150,000 2001 est. 38 Mexico 150,000 2001 est. 39 Colombia 140,000 2001 est. 40 Argentina 130,000 2001 est. 41 Vietnam 130,000 2001 est. 42 Spain 130,000 2001 est. 43 Dominican Republic 130,000 2001 est. 44 Liberia 125,000 2001 est. 45 Benin 120,000 2001 est. 46 Indonesia 120,000 2001 est. 47 Congo, Republic of the 110,000 2001 est. 48 Mali 110,000 2001 est. 49 France 100,000 2001 est. 50 Italy 100,000 2001 est. 51 Pakistan 78,000 2001 est. 52 Guatemala 67,000 2001 est. 53 Venezuela 62,000 1999 est. 54 Nepal 58,000 2001 est. 55 Honduras 57,000 2001 est. 56 Canada 55,000 2001 est. 57 Eritrea 55,000 2001 est. 58 Guinea 55,000 1999 est. 59 Peru 53,000 2001 est. 60 Somalia 43,000 2001 est. 61 Malaysia 42,000 2001 est. 62 Germany 41,000 2001 est. 63 Djibouti 37,000 2001 est. 64 United Kingdom 34,000 2001 est. 65 Portugal 27,000 2001 est. 66 Senegal 27,000 2001 est. 67 Panama 25,000 2001 est. 68 El Salvador 24,000 2001 est. 69 Gabon 23,000 1999 est. 70 Madagascar 22,000 2001 est. 71 Chile 20,000 2001 est. 72 Iran 20,000 2001 est. 73 Jamaica 20,000 2001 est. 74 Ecuador 20,000 2001 est. 75 Switzerland 19,000 2001 est. 76 Guyana 18,000 2001 est. 77 Netherlands 17,000 2001 est. 78 Trinidad and Tobago 17,000 2001 est. 79 Guinea-Bissau 17,000 2001 est. 80 Papua New Guinea 17,000 2001 est. 81 Belarus 15,000 2001 est. 82 Bangladesh 13,000 2001 est. 83 Morocco 13,000 2001 est. 84 Australia 12,000 2001 est. 85 Japan 12,000 2001 est. 86 Costa Rica 11,000 2001 est. 87 Serbia and Montenegro 10,000 2001 est. 88 Austria 9,900 2001 est. 89 Yemen 9,900 2001 est. 90 Philippines 9,400 2001 est. 91 Greece 8,800 2001 est. 92 Belgium 8,500 2001 est. 93 Gambia, The 8,400 2001 est. 94 Egypt 8,000 2001 est. 95 Estonia 7,700 2001 est. 96 Puerto Rico 7,397 97 Libya 7,000 2001 est. 98 Mauritania 6,600 1999 est. 99 Romania 6,500 2001 est. 100 Uruguay 6,300 2001 est. 101 Bahamas, The 6,200 2001 est. 102 Kazakhstan 6,000 2001 est. 103 Equatorial Guinea 5,900 2001 est. 104 Nicaragua 5,800 2001 est. 105 Moldova 5,500 2001 est. 106 Latvia 5,000 2001 est. 107 Sri Lanka 4,800 2001 est. 108 Bolivia 4,600 2001 est. 109 Korea, South 4,000 2001 est. 110 Denmark 3,800 2001 est. 111 Suriname 3,700 2001 est. 112 Singapore 3,400 2001 est. 113 Sweden 3,300 2001 est. 114 Cuba 3,200 2001 est. 115 Paraguay 3,000 1999 est. 116 Hungary 2,800 2001 est. 117 Hong Kong 2,600 2001 est. 118 Belize 2,500 2001 est. 119 Armenia 2,400 2001 est. 120 Israel 2,400 1999 est. 121 Ireland 2,400 2001 est. 122 Barbados 1,800 2001 est. 123 Norway 1,800 2001 est. 124 Azerbaijan 1,400 2001 est. 125 Laos 1,400 2001 est. 126 Lithuania 1,300 2001 est. 127 Oman 1,300 2001 est. 128 Finland 1,200 2001 est. 129 New Zealand 1,200 2001 est. 130 Bahrain 1,000 131 Iraq 1,000 132 Jordan 1,000 133 Cyprus 1,000 1999 est. 134 Georgia 900 2001 est. 135 Cape Verde 775 136 Uzbekistan 740 2001 est. 137 Mauritius 700 2001 est. 138 Czech Republic 500 2001 est. 139 Kyrgyzstan 500 2001 est. 140 Bulgaria 346 2001 est. 141 Fiji 300 2001 est. 142 Slovenia 280 2001 est. 143 Iceland 220 2001 est. 144 Croatia 200 2001 est. 145 Tajikistan 200 2001 est. 146 Bhutan 100 1999 est. 147 Turkmenistan 100 1999 est. 148 Maldives 100 2001 est. 149 Brunei 100 2001 est. 150 Slovakia 100 1999 est. 151 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 100 1999 est. 152 Mongolia 100 1999 est. 153 Greenland 100 154 Samoa 12 155 Svalbard 0 2001 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2157 Rank Country HIV/AIDS - deaths Date of Information 1 South Africa 360,000 2001 est. 2 India 310,000 2001 est. 3 Zimbabwe 200,000 2001 est. 4 Kenya 190,000 2001 est. 5 Nigeria 170,000 2001 est. 6 Ethiopia 160,000 2001 est. 7 Tanzania 140,000 2001 est. 8 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 120,000 2001 est. 9 Zambia 120,000 2001 est. 10 Uganda 84,000 2001 est. 11 Malawi 80,000 2001 est. 12 Cote d'Ivoire 75,000 2001 est. 13 Burma 65,000 2001 est. 14 Mozambique 60,000 2001 est. 15 Thailand 55,000 2001 est. 16 Cameroon 53,000 2001 est. 17 Rwanda 49,000 2001 est. 18 Burkina Faso 44,000 2001 est. 19 Burundi 40,000 2001 est. 20 China 30,000 2001 est. 21 Haiti 30,000 2001 est. 22 Ghana 28,000 2001 est. 23 Botswana 26,000 2001 est. 24 Lesotho 25,000 2001 est. 25 Angola 24,000 2001 est. 26 Sudan 23,000 2001 est. 27 Central African Republic 22,000 2001 est. 28 United States 15,000 2001 est. 29 Chad 14,000 2001 est. 30 Namibia 13,000 2001 est. 31 Cambodia 12,000 2001 est. 32 Swaziland 12,000 2001 est. 33 Togo 12,000 2001 est. 34 Congo, Republic of the 11,000 2001 est. 35 Mali 11,000 2001 est. 36 Sierra Leone 11,000 2001 est. 37 Ukraine 11,000 2001 est. 38 Guinea 9,000 2001 est. 39 Russia 9,000 2001 est. 40 Brazil 8,400 2001 est. 41 Benin 8,100 2001 est. 42 Dominican Republic 7,800 2001 est. 43 Vietnam 6,600 2001 est. 44 Niger 6,000 2001 est. 45 Colombia 5,600 2001 est. 46 Guatemala 5,200 2001 est. 47 Liberia 5,000 2001 est. 48 Indonesia 4,600 2001 est. 49 Pakistan 4,500 2001 est. 50 Mexico 4,200 2001 est. 51 Peru 3,900 2001 est. 52 Honduras 3,300 2001 est. 53 Gabon 3,000 2001 est. 54 Malaysia 2,500 2001 est. 55 Senegal 2,500 2001 est. 56 Nepal 2,400 2001 est. 57 Spain 2,300 2001 est. 58 El Salvador 2,100 2001 est. 59 Djibouti 2,000 2001 est. 60 Venezuela 2,000 2001 est. 61 Panama 1,900 2001 est. 62 Argentina 1,800 2001 est. 63 Ecuador 1,700 2001 est. 64 Guyana 1,300 2001 est. 65 Guinea-Bissau 1,200 2001 est. 66 Trinidad and Tobago 1,200 2001 est. 67 Italy 1,100 2001 est. 68 Belarus 1,000 2001 est. 69 Portugal 1,000 2001 est. 70 Jamaica 980 2001 est. 71 Costa Rica 890 2001 est. 72 Papua New Guinea 880 2001 est. 73 Madagascar 870 2001 est. 74 France 800 2001 est. 75 Philippines 720 2001 est. 76 Germany 660 2001 est. 77 Bangladesh 650 2001 est. 78 Bahamas, The 610 2001 est. 79 Mauritania 610 2001 est. 80 Canada 500 2001 est. 81 Uruguay 500 2001 est. 82 United Kingdom 460 2001 est. 83 Japan 430 2001 est. 84 Gambia, The 400 2001 est. 85 Nicaragua 400 2001 est. 86 Equatorial Guinea 370 2001 est. 87 Eritrea 350 2001 est. 88 Romania 350 2001 est. 89 Suriname 330 2001 est. 90 Belize 300 2001 est. 91 Moldova 300 2001 est. 92 Kazakhstan 300 2001 est. 93 Bolivia 290 2001 est. 94 Iran 290 2001 est. 95 Barbados 250 2001 est. 96 Sri Lanka 250 2001 est. 97 Cape Verde 225 98 Chile 220 2001 est. 99 Korea, South 220 2001 est. 100 Paraguay 220 2001 est. 101 Laos 150 2001 est. 102 Singapore 140 2001 est. 103 Cuba 120 2001 est. 104 Netherlands 110 2001 est. 105 Azerbaijan 100 2001 est. 106 Denmark 100 2001 est. 107 Estonia 100 2001 est. 108 Latvia 100 2001 est. 109 Kyrgyzstan 100 2001 est. 110 Israel 100 2001 est. 111 Iceland 100 2001 est. 112 Hungary 100 2001 est. 113 Hong Kong 100 2001 est. 114 Greece 100 2001 est. 115 Georgia 100 2001 est. 116 Finland 100 2001 est. 117 Serbia and Montenegro 100 2001 est. 118 Uzbekistan 100 2001 est. 119 Poland 100 2001 est. 120 New Zealand 100 2001 est. 121 Norway 100 2001 est. 122 Malta 100 2001 est. 123 Mauritius 100 2001 est. 124 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 100 2001 est. 125 Luxembourg 100 2001 est. 126 Slovakia 100 2001 est. 127 Lithuania 100 2001 est. 128 Turkmenistan 100 2001 est. 129 Tajikistan 100 2001 est. 130 Switzerland 100 2001 est. 131 Sweden 100 2001 est. 132 Slovenia 100 2001 est. 133 Ireland 100 2001 est. 134 Belgium 100 2001 est. 135 Austria 100 2001 est. 136 Bulgaria 100 2001 est. 137 Bosnia and Herzegovina 100 2001 est. 138 Australia 100 2001 est. 139 Armenia 100 2001 est. 140 Czech Republic 10 2001 est. 141 Croatia 10 2001 est. 142 Samoa 3 143 Svalbard 0 2001 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2173 Rank Country Oil - production(bbl/day) Date of Information 1 World 75,460,000 2001 est. 2 Saudi Arabia 8,711,000 2001 est. 3 United States 8,054,000 2001 est. 4 Russia 7,286,000 2001 est. 5 Iran 3,804,000 2001 est. 6 Mexico 3,590,000 2001 est. 7 Norway 3,408,000 2001 est. 8 China 3,300,000 2001 est. 9 Venezuela 3,080,000 2001 est. 10 Canada 2,738,000 2001 est. 11 United Arab Emirates 2,566,000 2001 est. 12 United Kingdom 2,541,000 2001 est. 13 Iraq 2,452,000 2001 est. 14 Nigeria 2,256,000 2001 est. 15 Kuwait 2,117,000 2001 est. 16 Brazil 1,561,000 2001 est. 17 Algeria 1,520,000 2001 est. 18 Indonesia 1,451,000 2001 est. 19 Libya 1,429,000 2001 est. 20 Oman 963,800 2001 est. 21 Qatar 864,200 2001 est. 22 Argentina 828,600 2001 est. 23 Egypt 816,900 2001 est. 24 Kazakhstan 798,200 2001 est. 25 Angola 742,400 2001 est. 26 India 732,400 2001 est. 27 Australia 731,000 2001 est. 28 Malaysia 729,200 2001 est. 29 Colombia 614,400 2001 est. 30 Syria 522,700 2001 est. 31 Yemen 438,500 2001 est. 32 Ecuador 421,200 2001 est. 33 Vietnam 356,700 2001 est. 34 Denmark 346,200 2001 est. 35 Azerbaijan 307,200 2001 est. 36 Gabon 301,300 2001 est. 37 Congo, Republic of the 275,000 2001 est. 38 Brunei 217,200 2001 est. 39 Sudan 209,100 2001 est. 40 South Africa 196,200 2001 est. 41 Equatorial Guinea 181,400 2001 est. 42 Thailand 173,800 2001 est. 43 Turkmenistan 162,500 2001 est. 44 Uzbekistan 142,700 2001 est. 45 Romania 127,500 2001 est. 46 Trinidad and Tobago 125,400 2001 est. 47 Peru 95,100 2001 est. 48 Ukraine 86,490 2001 est. 49 Germany 85,860 2001 est. 50 Italy 79,460 2001 est. 51 Cameroon 76,650 2001 est. 52 Tunisia 72,580 2001 est. 53 Papua New Guinea 67,500 2001 est. 54 Pakistan 62,870 2001 est. 55 Cuba 50,000 2001 est. 56 Turkey 48,000 2001 est. 57 Netherlands 46,200 2001 est. 58 Bolivia 44,340 2001 est. 59 Bahrain 43,000 2001 est. 60 New Zealand 42,160 2001 est. 61 Hungary 41,190 2001 est. 62 Belarus 37,000 2001 est. 63 France 34,920 2001 est. 64 Croatia 29,000 2001 est. 65 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 24,000 2001 est. 66 Guatemala 21,080 2001 est. 67 Austria 20,670 2001 est. 68 Japan 17,330 2001 est. 69 Poland 17,180 2001 est. 70 Serbia and Montenegro 15,000 2001 est. 71 Burma 14,170 2001 est. 72 Chile 13,640 2001 est. 73 Cote d'Ivoire 11,000 2001 est. 74 Suriname 10,000 2001 est. 75 Philippines 8,460 2001 est. 76 Czech Republic 7,419 2001 est. 77 Spain 7,099 2001 est. 78 Ghana 7,000 2001 est. 79 Greece 5,992 2001 est. 80 Albania 5,952 2001 est. 81 Estonia 5,100 2001 est. 82 Lithuania 4,594 2001 est. 83 Bangladesh 3,581 2001 est. 84 Georgia 2,000 2001 est. 85 Kyrgyzstan 2,000 2001 est. 86 Barbados 1,271 2001 est. 87 Taiwan 1,100 2001 est. 88 Slovakia 1,000 2001 est. 89 Benin 700 2001 est. 90 Bulgaria 603 2001 est. 91 Morocco 400 2001 est. 92 Tajikistan 250 2001 est. 93 Israel 80 2001 est. 94 Jordan 40 2001 est. 95 Slovenia 20 2001 est. 96 Aruba 0 2001 est. 97 American Samoa 0 2001 est. 98 Armenia 0 2001 est. 99 Bermuda 0 2001 est. 100 Bahamas, The 0 2001 est. 101 Solomon Islands 0 2001 est. 102 Zimbabwe 0 2001 est. 103 Zambia 0 2001 est. 104 Swaziland 0 2001 est. 105 Samoa 0 2001 est. 106 Western Sahara 0 2001 est. 107 Namibia 0 2001 est. 108 Virgin Islands 0 2001 est. 109 British Virgin Islands 0 2001 est. 110 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 2001 est. 111 Uruguay 0 2001 est. 112 Burkina Faso 0 2001 est. 113 Uganda 0 2001 est. 114 Tanzania 0 2001 est. 115 Sao Tome and Principe 0 2001 est. 116 Togo 0 2001 est. 117 Tonga 0 2001 est. 118 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2001 est. 119 Switzerland 0 2001 est. 120 Sweden 0 2001 est. 121 Saint Lucia 0 2001 est. 122 Somalia 0 2001 est. 123 Singapore 0 2001 est. 124 Sierra Leone 0 2001 est. 125 Saint Helena 0 2001 est. 126 Senegal 0 2001 est. 127 Seychelles 0 2001 est. 128 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 2001 est. 129 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2001 est. 130 Rwanda 0 2001 est. 131 Puerto Rico 0 2001 est. 132 Reunion 0 2001 est. 133 Guinea-Bissau 0 2001 est. 134 Latvia 0 2001 est. 135 Lebanon 0 2001 est. 136 Laos 0 2001 est. 137 Korea, South 0 2001 est. 138 Kiribati 0 2001 est. 139 Korea, North 0 2001 est. 140 Kenya 0 2001 est. 141 Jamaica 0 2001 est. 142 Haiti 0 2001 est. 143 Portugal 0 2001 est. 144 Panama 0 2001 est. 145 Paraguay 0 2001 est. 146 Nicaragua 0 2001 est. 147 Netherlands Antilles 0 2001 est. 148 Nauru 0 2001 est. 149 Nepal 0 2001 est. 150 Mozambique 0 2001 est. 151 Maldives 0 2001 est. 152 Malta 0 2001 est. 153 Mauritania 0 2001 est. 154 Mauritius 0 2001 est. 155 Mali 0 2001 est. 156 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0 2001 est. 157 Malawi 0 2001 est. 158 Montserrat 0 2001 est. 159 Vanuatu 0 2001 est. 160 Niger 0 2001 est. 161 Niue 0 2001 est. 162 New Caledonia 0 2001 est. 163 Mongolia 0 2001 est. 164 Moldova 0 2001 est. 165 Macau 0 2001 est. 166 Martinique 0 2001 est. 167 Madagascar 0 2001 est. 168 Luxembourg 0 2001 est. 169 Lesotho 0 2001 est. 170 Liberia 0 2001 est. 171 Guyana 0 2001 est. 172 Guinea 0 2001 est. 173 Guam 0 2001 est. 174 Guadeloupe 0 2001 est. 175 Greenland 0 2001 est. 176 Grenada 0 2001 est. 177 Gibraltar 0 2001 est. 178 Gambia, The 0 2001 est. 179 Iceland 0 2001 est. 180 Honduras 0 2001 est. 181 Hong Kong 0 2001 est. 182 French Polynesia 0 2001 est. 183 Faroe Islands 0 2001 est. 184 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2001 est. 185 Fiji 0 2001 est. 186 Finland 0 2001 est. 187 French Guiana 0 2001 est. 188 Ethiopia 0 2001 est. 189 El Salvador 0 2001 est. 190 Eritrea 0 2001 est. 191 Ireland 0 2001 est. 192 Dominican Republic 0 2001 est. 193 Dominica 0 2001 est. 194 Djibouti 0 2001 est. 195 Cyprus 0 2001 est. 196 Cook Islands 0 2001 est. 197 Cape Verde 0 2001 est. 198 Central African Republic 0 2001 est. 199 Costa Rica 0 2001 est. 200 Comoros 0 2001 est. 201 Cayman Islands 0 2001 est. 202 Sri Lanka 0 2001 est. 203 Chad 0 2001 est. 204 Cambodia 0 2001 est. 205 Burundi 0 2001 est. 206 Bhutan 0 2001 est. 207 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 2001 est. 208 Belize 0 2001 est. 209 Belgium 0 2001 est. 210 Botswana 0 2001 est. 211 Antigua and Barbuda 0 2001 est. 212 Afghanistan 0 2001 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2174 Rank Country Oil - consumption(bbl/day) Date of Information 1 World 76,210,000 2001 est. 2 United States 19,650,000 2001 est. 3 Japan 5,290,000 2001 est. 4 China 4,975,000 2001 est. 5 Germany 2,813,000 2001 est. 6 Russia 2,595,000 2001 est. 7 Brazil 2,199,000 2001 est. 8 Korea, South 2,140,000 2001 est. 9 India 2,130,000 2001 est. 10 France 2,026,000 2001 est. 11 Italy 1,866,000 2001 est. 12 United Kingdom 1,710,000 2001 est. 13 Canada 1,703,000 2001 est. 14 Mexico 1,507,000 2001 est. 15 Spain 1,497,000 2001 est. 16 Saudi Arabia 1,452,000 2001 est. 17 Iran 1,277,000 2001 est. 18 Indonesia 1,045,000 2001 est. 19 Taiwan 988,000 2001 est. 20 Netherlands 895,300 2001 est. 21 Australia 796,500 2001 est. 22 Thailand 785,000 2001 est. 23 Singapore 700,000 2001 est. 24 Turkey 619,500 2001 est. 25 Belgium 595,100 2001 est. 26 Egypt 562,000 2001 est. 27 Venezuela 505,000 2001 est. 28 Argentina 486,000 2001 est. 29 Malaysia 472,000 2001 est. 30 Iraq 460,000 2001 est. 31 South Africa 460,000 2001 est. 32 Poland 424,100 2001 est. 33 Greece 405,700 2001 est. 34 Pakistan 365,000 2001 est. 35 Philippines 343,000 2001 est. 36 Portugal 339,800 2001 est. 37 Sweden 328,600 2001 est. 38 United Arab Emirates 310,000 2001 est. 39 Switzerland 290,400 2001 est. 40 Ukraine 290,000 2001 est. 41 Nigeria 275,000 2001 est. 42 Kuwait 273,000 2001 est. 43 Syria 265,000 2001 est. 44 Austria 262,400 2001 est. 45 Israel 260,000 2001 est. 46 Hong Kong 257,000 2001 est. 47 Colombia 252,000 2001 est. 48 Chile 241,000 2001 est. 49 Belarus 230,000 2001 est. 50 Denmark 218,000 2001 est. 51 Libya 216,000 2001 est. 52 Romania 215,000 2001 est. 53 Finland 211,400 2001 est. 54 Algeria 209,000 2001 est. 55 Kazakhstan 195,000 2001 est. 56 Puerto Rico 190,000 2001 est. 57 Vietnam 185,000 2001 est. 58 Czech Republic 175,700 2001 est. 59 Ireland 174,400 2001 est. 60 Norway 171,100 2001 est. 61 Morocco 167,000 2001 est. 62 Cuba 163,000 2001 est. 63 Peru 161,000 2001 est. 64 Uzbekistan 142,000 2001 est. 65 Hungary 140,700 2001 est. 66 Azerbaijan 140,000 2001 est. 67 New Zealand 132,700 2001 est. 68 Dominican Republic 129,000 2001 est. 69 Ecuador 129,000 2001 est. 70 Lebanon 107,000 2001 est. 71 Jordan 103,000 2001 est. 72 Bulgaria 94,000 2001 est. 73 Croatia 89,000 2001 est. 74 Tunisia 87,000 2001 est. 75 Korea, North 85,000 2001 est. 76 Slovakia 82,000 2001 est. 77 Sri Lanka 75,000 2001 est. 78 Yemen 74,000 2001 est. 79 Lithuania 72,000 2001 est. 80 Netherlands Antilles 72,000 2001 est. 81 Bangladesh 71,000 2001 est. 82 Jamaica 66,000 2001 est. 83 Virgin Islands 66,000 2001 est. 84 Serbia and Montenegro 64,000 2001 est. 85 Turkmenistan 63,000 2001 est. 86 Guatemala 61,000 2001 est. 87 Kenya 57,000 2001 est. 88 Slovenia 53,300 2001 est. 89 Oman 53,000 2001 est. 90 Panama 52,000 2001 est. 91 Luxembourg 50,650 2001 est. 92 Sudan 50,000 2001 est. 93 Bolivia 49,000 2001 est. 94 Cyprus 49,000 2001 est. 95 Latvia 44,000 2001 est. 96 Gibraltar 42,000 2001 est. 97 Uruguay 41,500 2001 est. 98 El Salvador 39,000 2001 est. 99 Burma 38,000 2001 est. 100 Ghana 38,000 2001 est. 101 Costa Rica 37,000 2001 est. 102 Cote d'Ivoire 32,000 2001 est. 103 Georgia 31,500 2001 est. 104 Angola 31,000 2001 est. 105 Senegal 31,000 2001 est. 106 Bahrain 31,000 2001 est. 107 Honduras 29,000 2001 est. 108 Qatar 29,000 2001 est. 109 Paraguay 25,000 2001 est. 110 Nicaragua 24,500 2001 est. 111 Estonia 24,000 2001 est. 112 Mauritania 24,000 2001 est. 113 Moldova 24,000 2001 est. 114 Trinidad and Tobago 24,000 2001 est. 115 Bahamas, The 23,000 2001 est. 116 Ethiopia 23,000 2001 est. 117 Zimbabwe 23,000 2001 est. 118 Albania 22,400 2001 est. 119 Cameroon 22,000 2001 est. 120 Mauritius 21,000 2001 est. 121 Bosnia and Herzegovina 20,000 2001 est. 122 Kyrgyzstan 20,000 2001 est. 123 Malta 20,000 2001 est. 124 Tajikistan 20,000 2001 est. 125 Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 20,000 2001 est. 126 Guam 20,000 2001 est. 127 Reunion 18,000 2001 est. 128 Tanzania 17,000 2001 est. 129 Iceland 16,300 2001 est. 130 Botswana 16,000 2001 est. 131 Nepal 16,000 2001 est. 132 Papua New Guinea 15,000 2001 est. 133 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14,000 2001 est. 134 Martinique 13,500 2001 est. 135 Brunei 13,000 2001 est. 136 Namibia 13,000 2001 est. 137 Guadeloupe 13,000 2001 est. 138 Madagascar 13,000 2001 est. 139 Gabon 13,000 2001 est. 140 Benin 11,500 2001 est. 141 Djibouti 11,300 2001 est. 142 Guyana 11,000 2001 est. 143 Macau 11,000 2001 est. 144 Zambia 11,000 2001 est. 145 Haiti 11,000 2001 est. 146 Barbados 10,900 2001 est. 147 Suriname 10,000 2001 est. 148 Togo 10,000 2001 est. 149 Mongolia 8,750 2001 est. 150 Uganda 8,750 2001 est. 151 New Caledonia 8,750 2001 est. 152 Guinea 8,600 2001 est. 153 Mozambique 8,500 2001 est. 154 Burkina Faso 8,000 2001 est. 155 Aruba 6,500 2001 est. 156 French Guiana 6,500 2001 est. 157 Sierra Leone 6,500 2001 est. 158 Eritrea 6,000 2001 est. 159 Armenia 5,700 2001 est. 160 Fiji 5,700 2001 est. 161 Malawi 5,400 2001 est. 162 Rwanda 5,300 2001 est. 163 Belize 5,000 2001 est. 164 Congo, Republic of the 5,000 2001 est. 165 Niger 5,000 2001 est. 166 French Polynesia 4,750 2001 est. 167 Faroe Islands 4,500 2001 est. 168 Bermuda 4,000 2001 est. 169 Somalia 4,000 2001 est. 170 Mali 4,000 2001 est. 171 Seychelles 4,000 2001 est. 172 American Samoa 3,800 2001 est. 173 Greenland 3,700 2001 est. 174 Antigua and Barbuda 3,600 2001 est. 175 Cambodia 3,600 2001 est. 176 Afghanistan 3,500 2001 est. 177 Swaziland 3,500 2001 est. 178 Maldives 3,200 2001 est. 179 Liberia 3,100 2001 est. 180 Burundi 2,750 2001 est. 181 Laos 2,750 2001 est. 182 Guinea-Bissau 2,500 2001 est. 183 Cayman Islands 2,400 2001 est. 184 Saint Lucia 2,400 2001 est. 185 Central African Republic 2,400 2001 est. 186 Cape Verde 2,000 2001 est. 187 Equatorial Guinea 2,000 2001 est. 188 Gambia, The 1,900 2001 est. 189 Western Sahara 1,800 2001 est. 190 Chad 1,500 2001 est. 191 Lesotho 1,500 2001 192 Solomon Islands 1,250 2001 est. 193 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,250 2001 est. 194 Bhutan 1,020 2001 est. 195 Grenada 1,000 2001 est. 196 Nauru 1,000 2001 est. 197 Samoa 1,000 2001 est. 198 Tonga 1,000 2001 est. 199 Saint Kitts and Nevis 710 2001 est. 200 Comoros 700 2001 est. 201 Sao Tome and Principe 700 2001 est. 202 Dominica 600 2001 est. 203 Vanuatu 600 2001 est. 204 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 600 2001 est. 205 Cook Islands 450 2001 est. 206 British Virgin Islands 420 2001 est. 207 Montserrat 400 2001 est. 208 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 200 2001 est. 209 Saint Helena 200 2001 est. 210 Kiribati 190 2001 est. 211 Niue 20 2001 est. 212 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2001 est. This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2175 Rank Country Oil - imports(bbl/day) Date of Information 1 Japan 5,449,000 2001 2 Germany 3,081,000 2001 3 Korea, South 2,965,000 2001 4 Netherlands 2,284,000 2001 5 France 2,281,000 2001 6 Italy 2,158,000 2001 7 Spain 1,582,000 2001 8 United Kingdom 1,418,000 2001 9 Canada 1,145,000 2001 10 Belgium 1,042,000 2001 11 Turkey 616,500 2001 12 Sweden 553,100 2001 13 Australia 530,800 2001 14 Greece 468,300 2001 15 Poland 413,700 2001 16 Mexico 374,700 2001 17 Portugal 357,300 2001 18 Finland 318,300 2001 19 Switzerland 289,500 2001 20 Austria 262,000 2001 21 Denmark 195,000 2001 22 Czech Republic 192,300 2001 23 Ireland 178,600 2001 24 Hungary 136,600 2001 25 New Zealand 119,700 2001 26 Norway 88,870 2001 27 Luxembourg 50,700 2001 28 Iceland 15,470 2001 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2176 Rank Country Oil - exports(bbl/day) Date of Information 1 Norway 3,466,000 2001 2 United Kingdom 2,205,000 2001 3 Canada 2,008,000 2001 4 Mexico 1,881,000 2001 5 Netherlands 1,418,000 2001 6 Korea, South 804,700 2001 7 Australia 523,400 2001 8 Italy 456,600 2001 9 Belgium 450,000 2001 10 France 409,600 2001 11 Germany 404,300 2001 12 Denmark 332,100 2001 13 Sweden 203,700 2001 14 Spain 135,100 2001 15 Finland 101,000 2001 16 Japan 93,360 2001 17 Greece 84,720 2001 18 Poland 53,000 2001 19 Hungary 47,180 2001 20 Turkey 46,110 2001 21 Austria 35,470 2001 22 New Zealand 30,220 2001 23 Portugal 28,830 2001 24 Ireland 27,450 2001 25 Czech Republic 26,670 2001 26 Switzerland 10,420 2001 27 Luxembourg 634 2001 28 Iceland 0 2001 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2178 Rank Country Oil - proved reserves(bbl) Date of Information 1 World 1,025,000,000,000 37257 2 Saudi Arabia 261,700,000,000 37257 3 Iraq 113,800,000,000 37257 4 Kuwait 97,680,000,000 37257 5 Iran 94,390,000,000 37257 6 United Arab Emirates 80,310,000,000 37257 7 Venezuela 63,950,000,000 37257 8 Russia 51,220,000,000 37257 9 Libya 29,750,000,000 37257 10 Nigeria 27,000,000,000 37257 11 China 26,750,000,000 37257 12 Mexico 25,030,000,000 37257 13 United States 22,450,000,000 37257 14 Qatar 14,510,000,000 37257 15 Algeria 13,100,000,000 37257 16 Norway 9,859,000,000 37257 17 Brazil 8,507,000,000 37257 18 Indonesia 7,083,000,000 37257 19 Oman 5,703,000,000 37257 20 Angola 5,691,000,000 37257 21 Canada 5,112,000,000 37257 22 United Kingdom 4,741,000,000 37257 23 India 4,330,000,000 37257 24 Malaysia 3,729,000,000 37257 25 Australia 3,664,000,000 37257 26 Egypt 3,308,000,000 37257 27 Yemen 3,200,000,000 37257 28 Argentina 2,927,000,000 37257 29 Kazakhstan 2,709,000,000 37257 30 Gabon 2,450,000,000 37257 31 Syria 2,400,000,000 37257 32 Ecuador 2,358,000,000 37257 33 Colombia 1,800,000,000 37257 34 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,538,000,000 37257 35 Vietnam 1,400,000,000 37257 36 Brunei 1,255,000,000 37257 37 Denmark 1,230,000,000 37257 38 Romania 1,055,000,000 37257 39 Trinidad and Tobago 716,000,000 37257 40 Sudan 631,500,000 37257 41 Peru 614,700,000 37257 42 Azerbaijan 589,000,000 37257 43 Italy 586,600,000 37257 44 Equatorial Guinea 563,500,000 37257 45 Thailand 551,500,000 37257 46 Cuba 532,000,000 37257 47 Bolivia 458,800,000 37257 48 Tunisia 417,000,000 37257 49 Papua New Guinea 345,200,000 37257 50 Germany 327,300,000 37257 51 Pakistan 297,100,000 37257 52 Uzbekistan 297,000,000 37257 53 Turkey 288,400,000 37257 54 Turkmenistan 273,000,000 37257 55 Guatemala 263,000,000 37257 56 Cameroon 200,000,000 37257 57 Ukraine 197,500,000 37257 58 Albania 185,500,000 37257 59 Philippines 164,000,000 37257 60 France 144,300,000 37257 61 Burma 142,500,000 37257 62 Poland 116,400,000 37257 63 Hungary 110,700,000 37257 64 Croatia 93,600,000 37257 65 Congo, Republic of the 93,500,000 37257 66 New Zealand 89,620,000 37257 67 Netherlands 88,060,000 37257 68 Austria 85,690,000 37257 69 Chile 81,050,000 37257 70 Bahrain 62,280,000 37257 71 Cote d'Ivoire 50,000,000 37257 72 Serbia and Montenegro 38,750,000 37257 73 Suriname 37,000,000 37257 74 Japan 29,290,000 37257 75 Bangladesh 28,450,000 37257 76 Czech Republic 17,250,000 37257 77 Spain 10,500,000 37257 78 Ghana 8,255,000 37257 79 Bulgaria 8,100,000 37257 80 South Africa 7,840,000 37257 81 Greece 4,500,000 37257 82 Slovakia 4,500,000 37257 83 Benin 4,105,000 37257 84 Taiwan 2,000,000 37257 85 Israel 1,920,000 37257 86 Barbados 1,254,000 37257 87 Morocco 900,000 37257 88 Jordan 445,000 37257 89 Ethiopia 214,000 37257 90 Afghanistan 0 37257 91 Mozambique 0 37257 92 Tanzania 0 37257 93 Namibia 0 37257 94 Somalia 0 37257 95 Rwanda 0 37257 96 Ireland 0 37257 97 Madagascar 0 37257 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: @2179 Rank Country Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m) Date of Information 1 World 161,200,000,000,000 37257 2 Russia 47,860,000,000,000 37257 3 Iran 24,800,000,000,000 37257 4 Qatar 17,930,000,000,000 37257 5 Saudi Arabia 6,339,000,000,000 37257 6 United Arab Emirates 5,892,000,000,000 37257 7 United States 5,195,000,000,000 37257 8 Algeria 4,739,000,000,000 37257 9 Venezuela 4,202,000,000,000 37257 10 Nigeria 4,007,000,000,000 37257 11 Iraq 3,149,000,000,000 37257 12 Indonesia 2,549,000,000,000 37257 13 Australia 2,407,000,000,000 37257 14 Malaysia 2,230,000,000,000 37257 15 Norway 1,716,000,000,000 37257 16 Netherlands 1,693,000,000,000 37257 17 Canada 1,691,000,000,000 37257 18 Kuwait 1,548,000,000,000 37257 19 Turkmenistan 1,430,000,000,000 37257 20 Libya 1,321,000,000,000 37257 21 China 1,290,000,000,000 37257 22 Egypt 1,264,000,000,000 37257 23 Mexico 969,200,000,000 37257 24 Uzbekistan 937,300,000,000 37257 25 Kazakhstan 920,300,000,000 37257 26 Oman 846,400,000,000 37257 27 Argentina 768,000,000,000 37257 28 Bolivia 727,200,000,000 37257 29 United Kingdom 714,900,000,000 37257 30 Pakistan 695,600,000,000 37257 31 Trinidad and Tobago 610,600,000,000 37257 32 Ukraine 560,700,000,000 37257 33 India 542,400,000,000 37257 34 Yemen 480,000,000,000 37257 35 Papua New Guinea 385,500,000,000 37257 36 Thailand 368,200,000,000 37257 37 Brunei 315,000,000,000 37257 38 Burma 314,400,000,000 37257 39 Germany 298,300,000,000 37257 40 Peru 245,100,000,000 37257 41 Syria 240,700,000,000 37257 42 Brazil 221,700,000,000 37257 43 Italy 209,700,000,000 37257 44 Vietnam 192,600,000,000 37257 45 Poland 154,400,000,000 37257 46 Bangladesh 150,300,000,000 37257 47 Colombia 132,000,000,000 37257 48 Romania 111,100,000,000 37257 49 Ecuador 106,500,000,000 37257 50 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 104,800,000,000 37257 51 Philippines 104,600,000,000 37257 52 Sudan 99,110,000,000 37257 53 Denmark 81,980,000,000 37257 54 Angola 79,570,000,000 37257 55 Tunisia 77,160,000,000 37257 56 Equatorial Guinea 68,530,000,000 37257 57 Chile 67,780,000,000 37257 58 Gabon 66,470,000,000 37257 59 Mozambique 63,710,000,000 37257 60 Azerbaijan 62,300,000,000 37257 61 New Zealand 58,940,000,000 37257 62 Cameroon 55,220,000,000 37257 63 Hungary 50,450,000,000 37257 64 Afghanistan 49,980,000,000 37257 65 Bahrain 46,000,000,000 37257 66 Cuba 42,620,000,000 37257 67 Taiwan 38,230,000,000 37257 68 Croatia 34,360,000,000 37257 69 Namibia 31,150,000,000 37257 70 Rwanda 28,320,000,000 37257 71 Austria 24,900,000,000 37257 72 Serbia and Montenegro 24,070,000,000 37257 73 Israel 20,810,000,000 37257 74 Japan 20,020,000,000 37257 75 Cote d'Ivoire 14,870,000,000 37257 76 France 12,860,000,000 37257 77 Ethiopia 12,460,000,000 37257 78 Ghana 11,890,000,000 37257 79 Tanzania 11,330,000,000 37257 80 Ireland 9,911,000,000 37257 81 Turkey 8,685,000,000 37257 82 Slovakia 7,504,000,000 37257 83 Bulgaria 3,724,000,000 37257 84 Albania 3,316,000,000 37257 85 Jordan 3,256,000,000 37257 86 Czech Republic 3,057,000,000 37257 87 Somalia 2,832,000,000 37257 88 Guatemala 1,543,000,000 37257 89 Morocco 665,400,000 37257 90 Benin 608,800,000 37257 91 Congo, Republic of the 495,500,000 37257 92 Greece 254,900,000 37257 93 Spain 254,900,000 37257 94 Barbados 70,790,000 37257 95 South Africa 14,160,000 37257 96 Madagascar 0 37257 97 Suriname 0 37257 This file was last updated on 18 December, 2003 ====================================================================== Appendix A - Abbreviations ABEDA: Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa ACC: Arab Cooperation Council ACCT: Agency for the French-Speaking Community ACP Group: African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States AfDB: African Development Bank AFESD: Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development Air Pollution: Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides: Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants: Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants Air Pollution-Sulphur 85: Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long- Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at Least 30% Air Pollution-Sulphur 94: Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long- Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds: Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes AL: Arab League AMF: Arab Monetary Fund AMU: Arab Maghreb Union Antarctic-Environmental Protocol: Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Antarctic-Marine Living Resources: Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Antarctic Seals: Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals ANZUS: Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty APEC: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Arabsat: Arab Satellite Communications Organization ARF: ASEAN Regional Forum AsDB: Asian Development Bank ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations Autodin: Automatic Digital Network bbl/day: barrels per day BCIE: Central American Bank for Economic Integration BDEAC: Central African States Development Bank Benelux: Benelux Economic Union Biodiversity: Convention on Biological Diversity BIS: Bank for International Settlements BSEC: Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone C: Commonwealth CACM: Central American Common Market CAEU: Council of Arab Economic Unity CAN: Andean Community of Nations Caricom: Caribbean Community and Common Market CB: citizen's band mobile radio communications CBSS: Council of the Baltic Sea States CCC: Customs Cooperation Council CDB: Caribbean Development Bank CE: Council of Europe CEI: Central European Initiative CEMA: Council for Mutual Economic Assistance; also known as CMEA or Comecon CEMAC: Monetary and Economic Community of Central Africa CEPGL: Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries CERN: European Organization for Nuclear Research c.i.f.: cost, insurance, and freight CIS: Commonwealth of Independent States CITES: see Endangered Species Climate Change: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol: Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COCOM: Coordinating Committee on Export Controls COMESA: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Comsat: Communications Satellite Corporation CP: Colombo Plan CY: calendar year DC: developed country Desertification: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa DSN: Defense Switched Network DWT: deadweight ton EADB: East African Development Bank EAPC: Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council EBRD: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC: European Community ECA: Economic Commission for Africa ECE: Economic Commission for Europe ECLAC: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECO: Economic Cooperation Organization ECOSOC: Economic and Social Council ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States ECS: European Coal and Steel Community EEC: European Economic Community EFTA: European Free Trade Association EIB: European Investment Bank EMU: Economic and Monetary Union Endangered Species: Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Entente: Council of the Entente Environmental Modification: Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques ESA: European Space Agency ESCAP: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ESCWA: Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia est.: estimate EU: European Union Euratom: European Atomic Energy Community Eutelsat: European Telecommunications Satellite Organization Ex-Im: Export-Import Bank of the United States FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization FAX: facsimile f.o.b.: free on board FLS: Front Line States FRG: Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91 FSU: former Soviet Union FY: fiscal year F.Y.R.O.M.: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia FZ: Franc Zone G-2: Group of 2 G-3: Group of 3 G-5: Group of 5 G-6: Group of 6 G-7: Group of 7 G-8: Group of 8 G-9: Group of 9 G-10: Group of 10 G-11: Group of 11 G-15: Group of 15 G-24: Group of 24 G-77: Group of 77 GATT: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; now WTrO GCC: Gulf Cooperation Council GDP: gross domestic product GDR: German Democratic Republic (East Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91 GNP: gross national product GRT: gross register ton GUUAM: acronym for member states - Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova GWP: gross world product Habitat: United Nations Center for Human Settlements Hazardous Wastes: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal HF: high-frequency IADB: Inter-American Development Bank IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency IBEC: International Bank for Economic Cooperation IBRD: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization ICC: International Chamber of Commerce ICCt: International Criminal Court ICFTU: International Confederation of Free Trade Unions ICJ: International Court of Justice (World Court) ICRC: International Committee of the Red Cross ICRM: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement ICSID: International Center for Secretariat of Investment Disputes ICTR: International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda ICTY: International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia IDA: International Development Association IDB: Islamic Development Bank IEA: International Energy Agency IFAD: International Fund for Agricultural Development IFC: International Finance Corporation IFCTU: International Federation of Christian Trade Unions IFRCS: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IGAD: Inter-Governmental Authority on Development IGADD: Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development IHO: International Hydrographic Organization IIB: International Investment Bank ILO: International Labor Organization IMF: International Monetary Fund IMO: International Maritime Organization Inmarsat: International Mobile Satellite Organization InOC: Indian Ocean Commission INSTRAW: International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women Intelsat: International Telecommunications Satellite Organization Interpol: International Criminal Police Organization Intersputnik: International Organization of Space Communications IOC: International Olympic Committee IOM: International Organization for Migration ISO: International Organization for Standardization ITU: International Telecommunication Union kHz: kilohertz km: kilometer kW: kilowatt kWh: kilowatt-hour LAES: Latin American Economic System LAIA: Latin American Integration Association Law of the Sea: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) LDC: less developed country LLDC: least developed country London Convention: see Marine Dumping LOS: see Law of the Sea m: meter Marecs: Maritime European Communications Satellite Marine Dumping: Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter Marine Life Conservation: Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas MARPOL: see Ship Pollution Medarabtel: Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union Mercosur: Southern Cone Common Market MHz: megahertz MIGA: Multilateral Investment Geographic Agency MINURSO: United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara MIPOHUH: United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti MONUC: United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo NA: not available NAM: Nonaligned Movement NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization NC: Nordic Council NEA: Nuclear Energy Agency NEGL: negligible NIB: Nordic Investment Bank NIC: newly industrializing country NIE: newly industrializing economy NIS: new independent states NM: nautical mile NMT: Nordic Mobile Telephone NSG: Nuclear Suppliers Group Nuclear Test Ban: Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water NZ: New Zealand OAPEC: Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries OAS: Organization of American States OAU: Organization of African Unity ODA: official development assistance OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECS: Organization of Eastern Caribbean States OIC: Organization of the Islamic Conference OOF: other official flows OPANAL: Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean OPCW: Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons OPEC: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries OSCE: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Ozone Layer Protection: Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer PCA: Permanent Court of Arbitration PDRY: People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91 PFP: Partnership for Peace Ramsar: see Wetlands RG: Rio Group SAARC: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SACU: Southern African Customs Union SADC: Southern African Development Community SCO: Shanghai Cooperative Organization SFRY: Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia SHF: super-high-frequency Ship Pollution: Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) Sparteca: South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement SPC: South Pacific Commission SPF: South Pacific Forum sq km: square kilometer sq mi: square mile TAT: Trans-Atlantic Telephone Tropical Timber 83: International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 Tropical Timber 94: International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994 UAE: United Arab Emirates UDEAC: Central African Customs and Economic Union UHF: ultra-high-frequency UK: United Kingdom UN: United Nations UNAMA: United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMSIL: United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone UNCTAD: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDCP: United Nations Drug Control Program UNDOF: United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UNDP: United Nations Development Program UNEP: United Nations Environment Program UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization UNFICYP: United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus UNFPA: United Nations Population Fund UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCRHR: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights UNICEF: United Nations Children's Fund UNICRI: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute UNIDIR: United Nations Disarmament Research UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIFIL: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIKOM: United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission UNITAR: United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNMEE: United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea UNMIBH: United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina UNMIK: United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo UNMISET: United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor UNMOGIP: United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNMOP: United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka UNMOT: United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan UNMOVIC: United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission UNOMIG: United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia UNOMSIL: United Nations Mission of Observers in Sierra Leone UNOPS: United Nations Office of Project Services UNPREDEP: United Nations Preventive Deployment Force UNRISD: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNSC: United Nations Security Council UNSSC: United Nations System Staff College UNTAET: United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor UNTSO: United Nations Truce Supervision Organization UNU: United Nations University UPU: Universal Postal Union US: United States USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union); used for information dated before 25 December 1991 USSR/EE: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics/Eastern Europe VHF: very-high-frequency VSAT: very small aperture terminal WADB: West African Development Bank WAEMU: West African Economic and Monetary Union WCL: World Confederation of Labor Wetlands: Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat WEU: Western European Union WFC: World Food Council WFP: World Food Program WFTU: World Federation of Trade Unions Whaling: International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling WHO: World Health Organization WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organization WMO: World Meteorological Organization WP: Warsaw Pact WTO: see WToO for World Tourism Organization or WTrO for World Trade Organization WToO: World Tourism Organization WTrO: World Trade Organization YAR: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91 ZC: Zangger Committee This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003 ===================================================================== Appendix B - International Organizations and Groups advanced developing countries: another term for those less developed countries (LDCs) with particularly rapid industrial development; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs) advanced economies: a term used by the International Monetary FUND (IMF) for the top group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries; it includes the following 28 advanced economies: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, US; note - this group would presumably also cover the following seven smaller countries of Andorra, Bermuda, Faroe Islands, Holy See, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and San Marino which are included in the more comprehensive group of "developed countries" African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group): established - 6 June 1975 aim - to manage their preferential economic and aid relationship with the EU members - (77) Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe African Development Bank (AfDB): note - also known as Banque Africaine de Developpement (BAD) established - 4 August 1963 aim - to promote economic and social development regional members - (53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe nonregional members - (24) Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US African Union (AU): note - replaces Organization of African Unity (OAU) established - 8 July 2001 aim - to achieve greater unity among African States; to defend states' integrity and independence; to accelerate political, social, and economic integration; to encourage international cooperation; to promote democratic principles and institutions members - (52) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe Agency for the French-Speaking Community (ACCT): note - formerly Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation established - 20 March 1970; name changed 1996 aim - to promote cultural and technical cooperation among French- speaking countries members - (51) Albania, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, France, French Community of Belgium, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, New Brunswick (Canada), Niger, Quebec (Canada), Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Vietnam observers - (4) Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL): note - acronym from Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL) established - 14 February 1967 under the Treaty of Tlatelolco; effective - 25 April 1969 on the 11th ratification of the treaty aim - to encourage the peaceful uses of atomic energy and prohibit nuclear weapons members - (33) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela Andean Community of Nations (CAN): note - formerly known as the Andean Group (AG), the Andean Parliament, and most recently as the Andean Common Market (Ancom) established - 26 May 1969; present name established 1 October 1992; effective - 16 October 1969 aim - to promote harmonious development through economic integration members - (5) Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA): note - also known as Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA) established - 18 February 1974; effective - 16 September 1974 aim - to promote economic development members - (17 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Palestine Liberation Organization; note - these are all the members of the Arab League excluding Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen Arab Cooperation Council (ACC): established - 16 February 1989 aim - to promote economic cooperation and integration, possibly leading to an Arab Common Market members - (4) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen; note - the ACC has remained inactive since the Gulf crisis Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD): established - 16 May 1968 aim - to promote economic and social development members - (20 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq (suspended 1993), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (suspended 1993), Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization Arab League (AL): note - also known as League of Arab States (LAS) established - 22 March 1945 aim - to promote economic, social, political, and military cooperation members - (21 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization Arab Maghreb Union (AMU): established - 17 February 1989 aim - to promote cooperation and integration among the Arab states of northern Africa members - (5) Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia Arab Monetary Fund (AMF): established - 27 April 1976; effective - 2 February 1977 aim - to promote Arab cooperation, development, and integration in monetary and economic affairs members - (21 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): established - 7 November 1989 aim - to promote trade and investment in the Pacific basin members - (21) Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, US, Vietnam observers - (3) Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, Pacific Islands Forum Asian Development Bank (AsDB): established - 19 December 1966 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation regional members - (44) Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, East Timor, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam nonregional members - (17) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): established - 8 August 1967 aim - to encourage regional economic, social, and cultural cooperation among the non-Communist countries of Southeast Asia members - (10) Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam associate member - (1) Papua New Guinea dialogue partners - (12) Australia, Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, NZ, Russia, US, UNDP ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): established - NA 1994 aim - to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern members - (10) Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam dialogue partners - (13) Australia, Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Russia, US Australia Group: established - NA 1984 aim - to consult on and coordinate export controls related to chemical and biological weapons members - (34) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty (ANZUS): established - 1 September 1951; effective - 29 April 1952 aim - to implement a trilateral mutual security agreement, although the US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986; Australia and the US continue to hold annual meetings members - (3) Australia, NZ, US Bank for International Settlements (BIS): established - 20 January 1930; effective - 17 March 1930 aim - to promote cooperation among central banks in international financial settlements members - (50) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Central Bank, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US Benelux Economic Union (Benelux): note - acronym from Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg established - 3 February 1958; effective - 1 November 1960 aim - to develop closer economic cooperation and integration members - (3) Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands Big Seven: note - membership is the same as the Group of 7 established - NA 1975 aim - to discuss and coordinate major economic policies members - (7) Big Six (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK) plus the US Big Six: note - not to be confused with the Group of 6 established - NA 1967 aim - to foster economic cooperation members - (6) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone (BSEC): established - 25 June 1992 aim - to enhance regional stability through economic cooperation members - (11) Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine observers - (9) Austria, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Tunisia Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom): established - 4 July 1973; effective - 1 August 1973 aim - to promote economic integration and development, especially among the less developed countries members - (15) Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago associate members - (4) Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands observers - (8) Aruba, Bermuda, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Venezuela Caribbean Development Bank (CDB): established - 18 October 1969; effective - 26 January 1970 aim - to promote economic development and cooperation regional members - (20) Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Venezuela nonregional members - (5) Canada, China, Germany, Italy, UK Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC): see Monetary and Economic Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC): note - acronym from Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale established - 3 December 1975 aim - to provide loans for economic development members - (11) African Development Bank (AfDB), Cameroon, Central African States Bank (BEAC), Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Germany, Kuwait Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE): note - acronym from Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico established - 13 December 1960 signature of Articles of Agreement; 31 May 1961 began operations aim - to promote economic integration and development members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua nonregional members - (4) Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Taiwan Central American Common Market (CACM): established - 13 December 1960, collapsed in 1969, reinstated in 1991 aim - to promote establishment of a Central American Common Market members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; note - Panama, although not a member, pursues full regional cooperation Central European Initiative (CEI): note - evolved from the Quadrilateral Initiative and the Hexagonal Initiative established - 11 November 1989 as the Quadrilateral Initiative, 27 July 1991 became the Hexagonal Initiative, NA July 1992 present name adopted aim - to form an economic and political cooperation group for the region between the Adriatic and the Baltic Seas members - (17) Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine centrally planned economies : a term applied mainly to the traditionally Communist states that looked to the former USSR for leadership; most are now evolving toward more democratic and market- oriented systems; also known formerly as the Second World or as the Communist countries; through the 1980s, this group included Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, GDR, Hungary, North Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, USSR, Vietnam Colombo Plan (CP): established - NA May 1950 proposal was adopted; 1 July 1951 commenced full operations aim - to promote economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific members - (25) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, US, Vietnam provisional member - (1) Mongolia Commonwealth (C): note - also known as Commonwealth of Nations established - 31 December 1931 aim - to foster multinational cooperation and assistance, as a voluntary association that evolved from the British Empire members - (54) Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, NZ, Nigeria, Pakistan (suspended), Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, UK, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe (suspended) Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): established - 8 December 1991; effective - 21 December 1991 aim - to coordinate intercommonwealth relations and to provide a mechanism for the orderly dissolution of the USSR members - (12) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Communist countries: traditionally the Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; most of the original and the successor states are no longer Communist; see centrally planned economies Coordinating Committee on Export Controls (COCOM): established in 1949 to control the export of strategic products and technical data from member countries to proscribed destinations; members were Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US; abolished 31 March 1994; COCOM members established a new organization, the Wassenaar Arrangement, with expanded membership on 12 July 1996 which focuses on nonproliferation export controls as opposed to East- West control of advanced technology Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA): note - also known as CMEA or Comecon established 25 January 1949 to promote the development of socialist economies and abolished 1 January 1991; members included Afghanistan (observer), Albania (had not participated since 1961 break with USSR), Angola (observer), Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia (observer), GDR, Hungary, Laos (observer), Mongolia, Mozambique (observer), Nicaragua (observer), Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam, Yemen (observer), Yugoslavia (associate) Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU): established - 3 June 1957; effective - 30 May 1964 aim - to promote economic integration among Arab nations members - (10 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization Council of Europe (CE): established - 5 May 1949; effective - 3 August 1949 aim - to promote increased unity and quality of life in Europe members - (44) Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK guests - (1) Serbia and Montenegro observers - (6) Canada, Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico, US Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS): established - 6 March 1992 aim - to promote cooperation among the Baltic Sea states in the areas of aid to new democratic institutions, economic development, humanitarian aid, energy and the environment, cultural programs and education, and transportation and communication members - (12) Denmark, Estonia, EC, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden Council of the Entente (Entente): established - 29 May 1959 aim - to promote economic, social, and political coordination members - (5) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Togo countries in transition: a term used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the middle group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries; recently published IMF statistics include the following 28 countries in transition: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; note - this group is identical to the group traditionally referred to as the "former USSR/Eastern Europe" except for the addition of Mongolia Customs Cooperation Council (CCC): note - see World Customs Organization (WCO) developed countries (DCs): the top group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); includes the market-oriented economies of the mainly democratic nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Bermuda, Israel, South Africa, and the European ministates; also known as the First World, high-income countries, the North, industrial countries; generally have a per capita GDP in excess of $10,000 although four OECD countries and South Africa have figures well under $10,000 and two of the excluded OPEC countries have figures of more than $10,000; the 34 DCs are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US; note - similar to the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) term "advanced economies" which adds Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan but drops Malta, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey developing countries: a term used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the bottom group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries; recently published IMF statistics include the following 126 developing countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - this category would presumably also cover the following 46 other countries that are traditionally included in the more comprehensive group of "less developed countries": American Samoa, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Cuba, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gaza Strip, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guernsey, Jersey, North Korea, Macau, Isle of Man, Martinique, Mayotte, Montserrat, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tokelau, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara East African Development Bank (EADB): established - 6 June 1967; effective - 1 December 1967 aim - to promote economic development members - (3) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to coordinate the economic and social work of the UN; includes five regional commissions (Economic Commission for Africa, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) and nine functional commissions (Commission for Social Development, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Population and Development, Statistical Commission, Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Commission on Sustainable Development, and Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice) members - (54) selected on a rotating basis from all regions Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL): note - acronym from Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs established - 20 September 1976 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation and integration members - (3) Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): established - 28 May 1975 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation members - (15) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO): established - 27-29 January 1985 aim - to promote regional cooperation in trade, transportation, communications, tourism, cultural affairs, and economic development members - (10) Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan associate member - (1) "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" Economic and Monetary Union (EMU): note - an integral part of the European Union; also known as the European Economic and Monetary Union proposed - 1-2 December 1969 at summit conference of heads of government; signed - 7 February 1992 - Maastricht Treaty aim - to promote a single market by creating a single currency, the euro; timetable - 2 May 1998: European exchange rates fixed for 1 January 1999; 1 January 1999: all banks and stock exchanges begin using euros; 1 January 2002: the euro goes into circulation; 1 July 2002 local currencies no longer accepted members - (12) Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain; note - Denmark, Sweden, and UK decided not to join Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC): note - began as the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC); an extension of NATO established - 8 November 1991; effective - 20 December 1991 aim - to discuss cooperation on mutual political and security issues members - (46) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): established - 8-9 January 1990 (proposals made); 15 April 1991 (bank inaugurated) aim - to facilitate the transition of seven centrally planned economies in Europe (Bulgaria, former Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, former USSR, and former Yugoslavia) to market economies by committing 60% of its loans to privatization members - (62) Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, EU, European Investment Bank (EIB), Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan European Community (or European Communities, EC): was established 8 April 1965 to integrate the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the European Coal and Steel Community (ESC), the European Economic Community (EEC or Common Market), and to establish a completely integrated common market and an eventual federation of Europe; merged into the European Union (EU) on 7 February 1992; member states at the time of merger were Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK European Free Trade Association (EFTA): established - 4 January 1960; effective - 3 May 1960 aim - to promote expansion of free trade members - (4) Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland European Investment Bank (EIB): established - 25 March 1957; effective - 1 January 1958 aim - to promote economic development of the EU and its predecessors, the EEC and the EC members - (15) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN): note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization Conseil Europeenne pour la Recherche Nucleaire established - 1 July 1953; effective - 29 September 1954 aim - to foster nuclear research for peaceful purposes only members - (20) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK observers - (7) European Commission, Israel, Japan, Russia, Turkey, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), US European Space Agency (ESA): established - 31 May 1975 aim - to promote peaceful cooperation in space research and technology members - (15) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK cooperating state - (1) Canada European Union (EU): note - evolved from the European Community (EC) established - 7 February 1992; effective - 1 November 1993 aim - to coordinate policy among the 15 members in three fields: economics, building on the European Economic Community's (EEC) efforts to establish a common market and eventually a common currency to be called the 'euro', which superseded the EU's accounting unit, the ECU; defense, within the concept of a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); and justice and home affairs, including immigration, drugs, terrorism, and improved living and working conditions members - (15) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK membership applicants - (13) Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey First World: another term for countries with advanced, industrialized economies; this term is fading from use; see developed countries (DCs) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): established - 16 October 1945 aim - to raise living standards and increase availability of agricultural products; a UN specialized agency members - (184) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, EC, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe former Soviet Union (FSU): former term often used to identify as a group the successor nations to the Soviet Union or USSR; this group of 15 countries consists of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE): the middle group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); these countries are in political and economic transition and may well be grouped differently in the near future; this group of 27 countries consists of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia; this group is identical to the IMF group "countries in transition" except for the IMF's inclusion of Mongolia Four Dragons: the four small Asian less developed countries (LDCs) that have experienced unusually rapid economic growth; also known as the Four Tigers; this group consists of Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan; these countries are included in the IMF's "advanced economies" group Franc Zone (FZ): note - also known as Conference des Ministres des Finances des Pays de la Zone Franc established - NA 1964 aim - to form a monetary union among countries whose currencies are linked to the French franc members - (15) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo; note - France's three overseas territories, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna, use the Comptoires Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) Front Line States (FLS): established to achieve black majority rule in South Africa; has since gone out of existence; members included Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT): see the World Trade Organization (WTrO) Group of 2 (G-2): informal term that came into use about 1986; to facilitate bilateral economic cooperation between the two most powerful economic giants; members were Japan, US Group of 3 (G-3): established - NA September 1990 aim - mechanism for policy coordination members - (3) Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela Group of 5 (G-5): established - 22 September 1985 aim - to coordinate the economic policies of five major noncommunist economic powers members - (5) France, Germany, Japan, UK, US Group of 6 (G-6): note - also known as Groupe des Six Sur le Desarmement; not to be confused with the Big Six established - 22 May 1984 aim - to achieve nuclear disarmament members - (6) Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden, Tanzania Group of 7 (G-7): note - membership is the same as the Big Seven established - 22 September 1985 aim - to facilitate economic cooperation among the seven major noncommunist economic powers members - (7) Group of 5 (France, Germany, Japan, UK, US) plus Canada and Italy Group of 8 (G-8): established - NA October 1975 aim - to facilitate economic cooperation among the developed countries (DCs) that participated in the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC), held in several sessions between NA December 1975 and 3 June 1977 members - (9) Canada, EU (as one member), France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, US Group of 9 (G-9): established - NA aim - to discuss matters of mutual interest on an informal basis members - (9) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Sweden Group of 10 (G-10): note - also known as the Paris Club; includes the wealthiest members of the IMF who provide most of the money to be loaned and act as the informal steering committee; name persists in spite of the addition of Switzerland on NA April 1984 established - NA October 1962 aim - to coordinate credit policy members - (11) Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US nonstate participants - (4) BIS, EU, IMF, OECD Group of 11 (G-11): note - also known as the Cartagena Group; established in 21-22 June 1984, in Cartagena, Colombia; aim was to provide a forum for largest debtor nations in Latin America; members were Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela Group of 15 (G-15): note - byproduct of the Nonaligned Movement established - NA September 1989 aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing nations; to act as the main political organ for the Nonaligned Movement members - (19) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Zimbabwe Group of 24 (G-24): established - 1 August 1989 aim - to promote the interests of developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America within the IMF members - (24) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela Group of 77 (G-77): established - 15 June1964; NA October 1967 first ministerial meeting aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing countries; name persists in spite of increased membership members - (133 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): note - also known as the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf established - 25 May 1981 aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic, social, political, and military affairs members - (6) Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE GUUAM: note - acronym standing for the member countries, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova established - 7 June 2001 aim - commits the countries to cooperation and assistance in social and economic development, the strengthening and broadening of trade and economic relations, and the development and effective use of transport and communications, highways, and related infrastructure crossing the boundaries of the member states members - (5) Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan high-income countries: another term for the industrialized countries with high per capita GDPs; see developed countries (DCs) Indian Ocean Commission (InOC): established - 21 December 1982 aim - to organize and promote regional cooperation in all sectors, especially economic members - (5) Comoros, France (for Reunion), Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles industrial countries: another term for the developed countries; see developed countries (DCs) Inter-American Development Bank (IADB): note - also known as Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) established - 8 April 1959; effective - 30 December 1959 aim - to promote economic and social development in Latin America members - (46) Argentina, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD): note - formerly known as Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) established - 15-16 January 1986 as the Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development; revitalized - 21 March 1996 as the Inter- Governmental Authority on Development aim - to promote a social, economic, and scientific community among its members members - (7) Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): established - 26 October 1956; effective - 29 July 1957 aim - to promote peaceful uses of atomic energy members - (135) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, and Seychelles membership has been approved; membership will take effect once legal instruments have been deposited International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): note - also known as the World Bank established - 22 July 1944; effective - 27 December 1945 aim - to provide economic development loans; a UN specialized agency members - (184) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Chamber of Commerce (ICC): established - NA 1919 aim - to promote free trade and private enterprise and to represent business interests at national and international levels members - (84 national committees) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Caribbean, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): established - 7 December 1944; effective - 4 April 1947 aim - to promote international cooperation in civil aviation; a UN specialized agency members - (188) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Palau, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): established - 17 February 1863 aim - to provide humanitarian aid in wartime members - (25 individuals) all Swiss nationals International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU): established - NA December 1949 aim - to promote the trade union movement members - (231 affiliated organizations in the following 149 countries plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization International Court of Justice (ICJ): note - also known as the World Court established - 3 February 1946 superseded Permanent Court of International Justice aim - primary judicial organ of the UN members - (15 judges) elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council to represent all principal legal systems International Criminal Court (ICCt): established - 11 April 2002 aim - to hold all individuals and countries accountable to international laws of conduct; to specify international standards of conduct; to provide an important mechanism for implementing these standards; to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice members - (89) Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, East Timor, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, South Korea, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia signatory states - (54) Algeria, Angola, Armenia, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Oman, Philippines, Russia, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Ukraine, UAE, US, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zimbabwe International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol): established - NA September 1923 set up as the International Criminal Police Commission; 13 June 1956 constitution modified and present name adopted aim - to promote international cooperation among police authorities in fighting crime members - (181) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe subbureaus - (14) American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guam, Hong Kong, Macau, Montserrat, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands International Development Association (IDA): established - 26 January 1960; effective - 24 September 1960 aim - to provide economic loans for low-income countries; UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate members - (164) Part I - (27 developed countries) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, US Part II - (137 less developed countries) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Energy Agency (IEA): established - 15 November 1974 aim - to promote cooperation on energy matters, especially emergency oil sharing and relations between oil consumers and oil producers; established by the OECD members - (26) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS): note - formerly known as League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS) established - 5 May 1919 aim - to organize, coordinate, and direct international relief actions; to promote humanitarian activities; to represent and encourage the development of National Societies; to bring help to victims of armed conflicts, refugees, and displaced people; to reduce the vulnerability of people through development programs members - (179) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe associate members - (7 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Comoros, Cook Islands, Eritrea, Israel, Kazakhstan, Federated States of Micronesia, Tuvalu, Palestine Liberation Organization International Finance Corporation (IFC): established - 25 May 1955; effective - 24 July 1956 aim - to support private enterprise in international economic development; a UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate members - (175) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): established - NA November 1974 aim - to promote agricultural development; a UN specialized agency members - (162) Category I - (23 industrialized aid contributors) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US Category II - (12 petroleum-exporting aid contributors) Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela Category III - (127 aid recipients) Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Hydrographic Organization (IHO): note - name changed from International Hydrographic Bureau on 22 September 1970 established - NA June 1919; effective - NA June 1921 aim - to train hydrographic surveyors and nautical cartographers to achieve standardization in nautical charts and electronic chart displays; to provide advice on nautical cartography and hydrography; to develop the sciences in the field of hydrography and techniques used for descriptive oceanography members - (70) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela membership pending - (3) Bulgaria, Mauritania, Qatar International Labor Organization (ILO): established - 28 June 1919 set up as part of Treaty of Versailles; 11 April 1919 became operative; 14 December 1946 affiliated with the UN aim - to deal with world labor issues; a UN specialized agency members - (175) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Maritime Organization (IMO): note - name changed from Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) on 22 May 1982 established - 6 March 1948 set up as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization; effective - 17 March 1958 aim - to deal with international maritime affairs; a UN specialized agency members - (162) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen associate members - (3) Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Macau International Monetary Fund (IMF): established - 22 July 1944; effective - 27 December 1945 aim - to promote world monetary stability and economic development; a UN specialized agency members - (184) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Olympic Committee (IOC): established - 23 June 1894 aim - to promote the Olympic ideals and administer the Olympic games: 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece; 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy; 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China; 2010 Winter Olympics in British Colombia, Canada National Olympic Committees - (198 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola (suspended), Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization International Organization for Migration (IOM): note - established as Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) on 15 November 1952; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for Migration (ICM) in November 1980; current name adopted 14 November 1989 established - 5 December 1951 aim - to facilitate orderly international emigration and immigration members - (98) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe observers - (33) Afghanistan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burundi, China, Cuba, Estonia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Holy See, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Libya, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Mauritania, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Russia, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Spain, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vietnam International Organization for Standardization (ISO): established - NA February 1947 aim - to promote the development of international standards with a view to facilitating international exchange of goods and services and to developing cooperation in the sphere of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity members - (94 national standards organizations) Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Libya, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe correspondent members - (34) Albania, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brunei, Cameroon, Estonia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Turkmenistan, Yemen subscriber members - (12) Antigua and Barbuda, Burundi, Cambodia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Mali, Niger International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM): established - NA 1928 aim - to promote worldwide humanitarian aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in wartime, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS; formerly League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or LORCS) in peacetime National Societies - (176 countries); note - same as membership for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) International Telecommunication Union (ITU): established - 17 May 1865 set up as the International Telegraph Union; 9 December 1932 adopted present name effective - 1 January 1934; affiliated with the UN - 15 November 1947 aim - to deal with world telecommunications issues; a UN specialized agency members - (189) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Islamic Development Bank (IDB): established - 15 December 1973 by declaration of intent; effective - 12 August 1974 aim - to promote Islamic economic aid and social development members - (53 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization Latin American Economic System (LAES): note - also known as Sistema Economico Latinoamericana (SELA) established - 17 October 1975 aim - to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation members - (28) Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela Latin American Integration Association (LAIA): note - also known as Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI) established - 12 August 1980; effective - 18 March 1981 aim - to promote freer regional trade members - (12) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (23) China, Commission of the European Communities, Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Inter-American Development Bank, Inter- American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Italy, Latin America Economic System, Nicaragua, Organization of American States, Panama, Pan-American Health Organization, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean least developed countries (LLDCs): that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) initially identified by the UN General Assembly in 1971 as having no significant economic growth, per capita GDPs normally less than $1,000, and low literacy rates; also known as the undeveloped countries; the 42 LLDCs are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen less developed countries (LDCs): the bottom group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); mainly countries and dependent areas with low levels of output, living standards, and technology; per capita GDPs are generally below $5,000 and often less than $1,500; however, the group also includes a number of countries with high per capita incomes, areas of advanced technology, and rapid rates of growth; includes the advanced developing countries, developing countries, Four Dragons (Four Tigers), least developed countries (LLDCs), low-income countries, middle-income countries, newly industrializing economies (NIEs), the South, Third World, underdeveloped countries, undeveloped countries; the 172 LDCs are: Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Gaza Strip, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Isle of Man, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Palau, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - similar to the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) term "developing countries" which adds Malta, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey but omits in its recently published statistics American Samoa, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Cuba, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gaza Strip, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guernsey, Jersey, North Korea, Macau, Isle of Man, Martinique, Mayotte, Montserrat, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tokelau, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara low-income countries: another term for those less developed countries with below-average per capita GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs) middle-income countries: another term for those less developed countries with above-average per capita GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs) Monetary and Economic Community of Central Africa (CEMAC): note - was formerly the Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) established - 8 December 1964; effective - 1 January 1966 aim - to promote the establishment of a Central African Common Market members - (6) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Near Abroad: Russian term for the 14 non-Russian successor states of the USSR, in which 25 million ethnic Russians live and in which Moscow has expressed a strong national security interest; the 14 countries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan new independent states (NIS): a term referring to all those countries of the FSU except the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) newly industrializing countries (NICs): former term for the newly industrializing economies; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs) newly industrializing economies (NIEs): that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) that has experienced particularly rapid industrialization of their economies; formerly known as the newly industrializing countries (NICs); also known as advanced developing countries; usually includes the Four Dragons (Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan), and Brazil Nonaligned Movement (NAM): established - 1-6 September 1961 aim - to establish political and military cooperation apart from the traditional East or West blocs members - (114 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization observers - (13) Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Paraguay, Ukraine, Uruguay guests - (28) Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US Nordic Council (NC): established - 16 March 1952; effective - 12 February 1953 aim - to promote regional economic, cultural, and environmental cooperation members - (5) Denmark (including Faroe Islands and Greenland), Finland (including Aland Islands), Iceland, Norway, Sweden observers - (3) the Sami (Lapp) local parliaments of Finland, Norway, and Sweden Nordic Investment Bank (NIB): established - 4 December 1975; effective - 1 June 1976 aim - to promote economic cooperation and development members - (5) Denmark (including Faroe Islands and Greenland), Finland (including Aland Islands), Iceland, Norway, Sweden North: a popular term for the rich industrialized countries generally located in the northern portion of the Northern Hemisphere; the counterpart of the South; see developed countries (DCs) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): established - 4 April 1949 aim - to promote mutual defense and cooperation members - (19) Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA): note - also known as OECD Nuclear Energy Agency established - 1 February 1958 aim - to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy; associated with OECD members - (28) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG): note - also known as the London Suppliers Group or the London Group established - NA 1974; effective - NA 1975 aim - to establish guidelines for exports of nuclear materials, processing equipment for uranium enrichment, and technical information to countries of proliferation concern and regions of conflict and instability members - (40) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US observer - (1) European Commission (a policy-planning body for the EU) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD): established - 14 December 1960; effective - 30 September 1961 aim - to promote economic cooperation and development members - (30) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US special member - (1) EU Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): note - formerly the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) established 3 July 1975 established - 1 January 1995 aim - to foster the implementation of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law; to act as an instrument of early warning, conflict prevention, and crisis management; and to serve as a framework for conventional arms control and confidence building measures members - (55) Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan partners for cooperation - (9) Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, Thailand, Tunisia Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW): established - 29 April 1997 aim - to enforce the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction; to provide a forum for consultation and cooperation among the signatories of the Convention members - (148) Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe signatory states - (25) Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone; note - states have signed but not ratified the convention Organization of African Unity (OAU): established 25 May 1963; to promote unity and cooperation among African states; members were Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; ended 8 July 2001 with the establishment of the African Union Organization of American States (OAS): established - 14 April 1890 as the International Union of American Republics; 30 April 1948 adopted present charter; effective - 13 December 1951 aim - to promote regional peace and security as well as economic and social development members - (35) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (excluded from formal participation since 1962), Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, US, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (56) Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Yemen Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC): established - 9 January 1968 aim - to promote cooperation in the petroleum industry members - (11) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS): established - 18 June 1981; effective - 4 July 1981 aim - to promote political, economic, and defense cooperation members - (7) Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines associate members - (2) Anguilla, British Virgin Islands Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): established - 14 September 1960 aim - to coordinate petroleum policies members - (11) Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC): established - 22-25 September 1969 aim - to promote Islamic solidarity in economic, social, cultural, and political affairs members - (56 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization observers - (10) Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central African Republic, ECA, LAS, Moro National Liberation Front, NAM, OAU, Thailand, Turkish Muslim Community of Kibris, UN Pacific Community: note - formerly known as the South Pacific Commission (SPC) established - 6 February 1947; effective - 29 July 1948 aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic and social matters members - (27) American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, NZ, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna Pacific Island Forum : note - formerly known as South Pacific Forum (SPF) established - 5 August 1971 aim - to promote regional cooperation in political matters members - (16) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu observer - (1) New Caledonia Paris Club: established - 1956 aim - to provide a forum for debtor countries to negotiate rescheduling of debt service payments or loans extended by governments or official agencies of participating countries; to help restore normal trade and project finance to debtor countries members - (19) Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US Partnership for Peace (PFP): established - 10-11 January 1994 aim - to expand and intensify political and military cooperation throughout Europe, increase stability, diminish threats to peace, and build relationships by promoting the spirit of practical cooperation and commitment to democratic principles that underpin NATO; program under the auspices of NATO members - (30) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA): established - 29 July 1899 aim - to facilitate the settlement of international disputes members - (97) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe Rio Group (RG): note - formerly known as Grupo de los Ocho, established NA December 1986; composed of the Contadora Group and the Lima Group established - NA 1988 aim - to consult on regional Latin American issues members - (19) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela Second World: another term for the traditionally Marxist-Leninist states of the USSR and Eastern Europe, with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; the term is fading from use; see centrally planned economies Shanghai Cooperative Organization (SCO): established - 15 June 2001 aim - to combat terrorism, extremism, and separatism; to safeguard regional security through mutual trust, disarmament, and cooperative security; and to increase cooperation in political, trade, economic, scientific and technological, cultural, and educational fields members - (6) China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan socialist countries: in general, countries in which the government owns and plans the use of the major factors of production; note - the term is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for Communist countries South: a popular term for the poorer, less industrialized countries generally located south of the developed countries; the counterpart of the North; see less developed countries (LDCs) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): established - 8 December 1985 aim - to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation members - (7) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka South Pacific Forum (SPF): note - see Pacific Island Forum South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (Sparteca): established - NA 1981 aim - to redress unequal trade relationships of Australia and New Zealand with small island economies in the Pacific region members - (16) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu Southern African Customs Union (SACU): established - 11 December 1969 aim - to promote free trade and cooperation in customs matters members - (5) Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland Southern African Development Community (SADC): note - evolved from the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) established - 17 August 1992 aim - to promote regional economic development and integration members - (14) Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) or Southern Common Market: note - also known as Mercado Comun del Cono Sur (Mercosur) established - 26 March 1991 aim - to increase regional economic cooperation members - (4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay associate member - (2) Bolivia, Chile Third World: another term for the less developed countries; the term is obsolescent; see less developed countries (LDCs) underdeveloped countries: refers to those less developed countries with the potential for above-average economic growth; see less developed countries (LDCs) undeveloped countries: refers to those extremely poor less developed countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least developed countries (LLDCs) United Nations (UN): established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to maintain international peace and security and to promote cooperation involving economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems constituent organizations - the UN is composed of six principal organs and numerous subordinate agencies and bodies as follows: 1) Secretariat 2) General Assembly: Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), and United Nations University (UNU), World Food Program (WFP) 3) Security Council: International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (ANAMA), United Nations Compensation Commission, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), United Nations Iraq/Kuwait Boundary Demarcation Commission, United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM), United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), United Nations Monitoring and Verification Commission (UNMOVIC), United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), and United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) 4) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Commission for Social Development, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Narcotics Drugs, Commission on Population and Development, Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Commission on Sustainable Development, Commission on the Status of Women, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Center for Secretariat of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Multilateral Investment Geographic Agency (MIGA), Statistical Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Forum on Forests, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Tourism Organization (WToO), and World Trade Organization (WTrO) 5) Trusteeship Council (inactive; no trusteeships at this time) 6) International Court of Justice (ICJ) UN members - (191) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - all UN members are represented in the General Assembly observers - (1 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Holy See, Palestine Liberation Organization United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization, UN International Children's Emergency Fund established - 11 December 1946 aim - to help establish child health and welfare services members - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH): established 28 November 1997; to support the professionalization of the Haitian National Police; established by UN Security Council; members were Argentina, Benin, Canada, France, India, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, US; mission ended March 2000 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): established - 30 December 1964 aim - to promote international trade members - (191) all UN members plus Holy See United Nations Development Program (UNDP): established - 22 November 1965 aim - to provide technical assistance to stimulate economic and social development members (executive board) - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF): established - 31 May 1974 aim - to observe the 1973 Arab-Israeli cease-fire; established by the UN Security Council members - (6) Austria, Canada, Japan, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): established - 16 November 1945; effective - 4 November 1946 aim - to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture members - (188) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe associate members - (6) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Macau, Netherlands Antilles, Tokelau United Nations Environment Program (UNEP): established - 15 December 1972 aim - to promote international cooperation on all environmental matters members - (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions United Nations General Assembly: established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to function as the primary deliberative organ of the UN members - (191) all UN members are represented in the General Assembly United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): established - 3 December 1949; effective - 1 January 1951 aim - to ensure the humanitarian treatment of refugees and find permanent solutions to refugee problems members (executive committee) - (61) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Holy See, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO): established - 17 November 1966; effective - 1 January 1967 aim - UN specialized agency that promotes industrial development especially among the members members - (169) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR): established - 11 December 1963 adoption of the resolution establishing the Institute; effective - 24 March 1965 aim - to help the UN become more effective through training and research members (Board of Trustees) - (21) Austria, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Ghana, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US; note - the UN Secretary General can appoint up to 30 members United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK): established - 10 June 1999 aim - to promote the establishment of substantial autonomy and self- government in Kosovo; to perform basic civilian administrative functions; to support the reconstruction of key infrastructure and humanitarian and disaster relief members - (48) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Malawi, Malaysia, Nepal, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine UK, US, Zambia, Zimbabwe United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): established - 19 March 1978 aim - to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and assist in reestablishing Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon; established by the UN Security Council members - (8) Fiji, France, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Ukraine United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM): established - 9 April 1991 aim - to observe and monitor the demilitarized zone established between Iraq and Kuwait; established by the UN Security Council members - (32) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, China, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP): established - 24 January 1949 aim - to observe the 1949 India-Pakistan cease-fire; established by the UN Security Council members - (9) Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Uruguay United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO): established - 29 April 1991 aim - to supervise the cease-fire and conduct a referendum in Western Sahara; established by the UN Security Council members - (24) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, US, Uruguay United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH): established - 21 December 1995 aim - to establish an International Police Task Force (IPTF) to implement the Dayton Peace Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina members - (47) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US, Vanuatu United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE): established - 31 July 2000 aim - to monitor the cessation of hostilities members - (44) Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, US, Uruguay, Zambia United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL): established - 22 October 1999 aim - to cooperate with the Government of Sierra Leone and the other parties to the Peace Agreement in the implementation of the agreement; to monitor the military and security situation in Sierra Leone; to monitor the disarmament and demobilization of combatants and members of the Civil Defense Forces (CFD); to assist in monitoring respect for international humanitarian law members - (31) Bangladesh, Bolivia, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mali, Nepal, NZ, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Zambia United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP): established - 1 February 1996 aim - to monitor the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula in southern Croatia members - (22) Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT): established 16 December 1994; to monitor and investigate violations of the cease- fire of 17 September 1994 between Tajikistan and the Tajik opposition and to assist in the political negotiation process; established by the UN Security Council; members were Austria, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, Nigeria, Poland, Ukraine, Uruguay; mission ended May 2000 United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET): established - 17 May 2002 aim - to provide assistance to structures critical to political stability; to provide law enforcement and public security and to assist in the development of law enforcement agencies; to contribute to external security members - (29) Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, NZ, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, US, Uruguay United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC): note - formerly known as United Nations Special Commission for the Elimination of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction (UNSCOM) established - NA December 1999 aim - to identify, account for, and eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the capacity to produce them commissioners - (15) Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Senegal, Ukraine, UK, US United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG): established - 24 August 1993 aim - to verify compliance with the cease-fire agreement, to monitor weapons exclusion zone, and to supervise CIS peacekeeping force for Abkhazia; established by the UN Security Council members - (22) Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, South Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC): established - 30 November 1999 aim - to establish contacts with the signatories to the cease-fire agreement and to plan for the observation of the cease-fire and disengagement of forces members - (51) Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Zambia United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP): established - 4 March 1964 aim - to serve as a peacekeeping force between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus; established by the UN Security Council members - (9) Argentina, Austria, Canada, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, South Korea, Slovakia, UK United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): note - acronym retained from predecessor organization UN Fund for Population Activities established - NA July 1967 aim - to assist both developed and developing countries to deal with their population problems members (executive board ) - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP): established 31 March 1995; to monitor border activity in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; members were Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, US; mandate ended 25 March 1999 United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA): established - 8 December 1949 aim - to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees members (advisory commission) - (10) Belgium, Egypt, France, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, UK, US United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD): established - NA 1963 aim - to conduct research into the problems of economic development during different phases of economic growth members - no country members, but a Board of Directors consisting of a chairman appointed by the UN secretary general and 11 individual members United Nations Secretariat: established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to serve as the primary administrative organ of the UN; a Secretary General is appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council members - the UN Secretary General and staff United Nations Security Council (UNSC): established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to maintain international peace and security permanent members - (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US nonpermanent members - (10) elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly; Angola (2003-04), Bulgaria (2002-03), Cameroon (2002- 03), Chile (2003-04), Germany (2003-04), Guinea (2002-03), Mexico (2002-03), Pakistan (2003-04), Spain (2003-04), Syria (2002-03) United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET): established 25 October 1999 to provide security throughout the territory of East Timor; to establish an effective administration; to ensure the coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance; to support capacity-building for self-government; 28 members including Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Ireland, Jordan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, NZ, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO): established - NA June 1948 aim - to supervise the 1948 Arab-Israeli cease-fire; currently supports timely deployment of reinforcements to other peacekeeping operations in the region as needed; initially established by the UN Security Council members - (23) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, US United Nations Trusteeship Council: established on 26 June 1945, effective on 24 October 1945, to supervise the administration of the 11 UN trust territories; members were China, France, Russia, UK, US; it formally suspended operations 1 November 1995 after the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau) became the Republic of Palau, a constitutional government in free association with the US; the Trusteeship Council was not dissolved United Nations University (UNU): established - 3 December 1973 aim - to conduct research in development, welfare, and human survival and to train scholars members - (24 members of UNU Council and the Rector are appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Director General of UNESCO) Universal Postal Union (UPU): established - 9 October 1874, affiliated with the UN 15 November 1947; effective - 1 July 1948 aim - to promote international postal cooperation; a UN specialized agency members - (187) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Warsaw Pact (WP): established 14 May 1955 to promote mutual defense; members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance; member states at the time of dissolution were Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR; earlier members included GDR and Albania West African Development Bank (WADB): note - also known as Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD); is a financial institution of WAEMU established - 14 November 1973 aim - to promote regional economic development and integration regional members - (9) Central Bank of West African States, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo international/nonregional members - (5) African Development Bank, Belgium, European Investment Bank, France, Germany West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): note - also known as Union Economique et Monetaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA) established - 1 August 1994 aim - to increase competitiveness of members' economic markets; to create a common market members - (8) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo Western European Union (WEU): established - 23 October 1954; effective - 6 May 1955 aim - to provide mutual defense and to move toward political unification members - (10) Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK associate members - (6) Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Turkey associate partners - (7) Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia observers - (5) Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden World Bank Group: includes International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), and International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Confederation of Labor (WCL): established - 19 June 1920 as the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU), renamed 4 October 1968 aim - to promote the trade union movement members - (102 national organizations) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, French Guiana, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Malta, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe World Customs Organization (WCO): note - began as the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) established - 15 December 1950 aim - to promote international cooperation in customs matters members - (161) Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU): established - 3 October 1945 aim - to promote the trade union movement members - (125 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, New Caledonia, NZ, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization World Food Program (WFP): established - 24 November 1961 aim - to provide food aid in support of economic development or disaster relief; an ECOSOC organization members - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions World Health Organization (WHO): established - 22 July 1946; effective - 7 April 1948 aim - to deal with health matters worldwide; a UN specialized agency members - (192) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe associate members - (2) Puerto Rico, Tokelau observers - (2) Holy See, Liechtenstein World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): established - 14 July 1967; effective - 26 April 1970 aim - to furnish protection for literary, artistic, and scientific works; a UN specialized agency members - (179) Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe World Meteorological Organization (WMO): established - 11 October 1947; effective - 4 April 1951 aim - to sponsor meteorological cooperation; a UN specialized agency members - (185) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Caribbean Territories, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe World Tourism Organization (WToO): established - 2 January 1975 aim - to promote tourism as a means of contributing to economic development, international understanding, and peace members - (140) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe associate members - (7) Aruba, Flanders, Hong Kong, Macau, Madeira Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico observers - (2) Holy See, Palestine Liberation Organization World Trade Organization (WTrO): note - succeeded General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT) established - 15 April 1994; effective - 1 January 1995 aim - to provide a forum to resolve trade conflicts between members and to carry on negotiations with the goal of further lowering and/or eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers members - (145) Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe observers - (31) Algeria, Andorra, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Holy See, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Nepal, Russia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tonga, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen; note - must start accession negotiations within five years of becoming observers Zangger Committee (ZC): established - early 1970s aim - to establish guidelines for the export control provisions of the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT) members - (35) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK, US This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003 ===================================================================== Appendix C - Selected International Environmental Agreements Air Pollution see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants Air Pollution-Sulphur 85 see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at least 30% Air Pollution-Sulphur 94 see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes Antarctic-Environmental Protocol see Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Antarctic Treaty opened for signature - 1 December 1959 entered into force - 23 June 1961 objective - to ensure that Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes only (such as international cooperation in scientific research); to defer the question of territorial claims asserted by some nations and not recognized by others; to provide an international forum for management of the region; applies to land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees South latitude parties - (45) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal note - abbreviated as Hazardous Wastes opened for signature - 22 March 1989 entered into force - 5 May 1992 objective - to reduce transboundary movements of wastes subject to the Convention to a minimum consistent with the environmentally sound and efficient management of such wastes; to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated and ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation; and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate parties - (149) Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Finland, France, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (3) Afghanistan, Haiti, US Biodiversity see Convention on Biological Diversity Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals note - abbreviated as Antarctic Seals opened for signature - 1 June 1972 entered into force - 11 March 1978 objective - to promote and achieve the protection, scientific study, and rational use of Antarctic seals, and to maintain a satisfactory balance within the ecological system of Antarctica parties - (16) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, UK, US countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (1) NZ Convention on Biological Diversity note - abbreviated as Biodiversity opened for signature - 5 June 1992 entered into force - 29 December 1993 objective - to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity parties - (182) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (6) Afghanistan, Kuwait, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand, Tuvalu, US Climate Change see United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol see Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas note - abbreviated as Marine Life Conservation opened for signature - 29 April 1958 entered into force - 20 March 1966 objective - to solve through international cooperation the problems involved in the conservation of living resources of the high seas, considering that because of the development of modern technology some of these resources are in danger of being overexploited parties - (37) Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Finland, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (21) Afghanistan, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Liberia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Panama, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uruguay Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution note - abbreviated as Air Pollution opened for signature - 13 November 1979 entered into force - 16 March 1983 objective - to protect the human environment against air pollution and to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollution parties - (48) Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (2) Holy See, San Marino Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources note - abbreviated as Antarctic-Marine Living Resources opened for signature - 5 May 1980 entered into force - 7 April 1982 objective - to safeguard the environment and protect the integrity of the ecosystem of the seas surrounding Antarctica, and to conserve Antarctic marine living resources parties - (31) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) note - abbreviated as Endangered Species opened for signature - 3 March 1973 entered into force - 1 July 1975 objective - to protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of a system of import/export permits parties - (156) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (3) Ireland, Kuwait, Lesotho Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention) note - abbreviated as Marine Dumping opened for signature - 29 December 1972 entered into force - 30 August 1975 objective - to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention parties - (78) Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong (associate member), Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Libya, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saint Lucia, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Tunisia, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Vanuatu Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques note - abbreviated as Environmental Modification opened for signature - 10 December 1976 entered into force - 5 October 1978 objective - to prohibit the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques in order to further world peace and trust among nations parties - (66) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (17) Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Holy See, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Morocco, Nicaragua, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Turkey, Uganda Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar) note - abbreviated as Wetlands opened for signature - 2 February 1971 entered into force - 21 December 1975 objective - to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value parties - (125) Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia Desertification see United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa Endangered Species see Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Environmental Modification see Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques Hazardous Wastes see Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling note - abbreviated as Whaling opened for signature - 2 December 1946 entered into force - 10 November 1948 objective - to protect all species of whales from overhunting; to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks; and to safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks parties - (42) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France, Germany, Grenada, Guinea, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 note - abbreviated as Tropical Timber 83 opened for signature - 18 November 1983 entered into force - 1 April 1985; this agreement expired when the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, went into force objective - to provide an effective framework for cooperation between tropical timber producers and consumers and to encourage the development of national policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources parties - (54) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Venezuela International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994 note - abbreviated as Tropical Timber 94 opened for signature - 26 January 1994 entered into force - 1 January 1997 objective - to ensure that by the year 2000 exports of tropical timber originate from sustainably managed sources; to establish a fund to assist tropical timber producers in obtaining the resources necessary to reach this objective parties - (58) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change note - abbreviated as Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol opened for signature - 16 March 1998, but not yet in force objective - to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing the national programs of developed countries aimed at this goal and by establishing percentage reduction targets for the developed countries parties - (49) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bolivia, Burundi, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Jamaica, Jordan, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niue, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (57) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, UK, US, Vietnam, Zambia Law of the Sea see United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) Marine Dumping see Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention) Marine Life Conservation see Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer note - abbreviated as Ozone Layer Protection opened for signature - 16 September 1987 entered into force - 1 January 1989 objective - to protect the ozone layer by controlling emissions of substances that deplete it parties - (183) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Nuclear Test Ban see Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water Ozone Layer Protection see Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) note - abbreviated as Ship Pollution opened for signature - 17 February 1978 entered into force - 2 October 1983 objective - to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such substances parties - (119) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty note - abbreviated as Antarctic-Environmental Protocol opened for signature - 4 October 1991 entered into force - 14 January 1998 objective - to provide for comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems; applies to the area covered by the Antarctic Treaty consultative parties - (27) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK, US, Uruguay non consultative parties - (16) Austria, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides opened for signature - 31 October 1988 entered into force - 14 February 1991 objective - to provide for the control or reduction of nitrogen oxides and their transboundary fluxes parties - (28) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK, US countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (1) Poland Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds opened for signature - 18 November 1991 entered into force - 29 September 1997 objective - to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects parties - (21) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (6) Canada, EU, Greece, Portugal, Ukraine, US Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Sulphur 94 opened for signature - 14 June 1994 entered into force - 5 August 1998 objective - to provide for a further reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes parties - (23) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (5) Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Ukraine Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants opened for signature - 24 June 1998, but not yet in force objective - to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of persistent organic pollutants in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects parties - (8) Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (28) Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine, UK, US Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at Least 30% note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Sulphur 85 opened for signature - 8 July 1985 entered into force - 2 September 1987 objective - to provide for a 30% reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes by 1993 parties - (22) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine Ship Pollution see Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water note - abbreviated as Nuclear Test Ban opened for signature - 5 August 1963 entered into force - 10 October 1963 objective - to obtain an agreement on general and complete disarmament under strict international control in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations; to put an end to the armaments race and eliminate incentives for the production and testing of all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons parties - (113) Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Zambia countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (17) Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, Ethiopia, Haiti, Libya, Mali, Pakistan, Paraguay, Portugal, Somalia, Tanzania, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen Tropical Timber 83 see International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 Tropical Timber 94 see International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) note - abbreviated as Law of the Sea opened for signature - 10 December 1982 entered into force - 16 November 1994 objective - to set up a comprehensive new legal regime for the sea and oceans; to include rules concerning environmental standards as well as enforcement provisions dealing with pollution of the marine environment parties - (137) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (33) Afghanistan, Belarus, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Hungary, Iran, North Korea, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Niue, Qatar, Rwanda, Swaziland, Switzerland, Thailand, Tuvalu, UAE United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa note - abbreviated as Desertification opened for signature - 14 October 1994 entered into force - 26 December 1996 objective - to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements parties - (178) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change note - abbreviated as Climate Change opened for signature - 9 May 1992 entered into force - 21 March 1994 objective - to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system parties - (186) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (2) Afghanistan, Liberia Wetlands see Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar) Whaling see International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003 ===================================================================== Appendix D - Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes FIPS 10-4: Countries, Dependencies, Areas of Special Sovereignty, and Their Principal Administrative Divisions (FIPS PUB 10-4) is maintained by the Office of the Geographer and Global Issues (Department of State) and published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Department of Commerce). FIPS 10-4 codes are intended for general use throughout the US Government, especially in activities associated with the mission of the Department of State and national defense programs. ISO 3166:Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries (ISO 3166) is prepared by the International Organization for Standardization. ISO 3166 includes two- and three-character alphabetic codes and three-digit numeric codes that may be needed for activities involving exchange of data with international organizations that have adopted that standard. Except for the numeric codes, ISO 3166 codes have been adopted in the US as FIPS 104-1: American National Standard Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries, Dependencies, and Areas of Special Sovereignty for Information Interchange. Internet: The Internet country code is the two-letter digraph maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs). Appendix D - Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes Entity FIPS 10-4 --- ISO 3166 -- Internet Comment Afghanistan AF AF AFG 004 .af Albania AL AL ALB 008 .al Algeria AG DZ DZA 012 .dz American Samoa AQ AS ASM 016 .as Andorra AN AD AND 020 .ad Angola AO AO AGO 024 .ao Anguilla AV AI AIA 660 .ai Antarctica AY AQ ATA 010 .aq ISO defines as the territory south of 60 degrees south latitude Antigua and Barbuda AC AG ATG 028 .ag Argentina AR AR ARG 032 .ar Armenia AM AM ARM 051 .am Aruba AA AW ABW 533 .aw Ashmore and Cartier Islands AT - - - - ISO includes with Australia Australia AS AU AUS 036 .au ISO includes Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands Austria AU AT AUT 040 .at Azerbaijan AJ AZ AZE 031 .az Bahamas, The BF BS BHS 044 .bs Bahrain BA BH BHR 048 .bh Baker Island FQ - - - - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Bangladesh BG BD BGD 050 .bd Barbados BB BB BRB 052 .bb Bassas da India BS - - - - ISO includes with the Miscellaneous (French) Indian Ocean Islands Belarus BO BY BLR 112 .by Belgium BE BE BEL 056 .be Belize BH BZ BLZ 084 .bz Benin BN BJ BEN 204 .bj Bermuda BD BM BMU 060 .bm Bhutan BT BT BTN 064 .bt Bolivia BL BO BOL 068 .bo Bosnia and Herzegovina BK BA BIH 070 .ba Botswana BC BW BWA 072 .bw Bouvet Island BV BV BVT 074 .bv Brazil BR BR BRA 076 .br British Indian Ocean Territory IO IO IOT 086 .io British Virgin Islands VI VG VGB 092 .vg Brunei BX BN BRN 096 .bn Bulgaria BU BG BGR 100 .bg Burkina Faso UV BF BFA 854 .bf Burma BM MM MMR 104 .mm ISO uses the name Myanmar Burundi BY BI BDI 108 .bi Cambodia CB KH KHM 116 .kh Cameroon CM CM CMR 120 .cm Canada CA CA CAN 124 .ca Cape Verde CV CV CPV 132 .cv Cayman Islands CJ KY CYM 136 .ky Central African Republic CT CF CAF 140 .cf Chad CD TD TCD 148 .td Chile CI CL CHL 152 .cl China CH CN CHN 156 .cn see also Taiwan Christmas Island KT CX CXR 162 .cx Clipperton Island IP - - - - ISO includes with French Polynesia Cocos (Keeling) Islands CK CC CCK 166 .cc Colombia CO CO COL 170 .co Comoros CN KM COM 174 .km Congo, Democratic Republic of the CG ZR ZAR 180 .cd formerly Zaire Congo, Republic of the CF CG COG 178 .cg Cook Islands CW CK COK 184 .ck Coral Sea Islands CR - - - - ISO includes with Australia Costa Rica CS CR CRI 188 .cr Cote d'Ivoire IV CI CIV 384 .ci Croatia HR HR HRV 191 .hr Cuba CU CU CUB 192 .cu Cyprus CY CY CYP 196 .cy Czech Republic EZ CZ CZE 203 .cz Denmark DA DK DNK 208 .dk Djibouti DJ DJ DJI 262 .dj Dominica DO DM DMA 212 .dm Dominican Republic DR DO DOM 214 .do East Timor TT TP TLS 626 .tp Ecuador EC EC ECU 218 .ec Egypt EG EG EGY 818 .eg El Salvador ES SV SLV 222 .sv Equatorial Guinea EK GQ GNQ 226 .gq Eritrea ER ER ERI 232 .er Estonia EN EE EST 233 .ee Ethiopia ET ET ETH 231 .et Europa Island EU - - - - ISO includes with the Miscellaneous (French) Indian Ocean Islands Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) FA FK FLK 238 .fk Faroe Islands FO FO FRO 234 .fo Fiji FJ FJ FJI 242 .fj Finland FI FI FIN 246 .fi France FR FR FRA 250 .fr France, Metropolitan - FX FXX 249 .fx ISO limits to the European part of France, excluding French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna French Guiana FG GF GUF 254 .gf French Polynesia FP PF PYF 258 .pf ISO includes Clipperton Island French Southern and Antarctic Lands FS TF ATF 260 .tf FIPS 10-4 does not include the French-claimed portion of Antarctica (Terre Adelie) Gabon GB GA GAB 266 .ga Gambia, The GA GM GMB 270 .gm Gaza Strip GZ - - - - Georgia GG GE GEO 268 .ge Germany GM DE DEU 276 .de Ghana GH GH GHA 288 .gh Gibraltar GI GI GIB 292 .gi Glorioso Islands GO - - - - ISO includes with the Miscellaneous (French) Indian Ocean Islands Greece GR GR GRC 300 .gr Greenland GL GL GRL 304 .gl Grenada GJ GD GRD 308 .gd Guadeloupe GP GP GLP 312 .gp Guam GQ GU GUM 316 .gu Guatemala GT GT GTM 320 .gt Guernsey GK - - - .gg ISO includes with the UK Guinea GV GN GIN 324 .gn Guinea-Bissau PU GW GNB 624 .gw Guyana GY GY GUY 328 .gy Haiti HA HT HTI 332 .ht Heard Island and McDonald Islands HM HM HMD 334 .hm Holy See (Vatican City) VT VA VAT 336 .va Honduras HO HN HND 340 .hn Hong Kong HK HK HKG 344 .hk Howland Island HQ - - - - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Hungary HU HU HUN 348 .hu Iceland IC IS ISL 352 .is India IN IN IND 356 .in Indonesia ID ID IDN 360 .id Iran IR IR IRN 364 .ir Iraq IZ IQ IRQ 368 .iq Ireland EI IE IRL 372 .ie Israel IS IL ISR 376 .il Italy IT IT ITA 380 .it Jamaica JM JM JAM 388 .jm Jan Mayen JN - - - - ISO includes with Svalbard Japan JA JP JPN 392 .jp Jarvis Island DQ - - - - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Jersey JE - - - .je ISO includes with the UK Johnston Atoll JQ - - - - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Jordan JO JO JOR 400 .jo Juan de Nova Island JU - - - - ISO includes with the Miscellaneous (French) Indian Ocean Islands Kazakhstan KZ KZ KAZ 398 .kz Kenya KE KE KEN 404 .ke Kingman Reef KQ - - - - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Kiribati KR KI KIR 296 .ki Korea, North KN KP PRK 408 .kp Korea, South KS KR KOR 410 .kr Kuwait KU KW KWT 414 .kw Kyrgyzstan KG KG KGZ 417 .kg Laos LA LA LAO 418 .la Latvia LG LV LVA 428 .lv Lebanon LE LB LBN 422 .lb Lesotho LT LS LSO 426 .ls Liberia LI LR LBR 430 .lr Libya LY LY LBY 434 .ly Liechtenstein LS LI LIE 438 .li Lithuania LH LT LTU 440 .lt Luxembourg LU LU LUX 442 .lu Macau MC MO MAC 446 .mo Macedonia, The Republic of MK MK MKD 807 .mk Madagascar MA MG MDG 450 .mg Malawi MI MW MWI 454 .mw Malaysia MY MY MYS 458 .my Maldives MV MV MDV 462 .mv Mali ML ML MLI 466 .ml Malta MT MT MLT 470 .mt Man, Isle of IM - - - .im ISO includes with the UK Marshall Islands RM MH MHL 584 .mh Martinique MB MQ MTQ 474 .mq Mauritania MR MR MRT 478 .mr Mauritius MP MU MUS 480 .mu Mayotte MF YT MYT 175 .yt Mexico MX MX MEX 484 .mx Micronesia, Federated States of FM FM FSM 583 .fm Midway Islands MQ - - - - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Miscellaneous (French) Indian Ocean Islands - - - - - ISO includes Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, Tromelin Island Moldova MD MD MDA 498 .md Monaco MN MC MCO 492 .mc Mongolia MG MN MNG 496 .mn Montserrat MH MS MSR 500 .ms Morocco MO MA MAR 504 .ma Mozambique MZ MZ MOZ 508 .mz Myanmar - - - - - see Burma Namibia WA NA NAM 516 .na Nauru NR NR NRU 520 .nr Navassa Island BQ - - - - Nepal NP NP NPL 524 .np Netherlands NL NL NLD 528 .nl Netherlands Antilles NT AN ANT 530 .an New Caledonia NC NC NCL 540 .nc New Zealand NZ NZ NZL 554 .nz Nicaragua NU NI NIC 558 .ni Niger NG NE NER 562 .ne Nigeria NI NG NGA 566 .ng Niue NE NU NIU 570 .nu Norfolk Island NF NF NFK 574 .nf Northern Mariana Islands CQ MP MNP 580 .mp Norway NO NO NOR 578 .no Oman MU OM OMN 512 .om Pakistan PK PK PAK 586 .pk Palau PS PW PLW 585 .pw Palmyra Atoll LQ - - - - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Panama PM PA PAN 591 .pa Papua New Guinea PP PG PNG 598 .pg Paracel Islands PF - - - - Paraguay PA PY PRY 600 .py Peru PE PE PER 604 .pe Philippines RP PH PHL 608 .ph Pitcairn Islands PC PN PCN 612 .pn Poland PL PL POL 616 .pl Portugal PO PT PRT 620 .pt Puerto Rico RQ PR PRI 630 .pr Qatar QA QA QAT 634 .qa Reunion RE RE REU 638 .re Romania RO RO ROM 642 .ro Russia RS RU RUS 643 .ru Rwanda RW RW RWA 646 .rw Saint Helena SH SH SHN 654 .sh Saint Kitts and Nevis SC KN KNA 659 .kn Saint Lucia ST LC LCA 662 .lc Saint Pierre and Miquelon SB PM SPM 666 .pm Saint Vincent and the Grenadines VC VC VCT 670 .vc Samoa WS WS WSM 882 .ws San Marino SM SM SMR 674 .sm Sao Tome and Principe TP ST STP 678 .st Saudi Arabia SA SA SAU 682 .sa Senegal SG SN SEN 686 .sn Serbia and Montenegro YI YU YUG 891 .yu Seychelles SE SC SYC 690 .sc Sierra Leone SL SL SLE 694 .sl Singapore SN SG SGP 702 .sg Slovakia LO SK SVK 703 .sk Slovenia SI SI SVN 705 .si Solomon Islands BP SB SLB 090 .sb Somalia SO SO SOM 706 .so South Africa SF ZA ZAF 710 .za South Georgia and the Islands SX GS SGS 239 .gs Spain SP ES ESP 724 .es Spratly Islands PG - - - - Sri Lanka CE LK LKA 144 .lk Sudan SU SD SDN 736 .sd Suriname NS SR SUR 740 .sr Svalbard SV SJ SJM 744 .sj ISO includes Jan Mayen Swaziland WZ SZ SWZ 748 .sz Sweden SW SE SWE 752 .se Switzerland SZ CH CHE 756 .ch Syria SY SY SYR 760 .sy Taiwan TW TW TWN 158 .tw Tajikistan TI TJ TJK 762 .tj Tanzania TZ TZ TZA 834 .tz Thailand TH TH THA 764 .th Togo TO TG TGO 768 .tg Tokelau TL TK TKL 772 .tk Tonga TN TO TON 776 .to Trinidad and Tobago TD TT TTO 780 .tt Tromelin Island TE - - - - ISO includes with the Miscellaneous Islands Tunisia TS TN TUN 788 .tn Turkey TU TR TUR 792 .tr Turkmenistan TX TM TKM 795 .tm Turks and Caicos Islands TK TC TCA 796 .tc Tuvalu TV TV TUV 798 .tv Uganda UG UG UGA 800 .ug Ukraine UP UA UKR 804 .ua United Arab Emirates AE AE ARE 784 .ae United Kingdom UK GB GBR 826 .uk ISO includes Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey United States US US USA 840 .us United States Minor Outlying Islands - UM UMI 581 .um ISO includes Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island Uruguay UY UY URY 858 .uy Uzbekistan UZ UZ UZB 860 .uz Vanuatu NH VU VUT 548 .vu Venezuela VE VE VEN 862 .ve Vietnam VM VN VNM 704 .vn Virgin Islands VQ VI VIR 850 .vi Virgin Islands (UK) - - - - .vg see British Virgin Islands Virgin Islands (US) - - - - .vi see Virgin Islands Wake Island WQ - - - - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Wallis and Futuna WF WF WLF 876 .wf West Bank WE - - - - Western Sahara WI EH ESH 732 .eh Western Samoa - - - - .ws see Samoa World - - - - - the Factbook uses the W data code from DIAM 65-18 Geopolitical Data Elements and Related Features, Data Standard No. 3, December 1994, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency Yemen YM YE YEM 887 .ye Zaire - - - - - see Democratic Republic of the Congo Zambia ZA ZM ZWB 894 .zm Zimbabwe ZI ZW ZWE 716 .zw This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003 ===================================================================== Appendix E - Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes IHO 23-4th: Limits of Oceans and Seas, Special Publication 23, Draft 4th Edition 1986, published by the International Hydrographic Bureau of the International Hydrographic Organization IHO 23-3rd: Limits of Oceans and Seas, Special Publication 23, 3rd Edition 1953, published by the International Hydrographic Organization ACIC M 49-1: Chart of Limits of Seas and Oceans, revised January 1958, published by the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC), United States Air Force; note - ACIC is now part of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) DIAM 65-18: Geopolitical Data Elements and Related Features, Data Standard No. 4, Defense Intelligence Agency Manual 65-18, December 1994, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency The US Government has not yet adopted a standard for hydrographic codes similar to the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 10-4 country codes. The names and limits of the following oceans and seas are not always directly comparable because of differences in the customers, needs, and requirements of the individual organizations. Even the number of principal water bodies varies from organization to organization. Factbook users, for example, find the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean entries useful, but none of the following standards include those oceans in their entirety. Nor is there any provision for combining codes or overcodes to aggregate water bodies. The recently delimited Southern Ocean is not included. Principal Oceans and Seas of the World With Hydrographic Codes by Institution IHO 23-4th IHO 23-3rd* ACIC M 49-1 DIAM 65-18 Arctic Ocean 9 17 A 5A Atlantic Ocean - - - - North Atlantic Ocean 1 23 B 1A South Atlantic Ocean 4 32 C 2A Baltic Sea 2 1 B26 7B Indian Ocean 5 45 F 6A Mediterranean Sea 3.1 28 B11 - Eastern Mediterranean 3.1.2 28 B - 8E Western Mediterranean 3.1.1 28 A - 8W Pacific Ocean - - - - North Pacific Ocean 7 57 D 3A South Pacific Ocean 8 61 E 4A South China and Eastern Archipelagic Seas 6 49, 48 D18 plus 3U plus others others *The letters after the numbers are subdivisions, not footnotes. This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003 ===================================================================== Appendix F - Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names Name Entry in The World Latitude Longitude Factbook (deg min) (deg min) Abidjan (capital) Cote d'Ivoire 5 19 N 4 02 W Abkhazia (region) Georgia 43 00 N 41 00 E Abu Dhabi (capital) United Arab Emirates 24 28 N 54 22 E Abu Musa (island) Iran 25 52 N 55 03 E Abuja (capital) Nigeria 9 12 N 7 11 E Abyssinia (former name Ethiopia 8 00 N 38 00 E for Ethiopia) Acapulco (city) Mexico 16 51 N 99 55 W Accra (capital) Ghana 5 33 N 0 13 W Adamstown (capital) Pitcairn Islands 25 04 S 130 05 W Addis Ababa (capital) Ethiopia 9 02 N 38 42 E Adelie Land (claimed by Antarctica 66 30 S 139 00 E France; also Terre Adelie) Aden (city) Yemen 12 46 N 45 01 E Aden, Gulf of Indian Ocean 12 30 N 48 00 E Admiralty Island United States 57 44 N 134 20 W (Alaska) Admiralty Islands Papua New Guinea 2 10 S 147 00 E Adriatic Sea Atlantic Ocean 42 30 N 16 00 E Adygey (region) Russia 44 30 N 40 10 E Aegean Islands Greece 38 00 N 25 00 E Aegean Sea Atlantic Ocean 38 30 N 25 00 E Afars and Issas, French Djibouti 11 30 N 43 00 E Territory of the (or FTAI; former name for Djibouti) Afghanestan (local name Afghanistan 33 00 N 65 00 E for Afghanistan) Agalega Islands Mauritius 10 25 S 56 40 E Agana (city; former name Guam 13 28 N 144 45 E for Hagatna) Ajaccio (city) France (Corsica) 41 55 N 8 44 E Ajaria (region) Georgia 41 45 N 42 10 E Akmola (city; former name Kazakhstan 51 10 N 71 30 E for Astana) Aksai Chin (region) China (de facto), 35 00 N 79 00 E India (claimed) Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah Saudi Arabia 25 00 N 45 00 E (local name for Saudi Arabia) Al Bahrayn (local name Bahrain 26 00 N 50 33 E for Bahrain) Al Imarat al Arabiyah al United Arab Emirates 24 00 N 54 00 E Muttahidah (local name for the United Arab Emirates) Al Iraq (local name for Iraq 33 00 N 44 00 E Iraq) Al Jaza'ir (local name Algeria 28 00 N 3 00 E for Algeria) Al Kuwayt (local name for Kuwait 29 30 N 45 45 E Kuwait) Al Maghrib (local name Morocco 32 00 N 5 00 W for Morocco) Al Urdun (local name for Jordan 31 00 N 36 00 E Jordan) Al Yaman (local name for Yemen 15 00 N 48 00 E Yemen) Aland Islands Finland 60 15 N 20 00 E Alaska (state) United States 65 00 N 153 00 W Alaska, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 58 00 N 145 00 W Alboran Sea Atlantic Ocean 36 00 N 2 30 W Aldabra Islands (Groupe Seychelles 9 25 S 46 22 E d'Aldabra) Alderney (island) Guernsey 49 43 N 2 12 W Aleutian Islands United States 52 00 N 176 00 W (Alaska) Alexander Archipelago United States 57 00 N 134 00 W (island group) (Alaska) Alexander Island Antarctica 71 00 S 70 00 W Alexandretta (region; Turkey 36 34 N 36 08 E former name for Iskenderun) Alexandria (city) Egypt 31 12 N 29 54 E Algiers (capital) Algeria 36 47 N 2 03 E Alhucemas, Penon de Spain 35 13 N 3 53 W (island group) Alma-Ata (city; former Kazakhstan 43 15 N 76 57 E name for Almaty) Almaty (former capital) Kazakhstan 43 15 N 76 57 E Alofi (capital) Niue 19 01 S 169 55 W Alphonse Island Seychelles 7 01 S 52 45 E Alsace (region) France 48 30 N 7 20 E Amami Strait Pacific Ocean 28 40 N 129 30 E Amindivi Islands (former India 11 30 N 72 30 E name for Laccadive Islands) Amirante Isles (island Seychelles 6 00 S 53 10 E group; also Les Amirantes) Amman (capital) Jordan 31 57 N 35 56 E Amsterdam (capital) Netherlands 52 23 N 4 54 E Amsterdam Island (Ile French Southern and 37 52 S 77 32 E Amsterdam) Antarctic Lands Amundsen Sea Southern Ocean 72 30 S 112 00 W Amur River China, Russia 52 56 N 141 10 E Amurskiy Liman (strait) Pacific Ocean 53 00 N 141 30 E Anadyrskiy Zaliv (gulf) Pacific Ocean 64 00 N 177 00 E Anatolia (region) Turkey 39 00 N 35 00 E Andaman Islands India 12 00 N 92 45 E Andaman Sea Indian Ocean 10 00 N 95 00 E Andorra la Vella Andorra 42 30 N 1 30 E (capital) Andros (island) Greece 37 45 N 24 42 E Andros Island The Bahamas 24 26 N 77 57 W Anegada Passage Atlantic Ocean 18 30 N 63 40 W Angkor Wat (ruins) Cambodia 13 26 N 103 50 E Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Sudan 15 00 N 30 00 E (former name for Sudan) Anjouan (island) Comoros 12 15 S 44 25 E Ankara (capital) Turkey 39 56 N 32 52 E Annobon (island) Equatorial Guinea 1 25 S 5 36 E Antananarivo (capital) Madagascar 18 52 S 47 30 E Antigua (island) Antigua and Barbuda 14 34 N 90 44 W Antipodes Islands New Zealand 49 41 S 178 43 E Antwerp (city) Belgium 51 13 N 4 25 E Aomen (local Chinese Macau 22 10 N 113 33 E short-form name for Macau) Aozou Strip (region) Chad 22 00 N 18 00 E Apia (capital) Samoa 13 50 S 171 45W Aqaba, Gulf of Indian Ocean 29 00 N 34 30 E Arab, Shatt al (river) Iran, Iraq 29 57 N 48 34 E Arabian Sea Indian Ocean 15 00 N 65 00 E Arafura Sea Pacific Ocean 9 00 S 133 00 E Aral Sea Kazakhstan, 45 00 N 60 00 E Uzbekistan Argun River China, Russia 53 20 N 121 28 E Aru Sea Pacific Ocean 6 15 S 135 00 E Ascension Island Saint Helena 7 57 S 14 22 W Ashgabat (capital) Turkmenistan 37 57 N 58 23 E Ashkhabad (see Ashgabat) Turkmenistan 37 57 N 58 23 E Asmara (capital) Eritrea 15 20 N 38 53 E Asmera (see Asmara) Eritrea 15 20 N 38 53 E As-Sudan (local name for Sudan 15 00 N 30 00 E Sudan) Assumption Island Seychelles 9 46 S 46 34 E Astana (capital; formerly Kazakhstan 51 10 N 71 30 E Akmola) Asuncion (capital) Paraguay 25 16 S 57 40 W Asuncion Island Northern Mariana 19 40 N 145 24 E Islands Atacama (desert) Chile 23 00 S 70 10 W Atacama (region) Chile 24 30 S 69 15 W Athens (capital) Greece 37 59 N 23 44 E Attu Island United States 52 55 N 172 57 E Auckland Islands New Zealand 51 00 S 166 30 E Australes, Iles (island French Polynesia 23 20 S 151 00 W group; also Iles Tubuai) Avarua (capital) Cook Islands 21 12 S 159 46 W Axel Heiberg Island Canada 79 30 N 90 00 W Azad Kashmir (region) Pakistan 34 30 N 74 00 E Azarbaycan (local name Azerbaijan 40 30 N 47 30 E for Azerbaijan) Azerbaidzhan (local name Azerbaijan 40 30 N 47 30 E for Azerbaijan) Azores (islands) Portugal 38 30 N 28 00 W Azov, Sea of Atlantic Ocean 49 00 N 36 00 E This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003 ===================================================================== *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 2003 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK *** Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed. Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. START: FULL LICENSE THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that: • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works. • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work. • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. 1.F. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org. This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.