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Title: The 2009 CIA World Factbook
Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Release date: April 11, 2011 [eBook #35829]
Most recently updated: October 3, 2025
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Al Haines
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 2009 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK ***
THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 2009
CONTENTS
What's New?
Did You Know?
Guide to Country Profiles
Countries and Locations
Field Listings
Rank Orders
Appendixes
Notes and Definitions
History of the CIA Factbook
Contributors and Copyright Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
THE WORLD FACTBOOK :: WHAT'S NEW
November 13, 2009
Recent elections and governmental changes recorded for
Afghanistan, Aruba, Fiji, Germany, Haiti, Marshall Islands,
Mongolia, Tunisia, and Uruguay. In the Economy category, some
20 macro-economic fields have been updated with the latest
data. New NASA space photos added for the Atlantic, Indian,
and Pacific Oceans, as well as for Montserrat and the World;
new ground photos added for Cambodia and France.
October 30, 2009
In the Economy category, all the energy-related fields have
been updated with the latest data; new photos added for
Norway and Poland.
October 14, 2009
In addition to regular informational updates, new photos have
been added for Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Russia, and Sweden.
October 02, 2009
In the Transportation category, updates have been made to the
"Airports" and "Heliports" fields; new photos added for
Libya, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
September 17, 2009
NASA images taken from space have been introduced to enhance
various country photo presentations. Significant numbers of
high altitude photos appear under China, Egypt, Spain,
Australia, and New Zealand, but can also be found scattered
among other country entries. In the Economy category,
statistics for "Distribution of family income - Gini index,"
"Public debt," and "Debt - external" now include two year's
worth of data.
September 03, 2009
In the Economy category, statistics for "Current Account
Balance," "Exports," "Imports," "Reserves of foreign exchange
and gold," "Stock of direct foreign investment - at home,"
and "Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad" now include
two year's worth of data; statistics for "Market value of
publicly traded shares" now include three year's worth of
data. New photos added for Austria, France, Monaco,
Netherlands, and Netherlands Antilles.
August 17, 2009
Various rail gauge line lengths have been updated for all
countries in the Railways entry; selected economic and
political entries also updated.
July 31, 2009
In the Economy category, statistics for "Central bank
discount rate," "Commercial bank prime lending rate," "Stock
of money," "Stock of quasi money," and "Stock of domestic
credit" now include two year's worth of data.
July 20, 2009
Latest updates include changes to the chief of state or head
of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Lithuania,
and Panama. New photographs have been added for Spain,
Portugal, Gibraltar, and South Africa.
July 01, 2009
With the launch of the new Web site, the former "Rank Order"
function was renamed "Country Comparisons." The link to
Country Comparisons may be found under the References tab. In
addition, many of the regional reference maps now incorporate
both elevation and vegetation on landmasses, and bathymetry
for ocean areas. Statistics for "Unemployment rate" and
"Inflation rate (consumer prices)" now include two year's
worth of data.
June 08, 2009
Completely redesigned website - presenting a cleaner look,
improved navigation, and a host of added features - launched
on the World Wide Web. Among the major enhancements are
downloadable and printable photos for nearly 100 countries, a
"Did You Know?" section explaining the impact of the Factbook
around the world, and built-in world rankings for many of the
Factbook information fields. Government sections reflect the
results of recent parliamentary elections in Kuwait - where
women were elected for the first time - and India, as well as
presidential elections in Lithuania, Mongolia, Panama, and
South Africa.
April 27, 2009
Significant updates made to the People and Economy
categories; statistics for "GDP - real growth rate" and "GDP
- per capita" (at purchasing power parity) now include three
year's worth of data, in 2008 dollars. The Urbanization entry
under People expanded to include all countries.
April 03, 2009
In addition to regular country updates, statistics for "GDP
(purchasing power parity)" now include three year's worth of
data, in 2008 dollars.
March 20, 2009
Recent major leadership changes in Guinea-Bissau, Latvia, and
Madagascar included in the Government sections of those
countries.
March 02, 2009
Latest US Census Bureau figures - updating basic demographic
data for all countries - entered into the database. Entries
on religions, languages, ethnic groups, and literacy also
updated.
February 06, 2009
Country information updated across all categories. Economic
data now includes 2008 estimates where available.
November 05, 2008
In order to provide more information on the nature and global
dimensions of the current financial crisis, five additional
fields appended to the Economy category: "Central bank
discount rate," "Commercial bank prime lending rate," "Stock
of money," "Stock of quasi money," and "Stock of domestic
credit."
August 06, 2008
In the People category, two new fields provide information on
education in terms of opportunity and resources: "School Life
Expectancy" and "Education expenditures."
November 06, 2007
In the Geography category, two new fields focus on the vital
resource of water: "Total renewable water resources" and
"Freshwater withdrawal."
October 31, 2007
Three new fields added to the Economy category: "Stock of
direct foreign investment - abroad," "Stock of direct foreign
investment - at home," "Market value of publicly traded
shares."
Ongoing
Revision of some individual country maps, first introduced in
the 2001 edition, continues. Several regional maps have been
updated to reflect boundary changes and place name spelling
changes.
======================================================================
About :: DID YOU KNOW?
The World Factbook is one of the US Government's most accessed
publications.
The World Factbook, produced for US policymakers and coordinated
throughout the US Intelligence Community, presents the basic realities
about the world in which we live. We share these facts with the people
of all nations in the belief that knowledge of the truth underpins the
functioning of free societies.
Who uses The World Factbook?
A wide variety of folks including US Government officials, researchers,
news organizations, corporations, geographers, teachers, professors,
librarians, and students. In short, anyone looking for an expansive
body of international data on a recently updated Web site.
The World Factbook is a one-stop reference site.
Although many of the facts presented in The Factbook may be found in
various other publications, they are conveniently gathered together
in one place only at The World Factbook Web site.
The World Factbook is a unique reference in that it is updated
continuously - on average, every two weeks.
Information in The Factbook is collected from - and coordinated with -
a wide variety of US Government agencies, as well as from hundreds of
published sources.
======================================================================
References :: Guide to Country Profiles
These are the Categories, Fields, and subfields of information
generally recorded for each country. Links are to the Definitions
and Notes about each entry.
Introduction ::
Background:
Geography ::
Location:
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Area:
total
land
water
Area - comparative:
Land boundaries:
total
border countries
Coastline:
Maritime claims:
territorial sea
contiguous zone
exclusive economic zone
continental shelf
exclusive fishing zone
Climate:
Terrain:
Elevation extremes:
lowest point
highest point
Natural resources:
Land use:
arable land
permanent crops
other
Irrigated land:
Total Renewable Water Resources:
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total
per capita
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
Environment - international agreements:
party to
signed, but not ratified
Geography - note:
People ::
Population:
Age structure:
0-14 years
15-64 years
65 years and over
Median Age:
total
male
female
Population growth rate:
Birth rate:
Death rate:
Net migration rate:
Sex ratio:
at birth
under 15 years
15-64 years
65 years and over
total population
Infant mortality rate:
total
male
female
Life expectancy at birth:
total population
male
female
Total fertility rate:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk
food or waterborne diseases
vectorborne diseases
water contact diseases
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease
respiratory disease
animal contact disease
Nationality:
noun
adjective
Ethnic groups:
Religions:
Languages:
Literacy:
definition
total population
male
female
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary):
Education expenditures:
People - note:
Government ::
Country name:
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
abbreviation
Dependency status:
Government type:
Capital:
name
geographic coordinates
time difference
daylight saving time
Administrative divisions:
Dependent areas:
Independence:
National holiday:
Constitution:
Legal system:
Suffrage:
Executive branch:
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
elections
election results
Legislative branch:
elections
election results
Judicial branch:
Political parties and leaders:
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
consulate(s) general
consulate(s)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
consulate(s) general
consulate(s)
branch office(s)
Flag description:
Government - note:
Economy ::
Economy - overview:
GDP (purchasing power parity) :
GDP (official exchange rate) :
GDP - real growth rate:
GDP - per capita (PPP):
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture
industry
services
Labor force:
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture
industry
services
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%
highest 10%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Investment (gross fixed):
Budget:
revenues
expenditures
Public debt :
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Central bank discount rate:
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Stock of money:
Stock of quasi money:
Stock of domestic credit:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
Industries:
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
Electricity - consumption:
Electricity - exports:
Electricity - imports:
Oil - production:
Oil - consumption:
Oil - exports:
Oil - imports:
Oil - proved reserves:
Natural gas - production:
Natural gas - consumption:
Natural gas - exports:
Natural gas - imports:
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Current account balance:
Exports:
Exports - commodities:
Exports - partners:
Imports:
Imports - commodities:
Imports - partners:
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Debt - external:
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Communications ::
Telephones - main lines in use:
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Telephone system:
general assessment
domestic
international
Radio broadcast stations:
Television broadcast stations:
Internet country code:
Internet hosts :
Internet users:
Communications - note:
Transportation ::
Airports:
Airports - with paved runways:
total
over 3,047 m
2,438 to 3,047 m
1,524 to 2,437 m
914 to 1,530 m
under 914 m
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total
over 3,047 m
2,438 to 3,047 m
1,524 to 2,437 m
914 to 1,530 m
under 914 m
Heliports:
Pipelines:
Railways:
total
broad gauge
standard gauge
narrow gauge
dual gauge
Roadways:
total
paved
unpaved
Waterways:
Merchant marine:
total
ships by type
foreign-owned
registered in other countries
Ports and terminals :
Transportation - note:
Military ::
Military branches:
Military service age and obligation :
Manpower available for military service :
males age 16-49
females age 16-49
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49
females age 16-49
Manpower reaching military age annually:
males
females
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Military - note:
Transnational Issues ::
Disputes - international:
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees
IDPs
Trafficking in persons:
current situation
tier rating
Illicit drugs:
======================================================================
The World Factbook (2009) - Country Listing
[Transcriber's note: To search on a country in this file, prefix the
country's name with "@", e.g. "@Afghanistan". "Afghanistan" will find
all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.]
World
A
Afghanistan
Akrotiri
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Arctic Ocean
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Atlantic Ocean
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
B
Bahamas, The
Bahrain
Baker Island
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
C
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Clipperton Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Republic of the
Cook Islands
Coral Sea Islands
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
D
Denmark
Dhekelia
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
E
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
F
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Polynesia
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
G
Gabon
Gambia, The
Gaza Strip
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
H
Haiti
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Holy See (Vatican City)
Honduras
Hong Kong
Howland Island
Hungary
I
Iceland
India
Indian Ocean
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
J
Jamaica
Jan Mayen
Japan
Jarvis Island
Jersey
Johnston Atoll
Jordan
K
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kingman Reef
Kiribati
Korea, North
Korea, South
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
L
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
M
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
Midway Islands
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
N
Namibia
Nauru
Navassa Island
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
O
Oman
P
Pacific Ocean
Pakistan
Palau
Palmyra Atoll
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paracel Islands
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Q
Qatar
R
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
S
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
Southern Ocean
Spain
Spratly Islands
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
T
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
U
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
V
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands
W
Wake Island
Wallis and Futuna
West Bank
Western Sahara
Y
Yemen
Z
Zambia
Zimbabwe
T
Taiwan
E
European Union
Field Listings
[Transcriber's note: To search on a field code in this file, prefix
the code number with "@", e.g. "@2001". "2001" will find all
occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.]
Code Field Description
2001 GDP (purchasing power parity)
2002 Population growth rate
2003 GDP - real growth rate
2004 GDP - per capita (PPP)
2005 Affiliation
2006 Dependency status
2007 Diplomatic representation from the US
2008 Transportation - note
2010 Age structure
2011 Geographic coordinates
2012 GDP - composition by sector
2013 Radio broadcast stations
2014 Radios
2015 Television broadcast stations
2016 Televisions
2018 Sex ratio
2019 Heliports
2020 Elevation extremes
2021 Natural hazards
2022 People - note
2023 Area - comparative
2024 Military service age and obligation
2025 Manpower fit for military service
2026 Manpower reaching militarily significant age
2028 Background
2030 Airports - with paved runways
2031 Airports - with unpaved runways
2032 Environment - current issues
2033 Environment - international agreements
2034 Military expenditures
2038 Electricity - production
2042 Electricity - consumption
2043 Electricity - imports
2044 Electricity - exports
2045 Electricity - production by source
2046 Population below poverty line
2047 Household income or consumption by percentage share
2048 Labor force - by occupation
2049 Exports - commodities
2050 Exports - partners
2051 Administrative divisions
2052 Agriculture - products
2053 Airports
2054 Birth rate
2055 Military branches
2056 Budget
2057 Capital
2058 Imports - commodities
2059 Climate
2060 Coastline
2061 Imports - partners
2062 Economic aid - donor
2063 Constitution
2064 Economic aid - recipient
2065 Currency (code)
2066 Death rate
2068 Dependent areas
2070 Disputes - international
2075 Ethnic groups
2076 Exchange rates
2077 Executive branch
2078 Exports
2079 Debt - external
2080 Fiscal year
2081 Flag description
2085 Roadways
2086 Illicit drugs
2087 Imports
2088 Independence
2089 Industrial production growth rate
2090 Industries
2091 Infant mortality rate
2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2093 Waterways
2094 Judicial branch
2095 Labor force
2096 Land boundaries
2097 Land use
2098 Languages
2100 Legal system
2101 Legislative branch
2102 Life expectancy at birth
2103 Literacy
2105 Manpower available for military service
2106 Maritime claims
2107 International organization participation
2108 Merchant marine
2109 National holiday
2110 Nationality
2111 Natural resources
2112 Net migration rate
2113 Geography - note
2115 Political pressure groups and leaders
2116 Economy - overview
2117 Pipelines
2118 Political parties and leaders
2119 Population
2120 Ports and terminals
2121 Railways
2122 Religions
2123 Suffrage
2124 Telephone system
2125 Terrain
2127 Total fertility rate
2128 Government type
2129 Unemployment rate
2137 Military - note
2138 Communications - note
2140 Government - note
2141 Group
2142 Country name
2144 Location
2145 Map references
2146 Irrigated land
2147 Area
2149 Diplomatic representation in the US
2150 Telephones - main lines in use
2151 Telephones - mobile cellular
2152 Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
2153 Internet users
2154 Internet country code
2155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
2156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
2157 HIV/AIDS - deaths
2158 Currency code
2172 Distribution of family income - Gini index
2173 Oil - production
2174 Oil - consumption
2175 Oil - imports
2176 Oil - exports
2177 Median age
2178 Oil - proved reserves
2179 Natural gas - proved reserves
2180 Natural gas - production
2181 Natural gas - consumption
2182 Natural gas - imports
2183 Natural gas - exports
2184 Internet hosts
2185 Investment (gross fixed)
2186 Public debt
2187 Current account balance
2188 Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
2189 Union name
2190 Political structure
2191 Member states
2192 Preliminary statement
2193 Major infectious diseases
2194 Refugees and internally displaced persons
2195 GDP (official exchange rate)
2196 Trafficking in persons
2198 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
2199 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
2200 Market value of publicly traded shares
2201 Total renewable water resources
2202 Freshwater withdrawal
2203 Geographic overview
2204 Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots
2205 School life expectancy (primary to tertiary
2206 Education expenditures
2207 Central bank discount rate
2208 Commercial bank prime lending rate
2209 Stock of money
2210 Stock of quasi money
2211 Stock of domestic credit
2212 Urbanization
======================================================================
References :: Guide to Country Comparisons
[Transcriber's note: To search on a rank order in this file, prefix
the rank's name with "@", e.g. "@Population". "Population" will find
all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.]
Country Comparison pages are presorted lists of data from selected
Factbook data fields. Country Comparison pages are generally given
in descending order - highest to lowest - such as Population and
Area. The two exceptions are Unemployment Rate and Inflation Rate,
which are in ascending - lowest to highest - order. Country
Comparison pages are available for the following 58 fields in six of
the nine Factbook categories.
Geography ::
Area:
total
People ::
Population:
Population growth rate:
Birth rate:
Death rate:
Net migration rate:
Infant mortality rate:
Life expectancy at birth:
Total fertility rate:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Education expenditures:
Economy ::
GDP (purchasing power parity):
GDP real growth rate:
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Labor force:
Unemployment rate:
Distribution of family income - Gini Index:
Investment (gross fixed):
Public debt:
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Central bank discount rate:
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Stock of money:
Stock of quasi money:
Stock of domestic credit:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
Electricity - consumption:
Oil - production:
Oil - consumption:
Oil - exports:
Oil - imports:
Oil - proved reserves:
Natural gas - production:
Natural gas - consumption:
Natural gas - exports:
Natural gas - imports:
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Current account balance:
Exports:
Imports:
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Debt - external:
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Communications ::
Telephones - main lines in use:
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Internet hosts:
Internet users:
Transportation ::
Airports:
Railways:
total
Roadways:
total
Waterways:
Merchant marine:
total
Military ::
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Not all Country Comparisons include the same number of entries
because information for a particular field is not available for all
countries. In addition, not all data fields are suitable for
displaying as Country Comparisons, such as those containing textual
information. Textual information is more readily viewed by clicking
on the Field Listing icon next to the Data field title.
All of the Country Comparisons' pages can be downloaded as
tab-delimited data files and can be opened in other applications
such as spreadsheets and databases. To save a Country Comparisons
page in a spreadsheet, first click on the 'Download Datafile' choice
above the Country Comparisons page you selected; then, at the top of
your browser window, click on 'File' and 'Save As'. After saving the
file, open the spreadsheet, find the saved file, and 'Open' it.
======================================================================
Appendixes
Appendix A - Abbreviations
Appendix B - International Organizations and Groups
Appendix C - Selected International Environmental Agreements
Appendix D - Cross-Reference list of Country Data Codes
Appendix E - Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes
Appendix F - Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names
Appendix G - Weights and Measures
======================================================================
References :: Definitions and Notes
A
Abbreviations
This information is included in Appendix A: Abbreviations, which
includes all abbreviations and acronyms used in the Factbook, with
their expansions.
Acronyms
An acronym is an abbreviation coined from the initial letter of each
successive word in a term or phrase. In general, an acronym made up
solely from the first letter of the major words in the expanded form
is rendered in all capital letters (NATO from North Atlantic Treaty
Organization; an exception would be ASEAN for Association of
Southeast Asian Nations). In general, an acronym made up of more
than the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is
rendered with only an initial capital letter (Comsat from
Communications Satellite Corporation; an exception would be NAM from
Nonaligned Movement). Hybrid forms are sometimes used to distinguish
between initially identical terms (ICC for International Chamber of
Commerce and ICCt for International Criminal Court).
Administrative divisions
This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and
first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on
Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet
acted on by the BGN are noted.
Age structure
This entry provides the distribution of the population according to
age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64
years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population affects
a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young
populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in
schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage
ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age
structure can also be used to help predict potential political
issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population
unable to find employment can lead to unrest.
Agriculture - products
This entry is an ordered listing of major crops and products
starting with the most important.
Airports
This entry gives the total number of airports or airfields
recognizable from the air. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or
asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, earth, sand, or gravel
surfaces) and may include closed or abandoned installations.
Airports or airfields that are no longer recognizable (overgrown, no
facilities, etc.) are not included. Note that not all airports have
accommodations for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control.
Airports - with paved runways
This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways
(concrete or asphalt surfaces) by length. For airports with more
than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to
the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2)
2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000
to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under
914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are
included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for
refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft
capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent
upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway
gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine
types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft.
Airports - with unpaved runways
This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways
(grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with
more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according
to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft),
(2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m
(5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5)
under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are
included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for
refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft
capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent
upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway
gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine
types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft.
Appendixes
This section includes Factbook-related material by topic.
Area
This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all
land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or
coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by
international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water
bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the
surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or
rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines.
Area - comparative
This entry provides an area comparison based on total area
equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of
the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by
the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with
Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC
(0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres).
B
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current
issues and may include a statement about one or two key future
trends.
Birth rate
This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year
per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude
birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in
determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the
level of fertility and the age structure of the population.
Budget
This entry includes revenues, expenditures, and capital
expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate
basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
C
Capital
This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic
coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal
Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if
applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where
appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those
countries that have multiple time zones.
Central bank discount rate
This entry provides the annualized interest rate a country's central
bank charges commercial, depository banks for loans to meet
temporary shortages of funds.
Climate
This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes
throughout the year.
Coastline
This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land
area (including islands) and the sea.
Commercial bank prime lending rate
This entry provides a simple average of annualized interest rates
commercial banks charge on new loans, denominated in the national
currency, to their most credit-worthy customers.
Communications
This category deals with the means of exchanging information and
includes the telephone, radio, television, and Internet host entries.
Communications - note
This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of
significance not included elsewhere.
Constitution
This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major
amendments.
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
UTC is the international atomic time scale that serves as the basis
of timekeeping for most of the world. The hours, minutes, and
seconds expressed by UTC represent the time of day at the Prime
Meridian (0 deg. longitude) located near Greenwich, England as reckoned
from midnight. UTC is calculated by the Bureau International des
Poids et Measures (BIPM) in Sevres, France. The BIPM averages data
collected from more than 200 atomic time and frequency standards
located at about 50 laboratories worldwide. UTC is the basis for all
civil time with the Earth divided into time zones expressed as
positive or negative differences from UTC. UTC is also referred to
as "Zulu time." See the Standard Time Zones of the World map
included with the Reference Maps.
Country data codes
See Data codes.
Country map
Most versions of the Factbook provide a country map in color. The
maps were produced from the best information available at the time
of preparation. Names and/or boundaries may have changed
subsequently.
Country name
This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the
US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example):
conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form
(Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form
(Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation.
Also see the Terminology note.
Crude oil
See entry for oil.
Current account balance
This entry records a country's net trade in goods and services, plus
net earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net
transfer payments (such as pension funds and worker remittances) to
and from the rest of the world during the period specified. These
figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in
purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
D
Data codes
This information is presented in This information is presented in <a
href = "../appendix/appendix-d.html"Appendix D: Cross-Reference List
of Country Data Codes and and <a href =
"../appendix/appendix-e.html" Appendix E: Cross-Reference List of
Hydrographic Data Codes.
Date of information
In general, information available as of 1 January 2007 was used in
the preparation of this edition.
Daylight Saving Time (DST)
This entry is included for those entities that have adopted a policy
of adjusting the official local time forward, usually one hour, from
Standard Time during summer months. Such policies are most common in
mid-latitude regions.
Death rate
This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year
per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The
death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation
in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on
population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age
distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the
overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at
all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population.
Debt - external
This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to
nonresidents repayable in foreign currency, goods, or services.
These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in
purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
Dependency status
This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular
nonindependent entity and an independent state.
Dependent areas
This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent
entities associated in some way with a particular independent state.
Diplomatic representation
The US Government has diplomatic relations with 189 independent
states, including 187 of the 192 UN members (excluded UN members are
Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and the US itself). In addition,
the US has diplomatic relations with 2 independent states that are
not in the UN, the Holy See and Kosovo, as well as with the EU.
Diplomatic representation from the US
This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing
address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations,
consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US
This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX,
consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Disputes - international
This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from
traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one
sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international
terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US
Department of State. References to other situations involving
borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource
disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however,
inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or
recognition by the US Government.
Distribution of family income - Gini index
This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of
family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz
curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the
number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The
index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve
and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area
under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income
distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45 degree line and
the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index
of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther
its Lorenz curve from the 45 degree line and the higher its Gini
index, e.g., a Sub-Saharan country with an index of 50. If income
were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would
coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if
income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve
would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis
and the index would be 100.
E
Economy
This category includes the entries dealing with the size,
development, and management of productive resources, i.e., land,
labor, and capital.
Economy - overview
This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the
degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the
most important natural resources, and the unique areas of
specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and
policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a
statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends.
Education expenditures
This entry provides the public expenditure on education as a percent
of GDP.
Electricity - consumption
This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus
imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The
discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or
imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as
loss in transmission and distribution.
Electricity - exports
This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt-hours.
Electricity - imports
This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt-hours.
Electricity - production
This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in
kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity
generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is
accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution.
Elevation extremes
This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point.
Entities
Some of the independent states, dependencies, areas of special
sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not
independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US
Government. "Independent state" refers to a people politically
organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory.
"Dependencies" and "areas of special sovereignty" refer to a broad
category of political entities that are associated in some way with
an independent state. "Country" names used in the table of contents
or for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by
the US Board on Geographic Names and may include independent states,
dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty, or other geographic
entities. There are a total of 266 separate geographic entities in
The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows:
INDEPENDENT STATES
194 Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and
Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,
Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil,
Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,
Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China,
Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the
Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia,
Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana,
Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti,
Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya,
Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan,
Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia,
Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius,
Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia,
Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands,
NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau,
Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis,
Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino,
Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles,
Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands,
Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland,
Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand,
Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey,
Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay,
Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
OTHER
2 Taiwan, European Union
DEPENDENCIES AND AREAS OF SPECIAL SOVEREIGNTY
6 Australia - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos
(Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald
Islands, Norfolk Island
2 China - Hong Kong, Macau
2 Denmark - Faroe Islands, Greenland
9 France - Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and
Antarctic Lands, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint
Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna
2 Netherlands - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
3 New Zealand - Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
3 Norway - Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
17 UK - Akrotiri, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory,
British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dhekelia, Falkland Islands,
Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn
Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands,
Turks and Caicos Islands
14 US - American Samoa, Baker Island*, Guam, Howland Island*, Jarvis
Island*, Johnston Atoll*, Kingman Reef*, Midway Islands*, Navassa
Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll*, Puerto Rico,
Virgin Islands, Wake Island (* consolidated in United States Pacific
Island Wildlife Refuges entry)
MISCELLANEOUS
6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West
Bank, Western Sahara
OTHER ENTITIES
5 oceans - Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific
Ocean, Southern Ocean
1 World
266 total
Environment - current issues
This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental
problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout
the entry:
Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid
precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this
process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater
fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions
(see acid rain).
Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur
dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially
deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using
the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are
considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid
precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been
measured in rainfall in New England.
Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas,
smoke, or fog.
Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting
trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas
that have been cut or destroyed by fire.
Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used
in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic
in particulate form.
Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of
species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism,
community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an
ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced
disruption.
Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence,
abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat.
Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given
area or volume.
Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in
various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere,
ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits.
Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and
runoff; an important water management technique in areas with
limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar.
DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless
insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT
was banned in the US in 1972.
Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves
artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control,
and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health.
Deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g.,
unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land
clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as
fuel) without planting new growth.
Desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or
semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally
productive soils, or climate change.
Dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a
technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms
(e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant
destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems.
Drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is
generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often
results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of
non-commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping
the ocean clean."
Ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of
organisms and their specific environments.
Effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial
waste which are released into the environment, subsequently
polluting it.
Endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction
either by direct hunting or habitat destruction.
Freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources
include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers.
Greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower
atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide,
nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the
primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
Groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth
often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata;
the source for wells and natural springs.
Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by
Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply
into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest
infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most
costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims
that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and
squanders economic resources.
Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 145,000 Inuits
of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international
environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years
to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are
long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and
climate change.
Metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science,
technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly
concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of
ground water and air when not properly disposed.
Noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings.
Overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than
it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant
cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range
land.
Ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3)
that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and
absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living
organisms.
Poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern
with respect to endangered or threatened species.
Pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made
waste.
Potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed.
Salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water
becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse
process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused
by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can
eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops.
Siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted
with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion.
Slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in
which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for
temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity
declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process
repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are
low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation;
conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can
have disastrous consequences for the environment.
Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because
of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of
pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or
erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to
produce agricultural products.
Soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind,
compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation,
overgrazing, and desertification.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy
emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by
the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and
has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans.
Waterborne diseases - those in which bacteria survive in, and are
transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an
untreated water supply.
Environment - international agreements
This entry separates country participation in international
environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but
not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the
abbreviated form of the full name.
Environmental agreements
This information is presented in This information is presented in <a
href = "../appendix/appendix-c.html"Appendix C: Selected
International Environmental Agreements, which includes the name,
abbreviation, date opened for signature, date entered into force,
objective, and parties by category.
Ethnic groups
This entry provides an ordered listing of ethnic groups starting
with the largest and normally includes the percent of total
population.
Exchange rates
This entry provides the official value of a country's monetary unit
at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in
units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by
international market forces or official fiat. The International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code
for the national medium of exchange is presented in parenthesis.
Executive branch
This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the
name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents
the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be
involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of
government includes the name and title of the top administrative
leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the
government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of
state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US,
the president is both the chief of state and the head of government.
Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking
advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections includes
the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the
last election, and date of the next election. Election results
includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election.
Exports
This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise
exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are
calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power
parity (PPP) terms.
Exports - commodities
This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued exported
products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
Exports - partners
This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting
with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total
dollar value.
F
Flag description
This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual
flags or the best information available at the time the entry was
written. The flags of independent states are used by their
dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag.
Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
Flag graphic
Most versions of the Factbook include a color flag at the beginning
of the country profile. The flag graphics were produced from actual
flags or the best information available at the time of preparation.
The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies
unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed
and other areas do not have flags.
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers
removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water
drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may
be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers
to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of
this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited
agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of
water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public
distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for
irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for
agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for
total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
G
GDP (official exchange rate)
This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all
final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A
nation's GDP at official exchange rates (OER) is the
home-currency-denominated annual GDP figure divided by the bilateral
average US exchange rate with that country in that year. The measure
is simple to compute and gives a precise measure of the value of
output. Many economists prefer this measure when gauging the
economic power an economy maintains vis-a-vis its neighbors, judging
that an exchange rate captures the purchasing power a nation enjoys
in the international marketplace. Official exchange rates, however,
can be artificially fixed and/or subject to manipulation - resulting
in claims of the country having an under- or over-valued currency -
and are not necessarily the equivalent of a market-determined
exchange rate. Moreover, even if the official exchange rate is
market-determined, market exchange rates are frequently established
by a relatively small set of goods and services (the ones the
country trades) and may not capture the value of the larger set of
goods the country produces. Furthermore, OER-converted GDP is not
well suited to comparing domestic GDP over time, since
appreciation/depreciation from one year to the next will make the
OER GDP value rise/fall regardless of whether
home-currency-denominated GDP changed.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all
final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A
nation's GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates is the
sum value of all goods and services produced in the country valued
at prices prevailing in the United States. This is the measure most
economists prefer when looking at per-capita welfare and when
comparing living conditions or use of resources across countries.
The measure is difficult to compute, as a US dollar value has to be
assigned to all goods and services in the country regardless of
whether these goods and services have a direct equivalent in the
United States (for example, the value of an ox-cart or non-US
military equipment); as a result, PPP estimates for some countries
are based on a small and sometimes different set of goods and
services. In addition, many countries do not formally participate in
the World Bank's PPP project that calculates these measures, so the
resulting GDP estimates for these countries may lack precision. For
many developing countries, PPP-based GDP measures are multiples of
the official exchange rate (OER) measure. The differences between
the OER- and PPP-denominated GDP values for most of the wealthy
industrialized countries are generally much smaller.
GDP - composition by sector
This entry gives the percentage contribution of agriculture,
industry, and services to total GDP. The distribution will total
less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete.
GDP - per capita (PPP)
This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by
population as of 1 July for the same year.
GDP - real growth rate
This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for
inflation and expressed as a percent.
GDP methodology
In the Economy category, GDP dollar estimates for countries are
reported both on an official exchange rate (OER) and a purchasing
power parity (PPP) basis. Both measures contain information that is
useful to the reader. The PPP method involves the use of
standardized international dollar price weights, which are applied
to the quantities of final goods and services produced in a given
economy. The data derived from the PPP method probably provide the
best available starting point for comparisons of economic strength
and well-being between countries. In contrast, the currency exchange
rate method involves a variety of international and domestic
financial forces that may not capture the value of domestic output.
Whereas PPP estimates for OECD countries are quite reliable, PPP
estimates for developing countries are often rough approximations.
In developing countries with weak currencies, the exchange rate
estimate of GDP in dollars is typically one-fourth to one-half the
PPP estimate. Most of the GDP estimates for developing countries are
based on extrapolation of PPP numbers published by the UN
International Comparison Program (UNICP) and by Professors Robert
Summers and Alan Heston of the University of Pennsylvania and their
colleagues. GDP derived using the OER method should be used for the
purpose of calculating the share of items such as exports, imports,
military expenditures, external debt, or the current account
balance, because the dollar values presented in the Factbook for
these items have been converted at official exchange rates, not at
PPP. One should use the OER GDP figure to calculate the proportion
of, say, Chinese defense expenditures in GDP, because that share
will be the same as one calculated in local currency units.
Comparison of OER GDP with PPP GDP may also indicate whether a
currency is over- or under-valued. If OER GDP is smaller than PPP
GDP, the official exchange rate may be undervalued, and vice versa.
However, there is no strong historical evidence that market exchange
rates move in the direction implied by the PPP rate, at least not in
the short- or medium-term. Note: the numbers for GDP and other
economic data should not be chained together from successive volumes
of the Factbook because of changes in the US dollar measuring rod,
revisions of data by statistical agencies, use of new or different
sources of information, and changes in national statistical methods
and practices.
GNP
Gross national product (GNP) is the value of all final goods and
services produced within a nation in a given year, plus income
earned by its citizens abroad, minus income earned by foreigners
from domestic production. The Factbook, following current practice,
uses GDP rather than GNP to measure national production. However,
the user must realize that in certain countries net remittances from
citizens working abroad may be important to national well-being.
GWP
This entry gives the gross world product (GWP) or aggregate value of
all final goods and services produced worldwide in a given year.
Geographic coordinates
This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the
purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity
and is based on the locations provided in the Geographic Names
Server (GNS), maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence
Agency on behalf of the US Board on Geographic Names.
Geographic names
This information is presented in This information is presented in <a
href = "../appendix/appendix-f.html"Appendix F: Cross Reference List
of Geographic Names. It includes a listing of various alternate
names, former names, local names, and regional names referenced to
one or more related Factbook entries. Spellings are normally, but
not always, those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names
(BGN). Alternate names and additional information are included in
parentheses.
Geography
This category includes the entries dealing with the natural
environment and the effects of human activity.
Geography - note
This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of
significance not included elsewhere.
Gini index
See entry for Distribution of family income - Gini index
Government
This category includes the entries dealing with the system for the
adoption and administration of public policy.
Government - note
This entry includes miscellaneous government information of
significance not included elsewhere.
Government type
This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the
major governmental terms are as follows. (Note that for some
countries more than one definition applies.):
Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules
unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution, or legally
organized opposition.
Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought
about by the absence of governmental authority.
Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is
imposed onto many aspects of citizens' lives.
Commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on
law and united by a compact of the people for the common good.
Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and
controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party
holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of
private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make
progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally
shared by the people (i.e., a classless society).
Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between
states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government
with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme
authority over all matters except those delegated to the central
government.
Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative
document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental
laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and
limits of that government.
Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the
sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing
constitution.
Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch
is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and
responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom.
Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is
retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly
through a system of representation and delegated authority
periodically renewed.
Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in
the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and
representatives responsible to them.
Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique
wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws).
Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church.
Emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, but a government in
which the supreme power is in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a
Muslim state); the emir may be an absolute overlord or a sovereign
with constitutionally limited authority.
Federal (Federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power
is formally divided - usually by means of a constitution - between a
central authority and a number of constituent regions (states,
colonies, or provinces) so that each region retains some management
of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the
central government exerts influence directly upon both individuals
as well as upon the regional units.
Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central
government are restricted and in which the component parts (states,
colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate
sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental
representatives.
Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some
Muslim states; although such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it
remains a republic, but its laws are required to be compatible with
the laws of Islam.
Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in
China by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous
revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to
keep in touch with the people.
Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by
19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers
as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a
class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists
(business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat,"
to, finally, a classless society - Communism.
Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Lenin
from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final
stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from
developed to underdeveloped countries.
Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the
hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for
life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole
absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince -
with constitutionally limited authority.
Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small
group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or
power.
Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the
legislature (parliament) selects the government - a prime minister,
premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according
to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the
government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as
to the parliament.
Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a
government in which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and
its leader - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated
to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly
responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will
by the parliament (legislature) by means of a no confidence vote or
the leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no
longer function.
Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not
actively involved in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the
exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity);
true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its
head - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor - who are drawn from
a legislature (parliament).
Presidential - a system of government where the executive branch
exists separately from a legislature (to which it is generally not
accountable).
Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected
deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on
legislation.
Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing,
and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that
theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of
property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have
ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling
elite.
Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, but a government in which the
supreme power is in the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim
state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a sovereign with
constitutionally limited authority.
Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as
the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity's laws are interpreted by
ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a government
subject to religious authority.
Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual
to the state by controlling not only all political and economic
matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its
population.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
The mean solar time at the Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich, England,
with the hours and days, since 1925, reckoned from midnight. GMT is
now a historical term having been replaced by UTC on 1 January 1972.
See Coordinated Universal Time.
Gross domestic product
See GDP
Gross national product
See GNP
Gross world product
See GWP
H
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged
15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated
by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at
yearend by the total adult population at yearend.
HIV/AIDS - deaths
This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children
who died of AIDS during a given calendar year.
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children)
alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have
developed symptoms of AIDS.
Heliports
This entry gives the total number of heliports with hard-surface
runways, helipads, or landing areas that support routine sustained
helicopter operations exclusively and have support facilities
including one or more of the following facilities: lighting, fuel,
passenger handling, or maintenance. It includes former airports used
exclusively for helicopter operations but excludes heliports limited
to day operations and natural clearings that could support
helicopter landings and takeoffs.
Household income or consumption by percentage share
Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys,
the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different
standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data.
Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal
distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of
surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in
making inter-country comparisons.
Hydrographic data codes
See Data codes
I
Illicit drugs
This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs
- narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and
cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and
prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold
outside of medical channels.
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides
hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana
(pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC,
Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil).
Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain
the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with
cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate,
cocoa, and cocoa butter.
Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush.
Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety
and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal,
Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium),
methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others
(Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid).
Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental,
emotional, or behavioral change in an individual.
Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance
that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral
impairment in an individual.
Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking,
self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid,
microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine
variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog),
phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin,
psilocyn).
Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant
(Cannabis sativa).
Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine.
Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical
depressant.
Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis
sativa).
Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax
in Southwest Asia and Africa.
Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer
to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural
narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine
(MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with
codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics
include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol,
Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon,
Lomotil).
Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of
the opium poppy.
Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and
semisynthetic narcotics.
Poppy straw is the entire cut and dried opium poppy-plant material,
other than the seeds. Opium is extracted from poppy straw in
commercial operations that produce the drug for medical use.
Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha
edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea.
Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a
pharmaceutical depressant.
Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy
and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines
(Desoxyn, Dexedrine), ephedrine, ecstasy (clarity, essence, doctor,
Adam), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and
others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate).
Imports
This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise
imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free
on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate
basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
Imports - commodities
This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued imported
products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
Imports - partners
This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting
with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total
dollar value.
Independence
For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was
achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the
other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in
the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such
as the traditional founding date or the date of unification,
federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the
form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the
notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status.
Also see the Terminology note.
Industrial production growth rate
This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial
production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction).
Industries
This entry provides a rank ordering of industries starting with the
largest by value of annual output.
Infant mortality rate
This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old
in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year; included is
the total death rate, and deaths by sex, male and female. This rate
is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country.
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices
compared with the previous year's consumer prices.
International disputes
see Disputes - international
International organization participation
This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those
international organizations in which the subject country is a member
or participates in some other way.
International organizations
This information is presented in This information is presented in <a
href = "../appendix/appendix-b.html"Appendix B: International
Organizations and Groups which includes the name, abbreviation, date
established, aim, and members by category.
Internet country code
This entry includes the two-letter codes maintained by the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166
Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
(IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs).
Internet hosts
This entry lists the number of Internet hosts available within a
country. An Internet host is a computer connected directly to the
Internet; normally an Internet Service Provider's (ISP) computer is
a host. Internet users may use either a hard-wired terminal, at an
institution with a mainframe computer connected directly to the
Internet, or may connect remotely by way of a modem via telephone
line, cable, or satellite to the Internet Service Provider's host
computer. The number of hosts is one indicator of the extent of
Internet connectivity.
Internet users
This entry gives the number of users within a country that access
the Internet. Statistics vary from country to country and may
include users who access the Internet at least several times a week
to those who access it only once within a period of several months.
Introduction
This category includes one entry, Background.
Investment (gross fixed)
This entry records total business spending on fixed assets, such as
factories, machinery, equipment, dwellings, and inventories of raw
materials, which provide the basis for future production. It is
measured gross of the depreciation of the assets, i.e., it includes
investment that merely replaces worn-out or scrapped capital.
Irrigated land
This entry gives the number of square kilometers of land area that
is artificially supplied with water.
J
Judicial branch
This entry contains the name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief
description of the selection process for members.
L
Labor force
This entry contains the total labor force figure.
Labor force - by occupation
This entry lists the percentage distribution of the labor force by
occupation. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the
data are incomplete.
Land boundaries
This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the
individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries. When
available, official lengths published by national statistical
agencies are used. Because surveying methods may differ, country
border lengths reported by contiguous countries may differ.
Land use
This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area for
three different types of land use: arable land - land cultivated for
crops like wheat, maize, and rice that are replanted after each
harvest; permanent crops - land cultivated for crops like citrus,
coffee, and rubber that are not replanted after each harvest;
includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and
vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber; other
- any land not arable or under permanent crops; includes permanent
meadows and pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads,
barren land, etc.
Languages
This entry provides a rank ordering of languages starting with the
largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population
speaking that language.
Legal system
This entry contains a brief description of the legal system's
historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of
International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.
Legislative branch
This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral,
bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of
office. Elections includes the nature of the election process or
accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next
election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or
number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Life expectancy at birth
This entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a
group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age
remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population
as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth
is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and
summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as
indicating the potential return on investment in human capital and
is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures.
Literacy
This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau
percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are
no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise
specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the
ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the
standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to
read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on
literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is
probably the most easily available and valid for international
comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can
impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly
changing, technology-driven world.
Location
This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring
countries, and adjacent bodies of water.
M
Major infectious diseases
This entry lists major infectious diseases likely to be encountered
in countries where the risk of such diseases is assessed to be very
high as compared to the United States. These infectious diseases
represent risks to US government personnel traveling to the
specified country for a period of less than three years. The degree
of risk is assessed by considering the foreign nature of these
infectious diseases, their severity, and the probability of being
affected by the diseases present. The diseases listed do not
necessarily represent the total disease burden experienced by the
local population.
The risk to an individual traveler varies considerably by the
specific location, visit duration, type of activities, type of
accommodations, time of year, and other factors. Consultation with a
travel medicine physician is needed to evaluate individual risk and
recommend appropriate preventive measures such as vaccines.
Diseases are organized into the following six exposure categories
shown in italics and listed in typical descending order of risk.
Note: The sequence of exposure categories listed in individual
country entries may vary according to local conditions.
food or waterborne diseases acquired through eating or drinking on
the local economy:
Hepatitis A - viral disease that interferes with the functioning of
the liver; spread through consumption of food or water contaminated
with fecal matter, principally in areas of poor sanitation; victims
exhibit fever, jaundice, and diarrhea; 15% of victims will
experience prolonged symptoms over 6-9 months; vaccine available.
Hepatitis E - water-borne viral disease that interferes with the
functioning of the liver; most commonly spread through fecal
contamination of drinking water; victims exhibit jaundice, fatigue,
abdominal pain, and dark colored urine.
Typhoid fever - bacterial disease spread through contact with food
or water contaminated by fecal matter or sewage; victims exhibit
sustained high fevers; left untreated, mortality rates can reach 20%.
vectorborne diseases acquired through the bite of an infected
arthropod:
Malaria - caused by single-cell parasitic protozoa Plasmodium;
transmitted to humans via the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito;
parasites multiply in the liver attacking red blood cells resulting
in cycles of fever, chills, and sweats accompanied by anemia; death
due to damage to vital organs and interruption of blood supply to
the brain; endemic in 100, mostly tropical, countries with 90% of
cases and the majority of 1.5-2.5 million estimated annual deaths
occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dengue fever - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease
associated with urban environments; manifests as sudden onset of
fever and severe headache; occasionally produces shock and
hemorrhage leading to death in 5% of cases.
Yellow fever - mosquito-borne viral disease; severity ranges from
influenza-like symptoms to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever;
occurs only in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa, where
most cases are reported; fatality rate is less than 20%.
Japanese Encephalitis - mosquito-borne (Culex tritaeniorhynchus)
viral disease associated with rural areas in Asia; acute
encephalitis can progress to paralysis, coma, and death; fatality
rates 30%.
African Trypanosomiasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa
Trypanosoma; transmitted to humans via the bite of bloodsucking
Tsetse flies; infection leads to malaise and irregular fevers and,
in advanced cases when the parasites invade the central nervous
system, coma and death; endemic in 36 countries of sub-Saharan
Africa; cattle and wild animals act as reservoir hosts for the
parasites.
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa
leishmania; transmitted to humans via the bite of sandflies; results
in skin lesions that may become chronic; endemic in 88 countries;
90% of cases occur in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia,
Brazil, and Peru; wild and domesticated animals as well as humans
can act as reservoirs of infection.
Plague - bacterial disease transmitted by fleas normally associated
with rats; person-to-person airborne transmission also possible;
recent plague epidemics occurred in areas of Asia, Africa, and South
America associated with rural areas or small towns and villages;
manifests as fever, headache, and painfully swollen lymph nodes;
disease progresses rapidly and without antibiotic treatment leads to
pneumonic form with a death rate in excess of 50%.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - tick-borne viral disease;
infection may also result from exposure to infected animal blood or
tissue; geographic distribution includes Africa, Asia, the Middle
East, and Eastern Europe; sudden onset of fever, headache, and
muscle aches followed by hemorrhaging in the bowels, urine, nose,
and gums; mortality rate is approximately 30%.
Rift Valley fever - viral disease affecting domesticated animals and
humans; transmission is by mosquito and other biting insects;
infection may also occur through handling of infected meat or
contact with blood; geographic distribution includes eastern and
southern Africa where cattle and sheep are raised; symptoms are
generally mild with fever and some liver abnormalities, but the
disease may progress to hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or ocular
disease; fatality rates are low at about 1% of cases.
Chikungunya - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease
associated with urban environments, similar to Dengue Fever;
characterized by sudden onset of fever, rash, and severe joint pain
usually lasting 3-7 days, some cases result in persistent arthritis.
water contact diseases acquired through swimming or wading in
freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers:
Leptospirosis - bacterial disease that affects animals and humans;
infection occurs through contact with water, food, or soil
contaminated by animal urine; symptoms include high fever, severe
headache, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea; untreated, the disease
can result in kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, or
respiratory distress; fatality rates are low but left untreated
recovery can take months.
Schistosomiasis - caused by parasitic trematode flatworm
Schistosoma; fresh water snails act as intermediate host and release
larval form of parasite that penetrates the skin of people exposed
to contaminated water; worms mature and reproduce in the blood
vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestines releasing eggs, which become
trapped in tissues triggering an immune response; may manifest as
either urinary or intestinal disease resulting in decreased work or
learning capacity; mortality, while generally low, may occur in
advanced cases usually due to bladder cancer; endemic in 74
developing countries with 80% of infected people living in
sub-Saharan Africa; humans act as the reservoir for this parasite.
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease acquired through inhalation
of aerosols contaminated with rodent urine:
Lassa fever - viral disease carried by rats of the genus Mastomys;
endemic in portions of West Africa; infection occurs through direct
contact with or consumption of food contaminated by rodent urine or
fecal matter containing virus particles; fatality rate can reach 50%
in epidemic outbreaks.
respiratory disease acquired through close contact with an
infectious person:
Meningococcal meningitis - bacterial disease causing an inflammation
of the lining of the brain and spinal cord; one of the most
important bacterial pathogens is Neisseria meningitidis because of
its potential to cause epidemics; symptoms include stiff neck, high
fever, headaches, and vomiting; bacteria are transmitted from person
to person by respiratory droplets and facilitated by close and
prolonged contact resulting from crowded living conditions, often
with a seasonal distribution; death occurs in 5-15% of cases,
typically within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms; highest burden of
meningococcal disease occurs in the hyperendemic region of
sub-Saharan Africa known as the "Meningitis Belt" which stretches
from Senegal east to Ethiopia.
animal contact disease acquired through direct contact with local
animals:
Rabies - viral disease of mammals usually transmitted through the
bite of an infected animal, most commonly dogs; virus affects the
central nervous system causing brain alteration and death; symptoms
initially are non-specific fever and headache progressing to
neurological symptoms; death occurs within days of the onset of
symptoms.
Manpower available for military service
This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the
military age range for a country (defined as being ages 16-49) and
assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
Manpower fit for military service
This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the
military age range for a country (defined as being ages 16-49) and
who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for
the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic
estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
This entry gives the number of males and females entering the
military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and
is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
Map references
This entry includes the name of the Factbook reference map on which
a country may be found. Note that boundary representations on these
maps are not necessarily authoritative. The entry on Geographic
coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries.
Maritime claims
This entry includes the following claims, the definitions of which
are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive
descriptions:
territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond
its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea,
described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this
sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as
well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every state has the right
to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not
exceeding 12 nautical miles; the normal baseline for measuring the
breadth of the territorial sea is the mean low-water line along the
coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the
coastal state; the UNCLOS describes specific rules for archipelagic
states.
contiguous zone - according to the UNCLOS (Article 33), this is a
zone contiguous to a coastal state's territorial sea, over which it
may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its
customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations
within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the
above laws and regulations committed within its territory or
territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24
nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the
territorial sea is measured (e.g. the US has claimed a 12-nautical
mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-nautical mile territorial
sea).
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the UNCLOS (Part V) defines the EEZ
as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a
coastal state has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and
exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether
living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of
the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for
the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the
production of energy from the water, currents, and winds;
jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial
islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research;
the protection and preservation of the marine environment; the outer
limit of the exclusive economic zone shall not exceed 200 nautical
miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial
sea is measured.
continental shelf - the UNCLOS (Article 76) defines the continental
shelf of a coastal state as comprising the seabed and subsoil of the
submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout
the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of
the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from
the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is
measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not
extend up to that distance; the continental margin comprises the
submerged prolongation of the landmass of the coastal state, and
consists of the seabed and subsoil of the shelf, the slope and the
rise; wherever the continental margin extends beyond 200 nautical
miles from the baseline, coastal states may extend their claim to a
distance not to exceed 350 nautical miles from the baseline or 100
nautical miles from the 2500 meter isobath; it does not include the
deep ocean floor with its oceanic ridges or the subsoil thereof.
exclusive fishing zone - while this term is not used in the UNCLOS,
some states (e.g., the United Kingdom) have chosen not to claim an
EEZ, but rather to claim jurisdiction over the living resources off
their coast; in such cases, the term exclusive fishing zone is often
used; the breadth of this zone is normally the same as the EEZ or
200 nautical miles.
Market value of publicly traded shares
This entry gives the value of shares issued by publicly traded
companies at a price determined in the national stock markets on the
final day of the period indicated. It is simply the latest price per
share multiplied by the total number of outstanding shares,
cumulated over all companies listed on the particular exchange.
Median age
This entry is the age that divides a population into two numerically
equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and
half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age
distribution of a population. Currently, the median age ranges from
a low of about 15 in Uganda and Gaza Strip to 40 or more in several
European countries and Japan. See the entry for "Age structure" for
the importance of a young versus an older age structure and, by
implication, a low versus a higher median age.
Merchant marine
Merchant marine may be defined as all ships engaged in the carriage
of goods; or all commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary
ships), which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs,
etc. This entry contains information in four fields - total, ships
by type, foreign-owned, and registered in other countries.
Total includes the number of ships (1,000 GRT or over), total DWT
for those ships, and total GRT for those ships. DWT or dead weight
tonnage is the total weight of cargo, plus bunkers, stores, etc.,
that a ship can carry when immersed to the appropriate load line.
GRT or gross register tonnage is a figure obtained by measuring the
entire sheltered volume of a ship available for cargo and passengers
and converting it to tons on the basis of 100 cubic feet per ton;
there is no stable relationship between GRT and DWT.
Ships by type includes a listing of barge carriers, bulk cargo
ships, cargo ships, chemical tankers, combination bulk carriers,
combination ore/oil carriers, container ships, liquefied gas
tankers, livestock carriers, multifunctional large-load carriers,
petroleum tankers, passenger ships, passenger/cargo ships, railcar
carriers, refrigerated cargo ships, roll-on/roll-off cargo ships,
short-sea passenger ships, specialized tankers, and vehicle carriers.
Foreign-owned are ships that fly the flag of one country but belong
to owners in another.
Registered in other countries are ships that belong to owners in one
country but fly the flag of another.
Military
This category includes the entries dealing with a country's military
structure, manpower, and expenditures.
Military - note
This entry includes miscellaneous military information of
significance not included elsewhere.
Military branches
This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense
ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and
marine forces).
Military expenditures
This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent
year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP
is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of
purchasing power parity (PPP).
Military service age and obligation
This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript
military service and the length of service obligation.
Money figures
All money figures are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless
otherwise indicated.
N
National holiday
This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually
independence day.
Nationality
This entry provides the identifying terms for citizens - noun and
adjective.
Natural gas - consumption
This entry is the total natural gas consumed in cubic meters (cu m).
The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or
imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the
omission of stock changes and other complicating factors.
Natural gas - exports
This entry is the total natural gas exported in cubic meters (cu m).
Natural gas - imports
This entry is the total natural gas imported in cubic meters (cu m).
Natural gas - production
This entry is the total natural gas produced in cubic meters (cu m).
The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or
imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the
omission of stock changes and other complicating factors.
Natural gas - proved reserves
This entry is the stock of proved reserves of natural gas in cubic
meters (cu m). Proved reserves are those quantities of natural gas,
which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be
estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially
recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and
under current economic conditions.
Natural hazards
This entry lists potential natural disasters.
Natural resources
This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and
other resources of commercial importance.
Net migration rate
This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number
of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000
persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering
the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56
migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country
as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net
migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the
overall level of population change. High levels of migration can
cause problems such as increasing unemployment and potential ethnic
strife (if people are coming in) or a reduction in the labor force,
perhaps in certain key sectors (if people are leaving).
O
Oil - consumption
This entry is the total oil consumed in barrels per day (bbl/day).
The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported
and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of
stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors.
Oil - exports
This entry is the total oil exported in barrels per day (bbl/day),
including both crude oil and oil products.
Oil - imports
This entry is the total oil imported in barrels per day (bbl/day),
including both crude oil and oil products.
Oil - production
This entry is the total oil produced in barrels per day (bbl/day).
The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported
and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of
stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors.
Oil - proved reserves
This entry is the stock of proved reserves of crude oil in barrels
(bbl). Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by
analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a
high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a
given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic
conditions.
P
People
This category includes the entries dealing with the characteristics
of the people and their society.
People - note
This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of
significance not included elsewhere.
Personal Names - Capitalization
The Factbook capitalizes the surname or family name of individuals
for the convenience of our users who are faced with a world of
different cultures and naming conventions. The need for
capitalization, bold type, underlining, italics, or some other
indicator of the individual's surname is apparent in the following
examples: MAO Zedong, Fidel CASTRO Ruz, George W. BUSH, and TUNKU
SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam
Shah. By knowing the surname, a short form without all capital
letters can be used with confidence as in President Castro, Chairman
Mao, President Bush, or Sultan Tunku Salahuddin. The same system of
capitalization is extended to the names of leaders with surnames
that are not commonly used such as Queen ELIZABETH II. For
Vietnamese names, the given name is capitalized because officials
are referred to by their given name rather than by their surname.
For example, the president of Vietnam is Tran Duc LUONG. His surname
is Tran, but he is referred to by his given name - President LUONG.
Personal Names - Spelling
The romanization of personal names in the Factbook normally follows
the same transliteration system used by the US Board on Geographic
Names for spelling place names. At times, however, a foreign leader
expressly indicates a preference for, or the media or official
documents regularly use, a romanized spelling that differs from the
transliteration derived from the US Government standard. In such
cases, the Factbook uses the alternative spelling.
Personal Names - Titles
The Factbook capitalizes any valid title (or short form of it)
immediately preceding a person's name. A title standing alone is not
capitalized. Examples: President PUTIN and President BUSH are chiefs
of state. In Russia, the president is chief of state and the premier
is the head of the government, while in the US, the president is
both chief of state and head of government.
Petroleum
See entries under Oil.
Petroleum products
See entries under Oil.
Pipelines
This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for transporting
products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum products.
Piracy
Piracy is defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea as any illegal act of violence, detention, or depredation
directed against a ship, aircraft, persons, or property in a place
outside the jurisdiction of any State. Such criminal acts committed
in the territorial waters of a littoral state are generally
considered to be armed robbery against ships.
Political parties and leaders
This entry includes a listing of significant political organizations
and their leaders.
Political pressure groups and leaders
This entry includes a listing of a country's political, social,
labor, or religious organizations that are involved in politics, or
that exert political pressure, but whose leaders do not stand for
legislative election. International movements or organizations are
generally not listed.
Population
This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based
on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics
registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent
past and on assumptions about future trends. The total population
presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country
on the world and within its region. Note: Starting with the 1993
Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African)
have explicitly taken into account the effects of the growing impact
of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These countries are currently: The
Bahamas, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi,
Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon,
Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,
Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,
Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Population growth rate
The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from
a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of
migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or
negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a
burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its
people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing,
roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid
population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring
countries.
Ports and terminals
This entry lists major ports and terminals primarily on the basis of
the amount of cargo tonnage shipped through the facilities on an
annual basis. In some instances, the number of containers handled or
ship visits were also considered.
Public debt
This entry records the cumulative total of all government borrowings
less repayments that are denominated in a country's home currency.
Public debt should not be confused with external debt, which
reflects the foreign currency liabilities of both the private and
public sector and must be financed out of foreign exchange earnings.
R
Radio broadcast stations
This entry includes the total number of AM, FM, and shortwave
broadcast stations.
Railways
This entry states the total route length of the railway network and
of its component parts by gauge: broad, standard, narrow, and dual.
Other gauges are listed under note.
Reference maps
This section includes world and regional maps.
Refugees and internally displaced persons
This entry includes those persons residing in a country as refugees
or internally displaced persons (IDPs). The definition of a refugee
according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside
his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a
well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion,
nationality, membership in a particular social group or political
opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the
protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of
persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters
worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in
the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a
Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was
Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost
both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict."
However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not
covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced
person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used
to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to
refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are
subject to the laws of that state.
Religions
This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting
with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total
population. The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's
major religions are described below.
Baha'i - Founded by Mirza Husayn-Ali (known as Baha'u'llah) in Iran
in 1852, Baha'i faith emphasizes monotheism and believes in one
eternal transcendent God. Its guiding focus is to encourage the
unity of all peoples on the earth so that justice and peace may be
achieved on earth. Baha'i revelation contends the prophets of major
world religions reflect some truth or element of the divine,
believes all were manifestations of God given to specific
communities in specific times, and that Baha'u'llah is an additional
prophet meant to call all humankind. Bahais are an open community,
located worldwide, with the greatest concentration of believers in
South Asia.
Buddhism - Religion or philosophy inspired by the 5th century B.C.
teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (also known as Gautama Buddha "the
enlightened one"). Buddhism focuses on the goal of spiritual
enlightenment centered on an understanding of Gautama Buddha's Four
Noble Truths on the nature of suffering, and on the Eightfold Path
of spiritual and moral practice, to break the cycle of suffering of
which we are a part. Buddhism ascribes to a karmic system of
rebirth. Several schools and sects of Buddhism exist, differing
often on the nature of the Buddha, the extent to which enlightenment
can be achieved - for one or for all, and by whom - religious orders
or laity.
Basic Groupings
Theravada Buddhism: The oldest Buddhist school, Theravada is
practiced mostly in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Thailand,
with minority representation elsewhere in Asia and the West.
Theravadans follow the Pali Canon of Buddha's teachings, and believe
that one may escape the cycle of rebirth, worldly attachment, and
suffering for oneself; this process may take one or several
lifetimes.
Mahayana Buddhism, including subsets Zen and Tibetan Buddhism:
Forms of Mahayana Buddhism are common in East Asia and Tibet, and
parts of the West. Mahayanas have additional scriptures beyond the
Pali Canon and believe the Buddha is eternal and still teaching.
Unlike Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana schools maintain the
Buddha-nature is present in all beings and all will ultimately
achieve enlightenment.
Christianity - Descending from Judaism, Christianity's central
belief maintains Jesus of Nazareth is the promised messiah of the
Hebrew Scriptures, and that his life, death, and resurrection are
salvific for the world. Christianity is one of the three
monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, along with Islam and Judaism, which
traces its spiritual lineage to Abraham of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Its sacred texts include the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament (or
the Christian Gospels).
Basic Groupings
Catholicism (or Roman Catholicism): This is the oldest
established western Christian church and the world's largest single
religious body. It is supranational, and recognizes a hierarchical
structure with the Pope, or Bishop of Rome, as its head, located at
the Vatican. Catholics believe the Pope is the divinely ordered head
of the Church from a direct spiritual legacy of Jesus' apostle
Peter. Catholicism is comprised of 23 particular Churches, or Rites
- one Western (Latin-Rite) and 22 Eastern. The Latin Rite is by far
the largest, making up about 98% of Catholic membership.
Eastern-Rite Churches, such as the Maronite Church and the Ukrainian
Catholic Church, are in communion with Rome although they preserve
their own worship traditions and their immediate hierarchy consists
of clergy within their own rite. The Catholic Church has a
comprehensive theological and moral doctrine specified for believers
in its catechism, which makes it unique among most forms of
Christianity.
Mormonism (including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints): Originating in 1830 in the United States under Joseph
Smith, Mormonism is not characterized as a form of Protestant
Christianity because it claims additional revealed Christian
scriptures after the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. The Book of
Mormon maintains there was an appearance of Jesus in the New World
following the Christian account of his resurrection, and that the
Americas are uniquely blessed continents. Mormonism believes earlier
Christian traditions, such as the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and
Protestant reform faiths, are apostasies and that Joseph Smith's
revelation of the Book of Mormon is a restoration of true
Christianity. Mormons have a hierarchical religious leadership
structure, and actively proselytize their faith; they are located
primarily in the Americas and in a number of other Western countries.
Orthodox Christianity: The oldest established eastern form of
Christianity, the Holy Orthodox Church, has a ceremonial head in the
Bishop of Constantinople (Istanbul), also known as a Patriarch, but
its various regional forms (e.g., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox,
Serbian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox) are autocephalous (independent
of Constantinople's authority, and have their own Patriarchs).
Orthodox churches are highly nationalist and ethnic. The Orthodox
Christian faith shares many theological tenets with the Roman
Catholic Church, but diverges on some key premises and does not
recognize the governing authority of the Pope.
Protestant Christianity: Protestant Christianity originated in
the 16th century as an attempt to reform Roman Catholicism's
practices, dogma, and theology. It encompasses several forms or
denominations which are extremely varied in structure, beliefs,
relationship to state, clergy, and governance. Many protestant
theologies emphasize the primary role of scripture in their faith,
advocating individual interpretation of Christian texts without the
mediation of a final religious authority such as the Roman Pope. The
oldest Protestant Christianities include Lutheranism, Calvinism
(Presbyterians), and Anglican Christianity (Episcopalians), which
have established liturgies, governing structure, and formal clergy.
Other variants on Protestant Christianity, including Pentecostal
movements and independent churches, may lack one or more of these
elements, and their leadership and beliefs are individualized and
dynamic.
Hinduism - Originating in the Vedic civilization of India (second
and first millennium B.C.), Hinduism is an extremely diverse set of
beliefs and practices with no single founder or religious authority.
Hinduism has many scriptures; the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the
Bhagavad-Gita are among some of the most important. Hindus may
worship one or many deities, usually with prayer rituals within
their own home. The most common figures of devotion are the gods
Vishnu, Shiva, and a mother goddess, Devi. Most Hindus believe the
soul, or atman, is eternal, and goes through a cycle of birth,
death, and rebirth (samsara) determined by one's positive or
negative karma, or the consequences of one's actions. The goal of
religious life is to learn to act so as to finally achieve
liberation (moksha) of one's soul, escaping the rebirth cycle.
Islam - The third of the monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, Islam
originated with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century.
Muslims believe Muhammad is the final of all religious prophets
(beginning with Abraham) and that the Qu'ran, which is the Islamic
scripture, was revealed to him by God. Islam derives from the word
submission, and obedience to God is a primary theme in this
religion. In order to live an Islamic life, believers must follow
the five pillars, or tenets, of Islam, which are the testimony of
faith (shahada), daily prayer (salah), giving alms (zakah), fasting
during Ramadan (sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).
Basic Groupings
The two primary branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia, which split
from each other over a religio-political leadership dispute about
the rightful successor to Muhammad. The Shia believe Muhammad's
cousin and son-in-law, Ali, was the only divinely ordained Imam
(religious leader), while the Sunni maintain the first three caliphs
after Muhammad were also legitimate authorities. In modern Islam,
Sunnis and Shia continue to have different views of acceptable
schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and who is a proper Islamic
religious authority. Islam also has an active mystical branch,
Sufism, with various Sunni and Shia subsets.
Sunni Islam accounts for over 75% of the world's Muslim
population. It recognizes the Abu Bakr as the first caliph after
Muhammad. Sunni has four schools of Islamic doctrine and law -
Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali - which uniquely interpret the
Hadith, or recorded oral traditions of Muhammad. A Sunni Muslim may
elect to follow any one of these schools, as all are considered
equally valid.
Shia Islam represents 10-20% of Muslims worldwide, and its
distinguishing feature is its reverence for Ali as an infallible,
divinely inspired leader, and as the first Imam of the Muslim
community after Muhammad. A majority of Shia are known as
"Twelvers," because they believe that the 11 familial successor
imams after Muhammad culminate in a 12th Imam (al-Mahdi) who is
hidden in the world and will reappear at its end to redeem the
righteous.
Variants
Ismaili faith: A sect of Shia Islam, its adherents are also known
as "Seveners," because they believe that the rightful seventh Imam
in Islamic leadership was Isma'il, the elder son of Imam Jafar
al-Sadiq. Ismaili tradition awaits the return of the seventh Imam as
the Mahdi, or Islamic messianic figure. Ismailis are located in
various parts of the world, particularly South Asia and the Levant.
Alawi faith: Another Shia sect of Islam, the name reflects
followers' devotion to the religious authority of Ali. Alawites are
a closed, secretive religious group who assert they are Shia
Muslims, although outside scholars speculate their beliefs may have
a syncretic mix with other faiths originating in the Middle East.
Alawis live mostly in Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey.
Druze faith: A highly secretive tradition and a closed community
that derives from the Ismaili sect of Islam; its core beliefs are
thought to emphasize a combination of Gnostic principles believing
that the Fatimid caliph, al-Hakin, is the one who embodies the key
aspects of goodness of the universe, which are, the intellect, the
word, the soul, the preceder, and the follower. The Druze have a key
presence in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.
Jainism - Originating in India, Jain spiritual philosophy believes
in an eternal human soul, the eternal universe, and a principle of
"the own nature of things." It emphasizes compassion for all living
things, seeks liberation of the human soul from reincarnation
through enlightenment, and values personal responsibility due to the
belief in the immediate consequences of one's behavior. Jain
philosophy teaches non-violence and prescribes vegetarianism for
monks and laity alike; its adherents are a highly influential
religious minority in Indian society.
Judaism - One of the first known monotheistic religions, likely
dating to between 2000-1500 B.C., Judaism is the native faith of the
Jewish people, based upon the belief in a covenant of responsibility
between a sole omnipotent creator God and Abraham, the patriarch of
Judaism's Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh. Divine revelation of principles
and prohibitions in the Hebrew Scriptures form the basis of Jewish
law, or halakhah, which is a key component of the faith. While there
are extensive traditions of Jewish halakhic and theological
discourse, there is no final dogmatic authority in the tradition.
Local communities have their own religious leadership. Modern
Judaism has three basic categories of faith: Orthodox, Conservative,
and Reform/Liberal. These differ in their views and observance of
Jewish law, with the Orthodox representing the most traditional
practice, and Reform/Liberal communities the most accommodating of
individualized interpretations of Jewish identity and faith.
Shintoism - A native animist tradition of Japan, Shinto practice is
based upon the premise that every being and object has its own
spirit or kami. Shinto practitioners worship several particular
kamis, including the kamis of nature, and families often have
shrines to their ancestors' kamis. Shintoism has no fixed tradition
of prayers or prescribed dogma, but is characterized by individual
ritual. Respect for the kamis in nature is a key Shinto value. Prior
to the end of World War II, Shinto was the state religion of Japan,
and bolstered the cult of the Japanese emperor.
Sikhism - Founded by the Guru Nanak (born 1469), Sikhism believes in
a non-anthropomorphic, supreme, eternal, creator God; centering
one's devotion to God is seen as a means of escaping the cycle of
rebirth. Sikhs follow the teachings of Nanak and nine subsequent
gurus. Their scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib - also known as the
Adi Granth - is considered the living Guru, or final authority of
Sikh faith and theology. Sikhism emphasizes equality of humankind
and disavows caste, class, or gender discrimination.
Taoism - Chinese philosophy or religion based upon Lao Tzu's Tao Te
Ching, which centers on belief in the Tao, or the way, as the flow
of the universe and the nature of things. Taoism encourages a
principle of non-force, or wu-wei, as the means to live harmoniously
with the Tao. Taoists believe the esoteric world is made up of a
perfect harmonious balance and nature, while in the manifest world -
particularly in the body - balance is distorted. The Three Jewels of
the Tao - compassion, simplicity, and humility - serve as the basis
for Taoist ethics.
Zoroastrianism - Originating from the teachings of Zoroaster in
about the 9th or 10th century B.C., Zoroastrianism may be the oldest
continuing creedal religion. Its key beliefs center on a
transcendent creator God, Ahura Mazda, and the concept of free will.
The key ethical tenets of Zoroastrianism expressed in its scripture,
the Avesta, are based on a dualistic worldview where one may prevent
chaos if one chooses to serve God and exercises good thoughts, good
words, and good deeds. Zoroastrianism is generally a closed religion
and members are almost always born to Zoroastrian parents. Prior to
the spread of Islam, Zoroastrianism dominated greater Iran. Today,
though a minority, Zoroastrians remain primarily in Iran, India, and
Pakistan.
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
This entry gives the dollar value for the stock of all financial
assets that are available to the central monetary authority for use
in meeting a country's balance of payments needs as of the end-date
of the period specified. This category includes not only foreign
currency and gold, but also a country's holdings of Special Drawing
Rights in the International Monetary Fund, and its reserve position
in the Fund.
Roadways
This entry gives the total length of the road network and includes
the length of the paved and unpaved portions.
S
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
School life expectancy (SLE) is the total number of years of
schooling (primary to tertiary) that a child can expect to receive,
assuming that the probability of his or her being enrolled in school
at any particular future age is equal to the current enrollment
ratio at that age. Caution must be maintained when utilizing this
indicator in international comparisons. For example, a year or grade
completed in one country is not necessarily the same in terms of
educational content or quality as a year or grade completed in
another country. SLE represents the expected number of years of
schooling that will be completed, including years spent repeating
one or more grades.
Sex ratio
This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age
groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over,
and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently
emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in
some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian
countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and
infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect
future marriage patterns and fertility patterns. Eventually, it
could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find
partners.
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments
in foreign countries made directly by residents - primarily
companies - of the home country, as of the end of the time period
indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of
shares.
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments
in the home country made directly by residents - primarily companies
- of other countries as of the end of the time period indicated.
Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares.
Stock of domestic credit
This entry is the total quantity of credit, denominated in the
domestic currency, provided by banks to nonbanking institutions. The
national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the
closing exchange rate on the date of the information.
Stock of money
This entry, also known as "M1," comprises the total quantity of
currency in circulation (notes and coins) plus demand deposits
denominated in the national currency, held by nonbank financial
institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public
enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. The national
currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing
exchange rate on the date of the information.
Stock of quasi money
This entry comprises the total quantity of time and savings deposits
denominated in the national currency, held by nonbank financial
institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public
enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. When added
together with "M1" the total money supply is known as "M2." The
national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the
closing exchange rate on the date of the information.
Suffrage
This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to
vote is universal or restricted.
T
Telephone numbers
All telephone numbers in The World Factbook consist of the country
code in brackets, the city or area code (where required) in
parentheses, and the local number. The one component that is not
presented is the international access code, which varies from
country to country. For example, an international direct dial
telephone call placed from the US to Madrid, Spain, would be as
follows: 011 [34] (1) 577-xxxx, where 011 is the international
access code for station-to-station calls; 01 is for calls other than
station-to-station calls, [34] is the country code for Spain, (1) is
the city code for Madrid, 577 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the
local telephone number. An international direct dial telephone call
placed from another country to the US would be as follows:
international access code + [1] (202) 939-xxxx, where [ 1] is the
country code for the US, (202) is the area code for Washington, DC,
939 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number.
Telephone system
This entry includes a brief general assessment of the system with
details on the domestic and international components. The following
terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:
Arabsat - Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia).
Autodin - Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense).
CB - citizen's band mobile radio communications.
Cellular telephone system - the telephones in this system are radio
transceivers, with each instrument having its own private radio
frequency and sufficient radiated power to reach the booster station
in its area (cell), from which the telephone signal is fed to a
telephone exchange.
Central American Microwave System - a trunk microwave radio relay
system that links the countries of Central America and Mexico with
each other.
Coaxial cable - a multichannel communication cable consisting of a
central conducting wire, surrounded by and insulated from a
cylindrical conducting shell; a large number of telephone channels
can be made available within the insulated space by the use of a
large number of carrier frequencies.
Comsat - Communications Satellite Corporation (US).
DSN - Defense Switched Network (formerly Automatic Voice Network or
Autovon); basic general-purpose, switched voice network of the
Defense Communications System (US Department of Defense).
Eutelsat - European Telecommunications Satellite Organization
(Paris).
Fiber-optic cable - a multichannel communications cable using a
thread of optical glass fibers as a transmission medium in which the
signal (voice, video, etc.) is in the form of a coded pulse of light.
GSM - a global system for mobile (cellular) communications devised
by the Groupe Special Mobile of the pan-European standardization
organization, Conference Europeanne des Posts et Telecommunications
(CEPT) in 1982.
HF - high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-kHz
range.
Inmarsat - International Maritime Satellite Organization (London);
provider of global mobile satellite communications for commercial,
distress, and safety applications at sea, in the air, and on land.
Intelsat - International Telecommunications Satellite Organization
(Washington, DC).
Intersputnik - International Organization of Space Communications
(Moscow); first established in the former Soviet Union and the East
European countries, it is now marketing its services worldwide with
earth stations in North America, Africa, and East Asia.
Landline - communication wire or cable of any sort that is installed
on poles or buried in the ground.
Marecs - Maritime European Communications Satellite used in the
Inmarsat system on lease from the European Space Agency.
Marisat - satellites of the Comsat Corporation that participate in
the Inmarsat system.
Medarabtel - the Middle East Telecommunications Project of the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) providing a modern
telecommunications network, primarily by microwave radio relay,
linking Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi
Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen; it was initially
started in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union
(ATU) and was known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean
Telecommunications Network.
Microwave radio relay - transmission of long distance telephone
calls and television programs by highly directional radio microwaves
that are received and sent on from one booster station to another on
an optical path.
NMT - Nordic Mobile Telephone; an analog cellular telephone system
that was developed jointly by the national telecommunications
authorities of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Norway, and Sweden).
Orbita - a Russian television service; also the trade name of a
packet-switched digital telephone network.
Radiotelephone communications - the two-way transmission and
reception of sounds by broadcast radio on authorized frequencies
using telephone handsets.
PanAmSat - PanAmSat Corporation (Greenwich, CT).
SAFE - South African Far East Cable
Satellite communication system - a communication system consisting
of two or more earth stations and at least one satellite that
provide long distance transmission of voice, data, and television;
the system usually serves as a trunk connection between telephone
exchanges; if the earth stations are in the same country, it is a
domestic system.
Satellite earth station - a communications facility with a microwave
radio transmitting and receiving antenna and required receiving and
transmitting equipment for communicating with satellites.
Satellite link - a radio connection between a satellite and an earth
station permitting communication between them, either one-way (down
link from satellite to earth station - television receive-only
transmission) or two-way (telephone channels).
SHF - super high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to
30,000-MHz range.
Shortwave - radio frequencies (from 1.605 to 30 MHz) that fall above
the commercial broadcast band and are used for communication over
long distances.
Solidaridad - geosynchronous satellites in Mexico's system of
international telecommunications in the Western Hemisphere.
Statsionar - Russia's geostationary system for satellite
telecommunications.
Submarine cable - a cable designed for service under water.
TAT - Trans-Atlantic Telephone; any of a number of high-capacity
submarine coaxial telephone cables linking Europe with North America.
Telefax - facsimile service between subscriber stations via the
public switched telephone network or the international Datel network.
Telegraph - a telecommunications system designed for unmodulated
electric impulse transmission.
Telex - a communication service involving teletypewriters connected
by wire through automatic exchanges.
Tropospheric scatter - a form of microwave radio transmission in
which the troposphere is used to scatter and reflect a fraction of
the incident radio waves back to earth; powerful, highly directional
antennas are used to transmit and receive the microwave signals;
reliable over-the-horizon communications are realized for distances
up to 600 miles in a single hop; additional hops can extend the
range of this system for very long distances.
Trunk network - a network of switching centers, connected by
multichannel trunk lines.
UHF - ultra high frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to
3,000-MHz range.
VHF - very high frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300-MHz
range.
Telephones - main lines in use
This entry gives the total number of main telephone lines in use.
Telephones - mobile cellular
This entry gives the total number of mobile cellular telephone
subscribers.
Television broadcast stations
This entry gives the total number of separate broadcast stations
plus any repeater stations.
Terminology
Due to the highly structured nature of the Factbook database, some
collective generic terms have to be used. For example, the word
Country in the Country name entry refers to a wide variety of
dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, uninhabited islands, and
other entities in addition to the traditional countries or
independent states. Military is also used as an umbrella term for
various civil defense, security, and defense activities in many
entries. The Independence entry includes the usual colonial
independence dates and former ruling states as well as other
significant nationhood dates such as the traditional founding date
or the date of unification, federation, confederation,
establishment, or state succession that are not strictly
independence dates. Dependent areas have the nature of their
dependency status noted in this same entry.
Terrain
This entry contains a brief description of the topography.
Time difference
This entry is expressed in The World Factbook in two ways. First, it
is stated as the difference in hours between the capital of an
entity and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) during Standard Time.
Additionally, the difference in time between the capital of an
entity and that observed in Washington, D.C. is also provided. Note
that the time difference assumes both locations are simultaneously
observing Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time.
Time zones
Ten countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Kazakhstan,
Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, and the United States) and the
island of Greenland observe more than one official time depending on
the number of designated time zones within their boundaries. An
illustration of time zones throughout the world and within countries
can be seen in the Standard Time Zones of the World map included in
the Reference Maps section of The World Factbook.
Total fertility rate
This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that
would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their
childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility
rate at each age. The total fertility rate (TFR) is a more direct
measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since
it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential
for population change in the country. A rate of two children per
woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting
in relative stability in terms of total numbers. Rates above two
children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age
is declining. Higher rates may also indicate difficulties for
families, in some situations, to feed and educate their children and
for women to enter the labor force. Rates below two children
indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. Global
fertility rates are in general decline and this trend is most
pronounced in industrialized countries, especially Western Europe,
where populations are projected to decline dramatically over the
next 50 years.
Total renewable water resources
This entry provides the long-term average water availability for a
country in cubic kilometers of precipitation, recharged ground
water, and surface inflows from surrounding countries. The values
have been adjusted to account for overlap resulting from surface
flow recharge of groundwater sources. Total renewable water
resources provides the water total available to a country but does
not include water resource totals that have been reserved for
upstream or downstream countries through international agreements.
Note that these values are averages and do not accurately reflect
the total available in any given year. Annual available resources
can vary greatly due to short-term and long-term climatic and
weather variations.
Trafficking in persons
Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who
are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation.
The International Labor Organization (ILO), the UN agency charged
with addressing labor standards, employment, and social protection
issues, estimates that 12.3 million people worldwide are enslaved in
forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, sexual servitude,
and involuntary servitude at any given time. Human trafficking is a
multi-dimensional threat, depriving people of their human rights and
freedoms, risking global health, promoting social breakdown,
inhibiting development by depriving countries of their human
capital, and helping fuel the growth of organized crime. In 2000,
the US Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
(TVPA), reauthorized in 2003 and 2005, which provides tools for the
US to combat trafficking in persons, both domestically and abroad.
One of the law's key components is the creation of the US Department
of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which assesses the
government response (i.e., the current situation) in some 150
countries with a significant number of victims trafficked across
their borders who are recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or
obtained for forced labor or sexual exploitation. Countries in the
annual report are rated in three tiers, based on government efforts
to combat trafficking. The countries identified in this entry are
those listed in the 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report as Tier 2
Watch List or Tier 3 based on the following tier rating definitions:
Tier 2 Watch List countries do not fully comply with the minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking but are making
significant efforts to do so, and meet one of the following criteria:
1. they display high or significantly increasing number of victims,
2. they have failed to provide evidence of increasing efforts to
combat trafficking in persons, or,
3. they have committed to take action over the next year.
Tier 3 countries neither satisfy the minimum standards for the
elimination of trafficking nor demonstrate a significant effort to
do so. Countries in this tier are subject to potential
non-humanitarian and non-trade sanctions.
Transnational issues
This category includes four entries - Disputes - international,
Refugees and internally displaced persons, Trafficking in persons,
and Illicit drugs - that deal with current issues going beyond
national boundaries.
Transportation
This category includes the entries dealing with the means for
movement of people and goods.
Transportation - note
This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of
significance not included elsewhere.
U
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
See entry for Coordinated Universal Time.
Unemployment rate
This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without
jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted.
Urbanization
This entry provides two measures of the degree of urbanization of a
population. The first, urban population, describes the percentage of
the total population living in urban areas, as defined by the
country. The second, rate of urbanization, describes the projected
average rate of change of the size of the urban population over the
given period of time. Additionally, the World entry includes a list
of the ten largest urban agglomerations. An urban agglomeration is
defined as comprising the city or town proper and also the suburban
fringe or thickly settled territory lying outside of, but adjacent
to, the boundaries of the city.
W
Waterways
This entry gives the total length of navigable rivers, canals, and
other inland bodies of water.
Weights and Measures
This information is presented in This information is presented in <a
href = "../appendix/appendix-g.html"Appendix G: Weights and Measures
and includes mathematical notations (mathematical powers and names),
metric interrelationships (prefix; symbol; length, weight, or
capacity; area; volume), and standard conversion factors.
Y
Years
All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated
as fiscal year (FY). The calendar year is an accounting period of 12
months from 1 January to 31 December. The fiscal year is an
accounting period of 12 months other than 1 January to 31 December.
Note: Information for the US and US dependencies was complied from
material in the public domain and does not represent Intelligence
Community estimates.
======================================================================
CIA - The World Factbook -- About :: History
A Brief History of Basic Intelligence and The World Factbook
The Intelligence Cycle is the process by which information is
acquired, converted into intelligence, and made available to
policymakers. Information is raw data from any source, data that may
be fragmentary, contradictory, unreliable, ambiguous, deceptive, or
wrong. Intelligence is information that has been collected,
integrated, evaluated, analyzed, and interpreted. Finished
intelligence is the final product of the Intelligence Cycle ready to
be delivered to the policymaker.
The three types of finished intelligence are: basic, current, and
estimative. Basic intelligence provides the fundamental and factual
reference material on a country or issue. Current intelligence
reports on new developments. Estimative intelligence judges probable
outcomes. The three are mutually supportive: basic intelligence is
the foundation on which the other two are constructed; current
intelligence continually updates the inventory of knowledge; and
estimative intelligence revises overall interpretations of country
and issue prospects for guidance of basic and current intelligence.
The World Factbook, The President's Daily Brief, and the National
Intelligence Estimates are examples of the three types of finished
intelligence.
The United States has carried on foreign intelligence activities
since the days of George Washington but only since World War II have
they been coordinated on a government-wide basis. Three programs
have highlighted the development of coordinated basic intelligence
since that time: (1) the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies
(JANIS), (2) the National Intelligence Survey (NIS), and (3)The
World Factbook .
During World War II, intelligence consumers realized that the
production of basic intelligence by different components of the US
Government resulted in a great duplication of effort and conflicting
information. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought
home to leaders in Congress and the executive branch the need for
integrating departmental reports to national policymakers. Detailed
and coordinated information was needed not only on such major powers
as Germany and Japan, but also on places of little previous
interest. In the Pacific Theater, for example, the Navy and Marines
had to launch amphibious operations against many islands about which
information was unconfirmed or nonexistent. Intelligence authorities
resolved that the United States should never again be caught
unprepared.
In 1943, Gen. George B. Strong (G-2), Adm. H. C. Train (Office of
Naval Intelligence - ONI), and Gen. William J. Donovan (Director of
the Office of Strategic Services - OSS) decided that a joint effort
should be initiated. A steering committee was appointed on 27 April
1943 that recommended the formation of a Joint Intelligence Study
Publishing Board to assemble, edit, coordinate, and publish the
Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS). JANIS was the first
interdepartmental basic intelligence program to fulfill the needs of
the US Government for an authoritative and coordinated appraisal of
strategic basic intelligence. Between April 1943 and July 1947, the
board published 34 JANIS studies. JANIS performed well in the war
effort, and numerous letters of commendation were received,
including a statement from Adm. Forrest Sherman, Chief of Staff,
Pacific Ocean Areas, which said, "JANIS has become the indispensable
reference work for the shore-based planners."
The need for more comprehensive basic intelligence in the postwar
world was well expressed in 1946 by George S. Pettee, a noted author
on national security. He wrote in The Future of American Secret
Intelligence (Infantry Journal Press, 1946, page 46) that world
leadership in peace requires even more elaborate intelligence than
in war. "The conduct of peace involves all countries, all human
activities - not just the enemy and his war production."
The Central Intelligence Agency was established on 26 July 1947 and
officially began operating on 18 September 1947. Effective 1 October
1947, the Director of Central Intelligence assumed operational
responsibility for JANIS. On 13 January 1948, the National Security
Council issued Intelligence Directive (NSCID) No. 3, which
authorized the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program as a
peacetime replacement for the wartime JANIS program. Before adequate
NIS country sections could be produced, government agencies had to
develop more comprehensive gazetteers and better maps. The US Board
on Geographic Names (BGN) compiled the names; the Department of the
Interior produced the gazetteers; and CIA produced the maps.
The Hoover Commission's Clark Committee, set up in 1954 to study the
structure and administration of the CIA, reported to Congress in
1955 that: "The National Intelligence Survey is an invaluable
publication which provides the essential elements of basic
intelligence on all areas of the world. There will always be a
continuing requirement for keeping the Survey up-to-date." The
Factbook was created as an annual summary and update to the
encyclopedic NIS studies. The first classified Factbook was
published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was
published in June 1971. The NIS program was terminated in 1973
except for the Factbook, map, and gazetteer components. The 1975
Factbook was the first to be made available to the public with sales
through the US Government Printing Office (GPO). The Factbook was
first made available on the Internet in June 1997. The year 2009
marks the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the Central
Intelligence Agency and the 66th year of continuous basic
intelligence support to the US Government by The World Factbook and
its two predecessor programs.
The Evolution of The World Factbook
National Basic Intelligence Factbook produced semiannually until
1980. Country entries include sections on Land, Water, People,
Government, Economy, Communications, and Defense Forces.
1981
Publication becomes an annual product and is renamed The World
Factbook. A total of 165 nations are covered on 225 pages.
1983
Appendices (Conversion Factors, International Organizations) first
introduced.
1984
Appendices expanded; now include: A. The United Nations, B. Selected
United Nations Organizations, C. Selected International
Organizations, D. Country Membership in Selected Organizations, E.
Conversion Factors.
1987
A new Geography section replaces the former separate Land and Water
sections. UN Organizations and Selected International Organizations
appendices merged into a new International Organizations appendix.
First multi-color-cover Factbook.
1988
More than 40 new geographic entities added to provide complete world
coverage without overlap or omission. Among the new entities are
Antarctica, oceans (Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific), and the
World. The front-of-the-book explanatory introduction expanded and
retitled to Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations. Two new
Appendices added: Weights and Measures (in place of Conversion
Factors) and a Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names. Factbook
size reaches 300 pages.
1989
Economy section completely revised and now includes an Overview
briefly describing a country's economy. New entries added under
People, Government, and Communications.
1990
The Government section revised and considerably expanded with new
entries.
1991
A new International Organizations and Groups appendix added.
Factbook size reaches 405 pages.
1992
Twenty new successor state entries replace those of the Soviet Union
and Yugoslavia. New countries are respectively: Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia,
Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine,
Uzbekistan; and Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia
and Montenegro, Slovenia. Number of nations in the Factbook rises to
188.
1993
Czechoslovakia's split necessitates new Czech Republic and Slovakia
entries. New Eritrea entry added after it secedes from Ethiopia.
Substantial enhancements made to Geography section.
1994
Two new appendices address Selected International Environmental
Agreements. The gross domestic product (GDP) of most developing
countries changed to a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis rather
than an exchange rate basis. Factbook size up to 512 pages.
1995
The GDP of all countries now presented on a PPP basis. New appendix
lists estimates of GDP on an exchange rate basis. Communications
category split; Railroads, Highways, Inland waterways, Pipelines,
Merchant marine, and Airports entries now make up a new
Transportation category. The World Factbook is first produced on
CD-ROM.
1996
Maps accompanying each entry now present more detail. Flags also
introduced for nearly all entities. Various new entries appear under
Geography and Communications. Factbook abbreviations consolidated
into a new Appendix A. Two new appendices present a Cross-Reference
List of Country Data Codes and a Cross-Reference List of
Hydrogeographic Data Codes. Geographic coordinates added to Appendix
H, Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names. Factbook size expands
by 95 pages in one year to reach 652.
1997
A special edition for the CIA's 50 th anniversary. A schema or Guide
to Country Profiles introduced. New color maps and flags now
accompany each country profile. Category headings distinguished by
shaded backgrounds. Number of categories expanded to nine -- the
current number -- with the addition of an Introduction (for only a
few countries) and Transnational Issues (which includes
Disputes-international and Illicit drugs). The World Factbook
introduced onto the Internet.
1998
The Introduction category with two entries, Current issues and
Historical perspective, expanded to more countries. Last year for
the production of CD-ROM versions of the Factbook.
1999
Historical perspective and Current issues entries in the
Introduction category combined into a new Background statement.
Several new Economy entries introduced. A new physical map of the
world added to the back-of-the-book reference maps.
2000
A new "country profile" added on the Southern Ocean. The Background
statements dramatically expanded to over 200 countries and
possessions. A number of new Communications entries added.
2001
Background entries completed for all 267 entities in the Factbook.
Several new HIV/AIDS entries introduced under the People category.
Revision begun on individual country maps to include elevation
extremes and a partial geographic grid. Weights and Measures
appendix deleted.
2002
New entry on Distribution of Family income -- Gini index added.
Revision of individual country maps continued (process still
ongoing).
2003
In the Economy category, petroleum entries added for oil production,
consumption, exports, imports, and proved reserves, as well as
natural gas proved reserves.
2004
Additional petroleum entries included for natural gas production,
consumption, exports, and imports. In the Transportation category,
under Merchant marine, subfields added for foreign-owned vessels and
those registered in other countries. Descriptions of the many forms
of government mentioned in the Factbook incorporated into the
Definitions and Notes.
2005
In the People category, a Major infectious diseases field added for
countries deemed to pose a higher risk for travelers. In the Economy
category, entries included for Current account balance, Investment,
Public debt, and Reserves of foreign exchange and gold. The
Transnational issues category expanded to include Refugees and
internally displaced persons. Category headings receive distinctive
colored backgrounds. These distinguishing colors are used in both
the printed and online versions of the Factbook. Size of the printed
Factbook reaches 702 pages.
2006
In the Economy category, national GDP figures now presented at
Official Exchange Rates (OER) in addition to GDP at purchasing power
parity (PPP). Entries in the Transportation section reordered;
Highways changed to Roadways, and Ports and harbors to Ports and
terminals.
2007
In the Government category, the Capital entry significantly expanded
with up to four subfields, including new information having to do
with time. The subfields consist of the name of the capital itself,
its geographic coordinates, the time difference at the capital from
coordinated universal time (UTC), and, if applicable, information on
daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note is
added to highlight those countries with multiple time zones. A
Trafficking in persons entry added to the Transnational issues
category. A new appendix, Weights and Measures, (re)introduced to
the online version of the Factbook.
2008
In the Geography category, two fields focus on the increasingly
vital resource of water: Total renewable water resources and
Freshwater withdrawal. In the Economy category, three fields added
for: Stock of direct foreign investment - at home, Stock of direct
foreign investment - abroad, and Market value of publicly traded
shares. Concise descriptions of the major religions mentioned in the
Factbook included in the Definitions and Notes. Printing of the
Factbook turned over to the Government Printing Office.
2009
In the People category, two new fields provide information on
education in terms of opportunity and resources: School Life
Expectancy and Education expenditures. Additionally, the
Urbanization entry expanded to include all countries. In the Economy
category, five fields added: Central bank discount rate, Commercial
bank prime lending rate, Stock of money, Stock of quasi money, and
Stock of domestic credit. The online Factbook site completely
redesigned with many new features.
======================================================================
About :: Copyright and Contributors
The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for
the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage,
and content are designed to meet their specific requirements.
Information is provided by Antarctic Information Program (National
Science Foundation), Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center
(Department of Defense), Bureau of the Census (Department of
Commerce), Bureau of Labor Statistics (Department of Labor), Central
Intelligence Agency, Council of Managers of National Antarctic
Programs, Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense),
Department of Energy, Department of State, Fish and Wildlife Service
(Department of the Interior), Maritime Administration (Department
of Transportation), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
(Department of Defense), Naval Facilities Engineering Command
(Department of Defense), Office of Insular Affairs (Department of
the Interior), Office of Naval Intelligence (Department of Defense),
US Board on Geographic Names (Department of the Interior), US
Transportation Command (Department of Defense), Oil & Gas Journal,
and other public and private sources.
The Factbook is in the public domain. Accordingly, it may be copied
freely without permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The official seal of the CIA, however, may NOT be copied without
permission as required by the CIA Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. section
403m). Misuse of the official seal of the CIA could result in civil
and criminal penalties.
Citation model:
The World Factbook 2009. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency,
2009.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to:
Central Intelligence Agency
Attn: Office of Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20505
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time
Telephone: [1] (703) 482-0623
FAX: [1] (703) 482-1739
======================================================================
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Total area (combining land and water)
United States = 9,826,630 sq km
China = 9,596,960 sq km
Land only (without any water features)
United States = 9,161,923 sq km
China = 9,326,410 sq km
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Original Data Rounded to whole integer
Example 1 43.2 43
30.4 30
26.4 26
---- --
100.0 99
Example 2 42.8 43
31.6 32
25.6 26
---- --
100.0 101
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The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
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countries, go to World Leaders.
======================================================================
@Afghanistan (South Asia)
Introduction ::Afghanistan
Background:
Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded
Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the
British and Russian empires until it won independence from notional
British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a
1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Union
invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime,
touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989
under relentless pressure by internationally supported
anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars
saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline
Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the
country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001
terrorist attacks in New York City, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban
Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering
Osama BIN LADIN. The UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001
established a process for political reconstruction that included the
adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and
National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI
became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and
the National Assembly was inaugurated the following December.
Despite gains toward building a stable central government, a
resurgent Taliban and continuing provincial instability -
particularly in the south and the east - remain serious challenges
for the Afghan Government.
Geography ::Afghanistan
Location:
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Geographic coordinates:
33 00 N, 65 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 652,230 sq km
country comparison to the world: 41
land: 652,230 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,529 km
border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km,
Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Terrain:
mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m
highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites,
sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones
Land use:
arable land: 12.13%
permanent crops: 0.21%
other: 87.66% (2005)
Irrigated land:
27,200 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
65 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 23.26 cu km/yr (2%/0%/98%)
per capita: 779 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding;
droughts
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of
potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of
the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building
materials); desertification; air and water pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection
signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Life Conservation
Geography - note:
landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest
divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the
highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)
People ::Afghanistan
Population:
28.396 million (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
note: this is a significantly revised figure; the previous estimate
of 33,609,937 was extrapolated from the last Afghan census held in
1979, which was never completed because of the Soviet invasion; a
new Afghan census is scheduled to take place in 2010
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44.5% (male 7,664,670/female 7,300,446)
15-64 years: 53% (male 9,147,846/female 8,679,800)
65 years and over: 2.4% (male 394,572/female 422,603) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.6 years
male: 17.6 years
female: 17.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.629% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Birth rate:
45.46 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Death rate:
19.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Net migration rate:
21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Urbanization:
urban population: 24% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 151.95 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 3
male: 156.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 147.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 44.64 years
country comparison to the world: 214
male: 44.47 years
female: 44.81 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.53 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.01% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Afghan(s)
adjective: Afghan
Ethnic groups:
Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%,
Baloch 2%, other 4%
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Languages:
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic
languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages
(primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 28.1%
male: 43.1%
female: 12.6% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 11 years
female: 4 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Afghanistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
conventional short form: Afghanistan
local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan
local short form: Afghanestan
former: Republic of Afghanistan
Government type:
Islamic republic
Capital:
name: Kabul
geographic coordinates: 34 31 N, 69 11 E
time difference: UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
34 provinces (welayat, singular - welayat); Badakhshan, Badghis,
Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor,
Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar,
Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika,
Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan,
Wardak, Zabul
Independence:
19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 19 August (1919)
Constitution:
new constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16
January 2004; ratified 26 January 2004
Legal system:
based on mixed civil and Sharia law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Ahmad Zia
MASOOD; Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December
2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government; former King ZAHIR Shah held the honorific, "Father of
the Country," and presided symbolically over certain occasions but
lacked any governing authority; the honorific is not hereditary;
King ZAHIR Shah died on 23 July 2007
head of government: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Ahmad Zia
MASOOD; Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December
2004)
cabinet: 25 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers
are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
elections: the president and two vice presidents are elected by
direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no
candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round of
voting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a
second round; a president can only be elected for two terms;
election last held 20 August 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: Hamid KARZAI reelected president; percent of vote
- Hamid KARZAI 54.6%, Abdullah ABDULLAH 27.8%, Ramazan BASHARDOST
9.2%, Ashraf GHANI 2.7% (as reported by the Independent Election
Commission of Afghanistan on 16 September 2009)
note: on 2 November 2009, following the cancellation of the planned
7 November election runoff, the UN-backed Electoral Complaints
Commission officially declared Hamid KARZAI the winner of the 20
August presidential election
Legislative branch:
the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Meshrano Jirga or
House of Elders (102 seats, one-third elected from provincial
councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district
councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the
president for five-year terms) and the Wolesi Jirga or House of
People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected for five-year terms
note: on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga
(Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and
territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the
constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of members
of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and
district councils
elections: last held 18 September 2005 (next election expected in
2010)
election results: the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system
used in the election did not make use of political party slates;
most candidates ran as independents
Judicial branch:
the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme
Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the
president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High
Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a minister of justice; a
separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by
the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses
and war crimes
Political parties and leaders:
Afghanistan Peoples' Treaty Party [Sayyed Amir TAHSEEN];
Afghanistan's Islamic Mission Organization [Abdul Rasoul SAYYAF];
Afghanistan's Islamic Nation Party [Toran Noor Aqa Ahmad ZAI];
Afghanistan's National Islamic Party [Rohullah LOUDIN];
Afghanistan's Welfare Party [Meer Asef ZAEEFI]; Afghan Social
Democratic Party [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; Afghan Society for the Call to
the Koran and Sunna [Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Comprehensive
Movement of Democracy and Development of Afghanistan Party [Sher
Mohammad BAZGAR]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Tawos ARAB];
Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Kabir RANJBAR]; Elites People
of Afghanistan Party [Abdul Hamid JAWAD]; Freedom and Democracy
Movement of Afghanistan [Abdul Raqib Jawid KOHISTANEE]; Freedom
Party of Afghanistan [Ilaj Abdul MALEK]; Freedom Party of
Afghanistan [Dr. Ghulam Farooq NEJRABEE]; Hizullah-e-Afghanistan
[Qari Ahmad ALI]; Human Rights Protection and Development Party of
Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATI]; Islamic Justice Party of Afghanistan
[Mohammad Kabir MARZBAN]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad
Ali JAWID]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Mukhtar
MUFLEH]; Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Khalid FAROOQI,
Abdul Hadi ARGHANDIWAL]; Islamic Party of the Afghan Land [Mohammad
Hassan FEROZKHEL]; Islamic People's Movement of Afghanistan [Ilhaj
Said Hussain ANWARY]; Islamic Society of Afghanistan [Ustad
RABBANI]; Islamic Unity of the Nation of Afghanistan Party [Qurban
Ali URFANI]; Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim
KHALILI]; Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan [Ustad
Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Labor and Progress of Afghanistan Party
[Zulfiqar OMID]; Muslim People of Afghanistan Party [Besmellah
JOYAN]; Muslim Unity Movement Party of Afghanistan [Wazir Mohammad
WAHDAT]; National and Islamic Sovereignty Movement Party of
Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah AHMADZAI]; National Congress Party of
Afghanistan [Abdul Latif PEDRAM]; National Country Party [Ghulam
MOHAMMAD]; National Development Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Aref
BAKTASH]; National Freedom Seekers Party [Abdul Hadi DABEER];
National Independence Party of Afghanistan [Taj Mohammad WARDAK];
National Islamic Fighters Party of Afghanistan [Amanat NINGARHAREE];
National Islamic Front of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Ahmad GAILANEE];
National Islamic Moderation Party of Afghanistan [Qara Bik Eized
YAAR]; National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Sayed NOORULLAH]
National Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad AKBAREE];
National Movement of Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOOUD]; National
Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid ARYAN]; National Patch of
Afghanistan Party [Sayed Kamal SADAT]; National Peace Islamic Party
of Afghanistan [Shah Mohammood Popal ZAI]; National Peace & Islamic
Party of the Tribes of Afghanistan [Abdul Qaher SHARIATEE]; National
Peace & Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Qader IMAMI]; National
Prosperity and Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Osman
SALEKZADA]; National Prosperity Party [Mohammad Hassan JAHFAREE];
National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Eshaq
GAILANEE]; National Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Mansoor
NADREEI]; National Sovereignty Party [Sayed Mustafa KAZEMI];
National Stability Party [Mohammad Same KHAROTI]; National Stance
Party [Habibullah JANEBDAR]; National Tribal Unity Islamic Party of
Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANI]; National United Front
[Burhanuddin RABBANI] (a coalition); National Unity Movement [Sultan
Mohammad GHAZI]; National Unity Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad
Nadir AATASH]; National Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid
JALILI]; New Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Yunis QANUNI]; Peace and
National Welfare Activists Society [Shamsul Haq Noor SHAMS]; Peace
Movement [Shahnawaz TANAI]; People's Aspirations Party of
Afghanistan [Ilhaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; People's Freedom Seekers
Party of Afghanistan [Feda Mohammad EHSAS]; People's Liberal Freedom
Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Ajmal SUHAIL]; People's Message Party
of Afghanistan [Noor Aqa WAINEE]; People's Movement of the National
Unity of Afghanistan [Abdul Hakim NOORZAI]; People's Party of
Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah ASAR]; People's Prosperity Party of
Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad ZAREEF]; People's Sovereignty Movement
of Afghanistan [Hayatullah SUBHANEE]; People's Uprising Party of
Afghanistan [Sayed Zahir Qayed Omul BELADI]; People's Welfare Party
of Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASIQ]; People's Welfare Party of
Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ]; Progressive Democratic Party
of Afghanistan [Wali ARYA]; Republican Party [Sebghatullah SANJAR];
Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT]; The
Afghanistan's Mujahid Nation's Islamic Unity Movement [Saeedullah
SAEED]; The People of Afghanistan's Democratic Movement [Sharif
NAZARI]; Tribes Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zarif
NASERI]; Understanding and Democracy Party of Afghanistan [Ahamad
SHAHEEN]
United Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Wasil RAHIMEE]; United Islamic
Party of Afghanistan [Wahidullah SABAWOON]; Young Afghanistan's
Islamic Organization [Sayed Jawad HUSSINEE]; Youth Solidarity Party
of Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI]; note - includes only
political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: religious groups; tribal leaders; ethnically based groups
International organization participation:
ADB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO,
ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO
(guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD
chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6410
FAX: [1] (202) 483-6488
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Ambassador Francis J.
RICCIARDONE, Jr.
embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul
mailing address: U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806
telephone: [93] 0700 108 001
FAX: [93] 0700 108 564
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green,
with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and
slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem
features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the
mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian
calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central
image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the
left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the
Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over
the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom
center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan
Economy ::Afghanistan
Economy - overview:
Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The
economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban
regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of international
assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service
sector growth. Real GDP growth fell from the 10% level in 2006-07 to
a little more than 3% in 2008. Despite the progress of the past few
years, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly
dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring
countries. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages
of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs.
Criminality, insecurity, and the Afghan Government's inability to
extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to
future economic growth. It will probably take the remainder of the
decade and continuing donor aid and attention to significantly raise
Afghanistan's living standards from its current level, among the
lowest in the world. International pledges made by more than 60
countries and international financial institutions at the Berlin
Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached
$8.9 billion for 2004-09. While the international community remains
committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $57 billion at
three donors' conferences since 2002, Kabul will need to overcome a
number of challenges. Expanding poppy cultivation and a growing
opium trade generate roughly $3 billion in illicit economic activity
and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy concerns. Other
long-term challenges include: budget sustainability, job creation,
corruption, government capacity, and rebuilding war torn
infrastructure.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$22.32 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
$21.58 billion (2007 est.)
$19.25 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.71 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
12.1% (2007 est.)
8.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
$800 (2007 est.)
$700 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 31%
industry: 26%
services: 43%
note: data exclude opium production (2008 est.)
Labor force:
15 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80%
industry: 10%
services: 10% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
40% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
40% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
53% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $890 million
expenditures: $2.7 billion
note: Afghanistan has also received $2.6 billion from the
Reconstruction Trust Fund and $63 million from the Law and Order
Trust Fund (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14.92% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 23
18.14% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.688 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 73
$1.426 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.219 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 92
$958.6 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$363.6 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 119
$12.04 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins
Industries:
small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes,
fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
839 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - consumption:
1.01 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
230 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Oil - imports:
4,404 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - production:
30 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Natural gas - consumption:
30 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - proved reserves:
49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Current account balance:
-$67 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Exports:
$327 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 173
$274 million (2006); note - not including illicit exports or
reexports
Exports - commodities:
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and
pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
Exports - partners:
India 20.5%, Pakistan 18.5%, US 17.2%, Tajikistan 13.3%, Netherlands
7.2% (2008)
Imports:
$4.85 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 116
$3.823 billion (2006)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Pakistan 36.9%, US 9.5%, Germany 7.7%, India 5.2% (2008)
Debt - external:
$8 billion (2004)
country comparison to the world: 90
Exchange rates:
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48
(2004), 49 (2003)
Communications ::Afghanistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
460,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 100
Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.45 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 69
Telephone system:
general assessment: limited landline telephone service; an
increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks
in major cities
domestic: aided by the presence of multiple providers,
mobile-cellular telephone service is improving rapidly
international: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul,
Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide international
and domestic voice and data connectivity (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 21, FM 5, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashto, Dari (Afghan
Persian), Urdu, and English) (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
at least 7 (1 government-run central television station in Kabul and
regional stations in 6 of the 34 provinces) (2006)
Internet country code:
.af
Internet hosts:
47 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 208
Internet users:
500,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 107
Communications - note:
Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public
"telekiosks" in Kabul (2005)
Transportation ::Afghanistan
Airports:
51 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 90
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 35
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Heliports:
11 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 466 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 42,150 km
country comparison to the world: 87
paved: 12,350 km
unpaved: 29,800 km (2006)
Waterways:
1,200 km (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT)
(2008)
country comparison to the world: 59
Ports and terminals:
Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Military ::Afghanistan
Military branches:
Afghan Armed Forces: Afghan National Army (ANA, includes Afghan
National Army Air Corps) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year
term (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,431,147
females age 16-49: 7,004,819 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,371,193
females age 16-49: 4,072,945 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 382,720
female: 361,733 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Transnational Issues ::Afghanistan
Disputes - international:
Pakistan has built fences in some portions of its border with
Afghanistan which remains open in some areas to foreign terrorists
and other illegal activities
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 132,246 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and
west due to drought and instability) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation decreased 22%
to 157,000 hectares in 2008 but remains at a historically high
level; less favorable growing conditions in 2008 reduced potential
opium production to 5,500 metric tons, down 31 percent from 2007; if
the entire opium crop were processed, 648 metric tons of pure heroin
potentially could be produced; the Taliban and other antigovernment
groups participate in and profit from the opiate trade, which is a
key source of revenue for the Taliban inside Afghanistan; widespread
corruption and instability impede counterdrug efforts; most of the
heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium;
vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial
networks; regional source of hashish (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Akrotiri (Europe)
Introduction ::Akrotiri
Background:
By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the
independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and
jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers -
Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the
Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the
Western Sovereign Base Area.
Geography ::Akrotiri
Location:
Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus
Geographic coordinates:
34 37 N, 32 58 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 123 sq km
country comparison to the world: 223
note: includes a salt lake and wetlands
Area - comparative:
about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 47.4 km
border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km
Coastline:
56.3 km
Climate:
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Environment - current issues:
hunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead
and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on
the base
Geography - note:
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small
off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area
(SBA) land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the
Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land
People ::Akrotiri
Population:
approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri
and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK-based
contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents
country comparison to the world: 218
Languages:
English, Greek
Government ::Akrotiri
Country name:
conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area
conventional short form: Akrotiri
Dependency status:
a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an
administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus
Capital:
name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri
and Dhekelia)
geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Constitution:
Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960,
effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document
Legal system:
the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to
deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot
population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the
Republic of Cyprus
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since
October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is
appointed by the monarch
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
the flag of the UK is used
Economy ::Akrotiri
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military
and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured
goods must be imported.
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827
note: on 1 January 2008 Akrotiri and Dhekelia adopted the euro along
with the rest of Cyprus
Communications ::Akrotiri
Radio broadcast stations:
AM NA, FM 1, shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service
(BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia,
and Nicosia) (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel
satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006)
Military ::Akrotiri
Military - note:
Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British Forces
Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit
page last updated on July 2, 2009
======================================================================
@Albania (Europe)
Introduction ::Albania
Background:
Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912,
but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over
the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR
(until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s,
Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established
a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as
successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment,
widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure,
powerful organized crime networks, and combative political
opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development
since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies
remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free
and fair since the restoration of political stability following the
collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997; however, there have been claims
of electoral fraud in every one of Albania's post-communist
elections. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and
its allies won a decisive victory on pledges to reduce crime and
corruption, promote economic growth, and decrease the size of
government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of
power, was considered an important step forward. Albania joined NATO
in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession.
Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still
one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy
and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure.
Geography ::Albania
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea,
between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north
Geographic coordinates:
41 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 28,748 sq km
country comparison to the world: 144
land: 27,398 sq km
water: 1,350 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 717 km
border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172
km, Kosovo 112 km
Coastline:
362 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers;
interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore,
nickel, salt, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 20.1%
permanent crops: 4.21%
other: 75.69% (2005)
Irrigated land:
3,530 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
41.7 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.71 cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%)
per capita: 546 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast;
floods; drought
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and
domestic effluents
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to
Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
People ::Albania
Population:
3,639,453 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.1% (male 440,528/female 400,816)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,251,001/female 1,190,841)
65 years and over: 9.8% (male 165,557/female 190,710) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.9 years
male: 29.3 years
female: 30.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.546% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Birth rate:
15.29 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Death rate:
5.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Net migration rate:
-4.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Urbanization:
urban population: 47% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 18.62 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 110
male: 19.05 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.96 years
country comparison to the world: 51
male: 75.28 years
female: 80.89 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.01 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Albanian(s)
adjective: Albanian
Ethnic groups:
Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb,
Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)
note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from
1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Religions:
Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current
statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were
closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November
1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Languages:
Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach,
Romani, Slavic dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 9 and over can read and write
total population: 98.7%
male: 99.2%
female: 98.3% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2002)
country comparison to the world: 147
Government ::Albania
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Albania
conventional short form: Albania
local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
local short form: Shqiperia
former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Government type:
emerging democracy
Capital:
name: Tirana (Tirane)
geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan,
Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore
Independence:
28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Constitution:
approved by parliament on 21 October 1998; adopted by popular
referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998
Legal system:
has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International
Criminal Court for its citizens
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July
2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September
2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister,
nominated by the president, and approved by parliament
elections: president elected by the Assembly for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8
and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister
appointed by the president
election results: Bamir TOPI elected president; Assembly vote,
fourth round (three-fifths majority (84 votes) required): Bamir TOPI
85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members elected by
direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD
56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19
note: Parliament in November 2008 approved an electoral reform
package that will transform the electoral system from a majority
system to a regional proportional system; the code will also
establish an electoral threshold limiting smaller party
representation
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the
People's Assembly for a four-year term) and multiple appeals and
district courts
Political parties and leaders:
Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian
Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of Albania or
PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD [Neritan
CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; G99 Political Movement
[Erion VELIAJ]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; National
Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Artur ROSHI]; New Democratic
Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU];
Social Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social
Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for
Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA];
Socialist Party 1991 [Petro KOCI]; Union for Human Rights Party or
PBDNj [Vangjel DULE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade
Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian
National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement; Omonia
[Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH
[Gezim KALAJA]
International organization participation:
BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, SECI,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA
chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942
FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John L. WITHERS, II
embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana
mailing address: US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles,
VA 20189-9510
telephone: [355] (4) 2247285
FAX: [355] (4) 2232222
Flag description:
red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is
claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota
SKANDERBERG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that
resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions
(1443-1478)
Economy ::Albania
Economy - overview:
Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult
transition to a more modern open-market economy. Macroeconomic
growth has averaged around 5% over the last five years and inflation
is low and stable. The government has taken measures to curb violent
crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at
reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment.
The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad
representing about 15% of GDP, mostly from Albanians residing in
Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. The
agricultural sector, which accounts for over half of employment but
only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family
operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern
equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small,
inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages because of a reliance on
hydropower, and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute
to Albania's poor business environment and lack of success in
attracting new foreign investment. The completion of a new thermal
power plant near Vlore has helped diversify generation capacity, and
plans to upgrade transmission lines between Albania and Montenegro
and Kosovo would help relieve the energy shortages. Also, with help
from EU funds, the government is taking steps to improve the poor
national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained
economic growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$21.86 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$20.61 billion (2007 est.)
$19.44 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
Albania has an informal, and unreported, sector that may be as large
as 50% of official GDP
GDP (official exchange rate):
$12.96 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
6% (2007 est.)
5.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
$5,700 (2007 est.)
$5,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 20.5%
industry: 19.8%
services: 59.7% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.103 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 58%
industry: 15%
services: 27% (September 2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
13.2% (2007 est.)
note: these are official rates, but actual rates may exceed 30% due
to preponderance of near-subsistence farming
Population below poverty line:
25% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26.7 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 124
Investment (gross fixed):
23.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Budget:
revenues: $3.458 billion
expenditures: $4.175 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
51.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
51.4% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
2.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 69
6.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.02% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
14.1% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$3.028 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 64
$2.707 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$6.251 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 60
$6.433 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$8.176 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
$7.247 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes;
meat, dairy products
Industries:
food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement,
chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Electricity - production:
2.888 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Electricity - consumption:
3.603 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.475 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
5,985 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Oil - consumption:
34,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Oil - exports:
748.9 bbl/day (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Oil - imports:
24,080 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Oil - proved reserves:
199.1 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - production:
30 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - consumption:
30 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Current account balance:
-$1.906 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
-$1.202 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.345 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
$1.076 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil;
vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Exports - partners:
Italy 55.9%, Greece 11.6%, China 7.2% (2008)
Imports:
$4.898 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$3.999 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Italy 32.2%, Greece 13.1%, Turkey 7.2%, Germany 6.6%, China 4.5%,
Russia 4.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.364 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
$2.162 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.55 billion (2004)
country comparison to the world: 143
Exchange rates:
leke (ALL) per US dollar - 79.546 (2008 est.), 92.668 (2007), 98.384
(2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004)
Communications ::Albania
Telephones - main lines in use:
316,400 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 113
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.141 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 108
Telephone system:
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the
density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100
people; cellular telephone use is widespread and generally
effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is
approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile
phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies
were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of
Albania's neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005;
Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread
outside the capital
international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides
connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a
combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides
additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when
necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to
Italy and Greece (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005)
Internet country code:
.al
Internet hosts:
14,245 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 110
Internet users:
471,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 109
Transportation ::Albania
Airports:
5 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 176
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 896 km
country comparison to the world: 96
standard gauge: 896 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 18,000 km
country comparison to the world: 117
paved: 7,020 km
unpaved: 10,980 km (2002)
Waterways:
43 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 105
Merchant marine:
total: 24
country comparison to the world: 91
by type: cargo 22, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1)
registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Military ::Albania
Military branches:
Joint Force Command (includes Land, Naval, and Aviation Brigade
Commands), Joint Support Command (includes Logistic Command),
Training and Doctrine Command (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
19 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 944,592
females age 16-49: 908,527 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 800,665
females age 16-49: 768,536 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 34,778
female: 31,673 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.49% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Transnational Issues ::Albania
Disputes - international:
the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of
ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful
resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in
neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea
has little appeal among Albanian nationals; the mass emigration of
unemployed Albanians remains a problem for developed countries,
chiefly Greece and Italy
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Albania is a source country for women and girls
trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and
forced labor; it is no longer considered a major country of transit;
Albanian victims are trafficked to Greece, Italy, Macedonia, and
Kosovo, with many trafficked onward to Western European countries;
children were also trafficked to Greece for begging and other forms
of child labor; approximately half of all Albanian trafficking
victims are under age 18; internal sex trafficking of women and
children is on the rise
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Albania is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat
trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of victim
protection; the government did not appropriately identify
trafficking victims during 2007, and has not demonstrated that it is
vigorously investigating or prosecuting complicit officials (2008)
Illicit drugs:
increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates,
hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser
extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe;
limited opium and expanding cannabis production; ethnic Albanian
narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe;
vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking
in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Algeria (Africa)
Introduction ::Algeria
Background:
After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought
through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's
primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has
dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent
generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the
FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round
success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991
balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the
second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared
would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army
began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin
attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections
featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but
did not appease the activists who progressively widened their
attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw
intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000
deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by
extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s
and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in
January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in
confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional
attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the
presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality
in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems
continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including
large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable
electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and
corruption, and the continuing activities of extremist militants.
The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in 2006 merged
with al-Qaida to form al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb,
which since has launched an ongoing series of kidnappings and
bombings - including high-profile, mass-casualty suicide attacks
targeted against the Algerian government and Western interests.
Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has
yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress
Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems.
Geography ::Algeria
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco
and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates:
28 00 N, 3 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 2,381,741 sq km
country comparison to the world: 11
land: 2,381,741 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 6,343 km
border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,
Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline:
998 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm
Climate:
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along
coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau;
sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Terrain:
mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow,
discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m
highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 3.17%
permanent crops: 0.28%
other: 96.55% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,690 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
14.3 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 6.07 cu km/yr (22%/13%/65%)
per capita: 185 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and
floods in rainy season
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices;
desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes,
and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers
and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming
polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff;
inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
People ::Algeria
Population:
34,178,188 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.4% (male 4,436,591/female 4,259,729)
15-64 years: 69.5% (male 11,976,965/female 11,777,618)
65 years and over: 5.1% (male 798,576/female 928,709) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 26.6 years
male: 26.3 years
female: 26.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.196% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Birth rate:
16.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Death rate:
4.64 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Net migration rate:
-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Urbanization:
urban population: 65% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 27.73 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 80
male: 30.86 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 24.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.02 years
country comparison to the world: 92
male: 72.35 years
female: 75.77 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
21,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Nationality:
noun: Algerian(s)
adjective: Algerian
Ethnic groups:
Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the
minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the
mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also
Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural
heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for
autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has
offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools
Religions:
Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages:
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 69.9%
male: 79.6%
female: 60.1% (2002 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (1999)
country comparison to the world: 64
Government ::Algeria
Country name:
conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
conventional short form: Algeria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash
Sha'biyah
local short form: Al Jaza'ir
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Algiers
geographic coordinates: 36 45 N, 3 03 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain
Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida,
Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa,
El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel,
Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila,
Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi
Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret,
Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen
Independence:
5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday:
Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Constitution:
8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976; effective 22 November
1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, 28 November 1996,
10 April 2002, and 12 November 2008
Legal system:
socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of
legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of
various public officials including several Supreme Court justices;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 23 June 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
note - a November 2008 constitutional amendment abolished
presidential term limits; election last held 9 April 2009 (next to
be held in April 2014); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for third
term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 90.2%, Louisa HANOUNE
4.2%, Moussa TOUATI 2.3%, Djahid YOUNSI 1.4%, Ali Fawzi REBIANE less
than 1%, Mohamed SAID less than 1%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of Nations (Senate)
(144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president,
two-thirds elected by indirect vote to serve six-year terms; the
constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three
years) and the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Al-Shabi
Al-Watani (389 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: National People's Assembly - last held 17 May 2007 (next
to be held in 2012); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 28
December 2006 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by
party - NA; seats by party - FLN 136, RND 61, MSP 52, PT 26, RCD 19,
FNA 13, other 49, independents 33; Council of Nations - percent of
vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 29, RND 12, MSP 3, RCD 1,
independents 3, presidential appointees (unknown affiliation) 24;
note - Council seating reflects the number of replaced council
members rather than the whole Council
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Ahd 54 [Ali Fauzi REBAINE]; Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa
TOUATI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National
Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA]; National Liberation Front or
FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general]; National Reform
Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Ahmed ABDESLAM]; Rally for Culture
and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda
Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait
AHMED]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI];
Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE]
note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted
in March 1997
Political pressure groups and leaders:
The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Hocine ZEHOUANE]; SOS
Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC,
OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO,
UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah BAALI
chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador David D. PEARCE
embassy: 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16000 Algiers
mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers
telephone: [213] 770-08-2000
FAX: [213] 21-60-7355
Flag description:
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red,
five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color
boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace
(white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic
symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim
countries because the Algerians believe the long crescent horns
bring happiness
Economy ::Algeria
Economy - overview:
The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting
for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of
export earnings. Algeria has the eighth-largest reserves of natural
gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks
15th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years have
helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators.
Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up
record foreign exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased its external
debt to less than 5% of GDP after repaying its Paris Club and London
Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and
increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to
diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment
outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in
reducing high unemployment and improving living standards.
Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the
banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead
slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$233.5 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$225.6 billion (2007 est.)
$218.8 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$159.7 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
3.1% (2007 est.)
2.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
$6,800 (2007 est.)
$6,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.3%
industry: 62.3%
services: 29.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
9.464 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%,
trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
11.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
23% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
35.3 (1995)
country comparison to the world: 86
Investment (gross fixed):
26.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Budget:
revenues: $70.06 billion
expenditures: $56.04 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
8.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
37.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
3.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 123
4% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 107
8% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$60.91 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 19
$55.43 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$30.36 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
$28.59 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
Industries:
petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical,
petrochemical, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
3.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - production:
34.98 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - consumption:
28.34 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - exports:
273 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
279 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
2.18 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Oil - consumption:
299,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Oil - exports:
1.891 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Oil - imports:
14,320 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Oil - proved reserves:
12.2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Natural gas - production:
86.5 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Natural gas - consumption:
26.83 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - exports:
59.67 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - proved reserves:
4.502 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Current account balance:
$35.27 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$30.6 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$78.23 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$60.6 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
Exports - partners:
US 23.9%, Italy 15.5%, Spain 11.4%, France 8%, Netherlands 7.8%,
Canada 6.8% (2008)
Imports:
$39.16 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$26.4 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
France 16.5%, Italy 11%, China 10.3%, Spain 7.4%, Germany 6.1%, US
5.5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$143.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
$110.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.753 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
$3.957 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$13.76 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$11.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.162 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$962 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9
(2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Communications ::Algeria
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.314 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 46
Telephones - mobile cellular:
31.871 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 30
Telephone system:
general assessment: a weak network of fixed-main lines, which
remains at roughly 10 telephones per 100 persons, is offset by the
rapid increase in mobile cellular subscribership; in 2008, combined
fixed-line and mobile telephone density surpassed 100 telephones per
100 persons
domestic: privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began
in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in
2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year
license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the
license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other
specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled
demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services
began in 2003
international: country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4
fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe,
the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France,
Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia;
participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat,
Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.dz
Internet hosts:
510 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 172
Internet users:
4.1 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 51
Transportation ::Algeria
Airports:
143 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 39
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 57
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 86
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 19
914 to 1,523 m: 41
under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 1,937 km; gas 14,648 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,933 km;
oil 7,579 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 3,973 km
country comparison to the world: 43
standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 108,302 km
country comparison to the world: 38
paved: 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,274 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 33
country comparison to the world: 83
by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas
9, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 18 (Jordan 7, UK 11) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran,
Skikda
Military ::Algeria
Military branches:
People's National Army (Armee Nationale Populaire, ANP), Land Forces
(Forces Terrestres, FT), Navy of the Republic of Algeria (Marine de
la Republique Algerienne, MRA), Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya
al-Jaza'eriya, QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript
service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months
civil projects) (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,736,757
females age 16-49: 9,590,978 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,317,473
females age 16-49: 8,367,005 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 375,852
female: 362,158 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 41
Transnational Issues ::Algeria
Disputes - international:
Algeria, and many other states, rejects Moroccan administration of
Western Sahara; the Polisario Front, exiled in Algeria, represents
the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria's border with Morocco
remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the
other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; Algeria remains
concerned about armed bandits operating throughout the Sahel who
sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant disputes
include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its
maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to
Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi,
mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern
Algerian town of Tindouf)
IDPs: undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Algeria is a transit country for men and women
trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe for the purposes of
commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Algerian
children are trafficked internally for the purpose of domestic
servitude or street vending
tier rating: Tier 3 - Algeria did not report any serious law
enforcement actions to punish traffickers who force women into
commercial sexual exploitation or men into involuntary servitude in
2007; the government again reported no investigations of trafficking
of children for domestic servitude or improvements in protection
services available to victims of trafficking; Algeria still lacks
victim protection services, and its failure to distinguish between
trafficking and illegal migration may result in the punishment of
victims of trafficking (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@American Samoa (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::American Samoa
Background:
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European
explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter
half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which
Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally
occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the
excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Geography ::American Samoa
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way
between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 199 sq km
country comparison to the world: 215
land: 199 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
116 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall
averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season
(May to October); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains,
two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
Natural resources:
pumice, pumicite
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 15%
other: 75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons common from December to March
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the
government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to
improve water catchments and pipelines
Geography - note:
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South
Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by
peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the
South Pacific Ocean
People ::American Samoa
Population:
65,628 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33.4% (male 11,159/female 10,768)
15-64 years: 62.7% (male 20,848/female 20,271)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,211/female 1,371) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.1 years
male: 23 years
female: 23.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.222% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Birth rate:
23.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Death rate:
4.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Net migration rate:
-6.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 10.18 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 153
male: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.72 years
country comparison to the world: 98
male: 70.8 years
female: 76.82 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.29 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals)
adjective: American Samoan
Ethnic groups:
native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%,
other 0.3% (2000 census)
Religions:
Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and
other 30%
Languages:
Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian
languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%,
other 2%
note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 97% (1980 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::American Samoa
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS
Dependency status:
unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by
the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Pago Pago
geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W
time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative
divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three
districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a,
Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution:
ratified 2 June 1966; effective 1 July 1967
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009);
Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003)
cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors
elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated
territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US
president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic
and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and
lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for
four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4
and 18 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Togiola TULAFONO reelected governor; percent of
vote - Togiola TULAFONO 56.5%, Afoa Moega LUTU 43.5%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (18
seats; members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year
terms)and the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are
elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate
from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008
(next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held 4 November
2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by
party - NA; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats by party - independents 18
note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US
House of Representatives; election last held on 4 November 2008
(next to be held in November 2010); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA
reelected as delegate
Judicial branch:
High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by
the US Secretary of the Interior)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F.
FAALEVAO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures)
International organization participation:
Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly
side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald
eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional
Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i"
(upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue"
(lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that
seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the
United States and American Samoa
Economy ::American Samoa
Economy - overview:
American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more
than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is
strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of
its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the
backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export.
Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American
Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a
larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote
location, its limited transportation, and its devastating
hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$575.3 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
$510.1 million (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$462.2 million (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 123
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$5,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
17,630 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 203
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 33%
services: 33% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
29.8% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 175
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $155.4 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants)
expenditures: $183.6 million (FY07)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Agriculture - products:
bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra,
pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Industries:
tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels),
handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
185 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - consumption:
172.1 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Oil - consumption:
4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Oil - imports:
4,140 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Exports:
$445.6 million (FY04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Exports - commodities:
canned tuna 93% (2004 est.)
Imports:
$308.8 million (FY04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Imports - commodities:
materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%,
machinery and parts 6% (2004 est.)
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::American Samoa
Telephones - main lines in use:
10,400 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 202
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2,200 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 215
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone
services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station
international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1
(Intelsat-Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2006)
Internet country code:
.as
Internet hosts:
1,606 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 153
Internet users:
NA
Transportation ::American Samoa
Airports:
3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 194
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 221 km (2007)
country comparison to the world: 205
Ports and terminals:
Pago Pago
Military ::American Samoa
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 13,875
females age 16-49: 13,517 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 820
female: 802 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::American Samoa
Disputes - international:
Tokelau periodically asserts claims to American Samoa's Swains
Island (Olohega), such as in its 2006 draft independence constitution
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Andorra (Europe)
Introduction ::Andorra
Background:
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique
co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607
onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel).
In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of
state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary
democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra
achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its
tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted
to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Geography ::Andorra
Location:
Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates:
42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 468 sq km
country comparison to the world: 195
land: 468 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 120.3 km
border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain:
rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m
highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land use:
arable land: 2.13%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.87% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
avalanches
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil
erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone
Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the
Pyrenees
People ::Andorra
Population:
83,888 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.5% (male 6,710/female 6,305)
15-64 years: 72.2% (male 31,604/female 28,925)
65 years and over: 12.3% (male 5,113/female 5,231) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.4 years
male: 39.7 years
female: 39.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.135% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Birth rate:
10.35 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Death rate:
5.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Net migration rate:
6.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Urbanization:
urban population: 89% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 212
male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 82.51 years
country comparison to the world: 2
male: 80.33 years
female: 84.84 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.33 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Andorran(s)
adjective: Andorran
Ethnic groups:
Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
Religions:
Roman Catholic (predominant)
Languages:
Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 162
Government ::Andorra
Country name:
conventional long form: Principality of Andorra
conventional short form: Andorra
local long form: Principat d'Andorra
local short form: Andorra
Government type:
parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its
chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president
of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented
locally by coprinces' representatives
Capital:
name: Andorra la Vella
geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella,
Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia
de Loria
Independence:
1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French Count of Foix
and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel)
National holiday:
Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Constitution:
Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved
by referendum 14 March 1993; effective 28 April 1993
Legal system:
based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of
legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: French Coprince Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007);
represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002) and Spanish
Coprince Bishop Joan-Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003);
represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since 30 July 2003)
head of government: Executive Council President Jaume BARTUMEU
Cassany (since 5 June 2009)
cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive
Council president
elections: Executive Council president elected by the General
Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year
term; election last held 26 April 2009 (next to be held in April-May
2013)
election results: Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY elected executive council
president; percent of General Council vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las
Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from
a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven
parishes; to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in
March-April 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45.03%, Reformist
Coaliton 32.34%, Andorra for Change 18.86%, other 3.77%; seats by
party - PS 14, Reformist Coalition 11, Andorra for Change 3
Judicial branch:
Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or
Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal
Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or
Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri
Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Political parties and leaders:
Andorra for Change [Juan Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; New Center [Vicenc
MATEU] (formerly Andorran Democratic Center Party); Liberal Party of
Andorra or PLA [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY] (formerly Liberal Union or
UL); Reformist Coalition (includes the Liberal Party and New Center)
[Joan Gabriel i ESTANY]; Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume
BARTUMEU CASSANY] (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
CE, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF,
OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO,
WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Narcis
CASAL FONSDEVIELA
chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to
Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are
represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain);
mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034
Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93)
280-6175
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red,
with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat
of arms features a quartered shield; the flag combines the blue and
red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show
Franco-Spanish protection
note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a
national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which
does bear a national emblem
Economy ::Andorra
Economy - overview:
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,
accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million
tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and
by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage
has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain
have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and
lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven"
status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural
production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most
food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep
raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars,
and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is
treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)
and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.66 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 167
$3.588 billion (2006)
$2.77 billion (2005)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
3.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$42,500 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 16
$38,800 (2005)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
42,230 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 187
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.3%
industry: 20.8%
services: 79% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
0% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 1
0% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $496.9 million
expenditures: $496.8 million (2007)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 61
3.2% (2005)
Agriculture - products:
small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Industries:
tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking,
tobacco, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France;
Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Exports:
$117.1 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 190
$148.7 million (2005)
Exports - commodities:
tobacco products, furniture
Imports:
$1.789 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 155
$1.879 billion (2005)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods, food, electricity
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7306 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Andorra
Telephones - main lines in use:
37,400 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 173
Telephones - mobile cellular:
64,200 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 189
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections
between exchanges
international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and
Spain
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 0 (easy access to radio and television
broadcasts originating in France and Spain) (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2007)
Internet country code:
.ad
Internet hosts:
23,421 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 98
Internet users:
59,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 168
Transportation ::Andorra
Roadways:
total: 270 km (1994)
country comparison to the world: 203
Military ::Andorra
Military branches:
no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,685 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,617
females age 16-49: 17,613 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 402
female: 373 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Transnational Issues ::Andorra
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Angola (Africa)
Introduction ::Angola
Background:
Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil
war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the
Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by
Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace
seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but
fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have
been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century
of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and
strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held
legislative elections in September 2008, and announced plans to hold
presidential elections in 2009.
Geography ::Angola
Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia
and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:
12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,246,700 sq km
country comparison to the world: 23
land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,198 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of
which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province),
Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline:
1,600 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry
season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,
bauxite, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 2.65%
permanent crops: 0.23%
other: 97.12% (2005)
Irrigated land:
800 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
184 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%)
per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Environment - current issues:
overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to
population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical
rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical
timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of
biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and
siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of
the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
People ::Angola
Population:
12,799,293 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047)
15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18 years
male: 18 years
female: 18 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.095% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Birth rate:
43.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Death rate:
24.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Net migration rate:
1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 1
male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 38.2 years
country comparison to the world: 223
male: 37.24 years
female: 39.22 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
190,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping
sickness)
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Angolan(s)
adjective: Angolan
Ethnic groups:
Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European
and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998
est.)
Languages:
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.4%
male: 82.9%
female: 54.2% (2001 est.)
Education expenditures:
2.4% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 159
Government ::Angola
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Angola
conventional short form: Angola
local long form: Republica de Angola
local short form: Angola
former: People's Republic of Angola
Government type:
republic; multiparty presidential regime
Capital:
name: Luanda
geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela,
Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene,
Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico,
Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Independence:
11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution:
adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to
accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21
September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21
September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by
MPLA on 26 September 2008
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year
term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under
the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the
party to take over after the death of former President Augustino
NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in
Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next were
to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed)
election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI
40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never
held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats;
members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in
September 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA
10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party -
MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed
by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [Ngola KABANGU];
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA
(largest opposition party) [Isaias SAMAKUVA]; Popular Movement for
the Liberation of Angola or MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975)
[Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS]; Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo
KUANGANA]
note: nine other parties participated in the legislative election in
September but won no seats
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita
Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]
note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of
Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with
the government in August 2006
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer),
OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE
chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dan MOZENA
embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of
Luanda), Luanda
mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;
pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place,
Washington, DC 20521-2550
telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000
FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered
yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a
cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle);
red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols
characterize workers and peasants
Economy ::Angola
Economy - overview:
Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has
taken advantage of high international oil prices. Oil production and
its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil
production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from
2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of
displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction
and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is
still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war.
Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the
countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established
after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002.
Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the
people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In
2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit,
since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public
infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in
2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal,
Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an
exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves
to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more
sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has
significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation
declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2008, the stabilization
policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola
became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a
production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than
the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take
advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive
forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will
need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and
reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF
monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations
and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive
sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign
exchange, are major challenges facing Angola.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$112.8 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$100.5 billion (2007 est.)
$82.94 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$84.95 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
12.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
21.1% (2007 est.)
18.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$8,200 (2007 est.)
$6,900 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.2%
industry: 65.8%
services: 24.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
7.569 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 85%
industry and services: 15% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA
Population below poverty line:
40.5% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Budget:
revenues: $28.99 billion
expenditures: $21.44 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
15.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
12% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
12.2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
19.57% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
19.57% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.53% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 25
17.7% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$8.446 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 47
$4.153 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$10.41 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
$7.216 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.893 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 76
$1.166 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca),
tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Industries:
petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,
uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing;
food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship
repair
Industrial production growth rate:
14.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
Electricity - production:
3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Electricity - consumption:
3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.015 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Oil - consumption:
64,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - exports:
1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Oil - imports:
28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Oil - proved reserves:
9.04 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Natural gas - production:
680 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - consumption:
680 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - proved reserves:
269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Current account balance:
$17.11 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$9.402 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$66.3 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$44.4 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish
and fish products, timber, cotton
Exports - partners:
China 33%, US 28.7%, France 6%, South Africa 4.6%, Canada 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$17.08 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$13.66 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts;
medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Imports - partners:
Portugal 17.6%, China 15.7%, US 11.3%, Brazil 7.6%, South Korea
6.8%, South Africa 4.8% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$18.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$14.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
$8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$16.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$14.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$2.477 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Exchange rates:
kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4
(2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004)
Communications ::Angola
Telephones - main lines in use:
114,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 141
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.773 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
Telephone system:
general assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per
100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density
exceeded 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008
domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until
2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services
poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first
private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network;
Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993
and the network has been extended to larger towns; a
privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations
in 2001
international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC
fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and
Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
6 (2000)
Internet country code:
.ao
Internet hosts:
3,508 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 139
Internet users:
550,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 105
Transportation ::Angola
Airports:
192 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 32
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 30
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 162
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 32
914 to 1,523 m: 78
under 914 m: 46 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,764 km
country comparison to the world: 61
narrow gauge: 2,641 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 51,429 km
country comparison to the world: 78
paved: 5,349 km
unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
Waterways:
1,300 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 55
Merchant marine:
total: 6
country comparison to the world: 128
by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll
on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1)
registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 6) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe
Military ::Angola
Military branches:
Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola,
MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana,
FANA) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript
service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,856,492
females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,467,833
females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 146,738
female: 143,478 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
5.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 13
Transnational Issues ::Angola
Disputes - international:
Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from
exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and
peace agreement
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo)
IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs
already have returned) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western
Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Anguilla (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Anguilla
Background:
Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was
administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the
island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated
into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a
revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was
formally recognized in 1980 with Anguilla becoming a separate
British dependency.
Geography ::Anguilla
Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic
Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 91 sq km
country comparison to the world: 226
land: 91 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
61 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources:
salt, fish, lobster
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some
commercial salt ponds) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Environment - current issues:
supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand
largely because of poor distribution system
Geography - note:
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
People ::Anguilla
Population:
14,436 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24.5% (male 1,815/female 1,725)
15-64 years: 67.8% (male 4,665/female 5,125)
65 years and over: 7.7% (male 534/female 572) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 32.6 years
male: 31.5 years
female: 33.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.272% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Birth rate:
13.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Death rate:
4.36 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Net migration rate:
14.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 215
male: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.65 years
country comparison to the world: 15
male: 78.11 years
female: 83.26 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.75 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Anguillan(s)
adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic groups:
black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other
1.5% (2001 census)
Religions:
Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman
Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified
4.3% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 12 and over can read and write
total population: 95%
male: 95%
female: 95% (1984 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 101
Government ::Anguilla
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Anguilla
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: The Valley
geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)
Constitution:
Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Alistair HARRISON (since 21 April 2009)
head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March
2000)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the
elected members of the House of Assembly
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed
chief minister by the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct
popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, AUM 19.4%,
ANSA 19.2%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA
2, AUM 1
Judicial branch:
High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a
coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla
National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert
HUGHES]; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla
Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag;
the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking
circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Economy ::Anguilla
Economy - overview:
Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily
on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and
remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism
industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector
contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put
substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector,
which is small but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the
economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on
revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on
favorable weather conditions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$108.9 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
GDP (official exchange rate):
$108.9 million (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
10.2% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,800 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 18%
services: 78% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
6,049 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 212
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%,
construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%,
services 29% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 110
Population below poverty line:
23% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $22.8 million
expenditures: $22.5 million (2000 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.3% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 58
6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.51% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 87
9.76% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$21.12 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 119
$23.57 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$449.5 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 109
$470.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$529.6 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 115
$447.7 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Industries:
tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Current account balance:
-$42.87 million (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Exports:
$13 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 208
Exports - commodities:
lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Imports:
$143 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 202
Imports - commodities:
fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Debt - external:
$8.8 million (1998)
country comparison to the world: 199
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006),
2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
note: fixed rate since 1976
Communications ::Anguilla
Telephones - main lines in use:
5,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 211
Telephones - mobile cellular:
13,100 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 210
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: modern internal telephone system
international: country code - 1-264; landing point for the East
Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other
islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin
Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin
(Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
.ai
Internet hosts:
258 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 181
Internet users:
4,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 204
Transportation ::Anguilla
Airports:
3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 192
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 175 km
country comparison to the world: 208
paved: 82 km
unpaved: 93 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:
Blowing Point, Road Bay
Military ::Anguilla
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,538 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,955
females age 16-49: 3,308 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 107
female: 106 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Anguilla
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US
and Europe
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Antarctica (Antarctica)
Introduction ::Antarctica
Background:
Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not
confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial
operators and British and Russian national expeditions began
exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of
the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that
Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands.
Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th
century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific
research on the continent. A number of countries have set up a range
of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support
scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial
claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to
form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the
continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies
nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in
1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Geography ::Antarctica
Location:
continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:
90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 14 million sq km
land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km
ice-covered) (est.)
note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North
America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the
subcontinent of Europe
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Land boundaries:
0 km
note: see entry on Disputes - international
Coastline:
17,968 km
Maritime claims:
Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their
continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are
not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative
nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia
and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize
the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes -
international entry
Climate:
severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance
from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica
because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most
moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the
coast and average slightly below freezing
Terrain:
about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with
average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges
up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of
southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area,
and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves
along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves
constitute 11% of the area of the continent
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m
highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m
note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the
Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet
discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Natural resources:
iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other
minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small
uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish,
and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005)
Natural hazards:
katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high
interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;
cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the
coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West
Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may
calve from ice shelf
Environment - current issues:
in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole
was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers;
researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing
through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish
lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm
one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of
ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Geography - note:
the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent;
during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South
Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly
uninhabitable
People ::Antarctica
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and
summer-only staffed research stations
note: 29 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate
through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only
(summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its
nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region
covered by the Antarctic Treaty); the population doing and
supporting science or engaged in the management and protection of
the Antarctic region varies from approximately 4,400 in summer to
1,100 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel,
including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research, are
present in the waters of the treaty region; peak summer
(December-February) population - 4,490 total; Argentina 667,
Australia 200, Australia and Romania jointly 13, Belgium 20, Brazil
40, Bulgaria 18, Chile 359, China 90, Czech Republic 20, Ecuador 26,
Finland 20, France 125, France and Italy jointly 60, Germany 90,
India 65, Italy 102, Japan 125, South Korea 70, NZ 85, Norway 44,
Peru 28, Poland 40, Russia 429, South Africa 80, Spain 50, Sweden
20, Ukraine 24, UK 217, US 1,293, Uruguay 70 (2008-2009); winter
(June-August) station population - 1,106 total; Argentina 176,
Australia 62, Brazil 12, Chile 114, China 29, France 26, France and
Italy jointly 13, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 18, NZ
10, Norway 7, Poland 12, Russia 148, South Africa 10, Ukraine 12, UK
37, US 337, Uruguay 9 (2009); research stations operated within the
Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by
National Antarctic Programs: year-round stations - 40 total;
Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 6, China 2, France 1,
France and Italy jointly 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea
1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK
2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (2009); a range of seasonal-only (summer)
stations, camps, and refuges - Argentina, Australia, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland,
France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand,
Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania (with Australia), Russia, South
Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, and Uruguay (2008-2009); in
addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous
occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary
facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (May 2009
est.)
Government ::Antarctica
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Antarctica
Government type:
Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1
December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes
the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 32nd
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Baltimore, MD, USA
in April 2009; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by
consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; by May
2009, there were 47 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 19
non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the
seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national
territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US
and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not
recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through
meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these
meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to
their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own
national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative
member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a
consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an
original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina,
Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant
consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria
(1978/1998) China (1983/1985), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland
(1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy
(1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands
(1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South
Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004),
Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year
of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Belarus (2006),
Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic
(1962/1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987),
Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Monaco (2008),
Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993),
Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note -
Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the
Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for
peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing,
is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for
scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 -
freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue;
Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation
with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not
recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new
claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 -
prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes;
Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south
of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights;
Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including
aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations,
installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and
of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 -
allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own
states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among
member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage
activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the
treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the
parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 -
deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among
involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations
adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments
include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were
later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for
the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral
resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was
signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this
agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment
through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2)
conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and
waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area
protection and management and 6) liability arising from
environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to
mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic
Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Legal system:
Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative
member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by
these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and
operations) in accordance with their own national laws; more
generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas
between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of
relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by
the states party to the Antarctic Treaty; note - US law, including
certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as
murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to
Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C.
section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the
following activities unless authorized by regulation of statute: the
taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous
plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the
discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US
of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic
Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one
year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of
Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the
US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires
expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the
Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC
20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the
Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact Permit Office,
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington,
Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit its website at
www.nsf.gov
Economy ::Antarctica
Economy - overview:
Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for
Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in
2006-07 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 126,976 metric tons
(estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention on the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which
extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area). Unregulated
fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus
eleginoides - also known as Chilean sea bass), is a serious problem.
The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits for marine
species. A total of 45,652 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty
area in the 2007-08 Antarctic summer, up from the 36,460 visitors in
2006-2007, and the 30,877 visitors in 2005-2006 (estimates provided
to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of
Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO); this does not include passengers
on overflights). Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial
(nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during
the summer. Most tourist trips last approximately two weeks.
Communications ::Antarctica
Telephones - main lines in use:
0; note - information for US bases only (2001)
country comparison to the world: 231
Telephone system:
general assessment: local systems at some research stations
domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number
of locations
international: country code - none allocated; via satellite
(including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all
research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
FM 2, shortwave 1 (information for US bases only); note - many
research stations have a local FM radio station (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (cable system with 6 channels; American Forces Antarctic
Network-McMurdo - information for US bases only) (2002)
Internet country code:
.aq
Internet hosts:
7,758 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 126
Transportation ::Antarctica
Airports:
25 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 129
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 25
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Heliports:
53
note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National
Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing
facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared (2007)
Ports and terminals:
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal
stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few
stations have basic wharf facilities
Transportation - note:
US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E) and Palmer
(64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit
Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to
inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; relevant
legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states
parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic
Treaty area to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude south
have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic
Commission on Antarctica (HCA), a commission of the International
Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic
surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it
coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate
charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of
navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member
State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which
contributes resources or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area
Military ::Antarctica
Military - note:
the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature,
such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the
carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of
weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for
scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
Transnational Issues ::Antarctica
Disputes - international:
the Antarctic Treaty freezes, and most states do not recognize, the
land and maritime territorial claims made by Argentina, Australia,
Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom (some
overlapping) for three-fourths of the continent; the US and Russia
reserve the right to make claims; no claims have been made in the
sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; the
International Whaling Commission created a sanctuary around the
entire continent to deter catches by countries claiming to conduct
scientific whaling; Australia has established a similar preserve in
the waters around its territorial claim
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Antigua and Barbuda (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Antigua and Barbuda
Background:
The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and
Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when
COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by
the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a
colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on
Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent
state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.
Geography ::Antigua and Barbuda
Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
17 03 N, 61 48 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)
country comparison to the world: 199
land: 442.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
153 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher
volcanic areas
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m
Natural resources:
NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Land use:
arable land: 18.18%
permanent crops: 4.55%
other: 77.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
0.1 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.005 cu km/yr (60%/20%/20%)
per capita: 63 cu m/yr (1990)
Natural hazards:
hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh
water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to
increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors
and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor
People ::Antigua and Barbuda
Population:
85,632 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.8% (male 11,660/female 11,303)
15-64 years: 66.6% (male 26,597/female 30,414)
65 years and over: 6.6% (male 2,456/female 3,202) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.7 years
male: 28.2 years
female: 31.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.303% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Birth rate:
16.59 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Death rate:
5.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Net migration rate:
2.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Urbanization:
urban population: 30% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 120
male: 18.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.76 years
country comparison to the world: 87
male: 72.81 years
female: 76.81 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.07 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)
adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan
Ethnic groups:
black 91%, mixed 4.4%, white 1.7%, other 2.9% (2001 census)
Religions:
Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%,
Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%,
Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or
unspecified 5.8% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official), local dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of
schooling
total population: 85.8%
male: NA
female: NA (2003 est.)
Education expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2002)
country comparison to the world: 106
Government ::Antigua and Barbuda
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda
Government type:
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government
and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Saint John's
geographic coordinates: 17 07 N, 61 51 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George,
Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Independence:
1 November 1981 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)
Constitution:
1 November 1981
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General Louisse LAKE-TACK (since 17 July
2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24
March 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on
the advice of the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the
monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the
governor general
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members
appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives
(17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to
serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2009 (next
to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 50.9%, ALP 47.2%,
BPM 1.1%; seats by party - UPP 9, ALP 7, BPM 1
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court consisting of a High Court of
Justice and a Court of Appeal (based in Saint Lucia; two judges of
the Supreme Court are residents of the islands and preside over the
Court of Summary Jurisdiction); Magistrates' Courts; member of the
Caribbean Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders:
Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbudans for a
Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM
[Thomas H. FRANK]; Barbuda People's Movement for Change [Arthur
NIBBS]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a
coalition of three parties - Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement
or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National
Democratic Party or UNDP)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's
Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]
International organization participation:
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122
FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US
Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda
Flag description:
red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of
the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black
(top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black
band; the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era, black represents the
African heritage of most of the population, blue is for hope, and
red is for the dynamism of the people; the "V" stands for victory;
the successive yellow, blue, and white coloring is also meant to
evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand
Economy ::Antigua and Barbuda
Economy - overview:
Antigua has a relatively high GDP per capita in comparison to most
other Caribbean nations. The economy experienced solid growth from
2003 to 2007, reaching over 12% in 2006 driven by a construction
boom in hotels and housing associated with the Cricket World Cup.
Growth dropped off in 2008 with the end of the boom. Tourism
continues to dominate the economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP
and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural
production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a
limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of
higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises
enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding,
handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic
growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist
arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and potential damages from
natural disasters. Since taking office in 2004, the SPENCER
government has adopted an ambitious fiscal reform program, and has
been successful in reducing its public debt-to-GDP ratio from 120%
to about 90%.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.639 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
$1.594 billion (2007 est.)
$1.491 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.224 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
6.9% (2007 est.)
12.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$19,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$19,100 (2007 est.)
$18,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.8%
industry: 22%
services: 74.3% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
30,000 (1991)
country comparison to the world: 197
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 11%
services: 82% (1983)
Unemployment rate:
11% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $123.7 million
expenditures: $145.9 million (2000 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 57
6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.43% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
10.44% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$296.4 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
$294.8 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$939.9 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 97
$902 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.13 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 107
$1.002 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes,
sugarcane; livestock
Industries:
tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol,
household appliances)
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
110 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - consumption:
102.3 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Oil - exports:
219 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Oil - imports:
4,690 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Current account balance:
-$211 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Exports:
$84.3 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Exports - commodities:
petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components,
transport equipment, food and live animals
Imports:
$522.8 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Imports - commodities:
food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment,
manufactures, chemicals, oil
Debt - external:
$359.8 million (June 2006)
country comparison to the world: 169
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006),
2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
note: fixed rate since 1976
Communications ::Antigua and Barbuda
Telephones - main lines in use:
38,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 171
Telephones - mobile cellular:
136,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 177
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: good automatic telephone system
international: country code - 1-268; landing point for the East
Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other
islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin
Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 2; tropospheric
scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (1997)
Internet country code:
.ag
Internet hosts:
7,421 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 127
Internet users:
65,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 166
Transportation ::Antigua and Barbuda
Airports:
3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 190
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 1,165 km
country comparison to the world: 181
paved: 384 km
unpaved: 781 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 1,146
country comparison to the world: 7
by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 50, cargo 651, carrier 4,
chemical tanker 5, container 392, liquefied gas 12, petroleum tanker
1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 20
foreign-owned: 1,113 (Australia 1, Colombia 2, Cyprus 18, Denmark
19, Estonia 23, France 1, Germany 941, Greece 3, Iceland 12, Italy
1, Latvia 13, Lithuania 5, Netherlands 20, NZ 2, Norway 8, Poland 2,
Russia 4, Slovenia 6, Sweden 1, Switzerland 8, Turkey 6, UK 9, US 8)
(2008)
Ports and terminals:
Saint John's
Military ::Antigua and Barbuda
Military branches:
Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 19,560
females age 16-49: 18,977 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 17,271
females age 16-49: 19,586 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 744
female: 743 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Transnational Issues ::Antigua and Barbuda
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the
US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Arctic Ocean (Oceans)
Introduction ::Arctic Ocean
Background:
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after
the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently
delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and
Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal
waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes
circumscribes the Arctic Ocean.
Geography ::Arctic Ocean
Location:
body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north
of the Arctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:
90 00 N, 0 00 E
Map references:
Arctic
Area:
total: 14.056 million sq km
note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea,
East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara
Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Coastline:
45,389 km
Climate:
polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow
annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous
darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies;
summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy
weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow
Terrain:
central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that,
on average, is about 3 meters thick, although pressure ridges may be
three times that thickness; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort
Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New
Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and
Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer,
but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the
encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental
shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central
basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera,
Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:
sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules,
oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)
Natural hazards:
ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island;
icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme
northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked
from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from
October to May
Environment - current issues:
endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile
ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or
damage; thinning polar icepack
Geography - note:
major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the
Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between
North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes
of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated
by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20
to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10
months
Economy ::Arctic Ocean
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural
resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Transportation ::Arctic Ocean
Ports and terminals:
Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)
Transportation - note:
sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest
Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are
important seasonal waterways
Transnational Issues ::Arctic Ocean
Disputes - international:
the littoral states are engaged in various stages of demonstrating
the limits of their continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles
from their declared baselines in accordance with Article 76,
paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;
record summer melting of sea ice in the Arctic has restimulated
interest in maritime shipping lanes and sea floor exploration
page last updated on October 22, 2009
======================================================================
@Argentina (South America)
Introduction ::Argentina
Background:
In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their
independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went
their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The
country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants
from throughout Europe, but most particularly Italy and Spain, which
provided the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up
until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was
dominated by periods of internal political conflict between
Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military
factions. After World War II, an era of Peronist populism and direct
and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was
followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy
returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland (Malvinas)
Islands by force, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the
most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02
that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several
interim presidents.
Geography ::Argentina
Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Chile and Uruguay
Geographic coordinates:
34 00 S, 64 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 2,780,400 sq km
country comparison to the world: 8
land: 2,736,690 sq km
water: 43,710 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 9,861 km
border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,261 km, Chile 5,308 km,
Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 580 km
Coastline:
4,989 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Terrain:
rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau
of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San
Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa
Cruz)
highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern
corner of the province of Mendoza)
Natural resources:
fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore,
manganese, petroleum, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 10.03%
permanent crops: 0.36%
other: 89.61% (2005)
Irrigated land:
15,500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
814 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 29.19 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%)
per capita: 753 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to
earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the
pampas and northeast; heavy flooding
Environment - current issues:
environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an
industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation,
desertification, air pollution, and water pollution
note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse
gas targets
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic
location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the
South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake
Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical
climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is
the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon
is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere
People ::Argentina
Population:
40,913,584 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.6% (male 5,369,477/female 5,122,260)
15-64 years: 63.5% (male 12,961,725/female 13,029,265)
65 years and over: 10.8% (male 1,819,057/female 2,611,800) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 30 years
male: 29 years
female: 31 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.053% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Birth rate:
17.94 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Death rate:
7.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.44 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 149
male: 12.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.56 years
country comparison to the world: 66
male: 73.32 years
female: 79.97 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.35 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
120,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
7,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Argentine(s)
adjective: Argentine
Ethnic groups:
white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and
Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3%
Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant
2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Languages:
Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.2%
male: 97.2%
female: 97.2% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 16 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 113
Government ::Argentina
Country name:
conventional long form: Argentine Republic
conventional short form: Argentina
local long form: Republica Argentina
local short form: Argentina
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Buenos Aires
geographic coordinates: 34 36 S, 58 40 W
time difference: UTC-3 (3 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends
third Saturday in March; note - a new policy of daylight saving time
was initiated by the government on 30 December 2007
Administrative divisions:
23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous
city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital
Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios,
Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio
Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del
Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur,
Tucuman
note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Independence:
9 July 1816 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
Constitution:
1 May 1853; amended many times starting in 1860
Legal system:
mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10
December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since
10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December
2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);
election last held 28 October 2007 (next election to be held in 2011)
election results: Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER elected president;
percent of vote - Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER 45%, Elisa CARRIO
23%, Roberto LAVAGNA 17%, Alberto Rodriguez SAA 8%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the
Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently
one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year
terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected
by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to
serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in
2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held last held 28 October 2007
(next to be held in 2009)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA;
seats by bloc or party - FpV 12, UCR 4, CC 4, other 4; Chamber of
Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or
party - FpV 5, UCR 10, PJ 10, PRO 6, CC 16, FJ 2, other 31; note -
as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is
as follows: Senate - seats by bloc or party - FpV 42, UCR 8, CC 2,
other 20; Chamber of Deputies - seats by bloc or party - FpV 119,
UCR 24, CC 18, PS 10, PRO 9, other 77
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the Supreme Court judges are
appointed by the president with approval of the Senate)
note: the Supreme Court has seven judges; the Argentine Congress in
2006 passed a bill to gradually reduce the number of Supreme Court
judges to five
Political parties and leaders:
Coalicion Civica (a broad coalition loosely affiliated with Elisa
CARRIO); Front for Victory or FpV (a broad coalition, including
elements of the UCR and numerous provincial parties) [Nestor
KIRCHNER]; Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad coalition of
approximately 12 parties including PRO); Justicialist Party or PJ
[Nestor KIRCHNER]; Radical Civic Union or UCR [Gerardo MORALES];
Republican Proposal or PRO [Mauricio MACRI] (including Federal
Recreate Movement or RECREAR [Esteban BULLRICH]; Socialist Party or
PS [Ruben GIUSTINIANI]; Union For All [Patricia BULLRICH]; several
provincial parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine
Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural
Confederation or CRA (small to medium landowners' association);
Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); Central of
Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union for employed and
unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor or CGT
(Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); White and Blue CGT
(dissident CGT labor confederation); Roman Catholic Church
other: business organizations; Peronist-dominated labor movement;
Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either
pro or anti-government); students
International organization participation:
AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN
(associate), FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur,
MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA
(observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union
Latina (observer), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hector Marcos TIMERMAN
chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400
FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Earl Anthony WAYNE
embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires
mailing address: international mail: use embassy street address; APO
address: US Embassy Buenos Aires, Unit 4334, APO AA 34034
telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533
FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light
blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a
human face known as the Sun of May; the colors represent the clear
skies and snow of the Andes; the sun symbol commemorates the
appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810 during the
first mass demonstration in favor of independence; the sun features
are those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun
Economy ::Argentina
Economy - overview:
Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate
population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a
diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest
countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th
century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and
current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt,
and capital flight. A severe depression, growing public and external
indebtedness, and a bank run culminated in 2001 in the most serious
economic, social, and political crisis in the country's turbulent
history. Interim President Adolfo RODRIGUEZ SAA declared a default -
the largest in history - on the government's foreign debt in
December of that year, and abruptly resigned only a few days after
taking office. His successor, Eduardo DUHALDE, announced an end to
the peso's decade-long 1-to-1 peg to the US dollar in early 2002.
The economy bottomed out that year, with real GDP 18% smaller than
in 1998 and almost 60% of Argentines under the poverty line. Real
GDP rebounded to grow by an average 9% annually over the subsequent
five years, taking advantage of previously idled industrial capacity
and labor, an audacious debt restructuring and reduced debt burden,
excellent international financial conditions, and expansionary
monetary and fiscal policies. Inflation also increased, however,
during the administration of President Nestor KIRCHNER, which
responded with price restraints on businesses, as well as export
taxes and restraints, and beginning in early 2007, with understating
inflation data. Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband
as President in late 2007, but was stymied in her efforts to hike
export taxes still further by protesting farmers. Her government
nationalized private pension funds in late 2008, which bolstered
government coffers, but failed to assuage investors' concerns about
the direction of economic policy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$575.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$538.6 billion (2007 est.)
$495.5 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$324.8 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
8.7% (2007 est.)
8.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$13,400 (2007 est.)
$12,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.9%
industry: 32.7%
services: 57.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
16.27 million
country comparison to the world: 36
note: urban areas only (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 23%
services: 76% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
8.5% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
23.4% (January-June 2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 35% (January-March 2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
49 (January-March 2007)
country comparison to the world: 27
Investment (gross fixed):
23.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Budget:
revenues: $86.65 billion
expenditures: $82.85 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
48.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
118% of GDP (June 2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
8.8% (2007 est.)
note: based on official estimates, which lack credibility;
non-official estimates put inflation at 22% in 2008
Central bank discount rate:
NA
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
19.47% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 7
28% (28 November 2008)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$33.93 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$45.92 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$72.55 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$52.31 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
$86.68 billion (31 December 2007)
$79.73 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts,
tea, wheat; livestock
Industries:
food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles,
chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Industrial production growth rate:
4.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - production:
109.5 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Electricity - consumption:
99.21 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Electricity - exports:
2.628 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
10.28 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
792,300 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Oil - consumption:
610,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Oil - exports:
314,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Oil - imports:
52,290 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Oil - proved reserves:
2.616 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Natural gas - production:
44.06 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - consumption:
44.47 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Natural gas - exports:
890 million cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - imports:
1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - proved reserves:
441.7 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Current account balance:
$7.077 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
$7.103 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$70.02 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$55.78 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat
Exports - partners:
Brazil 18.9%, China 9.1%, US 7.9%, Chile 6.7%, Netherlands 4.2%
(2008)
Imports:
$54.56 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$42.53 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic
chemicals, plastics
Imports - partners:
Brazil 31.3%, China 12.4%, US 12.2%, Germany 4.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$46.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
$46.12 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$128.2 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
$124 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$73.98 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$66 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$28.75 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$26.92 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar - 3.1636 (2008 est.), 3.1105
(2007), 3.0543 (2006), 2.9037 (2005), 2.9233 (2004)
Communications ::Argentina
Telephones - main lines in use:
9.631 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 23
Telephones - mobile cellular:
46.509 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 21
Telephone system:
general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to
competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications
Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of
modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines
are being installed between all major cities; major networks are
entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is
improving; fixed-line telephone density is gradually increasing
reaching nearly 25 lines per 100 people in 2008; mobile telephone
subscribership has been increasing rapidly and has reached a level
of 115 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic
satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network;
mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding; broadband services are
gaining ground
international: country code - 54; landing point for the Atlantis-2,
UNISUR, and South America-1 optical submarine cable systems that
provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US;
satellite earth stations - 112; 2 international gateways near Buenos
Aires (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 260, FM (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave
6 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.ar
Internet hosts:
4.906 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 16
Internet users:
11.212 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 28
Transportation ::Argentina
Airports:
1,130 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 6
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 156
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 26
1,524 to 2,437 m: 65
914 to 1,523 m: 51
under 914 m: 10 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 974
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 44
914 to 1,523 m: 522
under 914 m: 406 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 28,138 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 5,939 km; refined
products 3,629 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 31,409 km
country comparison to the world: 8
broad gauge: 27,301 km 1.676-m gauge (94 km electrified)
standard gauge: 2,780 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,328 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 231,374 km
country comparison to the world: 22
paved: 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways)
unpaved: 161,962 km (2004)
Waterways:
11,000 km (2007)
country comparison to the world: 11
Merchant marine:
total: 46
country comparison to the world: 72
by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 9, chemical tanker 2, container 1,
passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated
cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 14 (Brazil 1, Chile 7, Spain 2, UK 4)
registered in other countries: 19 (Liberia 3, Panama 8, Paraguay 5,
Uruguay 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Arroyo Seco, Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada,
Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin
Military ::Argentina
Military branches:
Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino), Navy of the Argentine Republic
(Armada Republica; includes naval aviation and naval infantry),
Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-24 years of age for voluntary military service (18-21 requires
parental permission); no conscription (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 10,029,488
females age 16-49: 9,889,002 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,264,853
females age 16-49: 8,268,498 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 341,590
female: 326,342 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Military - note:
the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the
country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently
experienced a strong recovery, and the military is implementing a
modernization plan aimed at making the ground forces lighter and
more responsive (2008)
Transnational Issues ::Argentina
Disputes - international:
Argentina continues to assert its claims to the UK-administered
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia, and the South
Sandwich Islands in its constitution, forcibly occupying the
Falklands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed no longer to seek settlement
by force; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and
Chilean claims; unruly region at convergence of
Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering,
smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising
for extremist organizations; uncontested dispute between Brazil and
Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim
River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; in 2006,
Argentina went to the ICJ to protest, on environmental grounds, the
construction of two pulp mills in Uruguay on the Uruguay River,
which forms the boundary; both parties presented their pleadings in
2007 with Argentina's reply in January and Uruguay's rejoinder in
July 2008; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and
Argentina in 2001 has yet to map and demarcate the delimited
boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de
Hielo Sur)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Argentina is a source, transit, and destination
country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of
commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most victims are
trafficked within the country, from rural to urban areas; child sex
tourism is a problem; foreign women and children, primarily from
Paraguay, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, are trafficked to
Argentina for commercial sexual exploitation; Argentine women and
girls are also trafficked to neighboring countries, Mexico, and
Western Europe for sexual exploitation; a significant number of
Bolivians, Peruvians, and Paraguayans are trafficked into the
country for forced labor in sweatshops, agriculture, and as domestic
servants
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - despite some progress, Argentina
remains on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for
its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human
trafficking, particularly in terms of providing adequate assistance
to victims and curbing official complicity with trafficking
activity, especially on the provincial and local levels; the
Argentine Congress has demonstrated progress by enacting much-needed
and first-ever federal anti-trafficking legislation (2009)
Illicit drugs:
a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe, heroin headed
for the US, and ephedrine and pseudoephedrine headed for Mexico;
some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area;
law enforcement corruption; a source for precursor chemicals;
increasing domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers,
especially cocaine base and synthetic drugs (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Armenia (Middle East)
Introduction ::Armenia
Background:
Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt
Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over
the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires
including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During
World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey
instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh
practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths.
The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in
1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was
conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain
preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over
Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to
Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan
began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after
both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ethnic Armenian forces
held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of
Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by
their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful
resolution. Turkey closed the common border with Armenia because of
the Armenian separatists' control of Nagorno-Karabakh and
surrounding areas.
Geography ::Armenia
Location:
Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
40 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 29,743 sq km
country comparison to the world: 142
land: 28,203 sq km
water: 1,540 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,254 km
border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan
exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Terrain:
Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing
rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Debed River 400 m
highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m
Natural resources:
small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 16.78%
permanent crops: 2.01%
other: 81.21% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,860 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
10.5 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.95 cu km/yr (30%/4%/66%)
per capita: 977 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Environment - current issues:
soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis
of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for
firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the
draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a
source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of
Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a
seismically active zone
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake
Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
People ::Armenia
Population:
2,967,004 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.2% (male 289,119/female 252,150)
15-64 years: 71.1% (male 986,764/female 1,123,708)
65 years and over: 10.6% (male 122,996/female 192,267) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 31.5 years
male: 28.8 years
female: 34.4 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.03% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Birth rate:
12.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Death rate:
8.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Net migration rate:
-4.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Urbanization:
urban population: 64% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 20.21 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 106
male: 24.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.68 years
country comparison to the world: 116
male: 69.06 years
female: 76.81 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.36 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,400 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Nationality:
noun: Armenian(s)
adjective: Armenian
Ethnic groups:
Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001
census)
Religions:
Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist
with elements of nature worship) 1.3%
Languages:
Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.4%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.2% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.2% of GDP (2001)
country comparison to the world: 139
Government ::Armenia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Armenia
conventional short form: Armenia
local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
local short form: Hayastan
former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Yerevan
geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir,
Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots'
Dzor, Yerevan
Independence:
21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
Constitution:
adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted
through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Tigran SARGSIAN (since 9 April
2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 19 February 2008
(next to be held February 2013); prime minister appointed by the
president based on majority or plurality support in parliament; the
prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National
Assembly refuses to accept their program
election results: Serzh SARGSIAN elected president; percent of vote
- Serzh SARGSIAN 52.9%, Levon TER-PETROSSIAN 21.5%, Artur
BAGHDASARIAN 16.7%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131
seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party
list and 41 by direct vote; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 12 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of
2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - HHK 33.9%, Prosperous
Armenia 15.1%, ARF (Dashnak) 13.2%, Rule of Law 7.1%, Heritage Party
6%, other 24.7%; seats by party - HHK 64, Prosperous Armenia 18, ARF
(Dashnak) 16, Rule of Law 9, Heritage Party 7, independent 17
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Armenian National Congress or ANC [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]; Armenian
National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABIAN]; Armenian People's Party
[Tigran KARAPETIAN]; Armenian Ramkavar Azadagan Party Alliance or
HRAK (includes former Dashink Party, National Revival Party, and
Ramkavar Liberal Party); Armenian Revolutionary Federation
("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARIAN]; Heritage Party [Raffi
HOVHANNISIAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN];
National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity
Party [Artashes GEGHAMIAN]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan
DEMIRCHIAN]; Prosperous Armenia [Gagik TSAROUKIAN]; Republic Party
[Aram SARKISIAN]; Republican Party of Armenia or HHK [Serzh
SARGSIAN]; Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN];
Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURIAN]; United Labor
Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Aylentrank (Impeachment) [Nikol PASHINIAN]; Yerkrapah Union [Manvel
GRIGORIAN]
International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAPC,
EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW,
OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN
chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCH
embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082
mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State,
7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020
telephone: [374](10) 464-700
FAX: [374](10) 464-742
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the
color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian
skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the
workers who farm it
Economy ::Armenia
Economy - overview:
Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has made
progress in implementing many economic reforms including
privatization, price reforms, and prudent fiscal policies. The
conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region
of Nagorno-Karabakh contributed to a severe economic decline in the
early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government launched an
ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that
resulted in positive growth rates. Economic growth has averaged over
10% in recent years. However, with the global economic downturn,
Armenia's growth rate dropped to 6.8% in 2008. Armenia has managed
to reduce poverty, slash inflation, stabilize its currency, and
privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Under the old
Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern
industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other
manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw
materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale
agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the
Soviet era. Nuclear power plants built at Metsamor in the 1970s were
closed following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, though they sustained
no damage. One of the two reactors was re-opened in 1995, but the
Armenian government is under international pressure to close it due
to concerns that the Soviet era design lacks important safeguards.
Metsamor provides 40 percent of the country's electricity -
hydropower accounts for about one-fourth. Economic ties with Russia
remain close, especially in the energy sector. The electricity
distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's
RAO-UES in 2005. Construction of a pipeline to deliver natural gas
from Iran to Armenia was completed in December 2008 and after
testing is expected to be operational in Spring 2009, though it is
unlikely significant quantities of gas will flow through it until
the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant renovation is completed in 2010.
Armenia has some mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite). Pig iron,
unwrought copper, and other nonferrous metals are Armenia's highest
valued exports. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset
somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working
abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in
January 2003. The government made some improvements in tax and
customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures
will be more difficult to implement. Despite strong economic growth,
Armenia's unemployment rate remains high. Armenia will need to
pursue additional economic reforms in order to improve its economic
competitiveness and to build on recent improvements in poverty and
unemployment, especially given its economic isolation from two of
its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The disruption of rail
transit into Armenia during the Georgia-Russia conflict in August
2008 highlighted how vulnerable Armenia's supply chains for key
goods - such as gasoline - are to instances of regional instability.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$18.81 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
$17.62 billion (2007 est.)
$15.48 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.92 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
13.8% (2007 est.)
13.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
$5,900 (2007 est.)
$5,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16.7%
industry: 33.8%
services: 49.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.481 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 46.2%
industry: 15.6%
services: 38.2% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Population below poverty line:
26.5% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 41.3% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
37 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 77
44.4 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
39% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Budget:
revenues: $2.481 billion
expenditures: $2.626 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
4.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
7.25% (2 December 2008)
NA% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy
instrument of the Armenian National Bank
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17.05% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
17.52% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.359 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
$1.507 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$950.1 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 96
$765.2 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.98 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 93
$1.256 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 110
$105 million (31 December 2007)
$60.17 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock
Industries:
diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing
machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk
fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry
manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - production:
5.584 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Electricity - consumption:
4.776 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Electricity - exports:
451.3 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia;
includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
418.7 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran
(2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Oil - consumption:
48,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Oil - imports:
45,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - consumption:
1.93 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - imports:
1.93 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Current account balance:
-$1.355 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
-$589.6 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.124 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
$1.197 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral
products, foodstuffs, energy
Exports - partners:
Russia 20.2%, Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 12.2%, Belgium 8.5%,
Georgia 7.7%, Bulgaria 5.7%, US 4.9% (2008)
Imports:
$3.763 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
$2.797 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds
Imports - partners:
Russia 19.3%, China 8.7%, Ukraine 7%, Turkey 6.1%, Germany 5.8%, US
4.9%, Iran 4.6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.407 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
$1.659 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.449 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 116
$2.909 billion (31 December 2007)
Exchange rates:
drams (AMD) per US dollar - 303.93 (2008 est.), 344.06 (2007),
414.69 (2006), 457.69 (2005), 533.45 (2004)
Communications ::Armenia
Telephones - main lines in use:
650,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.336 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 118
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications investments have made major
inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications
network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and
undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services
monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began
operations in mid-2005
domestic: reliable modern landline and mobile-cellular services are
available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but
ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas
international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the
Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional
international service is available by microwave radio relay and
landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of
Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by
satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3
(2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 9, FM 16, shortwave 1 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
48 (private television stations alongside 2 public networks; major
Russian channels widely available) (2006)
Internet country code:
.am
Internet hosts:
36,354 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 88
Internet users:
191,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 138
Transportation ::Armenia
Airports:
11 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 153
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,233 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 845 km
country comparison to the world: 99
broad gauge: 845 km 1.520-m gauge (818 km electrified)
note: some lines are out of service (2008)
Roadways:
total: 7,700 km
country comparison to the world: 144
paved: 7,700 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2006)
Military ::Armenia
Military branches:
Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense,
Nagorno-Karabakh Self Defense Force (NKSDF) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service;
2-year conscript service obligation (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 809,576
females age 16-49: 870,864 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 642,734
females age 16-49: 729,047 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,293
female: 25,574 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
6.5% of GDP (FY01)
country comparison to the world: 8
Transnational Issues ::Armenia
Disputes - international:
Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh
and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic
Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about
230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan
into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route
through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey
remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups
in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy; Armenians
continue to emigrate, primarily to Russia, seeking employment
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 113,295 (Azerbaijan)
IDPs: 8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh,
majority have returned home since 1994 ceasefire) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Armenia is primarily a source country for women
and girls trafficked to the UAE and Turkey for the purpose of
commercial sexual exploitation; Armenian men and women are
trafficked to Turkey and Russia for the purpose of forced labor
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Armenia is placed on the Tier 2
Watch List for a fourth consecutive year; its efforts to increase
compliance with the minimum standards were assessed based on its
commitments to undertake future actions, particularly in the areas
of improving victim protection and assistance; while the government
elevated anti-trafficking responsibilities to the ministerial level,
adopted a new National Action Plan, and drafted a National Referral
Mechanism, it has yet to show tangible progress in identifying and
protecting victims or in tackling trafficking complicity of
government officials; the Armenian Government made some notable
improvements in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, but it
failed to demonstrate evidence of investigations, prosecutions,
convictions, and sentences of officials complicit in trafficking
(2008)
Illicit drugs:
illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic
consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium
and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser
extent the rest of Europe
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Aruba (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Aruba
Background:
Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the
Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main
industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity
brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last
decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry.
Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a
separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in
1990.
Geography ::Aruba
Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates:
12 30 N, 69 58 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 180 sq km
country comparison to the world: 217
land: 180 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
68.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Natural resources:
NEGL; white sandy beaches
Land use:
arable land: 10.53%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 89.47% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely
threatened
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its
tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the
Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27
degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
People ::Aruba
Population:
103,065
country comparison to the world: 193
note: estimate based on a revision of the base population,
fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-99
migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is
assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent
with the 2000 census (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.1% (male 9,921/female 9,758)
15-64 years: 70.3% (male 34,676/female 37,752)
65 years and over: 10.6% (male 4,351/female 6,607) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.8 years
male: 36 years
female: 39.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.478% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Birth rate:
12.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Death rate:
7.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Net migration rate:
9.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Urbanization:
urban population: 47% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 132
male: 18.28 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.28 years
country comparison to the world: 82
male: 72.25 years
female: 78.38 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Aruban(s)
adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Ethnic groups:
mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 80.8%, Evangelist 4.1%, Protestant 2.5%, Jehovah's
Witnesses 1.5%, Methodist 1.2%, Jewish 0.2%, other 5.1%, none or
unspecified 4.6%
Languages:
Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%,
Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%,
other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 97.3%
male: 97.5%
female: 97.1% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.8% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 79
Government ::Aruba
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Aruba
Dependency status:
member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in
internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the
Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and
foreign affairs
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Oranjestad
geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday:
Flag Day, 18 March (1976)
Constitution:
1 January 1986
Legal system:
based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law
influence
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April
1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May
2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Mike EMAN (since 30 October 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for
a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime
minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last
held in 2005 (next to be held by 2009)
election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent
of legislative vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by
direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR
5.7%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1
Judicial branch:
Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the
monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal
Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or
MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny
NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's
Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy
or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform
or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: environmental groups
International organization participation:
Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO
(associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WFTU, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr.
Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to
Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba
Flag description:
blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower
portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper
hoist-side corner; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and
white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento,
Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to
indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue
symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the
island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the
sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth
Economy ::Aruba
Economy - overview:
Tourism is the mainstay of the small open Aruban economy with
offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The
rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted
in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million
tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US.
Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the
1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993
providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings,
and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip
after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a
brief low season. Hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80% compared to
68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made
cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.258 billion (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
$2.205 billion (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.258 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$21,800 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 33.3%
services: 66.3% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
41,500 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair,
followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Unemployment rate:
6.9% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $507.9 million
expenditures: $577.9 million (2005 est.)
Public debt:
46.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 42
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 41
Central bank discount rate:
5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.23% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
11.01% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$780.4 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 90
$640.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$890.3 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
$792.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.321 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 102
$1.348 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
aloes; livestock; fish
Industries:
tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
850 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - consumption:
790.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2,351 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Oil - consumption:
8,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Oil - exports:
231,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Oil - imports:
236,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Exports:
$124 million (2006); note - includes oil reexports
country comparison to the world: 189
Exports - commodities:
live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery
and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners:
Panama 22.3%, Colombia 19.5%, Venezuela 17.1%, US 13.8%, Netherlands
Antilles 10.8%, Netherlands 7.3% (2008)
Imports:
$1.054 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 170
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and
reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
US 53.3%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 4.6% (2008)
Debt - external:
$478.6 million (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Exchange rates:
Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79
(2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003)
Communications ::Aruba
Telephones - main lines in use:
38,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 170
Telephones - mobile cellular:
127,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 179
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system
domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless
service providers are now licensed
international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM
submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US
Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the
west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio
relay links (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
.aw
Internet hosts:
25,051 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 95
Internet users:
24,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 184
Transportation ::Aruba
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 211
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Ports and terminals:
Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Military ::Aruba
Military branches:
no regular military forces; the Netherlands maintains a detachment
of marines, a frigate, and an amphibious combat detachment in the
neighboring Netherlands Antilles (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 24,585
females age 16-49: 25,742 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 20,287
females age 16-49: 21,232 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 722
female: 711 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Transnational Issues ::Aruba
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some
accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage
of population consumes cocaine
page last updated on November 10, 2009
======================================================================
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Background:
These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931;
formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a
rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a
National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range,
became a marine reserve in 2000.
Geography ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Location:
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between
northwestern Australia and Timor island
Geographic coordinates:
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 245
land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and
Cartier Island
Area - comparative:
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
74.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues:
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian
fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels,
are ongoing problems
Geography - note:
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983;
Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
People ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and
fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle
Islands is by permit only
Government ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Dependency status:
territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Government
Attorney-General's Department
Legal system:
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the
Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
Economy ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Economy - overview:
no economic activity
Transportation ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the
Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Transnational Issues ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Disputes - international:
as the closest Australian territory to Indonesia, these islands
became the target of human traffickers for the landing of illegal
immigrants; in 2001, the Australian government removed these islands
from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal arrivals
ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia
page last updated on July 2, 2009
======================================================================
@Atlantic Ocean (Oceans)
Introduction ::Atlantic Ocean
Background:
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans
(after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern
Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund
(Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar
(Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are
important strategic access waterways. The decision by the
International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to
delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion
of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude.
Geography ::Atlantic Ocean
Location:
body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the
Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:
0 00 N, 25 00 W
Map references:
Political Map of the World
Area:
total: 76.762 million sq km
note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait,
Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador
Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the
Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US
Coastline:
111,866 km
Climate:
tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near
Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can
occur from May to December but are most frequent from August to
November
Terrain:
surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark
Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June;
clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in
the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the
southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:
oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand
and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules,
precious stones
Natural hazards:
icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the
northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been
spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships
subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from
October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to
September; hurricanes (May to December)
Environment - current issues:
endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions,
turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of
fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal
sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern
Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake
Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and
municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and
Mediterranean Sea
Geography - note:
major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar,
access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the
Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound
(Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic
Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Economy ::Atlantic Ocean
Economy - overview:
The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily
trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western
Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of
natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of aragonite sands (The
Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean
Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Transportation ::Atlantic Ocean
Ports and terminals:
Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona
(Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon
(Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland),
Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands,
Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille
(France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy),
New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway),
Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam
(Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)
Transportation - note:
Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways;
significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal
Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico
coast of US; the International Maritime Bureau reports the
territorial waters of littoral states and offshore Atlantic waters
as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships,
particularly in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, the east coast
of Brazil, and the Caribbean Sea; numerous commercial vessels have
been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway;
hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crews have
been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen
Transnational Issues ::Atlantic Ocean
Disputes - international:
some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
page last updated on October 22, 2009
======================================================================
@Australia (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Australia
Background:
Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia
about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in
the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770,
when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain.
Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they
federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new
country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop
agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major
contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent
decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally
competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's
fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in
large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term
concerns include climate-change issues such as the depletion of the
ozone layer and more frequent droughts, and management and
conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.
Geography ::Australia
Location:
Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific
Ocean
Geographic coordinates:
27 00 S, 133 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 7,741,220 sq km
country comparison to the world: 6
land: 7,682,300 sq km
water: 58,920 sq km
note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
25,760 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in
north
Terrain:
mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m
highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel,
tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum
note: Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal
accounting for 29% of global coal exports
Land use:
arable land: 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated
grassland)
permanent crops: 0.04%
other: 93.81% (2005)
Irrigated land:
25,450 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
398 cu km (1995)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 24.06 cu km/yr (15%/10%/75%)
per capita: 1,193 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization,
and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of
poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural
purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and
plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the
largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping
and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water
resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population
concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the
invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the
city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent
winds in the world
People ::Australia
Population:
21,262,641 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.6% (male 2,026,975/female 1,923,828)
15-64 years: 67.9% (male 7,318,743/female 7,121,613)
65 years and over: 13.5% (male 1,306,329/female 1,565,153) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 37.3 years
male: 36.6 years
female: 38.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.195% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Birth rate:
12.47 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Death rate:
6.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Net migration rate:
6.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Urbanization:
urban population: 89% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 196
male: 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.63 years
country comparison to the world: 7
male: 79.25 years
female: 84.14 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
18,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Nationality:
noun: Australian(s)
adjective: Australian
Ethnic groups:
white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions:
Catholic 25.8%, Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian
and Reformed 3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%,
Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 11.3%, none
18.7% (2006 Census)
Languages:
English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%,
Vietnamese 1%, other 8.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2006 Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 20 years
male: 20 years
female: 21 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 86
Government ::Australia
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia
conventional short form: Australia
Government type:
federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Canberra
geographic coordinates: 35 17 S, 149 13 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in October; ends last
Sunday in March
note: Australia is divided into three time zones
Administrative divisions:
6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New
South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia,
Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Dependent areas:
Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling)
Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands,
Macquarie Island, Norfolk Island
Independence:
1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
National holiday:
Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the
anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New
Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25
April (1915)
Constitution:
9 July 1900; effective 1 January 1901
Legal system:
based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5
September 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Kevin RUDD (since 3 December
2007); Deputy Prime Minister Julia GILLARD (since 3 December 2007)
cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament,
candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to
serve as government ministers
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following
legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of
a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor
general
Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12
members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two
mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every
three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all
territory members are elected every three years) and the House of
Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferential
vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer
than 5 representatives)
elections: Senate - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be held no
later than 2010); House of Representatives - last held 24 November
2007 (next to be called no later than 2010)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 37, Australian Labor
Party 32, Australian Greens 5, Family First Party 1, independent 1;
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - Australian Labor Party 83, Liberal Party 55, National Party
10, independents 2
Judicial branch:
High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed
by the governor general)
Political parties and leaders:
Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN];
Australian Labor Party [Kevin RUDD]; Country Liberal Party [Terry
MILLS]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [Malcolm
TURNBULL]; The Nationals [Warren TRUSS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade
unions
International organization participation:
ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group,
BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM,
IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW,
Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis J. RICHARDSON
chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000
FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New
York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert D. McCALLUM, Jr.
embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital
Territory 2600
mailing address: APO AP 96549
telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600
FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970
consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Flag description:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a
large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as
the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of
the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for
each of the six original states and one representing all of
Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a
representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one
small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
Economy ::Australia
Economy - overview:
Australia has an enviable, strong economy with a per capita GDP on
par with the four dominant West European economies. Emphasis on
reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with
China have been key factors over the course of the economy's 17
solid years of expansion. Robust business and consumer confidence
and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products
fueled the economy in recent years, particularly in mining states.
Drought, robust import demand, and a strong currency pushed the
trade deficit up however, while infrastructure bottlenecks and a
tight labor market constrained growth in export volumes and stoked
inflation through mid-2008. The unwinding of the yen-based carry
trade in late 2008 has contributed to a weakening of the Australian
dollar. Tight global liquidity has challenged Australia's banking
sector, which relies heavily on international wholesale markets for
funding. The economy remains relatively healthy despite falling
export commodity prices. The government plans to counter slowing
growth in 2009 with fiscal stimulus efforts.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$802.9 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$784.1 billion (2007 est.)
$753.9 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.013 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
4% (2007 est.)
2.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$38,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$37,800 (2007 est.)
$36,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.4%
industry: 26.8%
services: 69.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
11.25 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 21.1%
services: 75% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
4.4% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.5 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 111
35.2 (1994)
Investment (gross fixed):
28.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Budget:
revenues: $350.3 billion
expenditures: $332.4 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
14.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
17.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
note: the Commonwealth government eliminated its net debt in 2006,
but continues a gross debt issue to support the market for risk-free
securities
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
2.3% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.91% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 84
10.02% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$298.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$667.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.312 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 13
$1.298 trillion (31 December 2007)
$1.096 trillion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry
Industries:
mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing,
chemicals, steel
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - production:
239.9 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Electricity - consumption:
222 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
586,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Oil - consumption:
953,700 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Oil - exports:
332,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Oil - imports:
687,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Oil - proved reserves:
1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - production:
45.22 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Natural gas - consumption:
34.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Natural gas - exports:
19.48 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 12
Natural gas - imports:
5.377 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Current account balance:
-$44.04 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
-$57.68 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$189.9 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$142.4 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and
transport equipment
Exports - partners:
Japan 22.2%, China 14.6%, South Korea 8.2%, India 6.1%, US 5.5%, NZ
4.3%, UK 4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$194.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$160.2 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines,
telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum
products
Imports - partners:
China 15.4%, US 12%, Japan 9.1%, Singapore 7%, Germany 5%, Thailand
4.5%, UK 4.3%, Malaysia 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$32.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$26.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$799.8 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 14
$820.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$366.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$337.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$197.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$290.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137
(2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004)
Communications ::Australia
Telephones - main lines in use:
9.37 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 24
Telephones - mobile cellular:
22.12 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 36
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent domestic and international service
domestic: domestic satellite system; significant use of
radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of
mobile cellular telephones
international: country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3
optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the
Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine
cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite
earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific
Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar,
5 other) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
104 (1997)
Internet country code:
.au
Internet hosts:
11.756 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 10
Internet users:
15.17 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 24
Transportation ::Australia
Airports:
464 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 17
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 325
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 145
914 to 1,523 m: 142
under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 139
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 110
under 914 m: 12 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 27,105 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,258 km;
oil/gas/water 1 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 37,855 km
country comparison to the world: 7
broad gauge: 142 km 1.600-m gauge
standard gauge: 24,409 km 1.435-m gauge (1,094 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 13,304 km 1.067-m gauge (1,193 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 812,972 km
country comparison to the world: 9
paved: 341,448 km
unpaved: 471,524 km (2004)
Waterways:
2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling
river systems) (2006)
country comparison to the world: 45
Merchant marine:
total: 50
country comparison to the world: 71
by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, container 1,
liquefied gas 4, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 8,
roll on/roll off 5
foreign-owned: 24 (Canada 9, France 1, Germany 2, Japan 1,
Netherlands 2, Norway 1, Singapore 1, UK 5, US 2)
registered in other countries: 28 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Belize 1,
Bermuda 1, Dominica 2, Fiji 1, Marshall Islands 1, NZ 1, Panama 4,
Singapore 12, Tonga 1, US 1, Vanuatu 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne,
Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney
Military ::Australia
Military branches:
Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian
Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental
consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in Army combat
units in non-combat support roles (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,999,988
females age 16-49: 4,870,043 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,341,591
females age 16-49: 4,179,659 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 144,959
female: 137,333 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 69
Transnational Issues ::Australia
Disputes - international:
Timor-Leste and Australia agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed
portion of the boundary for 50 years and to split hydrocarbon
revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered
by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty; dispute with Timor-Leste hampers
creation of a revised maritime boundary with Indonesia in the Timor
Sea; regional states continue to express concern over Australia's
2004 declaration of a 1,000-nautical mile-wide maritime
identification zone; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to
Antarctica; in 2004 Australia submitted its claims to Commission on
the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) to extend its continental
margins covering over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its
seabed roughly 30 percent more than its claimed exclusive economic
zone; since 2003, Australia has led the Regional Assistance Mission
to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to maintain civil and political order
and reinforce regional security
Illicit drugs:
Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate
products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium
poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major
consumer of cocaine and amphetamines
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Austria (Europe)
Introduction ::Austria
Background:
Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire,
Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World
War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent
occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status
remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended
the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade
unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year
declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for
Soviet military withdrawal. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and
Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 have altered the
meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country,
Austria entered the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. In
January 2009, Austria assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security
Council for the 2009-10 term.
Geography ::Austria
Location:
Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates:
47 20 N, 13 20 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 83,871 sq km
country comparison to the world: 113
land: 82,445 sq km
water: 1,426 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total: 2,562 km
border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366
km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330
km, Switzerland 164 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and
some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with
occasional showers
Terrain:
in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and
northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m
highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m
Natural resources:
oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony,
magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 16.59%
permanent crops: 0.85%
other: 82.56% (2005)
Irrigated land:
40 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
84 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3.67 cu km/yr (35%/64%/1%)
per capita: 448 cu m/yr (1999)
Natural hazards:
landslides; avalanches; earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil
pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air
pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power
stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria
between northern and southern Europe
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe
with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river
is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands
because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere
People ::Austria
Population:
8,210,281 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.5% (male 609,748/female 581,144)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 2,785,091/female 2,756,402)
65 years and over: 18% (male 612,613/female 865,283) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 42.2 years
male: 41.1 years
female: 43.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.052% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Birth rate:
8.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
Death rate:
9.98 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Net migration rate:
1.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Urbanization:
urban population: 67% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 202
male: 5.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.5 years
country comparison to the world: 27
male: 76.6 years
female: 82.56 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.39 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,800 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Nationality:
noun: Austrian(s)
adjective: Austrian
Ethnic groups:
Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes,
Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified
2.4% (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%,
unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census)
Languages:
German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%,
Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene,
official in Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3%
(2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.4% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 52
Government ::Austria
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Austria
conventional short form: Austria
local long form: Republik Oesterreich
local short form: Oesterreich
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Vienna
geographic coordinates: 48 12 N, 16 22 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland,
Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria),
Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria),
Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna)
Independence:
976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of
Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12
November 1918 (republic proclaimed)
National holiday:
National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of
the law on permanent neutrality
Constitution:
1920; revised 1929; reinstated 1 May 1945; note - during the period
1 May 1934-1 May 1945 there was a fascist (corporative) constitution
in place
Legal system:
civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of
legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate
administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal; note - reduced from 18 years of age in
2007
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) (since 8 July 2004)
head of government: Chancellor Werner FAYMANN (SPOe) (since 2
December 2008); Vice Chancellor Josef PROELL (OeVP) (since 2
December 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice
of the chancellor
elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year
term (eligible for a second term); presidential election last held
25 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2010); chancellor formally
chosen by the president but determined by the coalition parties
forming a parliamentary majority; vice chancellor chosen by the
president on the advice of the chancellor
election results: Heinz FISCHER elected president; percent of vote -
Heinz FISCHER 52.4%, Benita FERRERO-WALDNER 47.6%
note: government coalition - SPOe and OeVP
Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal
Council or Bundesrat (62 seats; members chosen by state parliaments
with each state receiving 3 to 12 members in proportion to its
population; members serve five- or six-year terms) and the National
Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular
vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National Council - last held 28 September 2008 (next to
be held by September 2013)
election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe
29.3%, OeVP 26%, FPOe 17.5%, BZOe 10.7%, Greens 10.4%, other 6.1%;
seats by party - SPOe 57, OeVP 51, FPOe 34, BZOe 21, Greens 20
Judicial branch:
Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court
or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or
Verfassungsgerichtshof
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Josef BUCHER]; Austrian
People's Party or OeVP [Josef PROELL]; Freedom Party of Austria or
FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]; Social Democratic Party of Austria
or SPOe [Werner FAYMANN]; The Greens [Eva GLAWISCHNIG]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Austrian Trade Union Federation or OeGB (nominally independent but
primarily Social Democratic); Federal Economic Chamber;
OeVP-oriented Association of Austrian Industrialists or IV; Roman
Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic
Action
other: three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or
OeVP representing business, labor, farmers, and other nongovernment
organizations in the areas of environment and human rights
International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional
member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC,
EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest),
NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris
Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD,
UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU,
WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Christian PROSL
chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035
telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700
FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Scott F.
KILNER
embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [43] (1) 31339-0
FAX: [43] (1) 3100682
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red; the flag
design is certainly one of the oldest - if not the oldest - national
banners in the world; according to tradition, following a fierce
battle in the Third Crusade, Duke Leopold V of Austria's white tunic
became completely blood-spattered; upon removal of his wide belt or
sash, a white band was revealed; the red-white-red color combination
was subsequently adopted as his banner
Economy ::Austria
Economy - overview:
Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of
living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's.
Its economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial
sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector.
Following several years of solid foreign demand for Austrian exports
and record employment growth, the global economic downturn in 2008
led to a recession that is likely to persist through 2009. The
government's stabilization measures could increase the budget
deficit to about 2.8% of GDP in 2009 and above 3% in 2010, from
about 0.6% in 2008. The Austrian economy has benefited greatly in
the past from strong commercial relations, especially in the banking
and insurance sectors, with central, eastern, and southeastern
Europe, but these sectors have been vulnerable to recent
international financial instabilities, and some of Austria's largest
banks have required government support. Even after the global
economic outlook improves, Austria will need to continue
restructuring, emphasizing knowledge-based sectors of the economy,
and encouraging greater labor flexibility and greater labor
participation to offset its aging population and exceedingly low
fertility rate.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$331.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$324.7 billion (2007 est.)
$313.7 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$414.8 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
3.5% (2007 est.)
3.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$40,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$39,600 (2007 est.)
$38,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 30.7%
services: 67.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
3.633 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 5.5%
industry: 27.5%
services: 67% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
4.4% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
5.9% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 22.5% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 125
31 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Budget:
revenues: $196.4 billion
expenditures: $200.7 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
62.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
64.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
2.2% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.82% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 128
6.3% (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$606.2 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 18
$504.8 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
$228.7 billion (31 December 2007)
$191.3 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle,
pigs, poultry; lumber
Industries:
construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals,
chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard,
communications equipment, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity - production:
58.64 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Electricity - consumption:
61.89 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Electricity - exports:
14.93 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
19.8 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
24,850 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Oil - consumption:
285,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Oil - exports:
45,580 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Oil - imports:
305,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Oil - proved reserves:
50 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - production:
1.532 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - consumption:
8.65 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - exports:
2.788 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - imports:
10.05 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Natural gas - proved reserves:
16.14 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Current account balance:
$14.27 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$12.03 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$179.1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$162.1 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and
paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles,
foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Germany 29.5%, Italy 8.6%, US 4.3%, Switzerland 4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$179.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$160.3 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil
and oil products; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Germany 44.5%, Italy 7.1%, Switzerland 5.2%, Netherlands 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$16.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$18.22 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$832.8 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 13
$801.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$261.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
$247.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$270 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$240.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Austria
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.285 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 47
Telephones - mobile cellular:
10.816 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 58
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed and efficient
domestic: fixed-line subscribership has been in decline since the
mid-1990s with mobile-cellular subscribership eclipsing it by the
late 1990s; the fiber-optic net is very extensive; all telephone
applications and Internet services are available
international: country code - 43; satellite earth stations - 15; in
addition, there are about 600 VSATs (very small aperture terminals)
(2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 65 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
10 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
.at
Internet hosts:
2.992 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 26
Internet users:
5.937 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
Transportation ::Austria
Airports:
55 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 84
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 25
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 30
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 26 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,721 km; oil 663 km; refined products 157 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 6,399 km
country comparison to the world: 29
standard gauge: 5,927 km 1.435-m gauge (3,688 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 384 km 1.000-m gauge (15 km electrified); 88 km
0.760-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 107,262 km
country comparison to the world: 39
paved: 107,262 km (includes 1,677 km of expressways) (2006)
Waterways:
358 km (2007)
country comparison to the world: 90
Merchant marine:
total: 4
country comparison to the world: 134
by type: cargo 2, container 2
foreign-owned: 2 (Netherlands 2)
registered in other countries: 4 (Cyprus 1, Malta 1, Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna
Military ::Austria
Military branches:
Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK)
Military service age and obligation:
18-35 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age
for male or female voluntary service; service obligation 6 months of
training, followed by an 8-year reserve obligation (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,986,411
females age 16-49: 1,944,834 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,607,456
females age 16-49: 1,576,335 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 50,540
female: 48,042 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Transnational Issues ::Austria
Disputes - international:
while threats of international legal action never materialized in
2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the newly elected
Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that
Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague
closed its nuclear power plant in Temelin, bordering Austria
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American
cocaine destined for Western Europe; increasing consumption of
European-produced synthetic drugs
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Azerbaijan (Middle East)
Introduction ::Azerbaijan
Background:
Azerbaijan - a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Muslim
population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained
its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its
conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh region
(largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its
territory and must support some 600,000 internally displaced persons
as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the
government has been accused of authoritarianism. Although the
poverty rate has been reduced in recent years, the promise of
widespread wealth from development of Azerbaijan's energy sector
remains largely unfulfilled.
Geography ::Azerbaijan
Location:
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and
Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
Geographic coordinates:
40 30 N, 47 30 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 86,600 sq km
country comparison to the world: 112
land: 82,629 sq km
water: 3,971 sq km
note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the
Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by
Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total: 2,013 km
border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia
(with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran
(with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan
exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain:
large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below
sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag
Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi
(Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 20.62%
permanent crops: 2.61%
other: 76.77% (2005)
Irrigated land:
14,550 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
30.3 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 17.25 cu km/yr (5%/28%/68%)
per capita: 2,051 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
droughts
Environment - current issues:
local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula)
(including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the
ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe
air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil
spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants
used in the production of cotton
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are
landlocked
People ::Azerbaijan
Population:
8,238,672 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.9% (male 1,042,132/female 926,495)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 2,807,717/female 2,908,221)
65 years and over: 6.7% (male 204,410/female 349,697) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.2 years
male: 26.6 years
female: 30 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.762% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Birth rate:
17.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Death rate:
8.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Net migration rate:
-1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 54.6 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 46
male: 60.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 48.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.66 years
country comparison to the world: 158
male: 62.53 years
female: 71.34 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.04 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
7,800 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Nationality:
noun: Azerbaijani(s)
adjective: Azerbaijani
Ethnic groups:
Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9%
(1999 census)
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh
region
Religions:
Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other
1.8% (1995 est.)
note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan;
percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower
Languages:
Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%,
other 3.3%, unspecified 1% (1999 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.8%
male: 99.5%
female: 98.2% (1999 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.1% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 165
Government ::Azerbaijan
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan
conventional short form: Azerbaijan
local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
local short form: Azarbaycan
former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Baku (Baki, Baky)
geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 52 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar -
singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika)
rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu,
Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda
Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu,
Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu,
Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu,
Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu,
Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu,
Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax
Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu,
Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi
Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu,
Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar
Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli
Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab
Rayonu
cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran
Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit
Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari
autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi (Nakhichevan)
Independence:
30 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918)
Constitution:
adopted 12 November 1995; modified by referendum 24 August 2002
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November
2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and
confirmed by the National Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 15 October 2008
(next to be held in October 2013); prime minister and first deputy
prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the
National Assembly
election results: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote
- Ilham ALIYEV 89%, Igbal AGHAZADE 2.9%, five other candidates with
smaller percentages
note: several political parties boycotted the election due to unfair
conditions; OSCE observers concluded that the election did not meet
international standards
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November
2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, Motherland 2, other parties
with single seats 9, independents 42, undetermined 4
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Azadliq (Freedom) coalition (Popular Front Party, Liberal Party,
Citizens' Development Party); Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP
[Sardar JALALOGLU]; Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADRP) Youth
Movement [Ramin HAJILI]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF, now split
in two [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" APF party; Mirmahmud
MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" APF party]; Azerbaijan Public Forum
[Eldar NAMAZOV]; Citizens' Development Party [Ali ALIYEV]; Civil
Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Dalga Youth Movement
[Vafa JAFAROVA]; Green Party [Mais GULALIYEV and Tarana MAMMADOVA];
Hope (Umid) Party [Iqbal AGAZADE]; Ireli Youth Movement [Jeyhun
OSMANLI, Roya TALIBOVA, Farhad MAMMADOV, Elnara GARIBOVA, Elnur
MAMMADOV, Ziya ALIYEV]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal
Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Magam Youth Movement
[Emin HUSEYNOV]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; Musavat
(Equality) [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Musavat Party Youth Movement
[Elnur MAMMADLI]; National Democratic Party or Grey Wolves
(Nationalist, Pan-Turkic) [Iskender HAMIDOV]; Open Society Party
[Rasul GULIYEV, in exile in the US]; Party for National Independence
of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Ayaz RUSTAMOV]; Popular Front Party Youth
Movement [Seymur KHAZIYEV]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or
SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV (in exile)]; Turkish
Nationalist Party [Vugar BAYTURAN]; United Azerbaijan Party [Karrar
ABILOV]; United Azerbaijan National Unity Party [Hajibaba AZIMOV];
United Party [Tahir KARIMLI]; Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party [President
Ilham ALIYEV]; Yeni Azerbaijan Party Youth Movement [Ramil HASANOV];
Yox (No) Youth Movement [Ali ISMAYILOV]
note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties;
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (self-proclaimed); Karabakh
Liberation Organization; Sadval, Lezgin movement; Talysh
independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces or UPAF
International organization participation:
ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS
(observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yashar ALIYEV
chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500
FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911
Consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anne E. DERSE
embassy: 83 Azadlig Prospecti, Baku AZ1007
mailing address: American Embassy Baku, US Department of State, 7050
Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050
telephone: [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337
FAX: [994] (12) 4656-671
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a
crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
Economy ::Azerbaijan
Economy - overview:
Azerbaijan's high economic growth during 2006-08 is attributable to
large and growing oil exports, but the non-energy sector also
featured double-digit growth in 2008, spurred by growth in the
construction, banking, and real estate sectors. However, the current
global economic slowdown presents some challenges for the
Azerbaijani economy as oil prices have plummeted since mid-2008 and
local banks face a more uncertain international financial
environment. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997, but
has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of
production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which
have committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should
generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil
production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan
International Operating Company, began in November 1997. A
consortium of Western oil companies built a $4 billion pipeline from
Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan which will pump 1.2
million barrels a day from a large offshore field when at full
capacity. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the
former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a
market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its
medium-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress
on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly
being replaced. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic
progress: the need for stepped up foreign investment in the
non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with Armenia over the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, pervasive corruption, and potential for a
sharp downturn in the construction and real estate sectors. Trade
with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in
importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of
Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the
location of new oil and gas pipelines in the region, and
Azerbaijan's ability to manage its energy wealth to promote
sustainable growth in non-energy sectors of the economy and spur
employment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$77.79 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$70.21 billion (2007 est.)
$56.17 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$46.38 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
10.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
25% (2007 est.)
34.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$8,600 (2007 est.)
$7,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 60.5%
services: 33.5% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
5.782 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 39.3%
industry: 12.1%
services: 48.6% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
0.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
1% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
24% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 6.1%
highest 10%: 17.5% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.5 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 81
36 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Budget:
revenues: $12.69 billion
expenditures: $15.67 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
4.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
18.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
20.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
16.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
8% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 19
13% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key policy rate for the
National Bank of Azerbaijan
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
19.76% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 19
19.13% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$6.381 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 49
$4.261 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$4.125 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 76
$2.593 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$8.135 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
$5.726 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco;
cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Industries:
petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment;
steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Electricity - production:
19.35 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Electricity - consumption:
15.68 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Electricity - exports:
786 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
548 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
875,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Oil - consumption:
126,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Oil - exports:
528,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Oil - imports:
2,848 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Oil - proved reserves:
7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Natural gas - production:
16.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - consumption:
10.64 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Natural gas - exports:
5.564 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 25
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Current account balance:
$16.45 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$9.019 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$30.59 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$21.27 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Italy 40.2%, US 12.6%, Israel 7.6%, India 5.1%, France 4.9% (2008)
Imports:
$7.575 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$6.045 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Russia 18.8%, Turkey 11.3%, Germany 8.4%, Ukraine 7.9%, China 6.7%,
UK 5.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.519 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$4.273 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.635 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
$2.439 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$7.844 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$7.829 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$5.232 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$4.677 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar - 0.8219 (2008 est.), 0.8581
(2007), 0.8934 (2006), 4,727.1 (2005), 4,913.48 (2004)
note: on 1 January 2006 Azerbaijan revalued its currency, with 5,000
old manats equal to 1 new manat
Communications ::Azerbaijan
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.311 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.548 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 76
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and
modernization; teledensity of 15 main lines per 100 persons is low;
mobile-cellular penetration has increased rapidly and is currently
about 80 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: fixed-line telephony and a broad range of other telecom
services are controlled by a state-owned telecommunications monopoly
and growth has been stagnant; more competition exists in the
mobile-cellular market with three providers in 2006; satellite
service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan
international: country code - 994; the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE)
fiber-optic link transits Azerbaijan providing international
connectivity to neighboring countries; the old Soviet system of
cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations -
2 (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (1997)
Internet country code:
.az
Internet hosts:
7,045 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 130
Internet users:
1.485 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
Transportation ::Azerbaijan
Airports:
34 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 111
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 27
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 7
under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 1 km; gas 3,361 km; oil 1,424 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,122 km
country comparison to the world: 71
broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 59,141 km
country comparison to the world: 74
paved: 29,210 km
unpaved: 29,931 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 89
country comparison to the world: 52
by type: cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker
46, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 3
registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 2, Panama 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Baku (Baki)
Military ::Azerbaijan
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; 18 years of
age for voluntary military service; length of military service is 18
months and 12 months for university graduates (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,278,888
females age 16-49: 2,291,770 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,727,464
females age 16-49: 1,944,260 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 90,416
female: 85,344 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Transnational Issues ::Azerbaijan
Disputes - international:
Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh
and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan;
over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the
occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were
driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to
connect to Naxcivan exclave; Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute;
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have ratified Caspian seabed
delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to
insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's
hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; bilateral talks continue
with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in
the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to
discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 2,400 (Russia)
IDPs: 580,000-690,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh)
(2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Azerbaijan is primarily a source and transit
country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of
commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and some
children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for
the purpose of sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked to
Russia for the purpose of forced labor; Azerbaijan serves as a
transit country for victims from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan,
and Moldova trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Azerbaijan is on the Tier 2 Watch
List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to
combat trafficking in persons, particularly efforts to investigate,
prosecute, and punish traffickers; to address complicity among law
enforcement personnel; and to adequately identify and protect
victims in Azerbaijan; the government has yet to develop a
much-needed mechanism to identify potential trafficking victims and
refer them to safety and care; poor treatment of trafficking victims
in courtrooms continues to be a problem (2008)
Illicit drugs:
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for
CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point
for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent
the rest of Europe
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bahamas, The (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Bahamas, The
Background:
Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS
first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British
settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony
in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The
Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and
investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a
major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments
to the US and Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling
illegal migrants into the US.
Geography ::Bahamas, The
Location:
Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast
of Florida, northeast of Cuba
Geographic coordinates:
24 15 N, 76 00 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 13,880 sq km
country comparison to the world: 160
land: 10,010 sq km
water: 3,870 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
3,542 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Terrain:
long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Natural resources:
salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 0.58%
permanent crops: 0.29%
other: 99.13% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
NA
Natural hazards:
hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind
damage
Environment - current issues:
coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain
of which 30 are inhabited
People ::Bahamas, The
Population:
309,156
country comparison to the world: 176
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.9% (male 40,085/female 39,959)
15-64 years: 67.2% (male 102,154/female 105,482)
65 years and over: 6.9% (male 8,772/female 12,704) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.7 years
male: 27.9 years
female: 29.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.536% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Birth rate:
16.81 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Death rate:
9.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Net migration rate:
-2.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Urbanization:
urban population: 84% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 93
male: 28.21 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.78 years
country comparison to the world: 164
male: 62.63 years
female: 68.98 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.1 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Nationality:
noun: Bahamian(s)
adjective: Bahamian
Ethnic groups:
black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Religions:
Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal
8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%,
none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)
Languages:
English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.6%
male: 94.7%
female: 96.5% (2003 est.)
Education expenditures:
3.6% of GDP (2000)
country comparison to the world: 125
Government ::Bahamas, The
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
conventional short form: The Bahamas
Government type:
constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Nassau
geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends
first Sunday in November
Administrative divisions:
21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island,
Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay,
Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh
Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands,
Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador, and Rum Cay
Independence:
10 July 1973 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Constitution:
10 July 1973
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General Arthur D. HANNA (since 1 February
2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 4 May
2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime
minister's recommendation
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister
recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members
appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime
minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms) and the
House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by direct popular vote
to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the
parliament and call elections at any time
elections: last held 2 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%;
seats by party - FNM 23, PLP 18
Judicial branch:
Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court;
Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal
Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Friends of the Environment
other: trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory),
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cornelius A. SMITH
chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ned L. SIEGEL
embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence
mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197,
Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC
20521-3370
telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)
FAX: [1] (242) 328-2206
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and
aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist
side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands
surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and
force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the
enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the
rich resources of land and sea
Economy ::Bahamas, The
Economy - overview:
The Bahamas is one of the wealthiest Caribbean countries with an
economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism
together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts
for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half
of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts
and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences
had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but tourist arrivals
have been on the decline since 2006 and will likely drop even
further in 2009. Tourism, in turn, depends on growth in the US, the
source of more than 80% of the visitors. To help offset the effect
of the global economic downturn, particularly on employment, the
INGRAHAM administration plans to engage in infrastructure projects.
Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of
the Bahamian economy and, when combined with business services,
account for about 36% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when the
government enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many
international businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and
agriculture combined contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and
show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those
sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on
the fortunes of the tourism sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$9.352 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
$9.495 billion (2007 est.)
$9.236 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$7.564 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-1.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
2.8% (2007 est.)
4.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$30,700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$31,400 (2007 est.)
$30,900 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 7%
services: 90% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
175,500 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 168
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 5%, industry 5%, tourism 50%, other services 40% (2005
est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Population below poverty line:
9.3% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: 27% (2000)
Budget:
revenues: $1.03 billion
expenditures: $1.03 billion (FY04/05)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Central bank discount rate:
5.25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 81
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 138
5.5% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.255 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 82
$1.274 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$4.637 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 71
$4.324 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.883 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
$7.395 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
citrus, vegetables; poultry
Industries:
tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite,
pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
2.045 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - consumption:
1.902 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Oil - consumption:
34,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Oil - exports:
transshipments of 41,570 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Oil - imports:
72,420 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Current account balance:
-$1.442 billion (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Exports:
$674 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 159
Exports - commodities:
mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit
and vegetables
Exports - partners:
US 21.6%, Singapore 19%, Poland 18.2%, Germany 7.7%, Japan 7.5%
(2008)
Imports:
$2.401 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 145
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral
fuels; food and live animals
Imports - partners:
US 25.1%, South Korea 18.8%, Japan 16.4%, Singapore 7.3%, Venezuela
5% (2008)
Debt - external:
$342.6 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Exchange rates:
Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1
(2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004)
Communications ::Bahamas, The
Telephones - main lines in use:
133,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 138
Telephones - mobile cellular:
358,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 164
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern facilities
domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas
Domestic Submarine Network links 14 of the islands and is designed
to satisfy increasing demand for voice and broadband internet
services
international: country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas
Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic submarine cable
that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the
Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2006)
Internet country code:
.bs
Internet hosts:
8,325 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 122
Internet users:
106,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 151
Transportation ::Bahamas, The
Airports:
62 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 79
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 23
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 39
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 22 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 2,717 km
country comparison to the world: 168
paved: 1,560 km
unpaved: 1,157 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 1,223
country comparison to the world: 6
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 210, cargo 226, carrier 2,
chemical tanker 88, combination ore/oil 12, container 65, liquefied
gas 77, passenger 109, passenger/cargo 35, petroleum tanker 209,
refrigerated cargo 119, roll on/roll off 16, specialized tanker 3,
vehicle carrier 51
foreign-owned: 1,150 (Angola 6, Belgium 15, Bermuda 12, Brazil 2,
Canada 84, China 10, Croatia 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 25, Denmark 67,
Finland 9, France 30, Germany 44, Greece 209, Hong Kong 30, Iceland
1, Indonesia 2, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 1, Italy 4, Japan 87, Jordan
2, Kenya 1, Malaysia 13, Monaco 15, Montenegro 2, Netherlands 9,
Nigeria 2, Norway 189, Poland 17, Russia 4, Saudi Arabia 16,
Singapore 17, Slovenia 1, South Africa 1, Spain 14, Sweden 4,
Switzerland 1, Thailand 5, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 8, UAE 23,
UK 56, US 106, Venezuela 1)
registered in other countries: 12 (Bolivia 1, Panama 9, Peru 1,
Portugal 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point
Military ::Bahamas, The
Military branches:
Royal Bahamian Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 80,200 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 50,764
females age 16-49: 51,690 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,992
female: 3,003 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 160
Transnational Issues ::Bahamas, The
Disputes - international:
disagrees with the US on the alignment the northern axis of a
potential maritime boundary; continues to monitor and interdict drug
dealers and Haitian and Cuban refugees in Bahamian waters
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and
Europe; offshore financial center
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bahrain (Middle East)
Introduction ::Bahrain
Background:
In 1783, the al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians.
In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of
treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a
British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in
1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf
countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign
affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves,
Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has
transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD
bin Isa al-Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic
and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community.
Shia political societies participated in 2006 parliamentary and
municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shia political society,
won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the
legislature. However, Shia discontent has resurfaced in recent years
with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence.
Geography ::Bahrain
Location:
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
26 00 N, 50 33 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 741 sq km
country comparison to the world: 190
land: 741 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
161 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Climate:
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain:
mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Natural resources:
oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Land use:
arable land: 2.82%
permanent crops: 5.63%
other: 91.55% (2005)
Irrigated land:
40 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.1 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%)
per capita: 411 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; dust storms
Environment - current issues:
desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable
land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation
(damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting
from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil
refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources
(groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs)
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic
location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's
petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
People ::Bahrain
Population:
727,785
country comparison to the world: 162
note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.9% (male 95,224/female 93,241)
15-64 years: 70.2% (male 292,941/female 217,729)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 15,106/female 13,544) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 30.1 years
male: 33.2 years
female: 26.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.285% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Birth rate:
17.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Death rate:
4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Net migration rate:
0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Urbanization:
urban population: 89% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female
total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 15.25 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 125
male: 17.81 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.16 years
country comparison to the world: 83
male: 72.64 years
female: 77.76 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.5 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Nationality:
noun: Bahraini(s)
adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic groups:
Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)
Religions:
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Languages:
Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 86.5%
male: 88.6%
female: 83.6% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (1991)
country comparison to the world: 107
Government ::Bahrain
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form: Bahrain
local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
local short form: Al Bahrayn
former: Dilmun
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Manama
geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat
note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor
Independence:
15 August 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date
of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of
independence from British protection
Constitution:
adopted 14 February 2002
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999);
Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch,
born 21 October 1969)
head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa
(since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman
Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad al-ARAIDH
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by
the monarch
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40
members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or
Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve
four-year terms)
elections: Council of Representatives - last held November-December
2006 (next election to be held in 2010)
election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by
society - NA; seats by society - al Wifaq (Shia) 17, al Asala (Sunni
Salafi) 5, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 7, independents 11;
note - seats by society as of February 2007 - al Wifaq 17, al Asala
8, al Minbar 7, al Mustaqbal (Moderate Sunni pro-government) 4,
unassociated independents (all Sunni) 3, independent affiliated with
al Wifaq (Sunni oppositionist) 1
Judicial branch:
High Civil Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders:
political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized
per a July 2005 law
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators
other: several small leftist and other groups are active
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA,
NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Houda Ibrahim Ezra NUNU
chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111
FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Adam ERELI
embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club),
Block 331, Zinj District, Manama
mailing address: PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international
mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
telephone: [973] 1724-2700
FAX: [973] 1727-0547
Flag description:
red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a
white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five
points represent the five pillars of Islam
Economy ::Bahrain
Economy - overview:
With its highly developed communication and transport facilities,
Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the
Gulf. Petroleum production and refining account for over 60% of
Bahrain's export receipts, over 70% of government revenues, and 11%
of GDP (exclusive of allied industries), underpinning Bahrain's
strong economic growth in recent years. Aluminum is Bahrain's second
major export after oil. Other major segments of Bahrain's economy
are the financial and construction sectors. Bahrain is focused on
Islamic banking and is competing on an international scale with
Malaysia as a worldwide banking center. Bahrain is actively pursuing
the diversification and privatization of its economy to reduce the
country's dependence on oil. As part of this effort, in August 2006
Bahrain and the US implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the
first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Continued strong growth
hinges on Bahrain's ability to acquire new natural gas supplies as
feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum
industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the
depletion of oil and underground water resources are long-term
economic problems. The global financial crisis is likely to result
in slower economic growth for Bahrain during 2009 as tight
international credit and a slowing global economy cause funding for
many non-oil projects to dry up. Lower oil prices may also cause
Bahrain's budget to slip back into deficit.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$26.89 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$25.29 billion (2007 est.)
$23.34 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$21.24 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
8.4% (2007 est.)
6.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
$35,700 (2007 est.)
$33,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 66.2%
services: 33.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
557,000
country comparison to the world: 152
note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
(2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 79%
services: 20% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
26.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Budget:
revenues: $6.934 billion
expenditures: $5.612 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
28.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
63.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
3.3% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
8.35% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$4.169 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$10.63 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$10.32 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$21.18 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 65
$28.13 billion (31 December 2007)
$21.12 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Industries:
petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron
pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance,
ship repairing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
6.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - production:
10.25 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - consumption:
10.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
48,520 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Oil - consumption:
38,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Oil - exports:
238,300 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Oil - imports:
228,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Oil - proved reserves:
124.6 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Natural gas - production:
12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - consumption:
12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - proved reserves:
92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Current account balance:
$2.257 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$2.907 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$17.49 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$13.79 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
Exports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 3.4%, India 2.7%, UAE 2.2% (2008)
Imports:
$14.25 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
$10.93 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 26.7%, Japan 8.9%, US 7.8%, China 6.2%, Germany 4.8%,
South Korea 4.7%, UK 4.5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.803 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
$4.101 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$10.33 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$7.858 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$15.01 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
$13.31 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$9.34 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
$7.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2008 est.), 0.376
(2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004)
Communications ::Bahrain
Telephones - main lines in use:
220,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 123
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.4 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 135
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system
domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network
with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones
international: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic
Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides
links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to
Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite
earth station - 1 (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (1997)
Internet country code:
.bh
Internet hosts:
51,489 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 82
Internet users:
402,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 112
Transportation ::Bahrain
Airports:
3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 191
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 20 km; oil 32 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 3,498 km
country comparison to the world: 161
paved: 2,768 km
unpaved: 730 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 114
by type: bulk carrier 4, container 4, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 5, UAE 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Military ::Bahrain
Military branches:
Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense),
Naval Force, Air Force, National Guard
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for
NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 210,938
females age 16-49: 170,471 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 171,004
females age 16-49: 144,555 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,612
female: 6,499 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 22
Transnational Issues ::Bahrain
Disputes - international:
none
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Bahrain is a destination country for men and
women trafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and
commercial sexual exploitation; men and women from Africa, South
Asia, and Southeast Asia migrate voluntarily to Bahrain to work as
laborers or domestic servants where some face conditions of
involuntary servitude such as unlawful withholding of passports,
restrictions on movements, non-payment of wages, threats, and
physical or sexual abuse; women from Thailand, Morocco, Eastern
Europe, and Central Asia are trafficked to Bahrain for the purpose
of commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for failing to show evidence of increased efforts to combat human
trafficking, particularly efforts that enforce laws against
trafficking in persons, and that prevent the punishment of victims
of trafficking; during 2007, Bahrain passed a comprehensive law
prohibiting all forms of trafficking in persons; the government also
established a specialized anti-trafficking unit within the Ministry
of Interior to investigate trafficking crimes; however, the
government did not report any prosecutions or convictions for
trafficking offenses during 2007, despite reports of a substantial
problem of involuntary servitude and sex trafficking (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bangladesh (South Asia)
Introduction ::Bangladesh
Background:
Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area of Bangladesh in
the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region
and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East
Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu)
and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became
East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part
country with its territorial units separated by 1,600 km left the
Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from
its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. A
military-backed, emergency caretaker regime suspended parliamentary
elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the
political system and root out corruption. In contrast to the strikes
and violent street rallies that had marked Bangladeshi politics in
previous years, the parliamentary elections finally held in late
December 2008 were mostly peaceful. Sheikh HASINA Wajed was
reappointed prime minister. About a third of this extremely poor
country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering
economic development.
Geography ::Bangladesh
Location:
Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Geographic coordinates:
24 00 N, 90 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 143,998 sq km
country comparison to the world: 94
land: 130,168 sq km
water: 13,830 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Iowa
Land boundaries:
total: 4,246 km
border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Coastline:
580 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March
to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Terrain:
mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Land use:
arable land: 55.39%
permanent crops: 3.08%
other: 41.53% (2005)
Irrigated land:
47,250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,210.6 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 79.4 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%)
per capita: 560 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during
the summer monsoon season
Environment - current issues:
many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate
flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water;
water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use
of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally
occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling
water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil
degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing
from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel
of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty
into the Bay of Bengal
People ::Bangladesh
Population:
156,050,883 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.6% (male 27,065,625/female 26,913,961)
15-64 years: 61.4% (male 45,222,182/female 50,537,052)
65 years and over: 4% (male 3,057,255/female 3,254,808) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.3 years
male: 22.9 years
female: 23.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.292% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Birth rate:
24.68 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Death rate:
9.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Net migration rate:
-2.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Urbanization:
urban population: 27% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 59.02 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 39
male: 66.12 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 51.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.25 years
country comparison to the world: 183
male: 57.57 years
female: 63.03 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.74 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
12,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in
some locations
water contact disease: leptospirosis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Bangladeshi(s)
adjective: Bangladeshi
Ethnic groups:
Bengali 98%, other 2% (includes tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims)
(1998)
Religions:
Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Languages:
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47.9%
male: 54%
female: 41.4% (2001 Census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 8 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 151
Government ::Bangladesh
Country name:
conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh
conventional short form: Bangladesh
local long form: Gana Prajatantri Banladesh
local short form: Banladesh
former: East Bengal, East Pakistan
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Dhaka
geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet
Independence:
16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the
date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known
as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state
of Bangladesh
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date
of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day
and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Constitution:
4 November 1972; effective 16 December 1972; suspended following
coup of 24 March 1982; restored 10 November 1986; amended many times
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Zillur RAHMAN (since 12 February 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed (since 6
January 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the
president
elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year
term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 11 February
2009 (next scheduled election to be held in 2014)
election results: Zillur RAHMAN declared president-elect by the
Election Commission on 11 February 2009 (sworn in on 12 February);
he ran unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote -
NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected
by popular vote from single territorial constituencies; members
serve five-year terms
elections: last held 29 December 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - AL 49%, BNP 33.2%, JP
7%, JIB 4.6%, other 6.2%; seats by party - AL 230, BNP 30, JP 27,
JIB 2, other 11
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by
the president)
Political parties and leaders:
Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or
BCP [Manjurul A. KHAN]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda
ZIA]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI];
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh or JIB [Matiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya
Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party
(Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]; Liberal Democratic Party or
LDP [Badrudozza CHOWDHURY and Oli AHMED]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Advocacy to End Gender-based Violence through the MoWCA (Ministry of
Women's and Children's Affairs)
other: environmentalists; Islamist groups; religious leaders;
teachers; union leaders
International organization participation:
ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT,
MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO,
UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183
FAX: [1] (202) 244-7830/2771
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James F. MORIARTY
embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000
telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500
FAX: [880] (2) 882-3744
Flag description:
green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side
of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice
to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush
vegetation of Bangladesh
Economy ::Bangladesh
Economy - overview:
The economy has grown 5-6% per year since 1996 despite inefficient
state-owned enterprises, delays in exploiting natural gas resources,
insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic
reforms. Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and
inefficiently-governed nation. Although more than half of GDP is
generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of
Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as
the single-most-important product. Garment exports and remittances
from Bangladeshis working overseas, mainly in the Middle East and
East Asia, fuel economic growth. In 2008 Bangladesh pursued a
monetary policy aimed at maintaining high employment, but created
higher inflation in the process.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$226.4 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$214 billion (2007 est.)
$201.5 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$84.2 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
6.2% (2007 est.)
6.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
$1,400 (2007 est.)
$1,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 19.1%
industry: 28.6%
services: 52.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
70.86 million
country comparison to the world: 8
note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman,
Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $4.8 billion
in 2005-06. (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 63%
industry: 11%
services: 26% (FY95/96)
Unemployment rate:
2.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
2.5% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
45% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.3%
highest 10%: 26.6% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.2 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 94
33.6 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
24.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Budget:
revenues: $8.825 billion
expenditures: $12.54 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
39.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
43% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
9.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.38% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
16% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$9.294 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 46
$8.444 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$37.98 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 30
$32.35 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$47.03 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
$40.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$6.671 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 78
$6.793 billion (31 December 2007)
$3.61 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses,
oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry
Industries:
cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint,
cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar
Industrial production growth rate:
6.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Electricity - production:
22.99 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Electricity - consumption:
21.38 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
6,426 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Oil - consumption:
95,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Oil - exports:
2,612 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Oil - imports:
87,660 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Oil - proved reserves:
28 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Natural gas - production:
17.9 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Natural gas - consumption:
17.9 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - proved reserves:
141.6 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Current account balance:
$1.032 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
$856.8 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$15.44 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$12.47 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood
Exports - partners:
US 21%, Germany 13.2%, UK 8.6%, France 6.3%, Netherlands 4.7% (2008)
Imports:
$21.51 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
$16.67 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles,
foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement
Imports - partners:
China 14.7%, India 14.7%, Kuwait 7.5%, Singapore 7.1%, Japan 4.1%
(2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$5.789 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$5.278 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$22.83 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$21.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$5.971 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
$5.261 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$97 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Exchange rates:
taka (BDT) per US dollar - 68.554 (2008 est.), 69.893 (2007), 69.031
(2006), 64.328 (2005), 59.513 (2004)
Communications ::Bangladesh
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.39 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 67
Telephones - mobile cellular:
45.75 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 22
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate for a modern country; fixed-line
telephone density remains less than 1 per 100 persons;
mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly
and has reached 30 per 100 persons
domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems
include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some
fiber-optic cable in cities
international: country code - 880; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4
fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe,
the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6;
international radiotelephone communications and landline service to
neighboring countries (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 15, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
15 (1999)
Internet country code:
.bd
Internet hosts:
4,209 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 135
Internet users:
556,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 104
Transportation ::Bangladesh
Airports:
17 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 139
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,597 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,768 km
country comparison to the world: 60
broad gauge: 946 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 239,226 km
country comparison to the world: 21
paved: 22,726 km
unpaved: 216,500 km (2003)
Waterways:
8,370 km
country comparison to the world: 17
note: includes up to 3,060 km main cargo routes; network reduced to
5,200 km in dry season (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 40
country comparison to the world: 77
by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 27, container 5, passenger/cargo 1,
petroleum tanker 4
foreign-owned: 1 (China 1)
registered in other countries: 10 (Comoros 2, Honduras 1, Malta 2,
Panama 2, Singapore 2, Togo 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Chittagong, Mongla Port
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of
Bangladesh as high risk for armed robbery against ships; numerous
commercial vessels have been attacked both at anchor and while
underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen
Military ::Bangladesh
Military branches:
Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh
Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF)
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
16 years of age for voluntary military service; 17 years of age for
officers (both with parental consent); conscription legally possible
in emergency, but has never been implemented (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 41,199,340 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 24,946,041
females age 16-49: 31,409,069 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,538,865
female: 1,666,670 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 105
Transnational Issues ::Bangladesh
Disputes - international:
discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of
river boundary, exchange territory for 51 small Bangladeshi exclaves
in India and 111 small Indian exclaves in Bangladesh, allocate
divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade, migration,
violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border;
Bangladesh protests India's fencing and walling off high-traffic
sections of the porous boundary; a joint Bangladesh-India boundary
commission resurveyed and reconstructed 92 missing pillars in 2007;
dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in
the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; after 21
years, Bangladesh resumes talks with Burma on delimiting a maritime
boundary
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 26,268 (Burma)
IDPs: 65,000 (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Barbados (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Barbados
Background:
The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in
1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island
until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily
dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the
20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political
reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the
UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the
sugar industry in economic importance.
Geography ::Barbados
Location:
Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates:
13 10 N, 59 32 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 430 sq km
country comparison to the world: 200
land: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
97 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Terrain:
relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 37.21%
permanent crops: 2.33%
other: 60.46% (2005)
Irrigated land:
50 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.1 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.09 cu km/yr (33%/44%/22%)
per capita: 333 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides
Environment - current issues:
pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil
erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of
aquifers
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
easternmost Caribbean island
People ::Barbados
Population:
284,589 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.2% (male 27,383/female 27,352)
15-64 years: 71.3% (male 99,829/female 103,049)
65 years and over: 9.5% (male 10,464/female 16,512) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.8 years
male: 34.7 years
female: 36.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.383% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Birth rate:
12.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Death rate:
8.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Net migration rate:
-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Urbanization:
urban population: 40% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.29 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 143
male: 13.89 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.94 years
country comparison to the world: 95
male: 71.65 years
female: 76.26 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.68 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Nationality:
noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)
adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)
Ethnic groups:
black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%
Religions:
Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%,
other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%,
none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.)
Languages:
English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.7% (2002 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
6.9% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 24
Government ::Barbados
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Barbados
Government type:
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Bridgetown
geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew,
Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy,
Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas
Independence:
30 November 1966 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
Constitution:
30 November 1966
Legal system:
English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS
(since 1 June 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister David THOMPSON (since 16 January
2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister
recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21 seats; members
appointed by the governor general - 12 on the advice of the Prime
Minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at his
discretion) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected
by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Assembly - last held 15 January 2008 (next to be
called in 2013)
election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP
52.5%, BLP 47.3%; seats by party - DLP 20, BLP 10
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Judicature consists of a High Court and a Court of
Appeal (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the
Judicial and Legal Services); Caribbean Court of Justice or CCJ is
the highest court of appeal; based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago
Political parties and leaders:
Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY]; Democratic Labor Party or
DLP [David THOMPSON]; People's Empowerment Party or PEP [David
COMISSIONG]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union or BSTU [Patrick FROST]; Barbados
Union of Teachers or BUT [Herbert GITTENS]; Congress of Trade Unions
and Staff Associations of Barbados or CTUSAB, (includes the BWU,
NUPW, BUT, and BSTU) [Leroy TROTMAN]; Barbados Workers Union or BWU
[Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMISSIONG];
National Union of Public Workers [Joseph GODDARD]
International organization participation:
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John BEALE
chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200
FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
consulate(s): Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mary M. OURISMAN
embassy: U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB
14006
mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown BB 11000; CMR 1014, APO
AA 34055
telephone: [1] (246) 227-4399
FAX: [1] (246) 431-0179
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with
the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the band
colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the
beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with
the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Economy ::Barbados
Economy - overview:
Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane
cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the
economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about
three-quarters of GDP and 80% of exports being attributed to
services. Growth has rebounded since 2003, bolstered by increases in
construction projects and tourism revenues, reflecting its success
in the higher-end segment, but the sector will likely face declining
revenues with the global economic downturn. The country enjoys one
of the highest per capita incomes in the region. Offshore finance
and information services are important foreign exchange earners and
thrive from having the same time zone as eastern US financial
centers and a relatively highly educated workforce. The government
continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct
foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned
enterprises. The public debt-to-GDP ratio of about 80% will likely
widen as the THOMPSON administration engages in a more expansionary
fiscal policy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.367 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
$5.329 billion (2007 est.)
$5.159 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.67 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
3.3% (2007 est.)
3.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$18,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$18,900 (2007 est.)
$18,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 16%
services: 78% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
175,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 15%
services: 75% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate:
10.7% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $847 million (including grants)
expenditures: $886 million (2000 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Central bank discount rate:
10% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 24
12% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.03% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
10.8% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.637 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
$1.478 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$3.701 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
$2.717 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.554 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 82
$3.533 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 85
$5.599 billion (31 December 2007)
$4.954 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, vegetables, cotton
Industries:
tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export
Industrial production growth rate:
-3.2% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - production:
1.003 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - consumption:
939.9 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
1,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Oil - consumption:
9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Oil - exports:
1,750 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Oil - imports:
10,390 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Oil - proved reserves:
2.17 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Natural gas - production:
29.17 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - consumption:
29.17 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - proved reserves:
141.6 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Current account balance:
-$254 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Exports:
$385 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 168
Exports - commodities:
manufactures, sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages,
chemicals, electrical components
Exports - partners:
Trinidad and Tobago 15.6%, Jamaica 13.9%, Brazil 9.9%, US 8.7%, UK
7.8%, Saint Lucia 7.3%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.5% (2008)
Imports:
$1.586 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 158
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials,
chemicals, fuel, electrical components
Imports - partners:
US 27.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 25.6%, Russia 7.1%, Colombia 6.4%,
Germany 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$620 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 135
$620 million (2007)
Debt - external:
$668 million (2003)
country comparison to the world: 159
Exchange rates:
Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2 (2006), 2
(2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003)
Communications ::Barbados
Telephones - main lines in use:
150,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 132
Telephones - mobile cellular:
406,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 160
Telephone system:
general assessment: fixed-line teledensity of roughly 50 per 100
persons; mobile-cellular telephone density approaching 150 per 100
persons
domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system
international: country code - 1-246; landing point for the East
Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other
islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin
Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat
-Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia
(2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus 2 cable channels) (2004)
Internet country code:
.bb
Internet hosts:
235 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 185
Internet users:
188,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 139
Transportation ::Barbados
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 212
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 1,600 km
country comparison to the world: 176
paved: 1,600 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 85
country comparison to the world: 53
by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 50, chemical tanker 7, passenger 1,
passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 6, roll
on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 80 (Canada 9, Greece 12, India 1, Iran 2, Lebanon 1,
Norway 38, Sweden 7, Syria 1, UK 9)
registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bridgetown
Military ::Barbados
Military branches:
Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command, Barbados Coast Guard
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger requires
parental consent); no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 75,265
females age 16-49: 75,389 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 58,596
females age 16-49: 58,866 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,015
female: 2,007 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Military - note:
the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based Troop Command
and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land element is to
defend the island against external aggression; the Command consists
of a single, part-time battalion with a small regular cadre that is
deployed throughout the island; it increasingly supports the police
in patrolling the coastline to prevent smuggling and other illicit
activities (2007)
Transnational Issues ::Barbados
Disputes - international:
Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent
Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and
limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive
economic zone; joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's
claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under
the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits
Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion
of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs:
one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for
Europe and the US; offshore financial center
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Belarus (Europe)
Introduction ::Belarus
Background:
After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus
attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political
and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet
republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union
on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic
integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the
accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his
election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Aleksandr
LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian
means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press,
peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place.
Geography ::Belarus
Location:
Eastern Europe, east of Poland
Geographic coordinates:
53 00 N, 28 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 207,600 sq km
country comparison to the world: 85
land: 202,900 sq km
water: 4,700 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
total: 3,306 km
border countries: Latvia 171 km, Lithuania 680 km, Poland 605 km,
Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between
continental and maritime
Terrain:
generally flat and contains much marshland
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m
highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m
Natural resources:
forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas,
granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay
Land use:
arable land: 26.77%
permanent crops: 0.6%
other: 72.63% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,310 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
58 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.79 cu km/yr (23%/47%/30%)
per capita: 286 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country
contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at
Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian
terrain and for its 11,000 lakes
People ::Belarus
Population:
9,648,533 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.3% (male 707,550/female 667,560)
15-64 years: 71.3% (male 3,337,253/female 3,540,916)
65 years and over: 14.5% (male 446,746/female 948,508) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.6 years
male: 35.6 years
female: 41.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.378% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 224
Birth rate:
9.71 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Death rate:
13.86 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Net migration rate:
0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Urbanization:
urban population: 73% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female
total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 177
male: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.63 years
country comparison to the world: 141
male: 64.95 years
female: 76.67 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.24 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
13,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Nationality:
noun: Belarusian(s)
adjective: Belarusian
Ethnic groups:
Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other
1.1% (1999 census)
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant,
Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)
Languages:
Belarusian, Russian, other
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.6%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.4% (1999 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
6.1% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 39
Government ::Belarus
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Belarus
conventional short form: Belarus
local long form: Respublika Byelarus'
local short form: Byelarus'
former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship
Capital:
name: Minsk
geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality*
(horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow, Minsk,
Vitsyebsk
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers
Independence:
25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date
Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date
of independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996
giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective
27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing
presidential term limits
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994)
head of government: Prime Minister Sergey SIDORSKIY (since 19
December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since
December 2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the
1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999,
however, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a
November 1996 referendum; subsequent election held 9 September 2001;
an October 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and
allowed the president to run in a third election, which was held on
19 March 2006; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed
by the president
election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent
of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 82.6%, Aleksandr MILINKEVICH 6%,
Aleksandr KOZULIN 2.3%; note - election marred by electoral fraud
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of
the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56
members elected by regional councils and eight members appointed by
the president, to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of
Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected
by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Palata Predstaviteley - last held 28 September and 3
October 2008 (next to be held fall of 2012); international observers
determined that despite minor improvements the election ultimately
fell short of democratic standards; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates won
every seat
election results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by
party - NA; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president);
Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president
and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives)
Political parties and leaders:
pro-government parties: Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY];
Communist Party of Belarus or KPB; Belarusian Patriotic Movement
(Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Nikolay ULAKHOVICH, chairman];
Liberal Democratic Party [Sergey GAYDUKEVICH]; Republican Party of
Labor and Justice [Viktor SOKOLOV]; Social-Sports Party [Vladimir
ALEXANDROVICH]
opposition parties: Belarusian Christian Democracy Party
(unregistered) [Pavel SEVERINETS]; Belarusian Party of Communists or
PKB [Sergey KALYAKIN]; Belarusian Party of Labor (unregistered)
[Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV, Leonid LEMESHONAK]; Belarusian Popular Front
or BPF [Levon BARSHCHEVSKIY]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Gramada
[Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH]; Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada
(People's Assembly) or BSDPH [Anatoliy LEVKOVICH]; European
Coalition [Nikolay STATKEVICH]; Green Party [Oleg GROMYKO]; Party of
Freedom and Progress (unregistered) [Vladimir NOVOSYAD]; United
Civic Party or UCP [Anatoliy LEBEDKO]; Women's Party Hope (Nadezhda)
[Valentina MATUSEVICH, chairperson]
other opposition includes: Christian Conservative BPF [Zyanon
PAZNIAK]; Ecological Party of Greens [Mikhail KARTASH]; Party of
Popular Accord [Sergey YERMAKK]; Republican Party [Vladimir BELAZOR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs [Sergey MATSKEVICH]; Belarusian
Congress of Democratic Trade Unions [Aleksandr YAROSHUK]; Belarusian
Helsinki Committee [Tatiana PROTKO]; Belarusian Organization of
Working Women [Irina ZHIKHAR]; BPF-Youth [Franak VYACHORKA]; Charter
97 [Andrey SANNIKOV]; For Freedom [Aleksandr MILINKEVICH]; Lenin
Communist Union of Youth (youth wing of the Belarusian Party of
Communists or PKB); National Strike Committee of Entrepreneurs
[Aleksandr VASILYEV, Valery LEVONEVSKY]; Partnership NGO [Nikolay
ASTREYKA]; Perspektiva kiosk watchdog NGO [Anatol SHUMCHENKO];
Vyasna [Ales BYALATSKY]; Women's Independent Democratic Movement
[Ludmila PETINA]; Young Belarus (Malady Belarus) [Artur FINKEVICH];
Youth Front (Malady Front) [Dmitriy DASHKEVICH]; Zubr youth group
[Vladimir KOBETS]
International organization participation:
BSEC (observer), CEI, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMSO, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Oleg
KRAVCHENKO
chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604
FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jonathan
MOORE
embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002
mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723
telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347 through 7348
FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853
Flag description:
red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the
width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side
bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red; the red band color
recalls past struggles from oppression, the green band represents
hope and the many forests of the country
Economy ::Belarus
Economy - overview:
Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President
LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism."
In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative
controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the
state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises.
Since 2005, the government has re-nationalized a number of private
companies. In addition, businesses have been subject to pressure by
central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in
regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application
of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen
and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has
helped those at the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is
among the lowest in the world. Because of these restrictive economic
policies, Belarus has had trouble attracting foreign investment.
Nevertheless, government statistics indicate GDP growth has been
strong in recent years, reaching 10% in 2008, despite the roadblocks
of a tough, centrally directed economy with a high rate of
inflation. Belarus receives discounted oil and natural gas from
Russia and much of Belarus' growth can be attributed to the
re-export of Russian oil at market prices. Trade with Russia - by
far its largest single trade partner - decreased in 2007-08, largely
as a result of a change in the way the Value Added Tax (VAT) on
trade was collected. Russia has introduced an export duty on oil
shipped to Belarus, which will increase gradually through 2009, and
a requirement that Belarusian duties on re-exported Russian oil be
shared with Russia - 80% was slated to go to Russia in 2008, and 85%
in 2009. Russia also increased Belarusian natural gas prices from
$47 per thousand cubic meters (tcm)in 2006 to $100 per tcm in 2007,
and to $128 per tcm in 2008, and plans to increase prices gradually
to world levels by 2011. Russia's recent policy of bringing energy
prices for Belarus to world market levels may result in a slowdown
in economic growth in Belarus over the next few years. Some policy
measures, including improving energy efficiency and diversifying
exports, have been introduced, but external borrowing has been the
main mechanism used to manage the growing pressures on the economy.
Belarus felt the effects of the global financial crisis in late 2008
and reached agreement with Russia in November for a $2 billion
stabilization loan and with the IMF for a $2.5 billion stand-by
agreement in January 2009. In line with IMF conditionality, Belarus
devalued the ruble approximately 20% in January 2009 and has
tightened some fiscal and monetary policies. Belarus's economic
growth is likely to slow in 2009 as it faces decreasing demand for
its exports, and will find it difficult to increase external
borrowing if the credit markets continue to tighten.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$114.3 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$103.9 billion (2007 est.)
$96.06 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$60.3 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
10% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
8.2% (2007 est.)
9.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$10,700 (2007 est.)
$9,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.5%
industry: 41.2%
services: 50.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.869 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 77
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 34.7%
services: 51.3% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.6% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 12
note: officially registered unemployed; large number of
underemployed workers
Population below poverty line:
27.1% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 22% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
27.9 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 122
21.7 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
31.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Budget:
revenues: $25.15 billion
expenditures: $25.97 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
14.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
8.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
12% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
10% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.55% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
8.58% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$4.872 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 55
$4.065 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$8.784 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 55
$6.823 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$18.42 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 60
$12.16 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk
Industries:
metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers,
motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles,
radios, refrigerators
Industrial production growth rate:
12% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Electricity - production:
29.92 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - consumption:
30.54 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - exports:
5.062 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
9.406 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
32,950 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Oil - consumption:
184,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Oil - exports:
303,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Oil - imports:
444,800 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Oil - proved reserves:
198 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - production:
152 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - consumption:
21.75 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 48
Natural gas - imports:
21.6 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Current account balance:
-$5.063 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
-$3.042 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$33.04 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
$24.33 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals,
textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Russia 32.2%, Netherlands 16.9%, Ukraine 8.5%, Latvia 6.6%, Poland
5.5%, UK 4.4% (2008)
Imports:
$39.16 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$28.4 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs,
metals
Imports - partners:
Russia 59.8%, Germany 7.1%, Ukraine 5.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.687 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$3.952 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$15.15 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
$12.49 billion (31 December 2007)
Exchange rates:
Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 2,130 (2008 est.), 2,145
(2007), 2,144.6 (2006), 2,150 (2005), 2,160.26 (2004)
Communications ::Belarus
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.718 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 41
Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.693 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
Telephone system:
general assessment: Belarus lags behind its neighbors in upgrading
telecommunications infrastructure; state-owned Beltelcom is the sole
provider of fixed-line local and long distance service; fixed-line
teledensity of roughly 35 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone
density of about 90 per 100 persons; modernization of the network
progressing with roughly two-thirds of switching equipment now
digital
domestic: fixed-line penetration is improving although rural areas
continue to be underserved; 3 GSM wireless networks are experiencing
rapid growth; strict government controls on telecommunications
technologies
international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the
Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line,
and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); 3 fiber-optic
segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and
Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this
infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat,
Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.by
Internet hosts:
113,115 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 70
Internet users:
3.107 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 57
Transportation ::Belarus
Airports:
65 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 75
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 35
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 22
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 30
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 5,250 km; oil 1,528 km; refined products 1,730 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 5,538 km
country comparison to the world: 32
broad gauge: 5,512 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified)
standard gauge: 25 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 94,797 km
country comparison to the world: 48
paved: 84,028 km
unpaved: 10,769 km (2005)
Waterways:
2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by
shallowness) (2003)
country comparison to the world: 36
Ports and terminals:
Mazyr
Military ::Belarus
Military branches:
Belarus Armed Forces: Land Force, Air and Air Defense Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript
service obligation - 18 months (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,491,643
females age 16-49: 2,528,779 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,720,049
females age 16-49: 2,069,898 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 60,009
female: 56,834 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Transnational Issues ::Belarus
Disputes - international:
Boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania in 2006; 1997 boundary
delimitation treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved
financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing border
security
Illicit drugs:
limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the
domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via
Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly
regulated financial center; anti-money-laundering legislation does
not meet international standards and was weakened further when
know-your-customer requirements were curtailed in 2008; few
investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Belgium (Europe)
Introduction ::Belgium
Background:
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was
occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country
prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically
advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions
between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the
French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to
constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition
and autonomy.
Geography ::Belgium
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the
Netherlands
Geographic coordinates:
50 50 N, 4 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 30,528 sq km
country comparison to the world: 140
land: 30,278 sq km
water: 250 sq km
Area - comparative:
about the size of Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,385 km
border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km,
Netherlands 450 km
Coastline:
66.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit
continental shelf: median line with neighbors
Climate:
temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Terrain:
flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged
mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: North Sea 0 m
highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Natural resources:
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
Land use:
arable land: 27.42%
permanent crops: 0.69%
other: 71.89%
note: includes Luxembourg (2005)
Irrigated land:
400 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
20.8 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 7.44 cu km/yr (13%/85%/1%)
per capita: 714 cu m/yr (1998)
Natural hazards:
flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal
land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Environment - current issues:
the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human
activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry,
extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water
pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries;
uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now
resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within
1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
People ::Belgium
Population:
10,414,336 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 857,373/female 822,303)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,480,072/female 3,419,721)
65 years and over: 17.6% (male 760,390/female 1,074,477) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.7 years
male: 40.4 years
female: 43 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.094% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Birth rate:
10.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Death rate:
10.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Net migration rate:
1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Urbanization:
urban population: 97% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 201
male: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.22 years
country comparison to the world: 33
male: 76.06 years
female: 82.53 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
15,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Nationality:
noun: Belgian(s)
adjective: Belgian
Ethnic groups:
Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
Languages:
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less
than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
6% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 40
Government ::Belgium
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium
conventional short form: Belgium
local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie
local short form: Belgique/Belgie
Government type:
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Brussels
geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten,
singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels
Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French
long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region
(Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form),
Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form),
Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known
as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form),
Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form)
note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered
devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of
government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a
complex division of responsibilities
Independence:
4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from
the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the
throne)
National holiday:
21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I
Constitution:
7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create
a federal state
Legal system:
based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional
theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent
Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Herman VAN ROMPUY (30 December
2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following
legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the
leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister
by the monarch and then approved by parliament
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat
in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular
vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and
a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch,
Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly
elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation
to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 June 2007
(next to be held no later than June 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA
19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit
10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, Groen! 3.6%, Dedecker List 3.4%, FN 2.3%,
other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV 12, MR 11, Open VLD 9, VB 8, PS 7,
SP.A 6, CDH 5, Ecolo 5, Groen! 2, LDD 1, FN 1, independents 4;
Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR
12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH
6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, Dedecker List 4%, Groen! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%;
seats by party - CDV 23, N-VA 7, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20,
SP.A 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, Dedecker List 5, Groen! 4, FN 1
note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered
devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of
government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a
complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six
governments, each with its own legislative assembly
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de
Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the
government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice
Council)
Political parties and leaders:
Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne
THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and
Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly
AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE
WEVER]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Geert LAMBERT]; note - prior to
19 April 2008, known as Spirit; Social Progressive Alternative or
SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB
[Bruno VALKENIERS]
Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX,
Isabelle DURANT]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle
MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform Movement or
MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other
minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of
Belgian Industries
other: numerous other associations representing bankers,
manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical
professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests
of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi
and groups representing immigrants
International organization participation:
ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members),
Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA,
EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen
Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN
chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900
FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Wayne BUSH
embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels
mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710
telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111
FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red;
the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are
those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red
claws and tongue on a black field)
Economy ::Belgium
Economy - overview:
This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its
central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and
diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated
mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural
resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw
materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its
economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly
three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt
is more than 80% of GDP. On the positive side, the government
succeeded in balancing its budget during the 2000-2008 period, and
income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating
the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth and foreign
direct investment dropped in 2008. In 2009 Belgium is likely to have
negative growth, growing unemployment, and a 3% budget deficit,
stemming from the worldwide banking crisis.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$390.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$386.3 billion (2007 est.)
$376.5 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$506.2 billion (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
2.6% (2007 est.)
3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$37,200 (2007 est.)
$36,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.8%
industry: 23.2%
services: 76.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.99 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 25%
services: 73% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
7.5% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
15.2% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28.4% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
28 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 120
28.7 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Budget:
revenues: $239.4 billion
expenditures: $245.7 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
89.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
96.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
1.8% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 100
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.03% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
NA (31 December 2008)
NA (31 December 2007)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro
area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for
the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual
members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi
money circulating within their own borders
Stock of quasi money:
NA (31 December 2008)
NA (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$767.1 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 14
$552 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 25
$386.4 billion (31 December 2007)
$396.2 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal,
pork, milk
Industries:
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly,
transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and
beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - production:
82.17 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - consumption:
84.88 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Electricity - exports:
6.561 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
17.16 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
11,220 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Oil - consumption:
716,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Oil - exports:
507,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Oil - imports:
1.076 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - consumption:
17.33 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 54
Natural gas - imports:
17.42 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Current account balance:
-$12.88 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
$7.751 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$371.5 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$323.4 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and
metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Germany 19.8%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 7.2%, US 4.8%,
Italy 4.7% (2008)
Imports:
$387.7 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$320.9 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds,
pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Imports - partners:
Netherlands 19.4%, Germany 17.2%, France 11%, UK 5.7%, US 5.6%,
China 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$15.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$16.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.354 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 11
$1.539 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$821 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$747.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$661.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
$593 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964
(2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Belgium
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.457 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.822 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 51
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and
completely automated domestic and international telephone and
telegraph facilities
domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable
network; limited microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 32; landing point for a number of
submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and
Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.be
Internet hosts:
4.367 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 17
Internet users:
7.292 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
Transportation ::Belgium
Airports:
43 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 99
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 27
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 15 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 1,330 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 3,233 km
country comparison to the world: 54
standard gauge: 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 152,256 km
country comparison to the world: 34
paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways)
unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)
Waterways:
2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 44
Merchant marine:
total: 79
country comparison to the world: 56
by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, container 6,
liquefied gas 20, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off
10
foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 4, France 2)
registered in other countries: 111 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 2, France 6,
Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 4, Luxembourg 7, Malta
15, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 2,
Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 8, Vanuatu 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge
Military ::Belgium
Military branches:
Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations
Command, Air Operations Command (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription
suspended (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,407,128
females age 16-49: 2,340,039 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,962,409
females age 16-49: 1,905,178 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 62,722
female: 59,969 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Transnational Issues ::Belgium
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for
US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American
cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin,
hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a
strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to
money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and
tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Belize (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Belize
Background:
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline
at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish
disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally
became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes
between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize
until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992
and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute.
Guatemala and Belize are gearing up for a simultaneous referendum to
determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of
Justice at The Hague. Tourism has become the mainstay of the
economy. Current concerns include an unsustainable foreign debt,
high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug
trade, growing urban crime, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS.
Geography ::Belize
Location:
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and
Mexico
Geographic coordinates:
17 15 N, 88 45 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 22,966 sq km
country comparison to the world: 151
land: 22,806 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 516 km
border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline:
386 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from
the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's
territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act,
1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for
negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with
Guatemala
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry
season (February to May)
Terrain:
flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m
Natural resources:
arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 3.05%
permanent crops: 1.39%
other: 95.56% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
18.6 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.15 cu km/yr (7%/73%/20%)
per capita: 556 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal
flooding (especially in south)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents,
agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
only country in Central America without a coastline on the North
Pacific Ocean
People ::Belize
Population:
307,899 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.9% (male 59,462/female 57,117)
15-64 years: 58.6% (male 91,298/female 89,170)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 5,185/female 5,667) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.4 years
male: 20.3 years
female: 20.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.154% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Birth rate:
27.33 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Death rate:
5.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 23.07 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 94
male: 26 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.2 years
country comparison to the world: 151
male: 66.44 years
female: 70.05 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.36 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Belizean(s)
adjective: Belizean
Ethnic groups:
mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
(2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican
5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%,
Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)
Languages:
Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9%
(official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown
0.2% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 76.9%
male: 76.7%
female: 77.1% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
5.3% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 55
Government ::Belize
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Belize
former: British Honduras
Government type:
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Belmopan
geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Independence:
21 September 1981 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution:
21 September 1981
Legal system:
English law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17
November 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8
February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February
2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister
recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats;
members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the
prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and
1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and
Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce
and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National
Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to
serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats;
members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 6 February 2008
(next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 56.3%, PUP 40.9%;
seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6
Judicial branch:
Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil
jurisdiction); Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the
governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of
Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of
Justice (CCJ)
Political parties and leaders:
National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party
or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil
MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [John BRICENO]; United
Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People
or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito
BAUTISTA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR
[Gustavo PERERA]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David
VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene
GOMEZ]
International organization participation:
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC,
LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ
chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636
FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires J.A. DIFFILY
embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District
mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize
telephone: [501] 822-4011
FAX: [501] 822-4012
Flag description:
blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges;
centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of
arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany
tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the
Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
Economy ::Belize
Economy - overview:
In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy, tourism is
the number one foreign exchange earner followed by exports of marine
products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The
government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in
September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in
1999-2007, though growth slipped to 3.8% in 2008 as a result of the
global slowdown, natural disasters, and the drop in the price of
oil. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered the economic growth.
Exploration efforts continue and a small increase in production is
expected in 2009. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade
deficit and unsustainable foreign debt equivalent to nearly 70% of
GDP. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its
public external commercial debt, which helped reduce interest
payments and relieve some of the country's liquidity concerns. A key
short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help
of international donors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.542 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
$2.468 billion (2007 est.)
$2.43 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.359 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
1.6% (2007 est.)
5.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$8,400 (2007 est.)
$8,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 29%
industry: 16.9%
services: 54.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
122,300
country comparison to the world: 173
note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
(2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 18.1%
services: 71.7% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
8.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 113
9.4% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
33.5% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
27.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Budget:
revenues: $347 million
expenditures: $386.5 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
2.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
12% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 26
12% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14.14% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 49
14.33% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$345.7 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
$323.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$653.8 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 105
$549 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$955 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 108
$877.6 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber;
garments
Industries:
garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil
Industrial production growth rate:
1.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Electricity - production:
213.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - consumption:
198.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
248.4 million kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
3,511 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Oil - consumption:
7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Oil - exports:
2,260 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - imports:
7,204 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Oil - proved reserves:
6.7 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Current account balance:
-$153.7 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
-$51.1 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$464.7 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
$425.6 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood,
crude oil
Exports - partners:
US 35.6%, UK 21.5%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3%, Italy 4.5%, Nigeria 4% (2008)
Imports:
$788.1 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
$642 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels,
chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Imports - partners:
US 37.4%, Mexico 12.9%, Cuba 7.7%, Guatemala 6.1%, Russia 5%, China
4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$166.2 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
$108.5 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$954.1 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
$1.2 billion (June 2005 est.)
Exchange rates:
Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2008), 2 (2007), 2 (2006),
2 (2005), 2 (2004)
Communications ::Belize
Telephones - main lines in use:
31,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 177
Telephones - mobile cellular:
160,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 175
Telephone system:
general assessment: above-average system; fixed-line teledensity of
10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density roughly 55 per
100 persons
domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay
international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas
Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic
telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and
Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth
station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
7 (2008)
Internet country code:
.bz
Internet hosts:
3,017 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 142
Internet users:
34,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 178
Transportation ::Belize
Airports:
44 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 96
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 40
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 27 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 3,007 km
country comparison to the world: 166
paved: 575 km
unpaved: 2,432 km (2006)
Waterways:
825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 71
Merchant marine:
total: 216
country comparison to the world: 33
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 32, cargo 152, chemical
tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated
cargo 12, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 178 (Australia 1, China 71, Croatia 2, Cyprus 1,
Estonia 6, Greece 1, Iceland 2, Italy 3, Japan 8, South Korea 1,
Latvia 12, Norway 3, Peru 1, Russia 31, Singapore 2, Spain 1, Turkey
15, Ukraine 7, UAE 5, UK 5) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Belize City, Big Creek
Military ::Belize
Military branches:
Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing, BDF Volunteer Guard
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for
conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has
never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available
positions by 3:1 (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 74,605
females age 16-49: 72,926 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 56,135
females age 16-49: 54,732 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 3,632
female: 3,500 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 112
Transnational Issues ::Belize
Disputes - international:
OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and
Confidence Building Measures saw cooperation in repatriation of
Guatemalan squatters and other areas, but Guatemalan land and
maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea remain unresolved;
the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in
lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting
in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region;
Honduras claims Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays in its
constitution but agreed to a joint ecological park under the
Differendum
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of
cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector
money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other
crimes (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Benin (Africa)
Introduction ::Benin
Background:
Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African
kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French
Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the
Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in
1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment
of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to
representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free
elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as
president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa
from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by
elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were
alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006
and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and
independent. YAYI has begun a high profile fight against corruption
and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.
Geography ::Benin
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and
Togo
Geographic coordinates:
9 30 N, 2 15 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 112,622 sq km
country comparison to the world: 101
land: 110,622 sq km
water: 2,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 1,989 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km,
Togo 644 km
Coastline:
121 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain:
mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Natural resources:
small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Land use:
arable land: 23.53%
permanent crops: 2.37%
other: 74.1% (2005)
Irrigated land:
120 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
25.8 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.13 cu km/yr (32%/23%/45%)
per capita: 15 cu m/yr (2001)
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to
March
Environment - current issues:
inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife
populations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural
harbors, river mouths, or islands
People ::Benin
Population:
8,791,832
country comparison to the world: 90
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45.2% (male 2,028,493/female 1,948,353)
15-64 years: 52.1% (male 2,275,662/female 2,308,945)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 94,569/female 135,810) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.2 years
male: 16.8 years
female: 17.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.977% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Birth rate:
39.22 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Death rate:
9.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Urbanization:
urban population: 41% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 64.64 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 34
male: 68.07 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 61.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59 years
country comparison to the world: 185
male: 57.83 years
female: 60.23 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.49 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
64,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,300 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)
adjective: Beninese
Ethnic groups:
Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related
12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and
related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%,
other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census)
Religions:
Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other
Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other
15.5% (2002 census)
Languages:
French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in
south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 34.7%
male: 47.9%
female: 23.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 9 years
female: 6 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
4.4% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 91
Government ::Benin
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Benin
conventional short form: Benin
local long form: Republique du Benin
local short form: Benin
former: Dahomey
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Porto-Novo (official capital)
geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Cotonou (seat of government)
Administrative divisions:
12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines,
Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Independence:
1 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
National Day, 1 August (1960)
Constitution:
adopted by referendum 2 December 1990
Legal system:
based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006
(next to be held in March 2011)
election results: Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of
vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats;
members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or
Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces
or AFP; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou
FAGBOHOUN]; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic
Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an
Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD
[Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare SEHOUETO]; Movement for
the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for
Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social
Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for the Relief or UPR
[Issa SALIFOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS
[Sacca LAFIA]
note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: economic groups; environmentalists; political groups;
teachers' unions and other educational groups
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,
MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional),
WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN
chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gayleatha B. BROWN
embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou
mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou
telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50
FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a
vertical green band on the hoist side
Economy ::Benin
Economy - overview:
The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on
subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade.
Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past seven
years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase.
Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to
raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign
investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the
development of new food processing systems and agricultural
products, and encourage new information and communication
technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by
reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system,
and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million
Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001
privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water,
electricity, and agriculture though the government annulled the
privatization of Benin's state cotton company in November 2007 after
the discovery of irregularities in the bidding process. The Paris
Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation,
with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July
2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An
insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's
economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to
increase domestic power production.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$12.86 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
$12.28 billion (2007 est.)
$11.75 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.712 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
4.5% (2007 est.)
3.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
$1,500 (2007 est.)
$1,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 33.2%
industry: 14.5%
services: 52.3% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
3.662 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
37.4% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 29% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.5 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 82
Investment (gross fixed):
19.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Budget:
revenues: $1.407 billion
expenditures: $1.291 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
1.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 114
4.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.324 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$627.2 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$520.6 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts,
cashews; livestock
Industries:
textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
3.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Electricity - production:
124 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - consumption:
597 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
588 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Oil - consumption:
21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Oil - exports:
8,770 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Oil - imports:
28,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Oil - proved reserves:
8 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Current account balance:
-$735 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
-$407 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.127 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$819 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood
Exports - partners:
China 15.6%, India 12%, Japan 8.5%, Niger 4.9%, US 4.6%, Nigeria
4.3% (2008)
Imports:
$1.843 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
$1.194 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
China 35.9%, US 13.2%, Thailand 6.5%, France 6.5%, Malaysia 6.2%,
India 4.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.261 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
$1.209 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.2 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 150
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81
(2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29
(2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in
countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Benin
Telephones - main lines in use:
159,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 131
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.435 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 100
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate; fixed-line network characterized by
aging, deteriorating equipment with fixed-line teledensity only
about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership
has been increasing rapidly
domestic: system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular
connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers
international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC
fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and
Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 34, shortwave 1 (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
6 (2007)
Internet country code:
.bj
Internet hosts:
1,155 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 157
Internet users:
160,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 141
Transportation ::Benin
Airports:
5 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 177
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Railways:
total: 578 km
country comparison to the world: 113
narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 16,000 km
country comparison to the world: 121
paved: 1,400 km
unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)
Waterways:
150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 102
Ports and terminals:
Cotonou
Military ::Benin
Military branches:
Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces
Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne
Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in
practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are
eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months
(2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,908,457
females age 16-49: 1,882,421 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,279,053
females age 16-49: 1,292,438 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 101,549
female: 97,856 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 96
Transnational Issues ::Benin
Disputes - international:
in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two
villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from 2005
ICJ decision; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with
Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen
villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival
cross-border gang clashes; talks continue between Benin and Togo on
funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 9,444 (Togo) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for
Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly
enforced financial regulations (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bermuda (North America)
Introduction ::Bermuda
Background:
Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists
headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American
winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be
important to the island's economy, although international business
has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a
highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum
on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the
present government has reopened debate on the issue.
Geography ::Bermuda
Location:
North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of
South Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates:
32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map references:
North America
Area:
total: 54 sq km
country comparison to the world: 231
land: 54 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
103 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain:
low hills separated by fertile depressions
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Natural resources:
limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
hurricanes (June to November)
Environment - current issues:
sustainable development
Geography - note:
consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall,
but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US
Government from 1941 to 1995
People ::Bermuda
Population:
67,837 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.3% (male 6,271/female 6,163)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,555/female 23,215)
65 years and over: 14.2% (male 3,979/female 5,654) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.3 years
male: 39.9 years
female: 42.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.647% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Birth rate:
11.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Death rate:
7.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Net migration rate:
2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.46 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 223
male: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.43 years
country comparison to the world: 17
male: 77.2 years
female: 83.72 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.297% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 91
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
163 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 161
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
392 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 100
Nationality:
noun: Bermudian(s)
adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic groups:
black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified
0.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%,
other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%,
none 14% (2000 census)
Languages:
English (official), Portuguese
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 177
Government ::Bermuda
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bermuda
former: Somers Islands
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
parliamentary; self-governing territory
Capital:
name: Hamilton
geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends
first Sunday in November
Administrative divisions:
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*,
Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's,
Southampton, Warwick
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution:
8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003
Legal system:
English law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December 2007)
head of government: Premier Ewart BROWN (since 30 October 2006);
Deputy Premier Paula COX
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed
premier by the governor
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members
appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the
House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve up to five-year terms)
elections: last general election held 18 December 2007 (next to be
held not later than 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%;
seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party
or UBP [Kim SWAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or
BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed
BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Consul General Gregory W. SLAYTON
consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3
mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate
General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place,
Washington, DC 20520-5300
telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342
FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233
Flag description:
red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion
holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea
Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
Economy ::Bermuda
Economy - overview:
Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world more
than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based
on providing financial services for international business and
luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies
relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and
again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 contributing to the
expansion of an already robust international business sector.
Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors
from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number
two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported.
Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction
continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003
had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the
land being arable.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.5 billion (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
4.6% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$69,900 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 10%
services: 89% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
38,360 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 193
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 19%, professional
and technical 21%, administrative and managerial 15%, sales 7%,
services 19% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.1% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Population below poverty line:
19% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $738 million
expenditures: $665 million (FY04/05)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (November 2005)
country comparison to the world: 32
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 92
$2.731 billion (31 December 2007)
$2.704 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey
Industries:
international business, tourism, light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
675.6 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - consumption:
628.3 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Oil - imports:
4,500 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 55
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Exports:
$763 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 157
Exports - commodities:
reexports of pharmaceuticals
Exports - partners:
Brazil 24.7%, US 16.2%, Germany 12.2%, South Africa 8.9% (2008)
Imports:
$1.162 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 169
Imports - commodities:
clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction
materials, chemicals, food and live animals
Imports - partners:
Italy 26.3%, US 18%, South Korea 17.3%, UK 8.3%, Singapore 5.3%,
France 5.1%, Norway 4.4% (2008)
Debt - external:
$160 million (FY99/00)
country comparison to the world: 184
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$15.01 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to
the US dollar)
Communications ::Bermuda
Telephones - main lines in use:
57,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 159
Telephones - mobile cellular:
79,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 188
Telephone system:
general assessment: good
domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic
trunk lines
international: country code - 1-441; landing point for the
Atlantica-1 telecommunications submarine cable that extends from the
US to Brazil; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (2005)
Internet country code:
.bm
Internet hosts:
15,548 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 107
Internet users:
51,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 169
Transportation ::Bermuda
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 235
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 447 km
country comparison to the world: 194
paved: 447 km
note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 137
country comparison to the world: 44
by type: bulk carrier 23, chemical tanker 3, container 22, liquefied
gas 33, passenger 24, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 18,
refrigerated cargo 9
foreign-owned: 115 (Australia 1, China 10, France 1, Germany 22,
Greece 9, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Nigeria 11,
Norway 5, Sweden 20, UK 3, US 23)
registered in other countries: 50 (Bahamas 12, Marshall Islands 4,
Philippines 34) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Hamilton, Saint George
Military ::Bermuda
Military branches:
Bermuda Regiment (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary or compulsory enlistment in the
Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18; term of service is
38 months (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 15,623 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 12,496
females age 16-49: 12,486 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 426
female: 413 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.11% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Bermuda
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bhutan (South Asia)
Introduction ::Bhutan
Background:
In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under
which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding
some border land to British India. Under British influence, a
monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed
whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal
affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs.
This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years
later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan
annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country
received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and
foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in
Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the
government's draft constitution - which would introduce major
democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for
its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his
son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience
as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007,
India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater
autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu
continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New
Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet
resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a
caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the
country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king
ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008.
Geography ::Bhutan
Location:
Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates:
27 30 N, 90 30 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 38,394 sq km
country comparison to the world: 136
land: 38,394 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one-half the size of Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,075 km
border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in
central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Terrain:
mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m
highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate
Land use:
arable land: 2.3%
permanent crops: 0.43%
other: 97.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
400 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
95 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%)
per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's
name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent
landslides during the rainy season
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls
several key Himalayan mountain passes
People ::Bhutan
Population:
691,141
country comparison to the world: 163
note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first
modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook
population estimates for this country, which were on the order of
three times the total population reported here, were based on
Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census
(July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.2% (male 106,410/female 102,164)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 235,988/female 208,484)
65 years and over: 5.5% (male 20,169/female 17,926) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.9 years
male: 24.5 years
female: 23.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.267% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Birth rate:
20.07 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Death rate:
7.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 35% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female
total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 49.36 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 52
male: 50.38 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 48.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.13 years
country comparison to the world: 161
male: 65.33 years
female: 66.97 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Bhutanese
Ethnic groups:
Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several
Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Religions:
Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Languages:
Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese
speak various Nepalese dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47%
male: 60%
female: 34% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
7% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 22
Government ::Bhutan
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan
local long form: Druk Gyalkhap
local short form: Druk Yul
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Thimphu
geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha,
Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro,
Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang,
Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
Independence:
1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)
National holiday:
National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17
December (1907)
Constitution:
ratified 18 July 2008
Legal system:
based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14
December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the
throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him;
the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and
his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an
astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new
King-who had limited experience-deeper administrative expertise
under the guidance of this father
head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the
monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed,
five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council
(Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch
elections: the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July
1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch
with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred
in March 2008; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the
prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council
(25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts
(dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the
King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by
direct, popular vote for five-year terms)
elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007
and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National
Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by
March 2013)
election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent
of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed
by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme
Court that will serve as chief court of appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT
[Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled)
other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading
militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community
International organization participation:
ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM,
OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular
jurisdiction in the US; address: 763 First Avenue, New York, NY
10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although
informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy
in New Delhi (India)
Flag description:
divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper
triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along
the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from
the hoist side
Economy ::Bhutan
Economy - overview:
The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is
based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood
for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of
subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate
the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure
difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's
through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's
financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically
backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most
development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian
migrant labor. Model education, social, and environment programs are
underway with support from multilateral development organizations.
Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to
protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For
example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist
sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious
tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as
industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper
foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted
Bhutan's overall growth, even though GDP fell in 2008 as a result of
a slowdown in India, its predominant export market. New hydropower
projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan's ability to create
employment and sustain growth in the coming years.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.533 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
$2.91 billion (2007 est.)
$2.738 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.389 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
21.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
6.3% (2007 est.)
6.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
$4,300 (2007 est.)
$4,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 22.3%
industry: 37.9%
services: 39.8% (2006)
Labor force:
NA
note: major shortage of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 63%
industry: 6%
services: 31% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.5% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 28
Population below poverty line:
31.7% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $272 million
expenditures: $350 million
note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of
Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005)
Public debt:
81.4% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 11
81.4% of GDP (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 54
14% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$381.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$220.3 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$169.9 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Industries:
cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages,
calcium carbide, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Electricity - production:
4.475 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Electricity - consumption:
528.8 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - exports:
3.644 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
11 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Oil - imports:
1,168 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Current account balance:
$116 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Exports:
$350 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 169
Exports - commodities:
electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts,
cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Exports - partners:
India 89%, Bangladesh 6.5%, Italy 1.2% (2008)
Imports:
$320 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 192
Imports - commodities:
fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles,
fabrics, rice
Imports - partners:
India 59.5%, Japan 13.4%, China 5.6% (2008)
Debt - external:
$713.3 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 158
Exchange rates:
ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101
(2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003)
note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee
Communications ::Bhutan
Telephones - main lines in use:
27,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 181
Telephones - mobile cellular:
251,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 170
Telephone system:
general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have
telecommunications services
domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially
in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003
international: country code - 975; international telephone and
telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2007)
Internet country code:
.bt
Internet hosts:
9,096 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 119
Internet users:
40,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 174
Transportation ::Bhutan
Airports:
2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 197
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 8,050 km
country comparison to the world: 140
paved: 4,991 km
unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)
Military ::Bhutan
Military branches:
Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police)
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 190,104
females age 16-49: 167,289 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 150,210
females age 16-49: 135,991 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 7,668
female: 7,379 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Transnational Issues ::Bhutan
Disputes - international:
Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists;
lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China
continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to
resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic
discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and
along the Chumbi salient
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bolivia (South America)
Introduction ::Bolivia
Background:
Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away
from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has
consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and countercoups.
Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have
faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and
illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected
Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the
widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule
in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's
traditional political class and empower the nation's poor,
indigenous majority. However, since taking office, his controversial
strategies have exacerbated racial and economic tensions between the
Amerindian populations of the Andean west and the non-indigenous
communities of the eastern lowlands.
Geography ::Bolivia
Location:
Central South America, southwest of Brazil
Geographic coordinates:
17 00 S, 65 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 1,098,581 sq km
country comparison to the world: 28
land: 1,083,301 sq km
water: 15,280 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 6,940 km
border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,423 km, Chile 860 km,
Paraguay 750 km, Peru 1,075 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Terrain:
rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills,
lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m
highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m
Natural resources:
tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron,
lead, gold, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 2.78%
permanent crops: 0.19%
other: 97.03% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,320 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
622.5 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.44 cu km/yr (13%/7%/81%)
per capita: 157 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
flooding in the northeast (March-April)
Environment - current issues:
the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international
demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil
erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including
slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity;
industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and
irrigation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life
Conservation
Geography - note:
landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest
navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
People ::Bolivia
Population:
9,775,246 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.5% (male 1,767,310/female 1,701,744)
15-64 years: 60% (male 2,877,605/female 2,992,043)
65 years and over: 4.5% (male 193,196/female 243,348) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.9 years
male: 21.3 years
female: 22.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.772% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Birth rate:
25.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Death rate:
7.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Net migration rate:
-1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Urbanization:
urban population: 66% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 44.66 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 58
male: 48.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 40.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.89 years
country comparison to the world: 156
male: 64.2 years
female: 69.72 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.17 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Bolivian(s)
adjective: Bolivian
Ethnic groups:
Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%,
Aymara 25%, white 15%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5%
Languages:
Spanish 60.7% (official), Quechua 21.2% (official), Aymara 14.6%
(official), foreign languages 2.4%, other 1.2% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 86.7%
male: 93.1%
female: 80.7% (2001 census)
Education expenditures:
6.4% of GDP (2003)
country comparison to the world: 32
Government ::Bolivia
Country name:
conventional long form: Plurinational State of Bolivia
conventional short form: Bolivia
local long form: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
local short form: Bolivia
Government type:
republic; note - the new constitution defines Bolivia as a "Social
Unitarian State"
Capital:
name: La Paz (administrative capital)
geographic coordinates: 16 30 S, 68 09 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Sucre (constitutional capital)
Administrative divisions:
9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni,
Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz,
Tarija
Independence:
6 August 1825 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
Constitution:
2 February 1967; revised in August 1994; voters approved a new
constitution on 25 January 2009
Legal system:
based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; the 2009 Constitution incorporates
indigenous community justice into Bolivia's judicial system
Suffrage:
18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of
age, universal and compulsory (single)
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January
2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006);
note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22
January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January
2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 18
December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009)
election results: Juan Evo MORALES Ayma elected president; percent
of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma 53.7%; Jorge Fernando QUIROGA
Ramirez 28.6%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana 7.8%; Michiaki NAGATANI
Morishit 6.5%; Felipe QUISPE Huanca 2.2%; Guildo ANGULA Cabrera 0.7%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber
of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are elected by
proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year
terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70
members are directly elected from their districts and 60 are elected
by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year
terms); note - under representational rules established by the 2009
Constitution, the National Congress will become the Plurinational
Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional; the
number of Deputies will remain at 130, but the number of Senators
will rise to 36
elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held
18 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats by party - PODEMOS 13, MAS 12, UN 1, MNR 1; Chamber of
Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 73,
PODEMOS 43, UN 8, MNR 6
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms
by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department);
provincial and local courts (to try minor cases); Constitutional
Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente
magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional
issues); National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress,
Supreme Court, the president, and the political party with the
highest vote in the last election for four-year terms); note - under
the 2009 Constitution, all Constitutional and Supreme Court judges
will be elected by popular vote
Political parties and leaders:
Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Movement Toward
Socialism or MAS [Juan Evo MORALES Ayma]; Movement Without Fear or
MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; National Revolutionary Movement or MNR
[Mirta QUEVEDO]; National Unity [Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana]; Poder
Democratico Nacional or PODEMOS [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez];
Social Alliance [Rene JOAQUINO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB
other: Cocalero groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions
International organization participation:
CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent),
ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINURCAT,
MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI,
UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Erika
Angela DUENAS Loayza
chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410
FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
note: as of September 2008, the US has expelled the Bolivian
ambassador to the US
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Krishna URS
embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz
mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032
telephone: [591] (2) 216-8000
FAX: [591] (2) 216-8111
note: as of September 2008, the Bolivian Government has expelled the
US Ambassador to Bolivia
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with
the coat of arms centered on the yellow band
note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black
five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; in 2009, a
presidential decree made it mandatory for a so-called wiphala - a
square, multi-colored flag representing the country's indigenous
peoples - to be used alongside the traditional flag
Economy ::Bolivia
Economy - overview:
Bolivia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin
America. Following a disastrous economic crisis during the early
1980s, reforms spurred private investment, stimulated economic
growth, and cut poverty rates in the 1990s. The period 2003-05 was
characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent
protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export
Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large northern
hemisphere markets. In 2005, the government passed a controversial
hydrocarbons law that imposed significantly higher royalties and
required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts
to surrender all production to the state energy company. In early
2008, higher earnings for mining and hydrocarbons exports pushed the
current account surplus to 9.4% of GDP and the government's higher
tax take produced a fiscal surplus after years of large deficits.
Private investment as a share of GDP, however, remains among the
lowest in Latin America, and inflation remained at double-digit
levels in 2008. The decline in commodity prices in late 2008, the
lack of foreign investment in the mining and hydrocarbon sectors,
and the suspension of trade benefits with the United States will
pose challenges for the Bolivian economy in 2009.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$43.38 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$40.88 billion (2007 est.)
$39.08 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$16.6 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
4.6% (2007 est.)
4.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
$4,300 (2007 est.)
$4,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.3%
industry: 36.9%
services: 51.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.454 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 17%
services: 43% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
7.5% (2007 est.)
note: data are for urban areas; widespread underemployment
Population below poverty line:
60% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.5%
highest 10%: 44.1% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
59.2 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 7
44.7 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
18% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Budget:
revenues: $8.039 billion
expenditures: $7.5 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
45.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
46.3% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
14% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
8.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
13% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 59
6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.87% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
12.86% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$3.998 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 59
$3.032 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$6.339 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 59
$4.729 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$5.433 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 81
$4.759 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 97
$2.263 billion (31 December 2007)
$2.223 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes;
timber
Industries:
mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco,
handicrafts, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:
10.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Electricity - production:
5.495 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Electricity - consumption:
4.665 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
51,360 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Oil - consumption:
60,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Oil - exports:
10,950 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Oil - imports:
6,172 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Oil - proved reserves:
465 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Natural gas - production:
14.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - consumption:
2.41 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - exports:
11.79 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 17
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - proved reserves:
750.4 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Current account balance:
$2.015 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$1.984 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$6.448 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
$4.49 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum, zinc ore,
tin
Exports - partners:
Brazil 60.1%, US 8.3%, Japan 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$4.641 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$3.24 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft parts,
prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans
Imports - partners:
Brazil 26.7%, Argentina 16.3%, US 10.5%, Chile 9.5%, Peru 7.1%,
China 4.8% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$7.722 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$5.318 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.931 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 102
$5.385 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$5.998 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 87
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar - 7.253 (2008 est.), 7.8616 (2007),
8.0159 (2006), 8.0661 (2005), 7.9363 (2004)
Communications ::Bolivia
Telephones - main lines in use:
690,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 90
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.83 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 89
Telephone system:
general assessment: privatization begun in 1995; reliability has
steadily improved; new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties;
most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities;
mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly; fixed-line
teledensity of 7 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density
slighly exceeds 50 per 100 persons
domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs
digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic
cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded
international: country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
48 (1997)
Internet country code:
.bo
Internet hosts:
105,031 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 71
Internet users:
1 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 87
Transportation ::Bolivia
Airports:
952 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 8
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 936
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 58
914 to 1,523 m: 186
under 914 m: 687 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 4,883 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,475 km; refined
products 1,589 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 3,504 km
country comparison to the world: 50
narrow gauge: 3,504 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 62,479 km
country comparison to the world: 71
paved: 3,749 km
unpaved: 58,730 km (2004)
Waterways:
10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 13
Merchant marine:
total: 23
country comparison to the world: 93
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1,
petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 7 (Bahamas 1, China 1, Iran 1, Singapore 1, Syria 2,
Taiwan 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Puerto Aguirre (inland port on the Paraguay/Parana waterway at the
Bolivia/Brazil border); Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime
ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay
Military ::Bolivia
Military branches:
Bolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito Boliviano, EB),
Bolivian Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB; includes marines),
Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-49 years of age for 12-month compulsory military service; when
annual number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory
recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as
14; 15-19 years of age for voluntary premilitary service, provides
exemption from further military service (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,295,746
females age 16-49: 2,366,828 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,666,697
females age 16-49: 1,906,396 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 108,304
female: 104,882 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 88
Transnational Issues ::Bolivia
Disputes - international:
Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the
Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile offers instead
unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile for
Bolivian natural gas and other commodities; an accord placed the
long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on
the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but
sovereignty remains in dispute
Illicit drugs:
world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru)
with an estimated 29,500 hectares under cultivation in 2007,
increased slightly when compared to 2006; third largest producer of
cocaine, estimated at 120 metric tons potential pure cocaine in
2007; transit country for Peruvian and Colombian cocaine destined
for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Europe; cultivation
generally increasing since 2000, despite eradication and alternative
crop programs; weak border controls; some money-laundering activity
related to narcotics trade; major cocaine consumption (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bosnia and Herzegovina (Europe)
Introduction ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Background:
Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991
was followed by a declaration of independence from the former
Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic
Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and
Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning
the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form
a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the
number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement
creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed
a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic
civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December
1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's
international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and
democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic,
and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government
comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led
Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were
charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the
High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the
implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96,
a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops
served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of
the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led
Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed
hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced
SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and
stability throughout the country. EUFOR's mission changed from
peacekeeping to civil policing in October 2007, with its presence
reduced from nearly 7,000 to less than 2,500 troops.
Geography ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia
Geographic coordinates:
44 00 N, 18 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 51,197 sq km
country comparison to the world: 128
land: 51,187 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,538 km
border countries: Croatia 932 km, Montenegro 249 km, Serbia 357 km
Coastline:
20 km
Maritime claims:
no data available
Climate:
hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short,
cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along
coast
Terrain:
mountains and valleys
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Maglic 2,386 m
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt,
manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 19.61%
permanent crops: 1.89%
other: 78.5% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
37.5 cu km (2003)
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of
urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of
infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is
divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the
territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about
49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous
to Croatia and Montenegro, and traditionally has been settled by an
ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the
east
People ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Population:
4,613,414 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.5% (male 344,760/female 323,303)
15-64 years: 70.7% (male 1,645,274/female 1,617,136)
65 years and over: 14.8% (male 279,781/female 403,160) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.8 years
male: 38.7 years
female: 41 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.339% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Birth rate:
8.85 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
Death rate:
8.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Net migration rate:
3.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Urbanization:
urban population: 47% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 155
male: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.5 years
country comparison to the world: 43
male: 74.92 years
female: 82.34 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.25 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
100 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Nationality:
noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)
adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian
Ethnic groups:
Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000)
note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid
confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam
Religions:
Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14%
Languages:
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.7%
male: 99%
female: 94.4% (2000 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina
local long form: none
local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina
former: People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Government type:
emerging federal democratic republic
Capital:
name: Sarajevo
geographic coordinates: 43 52 N, 18 25 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally
supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the
Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna
i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note -
Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative
unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district
remains under international supervision
Independence:
1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence completed
1 March 1992; independence declared 3 March 1992)
National holiday:
National Day, 25 November (1943)
Constitution:
the Dayton Peace Accords, signed 14 December 1995 in Paris, included
a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also
has its own constitution
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency Zeljko KOMSIC (chairman
since 6 July 2009; presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Croat);
other members of the three-member presidency rotating (every eight
months): Haris SILAJDZIC (presidency member since 1 October 2006 -
Bosniak); and Nebojsa RADMANOVIC (presidency member since 1 October
2006 - Serb)
head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola
SPIRIC (since 11 January 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman;
approved by the National House of Representatives
elections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one
Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term
(eligible for a second term, but then ineligible for four years);
the chairmanship rotates every eight months and resumes where it
left off following each national election; election last held 1
October 2006 (next to be held in 2010); the chairman of the Council
of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the
National House of Representatives
election results: percent of vote - Nebojsa RADMANOVIC with 53.3% of
the votes for the Serb seat; Zeljko KOMSIC with 39.6% of the votes
for the Croat seat; Haris SILAJDZIC with 62.8% of the votes for the
Bosniak seat
note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Borjana
KRISTO (since 21 February 2007); Vice Presidents Spomenka MICIC
(since NA 2007) and Mirsad KEBO (since NA 2007); President of the
Republika Srpska: Rajko KUSMANOVIC (since 28 December 2007)
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the House
of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats, 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb;
members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of
Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to
serve four-year terms); and the national House of Representatives or
Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats, 28 seats allocated for the Federation
of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats for the Republika Srpska;
members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional
representation, to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election
law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order
administrative division entity legislatures
elections: House of Peoples - last constituted in January 2003 (next
to be constituted in 2007); national House of Representatives -
elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: House of Peoples - percent of vote by
party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA; national House
of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats
by party/coalition - SDA 9, SBiH 8, SNSD 7, SDP 5, SDS 3, HDZ-BH 3,
HDZ1990 2, other 5
note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that
consists of a House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17
Serb, 7 other); last constituted December 2002; and a House of
Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be
held in October 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party/coalition - SDA 28, SBiH 24, SDP 17, HDZ-BH 8, HDZ1990 7,
other 14; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections
last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2010);
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SNSD 41,
SDS 17, PDP 8, DNS 4, SBiH 4, SPRS 3, SDA 3, other 3; as a result of
the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska
Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska
National Assembly including eight Croats, eight Bosniaks, eight
Serbs, and four members of the smaller communities
Judicial branch:
BH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are
selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives,
two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three
non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human
Rights); BH State Court (consists of nine judges and three divisions
- Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over
cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over
cases initiated in the entities); a War Crimes Chamber opened in
March 2005
note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a
number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the
Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska
has five municipal courts
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK];
Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Bosnian Patriotic Party of
BPS [Sefer HALILOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim
SPAHIC]; Croat Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina
or HKDU [Marin TOPIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zvonko
JURISIC]; Croat Peasants Party or HSS [Marko TADIC]; Croatian
Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BH [Dragan COVIC];
Croatian Democratic Union 1990 or HDZ1990 [Bozo LJUBIC]; Croatian
Peoples Union [Milenko BRKIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ
[Rifet DOLIC]; Democratic Party of DP [Dragan CAVIC]; Democratic
Peoples Alliance or DNS [Marko PAVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or
LDS [Rasim KADIC]; Nasa Stranka or NS [Bojan BAJIC]; New Croat
Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina
or SBiH [Haris SILAJDZIC]; Party for Democratic Action or SDA
[Sulejman TIHIC]; Party for Work and Progress or RzB [Mladen
IVANKOVIC-LIJANOVIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen
IVANIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Mladen BOSIC]; Serb Radical
Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Milanko MIHAJLICA]; Serb
Radical Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Radislav KANJERIC];
Social Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Social
Democratic Union or SDU [Sejfudin TOKIC]; Socialist Party of
Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: displaced persons associations; student councils; war veterans
International organization participation:
BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS (observer),
OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mitar KUJUNDZIC
chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500
FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles L. ENGLISH
embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [387] (33) 445-700
FAX: [387] (33) 659-722
branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar
Flag description:
a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow
isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the
remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed
white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse
of the triangle
Economy ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Economy - overview:
The interethnic warfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused production
to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With
an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high
percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in
2000-02. Part of the lag in output was made up in 2003-08 when GDP
growth exceeded 5% per year. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as
all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down; foreign
banks, primarily from Western Europe, now control most of the
banking sector. The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark or BAM)-
the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged to the euro,
and confidence in the currency and the banking sector has increased.
Bosnia's private sector is growing and foreign investment is slowly
increasing, but government spending, at nearly 40% of adjusted GDP,
remains high because of redundant government offices at the state,
entity and municipal level. Implementing privatization, however, has
been slow, particularly in the Federation where political division
between ethnically-based political parties makes agreement on
economic policy more difficult. A sizeable current account deficit
and high unemployment rate remain the two most serious macroeconomic
problems. Successful implementation of a value-added tax in 2006
provided a predictable source of revenue for the government and
helped rein in gray market activity. National-level statistics have
also improved over time but a large share of economic activity
remains unofficial and unrecorded. Bosnia and Herzegovina became a
full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement in
September 2007. Bosnia's economy has been largely sheltered from the
global financial downtown although key economic indicators have
worsened. Key exporters in the metal, automobile and wood processing
industries have reported a worsening performance and have announced
layoffs and output reductions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$29.77 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$28.22 billion (2007 est.)
$26.62 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
Bosnia has a large informal sector that may be as much as 50% of
official GDP
GDP (official exchange rate):
$18.47 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
6% (2007 est.)
6.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
$6,200 (2007 est.)
$5,900 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 23.9%
services: 66% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
1.863 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 122
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 19.8%
industry: 32.6%
services: 47.6% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
29% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
45.5% (31 December 2004 est.)
note: official rate; gray economy may reduce actual unemployment to
25-30%
Population below poverty line:
25% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 27.4% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
56.2 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 11
Budget:
revenues: $8.516 billion
expenditures: $8.867 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
40% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
34% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
1.6% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.98% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 120
7.17% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$4.49 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 57
$5.13 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.614 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
$5.597 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$10.26 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 70
$8.895 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock
Industries:
steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle
assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and
aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining
Industrial production growth rate:
11.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Electricity - production:
11.32 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity - consumption:
8.488 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity - exports:
4.344 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.743 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Oil - consumption:
29,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - exports:
191.8 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Oil - imports:
25,990 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - consumption:
310 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - imports:
310 million cu m
country comparison to the world: 63
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Current account balance:
-$2.764 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
-$1.931 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$5.194 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$4.243 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
metals, clothing, wood products
Exports - partners:
Croatia 20.7%, Slovenia 16.7%, Italy 16.7%, Germany 13%, Austria
10.3%, Hungary 4.8% (2008)
Imports:
$12.29 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$9.947 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Croatia 24.6%, Slovenia 12.7%, Germany 12.3%, Italy 10.5%, Hungary
6.6%, Turkey 6.5%, Austria 6.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.516 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$4.525 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.388 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$6.734 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar - 1.3083 (2008 est.),
1.4419 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5727 (2005), 1.5752 (2004)
note: the convertible mark is pegged to the euro
Communications ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.031 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.179 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 106
Telephone system:
general assessment: post-war reconstruction of the
telecommunications network, aided by a internationally sponsored
program under ERBD, resulted in sharp increases in the number of
main telephone lines available; mobile cellular subscribership has
been increasing rapidly
domestic: fixed-line teledensity roughly 22 per 100 persons;
mobile-cellular telephone density has reached 70 per 100 persons
international: country code - 387; no satellite earth stations (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995)
Internet country code:
.ba
Internet hosts:
69,370 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 79
Internet users:
1.308 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 81
Transportation ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Airports:
25 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 132
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 10 (2009)
Heliports:
5 (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,000 km
country comparison to the world: 88
standard gauge: 1,000 km 1.435-m gauge (590 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 21,846 km
country comparison to the world: 107
paved: 11,425 km (4,714 km of interurban roads)
unpaved: 10,421 km (2006)
Waterways:
Sava River (northern border) open to shipping but use limited (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all
inland waterway ports on the Sava River), Orasje
Military ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Military branches:
Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces (OSBiH): Army of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Air and Air Defense Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina
(Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzracna Obrana, ZPO) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription
abolished January 2006; 4-month service obligation (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,212,007
females age 16-49: 1,170,645 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 991,953
females age 16-49: 959,226 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,368
female: 25,644 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Transnational Issues ::Bosnia and Herzegovina
Disputes - international:
sections along the Drina River remain in dispute between Bosnia and
Herzegovina and Serbia; discussions continue with Croatia on several
small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access
that hinder final ratification of the 1999 border agreement
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 7,269 (Croatia)
IDPs: 131,600 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced in
1992-95 war) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
increasingly a transit point for heroin being trafficked to Western
Europe; minor transit point for marijuana; remains highly vulnerable
to money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and
unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of
corruption
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Botswana (Africa)
Introduction ::Botswana
Background:
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted
its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of
uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and
significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic
economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining,
dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due
to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature
preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of
HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and
comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
Geography ::Botswana
Location:
Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
22 00 S, 24 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 581,730 sq km
country comparison to the world: 47
land: 566,730 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 4,013 km
border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe
813 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Terrain:
predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in
southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
Natural resources:
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore,
silver
Land use:
arable land: 0.65%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 99.34% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
14.7 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%)
per capita: 107 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west,
carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure
visibility
Environment - current issues:
overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
People ::Botswana
Population:
1,990,876
country comparison to the world: 146
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.8% (male 352,399/female 340,058)
15-64 years: 61.4% (male 613,714/female 608,003)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 31,155/female 45,547) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.7 years
male: 21.5 years
female: 21.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.937% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Birth rate:
22.89 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Death rate:
8.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Net migration rate:
5 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 21
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa
and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 60% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.59 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 141
male: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.85 years
country comparison to the world: 178
male: 61.72 years
female: 61.99 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.6 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
23.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
300,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Ethnic groups:
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including
Kgalagadi and white 7%
Religions:
Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6%
(2001 census)
Languages:
Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1%
(official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 81.2%
male: 80.4%
female: 81.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
8.7% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 10
Government ::Botswana
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
local long form: Republic of Botswana
local short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Gaborone
geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*,
Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast,
Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern
Independence:
30 September 1966 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)
Constitution:
March 1965; effective 30 September 1966
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review
limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April
2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April
2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004
(next to be held on 9 October 2009); vice president appointed by the
president
election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - 52%: note - MOGAE stepped down on 1 April
2008 and designated KHAMA to serve out the remainder of his term
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely
advisory 15-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the
chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving
5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members
selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63
seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are
appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and
Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve
five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly elections last held 16 October 2009
(next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%,
BCP 19.2%, 2.3%, other 4.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4,
BAM 1, other 1
Judicial branch:
High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each
district)
Political parties and leaders:
Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO];
Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Gilson SALESHANDO]; Botswana
Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; Botswana National Front
or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard
BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New
Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD]
note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the
BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the
United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence
Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union
[D. K. KWELE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba
Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga
elites)
other: diamond mining companies
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS,
UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA
chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN
embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone: [267] 395-3982
FAX: [267] 395-6947
Flag description:
light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center
Economy ::Botswana
Economy - overview:
Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth
rates since independence in 1966, though growth fell below 5% in
2007-08. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana
has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the
world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $13,300 in
2008. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit
risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and
currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of
export earnings. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming,
and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the
government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty.
Unemployment officially was 23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates
place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second
highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic
gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production
overshadows long-term prospects.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$27.11 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$26.35 billion (2007 est.)
$25.23 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$13.46 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
4.4% (2007 est.)
5.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$13,800 (2007 est.)
$13,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.6%
industry: 52.6% (including 36% mining)
services: 45.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
685,300 formal sector employees (2007)
country comparison to the world: 146
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
7.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Population below poverty line:
30.3% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
63 (1993)
country comparison to the world: 4
Investment (gross fixed):
23.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Budget:
revenues: $4.326 billion
expenditures: $4.808 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
5.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
8.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
7.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
15% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 17
14.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.54% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
16.22% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.008 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 87
$1.026 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$4.183 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
$4.336 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$3.556 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 82
$5.887 billion (31 December 2007)
$3.947 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts
Industries:
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock
processing; textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
-2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Electricity - production:
1.052 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - consumption:
2.648 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.181 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Oil - imports:
15,180 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 46
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Current account balance:
$750.3 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$2.434 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$4.707 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$5.158 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles
Imports:
$4.486 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
$3.447 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment,
textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products,
metal and metal products
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$9.119 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$9.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$409 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
$408 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.7907 (2008 est.), 6.2035 (2007),
5.8447 (2006), 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004)
Communications ::Botswana
Telephones - main lines in use:
142,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 135
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.486 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 133
Telephone system:
general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of
mobile-cellular service and participation in regional development;
system is fully digital with fiber-optic cables linking the major
population centers in the east; fixed-line connections declined in
recent years and now stand at roughly 8 per 100 persons;
mobile-cellular telephone density currently is about 80 per 100
persons
domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay
links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations;
mobile-cellular service is growing fast
international: country code - 267; international calls are made via
satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international
exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Indian Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (1 state-owned, 1 private)
Internet country code:
.bw
Internet hosts:
7,341 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 128
Internet users:
120,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 146
Transportation ::Botswana
Airports:
77 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 71
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 68
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 54
under 914 m: 10 (2009)
Railways:
total: 888 km
country comparison to the world: 97
narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 25,798 km
country comparison to the world: 103
paved: 8,410 km
unpaved: 17,388 km (2005)
Military ::Botswana
Military branches:
Botswana Defense Force: Ground Forces (includes Air Arm) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official
qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 487,853
females age 16-49: 464,278 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 341,190
females age 16-49: 315,588 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 23,420
female: 22,904 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 42
Transnational Issues ::Botswana
Disputes - international:
Botswana still struggles to seal its border from thousands of
Zimbabweans who flee economic collapse and political persecution;
Namibia has long supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections
to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the
Zambezi River at Kazungula crossing, thereby de facto recognizing
the short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bouvet Island (Antarctica)
Introduction ::Bouvet Island
Background:
This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by
glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by
a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was
made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK
waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island
the previous year. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the
adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run
an automated meteorological station on the island.
Geography ::Bouvet Island
Location:
island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good
Hope (South Africa)
Geographic coordinates:
54 26 S, 3 24 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 49 sq km
country comparison to the world: 232
land: 49 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
29.6 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 4 nm
Climate:
antarctic
Terrain:
volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (93% ice) (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway
People ::Bouvet Island
Population:
uninhabited
Government ::Bouvet Island
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island
Dependency status:
territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the
Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police
Legal system:
the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of Norway is used
Economy ::Bouvet Island
Economy - overview:
no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Communications ::Bouvet Island
Internet country code:
.bv
Internet hosts:
0 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 230
Communications - note:
automatic meteorological station
Transportation ::Bouvet Island
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Bouvet Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Norway
Transnational Issues ::Bouvet Island
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Brazil (South America)
Introduction ::Brazil
Background:
Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil
peacefully gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a
monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in
1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military
in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the
country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930.
By far the largest and most populous country in South America,
Brazil underwent more than half a century of populist and military
government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded
power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and
agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast
natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South
America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly
unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems.
Geography ::Brazil
Location:
Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 S, 55 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 8,514,877 sq km
country comparison to the world: 5
land: 8,459,417 sq km
water: 55,460 sq km
note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas,
Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao
Paulo
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than the US
Land boundaries:
total: 16,885 km
border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia
1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km,
Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km
Coastline:
7,491 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin
Climate:
mostly tropical, but temperate in south
Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills,
mountains, and narrow coastal belt
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum,
tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Land use:
arable land: 6.93%
permanent crops: 0.89%
other: 92.18% (2005)
Irrigated land:
29,200 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
8,233 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%)
per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
Environment - current issues:
deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a
multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there
is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in
Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land
degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining
activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with
every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
People ::Brazil
Population:
198,739,269
country comparison to the world: 5
note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a
population of 169,872,855; that figure was about 3.8% lower than
projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied
underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244)
15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725)
65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.6 years
male: 27.8 years
female: 29.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.199% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Birth rate:
18.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Death rate:
6.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Net migration rate:
-0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Urbanization:
urban population: 86% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 22.58 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 97
male: 26.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.99 years
country comparison to the world: 121
male: 68.43 years
female: 75.73 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
730,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
15,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Nationality:
noun: Brazilian(s)
adjective: Brazilian
Ethnic groups:
white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%,
other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7%
(2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%,
Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000
census)
Languages:
Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less
common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German,
Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian
languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.6%
male: 88.4%
female: 88.8% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 105
Government ::Brazil
Country name:
conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil
conventional short form: Brazil
local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil
local short form: Brasil
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Brasilia
geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends
third Sunday in February
note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the
Fernando de Noronha Islands
Administrative divisions:
26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district*
(distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara,
Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso,
Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco,
Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul,
Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins
Independence:
7 September 1822 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 September (1822)
Constitution:
5 October 1988
Legal system:
based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory
over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not
vote
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January
2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1
January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1
October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October
2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010)
election results: Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (PT) reelected president
- 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the
Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each
state and federal district elected according to the principle of
majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected
every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara
dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional
representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third
of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the
Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be
held in October 2010)
election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1,
PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of
vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB
65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13,
PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the
entire legislature is as follows: Federal Senate - seats by party -
PMDB 21, DEM (formerly PFL) 12, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 7, PDT 5, PR 4,
PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PRB 1, PP 1, PSC 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies -
seats by party - PMDB 95, PT 79, PSDB 59, DEM (formerly PFL) 53, PR
44, PP 40, PSB 29, PDT 25, PTB 19, PPS 14, PV 14, PCdoB 13, PSC 11,
PMN 5, PRB 4, PHS 3, PSOL 3, PTC 1, PTdoB 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life
by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of
Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life);
note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal
employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70
Political parties and leaders:
Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy Michel
TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Roberto JEFFERSON]; Brazilian
Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz]; Brazilian
Republican Party or PRB [Vitor Paulo Araujo DOS SANTOS]; Brazilian
Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Sergio GUERRA]; Brazilian
Socialist Party or PSB [Governor Eduardo Henrique Accioly CAMPOS];
Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO]; Communist Party of
Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT
[Carlos Roberto LUPI]; the Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front
Party or PFL) [Federal Deputy Rodrigo MAIA]; Freedom and Socialism
Party or PSOL [Heloisa HELENA]; Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz de
Franca PENNA]; Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Paulo Roberto
MATOS]; Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira
RESENDE]; Liberal Front Party or PFL (now known as the Democrats or
DEM); National Mobilization Party or PMN [Oscar Noronha FILHO];
Party of the Republic or PR [Sergio TAMER]; Popular Socialist Party
or PPS [Federal Deputy Fernando CORUJA]; Progressive Party or PP
[Francisco DORNELLES]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge
Abdala NOSSEIS]; Workers' Party or PT [Ricardo Jose Ribeiro BERZOINI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Landless Workers' Movement or MST
other: labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations;
religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the
Catholic Church
International organization participation:
AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15,
G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO,
MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA
(observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union
Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar PATRIOTA
chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 238-2805
FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL
embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal
Cep 70403-900, Brasilia
mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030
telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000
FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136
consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo
consulate(s): Recife
Flag description:
green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue
celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state
and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night
sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the
motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
Economy ::Brazil
Economy - overview:
Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining,
manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that
of all other South American countries and Brazil is expanding its
presence in world markets. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record
trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses
since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices
contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt
profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated
and domestically held instruments. LULA da Silva restated his
commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's
primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second
inauguration in October of that year, LULA da Silva announced a
package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase
investment in infrastructure. Brazil's debt achieved investment
grade status early in 2008, but the government's attempt to achieve
strong growth while reducing the debt burden created inflationary
pressures. For most of 2008, the Central Bank embarked on a
restrictive monetary policy to stem these pressures. Since the onset
of the global financial crisis in September, Brazil's currency and
its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for
Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. Brazil incurred
another current account deficit in 2008, as world demand and prices
for commodities dropped in the second-half of the year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.998 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
$1.901 trillion (2007 est.)
$1.798 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.573 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
5.7% (2007 est.)
4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$10,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$9,800 (2007 est.)
$9,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.7%
industry: 28%
services: 65.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
93.65 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 14%
services: 66% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
9.3% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
31% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 43% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
56.7 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 10
60.7 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
19% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Budget:
revenues: NA
expenditures: NA
Public debt:
38.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
52% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
3.6% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
20.48% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 9
17.85% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
47.25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 4
43.72% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$95.03 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 12
$131.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$724.5 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
$792.8 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.249 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 11
$1.377 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$589.4 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 12
$1.37 trillion (31 December 2007)
$711.1 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef
Industries:
textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel,
aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
Industrial production growth rate:
4.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Electricity - production:
438.8 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - consumption:
404.3 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Electricity - exports:
2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
42.06 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.422 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Oil - consumption:
2.52 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Oil - exports:
570,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Oil - imports:
632,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Oil - proved reserves:
12.62 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Natural gas - production:
12.62 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - consumption:
23.65 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - imports:
11.03 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - proved reserves:
365 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Current account balance:
-$28.19 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
$1.551 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$197.9 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$160.6 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos
Exports - partners:
US 14.4%, China 12.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.5%
(2008)
Imports:
$173.1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$120.6 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products,
oil, automotive parts, electronics
Imports - partners:
US 14.9%, China 11.6%, Argentina 7.9%, Germany 7% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$193.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
$180.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$262.9 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
$240.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$294 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$248.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$127.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$107.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
reals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.8644 (2008 est.), 1.85 (2007 est.),
2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004)
Communications ::Brazil
Telephones - main lines in use:
41.141 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
Telephones - mobile cellular:
150.641 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
Telephone system:
general assessment: good working system; fixed-line connections have
remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per
100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major
driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of
the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching 80
per 100 persons
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic
satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has
more than tripled in the past 5 years
international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of
submarine cables, including Atlantis 2, that provide direct links to
South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and
Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1
Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay
system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM
stations) (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
138 (1997)
Internet country code:
.br
Internet hosts:
15.929 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 5
Internet users:
64.948 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
Transportation ::Brazil
Airports:
4,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 2
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 721
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 27
1,524 to 2,437 m: 171
914 to 1,523 m: 460
under 914 m: 56 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 3,279
1,524 to 2,437 m: 87
914 to 1,523 m: 1,547
under 914 m: 1,645 (2009)
Heliports:
13 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,892 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil
4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 28,857 km
country comparison to the world: 10
broad gauge: 5,709 km 1.600-m gauge (459 km electrified)
standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge
narrow gauge: 22,954 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 1,751,868 km
country comparison to the world: 4
paved: 96,353 km
unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)
Waterways:
50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 3
Merchant marine:
total: 136
country comparison to the world: 45
by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 22, carrier 1, chemical tanker 7,
container 11, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker
45, roll on/roll off 7
foreign-owned: 25 (Chile 1, Denmark 2, Germany 6, Greece 1, Mexico
1, Norway 5, Spain 9)
registered in other countries: 8 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 2, Ghana 1,
Liberia 3, Marshall Islands 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Guaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao,
Tubarao
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and
offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean as a significant risk for
piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels
have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway;
crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen
Military ::Brazil
Military branches:
Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do
Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de
Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira,
FAB) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript
service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for
voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are
"long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve
in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army
became the first army in South America to accept women into career
ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve
Corps (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 52,449,957
females age 16-49: 52,375,921 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 38,043,555
females age 16-49: 44,267,520 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,690,031
female: 1,630,851 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Transnational Issues ::Brazil
Disputes - international:
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is
locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics
trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations;
uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the
confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a
tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipu Dam reservoir covers over a once
contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls
on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla
Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore,
under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in
dispute
Illicit drugs:
second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of
cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region,
used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale
eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment
country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for
Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air
transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related
violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian,
Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often
laundered through the financial system; significant illicit
financial activity in the Tri-Border Area (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@British Indian Ocean Territory (South Asia)
Introduction ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Background:
Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of
Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established
as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands
of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it
attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only
of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The
largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a
joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are
uninhabited. Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers,
earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to
Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and
1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British
Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as
Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of
lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation
and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British
court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the
2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from
the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego
Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in
the UK, ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the
lower court rulings and finding no right of return on the part of
the Chagossians.
Geography ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Location:
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about halfway
between Africa and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E
Map references:
Political Map of the World
Area:
total: 54,400 sq km
country comparison to the world: 127
land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km
water: 54,340 sq km
note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands
Area - comparative:
land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
698 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
Natural resources:
coconuts, fish, sugarcane
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost
island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island
is site of joint US-UK military facility
People ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in
the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois,
were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and
1970s; in November 2004, approximately 4,000 UK and US military
personnel and civilian contractors were living on the island of
Diego Garcia
Government ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Country name:
conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form: none
abbreviation: BIOT
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner,
resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London
Legal system:
the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Commissioner Colin ROBERTS (since July 2008);
Administrator Joanne YEADON (since December 2007); note - both
reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding
British Forces on Diego Garcia
cabinet: NA
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and
administrator appointed by the monarch
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is
in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm
tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag
Economy ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Economy - overview:
All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego
Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located.
Construction projects and various services needed to support the
military installation are performed by military and contract
employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There
are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. The
territory earns foreign exchange by selling fishing licenses and
postage stamps.
Electricity - production:
NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Telephones - main lines in use:
NA
Telephone system:
general assessment: separate facilities for military and public
needs are available
domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including
connection to the Internet
international: country code (Diego Garcia) - 246; international
telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
.io
Internet hosts:
160 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 194
Transportation ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 225
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
note: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego
Garcia
Ports and terminals:
Diego Garcia
Military ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Royal Overseas Police Officers (ROPOs)
(2008)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego
Garcia expires in 2016
Transnational Issues ::British Indian Ocean Territory
Disputes - international:
Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in
2001, the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in
1967 and 1973 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK
citizenship and the right to repatriation; in May 2007, the UK Court
of Appeals upheld the May 2006 High Court of London judgment
reversing the UK government's 2004 Orders of Council that banned
habitation on the islands; a small group of Chagossians visited
Diego Garcia in April 2006; repatriation is complicated by the
exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to
the largest viable island in the chain
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@British Virgin Islands (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::British Virgin Islands
Background:
First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin
Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the
English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the
Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967.
The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US
Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.
Geography ::British Virgin Islands
Location:
Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,
east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
18 30 N, 64 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 151 sq km
country comparison to the world: 219
land: 151 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited
islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda,
Jost van Dyke
Area - comparative:
about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 6.67%
other: 73.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal
streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply
comes from wells and rainwater catchments)
Geography - note:
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
People ::British Virgin Islands
Population:
24,491 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.8% (male 2,454/female 2,387)
15-64 years: 74.4% (male 9,346/female 8,881)
65 years and over: 5.8% (male 734/female 689) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 32.3 years
male: 32.4 years
female: 32.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.837% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Birth rate:
14.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Death rate:
4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Net migration rate:
8.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Urbanization:
urban population: 40% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 14.65 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 129
male: 16.61 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.26 years
country comparison to the world: 58
male: 76.03 years
female: 78.55 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: British Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups:
black 83.4%, white 7%, other 9.6% (includes Indian and mixed) (2004
Census)
Religions:
Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other
15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991)
Languages:
English (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 15 years
female: 19 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 123
Government ::British Virgin Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: British Virgin Islands
abbreviation: BVI
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Road Town
geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Territory Day, 1 July (1956)
Constitution:
13 June 2007
Legal system:
English law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006)
head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of
the House of Assembly
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed
premier by the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex
officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by
direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts,
4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%,
independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of
Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a
resident of the islands and presides over the High Court);
Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders:
Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National
Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory
MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
The Family Support Network; The Women's Desk
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO
(associate), UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a
vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin
word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Economy ::British Virgin Islands
Economy - overview:
The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean,
is highly dependent on tourism generating an estimated 45% of the
national income. An estimated 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US,
visited the islands in 2005. In the mid-1980s, the government began
offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate
in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial
revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by
yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late
1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated
statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the
British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international
business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural
activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic
food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US
Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as
its currency since 1959.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$853.4 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
GDP (official exchange rate):
$839.7 million (2003)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$38,500 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.8%
industry: 6.2%
services: 92% (1996 est.)
Labor force:
12,770 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 206
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.6%
industry: 40%
services: 59.4% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
3.6% (1997)
country comparison to the world: 43
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $204.7 million
expenditures: $180.4 million (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 17
Agriculture - products:
fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Industries:
tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore
financial center
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
45 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Electricity - consumption:
41.85 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - imports:
691.4 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Current account balance:
$134.3 million (1999)
country comparison to the world: 55
Exports:
$25.3 million (2002)
country comparison to the world: 202
$25.3 million (2002)
Exports - commodities:
rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand
Imports:
$187 million f.o.b.
Imports - commodities:
building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
Debt - external:
$36.1 million (1997)
country comparison to the world: 194
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::British Virgin Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
18,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 196
Telephones - mobile cellular:
23,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 204
Telephone system:
general assessment: worldwide telephone service
domestic: fixed line connections exceed 75 per 100 persons and
mobile cellular subscribership is approaching 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable
to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable
provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean
(2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997)
Internet country code:
.vg
Internet hosts:
581 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 169
Internet users:
4,000 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 206
Transportation ::British Virgin Islands
Airports:
4 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 185
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 200 km
country comparison to the world: 206
paved: 200 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 153
Ports and terminals:
Road Town
Military ::British Virgin Islands
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,101 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,979
females age 16-49: 5,738 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 178
female: 173 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::British Virgin Islands
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US
and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to
money laundering
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Brunei (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Brunei
Background:
The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th
centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest
Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a
period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal
succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In
1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was
achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six
centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas
fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia.
Geography ::Brunei
Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Geographic coordinates:
4 30 N, 114 40 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 5,765 sq km
country comparison to the world: 172
land: 5,265 sq km
water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 381 km
border countries: Malaysia 381 km
Coastline:
161 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain:
flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land: 2.08%
permanent crops: 0.87%
other: 97.05% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
8.5 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.09
per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994)
Natural hazards:
typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Environment - current issues:
seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and
Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost
an enclave within Malaysia
People ::Brunei
Population:
388,190 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.6% (male 53,282/female 50,141)
15-64 years: 70.1% (male 135,640/female 136,292)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 6,199/female 6,636) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 27.8 years
male: 27.7 years
female: 27.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.759% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Birth rate:
18.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Death rate:
3.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Net migration rate:
2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Urbanization:
urban population: 75% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 144
male: 14.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.74 years
country comparison to the world: 74
male: 73.52 years
female: 78.07 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.91 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Nationality:
noun: Bruneian(s)
adjective: Bruneian
Ethnic groups:
Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.)
Religions:
Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes
indigenous beliefs) 10%
Languages:
Malay (official), English, Chinese
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.7%
male: 95.2%
female: 90.2% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2000)
country comparison to the world: 59
Government ::Brunei
Country name:
conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form: Brunei
local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam
local short form: Brunei
Government type:
constitutional sultanate
Capital:
name: Bandar Seri Begawan
geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait,
Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Independence:
1 January 1984 (from the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date
of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of
independence from British protection
Constitution:
29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of
Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1
January 1984)
Legal system:
based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Sharia law
supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age for village elections; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah
(since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of
state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah
(since 5 October 1967)
cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by
the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a
Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on
religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the
monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of
Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the
succession to the throne if the need arises
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:
The Sultan appointed a council with 29 members as of 2 September
2005; the council has met in March of each year since then
elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)
note: The Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first
time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed
constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15
elected members
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for
three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is
final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with
Islamic laws (2006)
Political parties and leaders:
National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi]
note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin
Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin
Haji Ahmad] were deregistered; parties are small and have limited
activity
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent),
ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela SHIM
chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838
FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William E. TODD
embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri
Begawan, BS8811
mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar
Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam
telephone: [673] 222-0384
FAX: [673] 222-5293
Flag description:
yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width)
and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in
red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a
swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned
crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Economy ::Brunei
Economy - overview:
Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of
foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation,
welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas
production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of
exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and
substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from
domestic production. The government provides for all medical
services and free education through the university level and
subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that
steadily increased integration into the world economy will undermine
internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the
labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and
tourist sectors, increasing agricultural production, and, in
general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$19.58 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
$19.96 billion (2007 est.)
$19.92 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$14.55 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-1.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
0.2% (2007 est.)
4.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$51,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
$53,300 (2007 est.)
$54,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 75%
services: 25% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
188,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 4.5%
industry: 63.1%
services: 32.4% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 44
4% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $6.889 billion
expenditures: $4 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 139
5.5% (February 2009)
Stock of money:
$3.046 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
$2.674 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$4.551 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
$4.258 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.274 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 104
$2.38 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats,
eggs
Industries:
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction
Industrial production growth rate:
1.8% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Electricity - production:
3.091 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - consumption:
2.926 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
157,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Oil - exports:
207,500 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Oil - imports:
237.6 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Oil - proved reserves:
1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - production:
13.4 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - consumption:
4.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - exports:
9.2 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 22
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas - proved reserves:
390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Current account balance:
$7.101 billion (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Exports:
$8.25 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 93
$6.767 billion (2006)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, natural gas, garments
Exports - partners:
Japan 40.8%, Indonesia 21.6%, South Korea 15.4%, Australia 10% (2008)
Imports:
$2.055 billion (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
$2 billion (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,
chemicals
Imports - partners:
Singapore 36.5%, Malaysia 19%, Japan 7.7%, China 5.5%, Thailand 5%,
US 4.7%, UK 4.7% (2008)
Debt - external:
$0 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 202
Exchange rates:
Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006),
1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003)
Communications ::Brunei
Telephones - main lines in use:
76,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 151
Telephones - mobile cellular:
376,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 162
Telephone system:
general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent;
international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East,
Western Europe, and the US
domestic: every service available
international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3
optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to
Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway
submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will
provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0
(British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM
signals with English and Nepali service) (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (includes 2 UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service)
(2006)
Internet country code:
.bn
Internet hosts:
14,978 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 108
Internet users:
217,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 133
Transportation ::Brunei
Airports:
2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 210
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
3 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 3,650 km
country comparison to the world: 159
paved: 2,819 km
unpaved: 831 km (2005)
Waterways:
209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 97
Merchant marine:
total: 8
country comparison to the world: 119
by type: liquefied gas 8
foreign-owned: 1 (UK 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Lumut, Muara, Seria
Military ::Brunei
Military branches:
Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF): Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal
Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei)
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays
are ineligible to serve (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 108,356
females age 16-49: 110,153 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 92,543
females age 16-49: 95,301 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 3,460
female: 3,399 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 24
Transnational Issues ::Brunei
Disputes - international:
Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their
offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon
exploration, and renounce any territorial claims on land; Brunei
established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa
Reef in the southern Spratly Islands in 1984, but makes no public
territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002 "Declaration on
the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in
the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of
conduct" desired by several of the disputants
Illicit drugs:
drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are
serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Bulgaria (Europe)
Introduction ::Bulgaria
Background:
The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local
Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first
Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with
the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the
end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman
Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of
Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having
fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within
the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in
1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its
first multiparty election since World War II and began the
contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a
market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption,
and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.
Geography ::Bulgaria
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and
Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
43 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 110,879 sq km
country comparison to the world: 104
land: 108,489 sq km
water: 2,390 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total: 1,808 km
border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km,
Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km
Coastline:
354 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain:
mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Musala 2,925 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 29.94%
permanent crops: 1.9%
other: 68.16% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,880 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
19.4 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 6.92 cu km/yr (3%/78%/19%)
per capita: 895 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes; landslides
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw
sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from
air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy
metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes
from Europe to Middle East and Asia
People ::Bulgaria
Population:
7,204,687 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.8% (male 509,544/female 484,816)
15-64 years: 68.5% (male 2,426,060/female 2,508,772)
65 years and over: 17.7% (male 518,711/female 756,784) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.4 years
male: 39.2 years
female: 43.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.79% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 231
Birth rate:
9.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Death rate:
14.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Net migration rate:
-3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Urbanization:
urban population: 71% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 17.87 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 115
male: 21.28 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.09 years
country comparison to the world: 111
male: 69.48 years
female: 76.91 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
346 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
100 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Nationality:
noun: Bulgarian(s)
adjective: Bulgarian
Ethnic groups:
Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including
Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census)
Religions:
Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other
4% (2001 census)
Languages:
Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8%
(2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.2%
male: 98.7%
female: 97.7% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 90
Government ::Bulgaria
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria
conventional short form: Bulgaria
local long form: Republika Balgariya
local short form: Balgariya
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Sofia
geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas,
Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana,
Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen,
Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora,
Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol
Independence:
3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman
Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman
Empire)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)
Constitution:
adopted 12 July 1991
Legal system:
civil and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002);
Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 27 July
2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Simeon DJANKOV and Tsvetan TSVETANOV
(since 27 July 2009);
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
elected by the National Assembly
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
election last held 22 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in 2011);
chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the
National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime
minister and elected by the National Assembly
election results: Georgi PARVANOV reelected president; percent of
vote - Georgi PARVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%; Sergei STANISHEV
elected prime minister, result of legislative vote - 168 to 67
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 5 July 2009 (next to be held mid-2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - GERB 39.7%, BSP 17.7%,
MRF 14.4%, ATAKA 9.4%, Blue Coalition 6.8%, RZS 4.1%, other 7.9%;
seats by party - GERB 116, BSP 40, MRF 38, ATAKA 21, Blue Coalition
15, RZS 10
Judicial branch:
independent judiciary comprised of judges, prosecutors and
investigating magistrates who are appointed, promoted, demoted, and
dismissed by a 25-member Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the
chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22
members, half of whom are elected by the National Assembly and the
other half by the bodies of the judiciary for a 5-year term in
office); three levels of case review; 182 courts of which two
Supreme Courts act as the last instance on civil and criminal cases
(the Supreme Court of Cassation) and appeals of government decisions
(the Supreme Administrative Court)
Political parties and leaders:
ATAKA (Attack Coalition) (coalition of parties headed by the Attack
National Union); Attack National Union [Volen SIDEROV]; Agrarian
National Union or ANU [Stefan LICHEV]; Blue Coalition (a coalition
of center-right parties dominated by UDF and DSB); Bulgarian New
Democracy [Borislav RALCHEV]; Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP
[Sergei STANISHEV]; Citizens for the European Development of
Bulgaria or GERB [Tsvetan TSVETANOV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB
(coalition of parties dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV];
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Gergyovden
[Petar STOYANOVICH]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization
or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Liberal Initiative for Democratic
European Development or LIDER [Khristo KOVACHKI]; Movement for
Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; Movement Forward (LIDER,
IMRO, ANU, Gergyovden); National Movement for Stability and Progress
or NDSV [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA] (formerly National Movement
Simeon II or NMS2); New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Order, Law, Justice
or RZS [Yane YANEV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Martin
DIMITROV]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI];
United Agrarians [Anastasia MOZER]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB;
Podkrepa Labor Confederation
other: numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with
various agendas
International organization participation:
ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,
EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,
NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU
(associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Latchezar PETKOV
chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174
FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy McELDOWNEY
embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407
mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State,
5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740
telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100
FAX: [359] (2) 937-5320
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red
note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white
stripe, has been removed
Economy ::Bulgaria
Economy - overview:
Bulgaria, a former Communist country that entered the EU on 1
January 2007, has experienced strong growth since a major economic
downturn in 1996. Successive governments have demonstrated a
commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but
have failed so far to rein in rising inflation and large current
account deficits. Bulgaria has averaged more than 6% growth since
2004, attracting significant amounts of foreign direct investment,
but corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and
the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$93.98 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$88.66 billion (2007 est.)
$83.48 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$49.9 billion (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
6.2% (2007 est.)
6.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$12,100 (2007 est.)
$11,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.3%
industry: 30.5%
services: 62.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.67 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 7.5%
industry: 35.5%
services: 57% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
7.7% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
14.1% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 25.5% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.7 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 109
26.4 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
33.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Budget:
revenues: $22.24 billion
expenditures: $20.74 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
14.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
41.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
9.8% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
5.77% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 111
4.58% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.86% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 85
10% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$14.29 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 40
$15.58 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$19.67 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 42
$17.03 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$32.04 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
$25.18 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$8.858 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
$21.79 billion (31 December 2007)
$10.32 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar
beets; livestock
Industries:
electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and
equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum,
nuclear fuel
Industrial production growth rate:
1.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Electricity - production:
40.25 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - consumption:
31.08 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity - exports:
8.441 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.097 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
3,357 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Oil - consumption:
124,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Oil - exports:
76,570 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Oil - imports:
189,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Oil - proved reserves:
15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Natural gas - production:
300 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Natural gas - consumption:
3.4 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 198
Natural gas - imports:
3.1 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Current account balance:
-$12.65 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
-$8.716 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$22.71 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$18.58 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels
Exports - partners:
Greece 9.9%, Germany 9.2%, Turkey 8.9%, Italy 8.5%, Romania 7.2%,
Belgium 5.9%, France 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$35.64 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$28.65 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics;
fuels, minerals, and raw materials
Imports - partners:
Russia 14.6%, Germany 11.8%, Italy 7.9%, Ukraine 7.3%, Romania 5.6%,
Turkey 5.5%, Greece 5.4%, Austria 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$17.93 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$17.54 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$51.46 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$42.62 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$42.91 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$33.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.292 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$559 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.3171 (2008 est.), 1.4366 (2007), 1.5576
(2006), 1.5741 (2005), 1.5751 (2004)
Communications ::Bulgaria
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.258 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 55
Telephones - mobile cellular:
10.633 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 59
Telephone system:
general assessment: an extensive but antiquated telecommunications
network inherited from the Soviet era; quality has improved; the
Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated
in 2005 when alternative fixed-line operators were given access to
its network; a drop in fixed-line connections in recent years has
been more than offset by a sharp increase in mobile-cellular
telephone use fostered by multiple service providers; the number of
cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population
domestic: a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects
switching centers in most of the regions; the others are connected
by digital microwave radio relay
international: country code - 359; submarine cable provides
connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable
and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania,
and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the
Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean
regions) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
.bg
Internet hosts:
706,648 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 45
Internet users:
2.647 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
Transportation ::Bulgaria
Airports:
212 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 29
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 132
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
under 914 m: 97 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 80
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 73 (2009)
Heliports:
3 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,926 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 4,294 km
country comparison to the world: 38
standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 40,231 km
country comparison to the world: 89
paved: 39,587 km (includes 331 km of expressways)
unpaved: 644 km (2005)
Waterways:
470 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
Merchant marine:
total: 74
country comparison to the world: 59
by type: bulk carrier 37, cargo 14, chemical tanker 5, container 6,
liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll
off 4, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 65 (Germany 63, Ireland 1, Russia 1)
registered in other countries: 31 (Comoros 2, Malta 5, Panama 3,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15, Slovakia 6) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Burgas, Varna
Military ::Bulgaria
Military branches:
Bulgarian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air
Forces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; as of May 2006,
67% of the Bulgarian Army comprised of professional soldiers;
conscription ended January 2008; Air Forces and Naval Forces became
fully professional at the end of 2006 (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,701,979
females age 16-49: 1,691,092 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,351,312
females age 16-49: 1,381,017 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 38,263
female: 36,374 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Transnational Issues ::Bulgaria
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and,
to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market;
limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money
laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money
laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions
(2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Burkina Faso (Africa)
Introduction ::Burkina Faso
Background:
Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from
France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s
were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current
President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and
has won every election since then. Burkina Faso's high population
density and limited natural resources result in poor economic
prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote
d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several
hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment
in neighboring countries. In January 2008, Burkina Faso assumed a
nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term.
Geography ::Burkina Faso
Location:
Western Africa, north of Ghana
Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 274,200 sq km
country comparison to the world: 74
land: 273,800 sq km
water: 400 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 3,193 km
border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km,
Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain:
mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and
southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m
highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
Natural resources:
manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates,
pumice, salt
Land use:
arable land: 17.66%
permanent crops: 0.22%
other: 82.12% (2005)
Irrigated land:
250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
17.5 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.8 cu km/yr (13%/1%/86%)
per capita: 60 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
recurring droughts
Environment - current issues:
recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural
activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing;
soil degradation; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black,
Red, and White Voltas
People ::Burkina Faso
Population:
15,746,232
country comparison to the world: 61
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.2% (male 3,646,661/female 3,621,648)
15-64 years: 51.3% (male 4,025,917/female 4,054,865)
65 years and over: 2.5% (male 156,895/female 240,246) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.8 years
male: 16.6 years
female: 17 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.103% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Birth rate:
44.33 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Death rate:
13.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 20% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 84.49 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 15
male: 92.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 76.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.95 years
country comparison to the world: 199
male: 51.04 years
female: 54.91 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.28 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
130,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
9,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)
adjective: Burkinabe
Ethnic groups:
Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo,
Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani)
Religions:
Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman
Catholic) 10%
Languages:
French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic
family spoken by 90% of the population
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 21.8%
male: 29.4%
female: 15.2% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 5 years
male: 5 years
female: 4 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 98
Government ::Burkina Faso
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Burkina Faso
local long form: none
local short form: Burkina Faso
former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Ouagadougou
geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou,
Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo,
Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga,
Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala,
Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga,
Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro,
Zondoma, Zoundweogo
Independence:
5 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 11 December (1958)
Constitution:
approved by referendum 2 June 1991; formally adopted 11 June 1991;
last amended January 2002
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)
head of government: Prime Minister Tertius ZONGO (since 4 June 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 13 November 2005
(next to be held in 2010); in April 2000, the constitution was
amended reducing the presidential term from seven to five years,
enforceable as of 2005; prime minister appointed by the president
with the consent of the legislature
election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of
popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.3%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA
4.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly election last held 6 May 2007 (next to
be held in May 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
CDP 73, ADF-RDA 14, UPR 5, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, UPS 2, PDP-PS 2, RDB
2, PDS 2, PAREN 1, PAI 1, RPC 1, UDPS 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders:
African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or
ADF-RDA [Gilbert OUEDRAOGO]; Citizen's Popular Rally or RPC [Antoine
QUARE]; Coalition of Democratic Forces of Burkina or CFD-B [Amadou
Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch
Marc-Christian KABORE]; Democratic and Popular Rally or RDP [Nana
THIBAUT]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou
Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Soumane
TOURE]; Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS
[Ali LANKOANDE]; Party for Democracy and Socialism or PDS [Felix
SOUBEIGA]; Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Jeanne TRAORE];
Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Antoine KARGOUGOU];
Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Ram OUEDRAGO];
Republican Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS; Union for
Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Fidele HIEN]; Union for
Rebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende STANISLAS]; Union
for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]; Union of
Sankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON];
Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE];
Group of 14 February [Benewende STANISLAS]; National Confederation
of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB [Laurent OUEDRAOGO]; National
Organization of Free Unions or ONSL [Paul KABORE]
other: watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in
both organizations and communities
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,
MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNITAR, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Paramanga Ernest YONLI
chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577
FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Samuel C.
LAEUCHLI
embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4
mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US
Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC
20521-2440
telephone: [226] 50-30-67-23
FAX: [226] 50-30-38-90
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow
five-pointed star in the center
note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy ::Burkina Faso
Economy - overview:
One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso
has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of
the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is
vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop and the
government has joined with three other cotton producing countries in
the region - Mali, Niger, and Chad - to lobby in the World Trade
Organization for fewer subsidies to producers in other competing
countries. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has embarked upon a gradual but
successful privatization of state-owned enterprises. Having revised
its investment code in 2004, Burkina Faso hopes to attract foreign
investors. Thanks to this new code and other legislation favoring
the mining sector, the country has seen an upswing in gold
exploration and production. While the bitter internal crisis in
neighboring Cote d'Ivoire is beginning to be resolved, it is still
having a negative effect on Burkina Faso's trade and employment.
Burkina Faso received a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
threshold grant to improve girls' education at the primary school
level, and signed an MCC compact that focuses on the areas of
infrastructure, agriculture, and land reform in July 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$17.96 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
$17.11 billion (2007 est.)
$16.5 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.116 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
3.7% (2007 est.)
5.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
$1,200 (2007 est.)
$1,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 29.1%
industry: 19.9%
services: 51% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
6.668 million
country comparison to the world: 64
note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to
neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 90%
industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
77% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 197
Population below poverty line:
46.4% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 32.2% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39.5 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 64
48.2 (1994)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Budget:
revenues: $1.409 billion
expenditures: $1.786 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
-0.2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 117
4.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.051 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$663 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$905.1 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice;
livestock
Industries:
cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes,
textiles, gold
Industrial production growth rate:
4.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - production:
611.6 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - consumption:
568.8 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Oil - consumption:
9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Oil - imports:
8,283 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Current account balance:
-$931 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
-$564 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$544 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
$618 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton, livestock, gold
Exports - partners:
Singapore 17%, Belgium 12.9%, China 11.3%, Thailand 9.1%, Ghana 7%,
Niger 5.2%, Denmark 4.9% (2008)
Imports:
$1.343 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
$1.221 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum
Imports - partners:
Cote d'Ivoire 26.7%, France 18.4%, Togo 7.4%, Libya 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$926.3 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
$1.029 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.665 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$1.33 billion (2007)
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81
(2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29
(2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in
countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Burkina Faso
Telephones - main lines in use:
144,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 133
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.553 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 114
Telephone system:
general assessment: services only fair; in 2006 the government sold
a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately
plans to retain only a 23 percent stake in the company; fixed-line
connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular
usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a
low base
domestic: microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone
communication stations
international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 26, shortwave 3 (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (1 national, 2 private)
Internet country code:
.bf
Internet hosts:
1,951 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 150
Internet users:
140,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 143
Transportation ::Burkina Faso
Airports:
26 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 127
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 24
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Railways:
total: 622 km
country comparison to the world: 109
narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge
note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire
(2008)
Roadways:
total: 92,495 km
country comparison to the world: 51
paved: 3,857 km
unpaved: 88,638 km (2004)
Military ::Burkina Faso
Military branches:
Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso,
FABF), National Gendarmerie (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in
supporting roles (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,364,288 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,197,557
females age 16-49: 2,191,978 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 182,540
female: 180,051 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 129
Transnational Issues ::Burkina Faso
Disputes - international:
in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two
villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from a 2005
ICJ decision; in recent years citizens and rogue security forces rob
and harass local populations on both sides of the poorly defined
Burkina Faso-Niger border; despite the presence of more than 9,000
UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict
continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send
their migrant workers to work in Ivorian cocoa plantations
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Burma (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Burma
Background:
Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and
incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a
province of India until 1937 when it became a separate,
self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was
attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to
1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and
later as political kingpin. In September 1988, the military deposed
NE WIN and established a new ruling junta. Despite multiparty
legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition
party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a
landslide victory, the junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader
and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under
house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in
May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest. After the
ruling junta in August 2007 unexpectedly increased fuel prices, tens
of thousands of Burmese marched in protest, led by prodemocracy
activists and Buddhist monks. In late September 2007, the government
brutally suppressed the protests, killing at least 13 people and
arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations. Since
then, the regime has continued to raid homes and monasteries and
arrest persons suspected of participating in the pro-democracy
protests. The junta appointed Labor Minister AUNG KYI in October
2007 as liaison to AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who remains under house arrest
and virtually incommunicado with her party and supporters. Burma in
early May 2008 was struck by Cyclone Nargis which official estimates
claimed left over 80,000 dead and 50,000 injured. Despite this
tragedy, the junta proceeded with its May constitutional referendum,
the first vote in Burma since 1990, setting the stage for the 2010
parliamentary elections.
Geography ::Burma
Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal,
between Bangladesh and Thailand
Geographic coordinates:
22 00 N, 98 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 676,578 sq km
country comparison to the world: 40
land: 653,508 sq km
water: 23,070 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,876 km
border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km,
Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km
Coastline:
1,930 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest
monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild
temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon,
December to April)
Terrain:
central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m
highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead,
coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 14.92%
permanent crops: 1.31%
other: 83.77% (2005)
Irrigated land:
18,700 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,045.6 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 33.23 cu km/yr (1%/1%/98%)
per capita: 658 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common
during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water;
inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes
People ::Burma
Population:
48,137,741
country comparison to the world: 26
note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of
excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life
expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.3% (male 6,193,263/female 5,990,658)
15-64 years: 69.3% (male 16,510,648/female 16,828,462)
65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,121,412/female 1,493,298) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.2 years
male: 27.7 years
female: 28.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.783% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Birth rate:
16.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Death rate:
9.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 33% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 47.61 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 53
male: 53.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 41.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.39 years
country comparison to the world: 172
male: 61.17 years
female: 65.74 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.89 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
240,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
25,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Burmese (singular and plural)
adjective: Burmese
Ethnic groups:
Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%,
Mon 2%, other 5%
Religions:
Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim
4%, animist 1%, other 2%
Languages:
Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89.9%
male: 93.9%
female: 86.4% (2006 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 8 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2001)
country comparison to the world: 178
Government ::Burma
Country name:
conventional long form: Union of Burma
conventional short form: Burma
local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the
US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of
Myanmar)
local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw
former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma
note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the
name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision
was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US
Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the
Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw
Government type:
military junta
Capital:
name: Rangoon (Yangon)
geographic coordinates: 16 48 N, 96 09 E
time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Nay Pyi Taw is administrative capital
Administrative divisions:
7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states* (pyi
ne-myar, singular - pyi ne)
divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi,
Yangon
states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan
Independence:
4 January 1948 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)
Constitution:
3 January 1974; suspended since 18 September 1988; a new
constitution was approved on 10 May 2008; note - new constitution
will take effect when a new parliament is convened following
elections scheduled for 2010
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister, Lt. Gen THEIN SEIN (since 24
October 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet is overseen by SPDC; military junta assumed power
18 September 1988 under name State Law and Order Restoration Council
(SLORC)
elections: none
Legislative branch:
a unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw consisting of 485
seats with members elected by popular vote was elected in 1990 but
was never seated; according to the terms of the constitution
approved on 10 May 2008, a bicameral Pyidaungsu Hluttaw consisting
of an upper house with a maximum of 224 seats and a lower house with
a maximum of 440 seats will be selected in elections in 2010
elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by
junta to convene (junta has announced plans to hold elections in
2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government),
other 60
Judicial branch:
remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is
no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not
independent of the executive
Political parties and leaders:
National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, AUNG SAN SUU KYI];
National Unity Party or NUP (pro-regime) [TUN YE]; Shan
Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [HKUN HTUN OO]; and
numerous other smaller parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC (based in Thailand); Federation
of Trade Unions-Burma or FTUB (exile trade union and labor
advocates); National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or
NCGUB (self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr.
SEIN WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the
People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and
joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel government in
exile); Kachin Independence Organization or KIO; Karen National
Union or KNU; Karenni National People's Party or KNPP; National
Council-Union of Burma or NCUB (exile coalition of opposition
groups); United Wa State Army or UWSA; Union Solidarity and
Development Association or USDA (pro-regime, a social and political
mass-member organization) [HTAY OO, general secretary]; 88
Generation Students (pro-democracy movement) [TOE KYAW HLAING]
other: several Shan factions
International organization participation:
ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires MYINT LWIN
chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-3344
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Larry M. DINGER - note: The
United States does not maintain an ambassador in Burma
embassy: 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon
mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546
telephone: [95] (1) 536-509, 535-756, 538-038
FAX: [95] (1) 650-306
Flag description:
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 14,
white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk
of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions
and seven states
Economy ::Burma
Economy - overview:
Burma, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government
controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. Despite
Burma's increasing oil and gas revenue, socio-economic conditions
have deteriorated because of the regime's mismanagement of the
economy. The economy suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances -
including rising inflation, fiscal deficits, multiple official
exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat, a distorted interest
rate regime, unreliable statistics, and an inability to reconcile
national accounts to determine a realistic GDP figure. Most overseas
development assistance ceased after the junta began to suppress the
democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently refused to honor the
results of the 1990 legislative elections. In response to the
government of Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her
convoy, the US imposed new economic sanctions in August 2003
including a ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on
provision of financial services by US persons. Further, a poor
investment climate hampers the inflow of foreign investment. Foreign
investors have shied away from nearly every sector except for
natural gas and power generation. The business climate is widely
perceived as opaque, corrupt, and highly inefficient. The most
productive sectors will continue to be in extractive industries -
especially oil and gas, mining, and timber - with the latter causing
significant environmental degradation. Other areas, such as
manufacturing and services, are struggling with inadequate
infrastructure, unpredictable import/export policies, deteriorating
health and education systems, and endemic corruption. A major
banking crisis in 2003 shuttered 20 private banks and disrupted the
economy. As of 2008, the largest private banks operated under tight
restrictions, limiting the private sector's access to formal credit.
The September 2007 crackdown on prodemocracy demonstrators,
including thousands of monks, strained the economy as the tourism
industry, which directly employs about 500,000 people, suffered
dramatic declines in foreign visitor levels. In November 2007, the
European Union announced new sanctions banning investment and trade
in Burmese gems, timber, and precious stones, while the United
States expanded its sanctions list to include more Burmese
government and military officials and their family members, as well
as prominent regime business cronies, their family members, and
associated companies. Official statistics are inaccurate. In July
2008 the President signed into law the Tom LANTOS JADE (Junta's
Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008, imposing new targeted
sanctions on the regime. Published statistics on foreign trade are
greatly understated because of the size of the black market and
unofficial border trade - often estimated to be as large as the
official economy. Though the Burmese government has good economic
relations with its neighbors, better investment and business
climates and an improved political situation are needed to promote
serious foreign investment, exports, and tourism.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$55.27 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$54.66 billion (2007 est.)
$52.87 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$26.21 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
3.4% (2007 est.)
3.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
$1,200 (2007 est.)
$1,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 40.9%
industry: 19.8%
services: 39.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
30.04 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 70%
industry: 7%
services: 23% (2001)
Unemployment rate:
5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
5.2% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
32.7% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
14.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Budget:
revenues: $1 billion
expenditures: $1.805 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
26.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
35% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
12% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 25
12% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 30
17% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$598 billion (31 December 2007)
note: this number reflects the vastly overvalued official exchange
rate of 5.38 kyat per dollar; at the unofficial black market rate of
1305 kyat per dollar, the stock of kyats would equal only US$2.465
billion and Burma's velocity of money (the number of times money
turns over in the course of a year) would be six, in line with the
velocity of money for other countries in the region
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$216.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$887.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish
and fish products
Industries:
agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin,
tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals;
fertilizer; oil and natural gas; garments, jade and gems
Industrial production growth rate:
7.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - production:
6.286 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Electricity - consumption:
4.403 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
22,120 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Oil - consumption:
41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Oil - exports:
2,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Oil - imports:
18,250 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Oil - proved reserves:
50 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - production:
12.4 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Natural gas - consumption:
3.85 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - exports:
8.55 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 23
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Natural gas - proved reserves:
283.2 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Current account balance:
$1.281 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$1.285 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$6.677 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$6.17 billion (2007 est.)
note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the
value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled
to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh
Exports - commodities:
natural gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice, clothing,
jade and gems
Exports - partners:
Thailand 52.3%, India 12.7%, China 8.9%, Japan 4.4% (2008)
Imports:
$3.388 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
$2.964 billion (2007 est.)
note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of
consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from
Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India
Imports - commodities:
fabric, petroleum products, fertilizer, plastics, machinery,
transport equipment; cement, construction materials, crude oil; food
products, edible oil
Imports - partners:
China 31.9%, Thailand 21.2%, Singapore 20.7%, Malaysia 5.1%,
Indonesia 4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.412 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$2.312 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.946 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$7.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
kyats (MMK) per US dollar - 1,205 (2008 est.), 1,296 (2007), 1,280
(2006), 5.761 (2005), 5.7459 (2004)
note: unofficial exchange rates ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US
dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar, and by yearend 2005, the
unofficial exchange rate was 1,075 kyat/US dollar; data shown for
2003-05 are official exchange rates
Communications ::Burma
Telephones - main lines in use:
829,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 85
Telephones - mobile cellular:
375,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 163
Telephone system:
general assessment: meets minimum requirements for local and
intercity service for business and government
domestic: system barely capable of providing basic service; cellular
phone system is grossly underdeveloped with a subscribership base of
less than 1 per 100 persons
international: country code - 95; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3
optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to
Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2,
Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 3 (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (2008)
Internet country code:
.mm
Internet hosts:
128 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 196
Internet users:
108,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 150
Transportation ::Burma
Airports:
77 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 72
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 37
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 40
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Heliports:
5 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,228 km; oil 558 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 3,955 km
country comparison to the world: 44
narrow gauge: 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 27,000 km
country comparison to the world: 101
paved: 3,200 km
unpaved: 23,800 km (2006)
Waterways:
12,800 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 10
Merchant marine:
total: 24
country comparison to the world: 92
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 17, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3,
specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1)
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Moulmein, Rangoon, Sittwe
Military ::Burma
Military branches:
Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw): Army, Navy, Air Force (Tatmadaw
Lay) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service for both sexes;
forced conscription of children, although officially prohibited,
reportedly continues (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 13,402,788
females age 16-49: 13,437,042 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,146,312
females age 16-49: 9,520,852 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 426,110
female: 417,674 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Transnational Issues ::Burma
Disputes - international:
over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups
who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries;
Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic refugees, asylum
seekers, and rebels, as well as illegal cross-border activities from
Burma; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing
the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River near the border with Burma;
citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China is
reconsidering construction of 13 dams on the Salween River but
energy-starved Burma with backing from Thailand remains intent on
building five hydro-electric dams downstream, despite identical
regional and international protests; India seeks cooperation from
Burma to keep Indian Nagaland separatists, such as the United
Liberation Front of Assam, from hiding in remote Burmese Uplands;
after 21 years, Bangladesh resumes talks with Burma on delimiting a
maritime boundary in January 2008
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 503,000 (government offensives against ethnic insurgent groups
near the eastern borders; most IDPs are ethnic Karen, Karenni, Shan,
Tavoyan, and Mon) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Burma is a source country for women, children,
and men trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and commercial
sexual exploitation; Burmese women and children are trafficked to
East and Southeast Asia for commercial sexual exploitation, domestic
servitude, and forced labor; Burmese children are subjected to
conditions of forced labor in Thailand as hawkers, beggars, and for
work in shops, agriculture, fish processing, and small-scale
industries; women are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation
to Malaysia and China; some trafficking victims transit Burma from
Bangladesh to Malaysia and from China to Thailand; internal
trafficking occurs primarily from villages to urban centers and
economic hubs for labor in industrial zones, agricultural estates,
and commercial sexual exploitation; military and civilian officials
continue to use a significant amount of forced labor; ethnic
insurgent groups also used compulsory labor of adults and unlawful
recruitment of children; the military junta's gross economic
mismanagement, human rights abuses, and its policy of using forced
labor are the top causal factors for Burma's significant trafficking
problem
tier rating: Tier 3 - Burma does not fully comply with the minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making
significant efforts to do so; military and civilian officials remain
directly involved in significant acts of forced labor and unlawful
conscription of child soldiers (2008)
Illicit drugs:
remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium with an
estimated production in 2008 of 340 metric tons, an increase of 26%,
and poppy cultivation in 2008 totaled 22,500 hectares, a 4% increase
from 2007; production in the United Wa State Army's areas of
greatest control remains low; Shan state is the source of 94% of
Burma's poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on major
narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money
laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major
source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Burundi (Africa)
Introduction ::Burundi
Background:
Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in
October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread
ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. More than 200,000
Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen
years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced
or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally
brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated
government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a
transition process that led to an integrated defense force,
established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu
government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre
NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the
country's last rebel group in September of 2006 but still faces many
challenges.
Geography ::Burundi
Location:
Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:
3 30 S, 30 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 27,830 sq km
country comparison to the world: 146
land: 25,680 sq km
water: 2,150 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 974 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda
290 km, Tanzania 451 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m
to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with
altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate
as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is
about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to
November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to
January)
Terrain:
hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m
highest point: Heha 2,670 m
Natural resources:
nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum,
vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin,
tungsten, kaolin, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 35.57%
permanent crops: 13.12%
other: 51.31% (2005)
Irrigated land:
210 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
3.6 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.29 cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%)
per capita: 38 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
flooding; landslides; drought
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of
agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land
remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat
loss threatens wildlife populations
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera,
which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of
the White Nile
People ::Burundi
Population:
8,988,091
country comparison to the world: 89
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.2% (male 2,087,315/female 2,063,518)
15-64 years: 51.3% (male 2,291,123/female 2,320,839)
65 years and over: 2.5% (male 89,444/female 135,852) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.7 years
male: 16.5 years
female: 17 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.279% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Birth rate:
41.42 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Death rate:
12.67 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Net migration rate:
4.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Urbanization:
urban population: 10% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 6.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 59.64 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 38
male: 66.32 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 52.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.09 years
country comparison to the world: 202
male: 51.2 years
female: 53.01 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.33 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
110,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Burundian(s)
adjective: Burundian
Ethnic groups:
Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans
3,000, South Asians 2,000
Religions:
Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous
beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%
Languages:
Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake
Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 59.3%
male: 67.3%
female: 52.2% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 8 years
female: 7 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 69
Government ::Burundi
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Burundi
conventional short form: Burundi
local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi
local short form: Burundi
former: Urundi
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Bujumbura
geographic coordinates: 3 22 S, 29 21 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rurale, Bururi,
Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba,
Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi
Independence:
1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution:
ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005
Legal system:
based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal (adult)
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005);
First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007);
Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February
2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August
2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November
2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9
February 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president
elections: the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year
term (eligible for a second term); note - the constitution adopted
in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected
by a two-thirds majority of the parliament; next elections to be
held in August 2010; vice presidents nominated by the president,
endorsed by parliament
election results: Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president by the
parliament by a vote of 151 to 9; note - the constitution adopted in
February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by
a two-thirds majority of the legislature
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a Senate (54 seats;
34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with
remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of
state) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100
seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women;
additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral
Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 29 July 2005 (next to be held in July
2010); National Assembly - last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held in
July 2010)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - CNDD-FDD 30, FRODEBU 3, CNDD 1; National Assembly - percent
of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 58.6%, FRODEBU 21.7%, UPRONA 7.2%, CNDD
4.1%, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2.1%, others 6.2%; seats by party -
CNDD-FDD 59, FRODEBU 25, UPRONA 10, CNDD 4, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of
Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court)
Political parties and leaders:
governing parties: Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce
NGENDAKUMANA]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front
for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Jeremie NGENDAKUMANA];
Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Aloys RUBUKA]
note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are:
National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD [Leonard
NYANGOMA]; National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of
the Citizen or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party
for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations
economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure
group)
other: Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized)
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Celestin NIYONGABO
chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574
FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia Newton MOLLER
embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone: [257] 223454
FAX: [257] 222926
Flag description:
divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom)
and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk
superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars
outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,
two stars below)
Economy ::Burundi
Economy - overview:
Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an
underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly
agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on
subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea
exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The
ability to pay for imports rests primarily on weather conditions and
international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the
population, dominates the coffee trade. An ethnic-based war that
lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths,
forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced
140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school,
and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and
electricity remain in short supply. Burundi's GDP grew around 4%
annually in 2006-08. Political stability and the end of the civil
war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but
underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a
weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk
undermining planned economic reforms. Burundi will continue to
remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral
donors; the delay of funds after a corruption scandal cut off
bilateral aid in 2007 reduced government's revenues and its ability
to pay salaries.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.109 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
$2.976 billion (2007 est.)
$2.872 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.097 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
3.6% (2007 est.)
5.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 227
$300 (2007 est.)
$300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 33.4%
industry: 21%
services: 45.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.245 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 84
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 93.6%
industry: 2.3%
services: 4.1% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
68% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%: 28% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
42.4 (1998)
country comparison to the world: 54
Investment (gross fixed):
12.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Budget:
revenues: $295.2 million
expenditures: $355 million; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
24.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
8.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
10.08% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 36
10.12% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.52% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 32
16.84% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$261.6 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 102
$208.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$189.9 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 116
$141 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$370 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 118
$342 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc
(tapioca); beef, milk, hides
Industries:
light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of
imported components; public works construction; food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - production:
92 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Electricity - consumption:
125.6 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
40 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Oil - consumption:
3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Oil - imports:
2,495 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Current account balance:
-$182 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
-$116.8 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$79 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
$52.9 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides
Exports - partners:
Switzerland 27.9%, UK 11%, Pakistan 9.5%, Belgium 5.1%, Rwanda 5%,
Egypt 4.7% (2008)
Imports:
$350 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
$257.6 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 20.7%, Belgium 12.6%, Uganda 8.4%, Kenya 7.4%, China
5.9%, France 5.4%, Germany 4.9%, India 4.1%, Tanzania 4.1%, Japan 4%
(2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$266.7 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
$177.1 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.2 billion (2003)
country comparison to the world: 151
Exchange rates:
Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,198 (2008 est.), 1,065
(2007), 1,030 (2006), 1,138 (2005), 1,100.91 (2004)
Communications ::Burundi
Telephones - main lines in use:
30,400 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 178
Telephones - mobile cellular:
480,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 156
Telephone system:
general assessment: primitive system; telephone density one of the
lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than
1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains
at a meager 5 per 100 persons
domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications,
and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2001)
Internet country code:
.bi
Internet hosts:
191 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 189
Internet users:
65,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 167
Transportation ::Burundi
Airports:
8 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 161
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 12,322 km
country comparison to the world: 131
paved: 1,286 km
unpaved: 11,036 km (2004)
Waterways:
mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bujumbura
Military ::Burundi
Military branches:
National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army
(includes naval detachment and Air Wing), Gendarmerie (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
military service is voluntary; the armed forces law of 31 December
2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the
government had previously specified that each recruit would need to
have a primary school leaving certificate (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,878,544
females age 16-49: 1,851,676 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,124,072
females age 16-49: 1,102,729 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 101,402
female: 101,897 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
5.9% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Transnational Issues ::Burundi
Disputes - international:
Burundi and Rwanda dispute sections of border on the
Akanyaru/Kanyaru and the Kagera/Nyabarongo rivers, which have
changed course since the 1960s, when the boundary was delimited;
cross-border conflicts among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups,
associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government
forces persist in the Great Lakes region
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 9,849 (Democratic Republic of the
Congo)
IDPs: 100,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels; most
IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Burundi is a source country for children
trafficked for the purposes of child soldiering, domestic servitude,
and commercial sexual exploitation; a small number of Burundian
children may be trafficked internally for domestic servitude or
commercial sexual exploitation; in early 2008, Burundian children
were allegedly trafficked to Uganda, via Rwanda, for agricultural
labor and commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Burundi is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for the second consecutive year for its failure to provide
sufficient evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in
persons in 2007; the government's inability to provide adequate
protective services to children accused of association with armed
groups and to conduct anti-trafficking law enforcement activities
continue to be causes for concern; Burundi has not ratified the 2000
UN TIP Protocol (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Cambodia (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Cambodia
Background:
Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the
Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached
its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai
and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in
a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French
protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887.
Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full
independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year
struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and
evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died
from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer
Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion
drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year
Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war.
The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a
ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge.
UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of
normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997
ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national
elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition
government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements
of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving
Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal
for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively
peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending
political parties before a coalition government was formed. In
October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his
son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local
elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, and there was little
in the way of pre-election violence that preceded prior elections.
National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful.
Geography ::Cambodia
Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand,
Vietnam, and Laos
Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 181,035 sq km
country comparison to the world: 89
land: 176,515 sq km
water: 4,520 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Land boundaries:
total: 2,572 km
border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
Coastline:
443 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season
(December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
Natural resources:
oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates,
hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 20.44%
permanent crops: 0.59%
other: 78.97% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,700 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
476.1 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%)
per capita: 290 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Environment - current issues:
illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining
for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have
resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular,
destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil
erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access
to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing
and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and
Tonle Sap
People ::Cambodia
Population:
14,494,293
country comparison to the world: 65
note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of
excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life
expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32.6% (male 2,388,922/female 2,336,439)
15-64 years: 63.8% (male 4,498,568/female 4,743,677)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 197,649/female 329,038) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.1 years
male: 21.4 years
female: 22.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.765% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Birth rate:
25.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Death rate:
8.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 22% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 54.79 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 43
male: 61.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 47.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62.1 years
country comparison to the world: 177
male: 60.03 years
female: 64.27 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.04 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
75,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
6,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and
malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Cambodian(s)
adjective: Cambodian
Ethnic groups:
Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
Religions:
Buddhist 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (1998
census)
Languages:
Khmer (official) 95%, French, English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 73.6%
male: 84.7%
female: 64.1% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
1.7% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 172
Government ::Cambodia
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia
conventional short form: Cambodia
local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic
pronunciation)
local short form: Kampuchea
former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of
Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
Government type:
multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Phnom Penh
geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
23 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong,
singular and plural)
provinces: Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong
Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb,
Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah
Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem
Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev
municipalities: Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh)
Independence:
9 November 1953 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
Constitution:
promulgated 21 September 1993
Legal system:
primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the
United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period,
royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of
customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing
influence of common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with
reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985)
[co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime
Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime
Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR
NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5
September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008);
KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and
appointed by the monarch
elections: the king is chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among
all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative
elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is
named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and
appointed by the king
Legislative branch:
bicameral, consists of the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by
the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by
parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year
terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in
January 2011); National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to
be held in July 2013)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%,
FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP
2; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%,
HRP 7%; NRP 6%; FUNCINPEC 5%; others 2%; seats by party - CPP 90,
SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution
and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts)
exercises judicial authority
Political parties and leaders:
Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Human Rights Party or
HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA]; National United Front for
an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or
FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]; Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [CHHIM
SEAK LENG]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI, also spelled SAM
RAINSY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Cambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF; Partnership for Transparency Fund
or PTF (anti-corruption organization); Students Movement for
Democracy; The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel
other: human rights organizations; vendors
International organization participation:
ACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador HENG HEM
chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742
FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carol A. RODLEY
embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546
telephone: [855] (23) 728-000
FAX: [855] (23) 728-600
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue
with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined
in black in the center of the red band
note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its
design
Economy ::Cambodia
Economy - overview:
From 2004 to 2007, the economy grew about 10% per year, driven
largely by an expansion in the garment sector, construction,
agriculture, and tourism. Growth dropped to below 7% in 2008 as a
result of the global economic slowdown. With the January 2005
expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodian
textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced
countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The garment
industry currently employs more than 320,000 people and contributes
more than 85% of Cambodia's exports. In 2005, exploitable oil
deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters,
representing a new revenue stream for the government if commercial
extraction begins. Mining also is attracting significant investor
interest, particularly in the northern parts of the country. The
government has said opportunities exist for mining bauxite, gold,
iron and gems. In 2006, a US-Cambodia bilateral Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed, and several rounds of
discussions have been held since 2007. The tourism industry has
continued to grow rapidly, with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million
per year in 2007-08, however, economic troubles abroad will dampen
growth in 2009. Rubber exports declined more than 15% in 2008 due to
falling world market prices. The global financial crisis is
weakening demand for Cambodian exports, and construction is
declining due to a shortage of credit. The long-term development of
the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government
is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the
World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs.
The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will
be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector
can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance.
More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The
population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in
the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total
lack of basic infrastructure.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$28.01 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
$26.67 billion (2007 est.)
$24.2 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.25 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
10.2% (2007 est.)
10.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
$1,900 (2007 est.)
$1,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 29%
industry: 30%
services: 41% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
8.6 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 75%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
2.5% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:
35% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 34.2% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
43 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
40 (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Budget:
revenues: $1.274 billion
expenditures: $1.592 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
25% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
5.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 89
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.01% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 35
16.18% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$591.7 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
$513.6 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$2.328 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 82
$2.309 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.67 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 96
$1.131 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, silk
Industries:
tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and
wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Electricity - production:
1.273 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - consumption:
1.272 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
167 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Oil - consumption:
4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Oil - imports:
30,970 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Current account balance:
-$1.06 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
-$506.3 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$4.708 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$4.089 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
Exports - partners:
US 54.4%, Germany 7.7%, Canada 5.9%, UK 5.5%, Vietnam 4.5% (2008)
Imports:
$6.534 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$5.424 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials,
machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
Imports - partners:
Thailand 26.8%, Vietnam 19%, China 14.5%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore
6.9% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.641 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$2.143 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.127 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,070.94 (2008 est.), 4,006 (2007),
4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004)
Communications ::Cambodia
Telephones - main lines in use:
45,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 165
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.237 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 93
Telephone system:
general assessment: mobile-phone systems are widely used in urban
areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; fixed-line
connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
mobile-cellular usage, aided by increasing competition among service
providers, is increasing and stands at 30 per 100 persons
domestic: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh
and other provincial cities; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly
expanding in rural areas
international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline
and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and
major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik
(Indian Ocean region) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 50, shortwave NA (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
8 (including 2 TV relay stations with French and Vietnamese
broadcasts); excludes 18 regional relay stations (2008)
Internet country code:
.kh
Internet hosts:
2,480 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 146
Internet users:
74,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 162
Transportation ::Cambodia
Airports:
17 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 140
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Railways:
total: 602 km
country comparison to the world: 110
narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 38,093 km
country comparison to the world: 91
paved: 2,977 km
unpaved: 35,116 km (2007)
Waterways:
2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
Merchant marine:
total: 626
country comparison to the world: 17
by type: bulk carrier 41, cargo 530, carrier 3, chemical tanker 10,
container 8, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated
cargo 15, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned: 467 (Canada 2, China 193, Cyprus 7, Egypt 13, Gabon
1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 8, Indonesia 2, Japan 1, South Korea 22,
Latvia 1, Lebanon 8, Netherlands 1, Romania 1, Russia 83, Singapore
4, Syria 48, Taiwan 1, Turkey 26, Ukraine 34, UAE 2, US 6) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Phnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville)
Military ::Cambodia
Military branches:
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer
Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to
register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,759,034
females age 16-49: 3,784,333 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,673,383
females age 16-49: 2,763,256 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 177,881
female: 175,332 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Transnational Issues ::Cambodia
Disputes - international:
Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing
boundary markers and claims of Thai encroachments into Cambodian
territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved
dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; Thailand accuses
Cambodia of obstructing inclusion of Thai areas near Preah Vihear
temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962, as part
of a planned UN World Heritage site
Illicit drugs:
narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the
government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine
production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based
economy and porous borders
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Cameroon (Africa)
Introduction ::Cameroon
Background:
The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in
1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed
stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture,
roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow
movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in
the hands of President Paul BIYA.
Geography ::Cameroon
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial
Guinea and Nigeria
Geographic coordinates:
6 00 N, 12 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 475,440 sq km
country comparison to the world: 53
land: 472,710 sq km
water: 2,730 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,591 km
border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km,
Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298
km, Nigeria 1,690 km
Coastline:
402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:
varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot
in north
Terrain:
diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in
center, mountains in west, plains in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)
Natural resources:
petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 12.54%
permanent crops: 2.52%
other: 84.94% (2005)
Irrigated land:
260 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
285.5 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.99 cu km/yr (18%/8%/74%)
per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from
Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes
Environment - current issues:
waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing;
desertification; poaching; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country
there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or
prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in
Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano
People ::Cameroon
Population:
18,879,301
country comparison to the world: 58
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40.9% (male 3,891,762/female 3,822,870)
15-64 years: 55.9% (male 5,298,143/female 5,250,493)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 283,289/female 332,744) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.2 years
male: 19 years
female: 19.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.19% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Birth rate:
34.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Death rate:
12.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 63.34 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 36
male: 68.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 58.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.69 years
country comparison to the world: 197
male: 52.89 years
female: 54.52 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.33 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
5.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
540,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
39,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Cameroonian(s)
adjective: Cameroonian
Ethnic groups:
Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani
10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%,
non-African less than 1%
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Languages:
24 major African language groups, English (official), French
(official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.9%
male: 77%
female: 59.8% (2001 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 8 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 138
Government ::Cameroon
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon
conventional short form: Cameroon
local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon
local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon
former: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of
Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon
Government type:
republic; multiparty presidential regime
Capital:
name: Yaounde
geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, Est,
Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, North-West (Nord-Ouest), Ouest, Sud,
South-West (Sud-Ouest)
Independence:
1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)
Constitution:
approved by referendum 20 May 1972; adopted 2 June 1972; revised
January 1996
Legal system:
based on French civil law system, with common law influence; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted
by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 11 October 2004
(next to be held by October 2011); prime minister appointed by the
president
election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote -
Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga
Haman ADJI 3.7%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats;
members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year
terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term
of the legislature
elections: last held 22 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
CPDM 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17
note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the
legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of
Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges; elected
by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA]; Cameroon
People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the
Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the
Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO];
National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO
BOUBA]; Progressive Movement or MP; Social Democratic Front or SDF
[John FRU NDI]; Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Augustin
Frederic KODOCK]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]; Southern
Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN]
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA
chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790
FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Janet E. GARVEY
embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde
mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US
Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520
telephone: [237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03
FAX: [237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52
branch office(s): Douala
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow,
with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band
note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy ::Cameroon
Economy - overview:
Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural
conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity
economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious
problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnating
per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income,
a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate for
business enterprise. International oil and cocoa prices have a
significant impact on the economy. Since 1990, the government has
embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur
business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve
trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF is pressing for
more reforms, including increased budget transparency,
privatization, and poverty reduction programs.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$42.69 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$41.33 billion (2007 est.)
$39.93 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$23.73 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
3.5% (2007 est.)
3.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
$2,300 (2007 est.)
$2,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 43.6%
industry: 15.9%
services: 40.5% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
6.759 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 70%
industry: 13%
services: 17% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Population below poverty line:
48% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
44.6 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 45
47.7 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
17.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Budget:
revenues: $4.714 billion
expenditures: $4.261 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
13.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
69.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
1.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 86
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 47
15% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$2.616 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.698 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.3 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root
starches; livestock; timber
Industries:
petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food
processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
4.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - production:
5.601 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Electricity - consumption:
4.801 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
81,720 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Oil - consumption:
26,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - exports:
107,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Oil - imports:
45,520 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Oil - proved reserves:
200 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - production:
20 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Natural gas - consumption:
20 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Natural gas - proved reserves:
135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Current account balance:
-$96 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
-$547 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$4.707 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
$4.345 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum,
coffee, cotton
Exports - partners:
Spain 19.8%, Italy 13.5%, US 10.6%, France 8.2%, Netherlands 8.1%,
China 7.9%, Belgium 4% (2008)
Imports:
$4.303 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
$4.05 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food
Imports - partners:
France 21.1%, Nigeria 13.8%, China 9.5%, Belgium 6.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.091 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$2.932 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.066 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
$2.554 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US
dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47
(2005), 528.29 (2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted
in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Cameroon
Telephones - main lines in use:
198,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 124
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.161 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
Telephone system:
general assessment: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per
100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with
many parts of the country are unreliable; mobile-cellular usage, in
part a reflection of the poor condition and general inadequacy of
the fixed-line network, has increased sharply, reaching a
subscribership base of 33 per 100 persons
domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter
international: country code - 237; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC
fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and
Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2001)
Internet country code:
.cm
Internet hosts:
70 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 204
Internet users:
725,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
Transportation ::Cameroon
Airports:
36 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 107
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 25
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 16
under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Pipelines:
oil 889 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 987 km
country comparison to the world: 89
narrow gauge: 987 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 50,000 km
country comparison to the world: 79
paved: 5,000 km
unpaved: 45,000 km (2004)
Waterways:
navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Douala, Limboh Terminal
Military ::Cameroon
Military branches:
Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army
(L'Armee de Terre), Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee
de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no
conscription; the government makes periodic calls for volunteers
(2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,321,175
females age 16-49: 4,228,625 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,645,601
females age 16-49: 2,574,948 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 213,027
female: 208,642 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 121
Transnational Issues ::Cameroon
Disputes - international:
Joint Border Commission with Nigeria reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the
entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June
2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the
Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a full phase-out of Nigerian
control and patriation of residents in 2008; Cameroon and Nigeria
agree on maritime delimitation in March 2008; sovereignty dispute
between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth
of the Ntem River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake
Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty,
which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 20,000-30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria);
24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination
country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced
labor and commercial sexual exploitation; most victims are children
trafficked within country, with girls primarily trafficked for
domestic servitude and sexual exploitation; both boys and girls are
also trafficked within Cameroon for forced labor in sweatshops,
bars, restaurants, and on tea and cocoa plantations; children are
trafficked into Cameroon from neighboring states for forced labor in
agriculture, fishing, street vending, and spare-parts shops;
Cameroon is a transit country for children trafficked between Gabon
and Nigeria, and from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia; it is a source
country for women transported by sex-trafficking rings to Europe
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cameroon is on the Tier 2 Watch
List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to
combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts
to prosecute and convict trafficking offenders; while Cameroon
reported some arrests of traffickers, none of them were prosecuted
or punished; the government does not identify trafficking victims
among vulnerable populations nor does it monitor the number of
victims it intercepts (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Canada (North America)
Introduction ::Canada
Background:
A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a
self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British
crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in
parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an
unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting
public demands for quality improvements in health care and education
services, as well as responding to separatist concerns in
predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its
diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the
environment.
Geography ::Canada
Location:
Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the
east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the
north, north of the conterminous US
Geographic coordinates:
60 00 N, 95 00 W
Map references:
North America
Area:
total: 9,984,670 sq km
country comparison to the world: 2
land: 9,093,507 sq km
water: 891,163 sq km
Area - comparative:
somewhat larger than the US
Land boundaries:
total: 8,893 km
border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline:
202,080 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Terrain:
mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m
Natural resources:
iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash,
diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural
gas, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 4.57%
permanent crops: 0.65%
other: 94.78% (2005)
Irrigated land:
7,850 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
3,300 cu km (1985)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 44.72 cu km/yr (20%/69%/12%)
per capita: 1,386 cu m/yr (1996)
Natural hazards:
continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development;
cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the
mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American
interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of
the mountains
Environment - current issues:
air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and
damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and
vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity;
ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial,
mining, and forestry activities
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location
between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of
the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border
People ::Canada
Population:
33,487,208 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 2,761,711/female 2,626,836)
15-64 years: 68.7% (male 11,633,950/female 11,381,735)
65 years and over: 15.2% (male 2,220,189/female 2,862,787) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 40.4 years
male: 39.3 years
female: 41.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.817% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Birth rate:
10.28 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Death rate:
7.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Net migration rate:
5.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Urbanization:
urban population: 80% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 189
male: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.23 years
country comparison to the world: 8
male: 78.69 years
female: 83.91 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.58 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
73,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Nationality:
noun: Canadian(s)
adjective: Canadian
Ethnic groups:
British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%,
Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed
background 26%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United Church
9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian
4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001
census)
Languages:
English (official) 58.8%, French (official) 21.6%, other 19.6% (2006
Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 17 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2002)
country comparison to the world: 63
Government ::Canada
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Canada
Government type:
a parliamentary democracy, a federation, and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Ottawa
geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 42 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends
first Sunday in November
note: Canada is divided into six time zones
Administrative divisions:
10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia,
Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest
Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island,
Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
Independence:
1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December
1931 (recognized by UK)
National holiday:
Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Constitution:
made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions,
and traditions; the written part of the constitution consists of the
Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of
four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982, which
transferred formal control over the constitution from Britain to
Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well
as procedures for constitutional amendments
Legal system:
based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law
system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
head of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General Michaelle JEAN (since 27 September
2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Stephen HARPER (since 6 February
2006)
cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from
among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year
term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of
Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the governor
general
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat
(105 seats; members appointed by the governor general with the
advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of
age) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (308 seats;
members elected by direct, popular vote to serve a maximum of
five-year terms starting in 2009 elections)
elections: House of Commons - last held 14 October 2008 (next to be
held no later than 19 October 2012)
election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party -
Conservative Party 37.6%, Liberal Party 26.2%, New Democratic Party
18.2%, Bloc Quebecois 10%, Greens 6.8%, other 1%; seats by party -
Conservative Party 143, Liberal Party 77, New Democratic Party 37,
Bloc Quebecois 49, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister
through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal
Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court
of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and
Court of Justice)
Political parties and leaders:
Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada
[Stephen HARPER] (a merger of the Canadian Alliance and the
Progressive Conservative Party); Green Party [Elizabeth MAY];
Liberal Party [Michael IGNATIEFF]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: agricultural sector; automobile industry; business groups;
chemical industry; commercial banks; communications sector; energy
industry; environmentalists; public administration groups; steel
industry; trade unions
International organization participation:
ACCT, ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC,
Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS,
C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), FAO,
G-20, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAFTA, NAM
(guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club,
PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF,
UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gary DOER
chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740
FAX: [1] (202) 682-7701
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas,
Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix,
San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson
consulate(s): Anchorage, Houston, Philadelphia, Princeton (New
Jersey), Raleigh, San Jose (California), Tucson
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador David H. WILKINS
embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8
mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430; P.O. Box
866, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5T1
telephone: [1] (613) 688-5335
FAX: [1] (613) 688-3082
consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto,
Vancouver, Winnipeg
Flag description:
two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width) with
white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered
in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white
Economy ::Canada
Economy - overview:
As an affluent, high-tech industrial society in the trillion-dollar
class, Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic
system, pattern of production, and affluent living standards. Since
World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining,
and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural
economy into one primarily industrial and urban. The 1989 US-Canada
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the 1994 North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic
increase in trade and economic integration with the US, its
principle trading partner. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus
with the US, which absorbs nearly 80% of Canadian exports each year.
Canada is the US's largest foreign supplier of energy, including
oil, gas, uranium, and electric power. Given its great natural
resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada has
enjoyed solid economic growth, and prudent fiscal management has
produced consecutive balanced budgets from 1997 to 2007. In 2008,
growth slowed sharply as a result of the global economic downturn,
US housing slump, plunging auto sector demand, and a drop in world
commodity prices. Public finances, too, are set to deteriorate for
the first time in a decade. Tight global credit conditions have
further restrained business and housing investment, despite the
conservative lending practices and strong capitalization that made
Canada's major banks among the most stable in the world.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.303 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$1.298 trillion (2007 est.)
$1.266 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.5 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
2.5% (2007 est.)
2.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$39,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$39,400 (2007 est.)
$38,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 28.4%
services: 69.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
18.22 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 2%, manufacturing 13%, construction 6%, services 76%,
other 3% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
6.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
6% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
10.8%; note - this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), a
calculation that results in higher figures than found in many
comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line
(2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 24.8% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
32.1 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 100
31.5 (1994)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Budget:
revenues: $594.1 billion
expenditures: $573.7 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
63.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
64.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
2.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 112
4.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
4.73% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 131
6.1% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$356.2 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
$391.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.299 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
$1.381 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$2.335 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 9
$2.382 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 7
$2.187 trillion (31 December 2007)
$1.701 trillion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products;
forest products; fish
Industries:
transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed
minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products,
petroleum and natural gas
Industrial production growth rate:
-2.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - production:
620.7 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Electricity - consumption:
536.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Electricity - exports:
55.73 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
23.5 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
3.35 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Oil - consumption:
2.26 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Oil - exports:
2.421 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Oil - imports:
1.165 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Oil - proved reserves:
178.1 billion bbl
country comparison to the world: 2
note: includes oil sands (1 January 2009 est.)
Natural gas - production:
170.9 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Natural gas - consumption:
82.93 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Natural gas - exports:
102.8 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 2
Natural gas - imports:
14.84 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.64 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Current account balance:
$7.61 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$14.53 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$459.1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$431.2 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft,
telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood
pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum
Exports - partners:
US 77.7%, UK 2.7%, Japan 2.3% (2008)
Imports:
$415.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
$386.6 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil,
chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods
Imports - partners:
US 52.4%, China 9.8%, Mexico 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$43.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$41.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$781.1 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 15
$806.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$433.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$506.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$520.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
$520.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Canadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar - 1.0364 (2008 est.), 1.0724
(2007), 1.1334 (2006), 1.2118 (2005), 1.301 (2004)
Communications ::Canada
Telephones - main lines in use:
18.25 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 17
Telephones - mobile cellular:
21.455 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent service provided by modern technology
domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations
international: country code - 1; submarine cables provide links to
the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4
Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic
Ocean region) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 245, FM 582, shortwave 6 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
148 (2007)
Internet country code:
.ca
Internet hosts:
7.193 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 14
Internet users:
25.086 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 13
Transportation ::Canada
Airports:
1,388 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 4
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 515
over 3,047 m: 19
2,438 to 3,047 m: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 148
914 to 1,523 m: 251
under 914 m: 79 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 873
1,524 to 2,437 m: 73
914 to 1,523 m: 373
under 914 m: 427 (2009)
Heliports:
12 (2009)
Pipelines:
crude and refined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980 km
(2006)
Railways:
total: 46,688 km
country comparison to the world: 5
standard gauge: 46,688 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 1,042,300 km
country comparison to the world: 6
paved: 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways)
unpaved: 626,700 km (2006)
Waterways:
636 km
country comparison to the world: 78
note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint
Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 175
country comparison to the world: 38
by type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 13, carrier 1, chemical tanker 10,
combination ore/oil 1, container 2, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 64,
petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 6
foreign-owned: 17 (Germany 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 3, US 10)
registered in other countries: 206 (Australia 9, Bahamas 84,
Barbados 9, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong
44, Liberia 7, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 6, Norway 10, Panama 18,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Spain 4, Taiwan 2, Vanuatu 5)
(2008)
Ports and terminals:
Fraser River Port, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Port-Cartier, Quebec
City, Saint John (New Brunswick), Sept-Isles, Vancouver
Military ::Canada
Military branches:
Canadian Forces: Land Forces Command (LFC), Maritime Command
(MARCOM), Air Command (AIRCOM), Canada Command (homeland security)
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (with
parental consent); 16 years of age for reserve and military college
applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status
required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,072,010
females age 16-49: 7,813,462 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,647,513
females age 16-49: 6,413,748 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 223,238
female: 210,797 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Transnational Issues ::Canada
Disputes - international:
managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance,
Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine
including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada,
the US, and other countries dispute the status of the Northwest
Passage; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures
for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people,
transport, and commodities across the international border;
sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy
Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the
collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on
the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for
continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from its declared
baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8,
of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and export
to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large
quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; increasing ecstasy
production, some of which is destined for the US; vulnerable to
narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services
sector
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Cape Verde (Africa)
Introduction ::Cape Verde
Background:
The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the
Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a
trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and
resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following
independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with
Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained
until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues
to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments.
Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused
significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result,
Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one.
Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.
Geography ::Cape Verde
Location:
Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west
of Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 4,033 sq km
country comparison to the world: 175
land: 4,033 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
965 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain:
steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
Natural resources:
salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 11.41%
permanent crops: 0.74%
other: 87.85% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.3 cu km (1990)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.02 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%)
per capita: 39 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust;
volcanically and seismically active
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel;
water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has
threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand
extraction; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major
north-south sea routes; important communications station; important
sea and air refueling site
People ::Cape Verde
Population:
429,474 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.2% (male 76,012/female 74,993)
15-64 years: 58.5% (male 123,376/female 127,653)
65 years and over: 6.4% (male 10,040/female 17,400) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.1 years
male: 20.4 years
female: 21.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.561% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Birth rate:
23.5 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Death rate:
6.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Net migration rate:
-11.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Urbanization:
urban population: 60% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 41.35 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 63
male: 47.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 35.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.61 years
country comparison to the world: 126
male: 68.27 years
female: 75.05 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.07 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.035% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
775 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 144
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
225 (as of 2001)
country comparison to the world: 103
Nationality:
noun: Cape Verdean(s)
adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic groups:
Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly
Church of the Nazarene)
Languages:
Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 76.6%
male: 85.8%
female: 69.2% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
6.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 34
Government ::Cape Verde
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form: Cape Verde
local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form: Cabo Verde
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Praia
geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W
time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista,
Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande,
Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao
Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence:
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution:
25 September 1992; a major revision on 23 November 1995
substantially increased the powers of the president; a 1999 revision
created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)
Legal system:
based on the legal system of Portugal; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pedro Verona Rodriques PIRES (since 22
March 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1
February 2001)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 12 February 2006
(next to be held in February 2011); prime minister nominated by the
National Assembly and appointed by the president
election results: Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote -
Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January
2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%,
UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, UCID 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Political parties and leaders:
African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria
Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel
RODRIGUES]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO];
Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio
MONTEIRO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Jorge SANTOS]; Party for
Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]; Party of Work
and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or
PSD [Joao ALEM]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: environmentalists; political pressure groups
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA
chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820
FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207
consulate(s) general: Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marianne M. MYLES
embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia
mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia
telephone: [238] 2-60-89-00
FAX: [238] 2-61-13-55
Flag description:
five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to
one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of
white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom
stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of
10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one of the
islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the
length of the flag from the hoist side
Economy ::Cape Verde
Economy - overview:
This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base,
including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term
drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport,
tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of
GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the
share of food production in GDP is low. About 82% of food must be
imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not
fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit,
financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances
supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at
developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to
diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily on the
maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances,
and the momentum of the government's development program. Cape Verde
became a member of the WTO in July 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.63 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
$1.545 billion (2007 est.)
$1.446 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.744 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
6.9% (2007 est.)
10.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
$3,600 (2007 est.)
$3,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.1%
industry: 16.6%
services: 74.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
196,100 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 165
Unemployment rate:
21% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Population below poverty line:
30% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
41.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Budget:
revenues: $508 million
expenditures: $540.2 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
4.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
7.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
8.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.99% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 78
10.55% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$563.4 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 92
$574 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$721.3 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 102
$689 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.153 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 106
$1.049 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts;
fish
Industries:
food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt
mining, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Electricity - production:
250 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - consumption:
232.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - consumption:
2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Oil - imports:
1,619 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 64
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Current account balance:
-$259 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
-$132.6 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$105 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
$76.5 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
Exports - partners:
Japan 37.5%, Spain 28.5%, Portugal 17.5%, Morocco 4.8% (2008)
Imports:
$864 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
$743.6 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels
Imports - partners:
Portugal 40.3%, Netherlands 11.8%, Spain 6.7%, UK 6.5%, Cote
d'Ivoire 4.6%, Brazil 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$258 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$281 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$325 million (2002)
country comparison to the world: 172
Exchange rates:
Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 73.84 (2008 est.), 81.235
(2007), 87.946 (2006), 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004)
Communications ::Cape Verde
Telephones - main lines in use:
72,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 155
Telephones - mobile cellular:
277,700 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 169
Telephone system:
general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from
1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995
domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT);
fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing
Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in
1998; broadband services launched in 2004
international: country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2
fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to
South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and
Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
(2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 22 (plus 12 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus 7 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
.cv
Internet hosts:
24 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 214
Internet users:
102,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 153
Transportation ::Cape Verde
Airports:
10 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 156
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 9
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 1,350 km
country comparison to the world: 178
paved: 932 km
unpaved: 418 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 8
country comparison to the world: 125
by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 5
foreign-owned: 2 (Spain 1, UK 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Porto Grande
Military ::Cape Verde
Military branches:
People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard
(includes maritime air wing) (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service;
14-month conscript service obligation (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 103,650
females age 16-49: 103,553 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 84,967
females age 16-49: 90,154 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 5,471
female: 5,349 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.7% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 152
Transnational Issues ::Cape Verde
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined
for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to
Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug
money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that
criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and
other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial
Intelligence Unit (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Cayman Islands (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Cayman Islands
Background:
The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during
the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after
1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation
of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the
Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.
Geography ::Cayman Islands
Location:
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little
Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest
of Jamaica
Geographic coordinates:
19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 264 sq km
country comparison to the world: 210
land: 264 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
160 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool,
relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain:
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m
Natural resources:
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
arable land: 3.85%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 96.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues:
no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be
met by rainwater catchments
Geography - note:
important location between Cuba and Central America
People ::Cayman Islands
Population:
49,035
country comparison to the world: 207
note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.6% (male 4,824/female 4,783)
15-64 years: 71.1% (male 16,994/female 17,884)
65 years and over: 9.3% (male 2,139/female 2,411) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.1 years
male: 37.7 years
female: 38.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.394% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Birth rate:
12.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Death rate:
4.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Net migration rate:
16.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 3
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2009
est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 169
male: 7.96 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.44 years
country comparison to the world: 16
male: 77.8 years
female: 83.14 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.88 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups:
mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic
groups 20%
Religions:
Church of God 26%, United Church 11.8% (Presbyterian and
Congregational), Roman Catholic 11%, Baptist 8.7%, Seventh Day
Adventist 8.2%, Anglican 5.7%, Pentecostal 5.3%, other Christian
2.7%, non-denominational 5.8%, other 3.8%, none 9.8%, unspecified
1.1% (1999 census)
Languages:
English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1970 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
2.8% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 150
Government ::Cayman Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: George Town (on Grand Cayman)
geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake
Bay, West End, Western
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, first Monday in July
Constitution:
The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009
Legal system:
British common law and local statutes
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005)
head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009)
cabinet: The Cabinet (six members appointed by the governor on the
advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of
the Legislative Assembly)
elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor as premier
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 elected by popular
vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May
2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court
Political parties and leaders:
United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive
Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Trust
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO
(associate), UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
a blue field, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple,
representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing
Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion,
symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars
(representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy
lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearing the
motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Economy ::Cayman Islands
Economy - overview:
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore
financial center. More than 68,000 companies were registered in the
Cayman Islands as of 2003, including almost 500 banks, 800 insurers,
and 5,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism
is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of
foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the
luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America.
Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2003, with about half
from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must
be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per
capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.939 billion (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
$1.922 billion (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
0.9% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$43,800 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Labor force:
23,450 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 200
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 12.6%
services: 86% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
4.4% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 54
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $423.8 million
expenditures: $392.6 million (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.4% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 74
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 107
$183.5 million (31 December 2007)
$188.4 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Industries:
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction
materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
546 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - consumption:
507.8 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Oil - consumption:
3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Oil - imports:
3,294 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Exports:
$2.52 million (2004)
country comparison to the world: 216
Exports - commodities:
turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
Imports:
$866.9 million (2004)
country comparison to the world: 173
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, manufactured goods
Debt - external:
$70 million (1996)
country comparison to the world: 191
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 0.8496 (2006)
Communications ::Cayman Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
38,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 172
Telephones - mobile cellular:
33,800 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 202
Telephone system:
general assessment: reasonably good system
domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of
competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004
international: country code - 1-345; landing point for the MAYA-1
submarine telephone cable network that provides links to the US and
parts of Central and South America; submarine cable provides
connectivity to Jamaica; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
4 with cable system (2004)
Internet country code:
.ky
Internet hosts:
21,428 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 102
Internet users:
23,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 186
Transportation ::Cayman Islands
Airports:
3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 196
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 785 km
country comparison to the world: 186
paved: 785 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 109
country comparison to the world: 49
by type: bulk carrier 30, cargo 2, chemical tanker 42, petroleum
tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle
carrier 7
foreign-owned: 107 (Denmark 3, Germany 15, Greece 16, Italy 4, Japan
13, Norway 1, Singapore 10, UK 3, US 42) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Cayman Brac, George Town
Military ::Cayman Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,790 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,735
females age 16-49: 10,145 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 334
female: 345 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Cayman Islands
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to
the US and Europe (2008)
page last updated on November 10, 2009
======================================================================
@Central African Republic (Africa)
Introduction ::Central African Republic
Background:
The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African
Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades
of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was
established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix
PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March
2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois
BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the
government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the
main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal,
legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of
2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The
government still does not fully control the countryside, where
pockets of lawlessness persist. Unrest in neighboring nations, Chad,
Sudan, and the DRC, continues to affect stability in the Central
African Republic as well.
Geography ::Central African Republic
Location:
Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:
7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 622,984 sq km
country comparison to the world: 44
land: 622,984 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,203 km
border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic
Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan
1,165 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain:
vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in
northeast and southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Natural resources:
diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 3.1%
permanent crops: 0.15%
other: 96.75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
144.4 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%)
per capita: 7 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are
common
Environment - current issues:
tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's
reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges;
desertification; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
People ::Central African Republic
Population:
4,511,488
country comparison to the world: 120
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40.9% (male 928,277/female 917,739)
15-64 years: 55% (male 1,235,940/female 1,244,958)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 71,439/female 113,135) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.8 years
male: 18.5 years
female: 19.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.491% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Birth rate:
32.75 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Death rate:
17.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 39% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 80.62 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 21
male: 87.22 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 73.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 44.47 years
country comparison to the world: 215
male: 44.4 years
female: 44.54 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.14 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
6.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
160,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African
Ethnic groups:
Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%,
Yakoma 4%, other 2%
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim
15%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the
Christian majority
Languages:
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language),
tribal languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48.6%
male: 64.8%
female: 33.5% (2000 est.)
Education expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 174
Government ::Central African Republic
Country name:
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Bangui
geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic
prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture
economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**,
Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei,
Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham,
Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga
Independence:
13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Constitution:
ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27
December 2004
Legal system:
based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)
head of government: Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since
22 January 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: under the new constitution, the president elected to a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 13
March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister
appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority
election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of
second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE
(MLPC) 35.4%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held
in 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents
34, other 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (three judges
appointed by the president, three by the president of the National
Assembly, and three by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal
Courts; Inferior Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS];
Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic
Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for
Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD
[Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for
Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the
Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix
PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or
KNK; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's
Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity
Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD
[Enoch LAKOUE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Monam (combating gender-base violence)
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800
FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Frederick B. COOK
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: [236] 61 02 00
FAX: [236] 61 44 94
note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff
Flag description:
four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow
with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to
the hoist side of the blue band
Economy ::Central African Republic
Economy - overview:
Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the
backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with
more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The
agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber has
accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry,
for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the
CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely
unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic
policies. Factional fighting between the government and its
opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of
income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the
international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.184 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
$3.115 billion (2007 est.)
$3.004 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.997 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
3.7% (2007 est.)
3.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
$700 (2007 est.)
$700 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 55%
industry: 20%
services: 25% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
1.926 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 121
Unemployment rate:
8% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
note: 23% unemployment for Bangui
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 33% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
61.3 (1993)
country comparison to the world: 6
Budget:
revenues: $250 million
expenditures: $273 million (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 85
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 45
15% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$218.3 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$47.58 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$320.2 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet,
corn, bananas; timber
Industries:
gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear,
assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 85
Electricity - production:
115 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Electricity - consumption:
107 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Oil - consumption:
2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Oil - imports:
2,203 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Current account balance:
-$77 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Exports:
$146.7 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
Exports - partners:
Japan 40.4%, Belgium 9.8%, China 8.2%, Morocco 6%, Indonesia 5.6%,
France 4.4%, Italy 4.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4% (2008)
Imports:
$237.3 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Imports - commodities:
food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment,
motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners:
South Korea 20.2%, France 13.6%, Cameroon 7.7%, Netherlands 5.8%, US
5.3% (2008)
Debt - external:
$1.153 billion (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US
dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47
(2005), 528.29 (2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted
in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Central African Republic
Telephones - main lines in use:
12,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 200
Telephones - mobile cellular:
154,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 176
Telephone system:
general assessment: limited telephone service; fixed-line
connections for well less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with
mobile-cellular usage of only about 3 per 100 persons; most
fixed-line and cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui
domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and
low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication
international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2001)
Internet country code:
.cf
Internet hosts:
21 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 215
Internet users:
19,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 191
Transportation ::Central African Republic
Airports:
40 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 104
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 38
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 24,307 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 105
Waterways:
2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 35
Ports and terminals:
Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga
Military ::Central African Republic
Military branches:
Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA):
Ground Forces, General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG),
Military Air Service, National Police (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript
service obligation (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,032,828
females age 16-49: 999,330 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 552,907
females age 16-49: 512,611 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 55,484
female: 55,168 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.1% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Transnational Issues ::Central African Republic
Disputes - international:
periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related
pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic
Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of
Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006
IDPs: 197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Central African Republic is a source, transit,
and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for
the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority
of victims are children trafficked within the country for sexual
exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced
agricultural, mine, market and restaurant labor; to a lesser extent,
children are trafficked from the Central African Republic to
Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels
conscript children into armed forces within the country
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Central African Republic is on the
Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to
show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in 2007;
efforts to address trafficking through vigorous law enforcement
measures and victim protection efforts were minimal, though
awareness about trafficking appeared to be increasing in the
country; the government does not actively investigate cases, work to
identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, or rescue
and provide care to victims; the government has not taken measures
to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Chad (Africa)
Introduction ::Chad
Background:
Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three
decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a
semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government
eventually drafted a democratic constitution, and held flawed
presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke
out in northern Chad, which has sporadically flared up despite
several peace agreements between the government and the rebels. In
2005, new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and made probing
attacks into eastern Chad, despite signing peace agreements in
December 2006 and October 2007. Power remains in the hands of an
ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a
referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits and won
another controversial election in 2006. Sporadic rebel campaigns
continued throughout 2006 and 2007, and the capital experienced a
significant rebel threat in early 2008.
Geography ::Chad
Location:
Central Africa, south of Libya
Geographic coordinates:
15 00 N, 19 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1.284 million sq km
country comparison to the world: 21
land: 1,259,200 sq km
water: 24,800 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than three times the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 5,968 km
border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197
km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain:
broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in
northwest, lowlands in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m
highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold,
limestone, sand and gravel, salt
Land use:
arable land: 2.8%
permanent crops: 0.02%
other: 97.18% (2005)
Irrigated land:
300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
43 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.23 cu km/yr (17%/0%/83%)
per capita: 24 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts;
locust plagues
Environment - current issues:
inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in
rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography - note:
landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel
People ::Chad
Population:
10,329,208 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.7% (male 2,445,841/female 2,381,319)
15-64 years: 50.4% (male 2,386,428/female 2,816,050)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 126,351/female 173,219) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.5 years
male: 15.3 years
female: 17.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.069% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Birth rate:
40.86 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Death rate:
16.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Net migration rate:
-4.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Urbanization:
urban population: 27% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 98.69 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 11
male: 104.72 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 92.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.7 years
country comparison to the world: 211
male: 46.67 years
female: 48.77 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.31 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
3.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
200,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
14,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Chadian(s)
adjective: Chadian
Ethnic groups:
Sara 27.7%, Arab 12.3%, Mayo-Kebbi 11.5%, Kanem-Bornou 9%, Ouaddai
8.7%, Hadjarai 6.7%, Tandjile 6.5%, Gorane 6.3%, Fitri-Batha 4.7%,
other 6.4%, unknown 0.3% (1993 census)
Religions:
Muslim 53.1%, Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.2%, animist 7.3%, other
0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1% (1993 census)
Languages:
French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120
different languages and dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic
total population: 25.7%
male: 40.8%
female: 12.8% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 6 years
male: 7 years
female: 4 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 168
Government ::Chad
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form: Chad
local long form: Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad
local short form: Tchad/Tshad
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: N'Djamena
geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 15 02 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
18 regions (regions, singular - region); Batha,
Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem,
Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est,
Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile, Ville de
N'Djamena, Wadi Fira
Independence:
11 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
Constitution:
passed by referendum 31 March 1996; a June 2005 referendum removed
constitutional term limits
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4
December 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Youssof Saleh ABBAS (since 16
April 2008)
cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year
term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the
two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second
round of voting; last held 3 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2011);
prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president;
percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 64.7%, Delwa Kassire
KOUMAKOYE 15.1%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 7.8%, Mahamat ABDOULAYE 7.1%,
Brahim KOULAMALLAH 5.3%; note - a June 2005 national referendum
altered the constitution removing presidential term limits and
permitting Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno to run for reelection
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular
vote to serve four-year terms); note - the 1996 constitution called
for a Senate that has never been formed
elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be
held by 2009); note - legislative elections, originally scheduled
for 2006, were first delayed by National Assembly action and
subsequently by an accord, signed in August 2007, between government
and opposition parties
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, UNDR 5, URD 3, other 11
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR];
National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Delwa Kassire
KOUMAKOYE]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh
KEBZABO]; Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Ibni Oumar
Mahamat SALEH]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh
AHMAT, chairman]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol
Mahamat CHOUA]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal
Abdelkader KAMOUGUE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
rebel groups
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Adam BECHIR
chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Louis NIGRO
embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena
mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena
telephone: [235] 251-62-11, 251-70-09, 251-77-59
FAX: [235] 251-56-54
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red
note: similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of
Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms
centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
Economy ::Chad
Economy - overview:
Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by
major foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that
began in 2000. At least 80% of Chad's population relies on
subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. Chad's
economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high
energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign
assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector
investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been
investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1
billion barrels - in southern Chad. Chinese companies are also
expanding exploration efforts and plan to build a refinery. The
nation's total oil reserves are estimated at 1.5 billion barrels.
Oil production came on stream in late 2003. Chad began to export oil
in 2004. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's
non-oil export earnings.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$15.82 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
$15.85 billion (2007 est.)
$15.82 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.4 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
0.2% (2007 est.)
0.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,600 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
$1,600 (2007 est.)
$1,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 20.5%
industry: 48%
services: 31.5% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.293 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 83
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)
industry and services: 20% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
80% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
13.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Budget:
revenues: $2.324 billion
expenditures: $1.91 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 82
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 42
15% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$874.5 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$55.23 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$82.81 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca);
cattle, sheep, goats, camels
Industries:
oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, brewing, natron (sodium
carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - production:
100 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Electricity - consumption:
93 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
127,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Oil - exports:
157,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Oil - imports:
1,571 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Oil - proved reserves:
1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Current account balance:
-$1.019 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
-$737.8 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$4.342 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
$3.674 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic
Exports - partners:
US 92.8%, Japan 2.2%, France 1.5% (2008)
Imports:
$1.927 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$1.541 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods,
foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners:
France 17.5%, Cameroon 14.8%, China 9.8%, Ukraine 9.5%, US 7.7%,
Germany 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 4.7%, Netherlands 4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.347 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$964.4 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.6 billion (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$4.5 billion (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US
dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 480.1 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47
(2005), 528.29 (2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted
in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Chad
Telephones - main lines in use:
13,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 199
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.809 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 124
Telephone system:
general assessment: primitive system with high costs and low
telephone density; fixed-line connections for only about 1 per 1000
persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of less
than 20 per 100 persons
domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations
international: country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2001)
Internet country code:
.td
Internet hosts:
5 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 225
Internet users:
130,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 144
Transportation ::Chad
Airports:
54 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 86
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 46
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 11 (2009)
Pipelines:
oil 250 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 33,400 km
country comparison to the world: 95
paved: 267 km
unpaved: 33,133 km (2002)
Waterways:
Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2008)
Military ::Chad
Military branches:
Armed Forces: Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT),
Chadian Air Force (Force Aerienne Tchadienne, FAT), Gendarmerie
(2008)
Military service age and obligation:
20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation; 18
years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for
volunteers with consent from a guardian; women are subject to 1 year
of compulsory military or civic service at age of 21 (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,906,545
females age 16-49: 2,258,758 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,103,006
females age 16-49: 1,315,620 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 121,080
female: 121,585 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 27
Transnational Issues ::Chad
Disputes - international:
since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military have
driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad; Chad
remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict,
reducing tensions with Sudan arising from cross-border banditry;
Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; only Nigeria and
Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify
the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and
Niger-Nigeria boundaries
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 234,000 (Sudan); 54,200 (Central
African Republic)
IDPs: 178,918 (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Chad is a source, transit, and destination
country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and
commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of children are
trafficked within Chad for involuntary domestic servitude, forced
cattle herding, forced begging, forced labor in petty commerce or
the fishing industry, or for commercial sexual exploitation; to a
lesser extent, Chadian children are also trafficked to Cameroon, the
Central African Republic, and Nigeria for cattle herding; children
may also be trafficked from Cameroon and the Central African
Republic to Chad's oil producing regions for sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Chad is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat
human trafficking in 2007; Chad was destabilized during 2007 by
civil conflict leading to a declared state of emergency in February
2008, and a steady influx of refugees fleeing Sudan and the Central
African Republic; the government demonstrated insufficient overall
efforts to combat trafficking; Chad has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP
Protocol (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Chile (South America)
Introduction ::Chile
Background:
Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern
Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Mapuche inhabited
central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence
in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until
1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and
Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the
1880s that the Mapuche Indians were completely subjugated. After a
series of elected governments, a three-year-old Marxist government
of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by
Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was
installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently
since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty
rates by over half, and have helped secure the country's commitment
to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly
assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its
status as a stable, democratic nation.
Geography ::Chile
Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between
Argentina and Peru
Geographic coordinates:
30 00 S, 71 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 756,102 sq km
country comparison to the world: 38
land: 743,812 sq km
water: 12,290 sq km
note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 6,339 km
border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km
Coastline:
6,435 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200/350 nm
Climate:
temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool
and damp in south
Terrain:
low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m
Natural resources:
copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum,
hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 2.62%
permanent crops: 0.43%
other: 96.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:
19,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
922 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 12.55 cu km/yr (11%/25%/64%)
per capita: 770 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:
widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air
pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution
from raw sewage
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage);
Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions
People ::Chile
Population:
16,601,707 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.2% (male 1,966,017/female 1,877,963)
15-64 years: 67.8% (male 5,625,963/female 5,628,146)
65 years and over: 9.1% (male 627,746/female 875,872) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 31.4 years
male: 30.4 years
female: 32.4 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.881% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Birth rate:
14.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Death rate:
5.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 88% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.71 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 164
male: 8.49 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.34 years
country comparison to the world: 56
male: 74.07 years
female: 80.77 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
31,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Nationality:
noun: Chilean(s)
adjective: Chilean
Ethnic groups:
white and white-Amerindian 95.4%, Mapuche 4%, other indigenous
groups 0.6% (2002 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other
Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census)
Languages:
Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.7%
male: 95.8%
female: 95.6% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 141
Government ::Chile
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Chile
conventional short form: Chile
local long form: Republica de Chile
local short form: Chile
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Santiago
geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends
second Sunday in March
Administrative divisions:
15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos
Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota,
Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins,
Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule,
Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence:
18 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Constitution:
11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991,
1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005
Legal system:
based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes
influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of
its criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March
2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11
March 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a single four-year
term; election last held 11 December 2005, with runoff election held
15 January 2006 (next to be held in December 2009)
election results: Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent
of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria 53.5%; Sebastian PINERA Echenique
46.5%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the
Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve
eight-year terms; one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber
of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected
by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in
December 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 2005
(next to be held in December 2009)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - CPD 20 (PDC 6, PS 8, PPD 3, PRSD 3), APC 17 (UDI 9, RN 8),
independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - CPD 65 (PDC 21, PPD 22, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 54 (UDI
34, RN 20), independent 1; note - as of 8 January 2008: Senate -
seats by party - CPD 18, (PDC 5, PS 8, PPD 2, PRSD 3), APC 16 (UDI
9, RN 7), independent 4; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - CPD
57 (PDC 16, PPD 19, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 53 (UDI 33, RN 20),
independent 10.
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the
president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates
provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is
elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional
Tribunal (eight-members - two each from the Senate, Chamber of
Deputies, Supreme Court, and National Security Council - review the
constitutionality of laws approved by Congress)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC (including National Renewal or
RN [Carlos LARRAIN Pena] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI
[Juan Antonio COLOMA Correa]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy
(Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC
[Juan Carlos LATORRE Carmona], Socialist Party or PS [Camilo
ESCALONA Medina], Party for Democracy or PPD [Pepe AUTH Stewart],
and Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ
Urrutia]); Communist Party or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle];
Humanist Party [Marilen CABRERA Olmos]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Roman Catholic Church, particularly conservative groups such as Opus
Dei; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the
country's five largest labor confederations
other: revitalized university student federations at all major
universities
International organization participation:
APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,
IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD
(accession state), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN,
UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO,
UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Maria GONI Carrasco
chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746
FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Paul E. SIMONS
embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago
mailing address: APO AA 34033
telephone: [56] (2) 330-3000
FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710, 330-3160
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the
same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white
band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center
representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky,
white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood
spilled to achieve independence
note: design was influenced by the US flag
Economy ::Chile
Economy - overview:
Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of
foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and
sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating
in South America. Exports account for 40% of GDP, with commodities
making up some three-quarters of total exports. Copper alone
provides one-third of government revenue. During the early 1990s,
Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was
strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN -
which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic
reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP
averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998
because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current
account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the
latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought
exacerbated the situation in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing
hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile
experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than
15 years. In the years since then, growth has averaged 4% per year.
Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization
with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took
effect on 1 January 2004. Chile claims to have more bilateral or
regional trade agreements than any other country. It has 57 such
agreements (not all of them full free trade agreements), including
with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and
Mexico. Over the past five years, foreign direct investment inflows
have quadrupled to some $17 billion in 2008. The Chilean government
conducts a rule-based countercyclical fiscal policy, accumulating
surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper
prices and economic growth, and allowing deficit spending only
during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of September
2008, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country
and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $20
billion.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$245.1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$237.5 billion (2007 est.)
$226.8 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$169.5 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
4.7% (2007 est.)
4.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$14,600 (2007 est.)
$14,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 50.5%
services: 44.7% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
7.267 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 13.2%
industry: 23%
services: 63.9% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
7.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
7% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
18.2% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 41.7% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
54.9 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 14
57.1 (2000)
Investment (gross fixed):
24% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Budget:
revenues: $44.79 billion
expenditures: $35.09 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
5.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
12.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
4.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
8.25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 73
6% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.26% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
8.67% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$14.72 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
$16.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$73.66 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 25
$80.42 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$116.4 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 35
$127.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$132.4 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 36
$212.9 billion (31 December 2007)
$174.6 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic,
asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber
Industries:
copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel,
wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
0.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Electricity - production:
60.6 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Electricity - consumption:
57.29 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.628 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
11,190 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Oil - consumption:
277,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Oil - exports:
49,250 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Oil - imports:
311,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Oil - proved reserves:
150 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - production:
1.65 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - consumption:
2.34 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 184
Natural gas - imports:
690 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - proved reserves:
97.97 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Current account balance:
-$3.44 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$7.189 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$66.46 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$67.67 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
Exports - partners:
China 14.2%, US 11.3%, Japan 10.4%, Brazil 5.9%, South Korea 5.7%,
Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.4% (2008)
Imports:
$57.61 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$44.03 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and
telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles,
natural gas
Imports - partners:
US 19.1%, China 11.9%, Brazil 9.3%, Argentina 8.8%, South Korea
5.6%, Japan 4.6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$23.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$16.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$64.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
$55.67 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$108.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$91.49 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$25.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$24.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 509.02 (2008 est.), 526.25
(2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004)
Communications ::Chile
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.526 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
Telephones - mobile cellular:
14.797 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 45
Telephone system:
general assessment: privatization begun in 1988; most advanced
telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system
based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; fixed-line
connections have dropped in recent years as mobile-cellular usage
continues to increase, reaching a level of 90 telephones per 100
persons
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite
system with 3 earth stations
international: country code - 56; submarine cables provide links to
the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations -
2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 180, FM 64, shortwave 17 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.cl
Internet hosts:
877,817 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 40
Internet users:
5.456 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
Transportation ::Chile
Airports:
357 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 22
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 81
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 24
under 914 m: 22 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 276
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 50
under 914 m: 212 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,676 km; liquid petroleum gas 519 km; oil 892 km; refined
products 769 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 5,481 km
country comparison to the world: 33
broad gauge: 1,706 km 1.676-m gauge (850 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 3,777 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 80,505 km
country comparison to the world: 58
paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways)
unpaved: 63,760 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 44
country comparison to the world: 75
by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 7, chemical tanker 8, container 1,
liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 7,
roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 3
registered in other countries: 40 (Argentina 7, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1,
Isle of Man 6, Marshall Islands 4, Norway 2, Panama 12, Singapore 6,
Venezuela 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente,
Valparaiso
Military ::Chile
Military branches:
Army of the Nation, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes naval
air, marine corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine
Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile,
FACh), Carabineros Corps (Cuerpo de Carabineros) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service,
although the right to compulsory recruitment is retained; service
obligation - 12 months for Army, 22 months for Navy and Air Force
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,242,912
females age 16-49: 4,182,509 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,573,165
females age 16-49: 3,523,649 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 145,766
female: 139,648 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 57
Transnational Issues ::Chile
Disputes - international:
Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reinvigorated claim to restore the
Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered
instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile
to Bolivian gas and other commodities; Chile rejects Peru's
unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary
with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring
Peru, in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile
to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic
Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the
joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in
2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the
inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the
region; some money laundering activity, especially through the
Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia;
domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant
consumer of cocaine (2008)
page last updated on November 12, 2009
======================================================================
@China (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::China
Background:
For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the
rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and
early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major
famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War
II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic
socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed
strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of
millions of people. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and
other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by
2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living
standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal
choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.
Geography ::China
Location:
Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea,
and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:
35 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 9,596,961 sq km
country comparison to the world: 4
land: 9,569,901 sq km
water: 27,060 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than the US
Land boundaries:
total: 22,117 km
border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,
India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km,
Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km,
Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40
km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km
regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km
Coastline:
14,500 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Terrain:
mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas,
and hills in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten,
antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum,
lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)
Land use:
arable land: 14.86%
permanent crops: 1.27%
other: 83.87% (2005)
Irrigated land:
545,960 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
2,829.6 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 549.76 cu km/yr (7%/26%/68%)
per capita: 415 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern
coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land
subsidence
Environment - current issues:
air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from
reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly
in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation;
estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil
erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in
endangered species
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount
Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak
People ::China
Population:
1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.8% (male 140,877,745/female 124,290,090)
15-64 years: 72.1% (male 495,724,889/female 469,182,087)
65 years and over: 8.1% (male 51,774,115/female 56,764,042) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 34.1 years
male: 33.5 years
female: 34.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.655% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Birth rate:
14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Death rate:
7.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Net migration rate:
-0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Urbanization:
urban population: 43% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 20.25 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 105
male: 18.87 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.47 years
country comparison to the world: 105
male: 71.61 years
female: 75.52 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
700,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
39,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever
soil contact disease: hantaviral hemorrhagic fever with renal
syndrome (HFRS)
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Chinese (singular and plural)
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic groups:
Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi,
Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities
8.5% (2000 census)
Religions:
Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2%
note: officially atheist (2002 est.)
Languages:
Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing
dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou),
Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority
languages (see Ethnic groups entry)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.9%
male: 95.1%
female: 86.5% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (1999)
country comparison to the world: 170
Government ::China
Country name:
conventional long form: People's Republic of China
conventional short form: China
local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
local short form: Zhongguo
abbreviation: PRC
Government type:
Communist state
Capital:
name: Beijing
geographic coordinates: 39 55 N, 116 23 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: despite its size, all of China falls within one time zone;
many people in Xinjiang Province observe an unofficial "Xinjiang
timezone" of UTC+6, two hours behind Beijing
Administrative divisions:
23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions
(zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular
and plural)
provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei,
Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin,
Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan,
Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan)
autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang Uygur,
Xizang (Tibet)
municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin
note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries
for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau
Independence:
221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912
(Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China); 1
October 1949 (People's Republic of China established)
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1
October (1949)
Constitution:
most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 with amendments in 1988 and
1993
Legal system:
based on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continental civil
code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpret
statutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003); Vice
President XI Jinping (since 15 March 2008)
head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003);
Executive Vice Premier LI Keqiang (17 March 2008), Vice Premier HUI
Liangyu (since 17 March 2003), Vice Premier ZHANG Deijiang (since 17
March 2008), and Vice Premier WANG Qishan (since 17 March 2008)
cabinet: State Council appointed by National People's Congress
elections: president and vice president elected by National People's
Congress for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
elections last held 15-17 March 2008 (next to be held in mid-March
2013); premier nominated by president, confirmed by National
People's Congress
election results: HU Jintao elected president by National People's
Congress with a total of 2,963 votes; XI Jinping elected vice
president with a total of 2,919 votes
Legislative branch:
unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao
Dahui (2,987 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and
provincial people's congresses, and People's Liberation Army to
serve five-year terms)
elections: last held December 2007-February 2008; date of next
election - late 2012 to early 2013
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - 2,987
note: only members of the CCP, its eight allied parties, and
sympathetic independent candidates are elected
Judicial branch:
Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's
Congress); Local People's Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and
basic courts); Special People's Courts (primarily military,
maritime, railway transportation, and forestry courts)
Political parties and leaders:
Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao]; eight registered small
parties controlled by CCP
Political pressure groups and leaders:
the China Democracy Party; the Falungong spiritual movement
note: no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the
government has identified the organizations listed above as
subversive groups
International organization participation:
ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, Arctic Council
(observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-20,
G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU,
ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM
(observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC
(observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT,
UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador ZHOU Wenzhong
chancery: 12 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jon M. HUNTSMAN, Jr.
embassy: 55 An Jia Lou Lu, 100600 Beijing
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [86] (10) 8531-3000
FAX: [86] (10) 8531-3300
consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan
Flag description:
red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow
five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of
the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
Economy ::China
Economy - overview:
China's economy during the past 30 years has changed from a
centrally planned system that was largely closed to international
trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing
private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Reforms
started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of collectivized
agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of
prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state
enterprises, the foundation of a diversified banking system, the
development of stock markets, the rapid growth of the non-state
sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment. Annual
inflows of foreign direct investment rose to nearly $84 billion in
2007. China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist or
piecemeal fashion. In recent years, China has re-invigorated its
support for leading state-owned enterprises in sectors it considers
important to "economic security," explicitly looking to foster
globally competitive national champions. After keeping its currency
tightly linked to the US dollar for years, China in July 2005
revalued its currency by 2.1% against the US dollar and moved to an
exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies.
Cumulative appreciation of the renminbi against the US dollar since
the end of the dollar peg was more than 20% by late 2008, but the
exchange rate has changed little since the onset of the global
financial crisis. The restructuring of the economy and resulting
efficiency gains have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in
GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis
that adjusts for price differences, China in 2008 stood as the
second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per
capita terms the country is still lower middle-income. The Chinese
government faces numerous economic development challenges,
including: (a) strengthening its social safety net, including
pension and health system reform, to counteract a high domestic
savings rate and correspondingly low domestic demand; (b) sustaining
adequate job growth for tens of millions of migrants, new entrants
to the work force, and workers laid off from state-owned enterprises
deemed not worth saving; (c) reducing corruption and other economic
crimes; and (d) containing environmental damage and social strife
related to the economy's rapid transformation. Economic development
has been more rapid in coastal provinces than in the interior, and
approximately 200 million rural laborers and their dependents have
relocated to urban areas to find work - in recent years many have
returned to their villages. One demographic consequence of the "one
child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging
countries in the world. Deterioration in the environment - notably
air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table,
especially in the north - is another long-term problem. China
continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic
development. In 2007 China intensified government efforts to improve
environmental conditions, tying the evaluation of local officials to
environmental targets, publishing a national climate change policy,
and establishing a high level leading group on climate change,
headed by Premier WEN Jiabao. The Chinese government seeks to add
energy production capacity from sources other than coal and oil. In
late 2008, as China commemorated the 30th anniversary of its
historic economic reforms, the global economic downturn began to
slow foreign demand for Chinese exports for the first time in many
years. The government vowed to continue reforming the economy and
emphasized the need to increase domestic consumption in order to
make China less dependent on foreign exports for GDP growth in the
future.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$7.992 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
$7.332 trillion (2007 est.)
$6.489 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.327 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
13% (2007 est.)
11.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$5,500 (2007 est.)
$4,900 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.3%
industry: 48.6%
services: 40.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
807.3 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 43%
industry: 25%
services: 32% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
4% (2007 est.)
note: official data for urban areas only; including migrants may
boost total unemployment to 9%; substantial unemployment and
underemployment in rural areas
Population below poverty line:
8%
note: 21.5 million rural population live below the official
"absolute poverty" line (approximately $90 per year); and an
additional 35.5 million rural population above that but below the
official "low income" line (approximately $125 per year) (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 31.4% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
47 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 36
40 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
40.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Budget:
revenues: $847.8 billion
expenditures: $861.6 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
15.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
31.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
4.8% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2.79% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 130
3.33% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.31% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 136
5.58% (17 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$2.434 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 3
$2.09 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$4.523 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 4
$3.437 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$5.555 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 4
$4.653 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.794 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
$6.226 trillion (31 December 2007)
$2.426 trillion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples,
cotton, oilseed; pork; fish
Industries:
mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals,
coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum;
cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including
footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation
equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships,
and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch
vehicles, satellites
Industrial production growth rate:
9.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Electricity - production:
3.041 trillion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Electricity - consumption:
2.835 trillion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Electricity - exports:
16.64 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.842 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
3.973 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Oil - consumption:
7.85 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Oil - exports:
419,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Oil - imports:
4.21 million bbl/day (2007)
country comparison to the world: 4
Oil - proved reserves:
16 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Natural gas - production:
76.04 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Natural gas - consumption:
77.18 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Natural gas - exports:
3.36 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - imports:
4.5 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.265 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Current account balance:
$426.1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
$371.8 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.435 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
$1.22 trillion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
electrical and other machinery, including data processing equipment,
apparel, textiles, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment
Exports - partners:
US 17.7%, Hong Kong 13.3%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.2%, Germany
4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$1.074 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
$904.6 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
electrical and other machinery, oil and mineral fuels, optical and
medical equipment, metal ores, plastics, organic chemicals
Imports - partners:
Japan 13.3%, South Korea 9.9%, US 7.2%, Germany 4.9% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.955 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
$1.534 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$400.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$363 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$758.9 billion (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$149.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$95.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - 6.9385 (2008 est.), 7.61 (2007),
7.97 (2006), 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004)
Communications ::China
Telephones - main lines in use:
365.6 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 1
Telephones - mobile cellular:
634 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 1
Telephone system:
general assessment: domestic and international services are
increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed
domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and
many towns; China continues to develop its telecommunications
infrastructure, and is partnering with foreign providers to expand
its global reach; China in the summer of 2008 began a major
restructuring of its telecommunications industry, resulting in the
consolidation of its six telecom service operators to three, China
Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom, each providing both
fixed-line and mobile services
domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular
telephone systems have been installed; mobile-cellular
subscribership is increasing rapidly; the number of Internet users
exceeded 250 million by summer 2008; a domestic satellite system
with 55 earth stations is in place
international: country code - 86; a number of submarine cables
provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US;
satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Pacific Ocean and 1
Indian Ocean; 1 Intersputnik - Indian Ocean region; and 1 Inmarsat -
Pacific and Indian Ocean regions) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are
provincial TV stations, and nearly 3,000 are local city stations)
(1997)
Internet country code:
.cn
Internet hosts:
14.156 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 7
Internet users:
298 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 1
Transportation ::China
Airports:
482 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 15
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 425
over 3,047 m: 63
2,438 to 3,047 m: 132
1,524 to 2,437 m: 133
914 to 1,523 m: 25
under 914 m: 72 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 57
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 26 (2009)
Heliports:
45 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 28,132 km; oil 20,204 km; refined products 9,746 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 77,834 km
country comparison to the world: 3
standard gauge: 77,084 km 1.435-m gauge (24,433 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 750 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 1,930,544 km
country comparison to the world: 3
paved: 1,575,571 km (includes 41,005 km of expressways)
unpaved: 354,973 km (2005)
Waterways:
110,000 km navigable (2008)
country comparison to the world: 1
Merchant marine:
total: 1,826
country comparison to the world: 3
by type: barge carrier 4, bulk carrier 451, cargo 689, carrier 2,
chemical tanker 69, combination ore/oil 1, container 162, liquefied
gas 44, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 83, petroleum tanker 244,
refrigerated cargo 33, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 9,
vehicle carrier 17
foreign-owned: 20 (Ecuador 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 12, Indonesia 1,
Japan 2, South Korea 1, Norway 1)
registered in other countries: 1,441 (Bahamas 10, Bangladesh 1,
Belize 71, Bermuda 10, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 193, Cyprus 10, France 5,
Georgia 10, Germany 2, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 324, India 1, Indonesia
2, Kiribati 15, South Korea 1, Liberia 11, Malta 12, Marshall
Islands 7, Mongolia 1, Norway 36, Panama 532, Philippines 4, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines 94, Sierra Leone 15, Singapore 14,
Thailand 1, Tuvalu 16, unknown 39) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Dalian, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen,
Tianjin
Military ::China
Military branches:
People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes
marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes airborne forces),
and Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed
Police (PAP); PLA Reserve Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-22 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with
24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service
(all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high
school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs
(2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 375,009,345
females age 16-49: 354,314,328 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 314,459,083
females age 16-49: 296,763,134 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 10,621,373
female: 9,533,880 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 25
Transnational Issues ::China
Disputes - international:
continuing talks and confidence-building measures work toward
reducing tensions over Kashmir that nonetheless remains militarized
with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai
Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and
Northern Areas); India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic
Kashmir lands to China in 1964; China and India continue their
security and foreign policy dialogue started in 2005 related to the
dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional
nuclear proliferation, and other matters; China claims most of
India's Arunachal Pradesh to the base of the Himalayas; lacking any
treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue
negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve
territorial disputes due to cartographic discrepancies; Chinese maps
show an international boundary symbol off the coasts of the littoral
states of the South China Seas, where China has interrupted
Vietnamese hydrocarbon exploration; China asserts sovereignty over
the Spratly Islands together with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan,
Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct
of Parties in the South China Sea" eased tensions in the Spratly's
but is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some
parties; Vietnam and China continue to expand construction of
facilities in the Spratly's and in March 2005, the national oil
companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint
accord on marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; China
occupies some of the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and
Taiwan; China and Taiwan continue to reject both Japan's claims to
the uninhabited islands of Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's
unilaterally declared equidistance line in the East China Sea, the
site of intensive hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation; certain
islands in the Yalu and Tumen rivers are in dispute with North
Korea; North Korea and China seek to stem illegal migration to China
by North Koreans, fleeing privations and oppression, by building a
fence along portions of the border and imprisoning North Koreans
deported by China; China and Russia have demarcated the once
disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun
River in accordance with their 2004 Agreement; China and Tajikistan
have begun demarcating the revised boundary agreed to in the
delimitation of 2002; the decade-long demarcation of the
China-Vietnam land boundary is expected to be completed by the end
of 2008, while the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries
agreements in the Gulf of Tonkin, ratified in June 2004, have been
implemented; citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns,
China has reconsidered construction of 13 dams on the Salween River,
but energy-starved Burma, with backing from Thailand, remains intent
on building five hydro-electric dams downstream despite regional and
international protests; Chinese and Hong Kong authorities met in
March 2008 to resolve ownership and use of lands recovered in
Shenzhen River channelization, including 96-hectare Lok Ma Chau
Loop; Hong Kong developing plans to reduce 2,000 out of 2,800
hectares of its restricted Closed Area by 2010
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 300,897 (Vietnam); estimated
30,000-50,000 (North Korea)
IDPs: 90,000 (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: China is a source, transit, and destination
country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of
sexual exploitation and forced labor; the majority of trafficking in
China occurs within the country's borders, but there is also
considerable international trafficking of Chinese citizens to
Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North
America; Chinese women are lured abroad through false promises of
legitimate employment, only to be forced into commercial sexual
exploitation, largely in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan;
women and children are trafficked to China from Mongolia, Burma,
North Korea, Russia, and Vietnam for forced labor, marriage, and
prostitution; some North Korean women and children seeking to leave
their country voluntarily cross the border into China and are then
sold into prostitution, marriage, or forced labor
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - China is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for the fourth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence
of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in
terms of punishment of trafficking crimes and the protection of
Chinese and foreign victims of trafficking; victims are sometimes
punished for unlawful acts that were committed as a direct result of
their being trafficked, such as violations of prostitution or
immigration/emigration controls; the Chinese Government continued to
treat North Korean victims of trafficking solely as economic
migrants, routinely deporting them back to horrendous conditions in
North Korea; additional challenges facing the Chinese Government
include the enormous size of its trafficking problem and the
significant level of corruption and complicity in trafficking by
some local government officials (2008)
Illicit drugs:
major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle
region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic consumption of synthetic
drugs, and heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia; source country
for methamphetamine and heroin chemical precursors, despite new
regulations on its large chemical industry (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Christmas Island (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Christmas Island
Background:
Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed
and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in
the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958.
Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.
Geography ::Christmas Island
Location:
Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 135 sq km
country comparison to the world: 221
land: 135 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
138.9 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat
and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources:
phosphate, beaches
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a
national park) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime
hazard
Environment - current issues:
loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Geography - note:
located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
People ::Christmas Island
Population:
1,402 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 233
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate:
0% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Sex ratio:
NA (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Christmas Islander(s)
adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups:
Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%
note: no indigenous population (2001)
Religions:
Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)
Languages:
English (official), Chinese, Malay
Literacy:
NA
Government ::Christmas Island
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
Dependency status:
non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from
Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: The Settlement
geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution:
Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the
Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Legal system:
under the authority of the governor general of Australia and
Australian law
Suffrage:
18 years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator Brian LACY (since 5 October 2009)
elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the
governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and
Australia
Legislative branch:
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected
by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: held every two years with half the members standing for
election; last held 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
none
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly;
the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun
Bird superimposed, the lower triangle is blue with the Southern
Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a
centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island
note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes
Economy ::Christmas Island
Economy - overview:
Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity,
but in December 1987 the Australian government closed the mine. In
1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a
$34 million casino opened in 1993, but closed in 1998. The
Australian government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a
commercial space-launching site on the island expected to begin
operations in the near future.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
Labor force:
NA
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Agriculture - products:
NA
Industries:
tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
phosphate
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137
(2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004)
Communications ::Christmas Island
Telephones - main lines in use:
NA
Telephone system:
general assessment: service provided by the Australian network
domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system
in February 2005
international: country code - 61-8; satellite earth station - 1
(Intelsat provides telephone and telex service) (2005)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
0 (TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia)
(2006)
Internet country code:
.cx
Internet hosts:
2,598 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 145
Internet users:
464 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 216
Transportation ::Christmas Island
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 222
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 140 km
country comparison to the world: 209
paved: 30 km
unpaved: 110 km (2007)
Ports and terminals:
Flying Fish Cove
Military ::Christmas Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues ::Christmas Island
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 29, 2009
======================================================================
@Clipperton Island (North America)
Introduction ::Clipperton Island
Background:
This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who
made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in
1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually
awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935.
Geography ::Clipperton Island
Location:
Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest
of Mexico
Geographic coordinates:
10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references:
Political Map of the World
Area:
total: 6 sq km
country comparison to the world: 243
land: 6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
11.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season
(May to October)
Terrain:
coral atoll
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all coral) (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
reef 12 km in circumference
People ::Clipperton Island
Population:
uninhabited
Government ::Clipperton Island
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Clipperton
former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Dependency status:
possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of
Overseas France
Legal system:
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of France is used
Economy ::Clipperton Island
Economy - overview:
Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial
waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna
fishing.
Transportation ::Clipperton Island
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Clipperton Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues ::Clipperton Island
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on July 2, 2009
======================================================================
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Background:
There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING
discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until
the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS
family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local
coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were
transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on
the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic
Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.
Geography ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Location:
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest
of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates:
12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 14 sq km
country comparison to the world: 239
land: 14 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Area - comparative:
about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
26 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds
for about nine months of the year
Terrain:
flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
cyclone season is October to April
Environment - current issues:
fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in
natural underground reservoirs
Geography - note:
islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation;
site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the
Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS
Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was
beached by her captain on North Keeling Island
People ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Population:
596 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 236
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate:
0% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups:
Europeans, Cocos Malays
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.)
Languages:
Malay (Cocos dialect), English
Literacy:
NA
Government ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Dependency status:
non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from
Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: West Island
geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E
time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution:
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by
the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Legal system:
based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Brian LACY (since 5
October 2009)
cabinet: NA
elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the
governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and
Australia
Legislative branch:
unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)
elections: held every two years with half the members standing for
election; last held in May 2007 (next to be held in May 2009)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre
International organization participation:
none
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
Economy ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Economy - overview:
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small
local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but
additional food and most other necessities must be imported from
Australia. There is a small tourist industry.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
Labor force:
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs
construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism
employs others
Unemployment rate:
60% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Agriculture - products:
vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Industries:
copra products and tourism
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
copra
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137
(2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004)
Communications ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
287 (1992)
country comparison to the world: 229
Telephone system:
general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication
system; a local mobile-cellular network is in operation
domestic: NA
international: country code - 61; telephone, telex, and facsimile
communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite
earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (2007)
Internet country code:
.cc
Transportation ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 234
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 22 km
country comparison to the world: 218
paved: 10 km
unpaved: 12 km (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Port Refuge
Military ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a
five-person police force
Transnational Issues ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 29, 2009
======================================================================
@Colombia (South America)
Introduction ::Colombia
Background:
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the
collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and
Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces
and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade,
escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or
popular support necessary to overthrow the government and violence
has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue
attacks against civilians and large areas of the countryside are
under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More
than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006
and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal
organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary
demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members
include some former paramilitaries. The Colombian Government has
stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the
country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative
departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence
spilling over their borders.
Geography ::Colombia
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama
and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between
Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates:
4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 1,138,914 sq km
country comparison to the world: 26
land: 1,109,104 sq km
water: 100,210 sq km
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 6,309 km
border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,
Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline:
3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains,
eastern lowland plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m
note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper,
emeralds, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 2.01%
permanent crops: 1.37%
other: 96.62% (2005)
Irrigated land:
9,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
2,132 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 10.71 cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%)
per capita: 235 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes;
periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of
pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle
emissions
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
only South American country with coastlines on both the North
Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People ::Colombia
Population:
45,644,023 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28.9% (male 6,679,701/female 6,522,976)
15-64 years: 65.4% (male 14,571,536/female 15,297,179)
65 years and over: 5.6% (male 1,103,391/female 1,469,240) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 27.1 years
male: 26.1 years
female: 28 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.377% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Birth rate:
19.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Death rate:
5.54 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Net migration rate:
-0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Urbanization:
urban population: 74% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 108
male: 22.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.81 years
country comparison to the world: 114
male: 68.98 years
female: 76.76 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.46 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
170,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
9,800 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Colombian(s)
adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groups:
mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed
black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Languages:
Spanish
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.4%
male: 90.1%
female: 90.7% (2005 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 80
Government ::Colombia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia
Government type:
republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital:
name: Bogota
geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca,
Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare,
Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare,
Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander,
Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander,
Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence:
20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution:
5 July 1991; amended many times
Legal system:
based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US
procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and reached full
implementation in January 2008; judicial review of executive and
legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002);
Vice President Francisco SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2002); note
- the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August
2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2002)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the three largest
parties that supported President URIBE's reelection - the PSUN, PC,
and CR - and independents
elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for
a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28
May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010)
election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez reelected president;
percent of vote - Alvaro URIBE Velez 62%, Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz 22%,
Horacio SERPA Uribe 12%, other 4%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in
March 2010); House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2006
(next to be held in March 2010)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - PSUN 20, PC 18, PL 18, CR 15, PDI 10, other parties 21;
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - PL 35, PSUN 33, PC 29, CR 20, PDA 8, other parties 41
Judicial branch:
four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of
Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law;
judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior
Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest
court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees
of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms);
Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the
constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the
constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council
(administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves
jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are
elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Colombian Conservative Party or PC [Efrain Jose CEPEDA Sarabia];
Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz]; Liberal
Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo]; Radical Change or CR [German
VARGAS Lleras]; Social National Unity Party or U Party [Carlos FERRO
Solanilla]
note: Colombia has 15 formally recognized political parties, and
numerous unofficial parties that did not meet the vote threshold in
the March 2006 legislative elections required for recognition
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Liberation Army or ELN; Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia or FARC
note: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia
International organization participation:
BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG,
UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU,
WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carolina BARCO Isakson
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico),
Washington, DC
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD
embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C.
mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.
telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811
FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red
note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the
Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Economy ::Colombia
Economy - overview:
Colombia has experienced accelerating growth between 2002 and 2007,
with expansion above 7% in 2007, chiefly due to advancements in
domestic security, to rising commodity prices, and to President
URIBE's promarket economic policies. Colombia's sustained growth
helped reduce poverty by 20% and cut unemployment by 25% since 2002.
Additionally, investor friendly reforms to Colombia's hydrocarbon
sector and the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA)
negotiations have attracted record levels of foreign investment.
Inequality, underemployment,and narcotrafficking remain significant
challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires significant
updating in order to sustain expansion. Economic growth slipped in
2008 as a result of the global financial crisis and weakening demand
for Colombia's exports. In response, URIBE's administration has cut
capital controls, arranged for emergency credit lines from
multilateral institutions, and promoted investment incentives such
as Colombia's modernized free trade zone mechanism, legal stability
contracts, and new bilateral investment treaties and trade
agreements. The government has also encouraged exporters to
diversify their customer base away from the United States and
Venezuela, Colombia's largest trading partners. Nevertheless, the
business sector continues to be concerned about the impact of a
global recession on Colombia's exports, as well as the approval of
the CTPA, which is stalled in the US Congress.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$396 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$386.7 billion (2007 est.)
$359.7 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$240.8 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
7.5% (2007 est.)
6.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$9,100 (2007 est.)
$8,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 38.1%
services: 52.9% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
21.3 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 22.4%
industry: 18.8%
services: 58.8% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
11.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
11.2% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
49.2% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.8%
highest 10%: 45.9% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
53.8 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 15
57.1 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
24.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Budget:
revenues: $83.22 billion
expenditures: $82.92 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2008 est.)
Public debt:
42.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
51.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
5.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
11.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 30
11.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17.18% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$21.58 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 35
$21.81 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$26.57 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
$27.25 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$89.69 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
$85.34 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$87.03 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 48
$102 billion (31 December 2007)
$56.2 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa
beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp
Industries:
textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages,
chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate:
0.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Electricity - production:
50.58 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - consumption:
38.59 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - exports:
876.7 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
39.4 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
600,600 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Oil - consumption:
291,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Oil - exports:
294,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Oil - imports:
16,540 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Oil - proved reserves:
1.355 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - production:
9 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - consumption:
8.1 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Natural gas - exports:
900 million cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Natural gas - proved reserves:
105.9 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Current account balance:
-$6.712 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
-$5.838 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$38.53 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$30.58 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut
flowers
Exports - partners:
US 38%, Venezuela 16.2%, Ecuador 4% (2008)
Imports:
$37.56 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$31.17 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods,
chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity
Imports - partners:
US 29.2%, China 11.5%, Mexico 7.9%, Brazil 5.9% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$23.67 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$20.95 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$46.38 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
$44.55 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$67.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$56.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$13.18 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$10.93 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 2,243.6 (2008), 2,013.8
(2007), 2,358.6 (2006), 2,320.75 (2005), 2,628.61 (2004)
Communications ::Colombia
Telephones - main lines in use:
6.82 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
Telephones - mobile cellular:
41.365 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system in many respects;
telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple
providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services;
fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile
cellular telephone subscribership is about 90 per 100 persons;
competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling
local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep
decline in the market share of fixed line services
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic
satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking
50 cities
international: country code - 57; submarine cables provide links to
the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America;
satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully
digitalized international switching centers) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
60 (1997)
Internet country code:
.co
Internet hosts:
2.217 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 30
Internet users:
17.117 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 21
Transportation ::Colombia
Airports:
992 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 7
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 116
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 50
under 914 m: 15 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 876
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 35
914 to 1,523 m: 228
under 914 m: 612 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 4,560 km; oil 6,094 km; refined products 3,383 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 3,802 km
country comparison to the world: 45
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 3,652 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 164,257 km (2005)
country comparison to the world: 31
Waterways:
18,000 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
Merchant marine:
total: 17
country comparison to the world: 100
by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 3, specialized tanker 1
registered in other countries: 6 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Panama 4)
(2008)
Ports and terminals:
Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo
Military ::Colombia
Military branches:
National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional,
includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM),
and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia,
FAC) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;
service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,478,109
females age 16-49: 11,809,279 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,212,944
females age 16-49: 10,045,435 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 446,432
female: 437,164 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Transnational Issues ::Colombia
Disputes - international:
in December 2007, ICJ allocates San Andres, Providencia, and Santa
Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but does not rule on
82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed
dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and
Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of
Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and
paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have
caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries;
Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various
claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed
groups and drug traffickers) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading
coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2007, a
6% increase over 2006, producing a potential of 535 mt of pure
cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies
cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of
other international drug markets; in 2005, aerial eradication
dispensed herbicide to treat over 130,000 hectares but aggressive
replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia remains a key
producer; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either
laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso
exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy
cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006 and 2007;
most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Comoros (Africa)
Introduction ::Comoros
Background:
Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since
gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of
Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999,
military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and
helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in
which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and
each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002
Presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected
its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI
was elected to office. In 2007, BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto
secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh
Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate
elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to
resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval
blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers
seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's
inhabitants.
Geography ::Comoros
Location:
Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the
Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern
Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 2,235 sq km
country comparison to the world: 179
land: 2,235 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
340 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain:
volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Le Karthala 2,360 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 35.87%
permanent crops: 23.32%
other: 40.81% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
1.2 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%)
per capita: 13 cu m/yr (1999)
Natural hazards:
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le
Karthala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Environment - current issues:
soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes
without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
People ::Comoros
Population:
752,438 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 159,282/female 158,073)
15-64 years: 54.8% (male 203,533/female 208,591)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 10,474/female 12,485) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.8 years
male: 18.5 years
female: 19.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.766% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Birth rate:
35.23 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Death rate:
7.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 28% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 66.57 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 30
male: 74.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 58.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.47 years
country comparison to the world: 171
male: 61.07 years
female: 65.94 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.84 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran
Ethnic groups:
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Languages:
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili
and Arabic)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 56.5%
male: 63.6%
female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 9 years
female: 7 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2002)
country comparison to the world: 120
Government ::Comoros
Country name:
conventional long form: Union of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores
(French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic)
local short form: Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al
Qamar (Arabic)
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Moroni
geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Anjouan
(Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou*
Independence:
6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution:
23 December 2001
Legal system:
French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006)
head of government: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May
2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency
rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three
main islands in the Union; election last held 14 May 2006 (next to
be held in 2011)
election results: Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of
vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed
DJAANFAMI 13.7%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected
by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal
suffrage; to serve for five years);
elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held on 2
August 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies
from local island assemblies
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the
president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected
by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of
the republic)
Political parties and leaders:
Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani];
Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties
organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union
President); Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID]
(Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le
Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la
Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement
National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid
AFFRAITANE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC,
Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Representative to the UN and Ambassador to the US
Mohamed TOIHIRI
chancery: Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418,
New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to
Madagascar is accredited to Comoros
Flag description:
four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue,
with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within
the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the
hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line
between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the
four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -
Mwali, N'gazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial
collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros)
note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols
of Islam
Economy ::Comoros
Economy - overview:
One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three
islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and
rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low
educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence
level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy
dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture,
including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP,
employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.
The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the
main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government -
which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to
upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and
industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports,
promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. The
political problems have inhibited growth, which has averaged only
about 1% in 2006-08. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help
supplement GDP.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$741.7 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
$738 million (2007 est.)
$745.5 million (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$532 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
-1% (2007 est.)
1.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
$1,000 (2007 est.)
$1,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 4%
services: 56% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
268,500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80%
industry and services: 20% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (1996 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Population below poverty line:
60% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $27.6 million
expenditures: $NA (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Central bank discount rate:
5.36% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
5.36% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
10.5% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$100.6 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 113
$76.68 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$41.74 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 124
$23.39 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$79.52 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 125
$45.09 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts,
bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Industries:
fishing, tourism, perfume distillation
Industrial production growth rate:
-2% (1999 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Electricity - production:
22 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Electricity - consumption:
20.46 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Oil - imports:
766.2 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Current account balance:
$8 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Exports:
$32 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 201
Exports - commodities:
vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra
Exports - partners:
France 27.1%, Turkey 15.2%, India 9.5%, Greece 9.4%, Brazil 8.9%,
Algeria 7%, Singapore 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.3% (2008)
Imports:
$143 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 203
Imports - commodities:
rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products,
cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners:
Brazil 13.4%, France 13.1%, China 11.5%, UAE 9.1%, India 5.8%, Italy
5.3%, Pakistan 5.3%, Singapore 4.2%, Kenya 4.2% (2008)
Debt - external:
$232 million (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Exchange rates:
Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 361.4 (2007), 391.8 (2006),
395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003)
note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677
Comoran francs per euro
Communications ::Comoros
Telephones - main lines in use:
23,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 187
Telephones - mobile cellular:
42,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 198
Telephone system:
general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF
radiotelephone communication stations; fixed-line connections only
about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 5 per 100
persons
domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay
international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications
to Madagascar and Reunion
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
NA
Internet country code:
.km
Internet hosts:
7 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 223
Internet users:
23,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 188
Transportation ::Comoros
Airports:
4 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 184
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 880 km
country comparison to the world: 184
paved: 673 km
unpaved: 207 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 136
country comparison to the world: 46
by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 87, carrier 2, chemical tanker 5,
container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 9,
refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 68 (Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 2, Cyprus 1, Greece 6,
India 2, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Lebanon 4, Norway 1, Pakistan 4,
Philippines 1, Russia 12, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, Syria 4,
Turkey 8, Ukraine 8, UAE 7, US 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Mayotte, Mutsamudu
Military ::Comoros
Military branches:
National Development Army (AND): Comoran Security Force; Comoran
Federal Police (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 167,850
females age 16-49: 167,362 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 125,747
females age 16-49: 135,707 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 8,203
female: 8,188 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 54
Transnational Issues ::Comoros
Disputes - international:
claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and
Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the
Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces are called in
to assist the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels
who seized it in 2001
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Congo, Democratic Republic of the (Africa)
Introduction ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Background:
Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo
gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by
political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power
and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He
subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as
that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32
years through several sham elections, as well as through the use of
brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive
inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led
in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion
backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA. He
renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but
in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second
insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola,
Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support KABILA's
regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese
armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe
but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in
January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In
October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the
withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months
later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring
parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national
unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003. Joseph
KABILA as president and four vice presidents represented the former
government, former rebel groups, the political opposition, and civil
society. The transitional government held a successful
constitutional referendum in December 2005 and elections for the
presidency, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures in 2006.
KABILA was inaugurated president in December 2006. The National
Assembly was installed in September 2006. Its president, Vital
KAMERHE, was chosen in December. Provincial assemblies were
constituted in early 2007, and elected governors and national
senators in January 2007.
Geography ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Location:
Central Africa, northeast of Angola
Geographic coordinates:
0 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 2,344,858 sq km
country comparison to the world: 12
land: 2,267,048 sq km
water: 77,810 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 10,730 km
border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary
of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central
African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda
217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km
Coastline:
37 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors
Climate:
tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier
in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north
of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to
February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry
season (April to October)
Terrain:
vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110
m
Natural resources:
cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem
diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal,
hydropower, timber
Land use:
arable land: 2.86%
permanent crops: 0.47%
other: 96.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
110 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,283 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.36 cu km/yr (53%/17%/31%)
per capita: 6 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the
east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes
Environment - current issues:
poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution;
deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation,
soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a
mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing
environmental damage
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
straddles equator; has narrow strip of land that controls the lower
Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense
tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands
People ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Population:
68,692,542
country comparison to the world: 18
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.9% (male 16,161,301/female 16,038,024)
15-64 years: 50.6% (male 17,289,453/female 17,483,027)
65 years and over: 2.5% (male 699,667/female 1,021,070) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.4 years
male: 16.2 years
female: 16.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.208% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Birth rate:
42.63 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Death rate:
11.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Net migration rate:
1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Urbanization:
urban population: 34% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 81.21 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 19
male: 89.11 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 73.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 54.36 years
country comparison to the world: 194
male: 52.58 years
female: 56.2 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.2 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
4.2% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1.1 million (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
100,000 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis
(sleeping sickness)
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups:
over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the
four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the
Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population
Religions:
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%,
other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%
Languages:
French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language),
Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala,
Kingwana, or Tshiluba
total population: 67.2%
male: 80.9%
female: 54.1% (2001 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: DRC
local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo
local short form: RDC
former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville,
Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire
abbreviation: DRC
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Kinshasa
geographic coordinates: 4 19 S, 15 18 E
time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and 1 city* (ville);
Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental,
Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu
note: according to the Constitution adopted in December 2005, the
current administrative divisions will be subdivided into 26 new
provinces by 2009
Independence:
30 June 1960 (from Belgium)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 30 June (1960)
Constitution:
18 February 2006
Legal system:
civil law based on Belgian law with Napleonic Civil Code influence;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Joseph KABILA (since 17 January 2001);
note - following the assassination of his father, Joseph KABILA
succeeded to the presidency which he retained through the 2003-06
transition; he was subsequently elected president in October 2006
head of government: Prime Minister Adolphe MUZITO (since 10 October
2008)
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president
elections: under the new constitution the president is elected by
popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
elections last held 30 July 2006 and 29 October 2006 (next to be
held in October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Joseph KABILA elected president; percent of vote
(second round) - Joseph KABILA 58%, Jean-Pierre BEMBA Gombo 42%
note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA,
following the latter's assassination in January 2001; negotiations
with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional
government in July 2003 with free elections held on 30 July 2006 and
a run-off on 29 October 2006 confirming Joseph KABILA as president
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of a Senate (108 seats; members
elected by provincial assemblies to serve five-year terms) and a
National Assembly (500 seats; 61 members elected by majority vote in
single-member constituencies, 439 members elected by open list
proportional-representation in multi-member constituencies; to serve
five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 19 January 2007 (next to be held by
2012); National Assembly - last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held
in July 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - PPRD 22, MLC 14, FR 7, RCD 7, PDC 6, CDC 3, MSR 3, PALU 2,
independents 26, others 18 (political parties that won a single
seat); National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - PPRD 111, MLC 64, PALU 34, MSR 27, FR 26, RCD 15,
independents 63, others 160 (includes 63 political parties that won
10 or fewer seats)
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; Appeals Court or Cour de Cassation; Council of
State; High Military Court; plus civil and military courts and
tribunals
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democrat Party or PDC [Jose ENDUNDO]; Congolese Rally for
Democracy or RCD [Azarias RUBERWA]; Convention of Christian
Democrats or CDC; Forces of Renewal or FR [Mbusa NYAMWISI]; Movement
for the Liberation of the Congo or MLC [Jean-Pierre BEMBA]; People's
Party for Reconstruction and Democracy or PPRD [Joseph KABILA];
Social Movement for Renewal or MSR [Pierre LUMBI]; Unified Lumumbist
Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social
Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI]; Union of Mobutuist Democrats
or UDEMO [MOBUTU Nzanga]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
MONUC - UN organization working with the government; FARDC (Forces
Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo) - Army of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo which commits atrocities on
citizens; FDLA (Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda) -
Rwandan militia group
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF,
OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU
chancery: Suite 601, 1726 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690 through 7691
FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William GARVELINK
embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828
telephone: [243] (81) 225-5872
FAX: [243] (81) 301-0561
Flag description:
sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to
upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow
stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist
corner
Economy ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Economy - overview:
The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation
endowed with vast potential wealth - is slowly recovering from two
decades of decline. Conflict that began in August 1998 has
dramatically reduced national output and government revenue,
increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of more than 5
million people from violence, famine, and disease. Foreign
businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome
of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating
environment. Conditions began to improve in late 2002 with the
withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. The
transitional government reopened relations with international
financial institutions and international donors, and President
KABILA began implementing reforms, although progress has been slow
and the International Monetary Fund curtailed their program for the
DRC at the end of March 2006 because of fiscal overruns. Much
economic activity still occurs in the informal sector, and is not
reflected in GDP data. Renewed activity in the mining sector, the
source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and
GDP growth from 2006-2008, however, renewed strife in the second
half of 2008, combined with a fall in world market prices for the
DRC's key mineral exports inflicted major damage on the economy and
halted growth. Government reforms may lead to increased government
revenues, outside budget assistance, and foreign direct investment,
although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, a lack of
transparency in government policy are long-term problems. The DRC
government has applied to the IMF for an Exogenous Shock Facility in
the amount of $200 million to help it deal with its deteriorating
financial situation, and the World Bank will consider a separate
$100 million in emergency funding. The global recession probably
will cut economic growth in 2009 to half its 2008 level.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$20.76 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$19.61 billion (2007 est.)
$18.32 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.63 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
7% (2007 est.)
6.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 228
$300 (2007 est.)
$300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 55%
industry: 11%
services: 34% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
23.53 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $700 million
expenditures: $2 billion (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
16.7% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 87
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$597 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$677.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$559.5 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca),
palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products
Industries:
mining (diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan, zinc), mineral
processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear,
cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship
repair
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
8.217 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity - consumption:
5.997 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - exports:
1.916 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
6 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
19,960 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Oil - consumption:
11,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Oil - exports:
20,090 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - imports:
11,350 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Oil - proved reserves:
180 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - proved reserves:
991.1 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Current account balance:
-$402 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Exports:
$6.1 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 102
$1.587 billion (2006)
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, wood products, crude oil, coffee
Exports - partners:
China 48.4%, Belgium 15.8%, Finland 9.8%, US 8.3%, Zambia 4.5% (2008)
Imports:
$5.2 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 113
$2.263 billion (2006)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels
Imports - partners:
South Africa 28.7%, Belgium 10%, Zambia 7.2%, Zimbabwe 6%, China
5.9%, Kenya 5.1%, France 4.7% (2008)
Debt - external:
$10 billion (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$10 billion (2006 est.)
Exchange rates:
Congolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - NA (2007), 464.69 (2006),
437.86 (2005), 401.04 (2004), 405.34 (2003)
Communications ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Telephones - main lines in use:
37,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 174
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.263 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
Telephone system:
general assessment: fixed line infrastructure inadequate with the
state-owned operator providing less than 1 connection per 1000
persons; given the backdrop of a wholly inadequate fixed-line
infrastructure, the use of cellular services has surged and
subscribership in 2008 approached 9.3 million - roughly 15 per 100
persons
domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in
and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth
stations
international: country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (2001)
Internet country code:
.cd
Internet hosts:
3,015 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 143
Internet users:
290,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 129
Transportation ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Airports:
194 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 168
1,524 to 2,437 m: 19
914 to 1,523 m: 90
under 914 m: 59 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 37 km; oil 39 km; refined products 756 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 4,007 km
country comparison to the world: 42
narrow gauge: 3,882 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km
1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 153,497 km
country comparison to the world: 33
paved: 2,794 km
unpaved: 150,703 km (2004)
Waterways:
15,000 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
Merchant marine:
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 162
by type: petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Congo, Republic of the 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa,
Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka
Military ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces
d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army,
National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force
Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-45 years of age for voluntary military service (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 14,101,263 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,925,355
females age 16-49: 9,047,356 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 814,199
female: 811,238 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 65
Transnational Issues ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Disputes - international:
heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate
tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including
northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over
16,500 uniformed peacekeepers; members of Uganda's Lords Resistance
Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park
as peace talks with the Uganda government evolve; the location of
the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo
is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area; Uganda
and DROC dispute Rukwanzi island in Lake Albert and other areas on
the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential; boundary commission
continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land
on the right bank of the Lunkinda river claimed by Zambia near the
DROC village of Pweto
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 132,295 (Angola); 37,313 (Rwanda);
17,777 (Burundi); 13,904 (Uganda); 6,181 (Sudan); 5,243 (Republic of
Congo)
IDPs: 1.4 million (fighting between government forces and rebels
since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source and
destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the
purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; much of this
trafficking occurs within the country's unstable eastern provinces
and is perpetrated by armed groups outside government control
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Democratic Republic of the Congo is
on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of
increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; while
some significant initial advances were noted, the government's
capacity to apprehend, convict, or imprison traffickers remained
weak; the government lacks sufficient financial, technical, and
human resources to effectively address not only trafficking crimes,
but also to provide basic levels of security in some parts of the
country (2008)
Illicit drugs:
one of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, but mostly for
domestic consumption; traffickers exploit lax shipping controls to
transit pseudoephedrine through the capital; while rampant
corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system
vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed
financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering
center (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Congo, Republic of the (Africa)
Introduction ::Congo, Republic of the
Background:
Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo
became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of
experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a
democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil
war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO,
and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest.
Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March
2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a
humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's
largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will
need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the
long term.
Geography ::Congo, Republic of the
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola
and Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 342,000 sq km
country comparison to the world: 63
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 5,504 km
border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African
Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon
1,903 km
Coastline:
169 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to
October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly
enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain:
coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates,
gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 1.45%
permanent crops: 0.15%
other: 98.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
832 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (59%/29%/12%)
per capita: 8 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
seasonal flooding
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the
dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or
along the railroad between them
People ::Congo, Republic of the
Population:
4,012,809
country comparison to the world: 127
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45.9% (male 927,599/female 915,540)
15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,021,975/female 1,034,119)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 46,687/female 66,889) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.8 years
male: 16.6 years
female: 17.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.754% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Birth rate:
41.37 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Death rate:
12.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Net migration rate:
-1.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 79.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 22
male: 85.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 74.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 54.15 years
country comparison to the world: 196
male: 52.9 years
female: 55.43 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.84 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
3.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
79,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
6,400 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping
sickness)
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups:
Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%
Religions:
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages:
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade
languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is
the most widespread)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 83.8%
male: 89.6%
female: 78.4% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 8 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 169
Government ::Congo, Republic of the
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)
local long form: Republique du Congo
local short form: none
former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Brazzaville
geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E
time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza,
Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala,
Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Independence:
15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution:
approved by referendum 20 January 2002
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October
1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president
Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state
and head of government
head of government: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October
1997); note - the position of Prime Minister was abolished in
September 2009
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 12 July 2009 (next
to be held in 2016)
election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent
of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 78.6%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU
7.5%, Nicephore Fylla de SAINT-EUDES 7%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are
elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms) and the National
Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 5 August 2008 (next to be held in
2013); National Assembly - last held 24 June and 5 August 2007 (next
to be held in 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - RMP 33, FDU 23, UPADS 2, independents 7, other 7; National
Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46,
MCDDI 11, UPADS 11, MAR 5, MSD 5, independents 37, other 22
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders:
Action Movement for Renewal or MAR; Congolese Movement for Democracy
and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Congolese
Labour Party or PCT; Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD;
Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI];
Rally of the Presidential Majority or RMP; Rally for Democracy and
Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president];
Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge
NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR; United Democratic
Forces or FDU [Sebastian EBAO]; many less important parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese
Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women
or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI
chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Allan EASTHAM
embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, BDEAC Building, 4th Floor,
Brazzaville; note - a new embassy is expected to open in 2009
mailing address: B.P. 1015, Brazzaville
telephone: [242] 281-1481, 281-3368; note - until the new embassy in
Brazzaville becomes operational, some duties will still be handled
in the US embassy in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Flag description:
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the
upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red
note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy ::Congo, Republic of the
Economy - overview:
The economy is a mixture of subsistence agriculture, an industrial
sector based largely on oil, and support services, and a government
characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has
supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a
major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s,
rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance
large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5%
annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has
mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through
oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and
chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been
undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably
the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a
halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who
returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly
expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and
privatization and in renewing cooperation with international
financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping
oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998,
which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current
administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces
difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing
poverty. Recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and
near-term prospects. In March 2006, the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor
Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$15.39 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$14.46 billion (2007 est.)
$14.7 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$10.77 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
-1.6% (2007 est.)
6.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
$3,800 (2007 est.)
$4,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.6%
industry: 57.1%
services: 37.3% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
NA
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
34.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Budget:
revenues: $4.515 billion
expenditures: $2.721 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
2.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 88
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 46
15% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$204.3 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee,
cocoa; forest products
Industries:
petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil,
soap, flour, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate:
7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Electricity - production:
400 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - consumption:
471 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
449 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
239,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Oil - consumption:
9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Oil - exports:
241,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Oil - imports:
2,136 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Oil - proved reserves:
1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Natural gas - production:
180 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - consumption:
180 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - proved reserves:
90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Current account balance:
$848 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
-$2.181 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$10.85 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$5.808 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds
Exports - partners:
US 45.1%, China 32.3%, France 6% (2008)
Imports:
$3.105 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$2.858 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
France 22.1%, China 18.7%, US 5.6%, Italy 5.2%, India 5.1%, Belgium
4.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.873 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$2.184 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$5 billion (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US
dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 483.6 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47
(2005), 528.29 (2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted
in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Congo, Republic of the
Telephones - main lines in use:
22,200 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 191
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.807 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 125
Telephone system:
general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key
exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity
lines frequently out of order; fixed-line infrastructure inadequate
providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of
an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular
subscribership has surged and is approaching 50 per 100 persons
domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and
coaxial cable
international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2001)
Internet country code:
.cg
Internet hosts:
18 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 216
Internet users:
155,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 142
Transportation ::Congo, Republic of the
Airports:
25 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 131
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 7 km; oil 207 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 795 km
country comparison to the world: 103
narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 17,289 km
country comparison to the world: 119
paved: 864 km
unpaved: 16,425 km (2004)
Waterways:
1,120 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 1 (Congo, Democratic Republic of the
1) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 148
Ports and terminals:
Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire
Military ::Congo, Republic of the
Military branches:
Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee
de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise),
Gendarmerie, Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; women allowed to
serve (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 842,771
females age 16-49: 833,624 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 538,202
females age 16-49: 527,649 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 46,976
female: 46,490 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.1% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 46
Transnational Issues ::Congo, Republic of the
Disputes - international:
the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the
Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool
Malebo/Stanley Pool area
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 46,341 (Democratic Republic of Congo);
6,564 (Rwanda)
IDPs: 48,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnic
Lari) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Republic of the Congo is a source and destination
country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and
commercial sexual exploitation; girls are trafficked from rural
areas within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, forced
street vending, and domestic servitude; children are trafficked from
other African countries for domestic servitude, forced market
vending, and forced labor in the fishing industry
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Republic of the Congo is on the
Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing
efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; struggling to
recover from six years of civil conflict that ended in 2003, the
Republic of the Congo's capacity to address trafficking is
handicapped; the government neither monitors its borders for
trafficking activity nor provides specialized anti-trafficking
training for law enforcement officials; the government does not
encourage victims to assist in trafficking investigations or
prosecutions, and has not taken measures to reduce demand for
commercial sex acts in the Republic of the Congo (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Cook Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Cook Islands
Background:
Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands
became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative
control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose
self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration
of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are
continuing problems.
Geography ::Cook Islands
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way
between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
21 14 S, 159 46 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 236 sq km
country comparison to the world: 214
land: 236 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
120 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April
to November and a more humid season from December to March
Terrain:
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 16.67%
permanent crops: 8.33%
other: 75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons (November to March)
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection
Geography - note:
the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated,
coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the
population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic
isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
People ::Cook Islands
Population:
11,870 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 224
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.1% (male 1,704/female 1,508)
15-64 years: 63.7% (male 3,898/female 3,664)
65 years and over: 9.2% (male 540/female 556) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 30.5 years
male: 29.8 years
female: 31.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-3.302% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 233
Birth rate:
16.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Death rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 74% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 118
male: 20.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.22 years
country comparison to the world: 90
male: 71.46 years
female: 77.13 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.49 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic groups:
Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%,
other 6.5% (2001 census)
Religions:
Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%,
Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other
Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official), Maori
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 95%
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 10 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
0.2% of GDP (2001)
country comparison to the world: 182
People - note:
2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017
Government ::Cook Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cook Islands
former: Harvey Islands
Dependency status:
self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is
fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains
responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation
with the Cook Islands
Government type:
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Avarua
geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on
4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full
independence by unilateral action)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Constitution:
4 August 1965
Legal system:
based on New Zealand law and English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal (adult)
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New
Zealand High Commissioner Tia BARRETT (since December 2008),
representative of New Zealand
head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December
2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively
responsible to Parliament
elections: the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is
appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is
appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consisting of a House of Ariki (or upper house)
made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly (or lower
house) (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year
terms)
note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and
maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers
elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%,
independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1
Judicial branch:
High Court
Political parties and leaders:
Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo
[Dr. Terepai MAOATE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes)
other: various groups lobbying for political change
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW,
PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description:
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a
large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island)
centered in the outer half of the flag
Economy ::Cook Islands
Economy - overview:
Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands'
economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country
from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of
natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and
inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than
one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base
with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls
are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are
limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade
deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid
overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country
lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and
accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the
sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the
encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have
rekindled investment and growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$183.2 million (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
GDP (official exchange rate):
$183.2 million (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.1% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,100 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 15.1%
industry: 9.6%
services: 75.3% (2004)
Labor force:
6,820 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 211
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 29%
industry: 15%
services: 56% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
13.1% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 144
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $70.95 million
expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Agriculture - products:
copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams,
taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Industries:
fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
1% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 121
Electricity - production:
31 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Electricity - consumption:
28.83 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Oil - imports:
495 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 192
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Current account balance:
$26.67 million (2005)
country comparison to the world: 59
Exports:
$5.222 million (2005)
country comparison to the world: 215
Exports - commodities:
copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls
and pearl shells; clothing
Imports:
$81.04 million (2005)
country comparison to the world: 209
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Debt - external:
$141 million (1996 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Exchange rates:
NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007),
1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004)
Communications ::Cook Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
6,700 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 210
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6,700 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 212
Telephone system:
general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct
dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex
domestic: individual islands are connected by a combination of
satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF
radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small
exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and
fiber-optic cable
international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)
Internet country code:
.ck
Internet hosts:
2,480 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 147
Internet users:
5,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 203
Transportation ::Cook Islands
Airports:
9 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 157
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 320 km
country comparison to the world: 200
paved: 33 km
unpaved: 287 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 26
country comparison to the world: 90
by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1,
refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 17 (Latvia 1, Lithuania 1, NZ 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 5,
Sweden 8) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Avatiu
Military ::Cook Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,334
females age 16-49: 2,286 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 148
female: 125 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with
the Cook Islands and at its request
Transnational Issues ::Cook Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Coral Sea Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Coral Sea Islands
Background:
Scattered over more than three-quarters of a million square
kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory
of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small
meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather
stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and
reefs.
Geography ::Coral Sea Islands
Location:
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: less than 3 sq km
country comparison to the world: 247
land: less than 3 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea
area of about 780,000 sq km with the Willis Islets the most important
Area - comparative:
NA
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
3,095 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues:
no permanent fresh water resources
Geography - note:
important nesting area for birds and turtles
People ::Coral Sea Islands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological
station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)
Government ::Coral Sea Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Dependency status:
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian
Government Attorney-General's Department
Legal system:
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:
administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's
Department
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
Economy ::Coral Sea Islands
Economy - overview:
no economic activity
Communications ::Coral Sea Islands
Communications - note:
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs
relaying data to the mainland
Transportation ::Coral Sea Islands
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Coral Sea Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues ::Coral Sea Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on July 2, 2009
======================================================================
@Costa Rica (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Costa Rica
Background:
Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial
attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a
combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested
swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was
not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was
established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area
remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa
Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly
declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined
the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation
disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its
sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two
brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic
development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural
sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong
technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is
relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. In January 2008,
Costa Rica assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council
for the 2008-09 term.
Geography ::Costa Rica
Location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North
Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 N, 84 00 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 51,100 sq km
country comparison to the world: 129
land: 51,060 sq km
water: 40 sq km
note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 639 km
border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Coastline:
1,290 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy
season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Terrain:
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100
volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Natural resources:
hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 4.4%
permanent crops: 5.87%
other: 89.73% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,080 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
112.4 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.68 cu km/yr (29%/17%/53%)
per capita: 619 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent
flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active
volcanoes
Environment - current issues:
deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing
of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal
marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air
pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San
Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu,
erupted destructively in 1963-65
People ::Costa Rica
Population:
4,253,877 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.7% (male 581,916/female 555,216)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,443,606/female 1,411,168)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 120,969/female 141,002) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 27.5 years
male: 27.1 years
female: 28 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.356% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Birth rate:
17.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Death rate:
4.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Net migration rate:
0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Urbanization:
urban population: 63% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 160
male: 9.66 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.58 years
country comparison to the world: 54
male: 74.96 years
female: 80.34 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.14 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,700 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Costa Rican(s)
adjective: Costa Rican
Ethnic groups:
white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%,
other 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%,
other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Languages:
Spanish (official), English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.9%
male: 94.7%
female: 95.1% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 76
Government ::Costa Rica
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form: Costa Rica
local long form: Republica de Costa Rica
local short form: Costa Rica
Government type:
democratic republic
Capital:
name: San Jose
geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago,
Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
7 November 1949
Legal system:
based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative
acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006);
First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President (vacant); note
- the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May
2006); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President (vacant)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president
elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5
February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010)
election results: Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of
vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%,
Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats;
members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February
2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
PLN 25, PAC 17, PML 6, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, PUN 1; note -
as of 1 January 2009: seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 16, PML 5, PUSC
5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, independent 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for
renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or
PAC [Epsy CAMPBELL Barr]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC
[Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Marco
NUNEZ Gonzalez]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto
FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas];
Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona];
Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National
Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National
Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National
Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO Fernandez];
National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas];
National Restoration Party or PRN [Fabio Enrique DELGADO Hernandez];
National Union Party or PUN [Arturo ACOSTA Mora]; Nationalist
Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic
Union or UP [Jose Miguel CORRALES Bolanos]; Social Christian Unity
Party or PUSC [Luis FISHMAN Zonzinski]; Union for Change Party or
UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU
[Humberto VARGAS Carbonel]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist
Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of
Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican
Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party
affiliate); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican
Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises
or UCCAEP [Rafael CARRILLO]; Federation of Public Service Workers or
FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE;
National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of
Public and Private Employees or ANEP [Albino VARGAS]; Rerum Novarum
or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN]
International organization participation:
BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS,
OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union
Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Luis DIEGO Escalante
chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 or 2946
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter CIANCHETTE
embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose
mailing address: APO AA 34020
telephone: [506] 519-2000
FAX: [506] 519-2305
Flag description:
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width),
white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on
the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue
ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near
the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words,
REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
Economy ::Costa Rica
Economy - overview:
Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism,
agriculture, and electronics exports. Exports have become more
diversified in the past 10 years due to the growth of the high-tech
manufacturing sector, which is dominated by the microprocessor
industry and the production of medical devices. Tourism continues to
bring in foreign exchange, as Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity
makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain
attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high
education levels, as well as the fiscal incentives offered in the
free-trade zones. Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels
of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. Poverty
has remained around 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social
safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded
due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures.
Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the
government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica
legally and illegally are an important source of - mostly unskilled
- labor, but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system.
Under the ARIAS administration, the government has made strides in
reducing internal and external debt - in 2007, Costa Rica had its
first budget surplus in 50 years. Reducing inflation remains a
difficult problem because of rising commodity import prices and
labor market rigidities, though lower oil prices will decrease
upward pressures. The Central Bank is moving towards a more flexible
exchange rate system to focus on inflation targeting by 2010. The
US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force
on 1 January 2009, after significant delays within the Costa Rican
legislature. Nevertheless, economic growth has slowed in 2009 as the
global downturn reduced export demand and invesment inflows.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$48.84 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$47.6 billion (2007 est.)
$44.16 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$29.66 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
7.8% (2007 est.)
8.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,600 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$11,500 (2007 est.)
$10,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.5%
industry: 25.9%
services: 67.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.06 million
country comparison to the world: 120
note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa
Rica (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 22%
services: 64% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
4.6% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
16% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 35.5% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
48 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
45.9 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
24.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Budget:
revenues: $4.6 billion
expenditures: $4.531 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
42.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
58% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
9.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 10
17% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.83% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 65
12.8% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$4.209 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 58
$4.504 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$3.143 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 81
$2.87 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$15.15 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
$12.91 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
$2.035 billion (31 December 2007)
$1.944 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn,
rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber
Industries:
microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and
clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Industrial production growth rate:
-1.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - production:
8.808 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Electricity - consumption:
8.064 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Electricity - exports:
77.16 million kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
203.2 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Oil - consumption:
45,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Oil - exports:
2,117 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Oil - imports:
47,860 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Current account balance:
-$2.648 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
-$1.578 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$9.738 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
$9.266 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar;
seafood; electronic components, medical equipment
Exports - partners:
US 23.9%, Netherlands 13.3%, China 12.9%, UK 5%, Mexico 4.9% (2008)
Imports:
$14.55 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$12.29 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum,
construction materials
Imports - partners:
US 42.9%, Mexico 6.9%, Venezuela 6.3%, Japan 5.4%, China 4.7%,
Brazil 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.799 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$4.114 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$9.249 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 89
$8.416 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$18.96 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
$8.803 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$532 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$525.9 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 530.41 (2008 est.), 519.53
(2007), 511.3 (2006), 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004)
Communications ::Costa Rica
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.438 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.887 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 122
Telephone system:
general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of
breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service;
state-run monopoly provider is struggling with the demand for new
lines, resulting in long waiting times
domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave,
fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is
available
international: country code - 506; landing point for the Americas
Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic
telecommunications submarine cable and the MAYA-1 submarine cable
that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the
Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave
System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002)
Television broadcast stations:
20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002)
Internet country code:
.cr
Internet hosts:
34,066 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 89
Internet users:
1.46 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 76
Transportation ::Costa Rica
Airports:
151 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 36
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 38
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m: 12 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 113
914 to 1,523 m: 19
under 914 m: 94 (2009)
Pipelines:
refined products 796 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 278 km
country comparison to the world: 124
narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge
note: none of the railway network is in use (2008)
Roadways:
total: 35,330 km
country comparison to the world: 94
paved: 8,621 km
unpaved: 26,709 km (2004)
Waterways:
730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
Merchant marine:
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 161
by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Caldera, Puerto Limon
Military ::Costa Rica
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government,
and Police (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,134,205
females age 16-49: 1,095,763 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 971,224
females age 16-49: 936,978 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 40,698
female: 38,808 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 164
Transnational Issues ::Costa Rica
Disputes - international:
the ICJ has given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and
Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on
the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican
vessels on the Rio San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 9,699-11,500 (Colombia) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Costa Rica is a source, transit, and destination
country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of
commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and girls
from neighboring states, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines are
trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation; Costa Rica also
serves as a transit point for victims trafficked to North America
and Europe; the government identifies child sex tourism as a serious
problem; men, women, and children are also trafficked within the
country for forced labor in fishing and construction, and as
domestic servants
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Costa Rica is on the Tier 2 Watch
List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to
combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of its failure to
improve its inadequate assistance to victims; while Costa Rican
officials recognize human trafficking as a serious problem, the lack
of a stronger response by the government is of concern (2008)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America;
illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine
consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant
consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica
and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua
have risen in recent years (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Cote d'Ivoire (Africa)
Introduction ::Cote d'Ivoire
Background:
Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of
cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote
d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the West African states, but
did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a
military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history -
overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert GUEI blatantly rigged
elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular
protest forced him to step aside and brought Laurent GBAGBO into
power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military
launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces
claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were
granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the
auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and
rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December
2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the
civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remained
unresolved. In March 2007 President GBAGBO and former New Force
rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed the Ouagadougou Political
Agreement. As a result of the agreement, SORO joined GBAGBO's
government as Prime Minister and the two agreed to reunite the
country by dismantling the zone of confidence separating North from
South, integrate rebel forces into the national armed forces, and
hold elections. Several thousand French and UN troops remain in Cote
d'Ivoire to help the parties implement their commitments and to
support the peace process.
Geography ::Cote d'Ivoire
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana
and Liberia
Geographic coordinates:
8 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 322,463 sq km
country comparison to the world: 68
land: 318,003 sq km
water: 4,460 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 3,110 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km,
Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km
Coastline:
515 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm
and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet
(June to October)
Terrain:
mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt,
bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa
beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 10.23%
permanent crops: 11.16%
other: 78.61% (2005)
Irrigated land:
730 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
81 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.93 cu km/yr (24%/12%/65%)
per capita: 51 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season
torrential flooding is possible
Environment - current issues:
deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in
West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage
and industrial and agricultural effluents
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart
from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated
People ::Cote d'Ivoire
Population:
20,617,068
country comparison to the world: 56
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40.6% (male 4,215,912/female 4,146,077)
15-64 years: 56.6% (male 5,942,642/female 5,720,108)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 296,074/female 296,255) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.2 years
male: 19.4 years
female: 19.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.133% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Birth rate:
32.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Death rate:
10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 49% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 68.06 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 28
male: 75.17 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 60.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.45 years
country comparison to the world: 191
male: 54.64 years
female: 56.28 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.12 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
3.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
480,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
38,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Ivoirian(s)
adjective: Ivoirian
Ethnic groups:
Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous
11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and
14,000 French) (1998)
Religions:
Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008
est.)
note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim
(70%) and Christian (20%)
Languages:
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely
spoken
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48.7%
male: 60.8%
female: 38.6% (2000 est.)
Education expenditures:
4.6% of GDP (2001)
country comparison to the world: 83
Government ::Cote d'Ivoire
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire
local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form: Cote d'Ivoire
note: pronounced coat-div-whar
former: Ivory Coast
Government type:
republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960
note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing
agreement mandated by international mediators
Capital:
name: Yamoussoukro
geographic coordinates: 6 49 N, 5 17 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since
1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the
US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan
Administrative divisions:
19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele, Dix-Huit
Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes, Marahoue,
Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes, Sud-Bandama,
Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan
Independence:
7 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 August (1960)
Constitution:
approved by referendum 23 July 2000
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review
in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Guillaume SORO (since 4 April
2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note -
under the current power-sharing agreement the prime minister and the
president share the authority to appoint ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(no term limits); election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be
held 29 November 2009 after being repeatedly postponed by the
government; the UN Security Council has extended the government's
mandate); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote
- Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other
2.2%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats;
members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by
direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on
14 January 2001 (elections originally scheduled for 2005 have been
repeatedly postponed by the government)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2
note: a Senate was scheduled to be created in October 2006 elections
that never took place
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial
Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases,
Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative
Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of
members
Political parties and leaders:
Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY [Theodore MEL EG]; Democratic
Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular
Front or FPI [Pascale Affi N'GUESSAN]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT
[Francis WODIE]; Opposition Movement of the Future or MFA [Innocent
Augustin ANAKY]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane
OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI
[Toikeuse MABRI]; over 144 smaller registered parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Federation of University and High School Students of Cote d'Ivoire
or FESCI [Serges KOFFI]; Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and
Peace or RHDP [Alphonse DJEDJE MADY]; Young Patriots [Charles BLE
GOUDE]
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC,
OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO,
UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yao Charles KOFFI
chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300
FAX: [1] (202) 244-3088
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT
embassy: Cocody Riviera Golf 01, Abidjan
mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01
telephone: [225] 22 49 40 00
FAX: [225] 22 49 43 32
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green
note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the
colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also
similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white,
and red; design was based on the flag of France
Economy ::Cote d'Ivoire
Economy - overview:
Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa
beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm
oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations
in international prices for these products, and, to a lesser extent,
in climatic conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the
economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture and related
activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population. Since 2006, oil
and gas production have become more important engines of economic
activity than cocoa. According to IMF statistics, earnings from oil
and refined products were $1.3 billion in 2006, while cocoa-related
revenues were $1 billion during the same period. Cote d'Ivoire's
offshore oil and gas production has resulted in substantial crude
oil exports and provides sufficient natural gas to fuel electricity
exports to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso. Oil
exploration by a number of consortiums of private companies
continues offshore, and President GBAGBO has expressed hope that
daily crude output could reach 200,000 barrels per day (b/d) by the
end of the decade. Since the end of the civil war in 2003, political
turmoil has continued to damage the economy, resulting in the loss
of foreign investment and slow economic growth. GDP grew by nearly
2% in 2007 and 3% in 2008. Per capita income has declined by 15%
since 1999.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$34.12 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
$33.36 billion (2007 est.)
$32.79 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$23.51 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
1.7% (2007 est.)
0.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
$1,700 (2007 est.)
$1,700 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 21.6%
services: 50.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
7.346 million (68% agricultural) (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 68%
industry and services: NA (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
note: unemployment may have climbed to 40-50% as a result of the
civil war
Population below poverty line:
42% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 34% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
44.6 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 46
36.7 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
9.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Budget:
revenues: $4.823 billion
expenditures: $4.915 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
66.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
74.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
1.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 116
4.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$4.451 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.915 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$4.404 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$7.071 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
$8.353 billion (31 December 2007)
$4.155 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc
(tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber
Industries:
foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus
assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity,
ship construction and repair
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Electricity - production:
5.275 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Electricity - consumption:
3.231 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Electricity - exports:
772 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
60,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Oil - consumption:
25,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Oil - exports:
115,700 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Oil - imports:
80,960 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Oil - proved reserves:
100 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas - production:
1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - consumption:
1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Natural gas - proved reserves:
28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Current account balance:
$488 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
-$146 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$10.09 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$8.476 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm
oil, fish
Exports - partners:
Germany 10.9%, US 10.1%, Netherlands 9.7%, Nigeria 9.3%, France
6.4%, Burkina Faso 4% (2008)
Imports:
$6.76 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$5.932 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Nigeria 31.5%, France 14.9%, China 7.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.252 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$2.519 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$14.05 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$13.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81
(2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29
(2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in
countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Cote d'Ivoire
Telephones - main lines in use:
356,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 107
Telephones - mobile cellular:
10.449 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 60
Telephone system:
general assessment: well developed by African standards;
telecommunications sector privatized in late 1990s and operational
fixed-lines have more than quadrupled since that time; with multiple
cellular service providers competing in the market, cellular usage
has increased sharply to roughly 55 per 100 persons
domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized
international: country code - 225; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC
fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and
Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1
Indian Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
14 (1998)
Internet country code:
.ci
Internet hosts:
9,822 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 116
Internet users:
660,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
Transportation ::Cote d'Ivoire
Airports:
28 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 122
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 21
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 86 km; gas 180 km; oil 92 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 660 km
country comparison to the world: 108
narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000 meter gauge
note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina
Faso (2008)
Roadways:
total: 80,000 km
country comparison to the world: 59
paved: 6,500 km
unpaved: 73,500 km
note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt
roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are
impassable (2006)
Waterways:
980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons)
(2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
Ports and terminals:
Abidjan, Espoir, San-Pedro
Military ::Cote d'Ivoire
Military branches:
Cote d'Ivoire Defense and Security Forces (FDSCI): Army, Navy, Air
Force (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary male and female
military service (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,369,735
females age 16-49: 4,287,042 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,122,106
females age 16-49: 2,936,391 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 236,159
female: 232,617 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Transnational Issues ::Cote d'Ivoire
Disputes - international:
despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote
d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict still leaves displaced hundreds
of thousands of Ivorians in and out of the country as well as driven
out migrants from neighboring states who worked in Ivorian cocoa
plantations; the March 2007 peace deal between Ivorian rebels and
the government brought significant numbers of rebels out of hiding
in neighboring states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 25,615 (Liberia)
IDPs: 709,000 (2002 coup; most IDPs are in western regions) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
Cote d'Ivoire is a source, transit, and destination country for
women and children trafficked for forced labor and commercial sexual
exploitation; trafficking within the country is more prevalent than
international trafficking and the majority of victims are children;
women and girls are trafficked from northern areas to southern
cities for domestic servitude, restaurant labor, and sexual
exploitation; boys are trafficked internally for agricultural and
service labor and transnationally for forced labor in agriculture,
mining, construction, and in the fishing industry; women and girls
are trafficked to and from other West and Central African countries
for domestic servitude and forced street vending
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cote d'Ivoire is on the Tier 2
Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts
to eliminate trafficking in 2007, particularly with regard to its
law enforcement efforts and protection of sex trafficking victims;
in addition, Ivoirian law does not prohibit all forms of
trafficking, and Cote d'Ivoire has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP
Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility
as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing
political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate
supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering,
the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's
utility as a major money-laundering center (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Croatia (Europe)
Introduction ::Croatia
Background:
The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the
Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as
Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal
independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO.
Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991,
it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before
occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under
UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was
returned to Croatia in 1998. In January 2008, Croatia assumed a
nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term,
and in April 2008 it joined NATO. Croatia is a candidate for
eventual EU accession.
Geography ::Croatia
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and
Herzegovina and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates:
45 10 N, 15 30 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 56,594 sq km
country comparison to the world: 126
land: 55,974 sq km
water: 620 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,982 km
border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km,
Serbia 241 km, Montenegro 25 km, Slovenia 455 km
Coastline:
5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with
hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Terrain:
geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low
mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Dinara 1,830 m
Natural resources:
oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum,
natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 25.82%
permanent crops: 2.19%
other: 71.99% (2005)
Irrigated land:
110 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
105.5 cu km (1998)
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is
damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic
waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure
consequent to 1992-95 civil strife
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94,
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and
Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of
Croatia - some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks
People ::Croatia
Population:
4,489,409 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.6% (male 358,360/female 340,098)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 1,506,364/female 1,522,789)
65 years and over: 17% (male 295,960/female 465,838) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 41 years
male: 39.1 years
female: 42.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.052% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Birth rate:
9.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Death rate:
11.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Net migration rate:
1.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.37 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 178
male: 6.42 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.35 years
country comparison to the world: 79
male: 71.72 years
female: 79.18 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.42 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 10 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s)
adjective: Croatian
Ethnic groups:
Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian,
Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim
1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census)
Languages:
Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9% (including
Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.1%
male: 99.3%
female: 97.1% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 89
Government ::Croatia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Croatia
conventional short form: Croatia
local long form: Republika Hrvatska
local short form: Hrvatska
former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia
Government type:
presidential/parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Zagreb
geographic coordinates: 45 48 N, 16 00 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad -
singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska, Brodsko-Posavska,
Dubrovacko-Neretvanska (Dubrovnik-Neretva), Istarska (Istria),
Karlovacka, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka, Krapinsko-Zagorska,
Licko-Senjska (Lika-Senj), Medimurska, Osjecko-Baranjska,
Pozesko-Slavonska (Pozega-Slavonia), Primorsko-Goranska,
Sibensko-Kninska, Sisacko-Moslavacka, Splitsko-Dalmatinska
(Split-Dalmatia), Varazdinska, Viroviticko-Podravska,
Vukovarsko-Srijemska, Zadarska, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka
Independence:
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 8 October (1991); note - 25 June 1991 was the day
the Croatian parliament voted for independence; following a
three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the
Yugoslav crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on 8
October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia
Constitution:
adopted on 22 December 1990; revised 2000, 2001
Legal system:
based on Austro-Hungarian law system with Communist law influences;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February
2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Jadranka KOSOR (since 6 July
2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Bozidar PANKRETIC (since 6 July 2009),
Damir POLANCEC (since 15 February 2005), Djurdja ADLESIC (since 12
January 2008), Slobodan UZELAC (since 12 January 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and
approved by the parliamentary assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 16 January 2005
(next to be held in January 2010); the leader of the majority party
or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime
minister by the president and then approved by the assembly
election results: Stjepan MESIC reelected president; percent of vote
in the second round - Stjepan MESIC 66%, Jadranka KOSOR 34%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly or Sabor (153 seats; members elected from party
lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 25 November 2007 (next to be held in November
2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; number of seats by
party - HDZ 66, SDP 57, HNS 6, HSS 6, HDSSB 3, IDS 3, SDSS 3, other 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts are
appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the
Republic, which is elected by the Assembly
Political parties and leaders:
Croatian Democratic Congress of Slavonia and Baranja or HDSSB
[Vladimir SISLJAGIC]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Ivo
SANADER]; Croatian Party of the Right or HSP [Anto DJAPIC]; Croatian
Peasant Party or HSS [Josip FRISCIC]; Croatian Pensioner Party or
HSU [Silvano HRELJA]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Radimir
CACIC]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Djurdja ADLESIC];
Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav STANIMIROVIC];
Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Social
Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Zoran MILANOVIC]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: human rights groups
International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI,
EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NATO, NSG,
OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD,
UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI,
UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC
chancery: Suite F13, 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899
FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A. BRADTKE
embassy: 2 Thomas Jefferson Street, 10010 Zagreb
mailing address: use street address
telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200
FAX: [385] (1) 661-2373
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue,
superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered)
Economy ::Croatia
Economy - overview:
Once one of the wealthiest of the Yugoslav republics, Croatia's
economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war as output collapsed
and the country missed the early waves of investment in Central and
Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Between
2000 and 2007, however, Croatia's economic fortunes began to improve
slowly, with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6% led by
a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation
over the same period has remained tame and the currency, the kuna,
stable. Nevertheless, difficult problems still remain, including a
stubbornly high unemployment rate, a growing trade deficit and
uneven regional development. The state retains a large role in the
economy, as privatization efforts often meet stiff public and
political resistance. While macroeconomic stabilization has largely
been achieved, structural reforms lag because of deep resistance on
the part of the public and lack of strong support from politicians.
The EU accession process should accelerate fiscal and structural
reform. While long term growth prospects for the economy remain
strong, Croatia will face significant pressure as a result of the
global financial crisis. Croatia's high foreign debt, anemic export
sector, strained state budget, and over-reliance on tourism revenue
will result in higher risk to economic stability over the medium
term.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$82.58 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$80.65 billion (2007 est.)
$76.44 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$69.36 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
5.5% (2007 est.)
4.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$18,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$17,900 (2007 est.)
$17,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 27.7%
services: 66.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.731 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 31.3%
services: 63.6% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
13.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
11.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
11% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 23.1% (2005 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
29 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 119
29 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
31.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Budget:
revenues: $26.86 billion
expenditures: $28.54 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
42.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
41.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
4.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
9% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 49
9% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.07% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$10.71 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
$11.61 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$33.17 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 35
$31.86 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$49.79 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 48
$45.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$26.79 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 55
$65.98 billion (31 December 2007)
$29.01 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover,
olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
Industries:
chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal,
electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper,
wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding,
petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
1.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Electricity - production:
11.47 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - consumption:
15.42 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Electricity - exports:
2.14 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
8.249 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
22,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Oil - consumption:
105,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Oil - exports:
43,750 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Oil - imports:
122,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Oil - proved reserves:
79.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - production:
1.58 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Natural gas - consumption:
2.84 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Natural gas - exports:
310 million cu m (2007)
country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - imports:
1.26 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - proved reserves:
30.58 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Current account balance:
-$6.397 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
-$4.447 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$14.36 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
$12.62 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
transport equipment, machinery, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs,
fuels
Exports - partners:
Italy 18.9%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 15.3%, Germany 10.7%, Slovenia
7.7%, Austria 5.7% (2008)
Imports:
$30.42 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$25.56 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, transport and electrical equipment; chemicals, fuels and
lubricants; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Italy 17.1%, Germany 13.4%, Russia 10.5%, China 6.1%, Slovenia 5.6%,
Austria 4.9% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$12.96 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
$13.67 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$54.79 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
$48.93 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$27.17 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$23.17 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$3.343 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
$3.124 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
kuna (HRK) per US dollar - 4.98 (2008 est.), 5.3735 (2007), 5.8625
(2006), 5.9473 (2005), 6.0358 (2004)
Communications ::Croatia
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.851 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 60
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.924 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
Telephone system:
general assessment: the telecommunications network has improved
steadily since the mid-1990s; the number of fixed telephone lines
holding steady at about 40 per 100 persons; the number of cellular
telephone subscriptions exceeds the population
domestic: more than 90 percent of local lines are digital
international: country code - 385; digital international service is
provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in
the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of 2
fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk
line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; the ADRIA-1 submarine cable
provides connectivity to Albania and Greece (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
36 (plus 321 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.hr
Internet hosts:
1.23 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 38
Internet users:
1.88 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 71
Transportation ::Croatia
Airports:
68 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 73
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 23
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 45
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 37 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 1,327 km; oil 583 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,722 km
country comparison to the world: 62
standard gauge: 2,722 km 1.435-m gauge (980 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 28,788 km (includes 877 km of expressways) (2006)
country comparison to the world: 99
Waterways:
785 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
Merchant marine:
total: 80
country comparison to the world: 54
by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 11, chemical tanker 3,
passenger/cargo 30, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, roll
on/roll off 2
registered in other countries: 30 (Bahamas 1, Belize 2, Liberia 2,
Malta 9, Marshall Islands 6, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 7) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Omisalj, Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Vukovar (on Danube River)
Military ::Croatia
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike
Hrvatske, OSRH), consists of five major commands directly
subordinate to a General Staff: Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena
Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM; includes
coast guard), Air Force and Air Defense Command, Joint Education and
Training Command, Logistics Command; Military Police Force supports
each of the three Croatian military forces (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age
with consent for voluntary service; 6-month conscript service
obligation; full conversion to voluntary military service by 2010
(2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,035,712
females age 16-49: 1,037,896 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 770,798
females age 16-49: 849,957 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,620
female: 26,154 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.39% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Transnational Issues ::Croatia
Disputes - international:
dispute remains with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small
sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinders
ratification of the 1999 border agreement; the Croatia-Slovenia land
and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of
Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to
Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute; Slovenia also protests
Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic;
as a European Union peripheral state, Slovenia imposed a hard border
Schengen regime with non-member Croatia in December 2007
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 2,900-7,000 (Croats and Serbs displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to
Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime
shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Cuba (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Cuba
Background:
The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the
European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and
following its development as a Spanish colony during the next
several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to
work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the
launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from
Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence
movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. US
intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the
Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established
Cuban independence from the US in 1902 after which the island
experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military
and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in
1959; his iron rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly
five decades. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor
of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's Communist revolution,
with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and
Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country faced a
severe economic downturn in 1990 following the withdrawal of former
Soviet subsidies worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba
portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place
since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts,
alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a
continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 2,656 individuals
attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in fiscal year 2007.
Geography ::Cuba
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida
Geographic coordinates:
21 30 N, 80 00 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 110,860 sq km
country comparison to the world: 105
land: 109,820 sq km
water: 1,040 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 29 km
border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of
Cuba
Coastline:
3,735 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April);
rainy season (May to October)
Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in
the southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m
Natural resources:
cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica,
petroleum, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 27.63%
permanent crops: 6.54%
other: 65.83% (2005)
Irrigated land:
8,700 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
38.1 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 8.2 cu km/yr (19%/12%/69%)
per capita: 728 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in
general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year);
droughts are common
Environment - current issues:
air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater
Antilles
People ::Cuba
Population:
11,451,652 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.3% (male 1,077,745/female 1,020,393)
15-64 years: 70.4% (male 4,035,691/female 4,030,103)
65 years and over: 11.2% (male 584,478/female 703,242) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.3 years
male: 36.6 years
female: 38 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.233% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Birth rate:
11.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Death rate:
7.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Net migration rate:
-1.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Urbanization:
urban population: 76% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.82 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 181
male: 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.45 years
country comparison to the world: 55
male: 75.19 years
female: 79.85 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.61 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Cuban(s)
adjective: Cuban
Ethnic groups:
white 65.1%, mulatto and mestizo 24.8%, black 10.1% (2002 census)
Religions:
nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power;
Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also
represented
Languages:
Spanish
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
9.1% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 9
People - note:
illicit emigration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart
the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers,
direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime
routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and
over-land via the southwest border
Government ::Cuba
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cuba
conventional short form: Cuba
local long form: Republica de Cuba
local short form: Cuba
Government type:
Communist state
Capital:
name: Havana
geographic coordinates: 23 07 N, 82 21 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special
municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila,
Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla
de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio,
Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara
Independence:
20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US
from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a
day of independence
National holiday:
Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959)
Constitution:
24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002
Legal system:
based on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legal concepts
with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Council of State and President of
the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24
February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and
First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon
MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008); note - the president is
both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President of the Council of State and President
of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24
February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and
First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon
MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the
Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the
31-member Council of State, elected by the assembly to act on its
behalf when it is not in session
elections: president and vice presidents elected by the National
Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 24 February
2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz elected president; percent of
legislative vote - 100%; Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura elected
vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional
del Poder Popular (number of seats in the National Assembly is based
on population; 614 seats; members elected directly from slates
approved by special candidacy commissions to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 20 January 2008 (next to be held in January
2013)
election results: Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party,
and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed
Judicial branch:
People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice
president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Human Rights Watch; National Association of Small Farmers
International organization participation:
ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO,
IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES,
LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962),
OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR,
UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy,
headed by Principal Officer Jorge BOLANOS Suarez; address: Cuban
Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington,
DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518; FAX: [1] (202) 797-8521
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy,
headed by Chief of Mission Jonathan D. FARRAR; address: USINT, Swiss
Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone:
[53] (7) 833-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX:
[53] (7) 833-1653; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland
Flag description:
five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom)
alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center
Economy ::Cuba
Economy - overview:
The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening
against a desire for firm political control. It has rolled back
limited reforms undertaken in the 1990s to increase enterprise
efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods,
and services. The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a
lower level than before the downturn of the 1990s, which was caused
by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. Since late
2000, Venezuela has been providing oil on preferential terms, and it
currently supplies about 100,000 barrels per day of petroleum
products. Cuba has been paying for the oil, in part, with the
services of Cuban personnel in Venezuela including some 30,000
medical professionals.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$108.4 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$103.9 billion (2007 est.)
$96.9 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$54.71 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
7.3% (2007 est.)
12.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$9,100 (2007 est.)
$8,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.4%
industry: 22.8%
services: 72.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.962 million
country comparison to the world: 74
note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 19.4%
services: 60.6% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
1.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
1.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
10.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Budget:
revenues: $45.42 billion
expenditures: $49.96 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
34.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
36.8% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
3.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA%
Stock of money:
$NA
Stock of quasi money:
$NA
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock
Industries:
sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement,
agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
1.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Electricity - production:
16.89 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Electricity - consumption:
13.93 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
52,630 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Oil - consumption:
176,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Oil - imports:
104,800 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Oil - proved reserves:
124 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Natural gas - production:
400 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - consumption:
400 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - proved reserves:
70.79 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Current account balance:
-$2.58 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$412 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$3.68 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$3.701 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee
Exports - partners:
Canada 27.8%, China 26.6%, Spain 6.2%, Netherlands 5.5% (2008)
Imports:
$14.25 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$10.08 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Venezuela 30%, China 11.9%, Spain 10.1%, Canada 6.4%, US 6.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.047 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
$4.747 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$19.04 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$16.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$11.24 billion (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$4.138 billion (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Exchange rates:
Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar - 0.9259 (2008 est.), 0.9259 (2007),
0.9231 (2006)
note: Cuba has two currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP)
and the convertible peso (CUC); in April 2005 the official exchange
rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC (0.93 CUC per $1) both
for individuals and enterprises; individuals can buy 24 Cuban pesos
(CUP) for each CUC sold or sell 25 Cuban pesos for each CUC bought;
enterprises, however, must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio.
Communications ::Cuba
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.104 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
Telephones - mobile cellular:
331,700 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 167
Telephone system:
general assessment: greater investment beginning in 1994 and the
establishment of a new Ministry of Information Technology and
Communications in 2000 has resulted in improvements in the system;
wireless service is expensive and must be paid in convertible pesos,
which effectively limits mobile cellular subscribership
domestic: national fiber-optic system under development; 95% of
switches digitized by end of 2006; fixed telephone line density
remains low at less than 10 per 100 inhabitants; domestic cellular
service expanding but remains at only about 3 per 100 persons
international: country code - 53; fiber-optic cable laid to but not
linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik
(Atlantic Ocean region) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
58 (1997)
Internet country code:
.cu
Internet hosts:
3,637 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 138
Internet users:
1.45 million
country comparison to the world: 77
note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or
accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may
access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls;
some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take
advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the
government-controlled "intranet" (2008)
Transportation ::Cuba
Airports:
136 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 42
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 65
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 27 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 71
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 58 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 41 km; oil 230 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 8,598 km
country comparison to the world: 24
standard gauge: 8,322 km 1.435-m gauge (176 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 276 km 1.000-gauge
note: 4,533 km of the track is used by sugar plantations; 4,257 km
is standard gauge; 276 km is narrow gauge (2006)
Roadways:
total: 60,858 km
country comparison to the world: 73
paved: 29,820 km (includes 638 km of expressway)
unpaved: 31,038 km (2000)
Waterways:
240 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
Merchant marine:
total: 11
country comparison to the world: 111
by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3,
refrigerated cargo 2
foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1)
registered in other countries: 13 (Bahamas 1, Cyprus 1, Netherlands
Antilles 1, Panama 10) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas
Military ::Cuba
Military branches:
Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR):
Revolutionary Army (ER; includes Territorial Militia Troops (Milicia
de Tropas de Territoriales, MTT)), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de
Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR; includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary
Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Youth Labor Army (Ejercito
Juvenil del Trabajo, EJT) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
17-28 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year service
obligation; both sexes subject to military service (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,094,388
females age 16-49: 3,024,876 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,532,495
females age 16-49: 2,468,631 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 75,969
female: 72,253 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Military - note:
the collapse of the Soviet Union deprived the Cuban Army of its
major economic and logistic support and had a significant impact on
equipment numbers and serviceability; the army remains well trained
and professional in nature; while the lack of replacement parts for
its existing equipment and the current severe shortage of fuel have
increasingly affected operational capabilities, Cuba remains able to
offer considerable resistance to any regional power (2008)
Transnational Issues ::Cuba
Disputes - international:
US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual
agreement or US abandonment of the facility can terminate the lease
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Cuba is principally a source country for women
and children trafficked within the country for the purpose of
commercial sexual exploitation and possibly for forced labor; the
country is a destination for sex tourism including child sex
tourism, which is a problem in many areas of the country; some Cuban
nationals willingly migrate to the United States but are
subsequently exploited for forced labor by their smugglers; Cuba is
also a transit point for the smuggling of migrants from China, Sri
Lanka, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and other nations to the United States
and Canada
tier rating: Tier 3 - Cuba does not fully comply with the minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making
significant efforts to do so; exact information about trafficking in
Cuba is difficult to obtain because the government does not
acknowledge or condemn human trafficking as a problem in Cuba;
tangible efforts to prosecute offenders, protect victims, or prevent
human trafficking activity do not appear to have been made during
2007; Cuba has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for US-
and European-bound drugs; established the death penalty for certain
drug-related crimes in 1999 (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Cyprus (Europe)
Introduction ::Cyprus
Background:
A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following
years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek
Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in
December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia.
Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic
intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into
enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek
Government-sponsored attempt to seize control of Cyprus was met by
military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a
third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself
the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is
recognized only by Turkey. The election of a new Cypriot president
in 2008 served as the impetus for the UN to encourage both the
Turkish and Cypriot Governments to reopen unification negotiations.
In September 2008, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish
Cypriot communities started negotiations under UN auspices aimed at
reuniting the divided island. The entire island entered the EU on 1
May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and
obligations - applies only to the areas under direct government
control, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish
Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document
their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy
the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states.
Geography ::Cyprus
Location:
Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
35 00 N, 33 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)
country comparison to the world: 170
land: 9,241 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 150.4 km (approximately)
border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia 103 km
(approximately)
Coastline:
648 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Terrain:
central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but
significant plains along southern coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m
Natural resources:
copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth
pigment
Land use:
arable land: 10.81%
permanent crops: 4.32%
other: 84.87% (2005)
Irrigated land:
400 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.4 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.21 cu km/yr (27%/1%/71%)
per capita: 250 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
moderate earthquake activity; droughts
Environment - current issues:
water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal
disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest
aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from
sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife
habitats from urbanization
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and
Sardinia)
People ::Cyprus
Population:
796,740 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.1% (male 77,959/female 74,591)
15-64 years: 68.5% (male 276,890/female 269,267)
65 years and over: 12.3% (male 42,961/female 55,072) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.5 years
male: 34.5 years
female: 36.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.519% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Birth rate:
12.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Death rate:
7.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Net migration rate:
0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Urbanization:
urban population: 70% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 174
male: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.33 years
country comparison to the world: 45
male: 75.91 years
female: 80.86 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.77 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Cypriot(s)
adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic groups:
Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)
Religions:
Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and
Armenian Apostolic) 4%
Languages:
Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.6%
male: 98.9%
female: 96.3% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
6.3% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 35
Government ::Cyprus
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus
local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti
local short form: Kypros/Kibris
note: the Turkish Cypriot community, which administers the northern
part of the island, refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC")
Government type:
republic
note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the
island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this
separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in
July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave
the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots
control the only internationally recognized government; on 15
November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared
independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus" ("TRNC"), which is recognized only by Turkey
Capital:
name: Nicosia (Lefkosia)
geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos;
note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include
Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
Independence:
16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed
self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these
proclamations are only recognized by Turkey
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots
celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day
Constitution:
16 August 1960
note: from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no longer
participated in the government; negotiations to create the basis for
a new or revised constitution to govern the island and for better
relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held
intermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974
Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their own
constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated
State of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC)" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence
in 1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5
May 1985, although the "TRNC" remains unrecognized by any country
other than Turkey
Legal system:
based on English common law, with civil law modifications; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Demetris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28 February
2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the
1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot
head of government: President Demetris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28
February 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and
vice president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 17 and 24 February 2008 (next to be held in
February 2013)
election results: Demetris CHRISTOFIAS elected president; percent of
vote (first round) - Ioannis KASOULIDES 33.5%, Demetris CHRISTOFIAS
33.3%, Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 31.8%; (second round) Demetris
CHRISTOFIAS 53.4%, Ioannis KASOULIDES 46.6%
note: Mehmet Ali TALAT became "president" of the "TRNC", 24 April
2005, after "presidential" elections on 17 April 2005; results -
Mehmet Ali TALAT 55.6%, Dervis EROGLU 22.7%; Ferdi Sabit SOYER is
"TRNC prime minister" and heads the Council of Ministers (cabinet)
in coalition with "Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister"
Turgay AVCI
Legislative branch:
unicameral - area under government control: House of Representatives
or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots,
24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots
are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year
terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the
Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: area under government control: last held 21 May 2006
(next to be held in 2010); area administered by Turkish Cypriots:
last held 19 April 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: area under government control: House of
Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 31.1%, DISY 30.3%,
DIKO 17.9%, EDEK 8.9%, EURO.KO 5.8%, Greens 2.0%; seats by party -
AKEL 18, DISY 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 4, EURO.KO 4, Greens 1; area
administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic - percent
of vote by party - UBP 44.1%, CTP 29.3%, DP 10.6%, other 16%; seats
by party - UBP 26, CTP 15, DP 5, other 4
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and
vice president)
note: there is also a Supreme Court in the area administered by
Turkish Cypriots
Political parties and leaders:
area under government control: Democratic Party or DIKO [Marios
KAROYIAN]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADES]; European
Party or EURO.KO [Demetris SYLLOURIS]; Fighting Democratic Movement
or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDES]; Green Party of Cyprus [George
PERDIKIS]; Movement for Social Democrats or EDEK [Yiannakis OMIROU];
Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party)
[Andros KYPRIANOU]; United Democrats or EDI [Michalis PAPAPETROU]
area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Centrist Party or HP [Rasit
PERTEV]; Communal Democracy Party or TDP [Mehmet CAKICIL]; Cyprus
Socialist Party or KSP [Yusuf ALKIM]; Democratic Party or DP [Serder
DENKTASH]; Freedom and Reform Party or ORP [Turgay AVCI]; National
Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Nationalist Justice Party or MAP
[Ata TEPE]; New Cyprus Party or YKP [Murat KANATLI]; Politics for
the People Party or HIS [Ahmet YONLUER]; Republican Turkish Party or
CTP [Ferdi Sabit SOYER]; United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation of
Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish Cypriot
Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO
(Communist controlled)
International organization participation:
Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer),
OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas KAKOURIS
chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772, 462-0873
FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710
consulate(s) general: New York
note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is
Hilmi AKIL; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone
[1] (202) 887-6198
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Frank C. URBANCIC, Jr.
embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi,
Nicosia
mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia
telephone: [357] (22) 393939
FAX: [357] (22) 780944
Flag description:
white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name
Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green
crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches
symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek
and Turkish communities
note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a white
field with narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance
from the top and bottom edges between which is centered a red
crescent and a red five-pointed star
Economy ::Cyprus
Economy - overview:
The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a
market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for
78% of GDP. Tourism, financial services, and real estate are the
most important sectors. Erratic growth rates over the past decade
reflect the economy's reliance on tourism, which often fluctuates
with political instability in the region and economic conditions in
Western Europe. Nevertheless, the economy in the area under
government control has grown at a rate well above the EU average
since 2000. Cyprus joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism
(ERM2) in May 2005 and adopted the euro as its national currency on
1 January 2008. An aggressive austerity program in the preceding
years, aimed at paving the way for the euro, helped turn a soaring
fiscal deficit (6.3% in 2003) into a surplus of 1.2% in 2008, and
reduced inflation to 5.1%. This prosperity will come under pressure
in 2009, as construction and tourism slow in the face of reduced
foreign demand triggered by the ongoing global financial crisis.
Growth is expected to slow to less than 2%, which would be its
lowest level since 2003. As in the area administered by Turkish
Cypriots, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few
desalination plants have been added to existing plants over the last
year and are now on line. After 10 years of drought, the country
received substantial rainfall from 2001-04. Since then, rainfall has
been well below average, making water rationing a necessity.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$22.76 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$21.94 billion (2007 est.)
$21.02 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$24.92 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
4.4% (2007 est.)
4.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$21,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$20,900 (2007 est.)
$20,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 19.6%
services: 78.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
397,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 8.5%
industry: 20.5%
services: 71% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
3.9% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
29 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 118
Investment (gross fixed):
23.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Budget:
revenues:: $11.19 billion
expenditures:: $10.96 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
49.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
74.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
2.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.19% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 124
6.74% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$4.094 billion (31 December 2007)
note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Cypriot pounds
in circulation prior to Cyprus joining the Economic and Monetary
Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in
the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary
policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU
do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating
within their own borders
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$43.93 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$80.68 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 42
$52.09 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
$29.48 billion (31 December 2007)
$15.9 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry,
pork, lamb; dairy, cheese
Industries:
tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum production,
ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal
products, wood, paper, stone, and clay products
Industrial production growth rate:
4.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - production:
4.502 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Electricity - consumption:
4.277 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Oil - consumption:
59,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Oil - imports:
58,930 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Current account balance:
-$4.479 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
-$2.595 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.906 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$1.483 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, and clothing
Exports - partners:
Greece 20.1%, UK 10.8%, Germany 6% (2008)
Imports:
$10.54 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$7.957 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods,
machinery, transport equipment
Imports - partners:
Greece 16.9%, Italy 10.7%, UK 8.7%, Germany 8.3%, Israel 8.2%, China
5.3%, Netherlands 4.1%, France 4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.003 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
$6.507 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$32.86 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$26.97 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$15.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$13.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$7.097 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$5.591 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Cypriot pounds (CYP)
per US dollar - 0.4286 (2007), 0.4586 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686
(2004)
Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots:
Economy - overview: The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly 40% of
the per capita GDP of the south, and economic growth tends to be
volatile, given the north's relative isolation, bloated public
sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and small market size.
Agriculture and services, together, employ more than half of the
work force. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew around 10.6% in 2006,
fueled by growth in the construction and education sectors, as well
as increased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the area under
government control. GDP declined about 2.0% in 2007. The Turkish
Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from the Turkish
Government. Ankara directly finances about one-third of the "TRNC's"
budget. Aid from Turkey has exceeded $400 million annually in recent
years. The Turkish Cypriot economy probably will experience a sharp
slowdown in 2008-2009 due to the global financial crisis, because
the Turkish Cypriot financial sector is dominated by mainland
Turkish banks, and because of its reliance on British and Turkish
tourism, which has declined due to the recession.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -2% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita: $11,700 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.6%, industry: 22.5%,
services: 69.1% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%,
services: 56.5% (2004)
Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line: %NA
Inflation rate: 11.4% (2006)
Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006)
Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes,
olives, poultry, lamb
Industries: foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay,
gypsum, copper, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.)
Electricity production: 998.9 million kWh (2005)
Electricity consumption: 797.9 million kWh (2005)
Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Export - commodities: citrus, dairy, potatoes, textiles
Export - partners: Turkey 40%; direct trade between the area
administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government
control remains limited
Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Import - commodities: vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals,
chemicals, machinery
Import - partners: Turkey 60%; direct trade between the area
administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government
control remains limited
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA
Debt - external: $NA
Currency (code): Turkish new lira (YTL)
Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.319 (2007) 1.4286
(2006) 1.3436 (2005) 1.4255 (2004) 1.5009 (2003)
Communications ::Cyprus
Telephones - main lines in use:
area under government control: 413,300 (2008); area administered by
Turkish Cypriots: 86,228 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 102
Telephones - mobile cellular:
area under government control: 1.017 million (2008); area
administered by Turkish Cypriots: 147,522 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 143
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent in both area under government control
and area administered by Turkish Cypriots
domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay
international: country code - 357 (area administered by Turkish
Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); a number of
submarine cables, including the SEA-ME-WE-3, combine to provide
connectivity to Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia;
tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1
Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1
Arabsat)
Radio broadcast stations:
area under government control: AM 5, FM 76, shortwave 0
area administered by Turkish Cypriots: AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 1
(2004)
Television broadcast stations:
area under government control: 8
area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2 (plus 4 relay) (2004)
Internet country code:
.cy
Internet hosts:
185,451 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 63
Internet users:
334,400 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 121
Transportation ::Cyprus
Airports:
15 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 144
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 13
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Heliports:
9 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 14,630 km (area under government control: 12,280 km; area
administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2,350 km)
country comparison to the world: 123
paved: area under government control: 7,979 km (includes 257 km of
expressways); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 1,370 km
unpaved: area under government control: 4,301 km; area administered
by Turkish Cypriots: 980 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 858
country comparison to the world: 13
by type: bulk carrier 295, cargo 182, chemical tanker 63, container
193, liquefied gas 10, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 24, petroleum
tanker 58, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 12, specialized
tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5
foreign-owned: 690 (Austria 1, Belgium 2, Canada 2, Chile 1, China
10, Cuba 1, Denmark 4, Estonia 5, Germany 189, Greece 259, Hong Kong
2, India 2, Iran 10, Ireland 3, Israel 4, Italy 7, Japan 21, South
Korea 1, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Netherlands 22, Norway 18, Philippines
1, Poland 18, Portugal 1, Russia 50, Singapore 3, Slovenia 4, Spain
6, Sweden 2, Syria 2, Ukraine 4, UAE 9, UK 19, US 5)
registered in other countries: 256 (Antigua and Barbuda 18, Bahamas
25, Belize 1, Burma 1, Cambodia 7, Comoros 1, Georgia 1, Germany 2,
Gibraltar 1, Greece 7, Liberia 63, Malta 31, Marshall Islands 37,
Netherlands 8, Netherlands Antilles 21, Panama 19, Poland 1, Russia
2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,
Samoa 1, Singapore 1, Tonga 1, Turkey 2, UK 2, unknown 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos;; area
administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia
Military ::Cyprus
Military branches:
Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Forea, EF;
includes naval and air elements); northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot
Security Force (GKK) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): 18-50 years of age for
compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males; 17 years of
age for voluntary service; women may volunteer for a 3-year term;
length of normal service is 25 months (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG):
males age 16-49: 199,767
females age 16-49: 190,665 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG):
males age 16-49: 165,615
females age 16-49: 159,362 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,241
female: 5,979 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Transnational Issues ::Cyprus
Disputes - international:
hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous
entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a
Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN
Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since
1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; on 1 May
2004, Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's
body of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in
the north; Turkey protests Cypriot Government creating hydrocarbon
blocks and maritime boundary with Lebanon in March 2007
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 210,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced for
over 30 years) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Cyprus is primarily a destination country for a
large number of women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe,
the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic for the purpose of
sexual exploitation; traffickers continued to fraudulently recruit
victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term
"artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or
for illegal work on tourist or student visas
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cyprus is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for a third consecutive year for failure to show evidence of
increasing efforts to combat human trafficking during 2007; although
Cyprus passed a new trafficking law and opened a government
trafficking shelter, these efforts are outweighed by its failure to
show tangible and critically needed progress in the areas of law
enforcement, victim protection, and the prevention of trafficking
(2008)
Illicit drugs:
minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and
container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey;
some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of
anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money
laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector
remains weak (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Czech Republic (Europe)
Introduction ::Czech Republic
Background:
Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and
Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form
Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders
were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic
minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and
the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated
Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968,
an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's
leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism
with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year
ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet
authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a
peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country
underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the
Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999
and the European Union in 2004.
Geography ::Czech Republic
Location:
Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovikia, and Austria
Geographic coordinates:
49 45 N, 15 30 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 78,867 sq km
country comparison to the world: 115
land: 77,247 sq km
water: 1,620 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 1,989 km
border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 815 km, Poland 615 km,
Slovakia 197 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:
Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus
surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very
hilly country
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Elbe River 115 m
highest point: Snezka 1,602 m
Natural resources:
hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber
Land use:
arable land: 38.82%
permanent crops: 3%
other: 58.18% (2005)
Irrigated land:
240 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
16 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.91 cu km/yr (41%/57%/2%)
per capita: 187 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
flooding
Environment - current issues:
air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in
northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain
damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should
improve domestic pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,
Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most
significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional
military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in
central Europe
People ::Czech Republic
Population:
10,211,904 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.6% (male 712,045/female 673,657)
15-64 years: 71% (male 3,641,887/female 3,604,044)
65 years and over: 15.5% (male 623,882/female 956,389) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.1 years
male: 38.6 years
female: 41.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.094% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Birth rate:
8.83 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Death rate:
10.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Net migration rate:
0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Urbanization:
urban population: 73% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 211
male: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.81 years
country comparison to the world: 61
male: 73.54 years
female: 80.28 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.24 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 10 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Nationality:
noun: Czech(s)
adjective: Czech
Ethnic groups:
Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%,
unaffiliated 59% (2001 census)
Languages:
Czech 94.9%, Slovak 2%, other 2.3%, unidentified 0.8% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 15 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.4% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 94
Government ::Czech Republic
Country name:
conventional long form: Czech Republic
conventional short form: Czech Republic
local long form: Ceska Republika
local short form: Cesko
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Prague
geographic coordinates: 50 05 N, 14 28 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni
mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia),
Karlovarsky, Kralovehradecky, Liberecky, Moravskoslezsky
(Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky, Pardubicky, Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha
(Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky, Vysocina, Zlinsky
Independence:
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and
Slovakia)
National holiday:
Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918)
Constitution:
ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993; amended 1997,
2000, 2001 (twice), 2002
Legal system:
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; legal code
modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge
Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Jan FISCHER (since 9 April 2009);
Deputy Prime Ministers Petr NECAS (since 9 January 2007), Martin
BURSIK (since 9 January 2007), and Vlasta PARKANOVA (since 23
January 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of
the prime minister
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); last successful election held 15
February 2008 (after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008
were inconclusive; next election to be held in 2013); prime minister
appointed by the president
election results: Vaclav KLAUS reelected president on 15 February
2008; Vaclav KLAUS 141 votes, Jan SVEJNAR 111 votes (third round;
combined votes of both chambers of parliament)
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat
(81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year
terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of
Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 17-18 and 24-25 October
2008 (next to be held by October 2010); Chamber of Deputies - last
held 2-3 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2010)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - ODS 36, CSSD 29, KDU-CSL 7, Open Democracy Club 6, others 3;
Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ODS 35.4%, CSSD
32.3%, KSCM 12.8%, KDU-CSL 7.2%, Greens 6.3%, other 6%; seats by
party - ODS 81, CSSD 74, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6; note - seats
by party as of December 2008 - ODS 79, CSSD 71, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13,
Greens 4, unaffiliated 7 (former CSSD, ODS, and Green Party members)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen
are appointed by the president for a 10-year term
Political parties and leaders:
Association of Independent Candidates-European Democrats or SNK-ED
[Helmut DOHNALEK]; Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's
Party or KDU-CSL [Jiri CUNEK]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek
TOPOLANEK]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Vojtech
FILIP]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Jiri PAROUBEK]; Free
Citizens' Party or SSO [Petr MACH]; Green Party [Martin BURSIK];
Independent Democrats (NEZDEM) [Vladimir ZELEZNY]; Party of Open
Society (SOS) [Pavel NOVACEK]; Path of Change [Jiri LOBKOWITZ];
Union of Freedom-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Jan CERNY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [Milan STECH]
International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI,
CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,
MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF
(observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate),
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Petr KOLAR
chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100
FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. GRABER
embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [420] 257 022 000
FAX: [420] 257 022 809
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue
isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
note: identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia
Economy ::Czech Republic
Economy - overview:
The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the
post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Maintaining an
open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech
Republic's transition from a communist, centrally planned economy to
a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union,
with an advantageous location in the center of Europe, a relatively
low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech
Republic is an attractive destination for foreign investment. Prior
to its EU accession in 2004, the Czech government harmonized its
laws and regulations with those of the European Union. The
government plans to meet the criteria for joining the euro area
around 2012. The small, open, export-driven Czech economy grew by
over 6% annually from 2005-2007 and strong growth continued
throughout the first three quarters of 2008. Despite the global
financial crisis, the conservative Czech financial system has
remained relatively healthy. The rate of Czech economic growth,
however, fell in the fourth quarter of 2008, mainly due to a
significant drop in demand for Czech exports in Western Europe. This
trend is expected to continue, with many analysts predicting the
Czech economy to contract slightly in 2009.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$264.8 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$258.1 billion (2007 est.)
$243.2 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$216.4 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
6.1% (2007 est.)
6.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$25,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$25,200 (2007 est.)
$23,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.3%
industry: 37.6%
services: 60.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
5.36 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 40.2%
services: 56.2% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
5.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
6.6% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.3%
highest 10%: 22.4% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 129
25.4 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
24% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Budget:
revenues: $93.42 billion
expenditures: $96.09 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
26.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
33.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
2.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2.25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 128
3.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 134
5.79% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$86.55 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 14
$84.43 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$58.6 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
$58.77 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$110.5 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
$103.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$48.85 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 53
$73.42 billion (31 December 2007)
$48.6 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry
Industries:
motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments
Industrial production growth rate:
3.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Electricity - production:
82.72 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity - consumption:
61.65 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Electricity - exports:
19.99 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
8.52 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
16,080 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Oil - consumption:
212,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Oil - exports:
22,560 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Oil - imports:
213,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Oil - proved reserves:
15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Natural gas - production:
192 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Natural gas - consumption:
8.719 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - exports:
968 million cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - imports:
9.573 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Natural gas - proved reserves:
3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Current account balance:
-$6.642 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
-$5.655 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$145.7 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$122.7 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 52%, raw materials and fuel 9%,
chemicals 5% (2003)
Exports - partners:
Germany 30.6%, Slovakia 9.2%, Poland 6.5%, France 5.3%, UK 4.8%,
Austria 4.7%, Italy 4.6% (2008)
Imports:
$139.4 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$116.8 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials and fuels 15%,
chemicals 10% (2003)
Imports - partners:
Germany 30.3%, Slovakia 6.6%, Poland 6.4%, Russia 6.2%, Netherlands
5.6%, Austria 5.2%, China 4.9%, Italy 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$36.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$34.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$80.43 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 41
$76.04 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$111.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$101.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$9.913 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$6.971 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
koruny (CZK) per US dollar - 17.064 (2008), 20.53 (2007), 22.596
(2006), 23.957 (2005), 25.7 (2004)
Communications ::Czech Republic
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.278 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 54
Telephones - mobile cellular:
13.78 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 48
Telephone system:
general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech
telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily;
access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the
1990s but the number of fixed line connections has been dropping
since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in
the mid-1990s and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now
greatly exceeds the population
domestic: virtually all exchanges now digital; existing copper
subscriber systems enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
(ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals;
trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay
international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2
Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1
Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000)
Television broadcast stations:
71 (2008)
Internet country code:
.cz
Internet hosts:
3.233 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 24
Internet users:
6.028 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 38
Transportation ::Czech Republic
Airports:
122 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 48
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 44
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 18 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 78
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 27
under 914 m: 50 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 9,620 km
country comparison to the world: 22
standard gauge: 9,521 km 1.435-m gauge (3,013 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 99 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 128,512 km
country comparison to the world: 36
paved: 128,512 km (includes 657 km of expressways) (2007)
Waterways:
664 km (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable
rivers, lakes, and canals) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
1) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 150
Ports and terminals:
Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem
Military ::Czech Republic
Military branches:
Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command (includes
Land Forces and Air Forces), Support and Training Forces Command
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-28 years of age for voluntary and 19-28 for compulsory military
service (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,522,383
females age 16-49: 2,425,095 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,095,038
females age 16-49: 2,011,531 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 60,150
female: 57,157 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.46% of GDP (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Transnational Issues ::Czech Republic
Disputes - international:
while threats of international legal action never materialized in
2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the popular Freedom
Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria
block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closes
its controversial Soviet-style nuclear plant in Temelin, bordering
Austria
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit
point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of
synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money
laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant
consumer of ecstasy (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Denmark (Europe)
Introduction ::Denmark
Background:
Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European
power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is
participating in the general political and economic integration of
Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973.
However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the
European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic
and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues
concerning certain justice and home affairs.
Geography ::Denmark
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a
peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major
islands (Sjaelland and Fyn)
Geographic coordinates:
56 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 43,094 sq km
country comparison to the world: 133
land: 42,434 sq km
water: 660 sq km
note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest
of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major
islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and
Greenland
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 68 km
border countries: Germany 68 km
Coastline:
7,314 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Terrain:
low and flat to gently rolling plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m
highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel
and sand
Land use:
arable land: 52.59%
permanent crops: 0.19%
other: 47.22% (2005)
Irrigated land:
4,490 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
6.1 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%)
per capita: 123 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of
Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are
protected from the sea by a system of dikes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions;
nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and
surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and
North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater
Copenhagen
People ::Denmark
Population:
5,500,510 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.1% (male 511,882/female 485,782)
15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,817,800/female 1,798,964)
65 years and over: 16.1% (male 387,142/female 498,940) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.5 years
male: 39.6 years
female: 41.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.28% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Birth rate:
10.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Death rate:
10.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Net migration rate:
2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Urbanization:
urban population: 87% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 203
male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.3 years
country comparison to the world: 46
male: 75.96 years
female: 80.78 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.74 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
4,800 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Nationality:
noun: Dane(s)
adjective: Danish
Ethnic groups:
Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and
Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2%
Languages:
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small
minority)
note: English is the predominant second language
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
8.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 12
Government ::Denmark
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form: Denmark
local long form: Kongeriget Danmark
local short form: Danmark
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Copenhagen
geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
note: applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic
components
Administrative divisions:
metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region);
Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark
note: an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities
into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007
Independence:
first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a
constitutional monarchy
National holiday:
none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed
as the National Day
Constitution:
5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral
legislature and a female chief of state
Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir
Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26
May 1968)
head of government: Prime Minister Lars Lokke RASMUSSEN (since 5
April 2009)
cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2
from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by
popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve
four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier)
elections: last held 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%,
Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist
People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social
Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Unity List 2.2%,
other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45,
Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative
People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green
Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and
the two seats from the Faroe Islands
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian
People's Party); Conservative Party [Lene ESPERSEN] (sometimes known
as Conservative People's Party); Danish People's Party [Pia
KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Liberal
Alliance [Naser KHADER](formerly known as New Alliance); Red-Green
Unity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left
Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers'
Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social
Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy
SOEVNDAL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Danish Free Press Society (freedom of speech); Danish National
Socialist Movement or DNSB [Jonni HANSEN] (neo-Nazi organization)
other: human rights groups
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council,
Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO,
G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO,
UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Friis Arne PETERSEN
chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300
FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James P. CAIN
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen
mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716
telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00
FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23
Flag description:
red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the
vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner
is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the
oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of
the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner
fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by
the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly
talisman inspired the royal army to victory
note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the
other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Economy ::Denmark
Economy - overview:
This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech
agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry,
extensive government welfare measures, an equitable distribution of
income, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, a stable
political system, and high dependence on foreign trade. Unemployment
is low and capacity constraints limit growth potential. Denmark is a
net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of
payments surplus. The government has been successful in meeting, and
even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating
in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but so far Denmark has decided
not to join 16 other EU members in the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish
krone remains pegged to the euro. Denmark's fiscal position is among
the strongest in the EU. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and
the upturn continued through 2006. After a long consumption-driven
upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in early 2007 with the end
of a housing boom. This cyclical slowdown has been exacerbated by
the global financial crisis through increased borrowing costs and
lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The
slowing global economy cut GDP by 1.2% in 2008. A major long-term
issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$204.1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$206.6 billion (2007 est.)
$203.3 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$340 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-1.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
1.6% (2007 est.)
3.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$37,800 (2007 est.)
$37,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.3%
industry: 26.1%
services: 72.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.88 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 23.8%
services: 72.7% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
2.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
24 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 132
24.7 (1992)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Budget:
revenues: $188.6 billion
expenditures: $176.3 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
33.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
42.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
1.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 126
4% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA
Stock of money:
$143 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 9
$148.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$95.82 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 23
$81.64 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$695.8 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
$684.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
$277.7 billion (31 December 2007)
$231 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish
Industries:
iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing,
machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing,
electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products,
shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical
equipment
Industrial production growth rate:
-3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity - production:
36.92 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity - consumption:
35.79 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Electricity - exports:
11.36 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
12.82 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
288,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Oil - consumption:
181,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Oil - exports:
287,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Oil - imports:
153,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Oil - proved reserves:
1.06 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Natural gas - production:
10.09 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Natural gas - consumption:
4.59 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - exports:
5.516 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 26
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Natural gas - proved reserves:
61.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Current account balance:
$6.938 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$2.378 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$114.9 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$100.5 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products,
fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills
Exports - partners:
Germany 18%, Sweden 14.5%, UK 8.2%, Norway 5.7%, US 5.3%, France
4.8%, Netherlands 4.6% (2008)
Imports:
$116.4 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$100.8 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for
industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Germany 20.9%, Sweden 14%, Netherlands 6.7%, Norway 6.3%, China
5.7%, UK 5.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$42.32 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$34.32 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$588.8 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 18
$567.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$142.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$131.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$181.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$153.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797
(2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004)
Communications ::Denmark
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.487 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 53
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.551 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services
domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form
trunk network, multiple cellular mobile communications systems
international: country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine
cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth
stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat
(Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark,
Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station
and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
172 (2008)
Internet country code:
.dk
Internet hosts:
3.991 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 19
Internet users:
4.579 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 44
Transportation ::Denmark
Airports:
92 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 65
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 28
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 64
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 61 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,667 km
country comparison to the world: 63
standard gauge: 2,667 km 1.435-m gauge (640 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 72,362 km
country comparison to the world: 64
paved: 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006)
Waterways:
400 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 88
Merchant marine:
total: 327
country comparison to the world: 29
by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 63, carrier 2, chemical tanker 78,
container 84, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 42, petroleum tanker
29, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4
foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 1, Germany 1, Germany 9, Greece 4, Iceland
2, Norway 3, Sweden 6)
registered in other countries: 534 (Antigua and Barbuda 19, Bahamas
67, Belgium 4, Brazil 2, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 4, Egypt 1,
Estonia 1, France 2, Germany 1, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 24, Isle of
Man 29, Italy 3, Jamaica 2, Liberia 12, Lithuania 5, Luxembourg 1,
Malta 30, Marshall Islands 10, Mexico 2, Netherlands 29, Netherlands
Antilles 2, Norway 25, Panama 40, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 16, Singapore 87, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 4, Togo
1, UAE 1, UK 62, US 31, Venezuela 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg
Military ::Denmark
Military branches:
Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet,
Island Command Greenland, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;
conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12
months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to
mobilization units following completion of their conscript service;
women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,235,067
females age 16-49: 1,215,418 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,013,223
females age 16-49: 998,837 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 37,231
female: 35,306 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.3% of GDP (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Transnational Issues ::Denmark
Disputes - international:
Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe
Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue
to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with
Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere
Island and Greenland
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Dhekelia (Europe)
Introduction ::Dhekelia
Background:
By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the
independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and
jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers -
Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign
Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base
Area.
Geography ::Dhekelia
Location:
Eastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near
Famagusta
Geographic coordinates:
34 59 N, 33 45 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 130.8 sq km
country comparison to the world: 222
note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves
Area - comparative:
about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 103 km (approximately)
border countries: Cyprus 103 km (approximately)
Coastline:
27.5 km
Climate:
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Environment - current issues:
netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and
autumn
Geography - note:
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small
off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area
land 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry
of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land
People ::Dhekelia
Population:
approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri
and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK Based
Contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents
country comparison to the world: 219
Languages:
English, Greek
Government ::Dhekelia
Country name:
conventional long form: Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area
conventional short form: Dhekelia
Dependency status:
a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an
administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus
Capital:
name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri
and Dhekelia); located in Akrotiri
geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Constitution:
Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960,
effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document
Legal system:
the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to
deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot
population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the
Republic of Cyprus
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since
October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is
appointed by the monarch
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
the flag of the UK is used
Economy ::Dhekelia
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military
and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured
goods must be imported.
Industries:
none
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008)
note: on 1 January 2008, Dhekelia and Akrotiri adopted the euro
along with the rest of Cyprus
Communications ::Dhekelia
Radio broadcast stations:
AM NA, FM 1 (located in Akrotiri), shortwave NA (British Forces
Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to
Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel
satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006)
Military ::Dhekelia
Military - note:
includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a
roadway
page last updated on July 2, 2009
======================================================================
@Djibouti (Africa)
Introduction ::Djibouti
Background:
The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in
1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party
state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among
the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in
2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels
and the Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first
multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of
Ismail Omar GUELLEH; he was re-elected to a second and final term in
2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth
of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for
goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present
leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a
significant military presence in the country, but also has strong
ties with the US. Djibouti hosts the only US military base in
sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on
terrorism.
Geography ::Djibouti
Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between
Eritrea and Somalia
Geographic coordinates:
11 30 N, 43 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 23,200 sq km
country comparison to the world: 150
land: 23,180 sq km
water: 20 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 516 km
border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km
Coastline:
314 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
desert; torrid, dry
Terrain:
coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m
highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m
Natural resources:
geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt,
diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 0.04%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.96% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.3 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.02 cu km/yr (84%/0%/16%)
per capita: 25 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the
Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods
Environment - current issues:
inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land;
desertification; endangered species
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to
Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly
wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa
People ::Djibouti
Population:
516,055 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.3% (male 112,135/female 111,343)
15-64 years: 53% (male 141,298/female 132,360)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 9,502/female 9,417) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.1 years
male: 18.5 years
female: 17.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.903% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Birth rate:
38.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Death rate:
19.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 87% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 97.51 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 12
male: 104.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 89.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 43.37 years
country comparison to the world: 217
male: 41.89 years
female: 44.89 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.06 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
3.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
16,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Djiboutian(s)
adjective: Djiboutian
Ethnic groups:
Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian,
and Italian)
Religions:
Muslim 94%, Christian 6%
Languages:
French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.9%
male: 78%
female: 58.4% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 4 years
male: 5 years
female: 4 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
8.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 11
Government ::Djibouti
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form: Djibouti
local long form: Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti
local short form: Djibouti/Jibuti
former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Djibouti
geographic coordinates: 11 35 N, 43 09 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil,
Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah
Independence:
27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution:
approved by referendum 4 September 1992; note - constitution allows
for multiparties
Legal system:
based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic
law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4
March 2001)
cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2005 (next
to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent
of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats;
members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)
elections: last held 8 February 2008 (next to be held 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP
(coalition of parties associated with President Ismail Omar GUELLAH)
65
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic
Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development
Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de
l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress
Assembly or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party); Peoples
Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican
Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed YOUSSOUF]; Union for a
Presidential Majority or UMP (a coalition of parties including RPP,
FRUD, PND, and PPSD) [Mohamed Dileita DILEITA]; Union for Democracy
and Justice or UDJ
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD,
PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition
coalition includes ARD, MRDD, and UDJ)
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE Oudine
chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270
FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James C. SWAN
embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti
mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti
telephone: [253] 35 39 95
FAX: [253] 35 39 40
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with
a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red
five-pointed star in the center
Economy ::Djibouti
Economy - overview:
The economy is based on service activities connected with the
country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the
Horn of Africa. Two-thirds of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the
capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty
rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most
food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit
port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling
center. Imports and exports from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia
represent 85% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal.
Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation
is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help
support its balance of payments and to finance development projects.
An unemployment rate of nearly 60% in urban areas continues to be a
major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed
tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high
value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance
of payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between
1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population
growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a
multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in
arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet
the stipulations of foreign aid donors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.891 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
$1.786 billion (2007 est.)
$1.696 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$982 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
5.3% (2007 est.)
4.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
$2,600 (2007 est.)
$2,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.2%
industry: 14.9%
services: 81.9% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
351,700 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 156
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
59% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
note: data are for urban areas, 83% in rural areas
Population below poverty line:
42% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $135 million
expenditures: $182 million (1999 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA
Stock of money:
$462.7 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 97
$380 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$338 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 112
$284.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$269.9 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 121
$224.7 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides
Industries:
construction, agricultural processing
Electricity - production:
280 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Electricity - consumption:
260.4 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Oil - consumption:
13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Oil - exports:
19.18 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Oil - imports:
8,476 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Current account balance:
-$212 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Exports:
$340 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 170
Exports - commodities:
reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit)
Exports - partners:
Somalia 79.9%, UAE 4.1%, Yemen 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$1.555 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 159
Imports - commodities:
foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 20.5%, India 20.5%, China 10.6%, US 6%, Malaysia 6%
(2008)
Debt - external:
$428 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 167
Exchange rates:
Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.71 (2007), 174.75
(2006), 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003)
Communications ::Djibouti
Telephones - main lines in use:
10,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 201
Telephones - mobile cellular:
44,100 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 196
Telephone system:
general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are
adequate, as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying
areas of the country
domestic: microwave radio relay network; mobile cellular coverage is
primarily limited to the area in and around Djibouti city
international: country code - 253; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3
optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the
Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat -
Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat); Medarabtel regional microwave radio
relay telephone network (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2001)
Internet country code:
.dj
Internet hosts:
199 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 188
Internet users:
13,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 197
Transportation ::Djibouti
Airports:
13 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 152
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Railways:
total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the 781 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti
railway)
country comparison to the world: 127
narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge
note: railway is under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but is
largely inoperable (2008)
Roadways:
total: 3,065 km
country comparison to the world: 165
paved: 1,226 km
unpaved: 1,839 km (2000)
Ports and terminals:
Djibouti
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the
Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including
commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and
hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and
cargo are held for ransom
Military ::Djibouti
Military branches:
Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; 16-25 years of age
for voluntary military training; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 111,274
females age 16-49: 105,168 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 55,173
females age 16-49: 52,825 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 5,778
female: 5,771 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 33
Transnational Issues ::Djibouti
Disputes - international:
Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with
"Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to
various factions in Somalia; Kuwait is chief investor in the 2008
restoration and upgrade of the Ethiopian-Djibouti rail link
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 8,642 (Somalia) (2007)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Dominica (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Dominica
Background:
Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by
Europeans due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs.
France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the
island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence,
Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical
administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the
first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office
for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are
the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean.
Geography ::Dominica
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:
15 25 N, 61 20 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 751 sq km
country comparison to the world: 188
land: 751 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
148 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Terrain:
rugged mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 6.67%
permanent crops: 21.33%
other: 72% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
NA
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.02 cu km/yr
per capita: 213 cu m/yr (1996)
Natural hazards:
flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be
expected during the late summer months
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its
spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected
by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the
Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and
include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in
the world
People ::Dominica
Population:
72,660 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 8,910/female 8,518)
15-64 years: 65.8% (male 24,532/female 23,301)
65 years and over: 10.2% (male 3,187/female 4,212) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.8 years
male: 29.4 years
female: 30.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.208% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Birth rate:
15.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Death rate:
8.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Net migration rate:
-5.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Urbanization:
urban population: 74% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 13.65 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 133
male: 18.34 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.55 years
country comparison to the world: 76
male: 72.61 years
female: 78.64 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.09 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican
Ethnic groups:
black 86.8%, mixed 8.9%, Carib Amerindian 2.9%, white 0.8%, other
0.7% (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 61.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%, Pentecostal 5.6%,
Baptist 4.1%, Methodist 3.7%, Church of God 1.2%, Jehovah's
Witnesses 1.2%, other Christian 7.7%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other or
unspecified 1.6%, none 6.1% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official), French patois
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 94%
male: 94%
female: 94% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (1999)
country comparison to the world: 70
Government ::Dominica
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form: Dominica
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Roseau
geographic coordinates: 15 18 N, 61 24 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John,
Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul,
Saint Peter
Independence:
3 November 1978 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution:
3 November 1978
Legal system:
based on English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since October
2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8
January 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the
prime minister
elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a
five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held
in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL consented to a second term in
2008 at the request of the prime minister and leader of the
opposition
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats; 9 members appointed, 21
elected by popular vote; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010);
note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five
years of the last election, but technically it is five years from
the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace
period
election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 52.1%, UWP 43.6%,
DFP 3.2%, other 1.1%; seats by party - DLP 12, UWP 8, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal
and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges
must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary
Jurisdiction)
Political parties and leaders:
Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor
Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; Dominica United Workers Party or
UWP [Earl WILLIAMS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party)
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Judith Ann
ROLLE
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to
Barbados is accredited to Dominica
Flag description:
green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical
part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal
part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center
of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10
green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent
the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Economy ::Dominica
Economy - overview:
The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas, and
remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and international
economic developments. Tourism has increased as the government seeks
to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination and has developed
a new tourism development plan with assistance from the EU.
Hurricane Dean struck the island in August 2007 causing damages
equivalent to 20% of GDP. In 2003, the government began a
comprehensive restructuring of the economy - including elimination
of price controls, privatization of the state banana company, and
tax increases - to address Dominica's economic and financial crisis
of 2001-02 and to meet IMF targets. This restructuring paved the way
for the current economic recovery - real growth for 2006 reached a
two-decade high - and will help to reduce the debt burden, which
remains at about 100% of GDP. In order to diversify the island's
production base, the government is attempting to develop an offshore
financial sector and has signed an agreement with the EU to develop
geothermal energy resources.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$726.3 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
$703.8 million (2007 est.)
$691.4 million (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$364 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
1.8% (2007 est.)
3.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$10,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$9,700 (2007 est.)
$9,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 17.7%
industry: 32.8%
services: 49.5% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
25,000 (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 32%
services: 28% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
23% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Population below poverty line:
30% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $73.9 million
expenditures: $84.4 million (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.06% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
9.17% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$72.1 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 115
$73.71 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$289.9 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 114
$269.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$213.6 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 122
$193.1 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and
fishery potential not exploited
Industries:
soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Electricity - production:
85 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - consumption:
79.05 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Oil - imports:
838.2 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Current account balance:
-$72 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Exports:
$94 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 194
Exports - commodities:
bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
Exports - partners:
Japan 33.5%, China 17.8%, Antigua and Barbuda 6.7%, Guyana 5.7%,
Jamaica 4.7%, UK 4.7% (2008)
Imports:
$296 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 195
Imports - commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Japan 43.2%, US 17%, China 12.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 8.4% (2008)
Debt - external:
$213 million (2004)
country comparison to the world: 179
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006),
2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
Communications ::Dominica
Telephones - main lines in use:
17,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 197
Telephones - mobile cellular:
100,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 183
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: fully automatic network
international: country code - 1-767; landing point for the East
Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13
other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British
Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay and SHF
radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF
radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2003)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2004)
Internet country code:
.dm
Internet hosts:
485 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 173
Internet users:
27,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 182
Transportation ::Dominica
Airports:
2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 198
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 780 km
country comparison to the world: 187
paved: 393 km
unpaved: 387 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 53
country comparison to the world: 69
by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 27, chemical tanker 3, petroleum
tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned: 47 (Australia 2, Estonia 7, Greece 10, India 2,
Latvia 1, Norway 1, Russia 3, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 7, Syria 2,
Turkey 5, Ukraine 4, UAE 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Portsmouth, Roseau
Military ::Dominica
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force
(includes Coast Guard) (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,584 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 15,821
females age 16-49: 15,291 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 776
female: 731 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA (2006)
Transnational Issues ::Dominica
Disputes - international:
Dominica is the only Caribbean state to challenge Venezuela's
sovereignty claim over Aves Island and joins the other island
nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human
habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf claims over a large
portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor
cannabis producer (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Dominican Republic (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Dominican Republic
Background:
Explored and claimed by Christopher COLUMBUS on his first voyage in
1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish
conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain
recognized French dominion over the western third of the island,
which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then
known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821
but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally
attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861,
the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two
years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865.
A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed,
capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930-61.
Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a
military coup in 1963. In 1965, the United States led an
intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to
restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in an
election to become president. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on
power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to
flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then,
regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition
candidates have won the presidency. Former President (1996-2000)
Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna won election to a second term in 2004
following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve
more than one term.
Geography ::Dominican Republic
Location:
Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between
the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Geographic coordinates:
19 00 N, 70 40 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 48,670 sq km
country comparison to the world: 131
land: 48,320 sq km
water: 350 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border countries: Haiti 360 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 6 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal
variation in rainfall
Terrain:
rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m
highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m
Natural resources:
nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use:
arable land: 22.49%
permanent crops: 10.26%
other: 67.25% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,750 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
21 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3.39 cu km/yr (32%/2%/66%)
per capita: 381 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe
storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs;
deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti
People ::Dominican Republic
Population:
9,650,054 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.4% (male 1,543,141/female 1,488,016)
15-64 years: 62.7% (male 3,087,351/female 2,960,319)
65 years and over: 5.9% (male 264,476/female 306,751) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.9 years
male: 24.8 years
female: 25.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.489% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Birth rate:
22.39 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Death rate:
5.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Net migration rate:
-2.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Urbanization:
urban population: 69% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 25.96 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 83
male: 28 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 23.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.7 years
country comparison to the world: 99
male: 71.88 years
female: 75.6 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.76 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
62,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican
Ethnic groups:
mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%
Languages:
Spanish
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87%
male: 86.8%
female: 87.2% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
3.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 126
Government ::Dominican Republic
Country name:
conventional long form: Dominican Republic
conventional short form: The Dominican
local long form: Republica Dominicana
local short form: La Dominicana
Government type:
democratic republic
Capital:
name: Santo Domingo
geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 69 54 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district*
(distrito); Azua, Bahoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*,
Duarte, El Seibo, Elias Pina, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia,
La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor
Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata,
Salcedo, Samana, San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan, San
Pedro de Macoris, Sanchez Ramirez, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez,
Santo Domingo, Valverde
Independence:
27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution:
28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002
Legal system:
based on French civil codes; Criminal Procedures Code modified in
2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons
regardless of age; note - members of the armed forces and national
police cannot vote
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August
2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August
2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16
August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16
August 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second
consecutive term); election last held 16 May 2008 (next to be held
in May 2012)
election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ reelected president; percent of
vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ 53.6%, Miguel VARGAS 41%, Amable ARISTY less
than 5%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the
Senate or Senado (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de
Diputados (178 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May
2010); House of Representatives - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be
held in May 2010)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - PLD 22, PRD 6, PRSC 4; House of Representatives - percent of
vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 96, PRD 60, PRSC 22
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the National
Judicial Council comprised of the president, the leaders of both
chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and an
additional non-governing party congressional representative)
Political parties and leaders:
Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna];
Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Ramon ALBURQUERQUE]; National
Progressive Front [Vincent CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO]; Social
Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Enrique ANTUN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Collective
of Popular Organizations or COP; Foundation for Institution-Building
and Justice (FINJUS)
International organization participation:
ACP, BCIE, Caricom (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC,
LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory),
PCA, RG, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union
Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto SALADIN
chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280
FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057
consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto
Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Sun
Valley (California)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador P. Robert FANNIN
embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo
Navarro, Santo Domingo
mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500
telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171
FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437
Flag description:
a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag
into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red,
and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of
arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a
palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield
a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God,
Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
appears on a red ribbon
Economy ::Dominican Republic
Economy - overview:
The Dominican Republic has enjoyed strong GDP growth since 2005 and
continued to post sound gains through mid-2008. The global
recession, however, had a significant impact on GDP growth in the
latter half of the year as tourism and remittances, two of the
Dominican Republic's most important economic contributors, showed
signs of slowing. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the
destination for about two-thirds of exports. Remittances from the US
amount to about a tenth of GDP, equivalent to almost half of exports
and three-quarters of tourism receipts. The country has long been
viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco but in
recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the
economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade
zones. Although 2007 saw inflation around 6%, the rate grew to over
12% in 2008. High food prices, driven by the effects of consecutive
tropical storms on agricultural products, and education prices were
significant contributors to the jump. The effects of the global
financial crisis and the US recession are projected to negatively
affect GDP growth in 2009 with a rebound expected in 2010. Although
the economy is growing at a respectable rate, high unemployment and
underemployment remains an important challenge. The country suffers
from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population
receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys
nearly 40% of national income. The Central America-Dominican
Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into force in March
2007, which should boost investment and exports and reduce losses to
the Asian garment industry.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$78.19 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
$74.25 billion (2007 est.)
$68.43 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$44.44 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
8.5% (2007 est.)
10.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
$7,900 (2007 est.)
$7,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.8%
industry: 22.9%
services: 66.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.119 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 14.6%
industry: 22.3%
services: 63.1% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
14.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
15.6% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
42.2% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 38.7% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
49.9 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 25
47.4 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Budget:
revenues: $7.46 billion
expenditures: $9.027 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
37.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
61.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
6.1% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
19.95% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
15.83% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$3.619 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
$4.074 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.902 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 61
$5.631 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$17.37 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
$15.92 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes,
corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs
Industries:
tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles,
cement, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:
1.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Electricity - production:
14.02 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Electricity - consumption:
12.7 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Oil - consumption:
119,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Oil - imports:
116,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Natural gas - consumption:
470 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 188
Natural gas - imports:
470 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Current account balance:
-$4.436 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
-$2.068 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$6.95 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
$7.16 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats,
consumer goods
Exports - partners:
US 58.1%, Haiti 9.3%, Netherlands 2.9% (2008)
Imports:
$16.1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$13.6 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and
pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners:
US 39.2%, Venezuela 7.7%, Mexico 5.4%, Colombia 4.9% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.288 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$2.562 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$11.42 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$10.21 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$15.59 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$12.71 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$59 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Exchange rates:
Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar - 34.775 (2008 est.), 33.113
(2007), 33.406 (2006), 30.409 (2005), 42.12 (2004)
Communications ::Dominican Republic
Telephones - main lines in use:
985,700 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 82
Telephones - mobile cellular:
7.21 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 70
Telephone system:
general assessment: relatively efficient system based on island-wide
microwave radio relay network
domestic: fixed telephone line density is about 10 per 100 persons;
multiple providers of mobile cellular service with a subscribership
of roughly 75 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-809; landing point for the Americas
Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic
telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and
Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
25 (2003)
Internet country code:
.do
Internet hosts:
280,457 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 56
Internet users:
2.147 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
Transportation ::Dominican Republic
Airports:
35 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 108
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 17 (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,784 km
country comparison to the world: 77
standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,368 km 1.076-m, 0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges
note: 1,226 km operated by sugar companies in 1.076 m, 0.889 m, and
0.762-m gauges (2008)
Roadways:
total: 19,705 km
country comparison to the world: 110
paved: 9,872 km
unpaved: 9,833 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 149
by type: cargo 1
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Boca Chica, Caucedo, Puerto Plata, Rio Haina, Santo Domingo
Military ::Dominican Republic
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,440,203
females age 16-49: 2,326,694 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,056,774
females age 16-49: 1,921,836 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 97,766
female: 93,922 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 147
Transnational Issues ::Dominican Republic
Disputes - international:
Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic
to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the
Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: the Dominican Republic is a source, transit, and
destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the
purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a large
number of Dominican women are trafficked into prostitution and
sexual exploitation in Western Europe, Australia, Central and South
America, and Caribbean destinations; a significant number of women,
boys, and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual
exploitation and domestic servitude
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, the
Dominican Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to
show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking,
particularly in terms of not adequately investigating and
prosecuting public officials who may be complicit with trafficking
activity, and inadequate government efforts to protect trafficking
victims; the government has taken measures to reduce demand for
commercial sex acts with children through criminal prosecutions
(2008)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and
Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the
Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial
money laundering activity in particular by Colombian narcotics
traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Ecuador (South America)
Introduction ::Ecuador
Background:
What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until
the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish
colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New
Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada
(Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between
1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When
Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of
the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost
territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border
war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although
Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period
has been marred by political instability. Protests in Quito have
contributed to the mid-term ouster of Ecuador's last three
democratically elected Presidents. In September 2008, voters
approved a new constitution; Ecuador's twentieth since gaining
independence. General elections, under the new constitutional
framework, are expected in April 2009.
Geography ::Ecuador
Location:
Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator,
between Colombia and Peru
Geographic coordinates:
2 00 S, 77 30 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 283,561 sq km
country comparison to the world: 73
land: 276,841 sq km
water: 6,720 sq km
note: includes Galapagos Islands
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Nevada
Land boundaries:
total: 2,010 km
border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,237 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath
Climate:
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations;
tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
Terrain:
coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and
flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m
note: due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has
an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet furthest from
its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely
the highest point above sea-level
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 4.81%
other: 89.48% (2005)
Irrigated land:
8,650 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
432 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 16.98 cu km/yr (12%/5%/82%)
per capita: 1,283 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods;
periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution;
pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas
of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
People ::Ecuador
Population:
14,573,101 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.1% (male 2,312,610/female 2,220,378)
15-64 years: 62.7% (male 4,506,908/female 4,636,703)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 432,144/female 464,358) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 25 years
male: 24.4 years
female: 25.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.497% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Birth rate:
20.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Death rate:
4.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Net migration rate:
-0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Urbanization:
urban population: 66% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 103
male: 24.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.3 years
country comparison to the world: 81
male: 72.37 years
female: 78.37 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.51 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
26,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,400 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Ecuadorian(s)
adjective: Ecuadorian
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish
and others 7%, black 3%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%
Languages:
Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91%
male: 92.3%
female: 89.7% (2001 census)
Education expenditures:
1% of GDP (2001)
country comparison to the world: 179
Government ::Ecuador
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form: Ecuador
local long form: Republica del Ecuador
local short form: Ecuador
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Quito
geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar,
Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos,
Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo,
Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los
Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe
Independence:
24 May 1822 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)
Constitution:
20 October 2008
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages
18-65, optional for other eligible voters
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January
2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15
January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January
2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same
ticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-elected
for another consecutive term; election last held 26 April 2009 (next
to be held 2013)
election results: President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected
president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 51.7%; Lucio
GUTIERREZ 28%; Alvaro NOBOA 11.6%; other 8.7%; note - official
results pending
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats;
members are elected through a party-list proportional representation
system to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 15 October 2006 (next to be held 26 April 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
PRIAN 28; PSP 24; PSC 13; ID 7; PRE 6; MUPP-NP 6; RED 5; UDC 5;
other 6; note - defections by members of National Congress are
commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats
held by the various parties
note: when a Constituent Assembly was convened to draft a new
constitution, the National Congress was placed on indefinite recess
and replaced by a legislative committee; the legislative committee
will continue to function until a new National Assembly is elected
in April 2009
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (according to the Constitution, new
justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; in December 2004,
however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court by a simple
majority resolution)
Political parties and leaders:
Alianza PAIS Movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado]; Christian
Democratic Union or UDC [Diego ORDONEZ Guerrero]; Democratic Left or
ID [Andres PAEZ Benalcazar]; Ethical and Democratic Network or RED
[Leon ROLDOS]; Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or
PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement - New
Country or MUPP-NP [Jorge GUAMAN]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP
[Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Ciro
GUZMAN Aldaz]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz,
director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO];
Socialist Party - Broad Front or PS-FA [Gustavo AYALA Cruz]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE
[Marlon SANTI, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS
[F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of
Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of
Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA
CRUZ, president]
International organization participation:
CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINURCAT,
MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU,
WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Benigno GALLEGOS Chiriboga
chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200
FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, Newark (New Jersey), San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Heather HODGES
embassy: Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito
mailing address: Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras
telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000
FAX: [593] (2) 398-5100
consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red
with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag;
similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear
a coat of arms
Economy ::Ecuador
Economy - overview:
Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which
have accounted for more than half of the country's export earnings
and one-fourth of public sector revenues in recent years. In
1999/2000, Ecuador suffered a severe economic crisis, with GDP
contracting by more than 6%. Poverty increased significantly, the
banking system collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt
later that year. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of
structural reforms that also provided for the adoption of the US
dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and
positive growth returned in the years that followed, helped by high
oil prices, remittances, and increased non-traditional exports. From
2002-06 the economy grew 5.5%, the highest five-year average in 25
years. The poverty rate declined but remained high at 38% in 2006.
In 2006 the government imposed a windfall revenue tax on foreign oil
companies, leading to the suspension of free trade negotiations with
the US. These measures led to a drop in petroleum production in
2007. President Rafael CORREA raised the specter of debt default and
followed through on those threats in December 2008 by defaulting on
some commercial bond obligations. He also decreed a higher windfall
revenue tax on private oil companies, then renegotiated their
contracts to overcome the debilitating effect of the tax. This
generated economic uncertainty; private investment has dropped and
economic growth has slowed.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$108 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$101.4 billion (2007 est.)
$98.93 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$54.69 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
2.5% (2007 est.)
3.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$7,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
$7,200 (2007 est.)
$7,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.7%
industry: 34.3%
services: 59% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.64 million (urban) (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 8.3%
industry: 21.2%
services: 70.4% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
7.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
8.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
38.3% (2006)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 43.3%
note: data for urban households only (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 39
43.7 (1995)
note: data are for urban households
Investment (gross fixed):
22.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Budget:
revenues: $21.09 billion
expenditures: planned $21.35 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
25.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
2.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
9.14% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
10.72% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.71% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$5.907 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 53
$4.395 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$9.383 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 53
$7.974 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$10.13 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 71
$8.926 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$4.562 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 89
$4.266 billion (31 December 2007)
$4.04 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains,
sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa
wood; fish, shrimp
Industries:
petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate:
5.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - production:
16.75 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Electricity - consumption:
9.888 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Electricity - exports:
38.53 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
861 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
505,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Oil - consumption:
178,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Oil - exports:
417,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Oil - imports:
54,190 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Oil - proved reserves:
4.66 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Natural gas - production:
260 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - consumption:
260 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Natural gas - proved reserves:
8.919 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Current account balance:
$1.194 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$1.65 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$19.15 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$14.87 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, hemp, wood,
fish
Exports - partners:
US 45.3%, Peru 9.2%, Chile 8.1%, Panama 4.8%, Colombia 4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$17.79 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$13.05 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods
Imports - partners:
US 19.1%, Venezuela 13.8%, Colombia 9.9%, China 8.4%, Brazil 4.8%,
Japan 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.473 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
$3.521 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$18.11 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
$NA (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$16.99 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$16.31 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$8.487 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$10.77 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used; the sucre was eliminated in 2000
Communications ::Ecuador
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.91 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 58
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.595 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
Telephone system:
general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded
domestic: fixed-line services provided by three state-owned
enterprises; plans to transfer the state-owned operators to private
ownership have repeatedly failed; fixed-line density stands at about
14 per 100 persons; mobile cellular use has surged and has a
subscribership of nearly 85 per 100 persons
international: country code - 593; landing point for the PAN-AM
submarine telecommunications cable that provides links to the west
coast of South America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and extending
onward to Aruba and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean;
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2000)
Internet country code:
.ec
Internet hosts:
57,785 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 80
Internet users:
1.31 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
Transportation ::Ecuador
Airports:
420 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 19
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 103
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 18
914 to 1,523 m: 25
under 914 m: 54 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 317
914 to 1,523 m: 38
under 914 m: 279 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Pipelines:
extra heavy crude 435 km; gas 5 km; oil 1,374 km; refined products
1,301 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 965 km
country comparison to the world: 90
narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 43,670 km
country comparison to the world: 84
paved: 6,472 km
unpaved: 37,198 km (2006)
Waterways:
1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 54
Merchant marine:
total: 37
country comparison to the world: 80
by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 8,
petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 1 (US 1)
registered in other countries: 5 (China 1, Panama 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar
Military ::Ecuador
Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard),
Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
20 years of age for selective conscript military service; 12-month
service obligation (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,536,602
females age 16-49: 3,559,188 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,708,470
females age 16-49: 3,165,489 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 148,010
female: 143,291 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 55
Transnational Issues ::Ecuador
Disputes - international:
organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across
Ecuador's shared border, which thousands of Colombians also cross to
escape the violence in their home country
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 11,526 (Colombia); note - UNHCR
estimates as many as 250,000 Columbians are seeking asylum in
Ecuador, many of whom do not register as refugees for fear of
deportation (2007)
Illicit drugs:
significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and
Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian
Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production
of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug
traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak
anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern
frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Egypt (Africa)
Introduction ::Egypt
Background:
The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled
with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west,
allowed for the development of one of the world's great
civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series
of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last
native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were
replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who
introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who
ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the
Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the
conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the
completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important
world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt.
Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of
Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman
Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in
1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty with the overthrow of the
British-backed monarchy in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High
Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the
time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology
of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab
world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue
to overtax resources and stress society. The government has
struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's growing population through
economic reform and massive investment in communications and
physical infrastructure.
Geography ::Egypt
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and
the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the
Asian Sinai Peninsula
Geographic coordinates:
27 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,001,450 sq km
country comparison to the world: 30
land: 995,450 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,665 km
border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km,
Sudan 1,273 km
Coastline:
2,450 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain:
vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m
highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone,
gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 2.92%
permanent crops: 0.5%
other: 96.58% (2005)
Irrigated land:
34,220 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
86.8 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 68.3 cu km/yr (8%/6%/86%)
per capita: 923 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides;
hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms;
sandstorms
Environment - current issues:
agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands;
increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification;
oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats;
other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and
industrial effluents; limited natural fresh water resources away
from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid
growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and
remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link
between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition
to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics;
dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues;
prone to influxes of refugees
People ::Egypt
Population:
83,082,869 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.4% (male 13,345,500/female 12,743,878)
15-64 years: 63.8% (male 26,823,127/female 26,169,421)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 1,701,068/female 2,299,875) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.8 years
male: 24.4 years
female: 25.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.642% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Birth rate:
21.7 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Death rate:
5.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Net migration rate:
-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Urbanization:
urban population: 43% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 27.26 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 81
male: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.12 years
country comparison to the world: 120
male: 69.56 years
female: 74.81 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.66 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: Rift Valley fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Egyptian(s)
adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic groups:
Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census)
Religions:
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%
Languages:
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated
classes
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 71.4%
male: 83%
female: 59.4% (2005 est.)
Education expenditures:
4.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 96
Government ::Egypt
Country name:
conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form: Egypt
local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form: Misr
former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Cairo
geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in April; ends last
Thursday in September
Administrative divisions:
26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al
Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah (El Beheira), Al Fayyum (El
Faiyum), Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah
(Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah (El Monofia), Al Minya, Al
Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As
Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf (Beni Suef),
Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai),
Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh (Western Desert), Qina (Qena), Shamal Sina'
(North Sinai), Suhaj (Sohag)
Independence:
28 February 1922 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)
Constitution:
11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980, 25 May 2005, and 26 March
2007
Legal system:
based on Islamic and civil law (particularly Napoleonic codes);
judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees
validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October
1981)
head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed NAZIF (since 9 July
2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term (no
term limits); note - a national referendum in May 2005 approved a
constitutional amendment that changed the presidential election to a
multicandidate popular vote; previously the president was nominated
by the People's Assembly and the nomination was validated by a
national, popular referendum; last referendum held 26 September
1999; first election under terms of constitutional amendment held 7
September 2005; next election scheduled for 2011
election results: Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote
- Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9%
Legislative branch:
bicameral system consists of the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura
(Shura Council) that traditionally functions only in a consultative
role but 2007 constitutional amendments could grant the Council new
powers (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the
president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half
of the elected members) and the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b
(454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the
president; members serve five-year terms)
elections: Advisory Council - last held June 2007 (next to be held
May-June 2010); People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 7
and 20 November, 1 December 2005; (next to be held November-December
2010)
election results: Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - NDP 84, Tagammu 1, independents 3; People's
Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 311,
NWP 6, Tagammu 2, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 112 (12 seats to be
determined by rerun elections, 10 seats appointed by President)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Party or NDP (governing party) [Mohamed Hosni
MUBARAK]; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat
EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP [Mahmoud ABAZA]; Tomorrow Party
[Moussa Mustafa MOUSSA]
note: formation of political parties must be approved by the
government; only parties with representation in elected bodies are
listed
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Muslim Brotherhood (technically illegal)
note: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties
and political activity, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood
constitutes Hosni MUBARAK's potentially most significant political
opposition; MUBARAK has alternated between tolerating limited
political activity by the Brotherhood (its members, who ran as
independents, hold 88 seats in the People's Assembly) and blocking
its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained
in practical terms; only trade unions and professional associations
affiliated with the government are officially sanctioned; Internet
social networking groups and bloggers
International organization participation:
ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, COMESA,
EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT,
MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE
(partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL,
UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sameh Hassan SHOUKRY
chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret SCOBEY
embassy: 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo
mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik
Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo
telephone: [20] (2) 2797-3300
FAX: [20] (2) 2797-3200
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the
national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with
a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name
of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is
based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria,
which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an
Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has
a plain white band
Economy ::Egypt
Economy - overview:
Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is
bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic
activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during
the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but has opened up
considerably under former President Anwar EL-SADAT and current
President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Cairo has aggressively pursued
economic reforms to encourage inflows of foreign investment and
facilitate GDP growth. In 2005, Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF's
government reduced personal and corporate tax rates, reduced energy
subsidies, and privatized several enterprises. The stock market
boomed, and GDP grew about 7% each year since 2006. Despite these
achievements, the government has failed to raise living standards
for the average Egyptian, and has had to continue providing
subsidies for basic necessities. The subsidies have contributed to a
sizeable budget deficit - roughly 7% of GDP in 2007-08 - and
represent a significant drain on the economy. Foreign direct
investment has increased significantly in the past two years, but
the NAZIF government will need to continue its aggressive pursuit of
reforms in order to sustain the spike in investment and growth and
begin to improve economic conditions for the broader population.
Egypt's export sectors - particularly natural gas - have bright
prospects.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$444.8 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$414.9 billion (2007 est.)
$387.4 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$162.6 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
7.1% (2007 est.)
6.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
$5,500 (2007 est.)
$5,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13.2%
industry: 38.7%
services: 48.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
24.6 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 32%
industry: 17%
services: 51% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
9.1% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
20% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 27.6% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34.4 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 90
Investment (gross fixed):
19.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Budget:
revenues: $40.22 billion
expenditures: $51.07 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
86.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
102.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
18.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
9.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
11.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 48
9% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
12.51% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$31.72 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
$27.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$112.2 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 20
$102.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$126.5 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
$113.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$85.89 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
$139.3 billion (31 December 2007)
$93.48 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water
buffalo, sheep, goats
Industries:
textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals,
hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures
Industrial production growth rate:
6.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Electricity - production:
118.4 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Electricity - consumption:
104.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity - exports:
814 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
251 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
630,600 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Oil - consumption:
697,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Oil - exports:
155,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Oil - imports:
146,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Oil - proved reserves:
3.7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - production:
48.3 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Natural gas - consumption:
31.38 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - exports:
16.92 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 14
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.656 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Current account balance:
-$1.331 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
$500.9 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$29.85 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$24.45 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products,
chemicals
Exports - partners:
Italy 9.4%, US 7.1%, India 6.2%, Spain 6.1%, Syria 4.7%, Saudi
Arabia 4.6%, Japan 4.5%, Germany 4.5% (2008)
Imports:
$56.62 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$44.95 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels
Imports - partners:
US 10.3%, China 9.9%, Italy 7.3%, Germany 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.9%
(2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$33.85 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$31.37 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$32.12 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 64
$32.84 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$59.13 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$49.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$12.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$11.58 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 5.4 (2008 est.), 5.67 (2007),
5.725 (2006), 5.78 (2005), 6.1962 (2004)
Communications ::Egypt
Telephones - main lines in use:
12.011 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 21
Telephones - mobile cellular:
41.272 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 28
Telephone system:
general assessment: large system; underwent extensive upgrading
during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Telecom Egypt, the landline
monopoly, has been increasing service availability and in 2008
fixed-line density stood at 15 per 100 persons; as of 2008 there
were three mobile-cellular networks with a total of more than 41
million subscribers, roughly 50 per 100 persons
domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah,
Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and
microwave radio relay
international: country code - 20; landing point for both the
SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; linked to the
international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the
Globe); satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean
and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter
to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in
Medarabtel (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 11, shortwave 3 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
98 (September 1995)
Internet country code:
.eg
Internet hosts:
177,443 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 65
Internet users:
11.414 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
Transportation ::Egypt
Airports:
85 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 68
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 72
over 3,047 m: 15
2,438 to 3,047 m: 35
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 5 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 13
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Heliports:
6 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 320 km; condensate/gas 13 km; gas 5,586 km; liquid
petroleum gas 956 km; oil 4,314 km; oil/gas/water 3 km; refined
products 895 km; unknown 59 km; water 9 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 5,063 km
country comparison to the world: 35
standard gauge: 5,063 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 92,370 km
country comparison to the world: 52
paved: 74,820 km
unpaved: 17,550 km (2004)
Waterways:
3,500 km
country comparison to the world: 30
note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway,
and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including
approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m
(2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 67
country comparison to the world: 63
by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 28, container 2, passenger/cargo 4,
petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 9
foreign-owned: 10 (Denmark 1, Greece 8, Lebanon 1)
registered in other countries: 58 (Cambodia 13, Georgia 12, Honduras
3, North Korea 1, Malta 1, Moldova 1, Panama 17, Saint Kitts and
Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra
Leone 3, Togo 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Ayn Sukhnah, Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Sidi Kurayr, Suez
Military ::Egypt
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service
obligation 12-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 21,247,777
females age 16-49: 20,406,408 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,490,522
females age 16-49: 17,719,905 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 831,157
female: 792,330 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Transnational Issues ::Egypt
Disputes - international:
while Sudan retains claim to the Hala'ib Triangle north of the 1899
Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, both states withdrew their
military presence in the 1990s and Egypt has invested in and
effectively administers the area; Egypt no longer shows its
administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps;
Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008
highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 60,000 - 80,000 (Iraq); 70,198
(Palestinian Territories); 12,157 (Sudan) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Egypt is a transit country for women trafficked
from Eastern European countries to Israel for sexual exploitation,
and is a source for children trafficked within the country for
commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, although the
extent to which children are trafficked internally is unknown;
children were also recruited for domestic and agricultural work;
some of these children face conditions of involuntary servitude,
such as restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and
physical or sexual abuse
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Egypt is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for the third year in a row because it did not provide evidence of
increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute traffickers;
however, in July 2007, the government established the "National
Coordinating Committee to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in
Persons," which improved inter-governmental coordination on
anti-trafficking initiatives; Egypt made no discernible efforts to
punish trafficking crimes in 2007 and the Egyptian penal code does
not prohibit all forms of trafficking; Egypt did not increase its
services to trafficking victims during the reporting period (2008)
Illicit drugs:
transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe,
Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers;
concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial
regulations
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@El Salvador (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::El Salvador
Background:
El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the
Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost
about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the
government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for
military and political reforms.
Geography ::El Salvador
Location:
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between
Guatemala and Honduras
Geographic coordinates:
13 50 N, 88 55 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 21,041 sq km
country comparison to the world: 153
land: 20,721 sq km
water: 320 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 545 km
border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Coastline:
307 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to
April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 31.37%
permanent crops: 11.88%
other: 56.75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
450 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
25.2 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.28 cu km/yr (25%/16%/59%)
per capita: 186 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive
earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to
hurricanes
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils
from disposal of toxic wastes
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline
on Caribbean Sea
People ::El Salvador
Population:
7,185,218 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.4% (male 1,299,608/female 1,245,617)
15-64 years: 59.3% (male 2,033,423/female 2,225,810)
65 years and over: 5.3% (male 166,224/female 214,536) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.5 years
male: 21.3 years
female: 23.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.656% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Birth rate:
25.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Death rate:
5.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Net migration rate:
-3.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.52 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 101
male: 24.38 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.33 years
country comparison to the world: 118
male: 68.72 years
female: 76.11 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
35,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,700 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Salvadoran(s)
adjective: Salvadoran
Ethnic groups:
mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%,
Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.)
Languages:
Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)
Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 80.2%
male: 82.8%
female: 77.7% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.1% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 142
Government ::El Salvador
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form: El Salvador
local long form: Republica de El Salvador
local short form: El Salvador
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: San Salvador
geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan,
Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union,
Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana,
Sonsonate, Usulutan
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
20 December 1983
Legal system:
based on civil and Roman law with traces of common law; judicial
review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June
2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June
2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 15
March 2009 (next to be held in March 2014)
election results: Mauricio FUNES Cartagena elected president;
percent of vote - Mauricio FUNES Cartagena 51.3%, Rodrigo AVILA 48.7%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats;
members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year
terms)
elections: last held 18 January 2009 (next to be held in March 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
FMLN 35, ARENA 32, PCN 11, PDC 5, CD 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (15 judges are selected by the
Legislative Assembly; the 15 judges are assigned to four Supreme
Court chambers - constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative
conflict)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER]; Democratic
Convergence or CD [Hector DADA HIREZI] (formerly United Democratic
Center or CDU); Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN
[Medardo GONZALEZ]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ
ZEPEDA]; Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Rodrigo AVILA];
Popular Social Christian Party or PPSC [Rene AGUILUZ]; Revolutionary
Democratic Front or FDR [Julio Cesar HERNANDEZ Carcamo]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or
SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and
other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of
Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or
UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union
of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers
Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL;
business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or
ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran
Industrial Association or ASI
International organization participation:
BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer),
OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL,
Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Francisco
ALTSCHUL Fuentes
chancery: Suite 100, 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671
FAX: [1] (202) 234-3763
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Duluth (Georgia), Houston,
Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (2), Nogales (Arizona),
Santa Ana (California), San Francisco, Washington (DC), Woodbridge
(Virginia)
consulate(s): Boston, Elizabeth (New Jersey)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert BLAU
embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La
Libertad, San Salvador
mailing address: Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place,
Washington, DC 20521-3450
telephone: [503] 2501-2999
FAX: [503] 2501-2150
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the
national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL
SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua,
which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it
features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on
top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of
Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern
centered in the white band
Economy ::El Salvador
Economy - overview:
The smallest country in Central America, El Salvador has the third
largest economy, but growth has been modest in recent years.
Economic growth will decelerate in 2009 due to the global slowdown
and to El Salvador's dependence on exports to the US and remittances
from the US. El Salvador leads the region in remittances per capita
with inflows equivalent to nearly all export income. In 2006 El
Salvador was the first country to ratify the Central
America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA has
bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and
supported investment in the maquila sector. The SACA administration
has sought to diversify the economy, focusing on regional
transportation and tourism. El Salvador has promoted an open trade
and investment environment, and has embarked on a wave of
privatizations extending to telecom, electricity distribution,
banking, and pension funds. In late 2006, the government and the
Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a five-year, $461 million
compact to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty in the
country's northern region through investments in education, public
services, enterprise development, and transportation infrastructure.
With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency in 2001, El
Salvador lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on
maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$43.73 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$42.66 billion (2007 est.)
$40.75 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$22.12 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
4.7% (2007 est.)
4.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
$6,100 (2007 est.)
$6,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.7%
industry: 28.8%
services: 60.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.947 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 19%
industry: 23%
services: 58% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
6.2% (2007 est.)
note: data are official rates; but the economy has much
underemployment
Population below poverty line:
30.7% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 37% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
52.4 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 18
52.5 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
14.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Budget:
revenues: $4.016 billion
expenditures: $4.242 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
44.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
41.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
4.6% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.33% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 109
7.81% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$213.7 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 105
$209.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$788.7 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
$797.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.19 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 105
$1.15 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
$6.743 billion (31 December 2007)
$5.465 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef,
dairy products
Industries:
food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer,
textiles, furniture, light metals
Industrial production growth rate:
1.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Electricity - production:
5.559 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Electricity - consumption:
4.676 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Electricity - exports:
7 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
38 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Oil - consumption:
45,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Oil - exports:
1,927 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Oil - imports:
46,310 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Current account balance:
-$1.595 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
-$1.119 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$4.611 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$4.035 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel,
gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures
Exports - partners:
US 47.5%, Guatemala 14.2%, Honduras 11.5%, Nicaragua 4.6% (2008)
Imports:
$9.003 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$8.108 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs,
petroleum, electricity
Imports - partners:
US 29.9%, Guatemala 11.8%, Mexico 9.7%, China 4.5%, France 4.4%
(2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.545 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
$2.199 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$10.69 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 84
$9.808 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$6.702 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
$5.918 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$440 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
$384 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
the US dollar became El Salvador's currency in 2001
Communications ::El Salvador
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.077 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.951 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
Telephone system:
general assessment: multiple mobile-cellular service providers are
expanding services rapidly and in 2008 mobile-cellular density stood
at nearly 100 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has
slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system
international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave
System (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 52, FM 144, shortwave 0 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
5 (1997)
Internet country code:
.sv
Internet hosts:
8,177 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 123
Internet users:
826,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
Transportation ::El Salvador
Airports:
65 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 77
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 61
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 47 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Railways:
total: 283 km
country comparison to the world: 123
narrow gauge: 283 km 0.914-m gauge
note: railways have been inoperable since 2005 because of disuse and
high costs that led to a lack of maintenance (2008)
Roadways:
total: 10,886 km
country comparison to the world: 136
paved: 2,827 km (includes 327 km of expressways)
unpaved: 8,059 km (2000)
Waterways:
Rio Lempa partially navigable for small craft (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco
Military ::El Salvador
Military branches:
Salvadoran Army (ES), Salvadoran Navy (FNES), Salvadoran Air Force
(Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22
years of age for voluntary male or female service; service
obligation - 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,634,816
females age 16-49: 1,775,474 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,201,290
females age 16-49: 1,547,278 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 77,473
female: 74,655 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 18
Transnational Issues ::El Salvador
Disputes - international:
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of
"bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary,
in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an
Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ
ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution
to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran
access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo
Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf
of Fonseca
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced
for local consumption; significant use of cocaine
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Equatorial Guinea (Africa)
Introduction ::Equatorial Guinea
Background:
Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of
Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus
five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African
continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the
country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although
nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002
presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative
elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost
total control over the political system and has discouraged
political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid
economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves,
and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest
oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil
production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in
recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's
living standards.
Geography ::Equatorial Guinea
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and
Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
2 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 28,051 sq km
country comparison to the world: 145
land: 28,051 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 539 km
border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km
Coastline:
296 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain:
coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum,
sand and gravel, clay
Land use:
arable land: 4.63%
permanent crops: 3.57%
other: 91.8% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
26 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.11 cu km/yr (83%/16%/1%)
per capita: 220 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
violent windstorms; flash floods
Environment - current issues:
tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
insular and continental regions widely separated
People ::Equatorial Guinea
Population:
633,441 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Age structure:
0-14 years: 41.9% (male 134,823/female 130,308)
15-64 years: 54% (male 167,820/female 174,238)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 11,574/female 14,678) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.9 years
male: 18.3 years
female: 19.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.703% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Birth rate:
36.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Death rate:
9.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 39% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 18
male: 82.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 80.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.61 years
country comparison to the world: 180
male: 60.71 years
female: 62.54 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.08 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
3.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
370 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic groups:
Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other
1.4% (1994 census)
Religions:
nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
Languages:
Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official),
Fang, Bubi) (1994 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87%
male: 93.4%
female: 80.5% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2000)
Education expenditures:
0.6% of GDP (2003)
country comparison to the world: 181
Government ::Equatorial Guinea
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea
local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee
equatoriale
local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale
former: Spanish Guinea
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Malabo
geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko
Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence:
12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Constitution:
approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January
1995
Legal system:
partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA
MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)
head of government: Prime Minister Ignacio Milan TANG (since 8 July
2008);
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(no term limits); election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be
held in 2010); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed
by the president
election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president;
percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino
Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de
Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 4 May 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
PDGE 89, EC 10, CPDS 1
note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all
executive authority in the president
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal
Political parties and leaders:
Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo];
Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party)
[Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Electoral Coalition or EC; Party
for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular
Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE]; Popular Union
or UP
Political pressure groups and leaders:
ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); Global
Witness (anti-corruption)
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD,
ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,
ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO
chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700
FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
embassy: K-3, Carreterade Aeropuerto, al lado de Restaurante El
Paraiso, Malabo; note - relocated embassy is opened for limited
functions; inquiries should continue to be directed to the US
Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon
mailing address: B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US
Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520
telephone: [237] 2220-1500
FAX: [237] 2220-1572
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a
blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms
centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow
six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore
islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below
which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity,
Peace, Justice)
Economy ::Equatorial Guinea
Economy - overview:
The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have
contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry,
farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence
farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea
counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect
of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished
potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its
intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number
of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been
cut off since 1993, because of corruption and mismanagement. No
longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil
revenues, the government has been trying to agree on a "shadow"
fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Government
officials and their family members own most businesses. Undeveloped
natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium,
and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2008, led by oil.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$23 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$20.8 billion (2007 est.)
$16.98 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$18.53 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
10.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
22.5% (2007 est.)
1.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$34,700 (2007 est.)
$29,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.3%
industry: 93.7%
services: 3.9% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
NA
Unemployment rate:
30% (1998 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
31.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Budget:
revenues: $6.599 billion
expenditures: $3.601 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
0.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
1.6% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
6% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 84
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 44
15% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$835.2 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$174.5 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil
nuts; livestock; timber
Industries:
petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas
Industrial production growth rate:
11.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Electricity - production:
28 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Electricity - consumption:
26.04 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
359,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Oil - exports:
362,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Oil - imports:
1,114 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Oil - proved reserves:
1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - production:
6.67 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - consumption:
1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Natural gas - exports:
5.17 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - proved reserves:
36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Current account balance:
$1.42 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$540.9 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$13.03 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$10.25 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa
Exports - partners:
US 22.7%, Spain 18.2%, China 14.7%, France 7.9%, Italy 6%, South
Korea 5.4% (2008)
Imports:
$3.114 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
$2.365 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum sector equipment, other equipment
Imports - partners:
China 17.7%, Spain 13.3%, US 11.8%, France 10.9%, Cote d'Ivoire
10.4%, Italy 5.5%, UK 5.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.431 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$3.846 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$190 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
$338 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US
dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47
(2005), 528.29 (2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted
in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Equatorial Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:
10,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 204
Telephones - mobile cellular:
346,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 165
Telephone system:
general assessment: digital fixed-line network in most major urban
areas and good mobile coverage
domestic: fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons;
mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2008 stood
at about 55 percent of the population
international: country code - 240; international communications from
Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2001)
Internet country code:
.gq
Internet hosts:
9 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 221
Internet users:
12,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 198
Transportation ::Equatorial Guinea
Airports:
7 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 166
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 38 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 2,880 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 167
Merchant marine:
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 158
by type: cargo 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bata, Malabo
Military ::Equatorial Guinea
Military branches:
National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army),
with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) for compulsory military service; women hold
only administrative positions in the Coast Guard (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 136,725
females age 16-49: 138,018 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 105,468
females age 16-49: 107,919 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,983
female: 6,726 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.1% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Transnational Issues ::Equatorial Guinea
Disputes - international:
in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of
Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of
Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an
island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined
maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delay final delimitation;
UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty
dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a
maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination
country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and
possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation; children have been
trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market
labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation; women may
also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other
neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea is on the Tier 2
Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts
to eliminate trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting
and convicting trafficking offenders and failing to formalize
mechanisms to provide assistance to victims; although the government
made some effort to enforce laws against child labor exploitation,
it failed to report any trafficking prosecutions or convictions in
2007; the government continued to lack shelters or formal procedures
for providing care to victims (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Eritrea (Africa)
Introduction ::Eritrea
Background:
Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation.
Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later
sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with
Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was
overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year
border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN
auspices in December 2000. Eritrea hosted a UN peacekeeping
operation that monitored a 25 km-wide Temporary Security Zone (TSZ)
on the border with Ethiopia. Eritrea's denial of fuel to the mission
caused the UN to withdraw the mission and terminate its mandate 31
July 2008. An international commission, organized to resolve the
border dispute, posted its findings in 2002. However, both parties
have been unable to reach agreement on implementing the decision. On
30 November 2007, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission remotely
demarcated the border by coordinates and dissolved itself, leaving
Ethiopia still occupying several tracts of disputed territory,
including the town of Badme. Eritrea accepted the EEBC's "virtual
demarcation" decision and called on Ethiopia to remove its troops
from the TSZ which it states is Eritrean territory. Ethiopia has not
accepted the virtual demarcation decision.
Geography ::Eritrea
Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan
Geographic coordinates:
15 00 N, 39 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 117,600 sq km
country comparison to the world: 100
land: 101,000 sq km
water: 16,600 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 1,626 km
border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km
Coastline:
2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the
central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June
to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands
Terrain:
dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands,
descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest
to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: near Kulul within the Danakil Depression -75 m
highest point: Soira 3,018 m
Natural resources:
gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish
Land use:
arable land: 4.78%
permanent crops: 0.03%
other: 95.19% (2005)
Irrigated land:
210 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
6.3 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.3 cu km/yr (3%/0%/97%)
per capita: 68 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent droughts; locust swarms
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of
infrastructure from civil warfare
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping
lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the
Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993
People ::Eritrea
Population:
5,647,168 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.8% (male 1,212,848/female 1,202,240)
15-64 years: 53.7% (male 1,483,169/female 1,547,078)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 92,009/female 109,824) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.4 years
male: 18 years
female: 18.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.577% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Birth rate:
34.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Death rate:
8.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 21% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 43.33 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 62
male: 48.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 37.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.78 years
country comparison to the world: 179
male: 59.71 years
female: 63.9 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.72 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
38,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
2,600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Eritrean(s)
adjective: Eritrean
Ethnic groups:
Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast
dwellers) 3%, other 3%
Religions:
Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Languages:
Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 58.6%
male: 69.9%
female: 47.6% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 5 years
male: 6 years
female: 4 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 161
Government ::Eritrea
Country name:
conventional long form: State of Eritrea
conventional short form: Eritrea
local long form: Hagere Ertra
local short form: Ertra
former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
Government type:
transitional government
note: following a successful referendum on independence for the
Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National
Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and
Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a
Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a
constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the
transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997,
did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential
elections; parliamentary elections were scheduled in December 2001,
but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal party is
the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ)
Capital:
name: Asmara (Asmera)
geographic coordinates: 15 20 N, 38 56 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); Anseba, Debub (Southern),
Debubawi K'eyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash Barka, Ma'akel
(Central), Semenawi Keyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea)
Independence:
24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 24 May (1993)
Constitution:
adopted on 23 May 1997, but has not yet been fully implemented
Legal system:
primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957 with revisions;
new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been
promulgated; government also issues unilateral proclamations setting
laws and policies; also relies on customary and
post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving
Muslims, Islamic law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government and
is head of the State Council and National Assembly
head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993)
cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority;
members appointed by the president
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); the most recent and
only election held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the
National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December
2001 as anticipated)
election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%, other 5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members elected by direct
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new
constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old
Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member
Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss
and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans
living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to
serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections
to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of
the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution
stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the
National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible
voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were
postponed indefinitely
Judicial branch:
High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also have
military and special courts
Political parties and leaders:
People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ [ISAIAS Afworki]
(the only party recognized by the government); note - a National
Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January
2001, but the full National Assembly has yet to debate or vote on it
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Eritrean Democratic Party (EDP) [HAGOS, Mesfin]; Eritrean Islamic
Jihad or EIJ (includes Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM also
known as the Abu Sihel Movement); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS
(also known as the Arafa Movement); Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF
[ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition
including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla
Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob]
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, LAS (observer), MIGA,
NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador GHIRMAI Ghebremariam
chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991
FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304
consulate(s) general: Oakland (California)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald MCMULLEN
embassy: 179 Ala Street, Asmara
mailing address: P. O. Box 211, Asmara
telephone: [291] (1) 120004
FAX: [291] (1) 127584
Flag description:
red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag
into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one
is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on
the hoist side of the red triangle
Economy ::Eritrea
Economy - overview:
Since independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced the
economic problems of a small, desperately poor country, accentuated
by the recent implementation of restrictive economic policies.
Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole
political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice
(PFDJ). Like the economies of many African nations, the economy is
largely based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population
involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in
1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero
in 1999 and to -12.1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into
northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and
loss, including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000
homes. The attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most
productive region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Despite
the fighting, Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure,
asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing war-damaged
roads and bridges. Since the war's conclusion, the government has
maintained a firm grip on the economy, expanding the use of the
military and party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's
development agenda. The government strictly controls the use of
foreign currency by limiting access and availability. Few private
enterprises remain in Eritrea. Eritrea's economy depends heavily on
taxes paid by members of the diaspora. Erratic rainfall and the
delayed demobilization of agriculturalists from the military
continue to interfere with agricultural production, and Eritrea's
recent harvests have been unable to meet the food needs of the
country. The Government continues to place its hope for additional
revenue on the development of several international mining projects.
Despite difficulties for international companies in working with the
Eritrean Government, a Canadian mining company signed a contract
with the Government in 2007 and plans to begin mineral extraction in
2010. Eritrea also opened a free trade zone at the port of Massawa
in 2008. Eritrea's economic future depends upon its ability to
master social problems such as illiteracy, unemployment, and low
skills, and more importantly, on the government's willingness to
support a true market economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.954 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
$3.876 billion (2007 est.)
$3.838 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.479 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
1% (2007 est.)
-1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
$700 (2007 est.)
$700 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 17.4%
industry: 23.2%
services: 59.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80%
industry and services: 20% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
50% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
20.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Budget:
revenues: $234.6 million
expenditures: $523.3 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
18% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
17% (2007 est.)
Stock of money:
$896.2 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 89
$749.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.053 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 94
$932.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.851 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 94
$1.711 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, sisal;
livestock, goats; fish
Industries:
food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light
manufacturing, salt, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - production:
271 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - consumption:
228 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Oil - imports:
4,790 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Current account balance:
-$229 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
-$203 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$13 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
$12 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures
Exports - partners:
Itlay 25.3%, Sudan 17.2%, China 15.8%, India 8.8%, France 6.7%,
Saudi Arabia 6.5%, Russia 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$601 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
$580 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Imports - partners:
India 28.5%, Saudi Arabia 17.8%, Italy 10.9%, China 8.5%, US 4.4%,
Germany 4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$24 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$34 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$311 million (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Exchange rates:
nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 15.38 (2008 est.), 15.5 (2007), 15.4
(2006), 14.5 (2005), 13.788 (2004)
note: the official exchange rate is 15 nakfa to the dollar
Communications ::Eritrea
Telephones - main lines in use:
40,400 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 169
Telephones - mobile cellular:
108,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 181
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate; combined fixed-line and mobile
cellular subscribership is only about 3 per 100 persons (2008)
domestic: inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government is
seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002)
international: country code - 291; note - international connections
exist
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2006)
Internet country code:
.er
Internet hosts:
1,307 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 156
Internet users:
200,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 135
Transportation ::Eritrea
Airports:
14 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 147
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Railways:
total: 306 km
country comparison to the world: 121
narrow gauge: 306 km 0.950-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 4,010 km
country comparison to the world: 157
paved: 874 km
unpaved: 3,136 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 5
country comparison to the world: 131
by type: cargo 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll
off 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Assab, Massawa
Military ::Eritrea
Military branches:
Eritrean Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18-40 years of age for male and female voluntary and compulsory
military service; 16-month conscript service obligation (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,108,836
females age 16-49: 1,096,120 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 834,018
females age 16-49: 887,495 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 62,265
female: 62,328 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
6.3% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Transnational Issues ::Eritrea
Disputes - international:
Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea
Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision but, neither
party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006
EEBC Demarcation Statement; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and
Eritrea (UNMEE), which has monitored the 25-km-wide Temporary
Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000, is extended for six months in
2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced
force of 17,000; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting eastern
Sudanese rebel groups
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 32,000 (border war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000; most IDPs are
near the central border region) (2007)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Estonia (Europe)
Introduction ::Estonia
Background:
After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule,
Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into
the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US - it
regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to
promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It joined
both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Geography ::Estonia
Location:
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland,
between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
59 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 45,228 sq km
country comparison to the world: 132
land: 42,388 sq km
water: 2,840 sq km
note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
Land boundaries:
total: 633 km
border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km
Coastline:
3,794 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with
neighboring states
Climate:
maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Terrain:
marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m
Natural resources:
oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite,
arable land, sea mud
Land use:
arable land: 12.05%
permanent crops: 0.35%
other: 87.6% (2005)
Irrigated land:
40 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
21.1 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.41 cu km/yr (56%/39%/5%)
per capita: 1,060 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Environment - current issues:
air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants
in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air
have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in
1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies
in 2000 was one-20th the level of 1980; in connection with the
start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of
wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and
manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be
monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie
more than 1,500 islands
People ::Estonia
Population:
1,299,371 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.9% (male 99,748/female 94,051)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 417,816/female 459,246)
65 years and over: 17.6% (male 75,486/female 153,024) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.9 years
male: 36.5 years
female: 43.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.632% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 229
Birth rate:
10.37 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Death rate:
13.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Net migration rate:
-3.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Urbanization:
urban population: 69% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female
total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.32 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 167
male: 8.48 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.82 years
country comparison to the world: 113
male: 67.45 years
female: 78.53 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.42 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Estonian(s)
adjective: Estonian
Ethnic groups:
Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.3%, Finn
0.9%, other 2.2% (2000 census)
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian
(including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic,
Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%,
none 6.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7%
(2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 68
Government ::Estonia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Estonia
conventional short form: Estonia
local long form: Eesti Vabariik
local short form: Eesti
former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Tallinn
geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond); Harjumaa (Tallinn),
Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa
(Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa
(Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare),
Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa
(Voru)
note: counties have the administrative center name following in
parentheses
Independence:
20 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was
the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20
August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the
Soviet Union
Constitution:
adopted 28 June 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with
reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)
cabinet: Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by
Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure
two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the
Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus
members of local councils) elects the president, choosing between
the two candidates with the largest number of votes; election last
held 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2011); prime
minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament
election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23
September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received
174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; remaining 9 ballots left
blank or invalid
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected
by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 4 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party
27.8%, Center Party of Estonia 26.1%, Union of Pro Patria and Res
Publica 17.9%, Social Democratic Party 10.6%, Estonian Greens 7.1%,
Estonian People's Union 7.1%, other 5%; seats by party - Estonian
Reform Party 31, Center Party 29, Union of Pro Patria and Res
Publica 19, Social Democratic Party 10, Estonian Greens 6, Estonian
People's Union 6
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chairman appointed for life by Parliament)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian
Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union
(Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond)
[Andrus ANSIP]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's Party
Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR]; Union of Pro Patria and Res
Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Nochnoy Dozor/Night Watch anti-fascist movement (leader Alexander
KOROBOV)
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO,
NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OPCW, OSCE, PCA,
Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNTSO, UPU,
WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Vaino REINART
chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101
FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Karen DECKER
embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [372] 668-8100
FAX: [372] 668-8265
Flag description:
pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal
horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
Economy ::Estonia
Economy - overview:
Estonia, a 2004 European Union entrant, has a modern market-based
economy and one of the highest per capita income levels in Central
Europe. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market,
pro-business economic agenda and have wavered little in their
commitment to pro-market reforms. Tallinn's priority has been to
sustain high growth rates - on average 8% per year from 2003 to
2007. The economy benefits from strong electronics and
telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland,
Sweden, and Germany. The current government has pursued relatively
sound fiscal policies, resulting in balanced budgets and low public
debt. Rapid growth, however, has made it difficult to keep inflation
and large current-account deficits from soaring, putting downward
pressure on the country's currency. The government has not given up
on adopting the euro, but has repeatedly postponed its target date.
Estonia's economy slowed down markedly and fell sharply into
recession in mid-2008, primarily as a result of an investment and
consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market
bubble.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$28.03 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$29.08 billion (2007 est.)
$27.13 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$23.55 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-3.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
7.2% (2007 est.)
10% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$21,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$22,100 (2007 est.)
$20,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 29%
services: 68.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
693,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 4.7%
industry: 33.7%
services: 61.6% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
5.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
4.7% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
5% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.7% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
37 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
28.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Budget:
revenues: $8.798 billion
expenditures: $9.488 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
4.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
5.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
6.6% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.55% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 126
6.46% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$6.106 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
$7.158 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.478 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 65
$4.253 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$22.02 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 57
$21.35 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.951 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 81
$6.037 billion (31 December 2007)
$5.963 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
Industries:
engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles;
information technology, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate:
-4.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - production:
11.46 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Electricity - consumption:
7.686 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - exports:
2.31 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.369 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
7,600 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - consumption:
29,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Oil - exports:
7,280 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Oil - imports:
30,590 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - consumption:
1.51 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
Natural gas - imports:
1.51 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Current account balance:
-$2.192 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
-$3.771 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$12.63 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$11.08 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 29%, wood and paper 13%, metals 10%, food
products 8%, textiles 5%, chemical products (2007)
Exports - partners:
Finland 18.3%, Sweden 13.8%, Russia 10.3%, Latvia 10%, Lithuania
5.7%, Germany 5.1%, US 4.8% (2008)
Imports:
$15.35 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$14.75 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 35%, textiles 19%, mineral fuels 19%,
chemical products 9%, foodstuffs 6% (2001)
Imports - partners:
Finland 14.2%, Germany 13.3%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 8.9%, Latvia
8.9%, Russia 7.4%, Poland 4.6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.972 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$3.27 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$26.84 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 65
$25.25 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$18.62 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$16.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$6.686 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$5.873 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
krooni (EEK) per US dollar - 10.7 (2008), 11.535 (2007), 12.473
(2006), 12.584 (2005), 12.596 (2004)
note: the krooni is pegged to the euro
Communications ::Estonia
Telephones - main lines in use:
498,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 96
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.525 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 115
Telephone system:
general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business
ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic
cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital
mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries
are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population
files income-tax returns online, and online voting was used for the
first time in the 2005 local elections
domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet
services is available throughout the country
international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland,
Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched
service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 32, shortwave 0 (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (2007)
Internet country code:
.ee
Internet hosts:
706,449 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 47
Internet users:
888,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 94
Transportation ::Estonia
Airports:
19 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 135
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 859 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 919 km
country comparison to the world: 92
broad gauge: 919 km 1.520 m/1.524-m gauge (131 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 57,016 km
country comparison to the world: 77
paved: 12,926 km (includes 99 km of expressways)
unpaved: 44,090 km (2005)
Waterways:
320 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 92
Merchant marine:
total: 29
country comparison to the world: 87
by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 21, petroleum tanker 2, chemical
tanker 1
foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 1, Germany 1, Norway 2)
registered in other countries: 85 (Antigua and Barbuda 23, Belize 6,
Cyprus 5, Dominica 7, Finland 2, Latvia 2, Liberia 1, Malta 11,
Norway 1, Panama 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 16, Sweden 2, Vanuatu 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu
Military ::Estonia
Military branches:
Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force (Eesti
Ohuvagi), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
obligation for compulsory service ages 16-60, with conscription
"likely" ages 18-27; service requirement 8-11 months (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 306,273
females age 16-49: 317,852 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 216,483
females age 16-49: 260,408 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 7,583
female: 7,111 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Transnational Issues ::Estonia
Disputes - international:
Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement
with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending
prepared a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and
territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of
Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups
continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920
Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu
people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member
state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must
implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
Illicit drugs:
growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important
transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic
drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord;
potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug
trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector
to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Ethiopia (Africa)
Introduction ::Ethiopia
Background:
Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy
maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a
short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. In 1974, a military
junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since
1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups,
uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the
regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces,
the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A
constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty
elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the
1990s ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. The
Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission in November 2007 remotely
demarcated the border by geographical coordinates, but final
demarcation of the boundary on the ground is currently on hold
because of Ethiopian objections to an international commission's
finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to
Ethiopia.
Geography ::Ethiopia
Location:
Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Geographic coordinates:
8 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,104,300 sq km
country comparison to the world: 27
land: 1 million sq km
water: 104,300 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,328 km
border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km,
Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
Terrain:
high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Danakil Depression -125 m
highest point: Ras Dejen 4,533 m
Natural resources:
small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas,
hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 10.01%
permanent crops: 0.65%
other: 89.34% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,900 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
110 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 5.56 cu km/yr (6%/0%/94%)
per capita: 72 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water
shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor
management
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de
jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the
chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk
(Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to
have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean
People ::Ethiopia
Population:
85,237,338
country comparison to the world: 14
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.1% (male 19,596,784/female 19,688,887)
15-64 years: 51.2% (male 21,376,495/female 22,304,812)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 975,923/female 1,294,437) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.9 years
male: 16.6 years
female: 17.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.208% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Birth rate:
43.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Death rate:
11.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Net migration rate:
-0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 86
note: repatriation of Ethiopian refugees residing in Sudan is
expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese, Somali, and
Eritrean refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine
in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 17% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 80.8 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 20
male: 92.06 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 69.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.41 years
country comparison to the world: 192
male: 52.92 years
female: 57.97 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
980,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
67,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Ethiopian(s)
adjective: Ethiopian
Ethnic groups:
Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%,
Sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994 census)
Religions:
Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%,
traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census)
Languages:
Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%,
Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%,
English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 42.7%
male: 50.3%
female: 35.1% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 7 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 43
Government ::Ethiopia
Country name:
conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
conventional short form: Ethiopia
local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
local short form: Ityop'iya
former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa
abbreviation: FDRE
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Addis Ababa
geographic coordinates: 9 02 N, 38 42 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 ethnically based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2
self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular -
astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara),
Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples),
Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali),
Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations,
Nationalities and Peoples)
Independence:
oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the
world - at least 2,000 years
National holiday:
National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)
Constitution:
ratified 8 December 1994, effective 22 August 1995
Legal system:
based on civil law; currently transitional mix of national and
regional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since August 1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994
constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and
approved by the House of People's Representatives
elections: president elected by the House of People's
Representatives for a six-year term (eligible for a second term);
election last held 9 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2013);
prime minister designated by the party in power following
legislative elections
election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of
vote by the House of People's Representatives - 79%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation (or upper
chamber responsible for interpreting the constitution and
federal-regional issues) (108 seats; members are chosen by state
assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People's
Representatives (or lower chamber responsible for passing
legislation) (547 seats; members are directly elected by popular
vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 15 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - EPRDF 327,
CUD 109, UEDF 52, SPDP 23, OFDM 11, BGPDUF 8, ANDP 8, independent 1,
others 6, undeclared 2
note: some seats still remain vacant as detained opposition MPs did
not take their seats
Judicial branch:
Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the
Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and
appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other
federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's
Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal
Judicial Administrative Council)
Political parties and leaders:
Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP [Mohammed Kedir]; Benishangul
Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [Mulualem BESSE];
Coalition for Unity and Democratic Party or CUDP; Gurage
Nationalities' Democratic Movement or GNDM; Oromo Federalist
Democratic Movement or OFDM [BULCHA Demeksa]; Omoro People's
Congress or OPC [IMERERA Gudina]; Somali People's Democratic Party
or SPDP; United Ethiopian Democratic Forces or UEDF [BEYENE Petros]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front or EPPF; Ogaden National
Liberation Front or ONLF; Oromo Liberation Front or OLF [DAOUD Ibsa]
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN,
UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel ASSEFA
chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200
FAX: [1] (202) 587-0195
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald Y. YAMAMOTO
embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa
mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa
telephone: [251] 11-517-40-00
FAX: [251] 11-517-40-01
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red, with a
yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles
between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands;
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three
main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African
countries upon independence that they became known as the
pan-African colors
Economy ::Ethiopia
Economy - overview:
Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture,
accounting for almost half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total
employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought
and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian
economy with exports of some $350 million in 2006, but historically
low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement
income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have
buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November
2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted
Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the IMF
forgave Ethiopia's debt. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state
owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the
system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as
entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans.
Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to a 3.3% decline in GDP
in 2003. Normal weather patterns helped agricultural and GDP growth
recover during 2004-08.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$70.23 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$62.93 billion (2007 est.)
$56.64 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$26.39 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
11.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
11.1% (2007 est.)
10.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
$800 (2007 est.)
$700 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 44.9%
industry: 12.8%
services: 42.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
37.9 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 15
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80.2%
industry: 6.6%
services: 13.2% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
38.7% (FY05/06 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%: 25.6% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30 (2000)
country comparison to the world: 114
40 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
25.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Budget:
revenues: $4.517 billion
expenditures: $5.34 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
32% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
44.5% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
44.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
17.2% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 121
7% (31 December 2006)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$3.651 billion (31 December 2006)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$3.258 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$6.694 billion (31 December 2006)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, qat,
cut flowers; hides, cattle, sheep, goats; fish
Industries:
food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, chemicals, metals
processing, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
10.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Electricity - production:
3.46 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Electricity - consumption:
3.13 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Oil - consumption:
37,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Oil - imports:
33,590 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Oil - proved reserves:
430,000 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Natural gas - proved reserves:
24.92 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Current account balance:
-$1.806 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
-$827.9 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.555 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$1.285 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds
Exports - partners:
Germany 11.8%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, Netherlands 8.6%, US 8.1%,
Switzerland 7.7%, Italy 6.1%, China 6%, Sudan 5.5%, Japan 4.4% (2008)
Imports:
$7.206 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
$5.156 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals,
machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles
Imports - partners:
China 16.3%, Saudi Arabia 12%, India 8.7%, Italy 6%, Japan 4.9%, US
4.5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$870.5 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
$1.29 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.155 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
$2.621 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
birr (ETB) per US dollar - 9.57 (2008 est.), 8.96 (2007), 8.69
(2006), 8.68 (2005), 8.6356 (2004)
note: since 24 October 2001, exchange rates are determined on a
daily basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank
Communications ::Ethiopia
Telephones - main lines in use:
908,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 84
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.168 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 107
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate telephone system; the number of fixed
lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base;
combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 5 per
100 persons
domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in
the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the
national trunk service
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth
stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus 24 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
.et
Internet hosts:
136 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 195
Internet users:
360,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 116
Transportation ::Ethiopia
Airports:
63 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 78
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 17
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 46
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Railways:
total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the 781 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti
railroad)
country comparison to the world: 106
narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge
note: railway is under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but is
largely inoperable (2008)
Roadways:
total: 36,469 km
country comparison to the world: 93
paved: 6,980 km
unpaved: 29,489 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 115
by type: cargo 8, roll on/roll off 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Ethiopia is landlocked and uses ports of Djibouti in Djibouti and
Berbera in Somalia
Military ::Ethiopia
Military branches:
Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian
Air Force (ETAF) (2008)
note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the
secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in
Eritrean possession
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;
theoretically, no compulsory military service, but the military can
conduct call-ups when necessary and compliance is compulsory (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 17,666,967
females age 16-49: 17,530,211 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,078,847
females age 16-49: 12,017,073 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 908,384
female: 916,354 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 49
Transnational Issues ::Ethiopia
Disputes - international:
Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia
Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither
party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006
EEBC Demarcation Statement; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and
Eritrea (UNMEE), which has monitored the 25-km-wide Temporary
Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000, is extended for six months in
2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced
force of 17,000; the undemarcated former British administrative line
has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within
Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Ethiopian
forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from
Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port
facilities in Berbera and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia; civil
unrest in eastern Sudan has hampered efforts to demarcate the porous
boundary with Ethiopia
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 66,980 (Sudan); 16,576 (Somalia);
13,078 (Eritrea)
IDPs: 200,000 (border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000, ethnic
clashes in Gambela, and ongoing Ethiopian military counterinsurgency
in Somali region; most IDPs are in Tigray and Gambela Provinces)
(2007)
Illicit drugs:
transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia
and destined for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in
southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional
export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three
countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the
country's utility as a money laundering center
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@European Union (Europe)
Introduction ::European Union
Preliminary statement:
The evolution of the European Union (EU) from a regional economic
agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today's
supranational organization of 27 countries across the European
continent stands as an unprecedented phenomenon in the annals of
history. Dynastic unions for territorial consolidation were long the
norm in Europe. On a few occasions even country-level unions were
arranged - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the
Austro-Hungarian Empire were examples - but for such a large number
of nation-states to cede some of their sovereignty to an overarching
entity is truly unique.
Although the EU is not a federation in the strict sense, it is far
more than a free-trade association such as ASEAN, NAFTA, or
Mercosur, and it has many of the attributes associated with
independent nations: its own flag, anthem, founding date, and
currency, as well as an incipient common foreign and security policy
in its dealings with other nations.
In the future, many of these nation-like characteristics are likely
to be expanded. Thus, inclusion of basic intelligence on the EU has
been deemed appropriate as a new, separate entity in The World
Factbook. However, because of the EU's special status, this
description is placed after the regular country entries.
Background:
Following the two devastating World Wars in the first half of the
20th century, a number of European leaders in the late 1940s became
convinced that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to
unite the two chief belligerent nations - France and Germany - both
economically and politically. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister
Robert SCHUMAN proposed an eventual union of all Europe, the first
step of which would be the integration of the coal and steel
industries of Western Europe. The following year the European Coal
and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members, Belgium,
France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, signed
the Treaty of Paris.
The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was
made to integrate other parts of the countries' economies. In 1957,
the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC)
and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six
member states undertook to eliminate trade barriers among themselves
by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three
communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC),
creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the
European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were
initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first
direct elections were undertaken and they have been held every five
years since.
In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the
addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The 1980s saw
further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain
and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis
for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in
judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic
and monetary union - including a common currency. This further
integration created the European Union (EU). In 1995, Austria,
Finland, and Sweden joined the EU, raising the membership total to
15.
A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets on 1
January 1999; it became the unit of exchange for all of the EU
states except the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark. In 2002,
citizens of the 12 euro-area countries began using the euro
banknotes and coins. Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 -
Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia - and in 2007 Bulgaria and
Romania joined, bringing the current membership to 27. In order to
ensure that the EU can continue to function efficiently with an
expanded membership, the Treaty of Nice (in force as of 1 February
2003) set forth rules streamlining the size and procedures of EU
institutions. An effort to establish an EU constitution, begun in
October 2004, failed to attain unanimous ratification. A new effort,
undertaken in June 2007, created an Intergovernmental Conference to
formulate a political agreement - initially known as the Reform
Treaty but subsequently referred to as the Treaty of Lisbon - which
would serve as a constitution. Unlike the constitution, however, the
Treaty of Lisbon sought to amend existing treaties rather than
replace them. In October 2009, an Irish referendum approved the
Treaty (overturning a previous rejection) and cleared the way for an
ultimate unanimous endorsement - the Czech Republic signed on soon
after. Treaty implementation is set to begin on 1 December 2009.
Geography ::European Union
Location:
Europe between the North Atlantic Ocean in the west and Russia,
Belarus, and Ukraine to the east
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 4,324,782 sq km
Area - comparative:
less than one-half the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 12,440.8 km
border countries: Albania 282 km, Andorra 120.3 km, Belarus 1,050
km, Croatia 999 km, Holy See 3.2 km, Liechtenstein 34.9 km,
Macedonia 394 km, Moldova 450 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Norway 2,348 km,
Russia 2,257 km, San Marino 39 km, Serbia 945 km, Switzerland 1,811
km, Turkey 446 km, Ukraine 1,257 km
note: data for European Continent only
Coastline:
65,992.9 km
Maritime claims:
NA
Climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate;
mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south
Terrain:
fairly flat along the Baltic and Atlantic coast; mountainous in the
central and southern areas
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lammefjord, Denmark -7 m; Zuidplaspolder, Netherlands
-7 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m; note - situated on the border
between France and Italy
Natural resources:
iron ore, natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, lead, zinc, bauxite,
uranium, potash, salt, hydropower, arable land, timber, fish
Land use:
arable land: NA
permanent crops: NA
other: NA
Irrigated land:
168,050 sq km (2003 est.)
Natural hazards:
flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes
in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in
Spain; ice floes in the Baltic
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94
signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
People ::European Union
Population:
491,582,852 (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.44% (male 38,975,981/female 36,925,704)
15-64 years: 67.22% (male 166,277,341/female 164,183,829)
65 years and over: 17.34% (male 35,372,684/female 49,847,313) (2009
est.)
Median age:
note - see individual country entries of member states (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.108 % (2009 est.)
Birth rate:
9.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate:
10.28 deaths/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Net migration rate:
1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.72 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 182
male: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.67 years
country comparison to the world: 41
male: 75.54 years
female: 81.97 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
note - see individual country entries of member states
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
note - see individual country entries of member states
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
note - see individual country entries of member states
Religions:
Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish
Languages:
Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French,
Gaelic, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian,
Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish,
Swedish
note: only official languages are listed; German, the major language
of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is the most widely spoken
mother tongue - over 19% of the EU population; English is the most
widely spoken language - about 49% of the EU population is
conversant with it (2007)
Government ::European Union
Union name:
conventional long form: European Union
abbreviation: EU
Political structure:
a hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization
Capital:
name: Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France), Luxembourg
geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
note: the Council of the European Union meets in Brussels, Belgium;
the European Parliament meets in Brussels and Strasbourg, France;
the Court of Justice of the European Communities meets in Luxembourg
Member states:
27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK;
note - Canary Islands (Spain), Azores and Madeira (Portugal), French
Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion (France) are sometimes
listed separately even though they are legally a part of Spain,
Portugal, and France; candidate countries: Croatia, Macedonia, Turkey
Independence:
7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1
November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force)
National holiday:
Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - a Union-wide holiday, the day that
Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel
Community to achieve an organized Europe
Constitution:
none
note: based on a series of treaties: the Treaty of Paris, which set
up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951; the
Treaties of Rome, which set up the European Economic Community (EEC)
and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957; the
Single European Act in 1986; the Treaty on European Union
(Maastricht) in 1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the
Treaty of Nice in 2003; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty,
signed on 29 October 2004 in Rome, gave member states two years for
ratification either by parliamentary vote or national referendum
before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006; defeat in
French and Dutch referenda in May-June 2005 dealt a severe setback
to the ratification process; in June 2007, the European Council
agreed on a clear and concise mandate for an Intergovernmental
Conference to form a political agreement and put it into legal form;
this agreement, known as the Reform Treaty, would have served as a
constitution and was presented to the European Council in October
2007 for individual country ratification; it was rejected by Irish
voters in June 2008, again stalling the ratification process; the
Reform Treaty, more recently known as the Treaty of Lisbon, was
again circulated for ratification, and by November 2009 was approved
by all 27 countries; it is scheduled to come into effect on 1
December 2009
Legal system:
comparable to the legal systems of member states; first
supranational law system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of union: President of the European Commission Jose Manuel
DURAO BARROSO (since 22 November 2004)
cabinet: European Commission (composed of 27 members, one from each
member country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policy
areas)
elections: the president of the European Commission is designated by
member governments and is confirmed by the European Parliament;
working from member state recommendations, the Commission president
then assembles a "college" of Commission members; the European
Parliament confirms the entire Commission for a five-year term; the
last confirmation process was held 16 September 2009 (next to be
held in 2014)
election results: European Parliament approved the European
Commission by a vote of 382 to 219 with 117 abstentions
note: the European Council brings together heads of state and
government and the president of the European Commission and meets at
least four times a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for the
major political issues relating to European integration and to issue
general policy guidelines
Legislative branch:
two legislative bodies consisting of the Council of the European
Union (27 member-state ministers having 345 votes; the number of
votes is roughly proportional to member-states' population; note -
the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU) and the
European Parliament (736 seats; seats allocated among member states
in proportion to population; members elected by direct universal
suffrage for a five-year term)
elections: last held 4-7 June 2009 (next to be held in June 2014)
election results: percent of vote - EPP 35.9%, PES 21.9%, ALDE
10.9%, Greens/EFA 7.2%, UEN 4.8%, GUE/NGL 4.3%, IND/DEM 2.4%, others
12.6%; seats by party - EPP 266, PES 161, ALDE 80, Greens/EFA 53,
UEN 35, GUE/NGL 32, IND/DEM 18, others 93
Judicial branch:
Court of Justice of the European Communities (ensures that the
treaties are interpreted and applied uniformly throughout the EU;
resolve constitutional issues among the EU institutions) - 27
justices (one from each member state) appointed for a six-year term;
note - for the sake of efficiency, the court can sit with 13
justices known as the "Grand Chamber"; Court of First Instance - 27
justices appointed for a six-year term
Political parties and leaders:
Confederal Group of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left or
GUE/NGL [Francis WURTZ]; European People's Party-European Democrats
or EPP-ED [Joseph DAUL]; Group of the Alliance of Liberals and
Democrats for Europe or ALDE [Graham R. WATSON]; Group of
Greens/European Free Alliance or Greens/EFA [Monica FRASSONI and
Daniel Marc COHN-BENDIT]; Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty Group or
ITS [Bruno GOLLNISCH]; Independence/Democracy Group or IND/DEM
[Hanne DAHL and Nigel FARAGE]; Socialist Group in the European
Parliament or PES [Martin SCHULZ]; Union for Europe of the Nations
Group or UEN [Brian CROWLEY and Cristiana MUSCARDINI]
International organization participation:
European Union: ARF (dialogue member), ASEAN (dialogue member), IDA,
OAS (observer), PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN (observer)
European Community: Australian Group, CBSS, CERN, FAO, EBRD, G-10,
LAIA, NSG (observer), OECD, UNRWA, WCO, WTO, ZC (observer)
European Central Bank: BIS
European Investment Bank: EBRD, WADB (nonregional member)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John BRUTON
chancery: 2300 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 862-9500
FAX: [1] (202) 429-1766
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Christopher
MURRAY
embassy: 13 Zinnerstraat/Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels
mailing address: same as above
telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111
FAX: [32] (2) 508-2063
Flag description:
blue field with 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle in
the center, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the
number of stars is fixed
Economy ::European Union
Economy - overview:
Internally, the EU is attempting to lower trade barriers, adopt a
common currency, and move toward convergence of living standards.
Internationally, the EU aims to bolster Europe's trade position and
its political and economic power. Because of the great differences
in per capita income among member states (from $7,000 to $69,000)
and historic national animosities, the EU faces difficulties in
devising and enforcing common policies. For example, since 2003
Germany and France have flouted the member states' treaty obligation
to prevent their national budgets from running more than a 3%
deficit. Between 2004 and 2007, the EU admitted 12 countries that
are, in general, less advanced technologically and economically than
the other 15. Eleven established EU member states introduced the
euro as their common currency on 1 January 1999 (Greece did so two
years later), but the UK, Sweden, and Denmark chose not to
participate. Of the 12 most recent member states, only Slovenia (1
January 2007) and Cyprus and Malta (1 January 2008) have adopted the
euro; the remaining nine are legally required to adopt the currency
upon meeting EU's fiscal and monetary convergence criteria.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.94 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
$14.82 trillion (2007 est.)
$14.39 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$18.14 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
3% (2007 est.)
3.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$33,700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$33,500 (2007 est.)
$32,700 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 27.1%
services: 70.9% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
224.4 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 5.6%
industry: 27.7%
services: 66.7% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
8.5% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:
note - see individual country entries of member states
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 25.2% (2001 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
31 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
31.2 (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
1.8% (2006 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 97
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.6% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 106
8.03% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$5.542 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 1
$5.649 trillion (31 December 2007)
note: this is the quantity of money, M1, for the euro area,
converted into US dollars at the exchange rate for the date
indicated; it excludes the stock of money carried by non-euro-area
members of the European Union
Stock of quasi money:
$5.631 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 3
$5.18 trillion (31 December 2007)
note: this is the quantity of quasi money, M2-M1, for the euro area,
converted into US dollars at the exchange rate for the date
indicated; it excludes the stock of quasi money carried by
non-euro-area members of the European Union
Stock of domestic credit:
$21.17 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 1
$20.94 trillion (31 December 2007)
note: this figure refers to the euro area only; it excludes credit
data for non-euro-area members of the EU
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
$15.57 trillion (31 December 2008)
$13.5 trillion (31 December 2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes; dairy products,
cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry; fish
Industries:
among the world's largest and most technologically advanced, the EU
industrial base includes: ferrous and non-ferrous metal production
and processing, metal products, petroleum, coal, cement, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation equipment, passenger
and commercial vehicles, construction equipment, industrial
equipment, shipbuilding, electrical power equipment, machine tools
and automated manufacturing systems, electronics and
telecommunications equipment, fishing, food and beverage processing,
furniture, paper, textiles, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
-0.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - production:
3.044 trillion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Electricity - consumption:
2.884 trillion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Electricity - exports:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh
Oil - production:
2.538 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Oil - consumption:
14.44 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Oil - exports:
2.196 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Oil - imports:
8.613 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Oil - proved reserves:
5.718 billion bbl (1 January 2008)
country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - production:
201.9 billion cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Natural gas - consumption:
516.9 billion cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Natural gas - exports:
NA cu m
Natural gas - imports:
NA cu m
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.318 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Current account balance:
$51.4 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Exports:
$1.952 trillion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 1
$1.33 trillion (2005)
note: external exports, excluding intra-EU trade
Exports - commodities:
machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, plastics, pharmaceuticals and
other chemicals, fuels, iron and steel, nonferrous metals, wood pulp
and paper products, textiles, meat, dairy products, fish, alcoholic
beverages.
Imports:
$1.69 trillion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 2
$1.466 trillion (2005)
note: external imports, excluding intra-EU trade
Imports - commodities:
machinery, vehicles, aircraft, plastics, crude oil, chemicals,
textiles, metals, foodstuffs, clothing
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA
Exchange rates:
euros per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964
(2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::European Union
Telephones - main lines in use:
238 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
466 million (2005)
Telephone system:
note - see individual country entries of member states
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 930, FM 13,655, shortwave 71 (1998); note - sum of individual
country radio broadcast stations; there is also a European-wide
station (Euroradio)
Television broadcast stations:
2,700 (1995); note - sum of individual country television broadcast
stations excluding repeaters; there is also a European-wide station
(Eurovision)
Internet country code:
.eu; note - see country entries of member states for individual
country codes
Internet hosts:
118,760; note - this sum reflects the number of internet hosts
assigned the .eu internet country code (2009)
Internet users:
247 million (2006)
Transportation ::European Union
Airports:
3,391 (2009)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1,995
over 3,047 m: 115
2,438 to 3,047 m: 341
1,524 to 2,437 m: 543
914 to 1,523 m: 421
under 914 m: 575 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1,396
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 257
under 914 m: 1,110 (2009)
Heliports:
100 (2007)
Railways:
total: 229,450 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 5,454,446 km (2008)
Waterways:
52,332 km (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Braila (Romania), Bremen
(Germany), Burgas (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania), Copenhagen
(Denmark), Galati (Romania), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany),
Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre
(France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Naples
(Italy), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Riga (Latvia), Rotterdam
(Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Talinn (Estonia), Tulcea
(Romania), Varna (Bulgaria)
Military ::European Union
Military - note:
the five-nation Eurocorps - created in 1992 by France, Germany,
Belgium, Spain, and Luxembourg - has deployed troops and police on
peacekeeping missions to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and assumed command of the ISAF in
Afghanistan in August 2004; Eurocorps directly commands the
5,000-man Franco-German Brigade, the Multinational Command Support
Brigade, and EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; in November 2004, the
EU Council of Ministers formally committed to creating 13 1,500-man
battle groups by the end of 2007, to respond to international crises
on a rotating basis; 22 of the EU's 27 nations have agreed to supply
troops; France, Italy, and the UK formed the first of three battle
groups in 2005; Norway, Sweden, Estonia, and Finland established the
Nordic Battle Group effective 1 January 2008; nine other groups are
to be formed; a rapid-reaction naval EU Maritime Task Group was
stood up in March 2007 (2007)
Transnational Issues ::European Union
Disputes - international:
as a political union, the EU has no border disputes with neighboring
countries, but Estonia has no land boundary agreements with Russia,
Slovenia disputes its land and maritime boundaries with Croatia, and
Spain has territorial and maritime disputes with Morocco and with
the UK over Gibraltar; the EU has set up a Schengen area -
consisting of 22 EU member states that have signed the convention
implementing the Schengen agreements or "acquis" (1985 and 1990) on
the free movement of persons and the harmonization of border
controls in Europe; these agreements became incorporated into EU law
with the implementation of the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam on 1 May
1999; in addition, non-EU states Iceland and Norway (as part of the
Nordic Union) have been included in the Schengen area since 1996
(full members in 2001), and Switzerland since 2008 bringing the
total current membership to 25; the UK (since 2000) and Ireland
(since 2002) take part in only some aspects of the Schengen area,
especially with respect to police and criminal matters; nine of the
12 new member states that joined the EU since 2004 joined Schengen
on 21 December 2007; of the three remaining EU states, Cyprus is
expected to join by 2009, while Romania and Bulgaria continue to
enhance their border security systems
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (South America)
Introduction ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Background:
Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first
landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in
1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until
1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the
islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first
between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The
UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval
garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April
1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed
seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine
surrender on 14 June 1982.
Geography ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Location:
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of
southern Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
51 45 S, 59 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 12,173 sq km
country comparison to the world: 164
land: 12,173 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and
about 200 small islands
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on
more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches
in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and
February, but does not accumulate
Terrain:
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Natural resources:
fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
strong winds persist throughout the year
Environment - current issues:
overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were
introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is
the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the
1986 Chornobyl disaster
Geography - note:
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing
season
People ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Population:
3,140 (July 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 229
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate:
0.011% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island
Ethnic groups:
British
Religions:
Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census)
Languages:
English
Literacy:
NA
Government ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Stanley
geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends
third Sunday in April
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution:
3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998
Legal system:
English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006);
Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008)
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative
Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial
secretary), and the governor
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio
and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms);
presided over by the governor
elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held in November
2009)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court
(senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions);
Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders:
none; all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from
external causes)
International organization participation:
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Flag description:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once
the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose
crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the
motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Economy ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Economy - overview:
The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming,
but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In
1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign
trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing
zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which
help support the island's health, education, and welfare system.
Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports
domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature
shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage
stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for
defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil
exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic
surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000
barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been identified.
An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse
licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign
interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially
eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in
2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the
government has in the bank. The British military presence also
provides a sizeable economic boost.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$105.1 million (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
GDP (official exchange rate):
$105.1 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$35,400 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 95%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1996)
Labor force:
1,724 (est.) (1996)
country comparison to the world: 218
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)
industry and services: 5% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $66.2 million
expenditures: $67.9 million (FY98/99 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (1998)
country comparison to the world: 52
Agriculture - products:
fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products; fish, squid
Industries:
fish and wool processing; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
16 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - consumption:
14.88 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - consumption:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Oil - imports:
270.9 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Exports:
$125 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Exports - commodities:
wool, hides, meat, fish, squid
Imports:
$90 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Imports - commodities:
fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007),
0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)
note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Communications ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 222
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 213
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB
radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all
points on both islands
international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other
countries
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS)
provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service) (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel
satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders);
cable television is available in Stanley (2006)
Internet country code:
.fk
Internet hosts:
90 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 200
Internet users:
2,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 207
Transportation ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Airports:
6 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 169
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 440 km
country comparison to the world: 195
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 390 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Stanley
Military ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Disputes - international:
Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly
occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek
settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for
sovereignty talks
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Faroe Islands (Europe)
Introduction ::Faroe Islands
Background:
The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking
settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been
connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high
degree of self government was attained in 1948.
Geography ::Faroe Islands
Location:
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 1,393 sq km
country comparison to the world: 182
land: 1,393 sq km
water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative:
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,117 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources:
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
arable land: 2.14%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.86% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention
and Ship Pollution
Geography - note:
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and
a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea
lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits
habitation to small coastal lowlands
People ::Faroe Islands
Population:
48,856 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108)
15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544)
65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 36.9 years
male: 36.3 years
female: 37.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.397% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Birth rate:
13.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Death rate:
8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Net migration rate:
-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Urbanization:
urban population: 41% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.32 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 179
male: 6.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.44 years
country comparison to the world: 28
male: 77 years
female: 82.05 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.44 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:
Scandinavian
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006
administrative data)
Languages:
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy:
NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper
Government ::Faroe Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
Dependency status:
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Torshavn
geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 34 municipalities
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July
Constitution:
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January
1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief
administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26
September 2008)
cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually
elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held
19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister;
governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN
becomes Prime Minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are
elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven
constituencies to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than
January 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social
Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party
20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%;
seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social
Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence
Party 2
note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held
on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011);
results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican
Party 1, Union Party 1
Judicial branch:
none
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD];
People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL];
Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Self-Government Party
[Kari P. HOJGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales)
other: conservationists
International organization participation:
Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:
white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of
the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist
side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the flag resembles
those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three
colors - but in a different sequence
Economy ::Faroe Islands
Economy - overview:
The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy
vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for 95% of exports
and nearly half of GDP. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up
as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment
is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds
close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable
deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more
diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic
assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP)
from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below
the Danes and other Scandinavians.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1 billion (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.7 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$31,000 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 11%
services: 62% (1999)
Labor force:
24,250 (October 2000)
country comparison to the world: 199
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 11.2%
industry: 21.9%
services: 66.9% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
1.4% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 7
2.1% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $588 million
expenditures: $623 million (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.8% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 14
Agriculture - products:
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Industries:
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment,
handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (1999 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Electricity - production:
243.7 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - consumption:
226.6 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Oil - imports:
4,922 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Exports:
$634 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 160
Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners:
Denmark 27.3%, UK 18.6%, Croatia 12%, Norway 11.7%, Nigeria 10%,
Netherlands 5.5% (2008)
Imports:
$751 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 180
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%,
machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999)
Imports - partners:
Denmark 50.4%, Norway 20.2%, Sweden 6.4%, UK 4.2%, Iceland 4.1%
(2008)
Debt - external:
$64 million (1999)
country comparison to the world: 192
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797
(2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004)
Communications ::Faroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
21,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 192
Telephones - mobile cellular:
54,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 192
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic
facilities
domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog)
and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed
international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1
Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands,
linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic
submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)
Internet country code:
.fo
Internet hosts:
8,833 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 120
Internet users:
37,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 175
Transportation ::Faroe Islands
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 233
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 463 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 192
Merchant marine:
total: 12
country comparison to the world: 110
by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3
foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Torshavn, Vagur
Military ::Faroe Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,725 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,759
females age 16-49: 8,311 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 386
female: 375 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues ::Faroe Islands
Disputes - international:
because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been
realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been
deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that
the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
page last updated on November 10, 2009
======================================================================
@Fiji (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Fiji
Background:
Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British
colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in
1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by
the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to
the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a
1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji
led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in
economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the
majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable.
Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by
an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a
prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held
in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected
government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May
2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by
Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting
president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since
taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled
Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections.
Geography ::Fiji
Location:
Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds
of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 18,274 sq km
country comparison to the world: 156
land: 18,274 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,129 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation;
rectilinear shelf claim added
Climate:
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources:
timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 10.95%
permanent crops: 4.65%
other: 84.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
28.6 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%)
per capita: 82 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea,
Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited
People ::Fiji
Population:
944,720 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.3% (male 146,327/female 140,327)
15-64 years: 64.9% (male 307,077/female 305,886)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 20,300/female 24,803) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.5 years
male: 25 years
female: 26 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.379% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Birth rate:
21.92 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Death rate:
5.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Net migration rate:
-2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 146
male: 12.74 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.73 years
country comparison to the world: 139
male: 68.18 years
female: 73.41 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.65 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
600 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Nationality:
noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian
Ethnic groups:
Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture),
Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific
Islanders, Chinese) (2007 census)
Religions:
Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of
God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%),
Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none
0.7% (2007 census)
Languages:
English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.7%
male: 95.5%
female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
6.5% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 30
Government ::Fiji
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands
conventional short form: Fiji
local long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti
local short form: Fiji/Viti
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Suva (on Viti Levu)
geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*,
Western
Independence:
10 October 1970 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
Constitution:
enacted 25 July 1997; effective 28 July 1998; note - it encourages
multiculturalism and makes multiparty government mandatory
Legal system:
based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10
September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal prime
minister, he has been confined to his home island; former President
ILOILOVATU appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime
minister under the military regime
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - coup
leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet
elections: under the constitution, president elected by the Great
Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
in 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from its role in
electing the president; prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by Chief
Justice Anthony GATES
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed
by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9
appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on
the advice of the opposition leader, and 1 appointed on the advice
of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71
seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic
Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the
council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and
25 open seats; members serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 6-13 May 2006 (next
to be held in 2011)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by
party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other
10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of
Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic
Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat
Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or
FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Sitiveni
RABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji Labor
Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP
(became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP;
Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR;
National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE];
Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of
National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth or
POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL
[Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for
restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Winston THOMPSON
chancery: 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320
FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador C. Steven McGANN
embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva
mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva
telephone: [679] 331-4466
FAX: [679] 330-0081
Flag description:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant
and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the
shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the
cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree,
bananas, and a white dove
Economy ::Fiji
Economy - overview:
Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of
the most developed of the Pacific island economies though still with
a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians
working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 400,000 to
500,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign
exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets
but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies.
Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is
not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the December
2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. In 2007 tourist
arrivals were down almost 6%, with substantial job losses in the
service sector, and GDP dipped nearly 7%. The coup has created a
difficult business climate. The EU has suspended all aid until the
interim government takes steps toward new elections. Long-term
problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights,
and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas
remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have decreased
significantly. Fiji's current account deficit reached 23% of GDP in
2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.587 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
$3.58 billion (2007 est.)
$3.833 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.589 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
-6.6% (2007 est.)
3.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
$3,900 (2007 est.)
$4,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.9%
industry: 13.5%
services: 77.6% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
335,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 70%
industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (1999)
country comparison to the world: 100
Population below poverty line:
25.5% (FY90/91)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.363 billion
expenditures: $1.376 billion (2006)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.8% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 83
Central bank discount rate:
6.32% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 47
9.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.97% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 93
9.01% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.042 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.088 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.948 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 103
$522.2 million (31 December 2007)
$636.7 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes,
bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish
Industries:
tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage
industries
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
928 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - consumption:
863 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Oil - consumption:
10,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Oil - exports:
2,455 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Oil - imports:
20,340 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Current account balance:
-$507 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Exports:
$1.202 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 147
Exports - commodities:
sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil
Exports - partners:
US 15.2%, UK 11.6%, Australia 10.2%, Samoa 5.2%, Tonga 4.6%, Japan
4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$3.12 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 137
Imports - commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum
products, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Singapore 30.5%, Australia 20.5%, NZ 15.5%, China 5.4% (2008)
Debt - external:
$127 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$6.702 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.7313 (2006), 1.691
(2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003)
Communications ::Fiji
Telephones - main lines in use:
129,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 139
Telephones - mobile cellular:
600,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 151
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international
(wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone,
telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications
center
domestic: telephone or radio telephone links to almost all inhabited
islands; most towns and large villages have automatic telephone
exchanges and direct dialing; combined fixed and mobile-cellular
density is about 80 per 100 persons
international: country code - 679; access to important cable links
between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite
earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
NA
Internet country code:
.fj
Internet hosts:
12,747 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 114
Internet users:
103,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 152
Transportation ::Fiji
Airports:
28 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 118
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 19 (2009)
Railways:
total: 597 km
country comparison to the world: 111
narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge
note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used
to haul sugarcane during the harvest season, which runs from May to
December (2008)
Roadways:
total: 3,440 km
country comparison to the world: 163
paved: 1,692 km
unpaved: 1,748 km (2000)
Waterways:
203 km
country comparison to the world: 98
note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges
(2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 116
by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Lautoka, Suva
Military ::Fiji
Military branches:
Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; reserve obligation
to age 45 (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 242,567
females age 16-49: 238,556 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 192,363
females age 16-49: 204,410 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 9,107
female: 8,755 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Transnational Issues ::Fiji
Disputes - international:
none
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Fiji is a source country for children trafficked
for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and a destination
country for a small number of women from China and India trafficked
for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 3 - Fiji does not fully comply with the minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making
significant efforts to do so; the government has demonstrated no
action to investigate or prosecute traffickers, assist victims, take
steps to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts, or support any
anti-trafficking information or education campaigns; Fiji has not
ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Finland (Europe)
Introduction ::Finland
Background:
Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the
12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia
after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World
War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist
invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory.
In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable
transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern
industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in
Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland
was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation
in January 1999.
Geography ::Finland
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf
of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 338,145 sq km
country comparison to the world: 64
land: 303,815 sq km
water: 34,330 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,654 km
border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline:
1,250 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary
with Sweden
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because
of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea,
and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:
mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low
hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources:
timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold,
silver, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 6.54%
permanent crops: 0.02%
other: 93.44% (2005)
Irrigated land:
640 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
110 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.33 cu km/yr (14%/84%/3%)
per capita: 444 cu m/yr (1999)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to
acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural
chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital
on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern
coastal plain
People ::Finland
Population:
5,250,275 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.4% (male 438,425/female 422,777)
15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,773,495/female 1,732,792)
65 years and over: 16.8% (male 357,811/female 524,975) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 42.1 years
male: 40.5 years
female: 43.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.098% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Birth rate:
10.38 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Death rate:
10.07 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Net migration rate:
0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Urbanization:
urban population: 63% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 216
male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.97 years
country comparison to the world: 37
male: 75.48 years
female: 82.61 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.73 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,400 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Nationality:
noun: Finn(s)
adjective: Finnish
Ethnic groups:
Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.6%, Russian 0.5%, Estonian 0.3%, Roma (Gypsy)
0.1%, Sami 0.1% (2006)
Religions:
Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other
Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1% (2006)
Languages:
Finnish 91.2% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3.3% (small
Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2007)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
6.4% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 33
Government ::Finland
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Finland
conventional short form: Finland
local long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland
local short form: Suomi/Finland
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Helsinki
geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 56 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaan Laani (Aland),
Etela-Suomen Laani (Southern Finland), Ita-Suomen Laani (Eastern
Finland), Lansi-Suomen Laani (Western Finland), Lapin Laani
(Lapland), Oulun Laani
Independence:
6 December 1917 (from Russia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution:
1 March 2000
Legal system:
civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the
Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June
2003); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007)
cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the
president, responsible to parliament
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006
(next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime
minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the
majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament
must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected 17
April 2007
election results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli
NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA
(VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held
29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANEN
reelected prime minister; election results 121-71
note: government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected
by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 18 March 2007 (next to be held March 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%,
SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%,
other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR
15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD
[Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance
or VAS [Martti KORHONEN] (composed of People's Democratic League and
Democratic Alternative); National Coalition Party (conservative) or
Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta
URPILAINEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True
Finns [Timo SOINI]
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council,
Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU,
FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen
Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP,
UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTU
chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800
FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara BARRETT
embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki
mailing address: APO AE 09723
telephone: [358] (9) 616250
FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800
Flag description:
white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the
vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style
of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of
lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow
that covers the land in winter
Economy ::Finland
Economy - overview:
Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy
with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and
Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the
wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics
industries. Trade is important; Finland's ratio of exports to GDP
has risen from a quarter to 37% over the past 15 years. Finland
excels in high-tech exports such as mobile phones. Except for timber
and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials,
energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the
climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining
self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export
earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population.
Although Finland has been one of the best performing economies
within the EU in recent years and its banks and financial markets
have avoided the worst of global financial crisis, the world
slowdown has hit export growth and domestic demand and will serve as
a brake on economic growth in 2009 and 2010. The slowdown of
construction, other investment, and exports will cause unemployment
to rise. During 2009, unemployment will climb to over 8% of the
labor force. Long-term challenges include the need to address a
rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity that threaten
competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$194 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$192.4 billion (2007 est.)
$184.8 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$271.9 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
4.1% (2007 est.)
4.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$36,700 (2007 est.)
$35,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.8%
industry: 32.4%
services: 64.9% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.703 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture and forestry 4.5%, industry 18.3%, construction 7.3%,
commerce 16%, finance, insurance, and business services 14.5%,
transport and communications 7%, public services 32.4% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
6.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
6.9% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 24.7% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
29.5 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 117
25.6 (1991)
Investment (gross fixed):
20.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Budget:
revenues: $143.8 billion
expenditures: $132.3 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
33.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
46.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
2.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.79% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$NA (31December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro
area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for
the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual
members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi
money circulating within their own borders
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$241.1 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 29
$225.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 26
$369.2 billion (31 December 2007)
$265.5 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish
Industries:
metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific
instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals,
textiles, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:
0.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Electricity - production:
77.24 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Electricity - consumption:
86.9 billion kWh (2008)
country comparison to the world: 32
Electricity - exports:
3.335 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
16.11 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
9,789 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Oil - consumption:
215,600 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Oil - exports:
133,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Oil - imports:
347,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 171
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - consumption:
4.735 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 59
Natural gas - imports:
4.739 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Current account balance:
$5.518 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$10.12 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$96.62 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$90.2 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
electrical and optical equipment, machinery, transport equipment,
paper and pulp, chemicals, basic metals; timber
Exports - partners:
Russia 11.6%, Sweden 10%, Germany 10%, US 6.4%, UK 5.5%, Netherlands
5.1% (2008)
Imports:
$87.51 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$78.22 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport
equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics,
grains
Imports - partners:
Russia 16.3%, Germany 15.7%, Sweden 13.6%, Netherlands 6.3%, China
5.1%, UK 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$8.346 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$8.385 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$339.5 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 25
$314.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$84.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$88.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$116 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$114.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Finland
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.65 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.83 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 73
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system with excellent service
domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive
cellular network provide domestic needs
international: country code - 358; submarine cables provide links to
Estonia and Sweden; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat
transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1
Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares
the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark,
Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 59, shortwave 2 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999); note - on 1 September 2007, Finland
began broadcasting all television signals digitally; analog
broadcasts via cable networks were discontinued 29 February 2008
Internet country code:
.fi; note - Aland Islands assigned .ax
Internet hosts:
4.205 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 18
Internet users:
4.383 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 46
Transportation ::Finland
Airports:
148 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 37
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 75
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 26
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 73
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 70 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 694 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 5,794 km
country comparison to the world: 31
broad gauge: 5,794 km 1.524-m gauge (3,047 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 78,141 km
country comparison to the world: 62
paved: 50,914 km (includes 700 km of expressways)
unpaved: 27,227 km (2009)
Waterways:
7,842 km
country comparison to the world: 18
note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased
from Russia (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 98
country comparison to the world: 51
by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 28, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6,
container 3, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 5,
roll on/roll off 27, vehicle carrier 2
foreign-owned: 8 (Estonia 2, Germany 1, Norway 3, Sweden 2)
registered in other countries: 47 (Bahamas 9, Germany 4, Gibraltar
3, Netherlands 14, Norway 1, Panama 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1,
Sweden 12, UK 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Raahe, Rauma, Turku
Military ::Finland
Military branches:
Finnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense
Forces), Air Force (Suomen Ilmavoimat) (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for male voluntary and compulsory - and female
voluntary - national military and nonmilitary service; service
obligation 6-12 months; mandatory retirement at age 60 (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,169,910
females age 16-49: 1,121,187 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 962,479
females age 16-49: 920,297 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 33,784
female: 32,621 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Transnational Issues ::Finland
Disputes - international:
various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other
areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts
no territorial demands
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@France (Europe)
Introduction ::France
Background:
Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered
extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a
dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most
modern countries in the world and is a leader among European
nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid
presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the
instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary
administrations. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation
with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of
Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency,
the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of
efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement
progress toward an EU foreign policy.
Geography ::France
Location:
metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and
English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK;
bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic
Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname
Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico
Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North
Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:
metropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E
French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W
Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W
Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E
Map references:
metropolitan France: Europe
French Guiana: South America
Guadeloupe: Central America and the Caribbean
Martinique: Central America and the Caribbean
Reunion: World
Area:
total: 643,427 sq km; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France)
country comparison to the world: 42
land: 640,053 sq km; 549,970 sq km (metropolitan France)
water: 3,374 sq km; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France)
note: the first numbers include the overseas regions of French
Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion
Area - comparative:
slightly less than the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
metropolitan France - total: 2,889 km
border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km,
Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,
Switzerland 573 km
French Guiana - total: 1,183 km
border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
Coastline:
total: 4,668 km
metropolitan France: 3,427 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but
mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional
strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature
variation
Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds;
moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable
to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average
Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool
and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)
Terrain:
metropolitan France: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in
north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in
south, Alps in east
French Guiana: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small
mountains
Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior
mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the
seven other islands are volcanic in origin
Martinique: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Reunion: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
note: in order to assess the possible effects of climate change on
the ice and snow cap of Mont Blanc, its surface and peak have been
extensively and periodically measured in recent years; these new
peak measurements have exceeded the traditional height of 4,807 m
and have varied between 4,808 m and 4,811 m; the actual rock summit
is 4,792 m and is 40 m away from the ice-covered summit
Natural resources:
metropolitan France: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium,
antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish
French Guiana: gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum,
clay
Land use:
arable land: 33.46%
permanent crops: 2.03%
other: 64.51%
note: French Guiana - arable land 0.13%, permanent crops 0.04%,
other 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other); Guadeloupe - arable land
11.70%, permanent crops 2.92%, other 85.38%; Martinique - arable
land 9.09%, permanent crops 10.0%, other 80.91%; Reunion - arable
land 13.94%, permanent crops 1.59%, other 84.47% (2005)
Irrigated land:
total: 26,190 sq km;
metropolitan France: 26,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
189 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 33.16 cu km/yr (16%/74%/10%)
per capita: 548 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms;
drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean
overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanic
activity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion)
Environment - current issues:
some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and
vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural
runoff
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
largest West European nation
People ::France
Population:
total: 64,057,792
country comparison to the world: 21
note: 62,150,775 in metropolitan France (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.6% (male 6,129,729/female 5,838,925)
15-64 years: 65% (male 20,963,124/female 20,929,280)
65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,403,248/female 6,155,767) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 39.4 years
male: 38 years
female: 40.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.549% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Birth rate:
12.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Death rate:
8.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Net migration rate:
1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Urbanization:
urban population: 77% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.33 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 217
male: 3.66 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.98 years
country comparison to the world: 9
male: 77.79 years
female: 84.33 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.98 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
140,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Nationality:
noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective: French
Ethnic groups:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese,
Basque minorities
overseas departments: black, white, mulatto, East Indian, Chinese,
Amerindian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%,
unaffiliated 4%
overseas departments: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim,
Buddhist, pagan
Languages:
French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages
(Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
overseas departments: French, Creole patois
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.7% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 46
Government ::France
Country name:
conventional long form: French Republic
conventional short form: France
local long form: Republique francaise
local short form: France
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Paris
geographic coordinates: 48 52 N, 2 20 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
note: applies to metropolitan France only, not to its overseas
departments, collectivities, or territories
Administrative divisions:
26 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine,
Auvergne, Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy), Bourgogne (Burgundy),
Bretagne (Brittany), Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse (Corsica),
Franche-Comte, Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), Haute-Normandie
(Upper Normandy), Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin,
Lorraine, Martinique, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la
Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur,
Reunion, Rhone-Alpes
note: France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions (including the
"territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 4 overseas
regions (including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and
Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 4
overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions)
Dependent areas:
Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic
Lands, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin,
Wallis and Futuna
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica; New Caledonia
has been considered a "sui generis" collectivity of France since
1998, a unique status falling between that of an independent country
and a French overseas department
Independence:
486 (Frankish tribes unified); 843 (Western Francia established from
the division of the Carolingian Empire)
National holiday:
Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often
incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually
commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the
storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of
a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete
Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July)
Constitution:
adopted by referendum 28 September 1958; effective 4 October 1958;
amended many times
note: amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to
comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1997 Amsterdam
Treaty, 2003 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in
1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to
a five-year term; amended in 2005 to make the EU constitutional
treaty compatible with the Constitution of France and to ensure that
the decision to ratify EU accession treaties would be made by
referendum
Legal system:
civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative
but not legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May
2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president at the
suggestion of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held
22 April and 6 May 2007 (next to be held spring 2012); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Nicolas SARKOZY wins the election; first round:
percent of vote - Nicolas SARKOZY 31.18%, Segolene ROYAL 25.87%,
Francois BAYROU 18.57%, Jean-Marie LE PEN 10.44%, others 13.94%;
second round: SARKOZY 53.1% and ROYAL 46.9%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat
(343 seats, 321 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2
for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1
for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas
territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are
indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms;
one third elected every three years); note - between 2006 and 2011,
15 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 348 seats -
326 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New
Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for
Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas territories,
and 12 for French nationals abroad; starting in 2008, members will
be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year
terms with one-half elected every three years; and the National
Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats, 555 for metropolitan
France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for dependencies; members are
elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to
serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in
September 2014); National Assembly - last held 10 and 17 June 2007
(next to be held in June 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - UMP 151, PS 116, UC-UDF 29, CRC 23, RDSE 17, other 7;
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - UMP 46.37%, PS
42.25%, miscellaneous left wing parties 2.47%, PCF 2.28%, NC 2.12%,
PRG 1.65%, miscellaneous right wing parties 1.17%, the Greens 0.45%,
other 1.24%; seats by party - UMP 313, PS 186, NC 22, miscellaneous
left wing parties 15, PCF 15, miscellaneous right wing parties 9,
PRG 7, the Greens 4, other 6
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed
by the president from nominations of the High Council of the
Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three
members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president
of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of
the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat
Political parties and leaders:
Communist, Republican and Citizen or CRC; Democratic Movement or
MoDem [Francois BAYROU] (previously Union for French Democracy or
UDF); Democratic and Social European Rally or RDSE [Yvon COLLIN]
(mainly Radical Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG); French
Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Greens [Cecile
DUFLOT]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Jean-Michel BAYLET] (previously
Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or
MRG); Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National
Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; New Center or NC [Herve MORIN];
Radical Party [Jean-Louis BORLOO]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles
PASQUA]; Republican and Citizen Movement or MRC [Jean Pierre
CHEVENEMENT and Georges SARRE]; Socialist Party or PS [Martine
AUBRY]; Union Centrist-UDF or UC-UDF [Michel MERCIER]; Union for a
Popular Movement or UMP [Xavier BERTRAND]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT,
left-leaning labor union with approximately 803,000 members;
Confederation Generale des Cadres or CGC, independent white-collar
union with 196,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail or
CGT, historically communist labor union with approximately 700,000
members; Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere or FO,
independent labor union with an estimated 300,000 members; Mouvement
des Entreprises de France or MEDEF, employers' union with 750,000
companies as members (claimed)
French Guiana: conservationists; gold mining pressure groups;
hunting pressure groups
Guadeloupe: Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or
KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General
Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for an Independent
Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement
Martinique: Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union
for Martinique Workers or CSTM; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of
Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP
Reunion: NA
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council
(observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS
(observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G-20,
G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO,
MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW,
OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SECI
(observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG,
UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pierre VIMONT
chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000
FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mark A.
PEKALA
embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08
mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777
telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22
FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83
consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red;
known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of
the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or
colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of
Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands;
the official flag for all French dependent areas
Economy ::France
Economy - overview:
France is in the midst of transition from a well-to-do modern
economy that has featured extensive government ownership and
intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The
government has partially or fully privatized many large companies,
banks, and insurers, and has ceded stakes in such leading firms as
Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. It maintains a
strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public
transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is
gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain
committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by
means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income
disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and
welfare. Widespread opposition to labor reform has in recent years
hampered the government's ability to revitalize the economy. During
2007-08, the government implemented several important labor reforms,
including a de facto extension of the 35-hour workweek by allowing
employees to work longer overtime hours. During 2009, the government
is expected to delay or even renounce other reform efforts due to
the on-going financial crisis. GDP growth dropped to 0.3% in 2008;
the French government plans to increase public investment and
continue injecting capital into the banking sector to alleviate the
negative effects of the crisis during 2009. As a result of lower
fiscal revenues and increased expenditures the general government
deficit is expected to exceed the euro-zone ceiling 3% of GDP.
France's tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe - at nearly
50% of GDP in 2005. With at least 75 million foreign tourists per
year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains
the third largest income in the world from tourism.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.133 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
$2.126 trillion (2007 est.)
$2.078 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.867 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
2.3% (2007 est.)
2.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$33,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$33,400 (2007 est.)
$32,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 20.4%
services: 77.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
27.97 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.8%
industry: 24.3%
services: 71.8% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
7.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
7.9% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
6.2% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 24.8% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
32.7 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
32.7 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Budget:
revenues: $1.407 trillion
expenditures: $1.506 trillion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
68.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
67.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
1.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 94
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.13% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$NA
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro
area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for
the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual
members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi
money circulating within their own borders
Stock of quasi money:
$NA
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.102 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
$3.397 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
$2.771 trillion (31 December 2007)
$2.429 trillion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy
products; fish
Industries:
machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft,
electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
-1.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Electricity - production:
535.7 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - consumption:
447.2 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - exports:
58.69 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
10.68 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
70,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Oil - consumption:
1.986 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Oil - exports:
554,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Oil - imports:
2.346 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Oil - proved reserves:
103.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - production:
920 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Natural gas - consumption:
49.27 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Natural gas - exports:
1 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
Natural gas - imports:
49.35 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Natural gas - proved reserves:
6.937 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Current account balance:
-$52.91 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
-$31.25 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$601.9 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$546 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics,
chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages
Exports - partners:
Germany 14.3%, Italy 8.7%, Spain 8.3%, UK 7.8%, Belgium 7.6%, US
5.8%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$692 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$600.9 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics,
chemicals
Imports - partners:
Germany 17.9%, Belgium 11.7%, Italy 8.3%, Spain 6.9%, Netherlands
6.8%, UK 5.1%, US 4.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$102.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$115.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.935 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 4
$4.88 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$1.147 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
$1.026 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.624 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
$1.399 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::France
Telephones - main lines in use:
35.909 million; 35.0 million (metropolitan France) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
Telephones - mobile cellular:
59.259 million; 57.972 million (metropolitan France) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 18
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed
domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive use
of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system
international: country code - 33; numerous submarine cables provide
links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US;
satellite earth stations - more than 3 (2 Intelsat (with total of 5
antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA
Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone
communications with more than 20 countries
overseas departments: country codes: French Guiana - 594; Guadeloupe
- 590; Martinique - 596; Reunion - 262
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes
many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
metropolitan France - .fr; French Guiana - .gf; Guadeloupe - .gp;
Martinique - .mq; Reunion - .re
Internet hosts:
14.327 million; 14,341,000 (metropolitan France) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 6
Internet users:
42.912 million; 42.315 million (metropolitan France) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 9
Transportation ::France
Airports:
475 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 16
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 297
over 3,047 m: 14
2,438 to 3,047 m: 27
1,524 to 2,437 m: 97
914 to 1,523 m: 82
under 914 m: 77 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 178
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 70
under 914 m: 107 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 14,688 km; oil 3,036 km; refined products 5,080 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 29,213 km
country comparison to the world: 9
standard gauge: 29,046 km 1.435-m gauge (15,164 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 951,500 km
country comparison to the world: 7
paved: 951,500 km (metropolitan France; includes 10,950 km of
expressways)
note: there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments
(2006)
Waterways:
metropolitan France: 8,501 km (1,621 km accessible to craft of 3,000
metric tons)
country comparison to the world: 16
French Guiana: 3,760 km (460 km navigable by small oceangoing
vessels and coastal and river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft)
(2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 138
country comparison to the world: 43
by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 32, container 25,
liquefied gas 12, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 33, petroleum tanker
23, roll on/roll off 7
foreign-owned: 38 (Belgium 6, China 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Italy
2, Japan 1, NZ 1, Norway 5, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Sweden 9,
Switzerland 3)
registered in other countries: 127 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Australia
1, Bahamas 30, Belgium 2, Bermuda 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Isle
of Man 1, Italy 2, Liberia 5, Luxembourg 17, Malta 5, Morocco 14,
Netherlands 1, Norway 3, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
6, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UK 23, Wallis and Futuna 6) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris,
Rouen, Strasbourg
Military ::France
Military branches:
Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light
Aviation), Navy (Marine Nationale, includes Naval Air, Maritime
Gendarmerie (Coast Guard)), Air Force (Armee de l'Air, includes Air
Defense), National Gendarmerie (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
17-40 years of age for male or female voluntary military service; no
conscription; 12-month service obligation; women serve in noncombat
military posts (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 14,646,427
females age 16-49: 14,379,630 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 12,087,606
females age 16-49: 11,811,260 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 391,480
female: 373,334 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Transnational Issues ::France
Disputes - international:
Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa
Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims
Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute
between Suriname and the French overseas department of French
Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie
Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of
New Caledonia
Illicit drugs:
metropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine,
Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics
French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local
consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe
Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for
the US and Europe
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@French Polynesia (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::French Polynesia
Background:
The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th
century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by
resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year
moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. In recent
years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.
Geography ::French Polynesia
Location:
Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about half way
between South America and Australia
Geographic coordinates:
15 00 S, 140 00 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)
country comparison to the world: 174
land: 3,827 sq km
water: 340 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
2,525 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical, but moderate
Terrain:
mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m
Natural resources:
timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 0.75%
permanent crops: 5.5%
other: 93.75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
occasional cyclonic storms in January
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); Makatea in
French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in
the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati
and Nauru
People ::French Polynesia
Population:
287,032 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24.3% (male 35,631/female 34,097)
15-64 years: 68.9% (male 102,537/female 95,317)
65 years and over: 6.8% (male 9,821/female 9,629) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.1 years
male: 29.4 years
female: 28.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.391% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Birth rate:
15.91 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Death rate:
4.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Net migration rate:
2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.55 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 166
male: 8.67 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.71 years
country comparison to the world: 63
male: 74.26 years
female: 79.29 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: French Polynesian(s)
adjective: French Polynesian
Ethnic groups:
Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%
Religions:
Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%
Languages:
French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian
languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 14 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1977 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::French Polynesia
Country name:
conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia
conventional short form: French Polynesia
local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise
local short form: Polynesie Francaise
former: French Colony of Oceania
Dependency status:
overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Papeete
geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are five archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises,
Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, Iles
Sous-le-Vent
Independence:
none (overseas lands of France)
National holiday:
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007),
represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Adolphe COLRAT
(since 7 July 2008)
head of government: President of French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU
(since 7 February 2009); President of the Territorial Assembly
Eduoard FRITCH (since 12 February 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members
of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as
ministers
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year
term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the
advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the
territorial government and the president of the Territorial Assembly
are elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no
term limits)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 27 January 2008 (first round) and 10 February
2008 (second round) (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - Our Home alliance
45.2%, Union for Democracy alliance 37.2%, Popular Rally (Tahoeraa
Huiraatira) 17.2% other 0.5%; seats by party - Our Home alliance 27,
Union for Democracy alliance 20, Popular Rally 10
note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 21 September 2008
(next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by
party - NA; seats by party - PS 1, independent 1; two seats were
elected to the French National Assembly on 10-17 June 2007 (next to
be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - UMP 2
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or
Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or
Tribunal Administratif
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN [Nicole BOUTEAU and Philip
SCHYLE](includes the parties The New Star and This Country is
Yours); Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini
Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile
VERNAUDON]; Our Home alliance; Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira)
[Gaston FLOSSE]; Union for Democracy alliance or UPD [Oscar TEMARU]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
FZ, ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas lands of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas lands of France)
Flag description:
two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered
on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern on
the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a
stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern
note: the flag of France is used for official occasions
Government - note:
under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy
in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary
policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign
affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of
the French prime minister
Economy ::French Polynesia
Economy - overview:
Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region,
French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy
to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either
employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the
halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to
the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of
GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources
of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The
small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural
products. The territory benefits substantially from development
agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses
and strengthening social services.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.718 billion (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
$4.58 billion (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.1 billion (2004)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.7% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 134
5.1% (2002)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$18,000 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$17,500 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.5%
industry: 20.4%
services: 76.1% (2005)
Labor force:
116,000 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 174
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 19%
services: 68% (2002)
Unemployment rate:
11.7% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 134
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $865 million
expenditures: $644.1 million (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 9
1.1% (2006 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
fish; coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef,
dairy products
Industries:
tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
650 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Electricity - consumption:
604.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Oil - consumption:
7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Oil - imports:
6,701 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Exports:
$211 million (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Exports - commodities:
cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark
meat
Imports:
$1.706 billion (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Imports - commodities:
fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59
(2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003)
note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro
Communications ::French Polynesia
Telephones - main lines in use:
54,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 160
Telephones - mobile cellular:
187,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 173
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 85
per 100 persons
international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
7 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.pf
Internet hosts:
13,796 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 113
Internet users:
90,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 156
Transportation ::French Polynesia
Airports:
53 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 88
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 47
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 34
under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 2,590 km
country comparison to the world: 169
paved: 1,735 km
unpaved: 855 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
total: 15
country comparison to the world: 104
by type: cargo 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo
1, roll on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 2 (Wallis and Futuna 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Papeete
Military ::French Polynesia
Military branches:
no regular military forces (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 79,540 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 65,408
females age 16-49: 64,421 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,665
female: 2,552 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues ::French Polynesia
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Antarctica)
Introduction ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Background:
In February 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the
French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are
now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are
archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a
district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile
Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered
tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent
inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native
fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and
military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion,
which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic
continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.
Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the
island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from
a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt
at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station
established on the island in 1949 is still in use.
Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a
fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster
cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931,
seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when
rescue finally arrived.
Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau,
Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the
West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des
Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the
east), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession (the
largest island of the Crozets). Discovered and claimed by France in
1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for
whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they
became part of the TAAF in 1955.
Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, is made up of
one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A
permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at
Port-aux-Francais.
Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the
Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not
recognize it as a French dependency.
Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a
volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.
Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French
possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison
that staffs a weather station.
Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso
Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile
Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison
operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.
Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish
navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession
since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate.
Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological
station.
Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island
came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it
serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important
meteorological station.
Geography ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Location:
southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean,
some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa,
Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic
Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles
Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de
Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along
with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US
does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"
Geographic coordinates:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E
Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E
Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km;
land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 229
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km;
land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0
sq km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km;
water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km;
water - 0 sq km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km;
water - 0 sq km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq
km; water - 0 sq km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km;
water - 0 sq km
note: excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in
Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Area - comparative:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half
the size of Washington, DC
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times
the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, DC
Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size
of The Mall in Washington, DC
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of
Washington, DC
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of The
Mall in Washington, DC
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of
The Mall in Washington, DC
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of The Mall
in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):
Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses
(does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands);
Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly
winds and high humidity
Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy
Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy
Iles Eparses: tropical
Terrain:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island
with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a
large plateau
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in
shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs
on the eastern side; has active thermal springs
Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is
divided into two groups of islands
Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is
composed of rugged terrain of high mountains, hills, valleys, and
plains with a number of peninsulas stretching off its coasts
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow
(15 m) lagoon
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and
sandy
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic
seamount
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et
Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m; unnamed location on Ile Saint-Paul (Ile
Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 272 m; Pic Marion-Dufresne in Iles
Crozet 1,090 m; Mont Ross in Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m; unnamed
location on Bassas de India (Iles Eparses) 2.4 m; unnamed location
on Europa Island (Iles Eparses) 24 m; unnamed location on Glorioso
Islands (Iles Eparses) 12 m; unnamed location on Juan de Nova Island
(Iles Eparses) 10 m; unnamed location on Tromelin Island (Iles
Eparses) 7 m
Natural resources:
fish, crayfish
note: Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) have
guano, phosphates, and coconuts
Land use:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% trees,
grasses, ferns, and moss; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile
Saint-Paul) - 100% grass, ferns, and moss; Iles Crozet - 100%
tossock grass, heath, and fern; Iles Kerguelen - 100% tossock grass
and Kerguelen cabbage; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses) - 100% rock,
coral reef, and sand; Europa Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% mangrove
swamp and dry woodlands; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) - 100% lush
vegetation and coconut palms; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) -
90% forest, 10% other; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% grasses
and scattered brush (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles
Eparses subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime
hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to
and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs
Environment - current issues:
introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe
damage to the original ecosystem; overfishing of Patagonian
toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen
Geography - note:
islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the
southern Indian Ocean
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): the atoll is a circular reef that
sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): wildlife
sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles
Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses): the islands and rocks are surrounded
by an extensive reef system
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): climatologically important location
for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife
sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)
People ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): has no permanent
residents but has a meteorological station
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): is uninhabited but
is frequently visited by fishermen and has a scientific research
cabin for short stays
Iles Crozet: are uninhabited except for 18 to 30 people staffing the
Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession
Iles Kerguelen: 50 to 100 scientists are located at the main base at
Port-aux-Francais on Ile Kerguelen
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): uninhabitable
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses):
a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each
possession; visited by scientists
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): uninhabited, except for visits by
scientists
Government ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and
Antarctic Lands
conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques
Francaises
local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
abbreviation: TAAF
Dependency status:
overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by
Administrateur Superieur Eric PILLOTON (since 10 April 2007)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are five administrative districts named Iles Crozet, Iles Eparses,
Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam; the fifth district
is the "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by
the US
Legal system:
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007),
represented by Senior Administrator Rollon MOUCHEL-BLAISOT (16
October 2008)
International organization participation:
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description:
the flag of France is used
Economy ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and
geophysical research stations, military bases, and French and other
fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign
ships are exported to France and Reunion.
Communications ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Internet country code:
.tf
Internet hosts:
44 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 210
Communications - note:
one or more meteorological stations on each possession; note -
meteorological station on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) is
important for forecasting cyclones
Transportation ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Airports:
4 (note - one each on Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova
Island, and Tromelin Island in the Iles Eparses district) (2006)
country comparison to the world: 189
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Transportation - note:
aids to navigation - lighthouses: Europa Island 18m; Juan de Nova
Island (W side) 37m; Tromelin Island (NW point) 11m (all in the Iles
Eparses district)
Military ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Disputes - international:
French claim to "Adelie Land" in Antarctica is not recognized by the
US
Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova
Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Madagascar
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Mauritius
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Gabon (Africa)
Introduction ::Gabon
Background:
Until recently, only two autocratic presidents had ruled Gabon since
its independence from France in 1960. The recent president of Gabon,
El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba -one of the longest-serving heads of
state in the world - had dominated the country's political scene for
four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system
and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of
electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the
presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal
political structures in Gabon. President BONGO died in June 2009 and
was replaced in accordance with the constitution by Rose Francine
ROGOMBE, the president of the Senate. New elections are planned for
the summer of 2009. This will be the first Gabonese elections in
which BONGO is not participating. Despite political conditions, a
small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable
foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous
and stable African countries.
Geography ::Gabon
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between
Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates:
1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 267,667 sq km
country comparison to the world: 76
land: 257,667 sq km
water: 10,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 2,551 km
border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km,
Equatorial Guinea 350 km
Coastline:
885 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold,
timber, iron ore, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 1.21%
permanent crops: 0.64%
other: 98.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
70 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
164 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.12 cu km/yr (50%/8%/42%)
per capita: 87 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; poaching
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon
become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these
circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its
pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity
People ::Gabon
Population:
1,514,993
country comparison to the world: 151
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.1% (male 320,414/female 318,027)
15-64 years: 53.9% (male 407,461/female 409,633)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 24,799/female 34,659) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.6 years
male: 18.4 years
female: 18.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.934% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Birth rate:
35.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Death rate:
12.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Net migration rate:
-3.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Urbanization:
urban population: 85% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 48
male: 60.17 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 43.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.11 years
country comparison to the world: 198
male: 52.19 years
female: 54.05 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.65 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
5.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
49,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
2,300 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and chikungunya
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)
adjective: Gabonese
Ethnic groups:
Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou,
Nzebi, Obamba); other Africans and Europeans, 154,000, including
10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality
Religions:
Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%
Languages:
French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 63.2%
male: 73.7%
female: 53.3% (1995 est.)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2000)
country comparison to the world: 118
Government ::Gabon
Country name:
conventional long form: Gabonese Republic
conventional short form: Gabon
local long form: Republique Gabonaise
local short form: Gabon
Government type:
republic; multiparty presidential regime
Capital:
name: Libreville
geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga,
Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem
Independence:
17 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 August (1960)
Constitution:
adopted 14 March 1991
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review
of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ali BONGO Ondimba (since 16 October 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Paul BIYOGHE MBA (since 15 July
2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in
consultation with the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(no term limits); election last held 30 August 2009 (next to be held
in 2016); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: President Ali BONGO Ondimba elected; percent of
vote - Ali BONGO Ondimba 41.7%, Andre MBA OBAME 25.9%, Pierre
MAMBOUNDOU 25.2%, Zacharie MYBOTO 3.9%, other 3.3%
note: President BONGO died on 8 June 2009 after serving as president
for 32 years, in accordance with the constitution he was replaced on
an interim basis by the president of the Senate, Rose Francine
ROGOMBE on 10 June 2009, new elections where held on 30 August 2009
and the son of the former president, Ali BONGO Ondimba, was elected
president
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (102 seats; members
elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies
to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee
Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 18 January 2009 (next to be held in
January 2015); National Assembly - last held 17 and 24 December 2006
(next to be held in December 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - PDG 75, GPR 6, UGDD 3, CLR 2, PGCI 2, UPG 2, ADERE 1,
independents 9; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - PDG 82, RPG 8, UPG 8, UGDD 4, ADERE 3, CLR 2,
PGP-Ndaot 2, PSD 2, independents 4, others 5
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers -
Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts
of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE];
Congress for Democracy and Justice or CDJ [Jules Aristide Bourdes
OGOULIGUENDE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE
[Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG
(former sole party) [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for
Progress or PGP [Benoit Mouity NZAMBA]; Gabonese Union for Democracy
and Development or UGDD [Zacherie MYBOTO]; National Rally of
Woodcutters or RNB; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or
RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; Party of Development
and Social Solidarity or PDS [Seraphin Ndoat REMBOGO]; People's
Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Social Democratic Party or
PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]; Union for Democracy and
Social Integration or UDIS; Union of Gabonese Patriots or UPG
[Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,
MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos BOUNGOU
chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000
FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK
embassy: Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville
mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville; pouch:2270
Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270
telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 07380171
FAX: [241] 74 55 07
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
Economy ::Gabon
Economy - overview:
Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most sub-Saharan
African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large
proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber
and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s.
The oil sector now accounts for more than 50% of GDP. Gabon
continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and
manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor
fiscal management hobbles the economy. In 1997, an IMF mission to
Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget
items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its
schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of
oil prices since 1999 have helped growth, but drops in production
have hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains, and will
continue to temper the gains for most of this decade. In December
2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule
its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with
the US was signed in December 2001. Gabon signed a 14-month Stand-By
Arrangement with the IMF in May 2007, and received Paris Club debt
rescheduling later that year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$21.16 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$20.74 billion (2007 est.)
$19.64 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$14.54 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
5.6% (2007 est.)
1.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$14,200 (2007 est.)
$13,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.6%
industry: 57.8%
services: 36.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
581,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 60%
industry: 15%
services: 25% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
21% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
27.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Budget:
revenues: $4.511 billion
expenditures: $2.932 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
24.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
29.3% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
15% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.547 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$799.3 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$359.8 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical
softwood); fish
Industries:
petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship
repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - production:
1.774 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - consumption:
1.446 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
247,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Oil - consumption:
14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Oil - exports:
227,300 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Oil - imports:
4,185 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Oil - proved reserves:
2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - production:
90 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - consumption:
90 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - proved reserves:
28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Current account balance:
$2.727 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$1.549 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$9.333 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$7.046 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil 70%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001)
Exports - partners:
US 25.4%, China 19.1%, Japan 10.2%, France 5.4%, Spain 4% (2008)
Imports:
$2.577 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$2.2 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction
materials
Imports - partners:
France 32.2%, US 11.1%, China 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, Cameroon 4.4%,
Netherlands 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.925 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.986 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
$4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US
dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47
(2005), 528.29 (2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted
in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Gabon
Telephones - main lines in use:
26,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 182
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.3 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 137
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate service by African standards and
improving with the help of a growing mobile cell network system with
multiple providers; mobile-cellular subscribership reached nearly 90
per 100 persons in 2008
domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay,
tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a
domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations
international: country code - 241; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC
fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and
Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 6, FM 7 (plus 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
.ga
Internet hosts:
91 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 199
Internet users:
90,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 158
Transportation ::Gabon
Airports:
44 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 98
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 31
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 240 km; oil 723 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 814 km
country comparison to the world: 100
standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 9,170 km
country comparison to the world: 138
paved: 937 km
unpaved: 8,233 km (2004)
Waterways:
1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 51
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 2 (Cambodia 1, Panama 1) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 143
Ports and terminals:
Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Port-Gentil
Military ::Gabon
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police
Military service age and obligation:
20 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 331,181
females age 16-49: 332,498 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 195,519
females age 16-49: 190,519 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 16,933
female: 16,942 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Transnational Issues ::Gabon
Disputes - international:
UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty
dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to
establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 7,178 (Republic of Congo) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Gabon is predominantly a destination country for
children trafficked from other African countries for the purpose of
forced labor; girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude,
forced market vending, forced restaurant labor, and sexual
exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced street hawking
and forced labor in small workshops
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Gabon is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat
human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to
convict and punish trafficking offenders; the government has not
reported the convictions or sentences of any trafficking offenders;
the government did not take steps to reduce demand for commercial
sex acts (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Gambia, The (Africa)
Introduction ::Gambia, The
Background:
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965.
Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived
federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two
nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions
have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led
a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned
political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in
1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a
nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president
in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006.
Geography ::Gambia, The
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 11,295 sq km
country comparison to the world: 166
land: 10,000 sq km
water: 1,295 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: extent not specified
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season
(November to May)
Terrain:
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources:
fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand,
clay, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 27.88%
permanent crops: 0.44%
other: 71.68% (2005)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
8 cu km (1982)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (23%/12%/65%)
per capita: 20 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of
Africa
People ::Gambia, The
Population:
1,782,893 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.6% (male 390,806/female 387,172)
15-64 years: 53.6% (male 473,478/female 481,315)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 25,071/female 25,051) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.9 years
male: 17.8 years
female: 18.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.668% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Birth rate:
37.87 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Death rate:
11.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Net migration rate:
0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 67.33 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 29
male: 73.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 60.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.35 years
country comparison to the world: 193
male: 53.43 years
female: 57.34 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.04 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
600 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian
Ethnic groups:
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli
9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)
Religions:
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Languages:
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous
vernaculars
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 40.1%
male: 47.8%
female: 32.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 7 years
female: 7 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 166
Government ::Gambia, The
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Banjul
geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North
Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence:
18 February 1965 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution:
approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January
1997
Legal system:
based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and
customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October
1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta; Vice
President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18
October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be
held in 2011)
election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent
of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa
SALLAH 6.0%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by
popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC (the
ruling party) [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambia People's Democratic
Party or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ]; National Alliance for Democracy and
Development or NADD [Halifa SALLAH]; National Convention Party or
NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N.
K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and
Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH]; United Democratic Party or UDP
[Ousainou DARBOE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Environment Agency or NEA; West African Peace Building
Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA; Youth Employment Network
Gambia or YENGambia
other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals
International organization participation:
ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: Suite 600, 1424 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barry L. WELLS
embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul
mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170
FAX: [220] 439-2475
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges,
and green
Economy ::Gambia, The
Economy - overview:
The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and
has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends
on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing
activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides.
Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic
activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan,
and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of
the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The Gambia's natural beauty
and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for
tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private
peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian
groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key
parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that
the government intends to follow through on its promises.
Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high;
short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and
multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on
continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors,
and on expected growth in the construction sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.277 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
$2.15 billion (2007 est.)
$2.023 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$810 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
6.3% (2007 est.)
6.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
$1,300 (2007 est.)
$1,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 33.3%
industry: 7.6%
services: 59% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
777,100 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 143
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 75%
industry: 19%
services: 6% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.2 (1998)
country comparison to the world: 23
Investment (gross fixed):
28% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Budget:
revenues: $155.6 million
expenditures: $167.3 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
5.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 41
10% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
27.92% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$186.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$180.4 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$169.9 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca),
palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats
Industries:
processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages,
agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:
0.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - production:
160 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Electricity - consumption:
148.8 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Oil - consumption:
2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Oil - exports:
41.62 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Oil - imports:
2,266 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Current account balance:
-$127 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
-$80.3 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$85 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
$91.4 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports
Exports - partners:
India 30.5%, Japan 25.6%, Belgium 6.3%, China 5.5%, UK 5.3%, Spain
4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$299 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
$262.9 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment
Imports - partners:
China 20.6%, Senegal 12.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.7%, Brazil 7.7%,
Netherlands 5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$140 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
$142.8 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$628.8 million (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Exchange rates:
dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 22.75 (2008 est.), 27.79 (2007),
28.066 (2006), 28.575 (2005), 30.03 (2004)
Communications ::Gambia, The
Telephones - main lines in use:
48,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 164
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.166 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 138
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is
available; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially
privatized in 2007
domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire;
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity reached 70
telephones per 100 persons in 2008
international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to
Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (government-owned) (1997)
Internet country code:
.gm
Internet hosts:
895 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 162
Internet users:
114,200 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 148
Transportation ::Gambia, The
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 232
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 3,742 km
country comparison to the world: 158
paved: 723 km
unpaved: 3,019 km (2004)
Waterways:
390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km)
(2008)
country comparison to the world: 89
Merchant marine:
total: 5
country comparison to the world: 133
by type: passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Banjul
Military ::Gambia, The
Military branches:
Office of the Chief of Defense: Gambian National Army (National
Guard, GNA), Gambian Navy (GN) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 379,668
females age 16-49: 384,438 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 238,454
females age 16-49: 253,680 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 20,238
female: 20,167 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 163
Transnational Issues ::Gambia, The
Disputes - international:
attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and
other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's
Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African
states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 5,955 (Sierra Leone) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: The Gambia is a source, transit, and destination
country for children and women trafficked for the purposes of forced
labor and commercial sexual exploitation; women and girls, and to a
lesser extent boys, are trafficked for sexual exploitation - in
particular to meet the demand for European sex tourism - and for
domestic servitude; boys are trafficked within the country for
forced begging and street vending; Gambian women and children may be
trafficked to Europe through trafficking schemes disguised as
migrant smuggling
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, The
Gambia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide
evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking; The Gambia
failed to report any trafficking arrests, prosecutions, or
convictions in 2007, and the government demonstrated weak victim
protection efforts during the reporting period (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Gaza Strip (Middle East)
Introduction ::Gaza Strip
Background:
The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of
Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a
series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999,
Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and
civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West
Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the
West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in
September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most
Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU,
UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the
conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties
leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The
proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed
indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not
followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader
Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA
president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed
to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace
process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all
its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in
the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from
four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel
controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A
November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the
Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint
PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance
Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council
(PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led
government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce
violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between
Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March
2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS
to present a political platform acceptable to the international
community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC
was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of
Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed
travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place
between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and
early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries.
ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007
signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the
formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by
HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza
Strip, and in June, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover
of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip.
ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of Presidential decrees
formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam
FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for
resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations
until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and
recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government
initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve
conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with
Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some
Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue.
During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland,
ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal
of reaching a final peace settlement. Late November 2007 through
June 2008 witnessed a substantial increase in Israeli-Palestinian
violence. An Egyptian-brokered truce in June 2008 between Israel and
HAMAS brought about a five-month pause in hostilities, but spiraling
end-of-year violence culminated with massive Israeli air assaults on
HAMAS installations in late December followed by Israeli ground
attacks in early January 2009. Israel in mid January unilaterally
stopped the attacks and HAMAS responded by suspending rocket and
mortar fire. The fighting resulted in the deaths of an estimated
1,100 to 1,400 Palestinians and left tens of thousands of people
homeless. International donors pledged $4.5 billion in aid to
rebuild the Gaza Strip, but by mid-May 2009 only a small fraction of
the aid had been delivered.
Geography ::Gaza Strip
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and
Israel
Geographic coordinates:
31 25 N, 34 20 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 360 sq km
country comparison to the world: 205
land: 360 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 62 km
border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km
Coastline:
40 km
Maritime claims:
Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the
Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be
determined through further negotiation
Climate:
temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Terrain:
flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m
Natural resources:
arable land, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 29%
permanent crops: 21%
other: 50% (2002)
Irrigated land:
155 sq km; (note - includes West Bank) (2003)
Natural hazards:
droughts
Environment - current issues:
desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment;
water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination
of underground water resources
Geography - note:
strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has
experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself
has been besieged countless times in its history
People ::Gaza Strip
Population:
1,551,859 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44.4% (male 353,489/female 334,770)
15-64 years: 53% (male 420,618/female 402,297)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 16,483/female 24,202) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.4 years
male: 17.2 years
female: 17.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.349% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Birth rate:
36.93 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Death rate:
3.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Urbanization:
urban population: 72% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 18.35 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 114
male: 19.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.42 years
country comparison to the world: 107
male: 71.82 years
female: 75.12 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.03 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: NA
adjective: NA
Ethnic groups:
Palestinian Arab
Religions:
Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99.3%, Christian 0.7%
Languages:
Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely
understood)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.4%
male: 96.7%
female: 88% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Gaza Strip
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gaza Strip
local long form: none
local short form: Qita Ghazzah
Economy ::Gaza Strip
Economy - overview:
High population density, limited land access, and strict internal
and external security controls have kept economic conditions in the
Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian
Authority (PA) - even more degraded than in the West Bank. The
beginning of the second intifada in September 2000 sparked an
economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies;
these policies, which were imposed to address security concerns in
Israel, disrupted labor and trade access to and from the Gaza Strip.
In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures
in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption
of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. The
Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offered
some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, but
Israeli-imposed crossings closures, which became more restrictive
after HAMAS violently took over the territory in June 2007, have
resulted in widespread private sector layoffs and shortages of most
goods. The status of the crossings, which are closed to all but the
most basic goods, has not changed following Israel's military
offensive into the Gaza Strip in early 2009.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.95 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
$5.034 billion (2006 est.)
$5.327 billion (2005 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.641 billion (2008 est.) (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
-8% (2006 est.)
4.9% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
$1,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 13%
services: 79% (includes West Bank) (2007 est.)
Labor force:
267,000 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 161
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 5%
services: 83% (June 2008)
Unemployment rate:
41.3% (June 2008)
country comparison to the world: 189
34.8% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
80% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.149 billion
expenditures: $2.31 billion
note: includes West Bank (2006)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.5% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 165
3.6% (2006)
note: includes West Bank
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.19% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 110
7.73% (31 December 2006)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.574 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.251 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
$1.206 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.367 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 100
$368.2 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
olives, citrus fruit, vegetables, flowers, beef, dairy products
Industries:
textiles, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (includes West Bank) (2005)
country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - production:
140,000 kWh (2005)
country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - consumption:
230,000 kWh (2005)
country comparison to the world: 213
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
90,000 kWh; note - from Israeli Electric Company (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
NA bbl
Exports:
$339 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 171
Exports - commodities:
citrus, flowers, textiles
Imports:
$2.84 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 142
$2.44 billion (2005)
Imports - commodities:
food, consumer goods, construction materials
Debt - external:
$1.3 billion (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Exchange rates:
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14
(2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004)
Communications ::Gaza Strip
Telephones - main lines in use:
348,000 (includes West Bank) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 110
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.153 million (includes West Bank) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 139
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL
are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL
company provides cellular services
international: country code - 970 (2004)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2008)
Internet country code:
.ps; note - same as West Bank
Internet users:
356,000 (includes West Bank) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 117
Transportation ::Gaza Strip
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 230
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Roadways:
note: see entry for West Bank
Ports and terminals:
Gaza
Military ::Gaza Strip
Military branches:
Palestinian Authority security forces have operated only in the West
Bank, not in the Gaza Strip, since Hamas seized power in June 2007;
law and order and other security functions are performed by Hamas
security organizations (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 337,670 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 312,003
females age 16-49: 297,380 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 19,147
female: 18,200 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Transnational Issues ::Gaza Strip
Disputes - international:
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status
subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent
status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel removed
settlers and military personnel from the Gaza Strip in August 2005
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 1.017 million (Palestinian Refugees
(UNRWA)) (2007)
page last updated on November 3, 2009
======================================================================
@Georgia (Middle East)
Introduction ::Georgia
Background:
The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of
Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in
the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion
in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed
by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by
the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian
empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed
into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three
years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly
incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.
An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate
national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off
widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard
SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004
swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National
Movement party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has
been made in the years since independence, but this progress has
been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the breakaway
regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After a series of Russian and
separatist provocations in summer 2008, Georgian military action in
South Ossetia in early August led to a Russian military response
that not only occupied the breakaway areas, but large portions of
Georgia proper as well. Russian troops pulled back from most
occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia
unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. This action was strongly condemned by most of the world's
nations and international organizations.
Geography ::Georgia
Location:
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
42 00 N, 43 30 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 69,700 sq km
country comparison to the world: 120
land: 69,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 1,461 km
border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km,
Turkey 252 km
Coastline:
310 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Terrain:
largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and
Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida
Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in
the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of
Kolkhida Lowland
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m
Natural resources:
forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor
coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important
tea and citrus growth
Land use:
arable land: 11.51%
permanent crops: 3.79%
other: 84.7% (2005)
Irrigated land:
4,690 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
63.3 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3.61 cu km/yr (20%/21%/59%)
per capita: 808 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari
River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil
pollution from toxic chemicals
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much
of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them
People ::Georgia
Population:
4,615,807 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 395,929/female 345,071)
15-64 years: 67.6% (male 1,503,360/female 1,616,234)
65 years and over: 16.4% (male 302,103/female 453,110) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.6 years
male: 36.1 years
female: 41 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.325% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
Birth rate:
10.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Death rate:
9.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Net migration rate:
-4.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Urbanization:
urban population: 53% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.22 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 121
male: 18.21 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.72 years
country comparison to the world: 62
male: 73.41 years
female: 80.45 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.44 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,700 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Nationality:
noun: Georgian(s)
adjective: Georgian
Ethnic groups:
Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5%
(2002 census)
Religions:
Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%,
Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)
Languages:
Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.1% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 145
Government ::Georgia
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Georgia
local long form: none
local short form: Sak'art'velo
former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: T'bilisi
geographic coordinates: 41 43 N, 44 47 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2
autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom
respublika)
regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti,
Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti,
Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli
city: Tbilisi
autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri
Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika
(Bat'umi)
note: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are
shown in parentheses
Independence:
9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of
independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of
independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
adopted 24 August 1995
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January
2004); the president is both the chief of state and head of
government for the power ministries: state security (includes
interior) and defense
head of government: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January
2004); Prime Minister Nikoloz GILAURI (since 6 February 2009); the
president is both the chief of state and head of government for the
power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense;
the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of government
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 5 January 2008
(next to be held January 2013)
election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percent
of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%,
Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council
or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (150 seats; 75 members elected by proportional
representation, 75 from single-seat constituencies; to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 21 May 2008 (next to be held in spring 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - United National
Movement 59.2%, National Council-New Rights 17.7%, Christian
Democratic Movement 8.8%, Labor Party 7.4%, Republican Party 3.8%;
seats by party - United National Movement 120, National Council-New
Rights 16, Christian Democratic Movement 6, Labor Party 6,
Republican Party 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the
president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation);
Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE]; Democratic
Movement United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]; Georgian People's Front
[Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG
[Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Georgia's Way Party [Salome ZOURABICHVILI];
Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia
(Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva
NATELASHVILI]; National Council-New Rights (bloc forming joint
opposition) [Levan GACHECHILADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP
[Bachuki KARDAVA]; United National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI];
New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Republican Party [David
USUPASHVILI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI];
Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; Union of National
Forces-Conservatives [Koba DAVITASHVILI and Zviad DZIDZIGURI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC,
MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI
(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Batu KUTELIA
chancery: 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390
FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John F. TEFFT
embassy: 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131
mailing address: 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060
telephone: [995] (32) 27-70-00
FAX: [995] (32) 53-23-10
Flag description:
white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all
four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red
bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to
the 14th century
Economy ::Georgia
Economy - overview:
Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of close to 10% in 2006 and
12% in 2007, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and
robust government spending. However, growth slowed to less than 3%
in 2008 and is expected to slow further in 2009. Georgia's main
economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products
such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese
and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing
alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft
and chemicals. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the
construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but reduced
availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy
are emerging risks. The country imports nearly all its needed
supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower
capacity, a growing component of its energy supplies. Georgia has
overcome the chronic energy shortages of the past by renovating
hydropower plants and by bringing in newly available supplies from
Azerbaijan. It also has an increased ability to pay for more
expensive gas imports from Russia. The construction on the
Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas
pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy
to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and
Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other
goods. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to
collect tax revenues; however, the government has made great
progress and has reformed the tax code, improved tax administration,
increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on corruption since
coming to power in 2004. Government revenues have increased nearly
four fold since 2003. Due to improvements in customs and tax
enforcement, smuggling is a declining problem. The country is
pinning its hopes for long-term growth on a determined effort to
reduce regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign
investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment
climate both domestically and internationally.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$21.56 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
$21.12 billion (2007 est.)
$18.81 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$12.86 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
12.3% (2007 est.)
9.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$4,500 (2007 est.)
$4,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.5%
industry: 27.9%
services: 59.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.317 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 55.6%
industry: 8.9%
services: 35.5% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
13.6% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Population below poverty line:
31% (2006)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 27% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
40.8 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 58
37.1 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Budget:
revenues: $4.596 billion
expenditures: $5.345 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
9.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
8% (25 December 2008)
NA% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of
the Georgian National Bank
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
21.24% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 15
20.41% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$972.4 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 88
$1.154 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.606 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 88
$1.379 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$3.754 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 85
$3.374 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
$1.389 billion (31 December 2007)
$668.3 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock
Industries:
steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining
(manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine
Industrial production growth rate:
-1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Electricity - production:
8.17 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - consumption:
6.902 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity - exports:
628 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
430 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
977.4 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Oil - consumption:
14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Oil - exports:
1,486 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Oil - imports:
16,590 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Oil - proved reserves:
35 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - production:
8 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - consumption:
1.73 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 174
Natural gas - imports:
1.72 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Natural gas - proved reserves:
8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Current account balance:
-$2.915 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
-$2.119 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$2.428 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
$2.088 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
scrap metal, wine, mineral water, ores, vehicles, fruits and nuts
Exports - partners:
Turkey 16.9%, Azerbaijan 12.4%, Ukraine 8.5%, Canada 8.4%, Bulgaria
8.2%, Armenia 7.7%, US 7.1%, UK 4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$6.261 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$4.984 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods,
pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners:
Turkey 14.9%, Ukraine 10.4%, Azerbaijan 9.6%, Germany 7.9%, Russia
6.8%, US 5.7%, China 4.7%, UAE 4.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.48 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$1.361 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.711 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 93
$5.343 billion (31 December 2007)
Exchange rates:
laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.47 (2008 est.), 1.7 (2007), 1.78
(2006), 1.8127 (2005), 1.9167 (2004)
Communications ::Georgia
Telephones - main lines in use:
618,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 93
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.755 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 111
Telephone system:
general assessment: fixed-line telecommunications network has only
limited coverage outside Tbilisi; long list of people waiting for
fixed line connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide
services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country
domestic: cellular telephone networks now cover the entire country;
mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 75 per 100 people; urban
fixed-line telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural
telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities
include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi;
nationwide pager service is available
international: country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber optic
submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international
service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through
the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service
are available
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
12 (plus repeaters) (1998)
Internet country code:
.ge
Internet hosts:
104,243 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 72
Internet users:
1.024 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 85
Transportation ::Georgia
Airports:
22 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 133
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Heliports:
3 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 1,591 km; oil 1,253 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 1,612 km
country comparison to the world: 80
broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified)
narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 20,329 km
country comparison to the world: 109
paved: 7,854 km (includes 13 km of expressways)
unpaved: 12,475 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 191
country comparison to the world: 35
by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 148, carrier 2, chemical tanker 1,
container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 4,
refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 2
foreign-owned: 153 (China 10, Cyprus 1, Egypt 12, Germany 2, Greece
5, Hong Kong 2, Israel 2, Lebanon 4, Monaco 4, Nigeria 1, Romania
16, Russia 12, Syria 49, Turkey 14, Ukraine 18, UAE 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bat'umi, P'ot'i
Transportation - note:
large parts of transportation network are in poor condition because
of lack of maintenance and repair
Military ::Georgia
Military branches:
Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces
note: naval forces have been incorporated into the coast guard (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty
military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,113,251
females age 16-49: 1,168,021 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 908,282
females age 16-49: 959,290 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 32,355
female: 30,809 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.59% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Military - note:
a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the
Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer
group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia
Transnational Issues ::Georgia
Disputes - international:
Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border,
leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime boundary
unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the
Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia;
UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force
in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the
former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; boundary with Armenia
remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of
Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government;
Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their
boundary at certain crossing areas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 1,100 (Russia)
IDPs: 220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia)
(2007)
Illicit drugs:
limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic
consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central
Asia to Western Europe and Russia
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Germany (Europe)
Introduction ::Germany
Background:
As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after
Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic,
political, and defense organizations. European power struggles
immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of
the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious
Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945.
With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in
1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern
German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself
in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which
became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front
line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the
end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since
then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern
productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999,
Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European
exchange currency, the euro.
Geography ::Germany
Location:
Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between
the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark
Geographic coordinates:
51 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 357,022 sq km
country comparison to the world: 62
land: 348,672 sq km
water: 8,350 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 3,621 km
border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646
km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577
km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km
Coastline:
2,389 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers;
occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind
Terrain:
lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m
highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m
Natural resources:
coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium,
potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 33.13%
permanent crops: 0.6%
other: 66.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
4,850 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
188 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 38.01 cu km/yr (12%/68%/20%)
per capita: 460 cu m/yr (2001)
Natural hazards:
flooding
Environment - current issues:
emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to
air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions,
is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and
industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste
disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of
nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU
commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the
EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to
the Baltic Sea
People ::Germany
Population:
82,329,758 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.7% (male 5,768,366/female 5,470,516)
15-64 years: 66.1% (male 27,707,761/female 26,676,759)
65 years and over: 20.3% (male 7,004,805/female 9,701,551) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 43.8 years
male: 42.6 years
female: 45.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.053% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Birth rate:
8.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
Death rate:
10.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Net migration rate:
2.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Urbanization:
urban population: 74% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.99 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 210
male: 4.41 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.26 years
country comparison to the world: 32
male: 76.26 years
female: 82.42 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
53,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Nationality:
noun: German(s)
adjective: German
Ethnic groups:
German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek,
Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish)
Religions:
Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or
other 28.3%
Languages:
German
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.6% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 82
People - note:
second most populous country in Europe after Russia
Government ::Germany
Country name:
conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany
conventional short form: Germany
local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland
local short form: Deutschland
former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Berlin
geographic coordinates: 52 31 N, 13 24 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wurttemberg, Bayern
(Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen,
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania),
Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North
Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland,
Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt),
Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringen (Thuringia); note - Bayern, Sachsen,
and Thuringen refer to themselves as free states (Freistaaten,
singular - Freistaat)
Independence:
18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones
of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following
World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany)
proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French
zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7
October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and
East Germany unified 3 October 1990; all four powers formally
relinquished rights 15 March 1991
National holiday:
Unity Day, 3 October (1990)
Constitution:
23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united
Germany 3 October 1990
Legal system:
civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004)
head of government: Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by
the president on the recommendation of the chancellor
elections: president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a
second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the
Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the
state parliaments; election last held 23 May 2004 (next scheduled
for 23 May 2009); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the
Federal Assembly for a four-year term; Bundestag vote for Chancellor
last held 22 November 2005 (next will follow the national elections
to be held by 27 September 2009)
election results: Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604
votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN;
Angela MERKEL elected chancellor; vote by Federal Assembly 397 to
202 with 12 abstentions
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat
(69 votes; state governments sit in the Council; each has three to
six votes in proportion to population and are required to vote as a
block)and the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (622 seats; members
elected by popular vote for a four-year term under a system of
personalized proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the
national vote or three direct mandates to gain proportional
representation and caucus recognition)
elections: Bundestag - last held on 27 September 2009 (next to be
held no later than autumn 2013); note - there are no elections for
the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the
state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the
potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election
election results: Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU
33.8%, SPD 23%, FDP 14.6%, Left 11.9%, Greens 10.7%, other 6%; seats
by party - CDU/CSU 239, SPD 146, FDP 93, Left 76, Greens 68
Judicial branch:
Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the
judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance '90/Greens [Claudia ROTH and Cem OZDEMIR]; Christian
Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or
CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Guido
WESTERWELLE]; Left Party or Die Linke [Lothar BISKY and Oskar
LAFONTAINE]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Franz MUENTEFERING]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: business associations and employers' organizations;
religious, trade unions, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council
(observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE,
CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10,
IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW,
OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SICA
(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS,
UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Klaus SCHARIOTH
chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000
FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires John KOENIG
embassy: Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin; note - new embassy opened 4
July 2008
mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265, Clayallee 170,
14195 Berlin
telephone: [49] (030) 2385174
FAX: [49] (030) 8305-1215
consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg,
Leipzig, Munich
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these
colors have played an important role in German history and can be
traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a
black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field
Economy ::Germany
Economy - overview:
The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP
terms and Europe's largest - began to contract in the second quarter
of 2008 as the strong euro, high oil prices, tighter credit markets,
and slowing growth abroad took their toll on Germany's
export-dependent economy. At just 1% in 2008, GDP growth is expected
to be negative in 2009. Recent stimulus and lender relief efforts
will make demands on Germany's federal budget and undercut plans to
balance its budget by 2011. The reforms launched by the former
government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHOEDER, deemed necessary due to
chronically high unemployment and low average growth, led to strong
growth in 2007, while unemployment in 2008 fell below 8%, a new
post-reunification low. Germany's aging population, combined with
high chronic unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a
level exceeding contributions, but higher government revenues from
the cyclical upturn in 2006-07 and a 3% rise in the value-added tax
cut Germany's budget deficit to within the EU's 3% debt limit in
2007. The current government of Chancellor Angela MERKEL has
initiated other reform measures, such as a gradual increase in the
mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 and measures to increase
female participation in the labor market. The modernization and
integration of the eastern German economy - where unemployment still
exceeds 30% in some municipalities - continues to be a costly
long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting
to roughly $80 billion. While corporate restructuring and growing
capital markets have set strong foundations to help Germany meet the
longer-term challenges of European economic integration and
globalization, Germany's export-oriented economy has proved a
disadvantage in the context of weak global demand.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.925 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$2.887 trillion (2007 est.)
$2.817 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.673 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
2.5% (2007 est.)
3.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$35,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$35,000 (2007 est.)
$34,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.9%
industry: 30.1%
services: 69.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
43.6 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 29.7%
services: 67.8% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
7.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
9% (2007 est.)
note: this is the International Labor Organization's estimated rate
for international comparisons; Germany's Federal Employment Office
estimated a seasonally adjusted rate of 10.8%
Population below poverty line:
11% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 22.1% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
27 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 123
30 (1994)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Budget:
revenues: $1.591 trillion
expenditures: $1.591 trillion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
66% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
65.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
2.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 93
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.97% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 133
5.96% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro
area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for
the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual
members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi
money circulating within their own borders
Stock of quasi money:
$NA
Stock of domestic credit:
$5.019 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
$4.457 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
$2.106 trillion (31 December 2007)
$1.638 trillion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs,
poultry
Industries:
among the world's largest and most technologically advanced
producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery,
vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages,
shipbuilding, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
0.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - production:
593.4 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Electricity - consumption:
547.3 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Electricity - exports:
61.7 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
41.67 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
150,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Oil - consumption:
2.569 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Oil - exports:
582,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Oil - imports:
2.777 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Oil - proved reserves:
276 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Natural gas - production:
16.36 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - consumption:
95.79 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Natural gas - exports:
12.68 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
Natural gas - imports:
91.99 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Natural gas - proved reserves:
175.6 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Current account balance:
$243.6 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
$263.1 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.498 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
$1.35 trillion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs,
textiles
Exports - partners:
France 9.7%, US 7.1%, UK 6.7%, Netherlands 6.6%, Italy 6.4%, Austria
5.4%, Belgium 5.2%, Spain 4.4%, Poland 4% (2008)
Imports:
$1.232 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
$1.079 trillion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals
Imports - partners:
Netherlands 12.5%, France 8.3%, Belgium 7.5%, China 6.2%, Italy
5.7%, UK 5.4%, Austria 4.3%, Russia 4.2%, US 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$138 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$136.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.158 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 3
$5.155 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$1.027 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
$1.002 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.407 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
$1.249 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Germany
Telephones - main lines in use:
51.5 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 3
Telephones - mobile cellular:
107.245 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
Telephone system:
general assessment: Germany has one of the world's most
technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of
intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly
backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to
World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the
western part
domestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic
telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic
cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic
satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available,
expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign
countries
international: country code - 49; Germany's international service is
excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable
facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2001)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.de
Internet hosts:
23.796 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 3
Internet users:
61.973 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
Transportation ::Germany
Airports:
550 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 13
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 330
over 3,047 m: 13
2,438 to 3,047 m: 52
1,524 to 2,437 m: 58
914 to 1,523 m: 72
under 914 m: 135 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 220
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 184 (2009)
Heliports:
25 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 24,364 km; oil 3,379 km; refined products 3,843 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 41,896 km
country comparison to the world: 6
standard gauge: 41,641 km 1.435-m gauge (20,053 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 75 km 1.000-m gauge (75 km electrified); 24 km 0.750-m
gauge (24 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 644,480 km
country comparison to the world: 11
paved: 644,480 km (includes 12,400 km of expressways)
note: includes local roads (2006)
Waterways:
7,467 km
country comparison to the world: 19
note: Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North
Sea and Black Sea (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 393
country comparison to the world: 26
by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 43, chemical tanker 13, container
284, liquefied gas 5, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 27, petroleum
tanker 11, roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: 11 (China 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Finland 4,
Netherlands 1, Sweden 1)
registered in other countries: 2,998 (Antigua and Barbuda 941,
Australia 2, Bahamas 44, Bermuda 22, Brazil 6, Bulgaria 63, Burma 1,
Canada 3, Cayman Islands 15, Cyprus 189, Denmark 9, Denmark 1,
Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 1, Georgia 2, Gibraltar 129, Hong Kong
6, India 2, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 56, Jamaica 4, Liberia 849,
Luxembourg 5, Malaysia 1, Malta 91, Marshall Islands 235, Mongolia
4, Morocco 2, Netherlands 75, Netherlands Antilles 43, Norway 1, NZ
1, Panama 44, Portugal 20, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 3, Singapore 24, Slovakia 3, Spain 5, Sri Lanka 5, Sweden
5, Turkey 1, UK 76, US 5) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bremen, Bremerhaven, Duisburg, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Lubeck, Rostock,
Wilhemshaven
Military ::Germany
Military branches:
Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche
Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint
Support Services (Streitkraeftbasis), Central Medical Service
(Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (conscripts serve a 9-month tour of compulsory
military service) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 19,594,118
females age 16-49: 18,543,955 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 15,747,493
females age 16-49: 14,899,416 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 431,508
female: 409,111 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Transnational Issues ::Germany
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors;
transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin,
Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major
financial center
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Ghana (Africa)
Introduction ::Ghana
Background:
Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and
the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first
sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence.
Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took
power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new
constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won
presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally
prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR
succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS took over
as head of state in early 2009.
Geography ::Ghana
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire
and Togo
Geographic coordinates:
8 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 238,533 sq km
country comparison to the world: 81
land: 227,533 sq km
water: 11,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,094 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo
877 km
Coastline:
539 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and
humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Terrain:
mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m
Natural resources:
gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber,
hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 17.54%
permanent crops: 9.22%
other: 73.24% (2005)
Irrigated land:
310 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
53.2 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%)
per capita: 44 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to
March; droughts
Environment - current issues:
recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities;
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat
destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution;
inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake
People ::Ghana
Population:
23,832,495
country comparison to the world: 47
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.3% (male 4,503,331/female 4,393,104)
15-64 years: 59.1% (male 7,039,696/female 7,042,208)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 393,364/female 460,792) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.7 years
male: 20.5 years
female: 21 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.882% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Birth rate:
28.58 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Death rate:
9.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Net migration rate:
-0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Urbanization:
urban population: 50% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 51.09 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 50
male: 55.32 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 46.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59.85 years
country comparison to the world: 184
male: 58.98 years
female: 60.75 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.68 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
260,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
21,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Ghanaian(s)
adjective: Ghanaian
Ethnic groups:
Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%,
Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other
7.8% (2000 census)
Religions:
Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%,
Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other
0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba
4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%,
Akuapem 2.9%, other 36.1% (includes English (official)) (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57.9%
male: 66.4%
female: 49.8% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
5.4% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 54
Government ::Ghana
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Ghana
conventional short form: Ghana
former: Gold Coast
Government type:
constitutional democracy
Capital:
name: Accra
geographic coordinates: 5 33 N, 0 13 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra,
Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western
Independence:
6 March 1957 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
Constitution:
approved 28 April 1992
Legal system:
based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January
2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January
2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject
to approval by Parliament
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);
election last held 7 December 2008 with a second round held 28
December 2008 (next to be held 7 December 2012)
election results: John Evans Atta MILLS elected president in run-off
election; percent of vote - John Evans Atta MILLS 50.23%, Nana Addo
Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 49.77%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members are elected by direct,
popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 7 December 2008 (next to be held 7 December
2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
NDC 114, NPP 107, PNC 2, CPP 1, independent 4, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Convention People's Party or CPP [Ladi NYLANDER]; Democratic Freedom
Party or DFP [Alhaji Abudu Rahman ISSAKAH]; Every Ghanaian Living
Everywhere or EGLE; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan
LARTEY]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI];
New Patriotic Party or NPP [Peter MAC-MANU]; People's National
Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie
OPUKU]; United Renaissance Party or URP [Charles WAYO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Christian Aid (water rights); Committee for Joint Action or CJA
(education reform); National Coalition Against the Privatization of
Water or CAP (water rights); Oxfam (water rights); Public Citizen
(water rights); Students Coalition Against EPA [Kwabena Ososukene
OKAI] (education reform); Third World Network (education reform)
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC,
NAM, OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, UN, UNAMID,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG,
UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Adolphus K.
ARTHUR
chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520
FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM
embassy: 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra
mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra
telephone: [233] (21) 741-000
FAX: [233] (21) 741-389
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a
large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the
popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of
Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Economy ::Ghana
Economy - overview:
Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per
capita output of the poorest countries in West Africa. Even so,
Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and
technical assistance. Gold and cocoa production, and individual
remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic
economy continues to revolve around agriculture, which accounts for
about 35% of GDP and employs about 55% of the work force, mainly
small landholders. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation
(MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming Ghana's
agricultural sector. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily
Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, and is also benefiting
from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative that took effect in
2006. Thematic priorities under its current Growth and Poverty
Reduction Strategy, which also provides the framework for
development partner assistance, are: macroeconomic stability;
private sector competitiveness; human resource development; and good
governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management
along with high prices for gold and cocoa helped sustain GDP growth
in 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$34.52 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$32.17 billion (2007 est.)
$30.27 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$16.65 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
6.3% (2007 est.)
6.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
$1,400 (2007 est.)
$1,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 37.3%
industry: 25.3%
services: 37.5% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
10.12 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 56%
industry: 15%
services: 29% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
11% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Population below poverty line:
28.5% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 32.8% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39.4 (2005-06)
country comparison to the world: 65
40.7 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
32.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Budget:
revenues: $5.256 billion
expenditures: $7.492 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
53.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
58.5% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
16.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
10.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
17% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 18
13.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$2.179 billion (31 December 2006)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$2.174 billion (31 December 2006)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.179 billion (31 December 2006)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$3.394 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
$2.38 billion (31 December 2007)
$3.233 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas;
timber
Industries:
mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food
processing, cement, small commercial ship building
Industrial production growth rate:
8.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Electricity - production:
6.746 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - consumption:
5.702 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - exports:
249 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
435 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
7,399 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Oil - consumption:
56,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Oil - exports:
4,843 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Oil - imports:
45,380 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Oil - proved reserves:
15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - proved reserves:
22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Current account balance:
-$3.471 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
-$1.717 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$5.275 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$4.172 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore,
diamonds, horticulture
Exports - partners:
Netherlands 13.5%, Ukraine 11.8%, UK 8%, France 5.7%, US 5.2% (2008)
Imports:
$10.26 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$8.066 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
China 15.6%, Nigeria 14.7%, India 7.4%, US 5.5%, France 4.4%, UK
4.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.028 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$2.831 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.055 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
$4.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 1.1 (2008 est.), 0.95 (2007), 9,174.8
(2006), 9,072.5 (2005), 9,004.6 (2004)
note: in 2007 Ghana revalued its currency with 10,000 old cedis
equal to 1 new cedis
Communications ::Ghana
Telephones - main lines in use:
143,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 134
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.57 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 53
Telephone system:
general assessment: outdated and unreliable fixed-line
infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra; competition among
multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a
subscribership of 50 per 100 persons and rising
domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has
been installed
international: country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC
fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and
Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean);
microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its
neighbors (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 86, shortwave 3 (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
7 (2007)
Internet country code:
.gh
Internet hosts:
23,850 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 97
Internet users:
997,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
Transportation ::Ghana
Airports:
11 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 155
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Pipelines:
oil 5 km; refined products 309 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 947 km
country comparison to the world: 91
narrow gauge: 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 62,221 km
country comparison to the world: 72
paved: 9,955 km
unpaved: 52,266 km (2006)
Waterways:
1,293 km
country comparison to the world: 58
note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano
rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta
(2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 4
country comparison to the world: 136
by type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3
foreign-owned: 1 (Brazil 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Tema
Military ::Ghana
Military branches:
Ghanaian Army, Ghanaian Navy, Ghanaian Air Force (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,802,096
females age 16-49: 5,729,939 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,849,113
females age 16-49: 3,840,083 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 272,954
female: 266,186 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Transnational Issues ::Ghana
Disputes - international:
Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the
cocoa plantations and escaped fighting in Cote d'Ivoire
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 35,653 (Liberia); 8,517 (Togo) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major
transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a
lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the
US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a
well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility
as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and
cannabis use
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Gibraltar (Europe)
Introduction ::Gibraltar
Background:
Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great
Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison
was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in
1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British
dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK
led to Spain closing the border and severing all communication
links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997
and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar.
In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a
referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted
overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since
the referendum, tripartite talks on other issues have been held with
Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar, and in September 2006 a three-way
agreement was signed. Spain agreed to remove restrictions on air
movements, to speed up customs procedures, to implement
international telephone dialing, and to allow mobile roaming
agreements. Britain agreed to pay increased pensions to Spaniards
who had been employed in Gibraltar before the border closed. Spain
will be allowed to open a cultural institute from which the Spanish
flag will fly. A new noncolonial constitution came into effect in
2007, but the UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign
relations, internal security, and financial stability.
Geography ::Gibraltar
Location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links
the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern
coast of Spain
Geographic coordinates:
36 08 N, 5 21 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 6.5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 241
land: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than one-half the size of Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
total: 1.2 km
border countries: Spain 1.2 km
Coastline:
12 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Terrain:
a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock
water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking
water) and adequate desalination plant
Geography - note:
strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North
Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
People ::Gibraltar
Population:
28,034 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.7% (male 2,393/female 2,276)
15-64 years: 66.9% (male 9,532/female 9,219)
65 years and over: 16.5% (male 2,125/female 2,489) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.5 years
male: 39.9 years
female: 41 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.111% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Birth rate:
10.67 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Death rate:
9.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 194
male: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.19 years
country comparison to the world: 20
male: 77.3 years
female: 83.22 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Gibraltarian(s)
adjective: Gibraltar
Ethnic groups:
Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North
Africans
Religions:
Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%,
Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none
2.9% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish,
Italian, Portuguese
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: above 80%
male: NA
female: NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Gibraltar
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gibraltar
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Gibraltar
geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national
referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain
Constitution:
5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007
Legal system:
the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been
residents six months or more
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Sir Robert FULTON (since 27 October 2006)
head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected
members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the
chief minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed
chief minister by the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote,
1 for the Speaker appointed by Parliament; members serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later than
October 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 49.3%, GSLP 31.8%,
Gibraltar Liberal Party 13.6%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 4,
Gibraltar Liberal Party 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats
or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP
[Joseph John BOSSANO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's
Association
International organization participation:
Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a
three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging
from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Economy ::Gibraltar
Economy - overview:
Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade,
offshore banking, and its position as an international conference
center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and
now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in
1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in
1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also
generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and
tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts
for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major
structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but
changes in government spending still have a major impact on the
level of employment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.066 billion (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
$769 million (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.066 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$38,200 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$27,900 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001)
country comparison to the world: 207
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: negligible
industry: 40%
services: 60% (2001)
Unemployment rate:
3% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $455.1 million
expenditures: $423.6 million (2005 est.)
Public debt:
15.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.9% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 36
Agriculture - products:
none
Industries:
tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
146 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - consumption:
146 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Oil - consumption:
24,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Oil - imports:
25,610 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Exports:
$271 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Exports - commodities:
(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other
8%
Imports:
$2.967 billion (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Imports - commodities:
fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.4993 (2007), 0.5434 (2006),
0.5504 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003)
note: the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound
Communications ::Gibraltar
Telephones - main lines in use:
24,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 185
Telephones - mobile cellular:
18,400 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 207
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate
international facilities
domestic: automatic exchange facilities
international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio
relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus 3 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.gi
Internet hosts:
1,955 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 149
Internet users:
6,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 202
Transportation ::Gibraltar
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 231
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 29 km
country comparison to the world: 216
paved: 29 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 240
country comparison to the world: 32
by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 125, chemical tanker 51, container
43, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 5
foreign-owned: 225 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 3,
Germany 129, Greece 6, Iceland 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 21, Norway
33, Sweden 13, UAE 3, UK 2)
registered in other countries: 7 (Liberia 5, Panama 1, Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Gibraltar
Military ::Gibraltar
Military branches:
Royal Gibraltar Regiment (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,308 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,234
females age 16-49: 5,242 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 186
female: 179 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar
Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992
Transnational Issues ::Gibraltar
Disputes - international:
in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to
reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the government of
Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and
Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater
autonomy
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Greece (Europe)
Introduction ::Greece
Background:
Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During
the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th
century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories,
most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was
first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany
(1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between
supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's
defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship,
which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king
to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic
elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and
abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU);
it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary
Union in 2001.
Geography ::Greece
Location:
Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the
Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
39 00 N, 22 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 131,957 sq km
country comparison to the world: 96
land: 130,647 sq km
water: 1,310 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alabama
Land boundaries:
total: 1,228 km
border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km,
Macedonia 246 km
Coastline:
13,676 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain:
mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or
chains of islands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m
Natural resources:
lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel,
magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 20.45%
permanent crops: 8.59%
other: 70.96% (2005)
Irrigated land:
14,530 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
72 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 8.7 cu km/yr (16%/3%/81%)
per capita: 782 cu m/yr (1997)
Natural hazards:
severe earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution; water pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
Geography - note:
strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach
to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago
of about 2,000 islands
People ::Greece
Population:
10,737,428 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.3% (male 788,722/female 742,270)
15-64 years: 66.6% (male 3,568,660/female 3,578,344)
65 years and over: 19.2% (male 902,617/female 1,156,815) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.8 years
male: 40.7 years
female: 42.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.127% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Birth rate:
9.45 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Death rate:
10.51 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Net migration rate:
2.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 187
male: 5.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.66 years
country comparison to the world: 26
male: 77.11 years
female: 82.37 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.37 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Nationality:
noun: Greek(s)
adjective: Greek
Ethnic groups:
population: Greek 93%, other (foreign citizens) 7% (2001 census)
note: percents represent citizenship, since Greece does not collect
data on ethnicity
Religions:
Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
Languages:
Greek 99% (official), other 1% (includes English and French)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96%
male: 97.8%
female: 94.2% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.4% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 92
Government ::Greece
Country name:
conventional long form: Hellenic Republic
conventional short form: Greece
local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia
local short form: Ellas or Ellada
former: Kingdom of Greece
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Athens
geographic coordinates: 37 59 N, 23 44 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*;
Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis,
Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos,
Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis,
Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria,
Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades,
Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella,
Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia,
Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos
Independence:
1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 March (1821)
Constitution:
11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001
Legal system:
based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal,
and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with
reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Yeoryios PAPANDREOU (since 6
October 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of
the prime minister
elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 8 February 2005
(next to be held by February 2010); president appoints leader of the
party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime
minister and form a government
election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of
parliamentary votes, 279 out of 300
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are
elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 4 October 2009 (next to be held by 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - PASOK 43.9%, ND 33.5%,
KKE 7.5%, LAOS 5.6%, SYRIZA 4.6%, other 4.9%; seats by party - PASOK
160, ND 91, KKE 21, LAOS 15, SYRIZA 13
Judicial branch:
Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges are
appointed for life by the president after consultation with a
judicial council
Political parties and leaders:
Coalition of the Radical Left or SYRIZA [Alekos ALAVANOS]; Communist
Party (Marxist-Leninist) [Gr. KONSTANTOPOULOS]; Communist Party of
Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; Democratic Revival [Stelios
PAPATHEMELIS]; Democratic Universal Hellas [Stergio KRIKELISI];
Ecologist Greens [Ioanna KONTOULI]; Fighting Socialist Party [Nikos
KARGOPOULOS]; Greek Ecologists [Dimosthenis VERGIS]; Liberal
Alliance [Foris PERIKOS]; Liberal Party [Manolis KALIGIANNIS];
Light-Truth-Justice [Konstantinos MELISSOURGOS]; New Democracy or ND
[Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Organization for the Reconstruction of
the Communist Party of Greece [Ilias ZAFIROPOULOS]; Panhellenic
Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox
Rally or LAOS [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]; Radical Left Front [D.
DESILLAS]; Regional Urban Development [Nikolaos KOLITIS]; Salvation
Party Christian Democracy [Alkiviadis STOILIS]; Union of Centrists
[Vassilis LEVENTIS]; United Anti-Capitalist Left [Konstantinos
PAPDAKIS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros PAPASPYROS];
Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Dimitris DASKALOPOULOS];
General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Ioannis PANAGOPOULOS]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU,
FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Vassilis KASKARELIS
chancery: 2217 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300
FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco, Tampa
consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel V. SPECKHARD
embassy: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens
mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108
telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951
FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282
consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki
Flag description:
nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there
is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white
cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established
religion of the country
Economy ::Greece
Economy - overview:
Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting
for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that
of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP.
Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in
agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU
aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by
nearly 4.0% per year between 2003 and 2007, due partly to
infrastructural spending related to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games,
and in part to an increased availability of credit, which has
sustained record levels of consumer spending. But growth dropped to
2.9% in 2008, as a result of the world financial crisis and
tightening credit conditions. Greece violated the EU's Growth and
Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of no more than 3% of GDP
from 2001 to 2006, but finally met that criteria in 2007-08. Public
debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average,
but are falling. The Greek Government continues to grapple with
cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector,
and reforming the labor and pension systems, in the face of often
vocal opposition from the country's powerful labor unions and the
general public. The economy remains an important domestic political
issue in Greece and, while the ruling New Democracy government has
had some success in improving economic growth and reducing the
budget deficit, Athens faces long-term challenges in its effort to
continue its economic reforms, especially social security reform and
privatization.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$343.8 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$334.1 billion (2007 est.)
$321.3 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$357.5 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
4% (2007 est.)
4.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$32,100 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$31,200 (2007 est.)
$30,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.7%
industry: 20.6%
services: 75.7% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.96 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 12.4%
industry: 22.4%
services: 65.1% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
8.3% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 26% (2000 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 96
35.4 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
20.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Budget:
revenues: $126.5 billion
expenditures: $144.4 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
97.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
112% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
2.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 92
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.65% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 112
7.71% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro
area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for
the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual
members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi
money circulating within their own borders
Stock of quasi money:
$NA
Stock of domestic credit:
$394.6 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 21
$365.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 32
$264.9 billion (31 December 2007)
$208.3 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco,
potatoes; beef, dairy products
Industries:
tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal
products; mining, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate:
3.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - production:
58.79 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - consumption:
58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Electricity - exports:
1.962 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
7.575 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
4,891 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Oil - consumption:
434,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Oil - exports:
151,300 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Oil - imports:
553,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Oil - proved reserves:
10 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Natural gas - production:
14 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Natural gas - consumption:
4.206 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - imports:
4.205 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.982 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Current account balance:
-$51.53 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
-$44.4 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$29.14 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$23.91 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products,
chemicals, textiles
Exports - partners:
Italy 11.5%, Germany 10.5%, Bulgaria 7%, Cyprus 6.2%, US 5%, UK
4.7%, Romania 4.4% (2008)
Imports:
$93.91 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$80.79 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Germany 13.3%, Italy 12.8%, China 6.2%, France 5.6%, Netherlands
5.1%, Russia 4.7% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.473 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$3.658 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$504.6 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 19
$454.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$36.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$53.22 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$32.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$31.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Greece
Telephones - main lines in use:
5.975 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 29
Telephones - mobile cellular:
13.799 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 47
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good
mobile telephone and international service
domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire
connections; submarine cable to offshore islands
international: country code - 30; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3
optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to
Europe, Middle East, and Asia; a number of smaller submarine cables
provide connectivity to various parts of Europe, the Middle East,
and Cyprus; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 4 (2
Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1
Inmarsat - Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
36 (plus 1,341 repeaters); also 2 stations in the American Armed
Forces Radio and Television Service (1995)
Internet country code:
.gr
Internet hosts:
2.342 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 28
Internet users:
4.253 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 47
Transportation ::Greece
Airports:
81 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 69
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 67
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 15
1,524 to 2,437 m: 20
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 12 (2009)
Heliports:
9 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 1,197 km; oil 75 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,548 km
country comparison to the world: 65
standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 117,533 km
country comparison to the world: 37
paved: 107,895 km (includes 880 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,638 km (2005)
Waterways:
6 km
country comparison to the world: 108
note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens
sea voyage by 325 km (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 869
country comparison to the world: 12
by type: bulk carrier 260, cargo 66, carrier 1, chemical tanker 66,
combination ore/oil 2, container 45, liquefied gas 10, passenger 13,
passenger/cargo 115, petroleum tanker 274, roll on/roll off 15,
specialized tanker 2
foreign-owned: 64 (Belgium 16, Cyprus 7, Turkey 1, UK 32, US 8)
registered in other countries: 2,357 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Bahamas
209, Barbados 12, Belize 1, Bermuda 9, Brazil 1, Cambodia 3, Cayman
Islands 16, China 2, Comoros 6, Cyprus 259, Denmark 4, Dominica 10,
Egypt 8, Georgia 5, Gibraltar 6, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 22, Isle of
Man 50, Italy 6, Jamaica 6, North Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Liberia 358,
Maldives 1, Malta 452, Marshall Islands 269, Norway 3, Panama 510,
Philippines 4, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines 71, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Saudi Arabia
3, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 15, Slovakia 2, Turkey 1, UAE 3,
Uruguay 1, Vanuatu 1, Venezuela 3, unknown 5) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki
Military ::Greece
Military branches:
Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES), Hellenic Navy (Ellinikos
Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polimiki
Aeroporia, EPA) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
19-45 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime
the law allows for recruitment beginning January of the year of
inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of
age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 1 year for all
services; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,535,174
females age 16-49: 2,517,273 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,067,878
females age 16-49: 2,050,289 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 53,401
female: 50,084 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Transnational Issues ::Greece
Disputes - international:
Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex
maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea;
Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name
Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia; the mass migration of unemployed
Albanians still remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly
Greece and Italy
Illicit drugs:
a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin
from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor
chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is
consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and
organized crime
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Greenland (North America)
Introduction ::Greenland
Background:
Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped.
Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish
colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an
integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community
(now the EU) with Denmark in 1973, but withdrew in 1985 over a
dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted
self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into
effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased
self-rule in November 2008 and acquired complete responsibilty for
internal affairs in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to
exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs, security, and
financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule
Government.
Geography ::Greenland
Location:
Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the
North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Geographic coordinates:
72 00 N, 40 00 W
Map references:
North America
Area:
total: 2,166,086 sq km
country comparison to the world: 13
land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km
ice-covered)
Area - comparative:
slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
44,087 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate:
arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain:
flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow,
mountainous, barren, rocky coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum,
niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower,
possible oil and gas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
Environment - current issues:
protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit
traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting
Geography - note:
dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe;
sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close
to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's
second largest ice cap
People ::Greenland
Population:
57,600 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 6,727/female 6,533)
15-64 years: 70.1% (male 21,696/female 18,669)
65 years and over: 6.9% (male 2,000/female 1,975) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 33.5 years
male: 34.9 years
female: 31.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.062% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Birth rate:
14.76 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Death rate:
8.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Net migration rate:
-5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Urbanization:
urban population: 84% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 10.72 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 151
male: 12.26 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.07 years
country comparison to the world: 143
male: 67.44 years
female: 72.85 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.19 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
100 (1999)
country comparison to the world: 164
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Greenlander(s)
adjective: Greenlandic
Ethnic groups:
Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others
12% (2000)
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran
Languages:
Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish, English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (2001 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Greenland
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Greenland
local long form: none
local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat
Dependency status:
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark since 1979
Government type:
parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Nuuk (Godthab)
geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
note: Greenland is divided into four time zones
Administrative divisions:
3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland),
Kitaa (Vestgronland)
note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland
Independence:
none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign
affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively
participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)
National holiday:
June 21 (longest day)
Constitution:
(November 2008) Act on Greenland Self Government
Legal system:
the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January
1972), represented by High Commissioner Soren MOLLER (since April
2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Kuupik KLEIST (since 12 June 2009)
cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the Parliament
(Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed
by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the
leader of the majority party)
election results: Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Landsting (31 seats; members are elected by
popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held on 2 June 2009 (next to be held by 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - Inuit Ataqatigiit
43.7%, Siumut 26.5%, Demokratiit 12.7%, Atassut 10.9%;
Kattusseqatigiit 3.8%, other 2.4%; seats by party - IA 14, Siumut 9,
Demokraatiit 4, Atassut 3, Kattusseqatigiit 1
note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or
Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011);
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit
Ataqatigiit 1
Judicial branch:
High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or
Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)
Political parties and leaders:
Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Finn KARLSEN] (a conservative party
favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Per
BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood) [Josef
MOTZFELDT] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from
Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List)
(an independent right-of-center party with no official platform);
Siumut (Forward Party) [Hans ENOKSEN] (a social democratic party
advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy
from Denmark)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: conservationists; environmentalists
International organization participation:
Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk
slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is
red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun
reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of
the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of
Denmark
Economy ::Greenland
Economy - overview:
The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and
fish and on a substantial subsidy - about $700 million in 2008-09 -
from the Danish Government, which supplies about 60% of government
revenues. The public sector, including publicly-owned enterprises
and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy.
Several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities
are ongoing and in 2007 a US firm signed an agreement with the
Greenland Home Rule government to study the feasibility of building
a multi-billion dollar aluminum smelter and hydropower plant.
Denmark plans to reduce its subsidies to Greenland as revenues from
oil exports come onstream.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.1 billion (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.7 billion (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$20,000 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
32,120 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 195
Unemployment rate:
9.3% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.36 billion
expenditures: $1.27 billion (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Agriculture - products:
forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish
Industries:
fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold,
niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts,
hides and skins, small shipyards
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
325 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - consumption:
302.3 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Oil - consumption:
4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Oil - exports:
149.5 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - imports:
4,172 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 170
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Exports:
$480 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 164
Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%) (2001 est.)
Exports - partners:
Denmark 63.5%, Japan 11.1%, China 4.9%, Canada 4.8% (2008)
Imports:
$712 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 181
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,
petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Denmark 59.1%, Sweden 20.9%, Norway 4.7%, UK 4.4% (2008)
Debt - external:
$25 million (1999)
country comparison to the world: 196
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797
(2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004)
Communications ::Greenland
Telephones - main lines in use:
22,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 189
Telephones - mobile cellular:
55,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 191
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate domestic and international service
provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally
digitalized in 1995
domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite
international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12
Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 0 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 American Forces Radio
and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997)
Internet country code:
.gl
Internet hosts:
14,134 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 111
Internet users:
36,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 177
Transportation ::Greenland
Airports:
15 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 146
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Roadways:
note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads
between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or
air (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 2
country comparison to the world: 144
by type: cargo 1, passenger 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Sisimiut
Military ::Greenland
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 15,221 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 10,809
females age 16-49: 11,437 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 532
female: 491 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues ::Greenland
Disputes - international:
managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the
Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland
page last updated on November 10, 2009
======================================================================
@Grenada (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Grenada
Background:
Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island
in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The
French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar
estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took
the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the
19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export
crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In
1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full
independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest
independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized
by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the
island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean
nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds
of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following
year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck
Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage.
Geography ::Grenada
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean,
north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:
12 07 N, 61 40 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 344 sq km
country comparison to the world: 206
land: 344 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
121 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
volcanic in origin with central mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
Natural resources:
timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors
Land use:
arable land: 5.88%
permanent crops: 29.41%
other: 64.71% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
NA
Natural hazards:
lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to
November
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided
between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
People ::Grenada
Population:
90,739 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 14,608/female 14,410)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 31,278/female 27,873)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 1,268/female 1,302) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.8 years
male: 23.3 years
female: 22.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.468% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Birth rate:
21.32 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Death rate:
6.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Net migration rate:
-10.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Urbanization:
urban population: 31% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 13.23 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 135
male: 12.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.95 years
country comparison to the world: 163
male: 64.06 years
female: 67.85 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Grenadian(s)
adjective: Grenadian
Ethnic groups:
black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian
5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%
Languages:
English (official), French patois
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96%
male: NA
female: NA (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2003)
country comparison to the world: 62
Government ::Grenada
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Grenada
Government type:
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Saint George's
geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*,
Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark,
Saint Patrick
Independence:
7 February 1974 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Constitution:
19 December 1973
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27
November 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the governor general
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 appointed
by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the
House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by
party - NA; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and
a High Court of Justice (two High Court judges are assigned to and
reside in Grenada); Itinerant Court of Appeal three judges; member
of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
Political parties and leaders:
Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD]; National
Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National Party or
NNP [Keith MITCHELL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Committee for Human Rights in Grenada or CHRG; New Jewel Movement
Support Group; The British Grenada Friendship Society; The New Jewel
19 Committee
International organization participation:
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS,
OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian M.S. BRISTOL
chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561
FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to
Grenada
embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's
mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's
telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177
FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820
Flag description:
a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and
bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red
border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars
with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the
bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center
of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side
triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg,
after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative
divisions
Economy ::Grenada
Economy - overview:
Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange
especially since the construction of an international airport in
1985. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005) severely damaged the
agricultural sector - particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation -
which had been a key driver of economic growth. Grenada has
rebounded from the devastating effects of the hurricanes but is now
saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. Public
debt-to-GDP is nearly 110%, leaving the THOMAS administration
limited room to engage in public investments and social spending.
Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with
the development of tourism and an offshore financial industry, have
also contributed to growth in national output; however, economic
growth will likely slow in 2009 because of the global economic
slowdown's effects on tourism and remittances.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.19 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
$1.165 billion (2007 est.)
$1.11 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$678 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
4.9% (2007 est.)
-2.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
$12,900 (2007 est.)
$12,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.4%
industry: 18%
services: 76.6% (2003)
Labor force:
42,300 (1996)
country comparison to the world: 186
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 14%
services: 62% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.5% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 140
Population below poverty line:
32% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $85.8 million
expenditures: $102.1 million (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.7% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.53% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 88
9.76% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$141.4 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 109
$151.2 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$578.1 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 106
$533.4 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$658 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 114
$575.8 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops,
sugarcane, corn, vegetables
Industries:
food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism,
construction
Electricity - production:
178.7 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Electricity - consumption:
155.7 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Oil - consumption:
3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Oil - imports:
1,923 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 171
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Current account balance:
-$138 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Exports:
$38 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 200
Exports - commodities:
bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace
Exports - partners:
Saint Lucia 16.4%, US 11.4%, UK 11.3%, Antigua and Barbuda 11.1%,
Saint Kitts & Nevis 10%, Dominica 10%, France 6.4% (2008)
Imports:
$343 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 189
Imports - commodities:
food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel
Imports - partners:
Trinidad and Tobago 39.6%, US 22.5%, Barbados 3.3% (2008)
Debt - external:
$347 million (2004)
country comparison to the world: 170
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006),
2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
Communications ::Grenada
Telephones - main lines in use:
28,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 180
Telephones - mobile cellular:
60,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 190
Telephone system:
general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone system
domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links
international: country code - 1-473; landing point for the East
Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13
other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British
Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and
Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (1997)
Internet country code:
.gd
Internet hosts:
42 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 211
Internet users:
24,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 185
Transportation ::Grenada
Airports:
3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 193
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 1,127 km
country comparison to the world: 182
paved: 687 km
unpaved: 440 km (2000)
Ports and terminals:
Saint George's
Military ::Grenada
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes
Coast Guard) (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 27,309 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 20,483
females age 16-49: 20,923 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 982
female: 937 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Transnational Issues ::Grenada
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for
marijuana and cocaine to US
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Guam (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Guam
Background:
Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese
in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military
installation on the island is one of the most strategically
important US bases in the Pacific.
Geography ::Guam
Location:
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of
the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 544 sq km
land: 544 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
125.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast
trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to
December); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat
coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep
coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in
center, mountains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources:
aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)
Land use:
arable land: 3.64%
permanent crops: 18.18%
other: 78.18% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but
potentially destructive typhoons (June - December)
Environment - current issues:
extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of
the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Geography - note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;
strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
People ::Guam
Population:
178,430 (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.8% (male 25,651/female 23,904)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 59,304/female 56,995)
65 years and over: 7% (male 5,786/female 6,790) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.1 years
male: 28.8 years
female: 29.4 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.365% (2009 est.)
Birth rate:
18.22 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate:
4.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 93% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.05 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.01 years
male: 74.97 years
female: 81.23 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.54 children born/woman (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Guamanian
Ethnic groups:
Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white
6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8%
(2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Languages:
English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other
Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages
3.5% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (1990 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Guam
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Guam
conventional short form: Guam
local long form: Guahan
local short form: Guahan
Dependency status:
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations
between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of
Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Hagatna (Agana)
geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US)
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
Constitution:
Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950
Legal system:
modeled on US; US federal laws apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; US citizens but do not vote in US
presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009);
Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January
2003); Lieutenant Governor Dr. Michael W. CRUZ (since 1 January 2007)
cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor
with the consent of the Guam legislature
elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated
territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president
and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and
Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant
governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year
term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term
before running again); election last held 7 November 2006 (next to
be held in November 2010)
election results: Felix P. CAMACHO reelected governor; Dr. Michael
W. CRUZ elected lieutenant governor; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November
2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
Democratic Party 10, Republican Party 5
note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of
Representatives; election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held
in November 2010); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - Democratic Party 1
Judicial branch:
Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president);
Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by
the governor)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip
J. FLORES] (controls the legislature)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Guam Federation of Teachers' Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers
other: activists; indigenous groups
International organization participation:
IOC, SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four
sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse
containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree
with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the
national flag
Economy ::Guam
Economy - overview:
The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism.
Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to
$1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry
has grown to become the largest income source following national
defense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in both
its tourism and military sectors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.5 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.773 billion (2001)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$15,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
82,950 (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 26%
industry: 10%
services: 64% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
11.4% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line:
23% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $319.6 million
expenditures: $427.8 million (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.5% (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Industries:
US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete
products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
1.767 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
1.644 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Oil - consumption:
9,227 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - imports:
14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
Exports:
$45 million (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:
transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction
materials, fish, food and beverage products
Imports:
$701 million (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Guam
Telephones - main lines in use:
65,500 (2008)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
98,000 (2004)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for
direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers
domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service
and local access to the Internet
international: country code - 1-671; major landing point for
submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a trans-Pacific
communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia);
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (2006)
Internet country code:
.gu
Internet hosts:
23 (2009)
Internet users:
85,000 (2008)
Transportation ::Guam
Airports:
5; note - 2 serviceable (2009)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 1,045 km (2007)
Ports and terminals:
Apra Harbor
Military ::Guam
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 37,563
females age 16-49: 36,083 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,677
female: 1,581 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Guam
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Guatemala (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Guatemala
Background:
The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding
regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three
centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in
1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a
variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year
guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement
formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000
people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million
refugees.
Geography ::Guatemala
Location:
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El
Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean
Sea) between Honduras and Belize
Geographic coordinates:
15 30 N, 90 15 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 108,889 sq km
country comparison to the world: 106
land: 107,159 sq km
water: 1,730 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total: 1,687 km
border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256
km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline:
400 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone
plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 13.22%
permanent crops: 5.6%
other: 81.18% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
111.3 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.01 cu km/yr (6%/13%/80%)
per capita: 160 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent
earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and
other tropical storms
Environment - current issues:
deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
no natural harbors on west coast
People ::Guatemala
Population:
13,276,517 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39.4% (male 2,664,058/female 2,573,006)
15-64 years: 56.8% (male 3,655,184/female 3,884,331)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 231,652/female 268,286) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.4 years
male: 18.9 years
female: 20 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.066% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Birth rate:
27.98 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Death rate:
5.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Net migration rate:
-2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Urbanization:
urban population: 49% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 27.84 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 79
male: 30.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.29 years
country comparison to the world: 142
male: 68.49 years
female: 72.19 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.47 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
59,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Guatemalan(s)
adjective: Guatemalan
Ethnic groups:
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino)
and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi
6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001
census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Languages:
Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized
Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam,
Garifuna, and Xinca)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 69.1%
male: 75.4%
female: 63.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 154
Government ::Guatemala
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala
conventional short form: Guatemala
local long form: Republica de Guatemala
local short form: Guatemala
Government type:
constitutional democratic republic
Capital:
name: Guatemala City
geographic coordinates: 14 37 N, 90 31 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends last
Friday in September; note - there is no DST planned for 2007-2009
Administrative divisions:
22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta
Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso,
Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten,
Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa
Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; suspended 25 May 1993;
reinstated 5 June 1993; amended November 1993
Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed
forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election
day
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January
2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14
January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January
2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term
(may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 9 September
2007; runoff held 4 November 2007 (next to be held September 2011)
election results: Alvaro COLOM Caballeros elected president; percent
of vote - Alvaro COLOM Caballeros 52.8%, Otto PEREZ Molina 47.2%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 9 September 2007 (next to be held in September
2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - UNE 30.4%, GANA 23.4%,
PP 18.9%, FRG 9.5%, PU 5.1%, other 12.7%; seats by party - UNE 48,
GANA 37, PP 30, FRG 15, PU 8, CASA 5, EG 4, PAN 4, UCN 4, URNG 2, UD
1
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad is Guatemala's
highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year
terms); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (13
members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of
the Court each year from among their number; the president of the
Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the
country, who are named to five-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Center of Social Action or CASA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democracy Front or
FRENTE [Alfonso CABRERA]; Democratic Union or UD [Manuel CONDE
Orellana]; Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENGRO]; Grand
National Alliance or GANA [Alfredo VILLA]; Guatemalan National
Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Hector NUILA]; Guatemalan Republican
Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; National Advancement Party or PAN
[Juan Guillermo GUTIERREZ]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Juan
Jose ALFARO Lemus]; Nationalist Change Union or UCN [Mario ESTRADA];
Patriot Party or PP [Ret. Gen. Otto PEREZ Molina]; Unionista Party
or PU [Fritz GARCIA-GALLONT]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI;
Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of
Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or
CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM
International organization participation:
BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA,
MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco VILLAGRAN de Leon
chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952
FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Providence, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen G. MCFARLAND
embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City
mailing address: APO AA 34024
telephone: [502] 2326-4000
FAX: [502] 2326-4654
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and
light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the
coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird)
and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE
1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed
on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed
by a wreath
Economy ::Guatemala
Economy - overview:
Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries
with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Argentina, Brazil,
and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-tenth of
GDP, two-fifths of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee,
sugar, and bananas are the main products, with sugar exports
benefiting from increased global demand for ethanol. The 1996
signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed
a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala since then has
pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The
Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force in
July 2006 and has since spurred increased investment in the export
sector, but concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers and
poor infrastructure continued to hamper foreign participation. The
distribution of income remains highly unequal with more than half of
the population below the national poverty line. Other ongoing
challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating
further assistance from international donors, curtailing drug
trafficking and rampant crime, and narrowing the trade deficit.
Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States,
it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows
serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly
two-thirds of exports. Economic growth will slow in 2009 as export
demand from US and other Central American markets drop and foreign
investment slows amid the global slowdown.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$68.75 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$66.1 billion (2007 est.)
$62.18 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$38.98 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
6.3% (2007 est.)
5.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
$5,200 (2007 est.)
$5,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13.1%
industry: 25%
services: 61.9% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.056 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 50%
industry: 15%
services: 35% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.2% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Population below poverty line:
56.2% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%: 42.4% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
55.1 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 13
55.8 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Budget:
revenues: $4.693 billion
expenditures: $5.338 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
25.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
32% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
6.8% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.39% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
12.84% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$6.106 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 51
$6.227 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$9.7 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 51
$8.928 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$14.82 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
$13.96 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep,
pigs, chickens
Industries:
sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum,
metals, rubber, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
1.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - production:
8.425 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Electricity - consumption:
7.115 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Electricity - exports:
131.9 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
8.11 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
15,550 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Oil - consumption:
76,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Oil - exports:
21,850 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Oil - imports:
72,440 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Oil - proved reserves:
83.07 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.96 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Current account balance:
-$1.932 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
-$1.754 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$7.848 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$7.012 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables,
cardamom
Exports - partners:
US 39.4%, El Salvador 12.6%, Honduras 9.5%, Mexico 6.6%, Nicaragua
4.2%, Costa Rica 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$13.42 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$12.48 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials,
grain, fertilizers, electricity
Imports - partners:
US 36.7%, Mexico 9.7%, China 5.8%, El Salvador 4.8% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.471 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$4.139 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$6.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$5.908 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.5895 (2008 est.), 7.6833 (2007),
7.6026 (2006), 7.6339 (2005), 7.9465 (2004)
Communications ::Guatemala
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.449 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 65
Telephones - mobile cellular:
14.949 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 42
Telephone system:
general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of
Guatemala
domestic: state-owned telecommunications company privatized in the
late 1990s opening the way for competition; fixed-line teledensity
11 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are being concentrated on
improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds
100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 502; landing point for both the
Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the SAM-1 fiber
optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to
South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US;
connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000)
Television broadcast stations:
26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.gt
Internet hosts:
132,049 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 69
Internet users:
1.96 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 70
Transportation ::Guatemala
Airports:
371 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 21
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 13
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 358
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 84
under 914 m: 270 (2009)
Pipelines:
oil 480 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 332 km
country comparison to the world: 120
narrow gauge: 332 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 14,095 km
country comparison to the world: 124
paved: 4,863 km (includes 75 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,232 km (2000)
Waterways:
990 km
country comparison to the world: 66
note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable
during high-water season (2007)
Ports and terminals:
Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Military ::Guatemala
Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force
Military service age and obligation:
all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are liable for
military service; conscript service obligation varies from 12 to 24
months; women can serve as officers (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,861,696
females age 16-49: 3,062,967 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,401,297
females age 16-49: 2,725,572 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 165,910
female: 163,760 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 165
Transnational Issues ::Guatemala
Disputes - international:
annual ministerial meetings under the OAS-initiated Agreement on the
Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue
to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the
Caribbean Sea; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002
Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary
to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of
Belize's border region; Mexico must deal with thousands of
impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the
porous border looking for work in Mexico and the United States
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: undetermined (the UN does not estimate there are any IDPs,
although some NGOs estimate over 200,000 IDPs as a result of over
three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Guatemala is a source, transit, and destination
country for Guatemalans and Central Americans trafficked for the
purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; human
trafficking is a significant and growing problem in the country;
Guatemalan women and children are trafficked within the country for
commercial sexual exploitation, primarily to Mexico and the United
States; Guatemalan men, women, and children are also trafficked
within the country, and to Mexico and the United States, for forced
labor
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year,
Guatemala is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide
evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons,
particularly with respect to ensuring that trafficking offenders are
appropriately prosecuted for their crimes; while prosecutors
initiated trafficking prosecutions, they continued to face problems
in court with application of Guatemala's comprehensive
anti-trafficking law; the government made modest improvements to its
protection efforts, but assistance remained inadequate overall in
2007 (2008)
Illicit drugs:
major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2005, cultivated
100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a potential source
of opium in 2004; potential production of less than 1 metric ton of
pure heroin; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption;
proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs
(particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem;
corruption is a major problem
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Guernsey (Europe)
Introduction ::Guernsey
Background:
Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants
of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France
and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by
German troops in World War II. Guernsey is a British crown
dependency, but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is
constitutionally responsible for its defense and international
representation.
Geography ::Guernsey
Location:
Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates:
49 28 N, 2 35 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 78 sq km
country comparison to the world: 227
land: 78 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other
smaller islands
Area - comparative:
about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
50 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:
temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are
overcast
Terrain:
mostly level with low hills in southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m
Natural resources:
cropland
Land use:
arable land: NA
permanent crops: NA
other: NA
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
People ::Guernsey
Population:
65,870 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.4% (male 4,793/female 4,668)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,058/female 22,433)
65 years and over: 18.1% (male 5,078/female 6,840) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 42.5 years
male: 41.4 years
female: 43.4 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.21% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Birth rate:
8.46 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Death rate:
10.16 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Net migration rate:
3.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Urbanization:
urban population: 31% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 200
male: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.77 years
country comparison to the world: 12
male: 77.76 years
female: 83.88 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Channel Islander(s)
adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic groups:
UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other
European countries
Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational,
Methodist
Languages:
English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
Literacy:
NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Guernsey
Country name:
conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey
conventional short form: Guernsey
Dependency status:
British crown dependency
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Saint Peter Port
geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 10 parishes including Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint
Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint
Saviour, Torteval, Vale
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system:
the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; justice is administered
by the Royal Court
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28
October 2005)
head of government: Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008)
cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation
elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed
by the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Deliberation
election results: Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent of
vote of the States of Deliberation NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by
popular vote for four years); note - Alderney and Sark have
parliaments
elections: last held 23 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:
Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)
Political parties and leaders:
none; all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Stop Traffic Endangering Pedestrian Safety or STEPS; No More Masts
[Colin FALLAIZE]
International organization participation:
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag description:
white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England)
extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of
William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross
Economy ::Guernsey
Economy - overview:
Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account
for about 23% of employment and about 55% of total income in this
tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and
horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining.
Financial services, construction, retail, and the public sector have
been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax
haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is
changing the environment under which Guernsey operates.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.742 billion (2005)
country comparison to the world: 176
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.742 billion (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$44,600 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 13
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 10%
services: 87% (2000)
Labor force:
31,470 (March 2006)
country comparison to the world: 196
Unemployment rate:
0.9% (March 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $563.6 million
expenditures: $530.9 million (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (June 2006)
country comparison to the world: 46
Agriculture - products:
tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit;
Guernsey cattle
Industries:
tourism, banking
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2002)
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other
vegetables
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Guernsey pound 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006),
0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)
note: the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound
Communications ::Guernsey
Telephones - main lines in use:
45,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 166
Telephones - mobile cellular:
43,800 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 197
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available;
combined fixed and mobile-cellular density exceeds 100 per 100
persons
international: 1 submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
.gg
Internet hosts:
174 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 191
Internet users:
46,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 172
Transportation ::Guernsey
Airports:
2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 209
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Ports and terminals:
Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Military ::Guernsey
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 12,447
females age 16-49: 12,566 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 362
female: 351 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Guernsey
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Guinea (Africa)
Introduction ::Guinea
Background:
Guinea has had a history of authoritarian rule since gaining its
independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in
1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the
first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic
elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military
government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was
reelected in 1998 and again in 2003, though all the polls were
marred by irregularities. History repeated itself in December 2008
when following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA
led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution
as well as political and union activity. Guinea has maintained some
semblance of internal stability despite spillover effects from
conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have
rebuilt, however, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and
economic crisis has increased. Declining economic conditions and
popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted
two massive strikes in 2006, and a third nationwide strike in early
2007.
Geography ::Guinea
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates:
11 00 N, 10 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 245,857 sq km
country comparison to the world: 78
land: 245,717 sq km
water: 140 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 3,399 km
border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km,
Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Coastline:
320 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to
November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May)
with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt
Land use:
arable land: 4.47%
permanent crops: 2.64%
other: 92.89% (2005)
Irrigated land:
950 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
226 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.51 cu km/yr (8%/2%/90%)
per capita: 161 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry
season
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water;
desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing,
overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to
environmental damage
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in
the Guinean highlands
People ::Guinea
Population:
10,057,975 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.8% (male 2,175,852/female 2,128,518)
15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,701,184/female 2,704,161)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 153,053/female 195,207) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.5 years
male: 18.2 years
female: 18.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.572% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Birth rate:
37.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Death rate:
11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Net migration rate:
-0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Urbanization:
urban population: 34% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 65.22 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 31
male: 68.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 61.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 57.09 years
country comparison to the world: 189
male: 55.63 years
female: 58.6 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.2 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
87,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Guinean(s)
adjective: Guinean
Ethnic groups:
Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
Religions:
Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Languages:
French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 29.5%
male: 42.6%
female: 18.1% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 10 years
female: 7 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
1.6% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 173
Government ::Guinea
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
conventional short form: Guinea
local long form: Republique de Guinee
local short form: Guinee
former: French Guinea
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Conakry
geographic coordinates: 9 33 N, 13 42 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa,
Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah,
Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia,
Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola,
Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele,
Tougue, Yomou
Independence:
2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
Constitution:
23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Legal system:
based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA, President of the National
Council for Democracy and Development, who led a military coup
following the death of President Lansana CONTE on 22 December 2008
head of government: Prime Minister Kabine KOMARA (since 30 December
2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes
cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003
(ad hoc election scheduled for 31 January 2010); the prime minister
is appointed by the president
election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote
- Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 4.6%
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale
Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by a mixed system of
direct popular vote and proportional party lists)
elections: last held 30 June 2002 (legislative elections due in 2007
were first rescheduled for 2008 and subsequently rescheduled for 26
March 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%,
other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9
Judicial branch:
Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of
Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders:
National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for
Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Sekou KONATE];
People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for
the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces
of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]; Union of Republican Forces
or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG
[Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal
or UPR [Ousmane BAH]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean
Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of
Guinean Workers or CNTG [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of
Guinean Workers or USTG [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]); National Council of
Civil Society Organizations of Guinea or CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA];
Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis
M'Bemba SOUMAH]
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF,
OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU,
WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mory Karamoko KABA
chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300
FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth
RASPOLIC
embassy: Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle
mailing address: B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif
de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry
telephone: [224] 65-10-40-00
FAX: [224] 65-10-42-97
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy ::Guinea
Economy - overview:
Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural
resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has
almost half of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector
accounts for more than 70% of exports. Long-run improvements in
government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework
are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Investor
confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of
electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and
the political uncertainty because of the death of President Lansana
CONTE in December 2008. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF
and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is
working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury
Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully
funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006-08, primarily due to
increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets,
but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated
sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose
beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic
conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$10.62 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
$10.17 billion (2007 est.)
$10.02 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.517 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
1.5% (2007 est.)
2.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,100 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
$1,100 (2007 est.)
$1,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23.2%
industry: 39.5%
services: 37.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.392 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 76%
industry and services: 24% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
47% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 41% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
38.1 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 73
40.3 (1994)
Investment (gross fixed):
12.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Budget:
revenues: $769.7 million
expenditures: $837.7 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
23.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
22.25% (31 December 2005)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA%
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$309.8 million (31 December 2005)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA
Stock of domestic credit:
$422.1 million (31 December 2005)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas,
sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
Industries:
bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light
manufacturing, and agricultural processing
Industrial production growth rate:
7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity - production:
850 million kWh
country comparison to the world: 149
note: excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2007
est.)
Electricity - consumption:
790.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Oil - consumption:
9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Oil - imports:
8,674 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Current account balance:
-$489 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
-$463 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.392 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$1.203 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
Exports - partners:
India 28.9%, Spain 10%, Russia 9.5%, Germany 6.7%, US 5.8%, Ireland
4.2%, France 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$1.389 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$1.218 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment,
textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
China 9.6%, France 7.8%, Netherlands 7.6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$93 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
$86 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.222 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
$3.351 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 5,500 (2008 est.), 4,122.8
(2007), 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004)
Communications ::Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:
50,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 163
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.6 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 113
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small
radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay
system
domestic: Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains
inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for
nationwide links; fixed-line density less than 1 per 100 persons;
mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and is roughly 25 per
100 persons
international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
6 (2001)
Internet country code:
.gn
Internet hosts:
14 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 218
Internet users:
90,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 157
Transportation ::Guinea
Airports:
17 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 141
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,185 km
country comparison to the world: 86
standard gauge: 238 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 44,348 km
country comparison to the world: 82
paved: 4,342 km
unpaved: 40,006 km (2003)
Waterways:
1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 57
Ports and terminals:
Conakry, Kamsar
Military ::Guinea
Military branches:
National Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne,
includes Marines), Air Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service;
18-month conscript service obligation (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,230,049
females age 16-49: 2,193,236 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,396,278
females age 16-49: 1,435,387 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 110,281
female: 107,879 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 97
Transnational Issues ::Guinea
Disputes - international:
conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in
neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in
domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of
the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the
Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued
occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied
since 1998
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 21,856 (Liberia); 5,259 (Sierra
Leone); 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire)
IDPs: 19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia,
Sierra Leone) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and destination
country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of
forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are
children, and internal trafficking is more prevalent than
transnational trafficking; within the country, girls are trafficked
primarily for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, while boys
are trafficked for forced agricultural labor, and as forced beggars,
street vendors, shoe shiners, and laborers in gold and diamond
mines; some Guinean men are also trafficked for agricultural labor
within Guinea; transnationally, girls are trafficked into Guinea for
domestic servitude and likely also for sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to
eliminate trafficking over 2006; Guinea demonstrated minimal law
enforcement efforts for a second year in a row, while protection
efforts diminished over efforts in 2006; the government did not
report any trafficking convictions in 2007; due to a lack of
resources, the government does not provide shelter services for
trafficking victims; the government took no measures to reduce the
demand for commercial sexual exploitation (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Guinea-Bissau (Africa)
Introduction ::Guinea-Bissau
Background:
Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has
experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a
military coup established authoritarian dictator Joao Bernardo
'Nino' VIEIRA as president. Despite setting a path to a market
economy and multiparty system, VIEIRA's regime was characterized by
the suppression of political opposition and the purging of political
rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s
failed to unseat him. In 1994 VIEIRA was elected president in the
country's first free elections. A military mutiny and resulting
civil war in 1998 eventually led to VIEIRA's ouster in May 1999. In
February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to
opposition leader Kumba YALA, after he was elected president in
transparent polling. In September 2003, after only three years in
office, YALA was ousted by the military in a bloodless coup, and
businessman Henrique ROSA was sworn in as interim president. In
2005, former President VIEIRA was re-elected president pledging to
pursue economic development and national reconciliation. He was
assassinated in March 2009; new elections are to take place in June
2009.
Geography ::Guinea-Bissau
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea
and Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
12 00 N, 15 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 36,125 sq km
country comparison to the world: 137
land: 28,120 sq km
water: 8,005 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 724 km
border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km
Coastline:
350 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June
to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May)
with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the
country 300 m
Natural resources:
fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone,
unexploited deposits of petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 8.31%
permanent crops: 6.92%
other: 84.77% (2005)
Irrigated land:
250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
31 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.18 cu km/yr (13%/5%/82%)
per capita: 113 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry
season; brush fires
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying
inland
People ::Guinea-Bissau
Population:
1,533,964 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40.8% (male 312,253/female 313,609)
15-64 years: 56.1% (male 414,924/female 445,639)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 19,191/female 28,348) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.3 years
male: 18.7 years
female: 19.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.019% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Birth rate:
35.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Death rate:
15.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Urbanization:
urban population: 30% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 99.82 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 10
male: 109.89 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 89.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.9 years
country comparison to the world: 210
male: 46.07 years
female: 49.79 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.65 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
16,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Guinean(s)
adjective: Guinean
Ethnic groups:
African 99% (includes Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga
13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%
Religions:
Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10%
Languages:
Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 42.4%
male: 58.1%
female: 27.4% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 5 years
male: 7 years
female: 4 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (1999)
country comparison to the world: 60
Government ::Guinea-Bissau
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau
conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau
local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau
local short form: Guine-Bissau
former: Portuguese Guinea
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Bissau
geographic coordinates: 11 51 N, 15 35 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau,
Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have
been renamed Bolama/Bijagos
Independence:
24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 24 September (1973)
Constitution:
16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993,
9 June 1993, and in 1996
Legal system:
based on French civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Malam Bacai SANHA (since 8 September 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Carlos GOMES Junior (since 25
December 2008)
cabinet: NA
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(no term limits); election last held 28 June 2009 with a runoff
between the two leading candidates held on 26 July 2009 (next to be
held by 2014); prime minister appointed by the president after
consultation with party leaders in the legislature
election results: Malam Bacai SANHA elected president; percent of
vote, second ballot - Malam Bacai SANHA 63.5%, Kumba YALA 36.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular
(100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held 16 November 2008 (next to be held 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 49.8%, PRS 25.3%,
PRID 7.5%, PND 2.4%, AD 1.4%, other parties 13.6%; seats by party -
PAIGC 67, PRS 28, PRID 3, PND 1, AD 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine
justices appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final
court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one
in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court
decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at more than
$1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained
lawyers; they hear civil cases valued at less than $1,000 and
misdemeanor criminal cases)
Political parties and leaders:
African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde
or PAIGC [Carlos GOMES Junior]; Party for Social Renewal or PRS
[Kumba YALA]; Democratic Alliance or AD [Victor MANDINGA];
Democratic Social Front or FDS [Rafael BARBOSA]; Electoral Union or
UE [Joaquim BALDE]; Guinea-Bissau Civic Forum/Social Democracy or
FCGSD [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; Guinea-Bissau Democratic Party or PDG;
Guinea-Bissau Socialist Democratic Party or PDSG [Serifo BALDE];
Labor and Solidarity Party or PST [Iancuba INDJAI]; New Democracy
Party or PND; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor
MANDINGA]; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP; Progress Party or
PP; Republican Party for Independence and Development or PRID
[Aristides GOMES]; Union for Change or UM [Amine SAAD]; Union of
Guinean Patriots or UPG [Francisca VAZ]; United Platform or UP
(coalition formed by PCD, FDS, FLING, and RGB-MB); United Popular
Alliance or APU; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Frnacisco
FADUL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional),
WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official
representation in Washington, DC
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of
violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and
military-led junta; the US Ambassador to Senegal is accredited to
Guinea-Bissau
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical
red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star
centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia
Economy ::Guinea-Bissau
Economy - overview:
One of the five poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau
depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased
remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks fifth in
cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with
small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice is the
major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting between
Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta destroyed
much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread damage to
the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in GDP that
year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war, trade
reform and price liberalization were the most successful part of the
country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The
tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private
sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Because of high
costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and other mineral
resources is not a near-term prospect. Offshore oil prospecting is
underway in several sectors but has not yet led to commercially
viable crude deposits. The inequality of income distribution is one
of the most extreme in the world. The government and international
donors continue to work out plans to forward economic development
from a lamentably low base. In December 2003, the World Bank, IMF,
and UNDP were forced to step in to provide emergency budgetary
support in the amount of $107 million for 2004, representing over
80% of the total national budget. Government drift and indecision,
however, resulted in continued low growth in 2002-06. Higher raw
material prices boosted growth in 2007 and 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$896.5 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
$867.9 million (2007 est.)
$845.1 million (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$461 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
2.7% (2007 est.)
0.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$600 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 224
$600 (2007 est.)
$600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 62%
industry: 12%
services: 26% (1999 est.)
Labor force:
632,700 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 147
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 82%
industry and services: 18% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 28% (2002)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 120
4.25% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$142.5 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$12.04 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$46.44 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm
kernels, cotton; timber; fish
Industries:
agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate:
4.7% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - production:
65 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Electricity - consumption:
60.45 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Oil - consumption:
3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Oil - imports:
2,545 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Current account balance:
-$6 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Exports:
$133 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 186
Exports - commodities:
cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber
Exports - partners:
India 56.8%, Nigeria 35.6%, Pakistan 1.2% (2008)
Imports:
$200 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 200
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Portugal 24.5%, Senegal 17.2%, Pakistan 4.8%, France 4.6% (2008)
Debt - external:
$941.5 million (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81
(2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29
(2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has
been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro;
West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in
countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa,
even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Guinea-Bissau
Telephones - main lines in use:
4,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 214
Telephones - mobile cellular:
500,200 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 155
Telephone system:
general assessment: small system
domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines,
radiotelephone, and cellular communications; fixed-line teledensity
less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approached
35 per 100 in 2008
international: country code - 245 (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2007)
Internet country code:
.gw
Internet hosts:
82 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 202
Internet users:
37,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 176
Transportation ::Guinea-Bissau
Airports:
9 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 160
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 3,455 km
country comparison to the world: 162
paved: 965 km
unpaved: 2,490 km (2002)
Waterways:
rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and creeks give
shallow-water access to much of interior (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim
Military ::Guinea-Bissau
Military branches:
People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, Air Force;
paramilitary force
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16
years of age or younger with parental consent, for voluntary service
(2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 344,087
females age 16-49: 347,886 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 194,110
females age 16-49: 200,660 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 16,957
female: 17,172 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Transnational Issues ::Guinea-Bissau
Disputes - international:
in 2006, political instability within Senegal's Casamance region
resulted in thousands of Senegalese refugees, cross-border raids,
and arms smuggling into Guinea-Bissau
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 7,454 (Senegal) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Guinea-Bissau is a source country for children
trafficked primarily for forced begging and forced agricultural
labor to other West African countries
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second year in a row,
Guinea-Bissau is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to combat
severe forms of trafficking in persons, as evidenced by the
continued failure to pass an anti-trafficking law and inadequate
efforts to investigate or prosecute trafficking crimes or convict
and punish trafficking offenders (2008)
Illicit drugs:
increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine
enroute to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations
thanks to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography around
the capital facilitates drug smuggling
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Guyana (South America)
Introduction ::Guyana
Background:
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had
become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black
settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants
from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide
has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved
independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled
mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was
elected president in what is considered the country's first free and
fair election since independence. After his death five years later,
his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to
poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001
and again in 2006.
Geography ::Guyana
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Suriname and Venezuela
Geographic coordinates:
5 00 N, 59 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 214,969 sq km
country comparison to the world: 84
land: 196,849 sq km
water: 18,120 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Idaho
Land boundaries:
total: 2,949 km
border countries: Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Coastline:
459 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental
margin
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy
seasons (May to August, November to January)
Terrain:
mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Land use:
arable land: 2.23%
permanent crops: 0.14%
other: 97.63% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
241 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.64 cu km/yr (2%/1%/98%)
per capita: 2,187 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial
chemicals; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and
Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories
are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively
People ::Guyana
Population:
772,298
country comparison to the world: 160
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.7% (male 101,319/female 97,505)
15-64 years: 68.7% (male 268,058/female 262,595)
65 years and over: 5.5% (male 17,938/female 24,883) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.7 years
male: 28.2 years
female: 29.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.181% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Birth rate:
17.56 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Death rate:
8.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Net migration rate:
-7.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Urbanization:
urban population: 28% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 29.65 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 76
male: 33.02 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 26.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.68 years
country comparison to the world: 157
male: 64.09 years
female: 69.4 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.03 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
13,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Guyanese
Ethnic groups:
East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian
9.1%, other 0.5% (2002 census)
Religions:
Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%,
Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%,
other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002
census)
Languages:
English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a
dialect of Hindi), Urdu
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98.8%
male: 99.1%
female: 98.5% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
8.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 13
Government ::Guyana
Country name:
conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form: Guyana
former: British Guiana
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Georgetown
geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 10 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East
Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice,
Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper
Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Independence:
26 May 1966 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Constitution:
6 October 1980
Legal system:
based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch
law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999);
note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN
and was reelected in 2001, and again in 2006
head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992,
except for a period as chief of state after the death of President
Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president,
responsible to the legislature
elections: president elected by popular vote as leader of a party
list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every
five years (no term limits); elections last held 28 August 2006
(next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by the
president
election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of
vote 54.6%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; members elected by popular
vote, also not more than 4 non-elected non-voting ministers and 2
non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the
president; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 54.6%, PNC/R 34%,
AFC 8.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - PPP/C 36, PNC/R 22, AFC 5,
other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the
Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court
of Justice (CCJ)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN and Khemraj RAMJATTAN];
Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Justice for All Party [C.N.
SHARMA]; People's National Congress/Reform or PNC/R [Robert Herman
Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat
JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United
Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]; Vision
Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert
ROOPNARAINE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Bar Association; Guyana
Citizens Initiative; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana Public
Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades Union
Congress
International organization participation:
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO
(subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW,
PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN
chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900
FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John Melvin JONES
embassy: US Embassy, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown
mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown; US Embassy, 3170
Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170
telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909
FAX: [592] 225-8497
Flag description:
green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side)
superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black
border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border
between the yellow and the green
Economy ::Guyana
Economy - overview:
The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent
years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries.
The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities
- sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent
nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to
adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices.
Economic recovery since the 2005 flood-related contraction has been
buoyed by increases in remittances and foreign direct investment in
the sugar and rice industries as well as the mining sector. The
bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from
restructuring and partial privatization, and the state-owned sugar
industry will conduct efficiency increasing modernizations. Export
earnings from agriculture and mining have remained flat as rising
commodity prices have offset declining production, while the import
bill has risen, driven by higher energy costs. Chronic problems
include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure.
The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the
urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the
Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled
Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to nearly 48% of GDP,
which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) debt
forgiveness brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to
120% in 2007. Guyana became heavily indebted as a result of the
inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and
1980s. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy
(CSME) in January 2006 has broadened the country's export market,
primarily in the raw materials sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.973 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
$2.887 billion (2007 est.)
$2.739 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.154 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
5.4% (2007 est.)
5.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
$3,800 (2007 est.)
$3,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 24.9%
industry: 24.9%
services: 50.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
333,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
11% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 131
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%: 33.8% (1999)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
43.2 (1999)
country comparison to the world: 50
Investment (gross fixed):
35.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Budget:
revenues: $488.7 million
expenditures: $552.6 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
12.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14.58% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 48
14.61% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$344.2 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 100
$315.2 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$817.6 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
$728.8 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$829.4 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 110
$739.3 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 105
$262.4 million (31 December 2007)
$187.4 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, rice, shrimp, fish, edible oils; beef, pork, poultry
Industries:
bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - production:
821 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - consumption:
667 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Oil - consumption:
11,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Oil - imports:
10,550 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Current account balance:
-$362 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
-$165.7 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$797 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$674.9 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber
Exports - partners:
Canada 20.8%, US 15.2%, UK 12.3%, Netherlands 7.2%, Portugal 4.7%,
Trinidad and Tobago 4.7%, Jamaica 4.5%, Ukraine 4.3% (2008)
Imports:
$1.294 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$982.9 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food
Imports - partners:
US 23.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 22.3%, Finland 7.7%, Cuba 6.1%, China
5.7% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$355.9 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
$313 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$804.3 million (30 September 2008)
country comparison to the world: 157
$1.2 billion (2002)
Exchange rates:
Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 203.86 (2008 est.), 201.89
(2007), 200.28 (2006), 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004)
Communications ::Guyana
Telephones - main lines in use:
125,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 140
Telephones - mobile cellular:
281,400 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 168
Telephone system:
general assessment: fair system for long-distance service
domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; fixed-line
teledensity is about 15 per 100 persons; many areas still lack
fixed-line telephone services; mobile-cellular teledensity reached
37 per 100 persons in 2005
international: country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad;
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (1 public station; 2 private stations which relay US satellite
services) (1997)
Internet country code:
.gy
Internet hosts:
7,116 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 129
Internet users:
205,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 134
Transportation ::Guyana
Airports:
99 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 60
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 89
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 74 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 7,970 km
country comparison to the world: 142
paved: 590 km
unpaved: 7,380 km (2000)
Waterways:
330 km
country comparison to the world: 91
note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by
oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 8
country comparison to the world: 124
by type: cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1
registered in other countries: 3 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
2, unknown 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Georgetown
Military ::Guyana
Military branches:
Guyana Defense Force: Army (includes Coast Guard, Air Corps) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 220,797 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 150,307
females age 16-49: 144,622 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,625
female: 6,365 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 90
Transnational Issues ::Guyana
Disputes - international:
all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela
preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has
expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before
UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela
extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land
between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over
the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under
provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to
resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the
territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Guyana is a source, transit, and destination
country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of
commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most trafficking
appears to take place in remote mining camps in the country's
interior; some women and girls are trafficked from northern Brazil;
reporting from other nations suggests Guyanese women and girls are
trafficked for sexual exploitation to neighboring countries and
Guyanese men and boys are subject to labor exploitation in
construction and agriculture; trafficking victims from Suriname,
Brazil, and Venezuela transit Guyana en route to Caribbean
destinations
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year,
Guyana is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence
of increasing efforts to combat trafficking, particularly in the
area of law enforcement actions against trafficking offenders; the
government has yet to produce an anti-trafficking conviction under
the comprehensive Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, which
became law in 2005; the government operates no shelters for
trafficking victims, but did include limited funding for
anti-trafficking NGOs in its 2008 budget; the government did not
make any effort to reduce demand for commercial sex acts during 2007
(2008)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily
Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money
laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Haiti (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Haiti
Background:
The native Taino Amerindians - who inhabited the island of
Hispaniola when it was discovered by COLUMBUS in 1492 - were
virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the
early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola.
In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island,
which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and
sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the
Caribbean but only through the heavy importation of African slaves
and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th
century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint
L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first
black republic to declare independence in 1804. The poorest country
in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political
violence for most of its history. After an armed rebellion led to
the forced resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE
in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new
elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Continued violence and technical delays
prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti finally did inaugurate a
democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006.
Geography ::Haiti
Location:
Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between
the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the
Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates:
19 00 N, 72 25 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 27,750 sq km
country comparison to the world: 147
land: 27,560 sq km
water: 190 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km
Coastline:
1,771 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
Terrain:
mostly rough and mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 28.11%
permanent crops: 11.53%
other: 60.36% (2005)
Irrigated land:
920 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
14 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.99 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%)
per capita: 116 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe
storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes;
periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is
being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion;
inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes
Geography - note:
shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western
one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)
People ::Haiti
Population:
9,035,536
country comparison to the world: 88
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,735,917/female 1,704,383)
15-64 years: 58.5% (male 2,621,059/female 2,665,447)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 120,040/female 188,690) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.2 years
male: 19.8 years
female: 20.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.838% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Birth rate:
29.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Death rate:
8.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Net migration rate:
-2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Urbanization:
urban population: 47% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 59.69 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 37
male: 66.18 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 53.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.78 years
country comparison to the world: 181
male: 59.13 years
female: 62.48 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.81 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
120,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
7,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Haitian(s)
adjective: Haitian
Ethnic groups:
black 95%, mulatto and white 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%,
Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3%
note: roughly half of the population practices voodoo
Languages:
French (official), Creole (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 52.9%
male: 54.8%
female: 51.2% (2003 est.)
Education expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (1991)
country comparison to the world: 175
Government ::Haiti
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Haiti
conventional short form: Haiti
local long form: Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d' Ayiti
local short form: Haiti/Ayiti
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Port-au-Prince
geographic coordinates: 18 32 N, 72 20 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite,
Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud,
Sud-Est
Independence:
1 January 1804 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
Constitution:
approved March 1987
note: suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989;
constitutional government ousted in a military coup in September
1991, although in October 1991 military government claimed to be
observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in
October 1994; constitution, while technically in force between
2004-2006, was not enforced; returned to constitutional rule in May
2006
Legal system:
based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Rene PREVAL (since 14 May 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Max BELLERIVE (since 7
November 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with
the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 7 February
2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the
president, ratified by the National Assembly
election results: Rene PREVAL elected president; percent of vote -
Rene PREVAL 51%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the
Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year
terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of
Deputies (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms); note - in reestablishing the Senate, the candidate
in each department receiving the most votes in the last election
serves six years, the candidate with the second most votes serves
four years, and the candidate with the third most votes serves two
years
elections: Senate - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections
on 3 December 2006 (next regular election, for one third of seats,
to be held in 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 April 2006
with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 and 29 April 2007 (next
regular election to be held in 2010)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - L'ESPWA 11, FUSION 5, OPL 4, FL 3, LAAA 2, UNCRH 2, PONT 2,
ALYANS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats
by party - L'ESPWA 23, FUSION 17, FRN 12, OPL 10, ALYANS 10, LAAA 5,
MPH 3, MOCHRENA 3, other 10; results for six other seats contested
on 3 December 2006 remain unknown
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation
Political parties and leaders:
Artibonite in Action or LAAA [Youri LATORTUE]; Assembly of
Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convention
for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]; Cooperative Action to
Build Haiti or KONBA [Evans LESCOUFALIR]; Democratic Alliance or
ALYANS [Evans PAUL] (coalition composed of KID and PPRH); Effort and
Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph
JASME]; For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL]; Front for Hope or
L'ESPWA [Rene PREVAL] (alliance of ESKAMP, PLB, and grass-roots
organizations Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, the Central Plateau
Peasants' Group, and Kombit Sudest); Haitian Christian Democratic
Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian
Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany TOUSSAINT and Pierre
Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together or Tet-Ansanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT];
Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN [Luc
FLEURINORD]; Justice for Peace and National Development or JPDN
[Rigaud DUPLAN]; Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Rudy HERIVEAUX]; Liberal Party
of Haiti or PLH [Gehy MICHEL]; Merging of Haitian Social Democratic
Parties or FUSION or FPSDH [Serge GILLES] (coalition of Ayiti
Capable, Haitian National Revolutionary Party, and National Congress
of Democratic Movements); Mobilization for Haiti's Development or
MPH [Samir MOURRA]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN
[Hubert de RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN
[Jean Henold BUTEAU]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in
Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Christian Union for the
Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH [Marie Claude GERMAIN]; National
Front for the Reconstruction of Haiti or FRN [Guy PHILIPPE]; New
Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open
the Gate Party or PLB [Anes LUBIN]; Popular Party for the Renewal of
Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN]; Struggling People's Organization or
OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]; Union of Nationalist and Progressive Haitians
or UNITE [Edouard FRANCISQUE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole
ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of
Workers Trade Unions or FOS; General Organization of Independent
Haitian Workers [Patrick NUMAS]; Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, or
KOREGA; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement
or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Popular Organizations Gathering
Power or PROP; Protestant Federation of Haiti; Roman Catholic Church
International organization participation:
ACP, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW,
PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond JOSEPH
chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090
FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Juan
(Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Orlando (Florida)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Janet A. SANDERSON
embassy: Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince
mailing address: use mailing address
telephone: [509] 229-8000
FAX: [509] 229-8028
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered
white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree
flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto
L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength); the colors are taken
from the French Tricolor and represent the union of blacks and
mulattoes
Economy ::Haiti
Economy - overview:
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of
the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject
poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agricultural
sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain
vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by
the country's widespread deforestation. While the economy has
recovered in recent years, registering positive growth since 2005,
four tropical storms in 2008 severely damaged the transportation
infrastructure and agricultural sector. US economic engagement under
the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership
Encouragement (HOPE) Act, passed in December 2006, has boosted
apparel exports and investment by providing tariff-free access to
the US. HOPE II, passed in October 2008, has further improved the
export environment for the apparel sector by extending preferences
to 2018; the apparel sector accounts for two-thirds of Haitian
exports and nearly one-tenth of GDP. Remittances are the primary
source of foreign exchange, equaling nearly a quarter of GDP and
more than twice the earnings from exports. Haiti suffers from high
inflation, a lack of investment because of insecurity and limited
infrastructure, and a severe trade deficit. In 2005, Haiti paid its
arrears to the World Bank, paving the way for reengagement with the
Bank. Haiti is expected to receive debt forgiveness for about $525
million of its debt through the Highly-Indebted Poor Country (HIPC)
initiative by mid-2009. The government relies on formal
international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.53 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
$11.38 billion (2007 est.)
$11 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.943 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
3.4% (2007 est.)
2.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
$1,300 (2007 est.)
$1,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 20%
services: 52% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
3.643 million
country comparison to the world: 93
note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 66%
industry: 9%
services: 25% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
note: widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than
two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs
Population below poverty line:
80% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.7%
highest 10%: 47.7% (2001)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
59.2 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 8
Investment (gross fixed):
28.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Budget:
revenues: $967.5 million
expenditures: $1.162 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
8.5% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17.81% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 2
46.99% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$704.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.561 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.537 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood
Industries:
sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly
based on imported parts
Industrial production growth rate:
0% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Electricity - production:
448 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity - consumption:
273 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Oil - consumption:
12,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Oil - imports:
12,280 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Current account balance:
-$611 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
-$407 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$490 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$522 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
apparel, manufactures, oils, cocoa, mangoes, coffee
Exports - partners:
US 70.7%, Dominican Republic 8.9%, Canada 3.1% (2008)
Imports:
$2.107 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
$1.618 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels,
raw materials
Imports - partners:
US 34%, Dominican Republic 23.1%, Netherlands Antilles 10.6%, China
4.5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$708 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
$555 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.817 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
$1.475 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
gourdes (HTG) per US dollar - 39.216 (2008 est.), 37.138 (2007),
40.232 (2006), 40.449 (2005), 38.352 (2004)
Communications ::Haiti
Telephones - main lines in use:
108,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 142
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.2 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 105
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is among the
least developed in Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic
facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly
better; mobile-cellular telephone services are expanding rapidly
due, in part, to the introduction of low-cost GSM phones in 2006
domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service
international: country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997)
Internet country code:
.ht
Internet hosts:
9 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 222
Internet users:
1 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 90
Transportation ::Haiti
Airports:
14 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 151
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 4,160 km
country comparison to the world: 155
paved: 1,011 km
unpaved: 3,149 km (2000)
Ports and terminals:
Cap-Haitien
Military ::Haiti
Military branches:
no regular military forces - small Coast Guard; the regular Haitian
Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air Force - have been
demobilized but still exist on paper until or unless they are
constitutionally abolished (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,047,083
females age 16-49: 2,047,953 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,518,840
females age 16-49: 1,530,043 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 108,444
female: 106,243 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 167
Transnational Issues ::Haiti
Disputes - international:
since 2004, about 8,000 peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) maintain civil order in Haiti; despite
efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians cross into the
Dominican Republic and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims
US-administered Navassa Island
Illicit drugs:
Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and
Europe; substantial bulk cash smuggling activity; Colombian
narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial
transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands (Antarctica)
Introduction ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Background:
These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred
from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal
and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve.
Geography ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Location:
islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from
Madagascar to Antarctica
Geographic coordinates:
53 06 S, 72 31 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 412 sq km
country comparison to the world: 201
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
101.9 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
antarctic
Terrain:
Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by
a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak);
McDonald Islands - small and rocky
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at
2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper),
and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian
territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island
broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times
since, the most recent being in 2005
People ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Population:
uninhabited
Government ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald
Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation: HIMI
Dependency status:
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian
Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment, Water,
Heritage and the Arts
Legal system:
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
Economy ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Economy - overview:
The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian
Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters.
Communications ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Internet country code:
.hm
Transportation ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts
fisheries patrols
Transnational Issues ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on September 14, 2009
======================================================================
@Holy See (Vatican City) (Europe)
Introduction ::Holy See (Vatican City)
Background:
Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula
for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many
of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of
Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when
Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner"
popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties,
which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted
Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat
between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier
treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the
Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include
religious freedom, international development, the environment, the
Middle East, China, the decline of religion in Europe, terrorism,
interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of
church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About
one billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.
Geography ::Holy See (Vatican City)
Location:
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Geographic coordinates:
41 54 N, 12 27 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 0.44 sq km
country comparison to the world: 249
land: 0.44 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 3.2 km
border countries: Italy 3.2 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry
summers (May to September)
Terrain:
urban; low hill
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: unnamed location 19 m
highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (urban area) (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond
the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929
grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome
and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel
Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence)
People ::Holy See (Vatican City)
Population:
826 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 235
Population growth rate:
0.003% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: none
adjective: none
Ethnic groups:
Italians, Swiss, other
Religions:
Roman Catholic
Languages:
Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government ::Holy See (Vatican City)
Country name:
conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Government type:
ecclesiastical
Capital:
name: Vatican City
geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with
Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full
sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent;
however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have
varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century
National holiday:
Election Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 19 April (2005)
Constitution:
Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November
2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaced the first Fundamental Law
of 1929)
Legal system:
based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it
Suffrage:
limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Executive branch:
chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005)
head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE
(since 15 September 2006)
cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City
appointed by the pope
elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals;
election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of
the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope
election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI
Legislative branch:
unicameral Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
Judicial branch:
there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters
within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining
to the Holy See
note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope
PIUS XII on 1 May 1946
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
International organization participation:
CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM
(guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR,
Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WFTU, WIPO, WTO
(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI
chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121
FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Julieta
NOYES
embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome
mailing address: PSC 833, Box 66, APO AE 09624
telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428
FAX: [39] (06) 575-3411
Flag description:
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of
the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter
surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white
band
Economy ::Holy See (Vatican City)
Economy - overview:
The Holy See is supported financially by a variety of sources,
including investments, real estate income, and donations from
Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions; these help fund
the Roman Curia (Vatican bureaucracy), diplomatic missions, and
media outlets. The separate Vatican City State budget includes the
Vatican museums and post office and is supported financially by the
sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for
admission to museums; and by publications sales. Moreover, an annual
collection taken up in dioceses and direct donations go to a
non-budgetary fund known as Peter's Pence, which is used directly by
the Pope for charity, disaster relief, and aid to churches in
developing nations. The incomes and living standards of lay workers
are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
Labor force:
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
note: essentially services with a small amount of industry; nearly
all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and the approximately 3,000
lay workers live outside the Vatican
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Budget:
revenues: $374 million
expenditures: $388 million (2007)
Industries:
printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; mosaics and
staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy; a small portion of
electricity is self-produced from solar panels
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Holy See (Vatican City)
Telephones - main lines in use:
5,120 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 212
Telephone system:
general assessment: automatic digital exchange
domestic: connected via fiber optic cable to Telecom Italia network
international: country code - 39; uses Italian system
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2008)
Internet country code:
.va
Internet hosts:
63 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 205
Military ::Holy See (Vatican City)
Military branches:
Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera
Pontificia) (2009)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited
security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard
Transnational Issues ::Holy See (Vatican City)
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Honduras (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Honduras
Background:
Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became
an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of
mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to
power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for
anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government
and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist
guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998,
which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion
in damage.
Geography ::Honduras
Location:
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and
Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean),
between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Geographic coordinates:
15 00 N, 86 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 112,090 sq km
country comparison to the world: 102
land: 111,890 sq km
water: 200 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total: 1,520 km
border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua
922 km
Coastline:
820 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm
Climate:
subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Terrain:
mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m
Natural resources:
timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal,
fish, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 9.53%
permanent crops: 3.21%
other: 87.26% (2005)
Irrigated land:
800 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
95.9 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.86 cu km/yr (8%/12%/80%)
per capita: 119 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to
damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast
Environment - current issues:
urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and
the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land
degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development
and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands;
mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest
source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with
heavy metals
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline,
including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast
People ::Honduras
Population:
7,792,854
country comparison to the world: 93
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,514,544/female 1,451,862)
15-64 years: 58.3% (male 2,278,508/female 2,267,527)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 125,991/female 154,422) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.3 years
male: 20 years
female: 20.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.956% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Birth rate:
26.27 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Death rate:
5.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Net migration rate:
-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Urbanization:
urban population: 48% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.03 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 91
male: 26.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 20.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.4 years
country comparison to the world: 147
male: 67.86 years
female: 71.02 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.27 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
28,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Honduran(s)
adjective: Honduran
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black
2%, white 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3%
Languages:
Spanish, Amerindian dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 80%
male: 79.8%
female: 80.2% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (1991)
country comparison to the world: 121
Government ::Honduras
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Honduras
conventional short form: Honduras
local long form: Republica de Honduras
local short form: Honduras
Government type:
democratic constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Tegucigalpa
geographic coordinates: 14 06 N, 87 13 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends
first Sunday in November
Administrative divisions:
18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida,
Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco
Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz,
Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended many times
Legal system:
rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of
English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning
Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system;
accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27
January 2006); Vice President Commissioner Aristides MEJIA Carranza
(since 1 February 2009); note - the president is both the chief of
state and head of government; because the president and vice
president are elected on the same ticket, the position of "vice
president commissioner" was created after Vice President Elvin
SANTOS resigned in late 2008 to run for president in the November
2009 election
head of government: President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27
January 2006); Vice President Commissioner Aristides MEJIA Carranza
(since 1 February 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;
election last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November
2009)
election results: Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales elected president -
49.8%, Porfirio "Pepe" LOBO Sosa 46.1%, other 4.1%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats;
members are elected proportionally by department to serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November
2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL
62, PN 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (15 judges are
elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Felicito AVILA]; Democratic
Unification Party or PUD [Cesar HAM]; Liberal Party or PL [Patricia
RODAS]; National Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Jorge AQUILAR
Paredes]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Porfirio LOBO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH;
Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of
Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT;
Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National
Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of
Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Confederation of
Honduran Workers or CUTH
International organization participation:
BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO
(subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO,
NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eduardo
Enrique REINA Garcia
chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-2604
FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco
honorary consulate(s): Jacksonville
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo LLORENS
embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa
mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa
telephone: [504] 236-9320, 238-5114
FAX: [504] 238-4357
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue, with
five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in
the white band; the stars represent the members of the former
Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El
Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white
band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a
triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and
AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
Economy ::Honduras
Economy - overview:
Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, has an
extraordinarily unequal distribution of income and high
unemployment. The economy relies heavily on a narrow range of
exports, notably bananas and coffee, making it vulnerable to natural
disasters and shifts in commodity prices; however, investments in
the maquila and non-traditional export sectors are slowly
diversifying the economy. Economic growth remains dependent on the
US economy its largest trading partner, and will decline in 2009 as
a result of reduction in export demand and tightening global credit
markets. Remittances represent over a quarter of GDP or nearly
three-quarters of exports. The US-Central America Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA) came into force in 2006 and has helped foster
investment. Despite improvements in tax collections, the
government's fiscal deficit is growing due to increases in current
expenditures and financial losses from the state energy and
telephone companies.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$33.8 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$32.5 billion (2007 est.)
$30.57 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$14 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
6.3% (2007 est.)
6.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
$4,300 (2007 est.)
$4,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13.1%
industry: 30%
services: 56.9% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.991 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 39.2%
industry: 20.9%
services: 39.8% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
note: high level of underemployment with up to a third of the labor
force seeking more work.
Population below poverty line:
50.7% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.7%
highest 10%: 42.2% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
53.8 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 16
56.3 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
33.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Budget:
revenues: $2.754 billion
expenditures: $3.09 billion; including capital expenditures of $106
million (2008 est.)
Public debt:
20.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
74.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
6.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17.94% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 33
16.61% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.633 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 76
$1.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.574 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
$5.239 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.172 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
$6.298 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp, tilapia, lobster;
corn, African palm
Industries:
sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products
Industrial production growth rate:
4.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - production:
6.05 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - consumption:
4.696 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
11.8 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Oil - consumption:
52,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - imports:
46,130 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Current account balance:
-$1.977 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
-$1.274 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$6.046 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
$5.642 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coffee, shrimp, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber
Exports - partners:
US 62.1%, Guatemala 5.2%, El Salvador 5%, Mexico 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$10.39 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$8.82 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials,
chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
US 50%, Guatemala 7.6%, El Salvador 5.3%, Mexico 4.7%, Costa Rica
4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.492 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
$2.546 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.209 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$3.411 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
lempiras (HNL) per US dollar - 18.983 (2008 est.), 18.9 (2007),
18.895 (2006), 18.92 (2005), 18.206 (2004)
Communications ::Honduras
Telephones - main lines in use:
825,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 86
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.211 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 78
Telephone system:
general assessment: the number of fixed-line connections are
increasing but still limited; competition among multiple providers
of mobile-cellular services is contributing to a sharp increase in
the number of subscribers
domestic: beginning in 2003, private sub-operators allowed to
provide fixed-lines in order to expand telephone coverage
contributing to an increase in fixed-line teledensity to roughly 10
per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeded 80 per 100
persons in 2008
international: country code - 504; landing point for both the
Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 fiber
optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to
South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to
Central American Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.hn
Internet hosts:
15,691 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 106
Internet users:
658,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 102
Transportation ::Honduras
Airports:
106 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 54
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 94
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 77 (2009)
Railways:
total: 699 km
country comparison to the world: 104
narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 13,600 km
country comparison to the world: 126
paved: 2,775 km
unpaved: 10,825 km (2000)
Waterways:
465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 84
Merchant marine:
total: 123
country comparison to the world: 47
by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 57, chemical tanker 6, container 1,
liquefied gas 1, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker
25, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 42 (Bangladesh 1, Canada 1, China 3, Egypt 3, Greece
4, Hong Kong 1, Israel 1, Japan 4, South Korea 6, Lebanon 1, Mexico
1, Singapore 12, Taiwan 2, Tanzania 1, Vietnam 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela
Military ::Honduras
Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza
Aerea Hondurena, FAH) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary 2 to 3-year military service (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,868,940
females age 16-49: 1,825,770 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,397,938
females age 16-49: 1,402,398 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 92,638
female: 88,993 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Transnational Issues ::Honduras
Disputes - international:
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of
"bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border in
1992 with final settlement by the parties in 2006 after an
Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ
ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution
to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of
Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny
Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the
Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla
Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a
joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a
maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002
Belize-Guatemala Differendum; memorials and countermemorials were
filed by the parties in Nicaragua's 1999 and 2001 proceedings
against Honduras and Colombia at the ICJ over the maritime boundary
and territorial claims in the western Caribbean Sea - final public
hearings are scheduled for 2007
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of
cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local
consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering
activity
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Hong Kong (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Hong Kong
Background:
Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China
the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the
19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on
19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 1
July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one
country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system
would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a
high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense
affairs for the next 50 years.
Geography ::Hong Kong
Location:
Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates:
22 15 N, 114 10 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 1,104 sq km
country comparison to the world: 183
land: 1,054 sq km
water: 50 sq km
Area - comparative:
six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 30 km
regional border: China 30 km
Coastline:
733 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate:
subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from
spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Terrain:
hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
Natural resources:
outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar
Land use:
arable land: 5.05%
permanent crops: 1.01%
other: 93.94% (2001)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
occasional typhoons
Environment - current issues:
air and water pollution from rapid urbanization
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution
(associate member)
Geography - note:
more than 200 islands
People ::Hong Kong
Population:
7,055,071 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Age structure:
0-14 years: 12.2% (male 450,833/female 411,997)
15-64 years: 74.6% (male 2,551,256/female 2,713,532)
65 years and over: 13.1% (male 434,090/female 493,363) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 42.3 years
male: 41.9 years
female: 42.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.504% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Birth rate:
7.42 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
Death rate:
6.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Net migration rate:
4.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.92 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 220
male: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.86 years
country comparison to the world: 6
male: 79.16 years
female: 84.79 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.02 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,600 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Nationality:
noun: Chinese/Hong Konger
adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong
Ethnic groups:
Chinese 95%, Filipino 1.6%, Indonesian 1.3%, other 2.1% (2006 census)
Religions:
eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
Languages:
Chinese (Cantonese) 89.2% (official), other Chinese dialects 6.4%,
English 3.2% (official), other 1.2% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 93.5%
male: 96.9%
female: 89.6% (2002)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 112
Government ::Hong Kong
Country name:
conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
conventional short form: Hong Kong
local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu
local short form: Xianggang
abbreviation: HK
Dependency status:
special administrative region of China
Government type:
limited democracy
Administrative divisions:
none (special administrative region of China)
Independence:
none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday:
National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic
of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Constitution:
Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's
Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
direct election - 18 years of age for half the legislature and a
majority of seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent
residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven
years; indirect election - limited to about 220,000 members of
functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn
from broad regional groupings, central government bodies, and
municipal organizations
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)
head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 24
June 2005)
cabinet: Executive Council or ExCo consists of 15 official members
and 14 non-official members
elections: chief executive elected for five-year term by 800-member
electoral committee; last held on 25 March 2007 (next to be held in
2012)
election results: Donald TSANG elected chief executive receiving
84.1% of the vote of the election committee; Alan LEONG Kah-kit
received 15.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council or LegCo (60 seats; 30 seats
indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by
popular vote; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 7 September 2008 (next to be held in September
2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy 57%;
pro-Beijing 40%, independent 3%; seats by parties - (pro-Beijing 35)
DAB 13, Liberal Party 7, FTU 1, others 14; (pro-democracy 23)
Democratic Party 8, Civic Party 5, CTU 3, League of Social Democrats
3, ADPL 2, The Frontier 1, NWSC 1; others 11; independents and
non-voting LegCo president 2
Judicial branch:
Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Political parties and leaders:
Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL [Frederick
FUNG Kin-kee]; Civic Party [KUAN Hsin-chi]; Democratic Alliance for
the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB [TAM Yiu Cheng];
Democratic Party [Albert HO Chun-yan]; League of Social Democrats
[Raymond WONG Yuk-man]; Liberal Party [Miriam LAU Kin-yee]
note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - ADPL, Civic Party;
Democratic Party, League of Social Democrats; pro-Beijing - DAB,
Liberal Party, The Professional Forum (an informal group of three
generally pro-government and pro-business LegCo members from
functional constituencies and one independent elected from a
geographic constituency); there is no political party ordinance, so
there are no registered political parties; politically active groups
register as societies or companies
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese
Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade
Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE
Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries;
Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong,
executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic
Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and
Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber
of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG
Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or
NWSC [LEUNG Yiu-chung, LegCo member] (pro-democracy); Civic Act-up
[Cyd HO Sau-lan, LegCo member] (pro-democracy)
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, BIS, ICC, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (special administrative region of China); Hong Kong Economic
and Trade Office in Washington, New York, and San Francisco carries
out normal liaison and communication with the US Government and
other US entities
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Acting Consul General Christopher J. MARUT
consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006
telephone: [852] 2523-9011
FAX: [852] 2845-1598
Flag description:
red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center
Economy ::Hong Kong
Economy - overview:
Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on
international trade and finance, which has left it heavily exposed
to the global economic slowdown that began in 2008. The total value
of goods and services trade, including the sizable share of
reexports, was equivalent to 404% of GDP in 2007. The territory has
become increasingly integrated with mainland China over the past few
years through trade, tourism, and financial links. The mainland has
long been Hong Kong's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly
49% of Hong Kong's exports trade by value in 2008. As a result of
China's easing of travel restrictions, the number of mainland
tourists to the territory has surged from 4.5 million in 2001 to
16.9 million in 2008, when they outnumbered visitors from all other
countries combined. Hong Kong has also established itself as the
premier stock market for Chinese firms seeking to list abroad. More
than one-third of the firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
are now mainland Chinese companies. They account for 60% of the
Exchange's market capitalization. During the past decade, as Hong
Kong's manufacturing industry moved to the mainland, its service
industry has grown rapidly and now accounts for more than 90% of the
territory's GDP. Hong Kong's natural resources are limited, and food
and raw materials must be imported. GDP growth averaged a strong 5%
from 1989 to 2007, but the global financial crisis caused a sharp
slowdown in the second half of 2008, pushing the territory into
recession. Hong Kong continues to link its currency closely to the
US dollar, maintaining an arrangement established in 1983.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$307.3 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$300.1 billion (2007 est.)
$282.1 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$215.4 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
6.4% (2007 est.)
7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$43,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$43,000 (2007 est.)
$40,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0%
industry: 7.4%
services: 92.7% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
3.66 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Labor force - by occupation:
manufacturing 6.1%, construction 1.9%, wholesale and retail trade,
restaurants, and hotels 42.9%, financing, insurance, and real estate
21.4%, transport and communications 7.9%, community and social
services 19.7%
note: above data exclude public sector (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
4% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
53.3 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 17
Investment (gross fixed):
19.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Budget:
revenues: $39.04 billion
expenditures: $39.76 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
13.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
2.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
5.75% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$63.03 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 18
$51.25 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$352.4 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 10
$578.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$259.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.32 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 15
$1.163 trillion (31 December 2007)
$895.2 billion (31 December 2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:
fresh vegetables; poultry, pork; fish
Industries:
textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics,
plastics, toys, watches, clocks
Industrial production growth rate:
-1.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - production:
38.4 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - consumption:
44.6 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - exports:
3.553 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
11 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Oil - consumption:
366,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Oil - exports:
19,480 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
Oil - imports:
334,900 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 33
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - consumption:
3.36 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - imports:
3.36 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Current account balance:
$30.52 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$25.53 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$365.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$345.9 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear,
watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material
Exports - partners:
China 48.5%, US 12.8%, Japan 4.3% (2008)
Imports:
$388.4 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$365.6 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods,
foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported)
Imports - partners:
China 46.6%, Japan 9.8%, Singapore 6.4%, US 5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$182.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$152.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$659.9 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
$711.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$1.241 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
$1.178 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$776 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$1.011 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Hong Kong dollars (HKD) per US dollar - 7.751 (2008), 7.802 (2007),
7.7678 (2006), 7.7773 (2005), 7.788 (2004)
Communications ::Hong Kong
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.108 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 38
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.374 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 54
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and
international services
domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic
network
international: country code - 852; multiple international submarine
cables provide connections to Asia, US, Australia, the Middle East,
and Western Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 6, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2 TV networks, each broadcasting on 2 channels) (2008)
Internet country code:
.hk
Internet hosts:
813,980 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 44
Internet users:
4.124 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
Transportation ::Hong Kong
Airports:
2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 199
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
9 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 2,040 km
country comparison to the world: 172
paved: 2,040 km (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 1,114
country comparison to the world: 8
by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 525, cargo 142, carrier 3,
chemical tanker 68, combination ore/oil 2, container 205, liquefied
gas 22, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 114, roll
on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 7
foreign-owned: 703 (Belgium 3, Canada 44, China 324, Denmark 24,
France 1, Germany 6, Greece 22, Indonesia 7, Iran 15, Japan 111,
South Korea 3, Norway 40, Philippines 1, Portugal 1, Russia 2,
Singapore 18, Syria 1, Taiwan 11, UAE 1, UK 39, US 29)
registered in other countries: 357 (Bahamas 30, Bermuda 4, Cambodia
8, China 12, Cyprus 2, Georgia 2, Honduras 1, India 1, Jamaica 1,
Kiribati 4, Liberia 44, Malaysia 14, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 4,
Mexico 1, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 20, Panama 130, Philippines
1, Portugal 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Seychelles 1,
Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 47, Tuvalu 7, UK 2, Vietnam 1, unknown 8)
(2008)
Ports and terminals:
Hong Kong
Military ::Hong Kong
Military branches:
no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's
People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Ground
Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the
direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and
under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military
Region (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,772,820
females age 16-49: 1,941,448 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,421,406
females age 16-49: 1,543,443 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 42,330
female: 38,797 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of China
Transnational Issues ::Hong Kong
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
despite strenuous law enforcement efforts, faces difficult
challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to
regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit
for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs,
especially among young people
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Hungary (Europe)
Introduction ::Hungary
Background:
Hungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many
centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in
Europe. The kingdom eventually became part of the polyglot
Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The
country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a
revolt and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met
with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership
of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy,
introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first
multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It
joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.
Geography ::Hungary
Location:
Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 93,028 sq km
country comparison to the world: 109
land: 89,608 sq km
water: 3,420 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,185 km
border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,
Serbia 166 km, Slovakia 676 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the
Slovakian border
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Tisza River 78 m
highest point: Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 49.58%
permanent crops: 2.06%
other: 48.36% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
120 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 21.03 cu km/yr (9%/59%/32%)
per capita: 2,082 cu m/yr (2001)
Environment - current issues:
the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy
efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU
requirements will require large investments
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between
Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and
Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza
Rivers divide the country into three large regions
People ::Hungary
Population:
9,905,596 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15% (male 763,553/female 720,112)
15-64 years: 69.3% (male 3,384,961/female 3,475,135)
65 years and over: 15.8% (male 566,067/female 995,768) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.4 years
male: 37.1 years
female: 42 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.257% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
Birth rate:
9.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Death rate:
12.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Net migration rate:
0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Urbanization:
urban population: 68% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 163
male: 8.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.44 years
country comparison to the world: 106
male: 69.27 years
female: 77.87 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.35 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,300 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Hungarian(s)
adjective: Hungarian
Ethnic groups:
Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic
2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated
14.5% (2001 census)
Languages:
Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.4%
male: 99.5%
female: 99.3% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.5% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 48
Government ::Hungary
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Hungary
conventional short form: Hungary
local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag
local short form: Magyarorszag
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Budapest
geographic coordinates: 47 30 N, 19 05 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 23 urban counties (singular
- megyei varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros)
counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen,
Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves,
Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy,
Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala
urban counties: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Gyor,
Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa,
Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar,
Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg
capital city: Budapest
Independence:
25 December 1000 (crowning of King STEPHEN I, traditional founding
date)
National holiday:
Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August
Constitution:
18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949; revised 19 April 1972; 18
October 1989; and 1997
note: 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals
and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and
also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997
amendment streamlined the judicial system
Legal system:
based on the German-Austrian legal system; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Gordon BAJNAI (since 20 April
2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers prime minister elected by the National
Assembly on the recommendation of the president; other ministers
proposed by the prime minister and appointed and relieved of their
duties by the president
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6-7
June 2005 (next to be held by June 2010); prime minister elected by
the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president;
election last held 14 April 2009
election results: Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simple
majority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Gordon BAJNAI
elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 204 to 0
note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of
legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the
third round
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are
elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct
representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 9 and 23 April 2006 (next to be held in April
2010)
election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote
required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSzP
43.2%, Fidesz-KDNP 42%, SzDSz 6.5%, MDF 5%, other 3.3%; seats by
party - MSzP 190, Fidesz-KDNP 164, SzDSz 20, MDF 11, independent 1;
seats by party as of January 2009 - MSzP 190, Fidesz-KDNP 161, SzDSz
19, MDF 10, independent 5, vacant 1
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly
for nine-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor FODOR]; Christian
Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Zsolt SEMJEN]; Hungarian Civic
Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic
Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP
[Ildiko LENDVAI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Air Work Group (works to reduce air pollution in towns and cities);
Company For Freedom Rights (Tarsasag a Szabadsagjogokert) or TASZ
(personal data protection); Danube Circle (protests the building of
the Gabchikovo-Nagymaros dam); Green Future (protests the impact of
lead contamination of local factory on health of the people);
environmentalists: Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation
Society (Magyar Madartani Egyesulet)or MME; Green Alternative (Zold
Alternativa)
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA
(cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,
ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA,
NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen
Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL,
UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bela SZOMBATI
chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730
FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador April H. FOLEY
embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest
mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest
Place, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270
telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400
FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Economy ::Hungary
Economy - overview:
Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market
economy, with a per capita income nearly two-thirds that of the
EU-25 average. The private sector accounts for more than 80% of GDP.
Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms is
widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more
than $200 billion since 1989. The government's IMF-mandated
austerity measures, imposed since late 2006, have reduced the budget
deficit from over 9% of GDP in 2006 to 3.3% in 2008. Hungary's
impending inability to service its short-term debt - brought on by
the global credit crunch in late 2008 - led Budapest to seek and
receive an IMF-arranged financial assistance package worth over $25
billion. The global financial crisis, declining exports, and low
domestic consumption and fixed asset accumulation, dampened by
government austerity measures, will result in a negative growth rate
of about -1.5% to -2.5% in 2009.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$196.7 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$195.5 billion (2007 est.)
$193.2 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$155.9 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
1.2% (2007 est.)
3.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$19,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$19,600 (2007 est.)
$19,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 36.9%
services: 60.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.2 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 32.4%
services: 62.6% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
7.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
7.3% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
8.6% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 24.1% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
28 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 121
24.4 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
20.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Budget:
revenues: $67.7 billion
expenditures: $73 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
67.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
58.3% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
8% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
10% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 54
7.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.18% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$32.78 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 26
$36.78 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$47.49 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 29
$43.07 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$114.3 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 36
$109.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$21.9 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
$47.65 billion (31 December 2007)
$41.93 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle,
poultry, dairy products
Industries:
mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods,
textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:
-1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - production:
37.74 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Electricity - consumption:
37.77 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - exports:
8.871 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
12.77 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
37,830 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Oil - consumption:
162,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Oil - exports:
72,050 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Oil - imports:
195,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Oil - proved reserves:
20.18 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - production:
2.643 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - consumption:
13.17 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Natural gas - exports:
21 million cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
Natural gas - imports:
11.47 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Natural gas - proved reserves:
8.098 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Current account balance:
-$12.98 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
-$8.922 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$106.6 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$93.86 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%, food
products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2003)
Exports - partners:
Germany 26.5%, Italy 5.4%, Romania 5.3%, Austria 4.9%, Slovakia
4.7%, France 4.7%, UK 4.5%, Czech Republic 4% (2008)
Imports:
$106.5 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$93.4 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.7%, fuels and
electricity 7.7%, food products 3.1%, raw materials 2.0% (2003)
Imports - partners:
Germany 25.4%, Russia 9%, China 7.6%, Austria 6.1%, Netherlands
4.4%, France 4.4%, Italy 4.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$33.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$24.05 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$212.1 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 30
$167.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$237.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$164.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$159.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
$97.42 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
forints (HUF) per US dollar - 171.8 (2008), 183.83 (2007), 210.39
(2006), 199.58 (2005), 202.75 (2004)
Communications ::Hungary
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.094 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 48
Telephones - mobile cellular:
12.224 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 50
Telephone system:
general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is
capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service
domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk
services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave
radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was
initiated in 1996; competition among mobile-cellular service
providers has led to a sharp increase in the use of mobile cellular
phones since 2000 and a decrease in the number of fixed-line
connections
international: country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cable
connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch
is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture
terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM 90, shortwave 1 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
95 (2008)
Internet country code:
.hu
Internet hosts:
2.261 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 29
Internet users:
5.873 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 40
Transportation ::Hungary
Airports:
46 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 94
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 20
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 26
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 11 (2009)
Heliports:
5 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 4,407 km; oil 987 km; refined products 335 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 8,057 km
country comparison to the world: 27
broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 7,802 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 159,568 km
country comparison to the world: 32
paved: 70,050 km (30,874 km of interurban roads including 626 km of
expressways)
unpaved: 89,518 km (2005)
Waterways:
1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 49
Ports and terminals:
Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs
Military ::Hungary
Military branches:
Ground Forces, Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Legiero, ML) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-50 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription;
6-month service obligation (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,391,400
females age 16-49: 2,337,240 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,887,755
females age 16-49: 1,934,019 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 60,248
female: 57,280 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.75% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Transnational Issues ::Hungary
Disputes - international:
bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group
negotiations continue in 2006 with Slovakia over Hungary's failure
to complete its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam
project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the
EU's external border, Hungary has implemented the strict Schengen
border rules
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for
South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer
of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and
methamphetamine; efforts to counter money laundering, related to
organized crime and drug trafficking, are improving, but remain
vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Iceland (Europe)
Introduction ::Iceland
Background:
Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants
during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the
world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing,
established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was
subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja
volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused
widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the
island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited
home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence
attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are
first-rate by world standards.
Geography ::Iceland
Location:
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom
Geographic coordinates:
65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 103,000 sq km
country comparison to the world: 107
land: 100,250 sq km
water: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
4,970 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters;
damp, cool summers
Terrain:
mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast
deeply indented by bays and fiords
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
Natural resources:
fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use:
arable land: 0.07%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.93% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
170 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.17 cu km/yr (34%/66%/0%)
per capita: 567 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes and volcanic activity
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater
treatment
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands,
Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life
Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost
European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in
the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental
Europe
People ::Iceland
Population:
306,694 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.7% (male 32,268/female 31,308)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 104,158/female 101,584)
65 years and over: 12.2% (male 16,952/female 20,424) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.1 years
male: 34.6 years
female: 35.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.741% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Birth rate:
13.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Death rate:
6.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Net migration rate:
0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 218
male: 3.38 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.67 years
country comparison to the world: 14
male: 78.53 years
female: 82.9 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
220 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Nationality:
noun: Icelander(s)
adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic groups:
homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%,
population of foreign origin 6%
Religions:
Lutheran Church of Iceland 80.7%, Roman Catholic Church 2.5%,
Reykjavik Free Church 2.4%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.6%, other
religions 3.6%, unaffiliated 3%, other or unspecified 6.2% (2006
est.)
Languages:
Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 18 years
male: 17 years
female: 19 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
7.6% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 16
Government ::Iceland
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Iceland
conventional short form: Iceland
local long form: Lydveldid Island
local short form: Island
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Reykjavik
geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra,
Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland
Independence:
1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown);
17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Constitution:
16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times
Legal system:
civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August
1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR (since 1
February 2009);
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
elections: president, a largely ceremonial post, is elected by
popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last
held 28 June 2004 (next to be held in June 2012); following
legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the
leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister
note: the presidential election of 28 June 2008 was never held
because Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON had no challengers; he was sworn in
on 1 August 2008
2004 election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president;
percent of vote - Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON
12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%;
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 25 April 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic
Alliance 29.8%, Independence Party 23.7%, Left-Green Movement 21.7%,
Progressive Party 14.8%, Citizens' Movement 7.2%, other 2.8%; seats
by party - Social Democratic Alliance 20, Independence Party 16,
Left-Green Alliance 14, Progressive Party 9, Citizens' Movement 4
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by
the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are
appointed for life by the Minister of Justice)
Political parties and leaders:
Citizens' Movement; Independence Party or IP [Bjarni BENEDIKTSSON,
Jr.]; Left-Green Movement or LGM [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal
Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP
[Sigmundur David GUNNLAUGSSON; Social Democratic Alliance or SDA
[Johanna SIGUROARDOTTIR] (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social
Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
People's Voices [Hordur TORFARSON]; New Times; Civic Action
Association [Gunnar SIGURDSSON]; The Association of Military
Opponents [Stefan PALSSON]
International organization participation:
Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA,
FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,
NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen
Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hjalmar W. HANNESSON
chancery: House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW #509, Washington, DC
20007
telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653
FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hjalmar HANNESSON
embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik
mailing address: US Department of State, 5640 Reykjavik Place,
Washington, D.C. 20521-5640
telephone: [354] 562-9100
FAX: [354] 562-9118
Flag description:
blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of
the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist
side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors
represent three of the elements that make up the island: red is for
the island's volcanic fires, white recalls the snow and ice fields
of the island, and blue is for the surrounding ocean
Economy ::Iceland
Economy - overview:
Iceland's Scandinavian-type social-market economy combines a
capitalist structure and free-market principles with an extensive
welfare system, including generous housing subsidies. Prior to the
2008 crisis, Iceland had achieved high growth, low unemployment, and
a remarkably even distribution of income. Government economic
priorities have included stabilizing the krona, reducing the current
account deficit, containing inflation, restructuring the financial
sector, and diversifying the economy. The economy depends heavily on
the fishing industry, which provides 40% of export earnings, more
than 12% of GDP, and employs 7% of the work force. It remains
sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in
world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum,
and ferrosilicon. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into
manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, with new
developments in software production, biotechnology, and tourism.
Abundant geothermal sources have attracted substantial foreign
investment in the aluminum and hydropower sectors and boosted
economic growth, although the financial crisis has put several
investment projects on hold. Much of Iceland's economic growth in
recent years came as the result of a boom in domestic demand
following the rapid expansion of the country's financial sector.
Domestic banks expanded aggressively in foreign markets, and
consumers and businesses borrowed heavily in foreign-currency loans,
following the privatization of the sector in the early 2000s.
Worsening global financial conditions throughout 2008 resulted in a
sharp depreciation of the krona vis-a-vis other major currencies.
The foreign exposure of Icelandic banks, whose loans and other
assets totaled more than 10 times the country's GDP, became
unsustainable. Iceland's three largest banks collapsed in late 2008.
The country negotiated over $10 billion in loans from the IMF and
other countries to stabilize its currency and financial sector, and
to guarantee foreign deposits in Icelandic banks. A protracted
recession is expected in 2009 and 2010 with GDP likely to contract
and unemployment likely to surpass 10%. The collapse of the
financial system has led to a major shift in opinion in favor of
joining the EU and adopting the euro. Previous opposition to this
move stemmed from Icelanders' concern about losing control of their
fishing resources. Iceland's coalition government collapsed in
January 2009 following protests over growing joblessness and losses
to personal savings.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$12.87 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$12.7 billion (2007 est.)
$12.03 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$16.79 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
5.5% (2007 est.)
4.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$42,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
$42,100 (2007 est.)
$40,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 25.2%
services: 69.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
184,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 19%
services: 78% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
1.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
1% (2007 est.)
note: this figure climbed to 9.4% as of February 2009
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
25 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 130
Investment (gross fixed):
23.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Budget:
revenues: $6.657 billion
expenditures: $6.856 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
56.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
35.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
5.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
22% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 12
15.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 18
19.29% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$6.64 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$15.05 billion (31 December 2006)
country comparison to the world: 45
$NA (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$49.67 billion (31 December 2006)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
$40.56 billion (31 December 2007)
$36.1 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish
Industries:
fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production;
geothermal power, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
0% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - production:
11.71 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - consumption:
11.22 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Oil - consumption:
19,880 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Oil - exports:
2,975 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Oil - imports:
17,510 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Current account balance:
-$6.606 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
-$3.178 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$5.399 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
$4.793 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon,
diatomite
Exports - partners:
Netherlands 33.8%, UK 11.7%, Germany 11.5%, US 5.8%, Japan 4.9%,
Norway 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$5.699 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
$6.181 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners:
Norway 10.9%, Germany 10.4%, Sweden 9%, US 8%, Denmark 7.4%, China
6.8%, Netherlands 6%, UK 4.4%, Japan 4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$2.436 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.073 billion (2002)
country comparison to the world: 125
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Icelandic kronur (ISK) per US dollar - 85.619 (2008 est.), 63.391
(2007), 70.195 (2006), 62.982 (2005), 70.192 (2004)
Communications ::Iceland
Telephones - main lines in use:
187,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 125
Telephones - mobile cellular:
342,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 166
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is modern and
fully digitized, with satellite-earth stations, fiber-optic cables,
and an extensive broadband network
domestic: liberalization of the telecommunications sector beginning
in the late 1990s has led to increased competition especially in the
mobile services segment of the market
international: country code - 354; the CANTAT-3 and FARICE-1
submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Canada, the Faroe
Islands, UK, Denmark, and Germany; a planned new section of the
Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable will provide additional
connectivity to Canada, US, and Ireland; satellite earth stations -
2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean
regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the
other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM about 70, shortwave 1 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
14 (plus 156 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.is
Internet hosts:
272,201 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 59
Internet users:
250,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 131
Transportation ::Iceland
Airports:
99 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 62
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 93
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 27
under 914 m: 63 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 13,058 km
country comparison to the world: 129
paved/oiled gravel: 4,397 km (does not include urban roads)
unpaved: 8,661 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 2
country comparison to the world: 145
by type: passenger/cargo 2
registered in other countries: 37 (Antigua and Barbuda 12, Bahamas
1, Belize 2, Denmark 2, Faroe Islands 1, Gibraltar 1, Malta 5,
Marshall Islands 3, Norway 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7)
(2008)
Ports and terminals:
Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Reykjavik
Military ::Iceland
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Icelandic National Police (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 74,896 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 62,576
females age 16-49: 61,159 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,369
female: 2,349 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Military - note:
Iceland has no standing military force; under a 1951 bilateral
agreement - still valid - its defense was provided by the US-manned
Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik; however,
all US military forces in Iceland were withdrawn as of October 2006;
although wartime defense of Iceland remains a NATO commitment, in
April 2007, Iceland and Norway signed a bilateral agreement
providing for Norwegian aerial surveillance and defense of Icelandic
airspace (2008)
Transnational Issues ::Iceland
Disputes - international:
Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe
Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@India (South Asia)
Introduction ::India
Background:
The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished
during the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C. and extended into northwestern
India. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto the Indian
subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier
Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The
Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its
zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age
ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a
flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Arab incursions
starting in the 8th century and Turkic in the 12th were followed by
those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By
the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually
all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a
vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British
colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought
independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular
state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war
between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming
the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons testing
in 1998 caused Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year.
Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India
faces pressing problems such as significant overpopulation,
environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and widespread
corruption.
Geography ::India
Location:
Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal,
between Burma and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates:
20 00 N, 77 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 3,287,263 sq km
country comparison to the world: 7
land: 2,973,193 sq km
water: 314,070 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than one-third the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 14,103 km
border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463
km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km
Coastline:
7,000 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north
Terrain:
upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along
the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m
Natural resources:
coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese,
mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds,
petroleum, limestone, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 48.83%
permanent crops: 2.8%
other: 48.37% (2005)
Irrigated land:
558,080 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,907.8 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 645.84 cu km/yr (8%/5%/86%)
per capita: 585 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive
flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air
pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water
pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap
water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing
population is overstraining natural resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean
trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the world,
lies on the border with Nepal
People ::India
Population:
1,166,079,217 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.1% (male 190,075,426/female 172,799,553)
15-64 years: 63.6% (male 381,446,079/female 359,802,209)
65 years and over: 5.3% (male 29,364,920/female 32,591,030) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 25.3 years
male: 24.9 years
female: 25.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.548% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Birth rate:
21.76 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Death rate:
6.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Net migration rate:
-0.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Urbanization:
urban population: 29% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 73
male: 34.61 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.89 years
country comparison to the world: 145
male: 67.46 years
female: 72.61 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.72 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2.4 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
310,000 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,
and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, Japanese
encephalitis, and malaria
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: leptospirosis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Indian(s)
adjective: Indian
Ethnic groups:
Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)
Religions:
Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%,
unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)
Languages:
Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu
5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi
2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9%
note: English enjoys associate status but is the most important
language for national, political, and commercial communication;
Hindi is the most widely spoken language and primary tongue of 41%
of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali,
Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya,
Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a
popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern
India but is not an official language (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 61%
male: 73.4%
female: 47.8% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 9 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
3.2% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 140
Government ::India
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of India
conventional short form: India
local long form: Republic of India/Bharatiya Ganarajya
local short form: India/Bharat
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: New Delhi
geographic coordinates: 28 36 N, 77 12 E
time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*,
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*,
Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa,
Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand,
Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry*, Punjab,
Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
West Bengal
Independence:
15 August 1947 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 26 January (1950)
Constitution:
26 January 1950; amended many times
Legal system:
based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; separate
personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pratibha PATIL (since 25 July 2007); Vice
President Hamid ANSARI (since 11 August 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since 22 May 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of
the prime minister
elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of
elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of
the states for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held
in July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012); vice president elected
by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last
held in August 2007 (next to be held August 2012); prime minister
chosen by parliamentary members of the majority party following
legislative elections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to
be held no later than May 2009)
election results: Pratibha PATIL elected president; percent of vote
- Pratibha PATIL 65.8%, Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT - 34.2%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or
Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members up to 12
of whom are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by
the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members
serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545
seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president;
members serve five-year terms)
elections: People's Assembly - last held in five phases 16, 22-23,
30 April and 7, 13 May 2009 (next must be held by May 2014)
election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - INC 206, BJP 116, SP 23, BSP 21, JD (U) 20, AITC
19, DMK 18, CPI-M 16, BJD 14, SS 11, AIADMK 9, NCP 9, other 61,
vacant 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (one chief justice and 25 associate justices are
appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the
age of 65 or are removed for "proved misbehavior")
Political parties and leaders:
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [J.
JAYALALITHAA]; All India Trinamool Congress or AITC [Mamata
BANERJEE]; Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [Kumari MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya
Janata Party or BJP [Rajnath SINGH]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen
PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan
BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India-Marxist or CPI-M [Prakash KARAT];
Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National
Congress or INC [Sonia GANDHI]; Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) [Sharad
YADAV]; Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM [Shibu SOREN]; Left Front (an
alliance of Indian leftist parties); Lok Jan Shakti Party or LJSP
[Ram Vilas PASWAN]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad
PAWAR]; Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK [S. RAMADOSS]; Rashtriya Janata
Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam
Singh YADAV]; Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD [Parkash Singh BADAL]; Shiv
Sena or SS [Bal THACKERAY]; note - India has dozens of national and
regional political parties; only parties or coalitions with four or
more seats in the People's Assembly are listed
Political pressure groups and leaders:
All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley (separatist
group); Bajrang Dal (religious organization); National Socialist
Council of Nagaland in the northeast (separatist group); Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (religious organization); Vishwa Hindu Parishad
(religious organization
other: numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations;
various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional
autonomy
International organization participation:
ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner),
BIMSTEC, BIS, C, CERN (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24,
G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS
(observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF
(partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Meera SHANKAR
chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note -
Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4351
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires A. Peter
BURLEIGH
embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [91] (011) 2419-8000
FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017
consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai
(Bombay)
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top),
white, and green, with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in
the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small
orange disk centered in the white band
Economy ::India
Economy - overview:
India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming,
modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries,
and a multitude of services. Services are the major source of
economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output
with less than one third of its labor force. Slightly more than half
of the work force is in agriculture, leading the United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) government to articulate a rural economic development
program that includes creating basic infrastructure to improve the
lives of the rural poor and boost economic performance. The
government has reduced controls on foreign trade and investment.
Higher limits on foreign direct investment were permitted in a few
key sectors, such as telecommunications. However, tariff spikes in
sensitive categories, including agriculture, and incremental
progress on economic reforms still hinder foreign access to India's
vast and growing market. Privatization of government-owned
industries remains stalled and continues to generate political
debate; populist pressure from within the UPA government had
restrained needed initiatives. The economy has posted an average
growth rate of more than 7% in the decade since 1997, reducing
poverty by about 10 percentage points. India achieved 9.6% GDP
growth in 2006, 9.0% in 2007, and 6.6% in 2008, significantly
expanding manufactures through late 2008. India also is capitalizing
on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English
language to become a major exporter of software services and
software workers. Strong growth combined with easy consumer credit,
a real estate boom, and fast-rising commodity prices fueled
inflation concerns from mid-2006 to August 2008. Rising tax revenues
from better tax administration and economic expansion helped New
Delhi make progress in reducing its fiscal deficit for three
straight years before skyrocketing global commodity prices more than
doubled the cost of government energy and fertilizer subsidies. The
ballooning subsidies, amidst slowing growth, brought the return of a
large fiscal deficit in 2008. In the long run, the huge and growing
population is the fundamental social, economic, and environmental
problem.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.304 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
$3.077 trillion (2007 est.)
$2.823 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.207 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
9% (2007 est.)
9.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$2,700 (2007 est.)
$2,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 17.6%
industry: 29%
services: 53.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
523.5 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 60%
industry: 12%
services: 28% (2003)
Unemployment rate:
9.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
7.2% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
25% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 31.1% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.8 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 79
37.8 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
39% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Budget:
revenues: $126.7 billion
expenditures: $202.6 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
56.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
59.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
6.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
6% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.31% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$250.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$647.3 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$769.3 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$645.5 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 9
$1.819 trillion (31 December 2007)
$818.9 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes;
onions, dairy products, sheep, goats, poultry; fish
Industries:
textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation
equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software
Industrial production growth rate:
4.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Electricity - production:
761.7 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Electricity - consumption:
568 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Electricity - exports:
216 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
4.96 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
883,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Oil - consumption:
2.94 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Oil - exports:
671,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Oil - imports:
2.518 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Oil - proved reserves:
5.625 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Natural gas - production:
32.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Natural gas - consumption:
42.99 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - imports:
10.79 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.075 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Current account balance:
-$36.09 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
-$10.88 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$187.9 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$150.7 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum products, textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering
goods, chemicals, leather manufactures
Exports - partners:
US 12.3%, UAE 9.4%, China 9.3% (2008)
Imports:
$315.1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$231.6 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals
Imports - partners:
China 11.1%, Saudi Arabia 7.5%, US 6.6%, UAE 5.1%, Iran 4.2%,
Singapore 4.2%, Germany 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$254 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
$273.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$229.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$206 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$144.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$103.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$61.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$38.82 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Indian rupees (INR) per US dollar - 43.319 (2008 est.), 41.487
(2007), 45.3 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004)
Communications ::India
Telephones - main lines in use:
37.54 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 7
Telephones - mobile cellular:
427.3 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 2
Telephone system:
general assessment: recent deregulation and liberalization of
telecommunications laws and policies have prompted rapid growth;
local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of
the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban
areas; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission
of private and private-public investors, but combined fixed and
mobile telephone density remains low at about 40 for each 100
persons nationwide and much lower for persons in rural areas;
extremely rapid growth in cellular service with modest declines in
fixed lines
domestic: mobile cellular service introduced in 1994 and organized
nationwide into four metropolitan areas and 19 telecom circles each
with multiple private service providers and one or more state-owned
service providers; in recent years significant trunk capacity added
in the form of fiber-optic cable and one of the world's largest
domestic satellite systems, the Indian National Satellite system
(INSAT), with 6 satellites supporting 33,000 very small aperture
terminals (VSAT)
international: country code - 91; a number of major international
submarine cable systems, including Sea-Me-We-3 with landing sites at
Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), Sea-Me-We-4 with a landing site at
Chennai, Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with a landing
site at Mumbai (Bombay), South Africa - Far East (SAFE) with a
landing site at Cochin, the i2i cable network linking to Singapore
with landing sites at Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras), and Tata
Indicom linking Singapore and Chennai (Madras), provide a
significant increase in the bandwidth available for both voice and
data traffic; satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); 9 gateway exchanges operating
from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai
(Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam
(2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
562 (1997)
Internet country code:
.in
Internet hosts:
3.611 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 22
Internet users:
81 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 4
Transportation ::India
Airports:
349 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 23
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 250
over 3,047 m: 20
2,438 to 3,047 m: 56
1,524 to 2,437 m: 76
914 to 1,523 m: 84
under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 99
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 42
under 914 m: 47 (2009)
Heliports:
37 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate/gas 2 km; gas 6,061 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,156 km;
oil 7,678 km; refined products 6,876 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 63,327 km
country comparison to the world: 4
broad gauge: 49,820 km 1.676-m gauge (17,786 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 10,621 km 1.000-m gauge (135 km electrified); 2,886 km
0.762-m gauge and 0.610-m gauge (2007)
Roadways:
total: 3,316,452 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2006)
country comparison to the world: 2
Waterways:
14,500 km
country comparison to the world: 9
note: 5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for
mechanized vessels (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 501
country comparison to the world: 23
by type: bulk carrier 102, cargo 241, carrier 1, chemical tanker 19,
container 13, liquefied gas 18, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 11,
petroleum tanker 92, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 12 (China 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, UAE 6, UK 2)
registered in other countries: 61 (Barbados 1, Comoros 2, Cyprus 2,
Dominica 2, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 27, Saint
Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 13,
unknown 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Chennai, Haldia, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta),
Mormugao, Mumbai (Bombay), New Mangalore, Vishakhapatnam
Military ::India
Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force (Bharatiya Vayu
Sena), Coast Guard (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription;
women officers allowed in noncombat roles only (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 301,094,084
females age 16-49: 283,047,141 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 237,042,868
females age 16-49: 243,276,310 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 11.795 million
female: 10,820,590 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 66
Transnational Issues ::India
Disputes - international:
since China and India launched a security and foreign policy
dialogue in 2005, consolidated discussions related to the dispute
over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear
proliferation, Indian claims that China transferred missiles to
Pakistan, and other matters continue; various talks and
confidence-building measures have cautiously begun to defuse
tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005
earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of
the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with
portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin),
India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern
Areas); India and Pakistan have maintained the 2004 cease fire in
Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in
the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the
highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar
Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the
larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its
tributaries; UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan
(UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949;
India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to
China in 1964; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a
maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of
the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann
of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show its
Junagadh claim in Indian Gujarat State; discussions with Bangladesh
remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, to
exchange territory for 51 Bangladeshi exclaves in India and 111
Indian exclaves in Bangladesh, to allocate divided villages, and to
stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of
terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's
attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the border; dispute
with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the
Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; India seeks
cooperation from Bhutan and Burma to keep Indian Nagaland and Assam
separatists from hiding in remote areas along the borders; Joint
Border Committee with Nepal continues to examine contested boundary
sections, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source
of the Kalapani River; India maintains a strict border regime to
keep out Maoist insurgents and control illegal cross-border
activities from Nepal
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 77,200 (Tibet/China); 69,609 (Sri
Lanka); 9,472 (Afghanistan)
IDPs: at least 600,000 (about half are Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu
and Kashmir) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: India is a source, destination, and transit
country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of
forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; internal forced
labor may constitute India's largest trafficking problem; men,
women, and children are held in debt bondage and face forced labor
working in brick kilns, rice mills, agriculture, and embroidery
factories; women and girls are trafficked within the country for the
purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage;
children are subjected to forced labor as factory workers, domestic
servants, beggars, and agriculture workers, and have been used as
armed combatants by some terrorist and insurgent groups; India is
also a destination for women and girls from Nepal and Bangladesh
trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Indian
women are trafficked to the Middle East for commercial sexual
exploitation; men and women from Bangladesh and Nepal are trafficked
through India for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation in
the Middle East
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - India is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for a fifth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence of
increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; despite the
reported extent of the trafficking crisis in India, government
authorities made uneven efforts to prosecute traffickers and protect
trafficking victims; government authorities continued to rescue
victims of commercial sexual exploitation and forced child labor and
child armed combatants, and began to show progress in law
enforcement against these forms of trafficking; a critical challenge
overall is the lack of punishment for traffickers, effectively
resulting in impunity for acts of human trafficking; India has not
ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical
trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit
international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics
produced in neighboring countries and throughout Southwest Asia;
illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money
laundering through the hawala system; licit ketamine and precursor
production
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Indian Ocean (Oceans)
Introduction ::Indian Ocean
Background:
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans
(after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the
Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access
waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb
(Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of
Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia). The decision by the International
Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth
ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean
south of 60 degrees south latitude.
Geography ::Indian Ocean
Location:
body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia
Geographic coordinates:
20 00 S, 80 00 E
Map references:
Political Map of the World
Area:
total: 68.556 million sq km
note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Flores Sea,
Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Java Sea,
Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of
Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:
about 5.5 times the size of the US
Coastline:
66,526 km
Climate:
northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to
October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and
October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February
in the southern Indian Ocean
Terrain:
surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system
of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of
surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric
pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in
the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents,
while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter
air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest
winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean
Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest
Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:
oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer
deposits, polymetallic nodules
Natural hazards:
occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches
Environment - current issues:
endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and
whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea
Geography - note:
major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of
Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait
Economy ::Indian Ocean
Economy - overview:
The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle
East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries
a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products
from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are
of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for
domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan,
South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for
shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in
the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western
Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production
comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and
offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering
countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand.
Transportation ::Indian Ocean
Ports and terminals:
Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa),
Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta; India) Melbourne
(Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South Africa)
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of
littoral states and offshore waters as high risk for piracy and
armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Aden, along
the east coast of Africa, the Bay of Bengal, and the Strait of
Malacca; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and
pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and
while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes
stolen; crew and passengers are often held for ransom, murdered, or
cast adrift; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf
of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship
operators have reduced the piracy incidents; in response local
pirates shifted operations farther south along the east coast of
Somalia and eastward along the coast of Oman
Transnational Issues ::Indian Ocean
Disputes - international:
some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
page last updated on October 22, 2009
======================================================================
@Indonesia (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Indonesia
Background:
The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century;
Japan occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its
independence after Japan's surrender, but it required four years of
intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and UN mediation
before the Netherlands agreed to transfer sovereignty in 1949.
Indonesia's first free parliamentary election after decades of
repressive rule took place in 1999. Indonesia is now the world's
third-largest democracy, the world's largest archipelagic state, and
home to the world's largest Muslim population. Current issues
include: alleviating poverty, improving education, preventing
terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of
authoritarianism, implementing economic and financial reforms,
stemming corruption, holding the military and police accountable for
past human rights violations, addressing climate change, and
controlling avian influenza. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic
peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, which led to
democratic elections in December 2006. Indonesia continues to face a
low intensity separatist movement in Papua.
Geography ::Indonesia
Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the
Pacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates:
5 00 S, 120 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 1,904,569 sq km
country comparison to the world: 16
land: 1,811,569 sq km
water: 93,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,830 km
border countries: Timor-Leste 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New
Guinea 820 km
Coastline:
54,716 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain:
mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper,
fertile soils, coal, gold, silver
Land use:
arable land: 11.03%
permanent crops: 7.04%
other: 81.93% (2005)
Irrigated land:
45,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
2,838 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 82.78 cu km/yr (8%/1%/91%)
per capita: 372 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes;
volcanoes; forest fires
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air
pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles equator;
strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian
Ocean to Pacific Ocean
People ::Indonesia
Population:
240,271,522 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28.1% (male 34,337,341/female 33,162,207)
15-64 years: 66% (male 79,549,569/female 78,918,321)
65 years and over: 6% (male 6,335,208/female 7,968,876) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 27.6 years
male: 27.1 years
female: 28.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.136% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Birth rate:
18.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Death rate:
6.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Net migration rate:
-1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 29.97 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 74
male: 34.93 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 24.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.76 years
country comparison to the world: 137
male: 68.26 years
female: 73.38 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.31 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
270,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
8,700 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,
and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, and malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Indonesian(s)
adjective: Indonesian
Ethnic groups:
Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%,
Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or
unspecified 29.9% (2000 census)
Religions:
Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other
or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census)
Languages:
Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch,
local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.4%
male: 94%
female: 86.8% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
3.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 127
Government ::Indonesia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia
conventional short form: Indonesia
local long form: Republik Indonesia
local short form: Indonesia
former: Netherlands East Indies, Dutch East Indies
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Jakarta
geographic coordinates: 6 10 S, 106 49 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Indonesia is divided into three time zones
Administrative divisions:
30 provinces (provinsi-provinsi, singular - provinsi), 2 special
regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1
special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*,
Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa
Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan
Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan Bangka
Belitung, Kepulauan Riau, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa
Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Papua Barat, Riau,
Sulawesi Barat, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi
Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera
Utara, Yogyakarta*
note: following the implementation of decentralization beginning on
1 January 2001, the 465 regencies and municipalities have become the
key administrative units responsible for providing most government
services
Independence:
17 August 1945 (declared); 27 December 1949 (by the Netherlands)
note: in August 2005, the Netherlands announced it recognized de
facto Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
Constitution:
August 1945; abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and
Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959; series of
amendments concluded in 2002
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous
concepts and by new criminal procedures and election codes; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October
2004); Vice President BOEDIONO (since 20 October 2009); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20
October 2004); Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20 October
2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president are elected for five-year
terms (eligible for a second term) by direct vote of the citizenry;
last held on 8 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014)
election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected president;
percent of vote - Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO 60.8%, MEGAWATI
Sukarnoputri 26.8%, Jusuf KALLA 12.4%
Legislative branch:
People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or
MPR) is the upper house, consists of members of DPR and DPD, has
role in inaugurating and impeaching the president and in amending
the constitution, does not formulate national policy; House of
Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (550 seats, members
elected to serve five-year terms), formulates and passes legislation
at the national level; House of Regional Representatives (Dewan
Perwakilan Daerah or DPD), constitutionally mandated role includes
providing legislative input to DPR on issues affecting regions
elections: last held 9 April 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - PD 20.9%, GOLKAR 14.5%,
PDI-P 14.0%, PKS 7.9%, PAN 6.0%, PPP 5.3%, PKB 4.9%, GERINDRA 4.5%,
HANURA 3.8%, others 18.2%; seats by party - PD 148, GOLKAR 108,
PDI-P 93, PKS 59, PAN 42, PPP 39, PKB 26, GERINDRA 30, HANURA 15
note: 29 other parties received less than 2.5% of the vote so did
not obtain any seats; because of election rules, the number of seats
won does not always follow the percentage of votes received by
parties
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung is the final court of appeal but
does not have the power of judicial review (justices are appointed
by the president from a list of candidates selected by the
legislature); in March 2004 the Supreme Court assumed administrative
and financial responsibility for the lower court system from the
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; Constitutional Court or
Mahkamah Konstitusi (invested by the president on 16 August 2003)
has the power of judicial review, jurisdiction over the results of a
general election, and reviews actions to dismiss a president from
office; Labor Court under supervision of Supreme Court began
functioning in January 2006; the Anti-Corruption Court has
jurisdiction over corruption cases brought by the independent
Corruption Eradication Commission; in 2006, the Constitutional Court
declared the mechanism by which the Anti-Corruption Court was
established unconstitutional and gave the parliament until the end
of 2009 to pass Anti-Corruption Court legislation
Political parties and leaders:
Democrat Party or PD [Hadi UTOMO]; Functional Groups Party or GOLKAR
[Aburizal BAKRIE]; Great Indonesia Movement Party or GERINDRA
[WIRANTO]; Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI
Sukarnoputri]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Muhaiman ISKANDAR];
National Mandate Party or PAN [Sutrisno BACHIR]; People's Conscience
Party or HANURA [SUHARDI]; Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Tifatul
SEMBIRING]; United Development Party or PPP [Suryadharma ALI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Indonesian Women's Coalition (Koalisi Perempuan - human rights
group); Islamic Defenders Front or FPI; National Alliance for
Freedom of Religion and Faith; Oil Palm Watch (environmental)
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-77,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU,
WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador SUDJADNAN Parnohadiningrat
chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200
FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron R. HUME
embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 4-5, Jakarta 10110
mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520
telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000
FAX: [62] (21) 3435-9922
consulate(s) general: Surabaya
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the
flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of
Poland, which is white (top) and red
Economy ::Indonesia
Economy - overview:
Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, has made significant economic
advances under the administration of President YUDHOYONO but faces
challenges stemming from the global financial crisis and world
economic downturn. Indonesia's debt-to-GDP ratio in recent years has
declined steadily because of increasingly robust GDP growth and
sound fiscal stewardship. The government has introduced significant
reforms in the financial sector, including in the areas of tax and
customs, the use of Treasury bills, and capital market supervision.
Indonesia's investment law, passed in March 2007, seeks to address
some of the concerns of foreign and domestic investors. Indonesia
still struggles with poverty and unemployment, inadequate
infrastructure, corruption, a complex regulatory environment, and
unequal resource distribution among regions. The non-bank financial
sector, including pension funds and insurance, remains weak. Despite
efforts to broaden and deepen capital markets, they remain
underdeveloped. Economic difficulties in early 2008 centered on high
global food and oil prices and their impact on Indonesia's poor and
on the budget. The onset of the global financial crisis dampened
inflationary pressures, but increased risk aversion for emerging
market assets resulted in large losses in the stock market,
significant depreciation of the rupiah, and a difficult environment
for bond issuance. As global demand has slowed and prices for
Indonesia's commodity exports have fallen, Indonesia faces the
prospect of growth significantly below the 6-plus percent recorded
in 2007 and 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$916.7 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$864 billion (2007 est.)
$812.8 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$511.8 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
6.3% (2007 est.)
5.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,900 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$3,700 (2007 est.)
$3,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 14.4%
industry: 48.1%
services: 37.5% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
112 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 42.1%
industry: 18.6%
services: 39.3% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
9.1% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
17.8% (2006)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 32.3% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39.4 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 66
37 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
23.6% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 61
Budget:
revenues: $92.62 billion
expenditures: $98.88 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
29.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
56.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
6.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
10.83% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
8% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.6% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 119
7.21% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$41.71 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 24
$47.78 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$131.5 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 18
$127 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$166.2 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
$170.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$98.76 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
$211.7 billion (31 December 2007)
$138.9 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil,
copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs
Industries:
petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining,
cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
3.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - production:
134.4 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Electricity - consumption:
119.3 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
1.051 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Oil - consumption:
1.564 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Oil - exports:
85,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Oil - imports:
671,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Oil - proved reserves:
3.99 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Natural gas - production:
70 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Natural gas - consumption:
36.5 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Natural gas - exports:
33.5 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - proved reserves:
3.001 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Current account balance:
$604 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$10.49 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$139.3 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$118 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber
Exports - partners:
Japan 20.2%, US 9.5%, Singapore 9.4%, China 8.5%, South Korea 6.7%,
India 5.2%, Malaysia 4.7% (2008)
Imports:
$116 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
$85.26 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Singapore 16.9%, China 11.8%, Japan 11.7%, Malaysia 6.9%, US 6.1%,
South Korea 5.4%, Thailand 4.9% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$51.64 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$56.92 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$155.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
$141.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$67.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$58.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$6.656 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$9.225 billion (2006 est.)
Exchange rates:
Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar - 9,698.9 (2008), 9,143
(2007), 9,159.3 (2006), 9,704.7 (2005), 8,938.9 (2004)
Communications ::Indonesia
Telephones - main lines in use:
30.378 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 10
Telephones - mobile cellular:
140.578 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
Telephone system:
general assessment: domestic service fair, international service good
domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net;
domestic satellite communications system; coverage provided by
existing network has been expanded by use of over 200,000 telephone
kiosks many located in remote areas; mobile cellular subscribership
growing rapidly
international: country code - 62; landing point for both the
SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks that provide
links throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth
stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
54 local TV stations (11 national TV networks; each with its group
of local transmitters) (2006)
Internet country code:
.id
Internet hosts:
865,309 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 42
Internet users:
30 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 11
Transportation ::Indonesia
Airports:
683 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 10
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 164
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 51
914 to 1,523 m: 56
under 914 m: 35 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 519
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 25
under 914 m: 489 (2009)
Heliports:
36 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 735 km; condensate/gas 73 km; gas 5,797 km; oil 5,721 km;
oil/gas/water 12 km; refined products 1,370 km; water 44 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 8,529 km
country comparison to the world: 25
narrow gauge: 8,529 km 1.067-m gauge (565 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 391,009 km
country comparison to the world: 17
paved: 216,714 km
unpaved: 174,295 km (2005)
Waterways:
21,579 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
Merchant marine:
total: 971
country comparison to the world: 11
by type: bulk carrier 54, cargo 514, chemical tanker 35, container
80, liquefied gas 7, passenger 44, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum
tanker 143, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 10, specialized
tanker 10, vehicle carrier 4
foreign-owned: 43 (China 2, France 1, Germany 1, Japan 6, Norway 1,
Philippines 1, Singapore 27, Taiwan 2, UAE 2)
registered in other countries: 114 (Bahamas 2, Cambodia 2, China 1,
Hong Kong 7, Liberia 2, Mongolia 1, Panama 31, Singapore 66, unknown
2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Banjarmasin, Belawan, Ciwandan, Kotabaru, Krueg Geukueh, Palembang,
Panjang, Sungai Pakning, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Priok
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and
offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high
risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial
vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while
underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to
ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
Military ::Indonesia
Military branches:
Indonesian Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI): Army
(TNI-Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD)), Navy (TNI-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL);
includes marines, naval air arm), Air Force (TNI-Angkatan Udara
(TNI-AU)), National Air Defense Command (Kommando Pertahanan Udara
Nasional (Kohanudnas)) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military
service; 2-year conscript service obligation, with reserve
obligation to age 45 (officers); Indonesian citizens only (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 63,800,825
females age 16-49: 61,729,717 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 52,997,922
females age 16-49: 52,503,046 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,197,323
female: 2,126,412 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Transnational Issues ::Indonesia
Disputes - international:
Indonesia has a stated foreign policy objective of establishing
stable fixed land and maritime boundaries with all of its neighbors;
Timor-Leste-Indonesia Boundary Committee has resolved all but a
small portion of the land boundary, but discussions on maritime
boundaries are stalemated over sovereignty of the uninhabited coral
island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai in the north and alignment with
Australian claims in the south; many refugees from Timor-Leste who
left in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; a
1997 treaty between Indonesia and Australia settled some parts of
their maritime boundary but outstanding issues remain; ICJ's award
of Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002 left the
sovereignty of Unarang rock and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat
oil block in the Celebes Sea in dispute; the ICJ decision has
prompted Indonesia to assert claims to and to establish a presence
on its smaller outer islands; Indonesia and Singapore continue to
work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by
defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island;
Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create
repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea; piracy remains a problem
in the Malacca Strait; maritime delimitation talks continue with
Palau; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore
Reef; Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier Reserve
to Indonesian traditional fishing and placed restrictions on certain
catches
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 200,000-350,000 (government offensives against rebels in Aceh;
most IDPs in Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi Provinces,
and Maluku) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; producer of
methamphetamine and ecstasy
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Iran (Middle East)
Introduction ::Iran
Background:
Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979
after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza
PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces
established a theocratic system of government with ultimate
political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred
to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the
constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts.
US-Iranian relations have been strained since a group of Iranian
students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held
it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody,
indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian
Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces
between 1987 and 1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of
terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world
and remains subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export
controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and its
nuclear weapons ambitions. Following the election of reformer Hojjat
ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and similarly a
reformer Majles (parliament) in 2000, a campaign to foster political
reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The
movement floundered as conservative politicians, through the control
of unelected institutions, prevented reform measures from being
enacted and increased repressive measures. Starting with nationwide
municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections
in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected
government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005
inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. The UN
Security Council has passed a number of resolutions (1696 in July
2006, 1737 in December 2006, 1747 in March 2007, 1803 in March 2008,
and 1835 in September 2008) calling for Iran to suspend its uranium
enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA
obligations and responsibilities. Resolutions 1737, 1477, and 1803
subject a number of Iranian individuals and entities involved in
Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs to sanctions.
Additionally, several Iranian entities are subject to US sanctions
under Executive Order 13382 designations for proliferation
activities and EO 13224 designations for support of terrorism.
Geography ::Iran
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the
Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates:
32 00 N, 53 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 1,648,195 sq km
country comparison to the world: 18
land: 1,531,595 sq km
water: 116,600 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 5,440 km
border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km,
Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq
1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km
Coastline:
2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the
Persian Gulf
continental shelf: natural prolongation
Climate:
mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
Terrain:
rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts,
mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead,
manganese, zinc, sulfur
Land use:
arable land: 9.78%
permanent crops: 1.29%
other: 88.93% (2005)
Irrigated land:
76,500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
137.5 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 72.88 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%)
per capita: 1,048 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions,
refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation;
overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf;
wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination);
inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw
sewage and industrial waste; urbanization
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the
Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which
are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport
People ::Iran
Population:
66,429,284 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.7% (male 7,394,841/female 7,022,076)
15-64 years: 72.9% (male 24,501,544/female 23,914,172)
65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,725,828/female 1,870,823) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 27 years
male: 26.8 years
female: 27.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.883% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Birth rate:
17.17 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Death rate:
5.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Net migration rate:
-2.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Urbanization:
urban population: 68% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 35.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 70
male: 35.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 35.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.14 years
country comparison to the world: 132
male: 69.65 years
female: 72.72 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
86,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,300 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever and malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Iranian(s)
adjective: Iranian
Ethnic groups:
Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%,
Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%
Religions:
Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian,
Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%
Languages:
Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%,
Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 77%
male: 83.5%
female: 70.4% (2002 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 67
Government ::Iran
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran
conventional short form: Iran
local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran
local short form: Iran
former: Persia
Government type:
theocratic republic
Capital:
name: Tehran
geographic coordinates: 35 40 N, 51 25 E
time difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
30 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e
Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari,
Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman,
Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi, Khorasan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e
Shomali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan,
Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan,
Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan
Independence:
1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 1 April (1979)
Constitution:
2-3 December 1979; revised in 1989
note: the revision in 1989 expanded powers of the presidency and
eliminated the prime ministership
Legal system:
based on Sharia law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June
1989)
head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August
2005); First Vice President Mohammad Reza RAHIMI (since 13 September
2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with
legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over
appointments to the more sensitive ministries
note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are
three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts (Majles-Khebregan), a
popularly elected body charged with determining the succession of
the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if
deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or the Council for the
Discernment of Expediency (Majma-e-Tashkise-Maslahat-e-Nezam) exerts
supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative
branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the
Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has been used to advise
national religious leaders on matters of national policy; in 2005
the Council's powers were expanded to act as a supervisory body for
the government; 3) Council of Guardians of the Constitution or
Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-ye Negaban-e
Qanun-e Assassi) determines whether proposed legislation is both
constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates for
suitability, and supervises national elections
elections: Supreme Leader is appointed for life by the Assembly of
Experts; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term
(eligible for a second term and third nonconsecutive term); last
held 12 June 2009;(next presidential election slated for June 2013)
election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD reelected president; percent
of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62.6%, Mir-Hosein MUSAVI-Khamenei
33.8%, other 3.6%; voter turnout 85%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami
or Majles (290 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 14 March 2008 with a runoff held 25 April 2008
(next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party -
conservatives/Islamists 167, reformers 39, independents 74,
religious minorities 5, other 5
Judicial branch:
The Supreme Court (Qeveh Qazaieh) and the four-member High Council
of the Judiciary have a single head and overlapping
responsibilities; together they supervise the enforcement of all
laws and establish judicial and legal policies; lower courts include
a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special
administrative court
Political parties and leaders:
formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and
most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure
groups rather than parties; often political parties or coalitions
are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter; a loose
pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes
political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations,
achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in
early 2000; groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran
Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party
(Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari,
Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and
Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in
the seventh Majles elections in early 2004; following his defeat in
the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and
sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party; a
new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition
(Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning
a majority of the seats in February 2004; following the 2004 Majles
elections, traditional and hardline conservatives have attempted to
close ranks under the United Front of Principlists and the Broad
Popular Coalition of Principlists; several reformist groups, such as
the Islamic Revolution, came together as a reformist coalition in
advance of the 2008 Majles elections; the IIPF has repeatedly
complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates have
been unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections
Political pressure groups and leaders:
groups that generally support the Islamic Republic: Ansar-e
Hizballah-Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh); Followers of the Line
of the Imam and the Leader; Islamic Engineers Society; Tehran
Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat); active pro-reform student
group: Office of Strengthening Unity (OSU); opposition groups:
Baluchistan People's Party (BPP); Freedom Movement of Iran; Marz-e
Por Gohar; National Front; and various ethnic and Monarchist
organizations; armed political groups that have been repressed by
the government: Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI);
Jundallah; Komala; Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO);
People's Fedayeen; People's Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK)
International organization participation:
CP, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW,
OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy;
address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209
Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202)
965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none; note - the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of
Switzerland No. 39 Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Pasdaran Ave.,
Tehran, Iran; telephone [98] 21 2254 2178/2256 5273; FAX [98] 21
2258 0432
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the
national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the
shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the
white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is
repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11
times along the top edge of the red band
Economy ::Iran
Economy - overview:
Iran's economy is marked by an inefficient state sector, reliance on
the oil sector, which provides the majority of government revenues,
and statist policies, which create major distortions throughout the
system. Most economic activity is controlled by the state. Private
sector activity is typically limited to small-scale workshops,
farming, and services. Price controls, subsidies, and other
rigidities weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for
private-sector-led growth. Significant informal market activity
flourishes. Corruption and shortages of goods are widespread.
President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD has proposed reforms to Iran's system
of price controls and subsidies, particularly on food and energy.
However, previous government-led efforts at reform - such as fuel
rationing in July 2007 and the imposition of the Value-Added Tax
(VAT) in October 2008 - were met with stiff resistance and violent
protests. High oil prices in recent years allowed Iran to greatly
increase its export earnings and amass nearly $100 billion in
foreign exchange reserves. But with oil prices currently below $40
per barrel, the Iranian government is facing difficulties. Tehran
has formulated a 2009 budget that anticipates lower oil prices. The
government has drawn down the country's Oil Stabilization Fund, and
may be dipping into foreign exchange reserves. Iran continues to
suffer from double-digit unemployment and inflation - inflation
climbed to a 28% annual rate in 2008. Underemployment among Iran's
educated youth has convinced many to seek jobs overseas, resulting
in a significant "brain drain."
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$843.7 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
$792.2 billion (2007 est.)
$734.7 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$335.2 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
7.8% (2007 est.)
5.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$12,100 (2007 est.)
$11,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 41.9%
services: 47.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
24.35 million
country comparison to the world: 23
note: shortage of skilled labor (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 31%
services: 45% (June 2007)
Unemployment rate:
12.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
12% (2007 est.)
note: data are according to the Iranian Government
Population below poverty line:
18% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
44.5 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 47
Investment (gross fixed):
26.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Budget:
revenues: $51 billion
expenditures: $103 billion (FY09/10 est.)
Public debt:
19.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
27% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
25.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
17.1% (2007 est.)
note: official Iranian estimate
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 69
12% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$46.13 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$68.71 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$109.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 58
$45.57 billion (31 December 2007)
$37.94 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugar cane, fruits, nuts,
cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar
Industries:
petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles,
cement and other construction materials, food processing
(particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous
and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments
Industrial production growth rate:
4.5% excluding oil (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity - production:
192.6 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Electricity - consumption:
153.8 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Electricity - exports:
2.52 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.842 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
4.174 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Oil - consumption:
1.755 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Oil - exports:
2.719 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Oil - imports:
212,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Oil - proved reserves:
136.2 billion bbl based on Iranian claims (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Natural gas - production:
116.3 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - consumption:
119 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Natural gas - exports:
4.246 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - imports:
6.9 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - proved reserves:
28.08 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Current account balance:
$20.19 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
$34.08 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$98.42 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$97.4 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts,
carpets
Exports - partners:
China 15.3%, Japan 14.3%, India 10.4%, South Korea 6.4%, Turkey
6.4%, Italy 4.5% (2008)
Imports:
$67.25 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$56.58 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods,
foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services
Imports - partners:
UAE 19.3%, China 13%, Germany 9.2%, South Korea 7%, Italy 5.1%,
France 4.3%, Russia 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$96.56 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$82.06 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$21.06 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$20.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$6.954 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$6.054 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$993 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$903 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar - 9,142.8 (2008 est.), 9,407.5
(2007), 9,227.1 (2006), 8,964 (2005), 8,614 (2004)
note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime
since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002
Communications ::Iran
Telephones - main lines in use:
24.8 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 12
Telephones - mobile cellular:
43 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 26
Telephone system:
general assessment: currently being modernized and expanded with the
goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume
of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several
thousand villages, not presently connected
domestic: the addition of new fiber cables and modern switching and
exchange systems installed by Iran's state-owned telecom company
have improved and expanded the main line network greatly; main line
availability has more than doubled to nearly 25 million lines since
2000; additionally, mobile service has increased dramatically
serving 43 million subscribers in 2008; combined fixed and
mobile-cellular subscribership now exceeds 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 98; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE
with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG);
Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan
through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion
to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to
Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria,
Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9
Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 72, FM 6, shortwave 5 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
29 (plus 450 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.ir
Internet hosts:
45,678 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 85
Internet users:
23 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 17
Transportation ::Iran
Airports:
316 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 24
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 133
over 3,047 m: 40
2,438 to 3,047 m: 28
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 34
under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 183
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 139
under 914 m: 33 (2009)
Heliports:
19 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 7 km; condensate/gas 12 km; gas 19,246 km; liquid
petroleum gas 570 km; oil 7,018 km; refined products 7,936 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 8,442 km
country comparison to the world: 26
broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge
standard gauge: 8,348 km 1.435-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 172,927 km
country comparison to the world: 29
paved: 125,908 km (includes 1,429 km of expressways)
unpaved: 47,019 km (2006)
Waterways:
850 km (on Karun River; additional service on Lake Urmia) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 70
Merchant marine:
total: 74
country comparison to the world: 60
by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 34, chemical tanker 4, container 6,
liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated
cargo 2, roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1)
registered in other countries: 115 (Barbados 2, Bolivia 1, Cyprus
10, Hong Kong 15, Malta 79, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Assaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e-Eman Khomeyni
Military ::Iran
Military branches:
Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces,
Navy, Air Force of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Iran
(Niru-ye Hava'i-ye Artesh-e Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran, IRIAF;
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e
Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special
operations), Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army); Law
Enforcement Forces (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
19 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for
volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of
age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military
service obligation - 18 months; women exempt from military service
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 20,212,275
females age 16-49: 19,638,751 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 17,658,573
females age 16-49: 17,148,290 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 700,213
female: 664,846 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 67
Transnational Issues ::Iran
Disputes - international:
Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed tributaries to
the Helmand River in periods of drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime
boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of
the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb
Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Iran stands
alone among littoral states in insisting upon a division of the
Caspian Sea into five equal sectors
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 914,268 (Afghanistan); 54,024 (Iraq)
(2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Iran is a source, transit, and destination
country for women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation
and involuntary servitude; Iranian women are trafficked internally
for the purpose of forced prostitution and for forced marriages to
settle debts; Iranian children are trafficked internally and Afghan
children are trafficked into Iran for the purpose of forced
marriages, commercial sexual exploitation, and involuntary servitude
as beggars or laborers
tier rating: Tier 3 - Iran did not provide evidence of law
enforcement activities against trafficking, and credible reports
indicate that Iranian authorities punish victims of trafficking with
beatings, imprisonment, and execution; Iran has not ratified the
2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control
measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the
primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe;
suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and
has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; lacks anti-money
laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries to share
counter-drug intelligence
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Iraq (Middle East)
Introduction ::Iraq
Background:
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain
during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League
of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next
dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A
"republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of
strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn.
Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly
eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was
expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of
January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN
Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass
destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification
inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions
over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in
March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. US forces
remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate until 31 December 2008 and
under a bilateral Security Agreement thereafter, helping to provide
security and to support the freely elected government. In October
2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and,
pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of
Representatives (CoR) in December 2005. After the election, Ibrahim
al-JAAFARI was selected as prime minister; he was replaced by Nuri
al-MALIKI in May 2006. The CoR approved most cabinet ministers in
May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional
government in nearly a half century. On 31 January 2009, Iraq held
elections for provincial councils in all provinces except for the
three provinces comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and
at-Ta'mim (Kirkuk) province.
Geography ::Iraq
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
Geographic coordinates:
33 00 N, 44 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 438,317 sq km
country comparison to the world: 58
land: 437,367 sq km
water: 950 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of Idaho
Land boundaries:
total: 3,650 km
border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi
Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km
Coastline:
58 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate:
mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless
summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish
borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that
melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in
central and southern Iraq
Terrain:
mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south
with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and
Turkey
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is neither
Gundah Zhur 3,607 m nor Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
Land use:
arable land: 13.12%
permanent crops: 0.61%
other: 86.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
35,250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
96.4 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 42.7 cu km/yr (3%/5%/92%)
per capita: 1,482 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dust storms; sandstorms; floods
Environment - current issues:
government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited
marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the
feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs,
who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been
displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses
serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate
supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian
Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and
erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the
Persian Gulf
People ::Iraq
Population:
28,945,657 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.8% (male 5,709,688/female 5,531,359)
15-64 years: 58.2% (male 8,529,956/female 8,310,164)
65 years and over: 3% (male 408,266/female 456,224) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.4 years
male: 20.3 years
female: 20.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.507% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Birth rate:
30.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Death rate:
5.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 67% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 43.82 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 60
male: 49.38 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 37.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.94 years
country comparison to the world: 144
male: 68.6 years
female: 71.34 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.86 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in
this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases
possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Iraqi(s)
adjective: Iraqi
Ethnic groups:
Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5%
Religions:
Muslim 97% (Shia 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%
Languages:
Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman (a Turkish
dialect), Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic), Armenian
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 74.1%
male: 84.1%
female: 64.2% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 8 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Iraq
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Iraq
conventional short form: Iraq
local long form: Jumhuriyat al-Iraq
local short form: Al Iraq
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Baghdad
geographic coordinates: 33 20 N, 44 23 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) and 1 region*; Al
Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As
Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala,
Karbala', Kurdistan Regional Government*, Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad
Din, Wasit
Independence:
3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British
administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional
Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi-controlled Government
National holiday:
Republic Day, July 14 (1958); note - the Government of Iraq has yet
to declare an official national holiday but still observes Republic
Day
Constitution:
ratified on 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional
Review Committee and a possible public referendum )
Legal system:
based on European civil and Islamic law under the framework outlined
in the Iraqi Constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Vice
Presidents Adil ABD AL-MAHDI and Tariq al-HASHIMI (since 22 April
2006); note - the president and vice presidents comprise the
Presidency Council)
head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May
2006); Rafi al-ISSAWI (since 19 July 2008)
cabinet: 36 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plus
Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI and Deputy Prime Ministers Barham
SALIH and Rafi al-ISSAWI
elections: held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of
Representatives
Legislative branch:
unicameral Council of Representatives (consisting of 275 members
elected by a closed-list, proportional representation system)
elections: last held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council
of Representatives (next to be held on 18 January 2010); the Council
of Representatives elected the Presidency Council and approved the
prime minister and two deputy prime ministers
election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by
party - Unified Iraqi Alliance 41%, Kurdistan Alliance 22%, Tawafuq
Coalition 15%, Iraqi National List 8%, Iraqi Front for National
Dialogue 4%, other 10%; number of seats by party (as of November
2007) - Unified Iraqi Alliance (including the Sadrist bloc with 30
and Fadilah with 15) 130, Kurdistan Alliance 53, Tawafuq Front 44,
Iraqi National List 25, Fadilah 15, Iraqi Front for National
Dialogue 11, other 12
Judicial branch:
the Iraq Constitution calls for the federal judicial power to be
comprised of the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court,
Federal Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary
Oversight Commission and other federal courts that are regulated in
accordance with the law
Political parties and leaders:
Assyrian Democratic Movement [Yunadim KANNA]; Badr Organization
[Hadi al-AMIRI]; Constitutional Monarchy Movement or CMM [Sharif Ali
Bin al-HUSAYN]; Da'wa al-Islamiya Party [Nuri al-MALIKI]; General
Conference of Iraqi People [Adnan al-DULAYMI]; Independent Iraqi
Alliance or IIA [Falah al-NAQIB]; Iraqi Communist Party [Hamid
MAJID]; Iraqi Front for National Dialogue [Salih al-MUTLAQ]; Iraqi
Hizballah [Karim Mahmud al-MUHAMMADAWI]; Iraqi Independent Democrats
or IID [Adnan PACHACHI, Mahdi al-HAFIZ]; Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP
[Tariq al-HASHIMI]; Iraqi National Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI];
Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]; Iraqi National
Council for Dialogue or INCD [Khalaf Ulayan al-Khalifawi
al-DULAYMI]; Iraqi National Unity Movement or INUM [Ahmad
al-KUBAYSI]; Islamic Action Organization or IAO [Ayatollah Muhammad
al-MUDARRISI]; Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq or ISCI [Abd al-Aziz
al-HAKIM]; Jama'at al Fadilah or JAF [Muhammad Ali al-YAQUBI];
Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masud BARZANI]; Kurdistan Islamic
Union [Salah ad-Din Muhammad BAHA al-DIN]; Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]; Sadrist Trend [Muqtada al-SADR]
(not an organized political party, but it fields independent
candidates affiliated with Muqtada al-SADR); Sahawa al-Iraq [Ahmad
al-RISHAWI]
note: the Kurdistan Alliance, Iraqi National List, Tawafuq Front,
Iraqi Front for National Dialogue, and Unified Iraqi Alliance were
only electoral slates consisting of the representatives from the
various Iraqi political parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Sunni militias; Shia militias, some associated with political parties
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD (suspended), AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol,
IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Samir Shakir al-SUMAYDI
chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 742-1600
FAX: [1] (202) 333-1129
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL
embassy: Baghdad
mailing address: APO AE 09316
telephone: 1-240-553-0589 ext. 5340 or 5635; note - Consular Section
FAX: NA
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the
Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic
script is centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Syria,
which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white
band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered
in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors;
Council of Representatives approved this flag as a compromise
temporary replacement for Ba'athist Saddam-era flag
Economy ::Iraq
Economy - overview:
Decreasing insurgent attacks and an improving security environment
in many parts of the country are helping to spur economic activity.
Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has
traditionally provided over 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Oil
exports are around levels seen before Operation Iraqi Freedom. Total
government revenues have benefited from high oil prices in recent
years; however, revenues have declined significantly since the oil
price drop in fall 2008. Iraq is making some progress in building
the institutions needed to implement economic policy. In March 2009
Iraq concluded a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF that
details economic reforms. The SBA allows an 80% reduction of the
debt owed to Paris Club creditor nations. The International Compact
with Iraq was established in May 2007 to integrate Iraq into the
regional and global economy, and the Iraqi government is seeking to
pass laws to strengthen its economy. This legislation includes a
hydrocarbon law to establish a modern legal framework to allow Iraq
to develop its resources and a revenue sharing law to equitably
divide oil revenues within the nation, although both are still under
contentious political negotiation. Some foreign entities have
expressed interest in reinvigorating Iraq's industrial sector. The
government of Iraq is pursuing a strategy to gain foreign
participation in joint ventures with State-owned enterprises.
Provincial Councils are also using their own budgets to promote and
facilitate investment at the local level. The Central Bank has been
successful in controlling inflation through appreciation of the
dinar against the US dollar. However, Iraq's challenge will be to
use macroeconomic gains to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis.
Reducing corruption and implementing structural reforms, such as
bank restructuring and developing the private sector, will be key to
Iraq's economic success.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$90.23 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$83.7 billion (2007 est.)
$82.46 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$91.45 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
1.5% (2007 est.)
6.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$3,000 (2007 est.)
$3,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 68%
services: 27% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
7.74 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
18.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
18% (2006 est.)
note: official data; unofficial estimates as high as 30%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $42.4 billion
expenditures: $49.9 billion (FY08 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
4.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
20% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
19.74% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$26.1 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
$18.81 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.415 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
$3.67 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.878 billion (31 March 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$NA (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep,
poultry
Industries:
petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials,
food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing
Industrial production growth rate:
10.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - production:
36.92 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - consumption:
39.88 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.95 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.385 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Oil - consumption:
638,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Oil - exports:
1.83 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Oil - imports:
116,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Oil - proved reserves:
115 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Natural gas - production:
1.88 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - consumption:
9.454 billion cu m
country comparison to the world: 48
note: 1.48 billion cu m were flared (2008 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - proved reserves:
3.17 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Current account balance:
$14.05 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$4.909 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$58.81 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$36.08 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil 84%, crude materials excluding fuels 8%, food and live
animals 5%
Exports - partners:
US 37.3%, India 13.8%, Italy 9.4%, South Korea 6.8% (2008)
Imports:
$37.22 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$25.67 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food, medicine, manufactures
Imports - partners:
Syria 26.4%, Turkey 19.7%, US 10.7%, Jordan 6.5%, China 6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$49.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$30.66 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$67.74 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$100.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
New Iraqi dinars (NID) per US dollar - 1,176 (2008), 1,255 (2007),
1,466 (2006), 1,475 (2005), 1,890 (second half, 2003)
Communications ::Iraq
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.082 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 76
Telephones - mobile cellular:
17.529 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 40
Telephone system:
general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted
telecommunications throughout Iraq including international
connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and
international communications through fiber optic links are in
progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly and its
subscribership base approached 18 million in 2008
domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003
continue; additional switching capacity is improving access;
cellular service is available and centered on 3 GSM networks which
are being expanded beyond their regional roots, improving
country-wide connectivity; wireless local loop licenses have been
issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line
infrastructure
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2
Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik -
Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave
radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and
Turkey; planned international fiber-optic connections to Iran
(terrestrial) with a link to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe
(FLAG) submarine fiber-optic cable (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
52 (station frequency types NA) (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
47 (2008)
Internet country code:
.iq
Internet hosts:
11 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 219
Internet users:
300,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 126
Transportation ::Iraq
Airports:
104 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 57
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 75
over 3,047 m: 19
2,438 to 3,047 m: 37
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Heliports:
21 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,501 km; liquid petroleum gas 918 km; oil 5,418 km; refined
products 1,637 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,272 km
country comparison to the world: 68
standard gauge: 2,272 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 44,900 km
country comparison to the world: 81
paved: 37,851 km
unpaved: 7,049 km (2002)
Waterways:
5,279 km
country comparison to the world: 23
note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third
River (565 km) are principal waterways (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 14
country comparison to the world: 107
by type: cargo 10, petroleum tanker 4 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr
Military ::Iraq
Military branches:
Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Iraqi Special Operations
Force, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal
Defense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air Corps) (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
18-49 years of age for voluntary military service (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,086,200
females age 16-49: 6,808,954 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,203,425
females age 16-49: 6,065,009 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 313,500
female: 304,923 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
8.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 4
Transnational Issues ::Iraq
Disputes - international:
coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring internal and
cross-border security; approximately two million Iraqis have fled
the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and
Jordan, and lesser numbers to Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey;
Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction
disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf;
Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in
Iraq
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 10,000-15,000 (Palestinian
Territories); 11,773 (Iran); 16,832 (Turkey)
IDPs: 2.4 million (ongoing US-led war and ethno-sectarian violence)
(2007)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Ireland (Europe)
Introduction ::Ireland
Background:
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions
by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended
when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions
began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of
Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh
repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off
several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in
independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern
(Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew
from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in
1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of
Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A
peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented
despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British
governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews
Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.
Geography ::Ireland
Location:
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in
the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Geographic coordinates:
53 00 N, 8 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 70,273 sq km
country comparison to the world: 119
land: 68,883 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border countries: UK 360 km
Coastline:
1,448 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild
winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the
time
Terrain:
mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills
and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum,
limestone, dolomite
Land use:
arable land: 16.82%
permanent crops: 0.03%
other: 83.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
46.8 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.18 cu km/yr (23%/77%/0%)
per capita: 284 cu m/yr (1994)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America
and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100
km of Dublin
People ::Ireland
Population:
4,203,200 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.9% (male 454,571/female 424,022)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,411,336/female 1,409,760)
65 years and over: 12% (male 224,850/female 278,661) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 35 years
male: 34.2 years
female: 35.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.12% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Birth rate:
14.23 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Death rate:
7.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Net migration rate:
4.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 188
male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.24 years
country comparison to the world: 47
male: 75.6 years
female: 81.06 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
5,500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Nationality:
noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)
adjective: Irish
Ethnic groups:
Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%,
unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%,
other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census)
Languages:
English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or
Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas along the western coast
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 18 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.7% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 81
Government ::Ireland
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Ireland
local long form: none
local short form: Eire
Government type:
republic, parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Dublin
geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
29 counties and 5 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*,
Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*,
Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Limerick*,
Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, North Tipperary, Offaly,
Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, South Tipperary, Waterford,
Waterford*, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow
Independence:
6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)
National holiday:
Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
Constitution:
adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937
Legal system:
based on English common law substantially modified by indigenous
concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Brian COWEN (since 7 May 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination
by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 31 October 1997
(next scheduled for October 2011); note - Mary MCALEESE appointed to
a second term when no other candidate qualified for the 2004
presidential election; prime minister (taoiseach) nominated by the
House of Representatives and appointed by the president
election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote -
Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6%
note: government coalition - Fianna Fail, the Green Party, the
Progressive Democrats (disbanding), and independent members of
Parliament
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad
Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from
candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated
by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House
of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected
by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve
five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held in July 2007 (next to be held by July
2012); House of Representatives - last held 24 May 2007 (next to be
held by May 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - Fianna Fail 28, Fine Gael 14, Labor Party 6, Progressive
Democrats 2, Green Party 2, Sein Fein 1, independents 7; House of
Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.6%, Fine
Gael 27.3%, Labor Party 10.1%, Sinn Fein 6.9%, Green Party 4.7%,
Progressive Democrats 2.7%, other 6.7%; seats by party - Fianna Fail
78, Fine Gael 51, Labor Party 20, Sinn Fein 4, Green Party 6,
Progressive Democrats 2, independents 4, Speaker of the Dail 1
note: on 8 November 2008, delegates voted to disband the party, but
as of January 2009, the party was still operating
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of
the prime minister and cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:
Fianna Fail [Brian COWEN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [John
GORMLEY]; Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE]; Progressive Democrats [Ciaran
CANNON] (disbanding); Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe
HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Mick FINNEGAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian McCONNELL]
(seek compensation for victims of violence); Families Against
Intimidation and Terror or FAIT (oppose terrorism); Gaeltacht Civil
Rights Campaign (Coiste Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeilge) or CCSG
(encourages the use of the Irish language and campaigns for greater
civil rights in Irish speaking areas); Irish Republican Army or IRA
(terrorist group); Keep Ireland Open (environmental group); Midland
Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation
promoters); Rail Users Ireland (formerly the Platform 11 -
transportation promoters); 32 Country Sovereignty Movement or 32CSM
(supports a fully sovereign Ireland); Ulster Defence Association or
UDA (terrorist group)
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,
EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael COLLINS
chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939
FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel ROONEY; note - has not yet
presented his credentials to Ireland
embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777
FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange;
similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the
colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also
similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of
green (hoist side), white, and red
Economy ::Ireland
Economy - overview:
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. GDP growth
averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply in
2008 and Ireland entered into a recession for the first time in more
than a decade with the onset of the world financial crisis and
subsequent severe slowdown in the property and construction markets.
Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by
industry and services. Although the export sector, dominated by
foreign multinationals, remains a key component of Ireland's
economy, construction most recently fueled economic growth along
with strong consumer spending and business investment. Property
prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2006 than in
any other developed world economy. Per capita GDP also surged during
Ireland's high-growth years, and in 2007 surpassed that of the
United States. The Irish Government has implemented a series of
national economic programs designed to curb price and wage
inflation, invest in infrastructure, increase labor force skills,
and promote foreign investment. In 2008 the COWEN government moved
to guarantee all bank deposits, recapitalize the banking system, and
establish partly-public venture capital funds in response to the
country's economic downturn. Ireland joined in circulating the euro
on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU nations.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$189 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$194.9 billion (2007 est.)
$183.9 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$267.6 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
6% (2007 est.)
5.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$45,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$47,400 (2007 est.)
$45,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 46%
services: 49% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
2.241 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 27%
services: 67% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
4.6% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
7% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 27.2% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
32 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 101
35.9 (1987)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Budget:
revenues: $92.57 billion
expenditures: $109.9 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
44.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
31.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
4.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 96
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.76% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 125
6.52% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro
area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for
the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual
members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi
money circulating within their own borders
Stock of quasi money:
$NA
Stock of domestic credit:
$738.6 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 15
$545.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 42
$144 billion (31 December 2007)
$163.4 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products
Industries:
steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining
processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals,
pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment; glass and
crystal; software, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Electricity - production:
26.06 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - consumption:
25.12 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - exports:
303 million kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
753 million kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Oil - consumption:
188,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Oil - exports:
22,710 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Oil - imports:
190,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - production:
438 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - consumption:
5.217 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - imports:
4.798 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - proved reserves:
9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Current account balance:
-$13.88 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
-$14.12 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$119.8 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$115.5 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live
animals, animal products
Exports - partners:
UK 18.6%, US 18.6%, Belgium 14.7%, Germany 7%, France 5.9%, Spain
4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$84.82 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$84.76 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals,
petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing
Imports - partners:
UK 37.7%, US 11.6%, Germany 8.7%, Netherlands 5.6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
$926.2 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.356 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
$2.263 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$179 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$152.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$139.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Ireland
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.202 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.048 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 86
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave
radio relay
domestic: system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly
operator; increasing levels of broadband access
international: country code - 353; landing point for the
Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and
UK; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (many repeaters); (projected digital broadcasting scheduled to be
launched in 2009) (2008)
Internet country code:
.ie
Internet hosts:
1.303 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 36
Internet users:
2.83 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 61
Transportation ::Ireland
Airports:
39 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 105
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 17
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 20 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 1,550 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 3,237 km
country comparison to the world: 53
broad gauge: 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat
Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants)
(2008)
Roadways:
total: 96,602 km
country comparison to the world: 46
paved: 96,602 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2003)
Waterways:
956 km (pleasure craft only) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
Merchant marine:
total: 29
country comparison to the world: 85
by type: cargo 25, chemical tanker 2, container 1, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 2 (US 2)
registered in other countries: 21 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 1, Bulgaria 1,
Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 10,
Slovakia 1, UK 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes
Military ::Ireland
Military branches:
Irish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireann): Army (includes Naval
Service and Air Corps (Aer-Chor na h-Eireann)) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
17-25 years of age for male or female voluntary military service
(17-27 years of age for the Naval Service); enlistees 16 years of
age can be recruited for apprentice specialist positions; maximum
obligation 12 years; 17-35 years of age for the Reserve Defense
Forces; EU citizenship or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,024,635
females age 16-49: 1,024,276 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 857,162
females age 16-49: 854,416 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 28,072
female: 26,400 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Transnational Issues ::Ireland
Disputes - international:
Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe
Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to
the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs;
increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor
transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western
Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money
laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies
involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Isle of Man (Europe)
Introduction ::Isle of Man
Background:
Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century
when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown
in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx
Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British crown dependency but is
not part of the UK. However, the UK Government remains
constitutionally responsible for its defense and international
representation.
Geography ::Isle of Man
Location:
Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and
Ireland
Geographic coordinates:
54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 572 sq km
country comparison to the world: 194
land: 572 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
160 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:
temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of
the time
Terrain:
hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m
highest point: Snaefell 621 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland)
(2002)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air
pollution
Geography - note:
one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a
bird sanctuary
People ::Isle of Man
Population:
76,512 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.9% (male 6,612/female 6,300)
15-64 years: 66% (male 25,433/female 25,083)
65 years and over: 17.1% (male 5,408/female 7,676) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.2 years
male: 39 years
female: 41.4 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.524% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Birth rate:
10.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Death rate:
10.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Net migration rate:
5.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Urbanization:
urban population: 51% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 184
male: 6.11 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.82 years
country comparison to the world: 39
male: 75.86 years
female: 81.93 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women)
adjective: Manx
Ethnic groups:
Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Britons
Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society
of Friends
Languages:
English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy:
NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Isle of Man
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Isle of Man
abbreviation: I.O.M.
Dependency status:
British crown dependency
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Douglas
geographic coordinates: 54 09 N, 4 29 W
time difference: UTC 0 (five hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined
by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with
its own elections
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution:
unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act of 1961 does not
embody the unwritten Manx Constitution
Legal system:
the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and Manx statutes
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Paul K. HADDACKS
(since 17 October 2005)
head of government: Chief Minister Tony BROWN (since 14 December
2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed
by the monarch; the chief minister is elected by the Tynwald for a
five-year term; election last held 14 December 2006 (next to be held
in December 2011)
election results: House of Keys speaker Tony BROWN elected chief
minister by the Tynwald
Legislative branch:
bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (11 seats;
members composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of
Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by
the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Keys - last held 23 November 2006 (next to be
held in November 2011)
election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - Liberal Vannin Party 2, Man Labor Party 1,
independents 21
Judicial branch:
High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor
of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Progressive Government; Liberal Vannin Party [Peter
KARRAN]; Man Labor Party; Man Nationalist Party (Mec Vannin)
[Bernard MOFFATT]
note: most members sit as independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Alliance for Progressive Government or APG (a government watchdog);
Mec Vannin (political party advocating a sovereign state and
environment policies); note - has only had one member elected to the
Tynwald
International organization participation:
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag description:
red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center;
the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in
order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag,
a two-sided emblem is used
Economy ::Isle of Man
Economy - overview:
Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the
economy. The government offers incentives to high-technology
companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this
has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income
industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays
of the economy, have declined in their contributions to GDP. The
Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film
industry. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free
access to EU markets.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.719 billion (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.719 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.2% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 83
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$35,000 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 13%
services: 86% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
39,690 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 190
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%,
construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and
retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%,
public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%,
entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10% (2001)
Unemployment rate:
1.5% (December 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $965 million
expenditures: $943 million (FY05/06 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.1% (December 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Industries:
financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
timber, fertilizers, fish
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Manx pounds (IMP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007),
0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)
note: the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Communications ::Isle of Man
Telephones - main lines in use:
51,000 (1999)
country comparison to the world: 161
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system
international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite
earth station, submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999)
Internet country code:
.im
Internet hosts:
478 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 174
Transportation ::Isle of Man
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 229
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Railways:
total: 63 km
country comparison to the world: 129
narrow gauge: 6 km 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified); 57 km 0.914-m
gauge (29 km electrified)
note: primarily summer tourist attractions (2008)
Roadways:
total: 500 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 191
Merchant marine:
total: 273
country comparison to the world: 31
by type: bulk carrier 31, cargo 50, chemical tanker 48, container
12, liquefied gas 41, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 73,
refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 8, vehicle carrier 5
foreign-owned: 181 (Chile 6, Denmark 29, France 1, Germany 56,
Greece 50, Ireland 1, Japan 6, Monaco 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 20,
Singapore 1, Sweden 1, Turkey 2, US 4)
registered in other countries: 7 (Bahamas 1, Liberia 5, Marshall
Islands 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Douglas, Ramsey
Military ::Isle of Man
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 14,691
females age 16-49: 14,338 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 466
female: 446 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Isle of Man
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Israel (Middle East)
Introduction ::Israel
Background:
Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of
Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish
states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the
Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the
deep tensions between the two sides. The territories Israel occupied
since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile,
unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the
Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping
with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October
1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and
Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent
settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September
1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords")
guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding
territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26
October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May
2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it
had occupied since 1982. In April 2003, US President BUSH, working
in conjunction with the EU, UN, and Russia - the "Quartet" - took
the lead in laying out a roadmap to a final settlement of the
conflict by 2005, based on reciprocal steps by the two parties
leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. However,
progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by
Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February
2005. An Israeli-Palestinian agreement reached at Sharm al-Sheikh in
February 2005, along with an internally-brokered Palestinian
cease-fire, significantly reduced the violence. In the summer of
2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating
settlers and its military while retaining control over most points
of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS in January 2006
to head the Palestinian Legislative Council froze relations between
Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ehud OLMERT became prime
minister in March 2006; he shelved plans to unilaterally evacuate
from most of the West Bank following an Israeli military operation
in Gaza in June-July 2006 and a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in
Lebanon in June-August 2006. OLMERT in June 2007 resumed talks with
the PA after HAMAS seized control of the Gaza Strip and PA President
Mahmoud ABBAS formed a new government without HAMAS. OLMERT in
September 2008 resigned in the wake of several corruption
allegations, but remained prime minister until the new coalition
government under former Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU was
completed in late March 2009, following the February general
election.
Geography ::Israel
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and
Lebanon
Geographic coordinates:
31 30 N, 34 45 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 22,072 sq km
country comparison to the world: 152
land: 21,642 sq km
water: 430 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,017 km
border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km,
Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km
Coastline:
273 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
Terrain:
Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains;
Jordan Rift Valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m
Natural resources:
timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium
bromide, clays, sand
Land use:
arable land: 15.45%
permanent crops: 3.88%
other: 80.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,940 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1.7 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.05 cu km/yr (31%/7%/62%)
per capita: 305 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic
earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious
constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and
vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and
domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
there are about 340 Israeli civilian sites - including 100 small
outpost communities in the West Bank - as well as 42 sites in the
Golan Heights, 0 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (July
2008 est.); Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important
freshwater source
People ::Israel
Population:
7,233,701
country comparison to the world: 97
note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank,
about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and fewer than
177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.9% (male 1,031,629/female 984,230)
15-64 years: 62.3% (male 2,283,034/female 2,221,301)
65 years and over: 9.9% (male 311,218/female 402,289) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.1 years
male: 28.4 years
female: 29.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.671% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Birth rate:
19.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Death rate:
5.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Net migration rate:
2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 207
male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.73 years
country comparison to the world: 13
male: 78.62 years
female: 82.95 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.75 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
5,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Nationality:
noun: Israeli(s)
adjective: Israeli
Ethnic groups:
Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%,
Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab)
(2004)
Religions:
Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian
0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004)
Languages:
Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English
most commonly used foreign language
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.1%
male: 98.5%
female: 95.9% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
6.9% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 25
Government ::Israel
Country name:
conventional long form: State of Israel
conventional short form: Israel
local long form: Medinat Yisra'el
local short form: Yisra'el
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Jerusalem
geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends the
Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the
US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel
Aviv
Administrative divisions:
6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem,
Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv
Independence:
14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British
administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence
on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may
occur in April or May
Constitution:
no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are
filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of
the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law; note -
since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the
Knesset has been working on a draft constitution
Legal system:
mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in
personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Binjamin NETANYAHU (since 31
March 2009); Vice Prime Minister Silvan SHALOM (since 31 March
2009); Vice Prime Minister Moshe YAALON (since 31 March 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the
Knesset
elections: president is largely a ceremonial role and is elected by
the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last
held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called
earlier); following legislative elections, the president assigns a
Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the largest party - the
task of forming a governing coalition
election results: Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes in
first round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21;
PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 10 February 2009 (next scheduled election to be
held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - Kadima 23.2%, Likud-Ahi
22.3%, YB 12.1%, Labor 10.2%, SHAS 8.8%, United Torah Judaism 4.5%,
United Arab List 3.5%, NU 3.4%, Hadash 3.4%, The Jewish Home 3%, The
New Movement-Meretz 3%, Balad 2.6%; seats by party - Kadima 28,
Likud-Ahi 27, YB 15, Labor 13, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 5,
United Arab List 4, NU 4, HADASH 4, The Jewish Home 3, The New
Movement-Meretz 3, Balad 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee -
made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory
retirement age is 70)
Political parties and leaders:
Balad [Azmi BISHARA]; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality
(HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKEH]; Kadima [Tzipora "Tzipi" LIVNI]; Labor
Party [Ehud BARAK]; Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]; National Union
[Yaakov KATZ]; The Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi) [Daniel
HERSCHKOWITZ]; SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]; The New Movement-Meretz [Haim
ORON]; United Arab List-Ta'al [Ibrahim SARSUR]; United Torah Judaism
or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN]; Yisrael Beiteinu or YB [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
B'Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights
abuses; Peace Now [Yariv OPPENHEIMER, Secretary General] supports
territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; YESHA
Council of Settlements [Danny DAYAN, Chairman] promotes settler
interests and opposes territorial compromise
International organization participation:
BIS, BSEC (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS
(observer), OECD (accession state), OPCW (signatory), OSCE
(partner), PCA, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael OREN
chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James B. CUNNINGHAM
embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903
mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830
telephone: [972] (3) 519-7575
FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390
consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission,
established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign
government
Flag description:
white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the
Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal
blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag
Economy ::Israel
Economy - overview:
Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with
substantial, though diminishing, government participation. It
depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military
equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively
developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20
years. Israel imports substantial quantities of grain but is largely
self-sufficient in other agricultural products. Cut diamonds,
high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and
vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable
trade deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from
abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's
external debt is owed to the US, its major source of economic and
military aid. Israel's GDP, after contracting slightly in 2001 and
2002 due to the Palestinian conflict and troubles in the
high-technology sector, has grown by about 5% per year since 2003.
The economy grew an estimated 3.9% in 2008, slowed by the global
financial crisis. The government's prudent fiscal policy and
structural reforms over the past few years have helped to induce
strong foreign investment, tax revenues, and private consumption,
setting the economy on a solid growth path.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$203.4 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$195.2 billion (2007 est.)
$185.6 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$202.1 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
5.2% (2007 est.)
5.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$28,600 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$27,900 (2007 est.)
$27,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 32.4%
services: 65% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.957 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 16%
services: 82% (30 September 2008)
Unemployment rate:
6.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
7.3% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
21.6%
note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 24.2% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
38.6 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 71
35.5 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Budget:
revenues: $59.98 billion
expenditures: $64.21 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
76.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
104.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
0.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 124
4% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.06% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 129
6.27% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$15.36 billion (31 December 2006)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$154.3 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$113.4 billion (31 December 2006)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$134.5 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 33
$236.4 billion (31 December 2007)
$173.3 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products
Industries:
high-technology projects (including aviation, communications,
computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber
optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food,
beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals
products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles,
footwear
Industrial production growth rate:
3.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Electricity - production:
50.41 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - consumption:
46.15 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - exports:
2.081 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
5,246 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Oil - consumption:
235,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Oil - exports:
69,580 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Oil - imports:
318,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Oil - proved reserves:
1.94 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - production:
1.19 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - consumption:
1.19 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Natural gas - proved reserves:
30.44 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Current account balance:
$2.213 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$4.185 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$57.16 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$50.07 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural
products, chemicals, textiles and apparel
Exports - partners:
US 32.5%, Belgium 7.5%, Hong Kong 6.7% (2008)
Imports:
$64.4 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$55.93 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds,
fuels, grain, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
US 12.3%, Belgium 6.5%, China 6.5%, Switzerland 6.1%, Germany 6%
(2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$42.51 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$28.52 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$86.08 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
$89.58 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$56.93 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$55.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$54.55 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$48.47 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14
(2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004)
Communications ::Israel
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.9 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 51
Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.902 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 64
Telephone system:
general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East
although not the largest
domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay;
all systems are digital; four privately-owned mobile-cellular
service providers with countrywide coverage
international: country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to
Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth
stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
17 (plus 36 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.il
Internet hosts:
1.544 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 35
Internet users:
2.106 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 69
Transportation ::Israel
Airports:
47 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 92
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 30
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 17
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Heliports:
3 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 176 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 913 km
country comparison to the world: 93
standard gauge: 913 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 17,870 km
country comparison to the world: 118
paved: 17,870 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 11
country comparison to the world: 112
by type: cargo 2, container 9
registered in other countries: 60 (Bermuda 3, Cyprus 4, Georgia 2,
Honduras 1, Liberia 23, Malta 18, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 2, Slovakia 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa
Military ::Israel
Military branches:
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Forces (INF), Israel Air
Force (IAF) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary
(Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are
obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36
months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for
officers; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,717,362
females age 16-49: 1,636,574 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,474,966
females age 16-49: 1,404,712 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 61,223
female: 58,219 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
7.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 6
Transnational Issues ::Israel
Disputes - international:
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status
subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent
status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel
continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along
parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew
its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four
settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is
Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan
Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce
Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem monitor
ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated
incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the
region
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 150,000-420,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in
northern Israel) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse;
drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan;
money-laundering center
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Italy (Europe)
Introduction ::Italy
Background:
Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the
peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King
Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a
close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist
dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat
in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946
and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO
and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the
forefront of European economic and political unification, joining
the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include
illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment,
sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical
standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.
Geography ::Italy
Location:
Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central
Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia
Geographic coordinates:
42 50 N, 12 50 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 301,340 sq km
country comparison to the world: 71
land: 294,140 sq km
water: 7,200 sq km
note: includes Sardinia and Sicily
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:
total: 1,899.2 km
border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican
City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199 km, Switzerland 740 km
Coastline:
7,600 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south
Terrain:
mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a
secondary peak of Mont Blanc)
Natural resources:
coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice,
fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil
reserves, fish, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 26.41%
permanent crops: 9.09%
other: 64.5% (2005)
Irrigated land:
27,500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
175 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 41.98 cu km/yr (18%/37%/45%)
per capita: 723 cu m/yr (1998)
Natural hazards:
regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide;
coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural
effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste
treatment and disposal facilities
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as
southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe
People ::Italy
Population:
58,126,212 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.5% (male 4,056,156/female 3,814,070)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 19,530,696/female 18,981,084)
65 years and over: 20.2% (male 4,903,762/female 6,840,444) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 43.3 years
male: 41.8 years
female: 44.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.047% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Birth rate:
8.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
Death rate:
10.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Net migration rate:
2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Urbanization:
urban population: 68% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.51 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 183
male: 6.07 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.2 years
country comparison to the world: 19
male: 77.26 years
female: 83.33 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.31 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
150,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Nationality:
noun: Italian(s)
adjective: Italian
Ethnic groups:
Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and
Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and
Greek-Italians in the south)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90% (approximately; about one-third practicing),
other 10% (includes mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a
growing Muslim immigrant community)
Languages:
Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are
predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking
minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking
minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.4%
male: 98.8%
female: 98% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 88
Government ::Italy
Country name:
conventional long form: Italian Republic
conventional short form: Italy
local long form: Repubblica Italiana
local short form: Italia
former: Kingdom of Italy
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Rome
geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 29 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions
(regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma)
regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna,
Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte
(Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto
(Venetia)
autonomous regions: Friuli-Venezia Giulia; Sardegna (Sardinia);
Sicilia (Sicily); Trentino-South Tyrol, also known as Trentino-Alto
Adige (Italian), Trentino-Suedtirol (German); Aosta Valley, also
known as Valle d'Aosta (Italian), Vallee d'Aoste (French)
Independence:
17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally
unified until 1870)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 2 June (1946)
Constitution:
passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended many times
Legal system:
based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial
review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where
minimum age is 25)
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Giorgio NAPOLITANO (since 15 May 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 8 May
2008) note - in Italy the prime minister is referred to as the
president of the Council of Ministers
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
approved by the president
elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of
both houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for a
seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 10 May 2006
(next to be held in May 2013); prime minister appointed by the
president and confirmed by parliament
election results: Giorgio NAPOLITANO elected president on the fourth
round of voting; electoral college vote - 543
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato
della Repubblica (315 seats; members elected by proportional vote
with the winning coalition in each region receiving 55% of seats
from that region; to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of
Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; members elected by
popular vote with the winning national coalition receiving 54% of
chamber seats; to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 13-14 April 2008 (next to be held
April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held 13-14 April 2008 (next
to be held April 2013)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - S. BERLUSCONI coalition 174 (PdL 147, LN 25, MpA 2), W.
VELTRONI coalition 132 (PD 118, IdV 3), UdC 3, other 6; Chamber of
Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S.
BERLUSCONI coalition 344 (PdL 276, LN 60, MpA 8), W. VELTRONI
coalition 246 (PD 217, IdV 29), UdC 36, other 4
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges:
one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by
parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative
Supreme Courts)
Political parties and leaders:
Silvio BERLUSCONI coalition: People of Freedom or PdL [Silvio
BERLUSCONI]; Lega Nord or LN [Umberto BOSSI]; Movement for Autonomy
or MpA [Raffaele LOMBARDO]
Walter VELTRONI coalition: Democratic Party or PD [Walter VELTRONI];
Italy of Values or IdV [Antonio DI PIETRO]
other non-allied parties: Union of the Center or UdC [Savino
PEZZOTTA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
manufacturers and merchants associations - Confcommercio;
Confindustria; organized farm groups - Confcoltivatori;
Confagricoltura; Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union
confederations - Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL
[Guglielmo EPIFANI] which is left wing; Confederazione Italiana dei
Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Raffaele BONANNO], which is Roman
Catholic centrist; Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Luigi
ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist)
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council
(observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer),
CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-20, G-7,
G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO,
NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA,
Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO,
UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Giulio TERZI di Sant'Agata
chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400
FAX: [1] (202) 518-2151
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los
Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco
consulate(s): Detroit
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth
DIBBLE
embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187-Rome
mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624
telephone: [39] (06) 46741
FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356
consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red;
similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist
side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote
d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side),
white, and green; inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by
Napoleon in 1797
Economy ::Italy
Economy - overview:
Italy has a diversified industrial economy, which is divided into a
developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a
less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricultural south, with high
unemployment. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the
manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and
medium-sized enterprises. Italy also has a sizable underground
economy, which by some estimates accounts for as much as 15% of GDP.
These activities are most common within the agriculture,
construction, and service sectors. Italy has moved slowly on
implementing needed structural reforms, such as lightening the high
tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and
over-generous pension system and these conditions will be
exacerbated by the recent global financial crisis. The Italian
government is seeking to rein in government spending, but the
leadership faces a severe economic constraint: Italy's official debt
remains above 100% of GDP, and the fiscal deficit - 1.5% of GDP in
2007 - could approach 3% in 2009 as political pressure to stimulate
the economy and the costs of servicing Italy's debt rise. The
economy will continue to contract through 2009 as the global demand
for exports drop.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.827 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$1.845 trillion (2007 est.)
$1.818 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.314 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
1.5% (2007 est.)
2.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$31,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$31,700 (2007 est.)
$31,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 27%
services: 71% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
25.11 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 4.2%
industry: 30.7%
services: 65.1% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
6.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
6.2% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 26.8% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
32 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 104
27.3 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
20.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Budget:
revenues: $1.068 trillion
expenditures: $1.132 trillion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
105.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
105.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
1.8% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 108
5% (31 December 2007)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.34% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
10.93% (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$3.046 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
$2.932 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 17
$1.073 trillion (31 December 2007)
$1.027 trillion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain,
olives; beef, dairy products; fish
Industries:
tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing,
textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics
Industrial production growth rate:
-2.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - production:
289.7 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Electricity - consumption:
315 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Electricity - exports:
3.431 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
43 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
162,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Oil - consumption:
1.639 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Oil - exports:
667,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Oil - imports:
2.205 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Oil - proved reserves:
406.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - production:
9.255 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Natural gas - consumption:
84.88 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Natural gas - exports:
210 million cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 40
Natural gas - imports:
76.86 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Natural gas - proved reserves:
94.15 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Current account balance:
-$78.03 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
-$51.03 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$546.9 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
$502.4 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery,
motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and
tobacco; minerals, and nonferrous metals
Exports - partners:
Germany 12.8%, France 11.2%, Spain 6.6%, US 6.3%, UK 5.3% (2008)
Imports:
$546.9 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$498.1 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy
products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing;
food, beverages, and tobacco
Imports - partners:
Germany 16%, France 8.6%, China 6.2%, Netherlands 5.3%, Libya 4.6%,
Russia 4.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$105.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$94.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.328 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 7
$2.5 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$376.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$364.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$565.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$520.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007),
0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Italy
Telephones - main lines in use:
20.031 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
Telephones - mobile cellular:
88.58 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 10
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern, well developed, fast; fully automated
telephone, telex, and data services
domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks
international: country code - 39; a series of submarine cables
provide links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and US;
satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas -
3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic
Ocean region), and NA Eutelsat
Radio broadcast stations:
AM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.it
Internet hosts:
22.152 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 4
Internet users:
24.992 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 14
Transportation ::Italy
Airports:
132 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 43
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 101
over 3,047 m: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 30
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 32
under 914 m: 13 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 31
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 19 (2009)
Heliports:
6 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 17,544 km; oil 1,241 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 19,729 km
country comparison to the world: 15
standard gauge: 18,317 km 1.435-m gauge (12,458 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 123 km 1.000-m gauge (123 km electrified); 1,058 km
0.950-m gauge (151 km electrified); 231 km 0.850-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 487,700 km
country comparison to the world: 12
paved: 487,700 km (includes 6,700 km of expressways) (2005)
Waterways:
2,400 km
country comparison to the world: 38
note: used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared
to road and rail (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 609
country comparison to the world: 20
by type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 47, carrier 2, chemical tanker 159,
combination ore/oil 1, container 25, liquefied gas 27, passenger 22,
passenger/cargo 154, petroleum tanker 35, refrigerated cargo 4, roll
on/roll off 33, specialized tanker 13, vehicle carrier 27
foreign-owned: 64 (Denmark 3, France 2, Greece 6, Japan 1, Lebanon
1, Nigeria 1, Norway 2, Portugal 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 8, Taiwan
13, Turkey 1, UK 7, US 17)
registered in other countries: 208 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas
4, Belize 3, Cayman Islands 4, Cyprus 7, France 2, Liberia 41, Malta
50, Marshall Islands 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 4, Panama 28, Portugal
12, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 17, Singapore 5, Slovakia 2, Spain 2, Sweden 9, Turkey 3,
UK 5) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Augusta, Genoa, Livorno, Ravenna, Sarroch, Taranto, Trieste, Venice
Military ::Italy
Military branches:
Italian Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Italian Navy (Marina Militare
Italiana, MMI), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana,
AMI), Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-27 year of age for voluntary military service; conscription
abolished January 2005; women may serve in any military branch;
10-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 45
(Army and Air Force) or 39 (Navy) (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 13,884,079
females age 16-49: 13,158,378 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,197,487
females age 16-49: 10,574,250 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 287,845
female: 270,384 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Transnational Issues ::Italy
Disputes - international:
Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of
thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and
northern Africa
Illicit drugs:
important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and
Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money
laundering by organized crime and from smuggling
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Jamaica (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Jamaica
Background:
The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was
settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino
Indians, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually
exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the
island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar,
cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter
million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually
obtained increasing independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined
other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the
West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from
the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the
1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the
major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime
networks involved in international drug smuggling and money
laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, and poverty pose
significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many
rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute
substantially to the economy.
Geography ::Jamaica
Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba
Geographic coordinates:
18 15 N, 77 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 10,991 sq km
country comparison to the world: 167
land: 10,831 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,022 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
Terrain:
mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, gypsum, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 15.83%
permanent crops: 10.01%
other: 74.16% (2005)
Irrigated land:
250 sq km (2002)
Total renewable water resources:
9.4 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.41 cu km/yr (34%/17%/49%)
per capita: 155 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
hurricanes (especially July to November)
Environment - current issues:
heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial
waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution
in Kingston results from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the
main sea lanes for the Panama Canal
People ::Jamaica
Population:
2,825,928 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.4% (male 451,310/female 436,466)
15-64 years: 61.1% (male 851,372/female 875,132)
65 years and over: 7.5% (male 94,833/female 116,815) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.7 years
male: 23.1 years
female: 24.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.755% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Birth rate:
19.68 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Death rate:
6.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Net migration rate:
-5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Urbanization:
urban population: 53% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 15.22 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 126
male: 15.81 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.53 years
country comparison to the world: 104
male: 71.83 years
female: 75.3 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.25 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
27,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Nationality:
noun: Jamaican(s)
adjective: Jamaican
Ethnic groups:
black 91.2%, mixed 6.2%, other or unknown 2.6% (2001 census)
Religions:
Protestant 62.5% (Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, Pentecostal 9.5%,
Other Church of God 8.3%, Baptist 7.2%, New Testament Church of God
6.3%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.3%,
Anglican 3.6%, other Christian 7.7%), Roman Catholic 2.6%, other or
unspecified 14.2%, none 20.9%, (2001 census)
Languages:
English, English patois
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 87.9%
male: 84.1%
female: 91.6% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
5.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 56
Government ::Jamaica
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jamaica
Government type:
constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Kingston
geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 76 48 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland,
Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint
James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland
note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were
amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as
the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation
Independence:
6 August 1962 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 August (1962)
Constitution:
6 August 1962
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General Dr. Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26
February 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Bruce GOLDING (since 11 September
2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following
legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the
leader of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives is
appointed prime minister by the governor general; the deputy prime
minister is recommended by the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body
appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the
prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is
allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated 8 seats) and the
House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 3 September 2007 (next to be held no later than
October 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - JLP 50.1%, PNP 49.8%;
seats by party - JLP 33, PNP 27
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the
advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in UK;
member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
Political parties and leaders:
Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Bruce GOLDING]; People's National Party
or PNP [Portia SIMPSON-MILLER]; National Democratic Movement or NDM
[Michael WILLIAMS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial
cultists, pan-Africanists)
International organization participation:
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony JOHNSON
chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660
FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange JOHNSON
embassy: 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6
mailing address: P.O. Box 541, Kingston 5
telephone: [1] (876) 702-6000
FAX: [1] (876) 702-6001
Flag description:
diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green
(top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side); green
represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture, black reflects
hardships overcome and to be faced, and yellow recalls golden
sunshine and the island's natural resources
Economy ::Jamaica
Economy - overview:
The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which now
account for more than 60% of GDP. The country continues to derive
most of its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and
bauxite/alumina. Remittances account for nearly 20% of GDP and are
equivalent to tourism revenues. Jamaica's economy, already saddled
with the lowest economic growth in Latin America, will face
increasing difficulties as the global economy slows. The economy
faces serious long-term problems: a sizable merchandise trade
deficit, large-scale unemployment and underemployment, and a
debt-to-GDP ratio of almost 130%. Jamaica's onerous debt burden -
the fourth highest per capita - is the result of government bailouts
to ailing sectors of the economy, most notably the financial sector
in the mid-to-late 1990s. It hinders government spending on
infrastructure and social programs as debt servicing accounts for
nearly half of government expenditures. Inflation rose sharply in
2008 as a result of high prices for imported food and oil and should
fall in 2009 with the decline in international oil prices. High
unemployment exacerbates the serious crime problem, including gang
violence that is fueled by the drug trade. The GOLDING
administration faces the difficult prospect of having to achieve
fiscal discipline in order to maintain debt payments while
simultaneously attacking a serious and growing crime problem that is
hampering economic growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$24.04 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
$24.19 billion (2007 est.)
$23.85 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$14.03 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
1.4% (2007 est.)
2.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,600 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$8,700 (2007 est.)
$8,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.2%
industry: 32.6%
services: 62.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.304 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 17%
industry: 19%
services: 64% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
11% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
9.9% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
14.8% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 35.8% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
45.5 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 42
37.9 (2000)
Investment (gross fixed):
26.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Budget:
revenues: $3.794 billion
expenditures: $4.829 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
116.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
146.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
22% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
9.5% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.83% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 28
17.2% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.253 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
$1.369 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$4.244 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
$4.54 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.175 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 78
$6.609 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$7.513 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
$12.33 billion (31 December 2007)
$12.28 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, ackees, vegetables;
poultry, goats, milk; crustaceans, mollusks
Industries:
tourism, bauxite/alumina, agro processing, light manufactures, rum,
cement, metal, paper, chemical products, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate:
-0.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - production:
7.324 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Electricity - consumption:
6.345 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Oil - consumption:
78,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Oil - imports:
77,720 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 165
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Current account balance:
-$2.745 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
-$1.744 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$2.602 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
$2.226 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
alumina, bauxite, sugar, rum, coffee, yams, beverages, chemicals,
wearing apparel, mineral fuels
Exports - partners:
US 40.3%, Canada 10.6%, UK 9.2%, Netherlands 7.9%, France 5.4%,
Russia 5.2% (2008)
Imports:
$7.185 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$5.789 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and
accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment,
construction materials
Imports - partners:
US 39.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 17.5%, Venezuela 11.6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.767 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
$1.879 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$10.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
$9.657 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Jamaican dollars (JMD) per US dollar - 72.236 (2008 est.), 69.034
(2007), 65.768 (2006), 62.51 (2005), 61.197 (2004)
Communications ::Jamaica
Telephones - main lines in use:
316,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 112
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.723 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 112
Telephone system:
general assessment: fully automatic domestic telephone network
domestic: the 1999 agreement to open the market for
telecommunications services resulted in rapid growth in
mobile-cellular telephone usage while the number of fixed-lines in
use has declined; combined mobile-cellular teledensity now roughly
100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-876; the Fibralink submarine cable
network provides enhanced delivery of business and broadband traffic
and is linked to the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1)
submarine cable in the Dominican Republic; the link to ARCOS-1
provides seamless connectivity to US, parts of the Caribbean,
Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
7 (1997)
Internet country code:
.jm
Internet hosts:
3,961 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 137
Internet users:
1.54 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 73
Transportation ::Jamaica
Airports:
27 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 123
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 15
under 914 m: 15 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 21,552 km
country comparison to the world: 108
paved: 15,937 km (includes 33 km of expressways)
unpaved: 5,615 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 20
country comparison to the world: 99
by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 6, carrier 1, container 4, roll
on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: 17 (Denmark 2, Germany 4, Greece 6, Hong Kong 1,
Latvia 1, Russia 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Kingston, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Port Rhoades, Rocky Point
Military ::Jamaica
Military branches:
Jamaica Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Wing (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; younger recruits may
be conscripted with parental consent (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 688,480
females age 16-49: 709,548 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 573,520
females age 16-49: 586,426 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 31,833
female: 31,257 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Transnational Issues ::Jamaica
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America
and Europe; illicit cultivation and consumption of cannabis;
government has an active manual cannabis eradication program;
corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering
activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit
financial transactions
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Jan Mayen (Europe)
Introduction ::Jan Mayen
Background:
This desolate, arctic, mountainous island was named after a Dutch
whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier
claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters
and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under
Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII
Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; the most recent
eruption occurred in 1985. It is the northernmost active volcano on
earth.
Geography ::Jan Mayen
Location:
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian
Sea, northeast of Iceland
Geographic coordinates:
71 00 N, 8 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 377 sq km
country comparison to the world: 203
land: 377 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
124.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 4 nm
contiguous zone: 10 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog
Terrain:
volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic
activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
barren volcanic island with some moss and grass
People ::Jan Mayen
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and
the weather and coastal services radio station
Government ::Jan Mayen
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jan Mayen
Dependency status:
territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo
through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however,
authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian
Defense Communication Service
Legal system:
the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of Norway is used
Economy ::Jan Mayen
Economy - overview:
Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural
resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for
employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the
island.
Communications ::Jan Mayen
Radio broadcast stations:
NA; note - there is one radio and meteorological station (1998)
Transportation ::Jan Mayen
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 223
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Jan Mayen
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Norway
Transnational Issues ::Jan Mayen
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on September 22, 2009
======================================================================
@Japan (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Japan
Background:
In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a
long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure
its power. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to
enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following
the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854, Japan opened its ports
and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power
that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It
occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In
1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a
full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 -
triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied
much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II,
Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of
the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national
unity, elected politicians - with heavy input from bureaucrats and
business executives - wield actual decisionmaking power. The economy
experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three
decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major
economic power, both in Asia and globally. In January 2009, Japan
assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the
2009-10 term.
Geography ::Japan
Location:
Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the
Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
Geographic coordinates:
36 00 N, 138 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 377,915 sq km
country comparison to the world: 61
land: 364,485 sq km
water: 13,430 sq km
note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto,
Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and
Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
29,751 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international
straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and
Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Terrain:
mostly rugged and mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m
highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m
Natural resources:
negligible mineral resources, fish
note: with virtually no energy natural resources, Japan is the
world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas as well
as the second largest importer of oil
Land use:
arable land: 11.64%
permanent crops: 0.9%
other: 87.46% (2005)
Irrigated land:
25,920 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
430 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 88.43 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%)
per capita: 690 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic
occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain;
acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and
threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of
fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these
resources in Asia and elsewhere
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location in northeast Asia
People ::Japan
Population:
127,078,679 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.5% (male 8,804,465/female 8,344,800)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 41,187,425/female 40,533,876)
65 years and over: 22.2% (male 11,964,694/female 16,243,419) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 44.2 years
male: 42.4 years
female: 46.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.191% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Birth rate:
7.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
Death rate:
9.54 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 66% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.79 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 221
male: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 82.12 years
country comparison to the world: 3
male: 78.8 years
female: 85.62 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.21 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Nationality:
noun: Japanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Japanese
Ethnic groups:
Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6%
note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan
in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil
(2004)
Religions:
Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%, Christianity 2%, other 7.8%
note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people belong to
both Shintoism and Buddhism (2005)
Languages:
Japanese
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2002)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 15 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.5% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 128
Government ::Japan
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Japan
local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku
local short form: Nihon/Nippon
Government type:
a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Tokyo
geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka,
Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki,
Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto,
Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita,
Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka,
Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata,
Yamaguchi, Yamanashi
Independence:
660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor
JIMMU; first recognized by Emperor Meiji in 1873)
National holiday:
Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)
Constitution:
3 May 1947
Legal system:
modeled after German civil law system with English-American
influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister Yukio HATOYAMA (since 16
September 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Naoto KAN (since 16 September
2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires
that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following
legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of
majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime
minister; monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:
bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or
Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for fixed six-year terms; half
reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat
constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House
of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for
maximum four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180
members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs); the
prime minister has the right to dissolve the House of
Representatives at any time with the concurrence of the cabinet.
elections: House of Councillors - last held 29 July 2007 (next to be
held in July 2010); House of Representatives - last held 30 August
2009 (next to be held by August 2013)
election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats by party - DPJ 109, LDP 83, Komeito 20, JCP 7, SDP 5,
others 18
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (in single-seat
constituencies) - DPJ 42.4%, LDP 26.7%, Komeito 11.5%, JCP 7.0%, SDP
4.3%, others 8.1%; seats by party - DPJ 308, LDP 119, Komeito 21,
JCP 9, SDP 7, others 16 (2009)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after
designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the
cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Yukio HATOYAMA]; Japan Communist
Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]; Komeito [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI]; Liberal
Democratic Party or LDP [Sadakazu TANIGAKI]; Social Democratic Party
or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: business groups; trade unions
International organization participation:
ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue
partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP,
EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA, MIGA,
NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club,
PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD,
UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ichiro FUJISAKI
chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit,
Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York,
Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle
consulate(s): Anchorage, Nashville
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James V. ROOS
embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300
telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000
FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862
consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo
consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya
Flag description:
white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in
the center
Economy ::Japan
Economy - overview:
In the years following World War II, government-industry
cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a
comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan
advance with extraordinary speed to the rank of second most
technologically powerful economy in the world after the US. Today,
measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, Japan is the
third-largest economy in the world after the US and China. Two
notable characteristic of the post-war economy were the close
interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and
distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime
employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both
features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global
competition and domestic demographic change. Japan's industrial
sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. A
tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with
crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self sufficient
in rice, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis.
Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and
accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades,
overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in
the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s.
Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely
because of the after effects of inefficient investment and an asset
price bubble in the late 1980s that required a protracted period of
time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. In October
2007 Japan's longest post-war period of economic expansion ended
after 69 months and Japan entered into recession in 2008, with 2009
marking a return to near 0% interest rates. The 10-year
privatization of Japan Post, which has functioned not only as the
national postal delivery system but also, through its banking and
insurance facilities as Japan's largest financial institution, was
completed in October 2007, marking a major milestone in the process
of structural reform. The Japanese financial sector was not heavily
exposed to sub-prime mortgages or their derivative instruments and
weathered the initial effect of the global credit crunch, but a
sharp downturn in business investment and global demand for Japan's
exports in late 2008 pushed Japan further into a recession. Japan's
huge government debt, which totals 170% of GDP, and the aging of the
population are two major long-run problems. Debate continues on the
role of and effects of reform in restructuring the economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.34 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
$4.37 trillion (2007 est.)
$4.272 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.911 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
2.3% (2007 est.)
2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$34,100 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$34,300 (2007 est.)
$33,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.5%
industry: 26.3%
services: 72.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
66.5 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 4.4%
industry: 27.9%
services: 66.4% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
3.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.8%
highest 10%: 21.7% (1993)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
38.1 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 74
24.9 (1993)
Investment (gross fixed):
23% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Budget:
revenues: $1.72 trillion
expenditures: $1.788 trillion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
172.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
164.3% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
0.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.3% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 135
0.75% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
1.91% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$5.417 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 2
$4.37 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$6.16 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 2
$4.783 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$12.34 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 3
$9.653 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 4
$4.453 trillion (31 December 2007)
$4.726 trillion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products,
eggs; fish
Industries:
among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of
motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and
nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
Industrial production growth rate:
-2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Electricity - production:
1.058 trillion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - consumption:
1.007 trillion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
133,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Oil - consumption:
4.785 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Oil - exports:
268,300 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Oil - imports:
5.263 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Oil - proved reserves:
44.12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - production:
5.36 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - consumption:
101.1 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 166
Natural gas - imports:
95.39 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Natural gas - proved reserves:
20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Current account balance:
$156.6 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
$210.5 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$746.5 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
$678.1 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical
machinery, chemicals
Exports - partners:
US 17.8%, China 16%, South Korea 7.6%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2008)
Imports:
$708.3 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
$573.3 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw
materials
Imports - partners:
China 18.9%, US 10.4%, Saudi Arabia 6.7%, Australia 6.2%, UAE 6.1%,
Indonesia 4.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.011 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
$954.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.231 trillion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 9
$1.768 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$135.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$110.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$663.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$533.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
yen (JPY) per US dollar - 103.58 (2008 est.), 117.99 (2007), 116.18
(2006), 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004)
Communications ::Japan
Telephones - main lines in use:
47.579 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 4
Telephones - mobile cellular:
110.395 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 7
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent domestic and international service
domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of
every kind
international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide
links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US;
satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian
Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat
(Pacific and Indian Ocean regions
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 215 (plus 370 repeaters), FM 89 (plus 485 repeaters), shortwave
21 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
211 (plus 7,341 repeaters); in addition, US Forces are served by 3
TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999)
Internet country code:
.jp
Internet hosts:
47.249 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 2
Internet users:
90.91 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 3
Transportation ::Japan
Airports:
176 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 144
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 42
1,524 to 2,437 m: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 28
under 914 m: 27 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 32
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 28 (2009)
Heliports:
15 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 3,862 km; oil 167 km; oil/gas/water 53 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 23,506 km
country comparison to the world: 11
standard gauge: 3,437 km 1.435-m gauge (3,319 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 20,059 km 1.067-m gauge (11,842 km electrified); 11 km
0.762-m gauge (11 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 1,196,999 km
country comparison to the world: 5
paved: 949,101 km (includes 7,383 km of expressways)
unpaved: 247,898 km (2006)
Waterways:
1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 47
Merchant marine:
total: 683
country comparison to the world: 16
by type: bulk carrier 136, cargo 30, carrier 3, chemical tanker 27,
container 11, liquefied gas 59, passenger 12, passenger/cargo 135,
petroleum tanker 156, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 51,
vehicle carrier 61
registered in other countries: 3,074 (Australia 1, Bahamas 87,
Belize 8, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 13, China
2, Cyprus 21, France 1, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 111, Indonesia 6, Isle
of Man 6, Italy 1, South Korea 20, Liberia 116, Malaysia 4, Malta 8,
Marshall Islands 17, Nigeria 1, Norway 29, Panama 2335, Philippines
81, Portugal 15, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 3, Singapore 131, Thailand 4, UK 4, US 7, Vanuatu 29,
Vietnam 1, unknown 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo,
Tomakomai, Yohohama
Military ::Japan
Military branches:
Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force
(Rikujou Jietai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jietai,
MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jieitai, ASDF) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 27,819,804
females age 16-49: 26,863,794 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 22,757,136
females age 16-49: 21,920,703 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 621,254
female: 589,270 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 150
Transnational Issues ::Japan
Disputes - international:
the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and
Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern
Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied
by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed
by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace
treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South
Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Dokdo) occupied by South
Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to
the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and
Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East
China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Jersey (Europe)
Introduction ::Jersey
Background:
Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of
the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and
England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German
troops in World War II. Jersey is a British crown dependency but is
not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally
responsible for its defense and international representation.
Geography ::Jersey
Location:
Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates:
49 15 N, 2 10 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 116 sq km
country comparison to the world: 224
land: 116 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
70 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:
temperate; mild winters and cool summers
Terrain:
gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 143 m
Natural resources:
arable land
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population
concentrated in Saint Helier
People ::Jersey
Population:
91,626 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 7,623/female 7,087)
15-64 years: 67.7% (male 30,914/female 31,081)
65 years and over: 16.3% (male 6,614/female 8,307) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 42.9 years
male: 42.1 years
female: 43.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.211% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Birth rate:
8.63 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Death rate:
9.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Net migration rate:
2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Urbanization:
urban population: 31% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.73 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 197
male: 5.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.75 years
country comparison to the world: 25
male: 77.23 years
female: 82.46 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.57 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Channel Islander(s)
adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic groups:
Jersey 51.1%, Britons 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%,
Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census)
Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church,
Methodist, Presbyterian
Languages:
English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)
Literacy:
NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Jersey
Country name:
conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey
conventional short form: Jersey
Dependency status:
British crown dependency
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Saint Helier
geographic coordinates: 49 11 N, 2 06 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 12 parishes including Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement,
Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary,
Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system:
the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and local statutes;
justice is administered by the Royal Court
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Lieutenant Governor Andrew RIDGEWAY (since 14 June
2006)
head of government: Chief Minister Terry LE SUEUR (12 December
2008); Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since February 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet (since December 2005)
elections: ministers of the Cabinet including the chief minister are
elected by the Assembly of States; the monarch is hereditary;
lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 55 are voting
members, of which 12 are senators elected for six-year terms, 12 are
constables or heads of parishes elected for three-year terms, 29 are
deputies elected for three-year terms, the bailiff and the deputy
bailiff, and 3 non-voting members includes the Dean of Jersey, the
Attorney General, and the Solicitor General appointed by the monarch)
elections: last held 15 October 2008 for senators and 26 November
2008 for deputies (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 55
Judicial branch:
Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)
Political parties and leaders:
two declared parties: Centre Party; Jersey Democratic Alliance
note: all senators and deputies elected in 2008 were independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Institute of Directors, Jersey branch (provides business support);
Jersey Hospitality Association [Robert JONES] (trade association);
Jersey Rights Association [David ROTHERHAM] (human rights); La
Societe Jersiaise (education and conservation group); Progress
Jersey [Darius J. PEARCE, Daren O'TOOLE, Gino RISOLI] (human
rights); Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Society or
RJA&HS (development and management of the Jersey breed of cattle);
Save Jersey's Heritage (protects heritage through building
preservation)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag description:
white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the
flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red
shield with the three lions of England in yellow
Economy ::Jersey
Economy - overview:
Jersey's economy is based on international financial services,
agriculture, and tourism. In 2005 the finance sector accounted for
about 50% of the island's output. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes,
and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to
the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and
represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to
the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts for one-quarter of
GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry
to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry
has developed, displacing more traditional industries. All raw
material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large
share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the
island a popular tax haven. Living standards come close to those of
the UK.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.1 billion (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.1 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$57,000 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 2%
services: 97% (2005)
Labor force:
53,560 (June 2006)
country comparison to the world: 181
Unemployment rate:
2.2% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $829 million
expenditures: $851 million (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.7% (December 2006)
country comparison to the world: 55
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products
Industries:
tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - consumption:
630.1 million kWh (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs,
textiles
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs,
mineral fuels, chemicals
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Jersey pounds per US dollar 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007),
0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)
note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound
Communications ::Jersey
Telephones - main lines in use:
74,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 154
Telephones - mobile cellular:
83,900 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 185
Telephone system:
general assessment: state owned, partially-competitive market;
increasingly modern, with some broadband access
domestic: digital telephone system launch announced in 2006 and
currently being implemented; fixed-line and mobile-cellular services
widely available; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density exceeds
100 per 100 persons
international: submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and
France (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (UK radio broadcasts carried via local
relays) (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (UK television carried by local relays with a switch to digital
broadcasts scheduled for 2010) (2008)
Internet country code:
.je
Internet hosts:
219 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 187
Internet users:
29,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 181
Transportation ::Jersey
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 224
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 358 km (2002)
country comparison to the world: 199
Ports and terminals:
Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier
Military ::Jersey
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 16,920
females age 16-49: 16,826 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 586
female: 541 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Jersey
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Jordan (Middle East)
Introduction ::Jordan
Background:
Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the
UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain
separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine
in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it
adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler
was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully
navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and
UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian
population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and
barely managed to defeat Palestinian rebels who threatened to
overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently
relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he
reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual
political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992.
In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the
son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death
in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and
undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to
the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in
the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan
staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of Saddam in Iraq and
following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed
thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July
2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils
were reserved by quota for women. Parliamentary elections were held
in November 2007 and saw independent pro-government candidates win
the vast majority of seats. In November 2007, King ABDALLAH
instructed his new prime minister to focus on socioeconomic reform,
developing a healthcare and housing network for civilians and
military personnel, and improving the educational system.
Geography ::Jordan
Location:
Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
31 00 N, 36 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 89,342 sq km
country comparison to the world: 111
land: 88,802 sq km
water: 540 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,635 km
border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km,
Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km
Coastline:
26 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate:
mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)
Terrain:
mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift
Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m
Natural resources:
phosphates, potash, shale oil
Land use:
arable land: 3.32%
permanent crops: 1.18%
other: 95.5% (2005)
Irrigated land:
750 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.9 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%)
per capita: 177 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
droughts; periodic earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing;
soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab
country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied
West Bank
People ::Jordan
Population:
6,342,948 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.3% (male 1,014,183/female 973,538)
15-64 years: 64.5% (male 2,183,638/female 1,904,420)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 128,759/female 138,410) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.3 years
male: 25 years
female: 23.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.264% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Birth rate:
19.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Death rate:
2.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
Net migration rate:
5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Urbanization:
urban population: 78% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 14.97 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 128
male: 17.91 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.87 years
country comparison to the world: 38
male: 76.34 years
female: 81.56 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.39 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Nationality:
noun: Jordanian(s)
adjective: Jordanian
Ethnic groups:
Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some
Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox,
Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several
small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)
Languages:
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle
classes
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89.9%
male: 95.1%
female: 84.7% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (1999)
country comparison to the world: 77
Government ::Jordan
Country name:
conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
conventional short form: Jordan
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah
local short form: Al Urdun
former: Transjordan
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Amman
geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Thursday in March; ends last
Friday in September
Administrative divisions:
12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al
'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az
Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba
Independence:
25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British
administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 May (1946)
Constitution:
1 January 1952; amended many times
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of
legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown
Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II
head of government: Prime Minister Nader al-DAHABI (since 25
November 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation
with the monarch
elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by
the monarch
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the
Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (55
seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms)
and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of
Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (110 seats; members elected
using a single, non-transferable vote system in multi-member
districts to serve four-year terms); note - six seats are reserved
for women, nine seats are reserved for Christian candidates, nine
seats are reserved for Bedouin candidates, and three seats are
reserved for Jordanians of Chechen or Circassian descent
elections: Chamber of Deputies - last held 20 November 2007 (next
scheduled to be held in 2011)
election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats by party - IAF 6, independents and other 104; note - seven
women serve in the Assembly, six of whom filled women's quota seats
and one was directly elected
Judicial branch:
Court of Cassation (Supreme Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party [Fuad DABBOUR]; Ba'ath Arab Progressive
Party [Tayseer al-HAMSI]; Call Party [Mohammed Abu BAKR]; Democratic
People's Party [Ahmad Yusuf 'ALIYA]; Democratic Popular Unity Party
[Sa'ed DIAB]; Islamic Action Front or IAF [Ishaq al-FARHAN]; Islamic
Center Party [Marwan al-FA'OURI; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir
HAMARNEH]; Jordanian National Party [Mona Abu BAKR]; Jordanian
United Front [Amjad al-MAJALI]; Life Party [Thaher 'AMROU]; Message
Party [Hazem QASHOU]; National Constitution Party [Ahmed al-SHUNAQ];
National Movement for Direct Democracy [Mohammed al-QAQ];
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice
chairman]; Jordan Bar Association [Saleh al-ARMUTI, chairman];
Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Jordanian
Muslim Brotherhood [Dr. Hamam SAID, controller general]
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC,
NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador ZEID Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, Prince
chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664
FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. BEECROFT
embassy: Abdoun, Amman
mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box
5, DPO AE 09892-0200
telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000
FAX: [962] (6) 592-0121
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the
Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and
green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle
on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and
bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven
verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven
points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national
spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is
based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
Economy ::Jordan
Economy - overview:
Jordan is a small Arab country with insufficient supplies of water,
oil, and other natural resources. Poverty, unemployment, and
inflation are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH II, since
assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic
reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Since
Jordan's graduation from its most recent IMF program in 2002, Amman
has continued to follow IMF guidelines, practicing careful monetary
policy, making substantial headway with privatization, and opening
the trade regime. Jordan's exports have significantly increased
under the free trade accord with the US and Jordanian Qualifying
Industrial Zones (QIZ), which allow Jordan to export goods with some
Israeli content duty free to the US. In 2006 and 2008, Jordan used
privatization proceeds to significantly reduce its debt-to-GDP
ratio. These measures have helped improve productivity and have made
Jordan more attractive for foreign investment. The government ended
subsidies for petroleum and other consumer goods in 2008 in an
effort to control the budget. The main challenges facing Jordan are
reducing dependence on foreign grants, reducing the growing budget
deficit, attracting investments, and creating jobs. Jordan is
currently exploring nuclear power generation to forestall energy
shortfalls. Jordan's conservative banking sector has been largely
protected from the worldwide financial crisis, but many businesses,
particularly in the tourism and real estate sector, are predicting a
slow-down in 2009.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$31.68 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
$30 billion (2007 est.)
$28.14 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$21.23 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
6.6% (2007 est.)
8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$5,000 (2007 est.)
$5,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 29.9%
services: 66.5% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.615 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.7%
industry: 20%
services: 77.4% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
13.5% (2007 est.)
note: official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30%
Population below poverty line:
14.2% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 30.7% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39.7 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 63
36.4 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
32.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Budget:
revenues: $5.67 billion
expenditures: $7.66 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
62.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
85.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
14.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
5.4% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
7% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.03% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$6.765 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$17.98 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
$15.38 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$25.05 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
$19.53 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$35.85 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 61
$41.22 billion (31 December 2007)
$29.73 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives; sheep, poultry, stone fruits,
strawberries, dairy
Industries:
clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals,
petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light
manufacturing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
5.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - production:
12.21 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Electricity - consumption:
10.4 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Electricity - exports:
176 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
200 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Oil - consumption:
108,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Oil - imports:
108,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Oil - proved reserves:
1 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - production:
250 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - consumption:
2.97 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 164
Natural gas - imports:
2.72 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Natural gas - proved reserves:
6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Current account balance:
-$2.39 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
-$2.767 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$7.782 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$5.7 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables,
pharmaceuticals
Exports - partners:
India 16.2%, Iraq 16.1%, US 13.2%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, UAE 4.6% (2008)
Imports:
$14.99 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$12.02 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 21.2%, China 10.4%, Germany 6%, US 4.6%, Egypt 4.5%,
Ukraine 4.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$8.918 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$7.929 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$6.794 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
$8.133 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$16.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$14.55 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709
(2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004)
Communications ::Jordan
Telephones - main lines in use:
519,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.314 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 84
Telephone system:
general assessment: service has improved recently with increased use
of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission
and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines;
growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is
reducing use of fixed-line services; Internet penetration remains
modest and slow-growing
domestic: 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line
services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line
services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was
opened to competition; mobile-cellular usage has increased and
teledensity reached 85 per 100 persons in 2008
international: country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic
Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides
links to Asia, Middle East, Europe; satellite earth stations - 33 (3
Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals);
fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link
with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
FM 31 (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
22 (2007)
Internet country code:
.jo
Internet hosts:
28,896 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 92
Internet users:
1.5 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 74
Transportation ::Jordan
Airports:
17 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 142
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 439 km; oil 49 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 507 km
country comparison to the world: 115
narrow gauge: 507 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 8,002 km
country comparison to the world: 141
paved: 8,002 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 21
country comparison to the world: 97
by type: cargo 8, container 1, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker
2, roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: 13 (UAE 13)
registered in other countries: 24 (Algeria 7, Bahamas 2, Panama 13,
Syria 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Al 'Aqabah
Military ::Jordan
Military branches:
Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF),
Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat
al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations
Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under
Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis)
(2008)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for voluntary military service; male conscription at
age 18 - suspended in 1999 - resurrected in July 2007 in order to
provide youth training necessary for job market needs; all males
under age 37 are required to register; women not subject to
conscription, but can volunteer to serve in non-combat military
positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,812,551
females age 16-49: 1,559,155 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,593,919
females age 16-49: 1,382,097 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 69,830
female: 67,292 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
8.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 5
Transnational Issues ::Jordan
Disputes - international:
approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq,
with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan; 2004 Agreement
settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 1,835,704 (Palestinian Refugees
(UNRWA)); 500,000 (Iraq)
IDPs: 160,000 (1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Jordan is a destination and transit country for
women and men from South and Southeast Asia trafficked for the
purpose of forced labor; Jordan is also a destination for women from
Eastern Europe and Morocco for prostitution; women from Bangladesh,
Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines migrate willingly to work
as domestic servants, but some are subjected to conditions of forced
labor, including unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on
movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Jordan is on the Tier 2 Watch List
for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat
trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of law
enforcement against trafficking for forced labor; the government
made minimal efforts to investigate or prosecute numerous
allegations related to exploitation of foreign domestic workers;
Jordan failed for a second year to criminally prosecute and punish
those who committed acts of forced labor; Jordan also continues to
lack victim protection services; Jordan has not ratified the 2000 UN
TIP Protocol (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Kazakhstan (Central Asia)
Introduction ::Kazakhstan
Background:
Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who
migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as
a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th
century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the
1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens
were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures.
This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other
deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled
non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence in 1991 caused many
of these newcomers to emigrate. Kazakhstan's economy is larger than
those of all the other Central Asian states combined, largely due to
the country's vast natural resources and a recent history of
political stability. Current issues include: developing a cohesive
national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast
energy resources and exporting them to world markets; achieving a
sustainable economic growth; diversifying the economy outside the
oil, gas, and mining sectors; enhancing Kazakhstan's
competitiveness; and strengthening relations with neighboring states
and other foreign powers.
Geography ::Kazakhstan
Location:
Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural
(Zhayyq) River in eastern-most Europe
Geographic coordinates:
48 00 N, 68 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 2,724,900 sq km
country comparison to the world: 9
land: 2,699,700 sq km
water: 25,200 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than four times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 12,185 km
border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,224 km, Russia 6,846
km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split
into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid
Terrain:
vast flat steppe extending from the Volga in the west to the Altai
Mountains in the east and from the plains of western Siberia in the
north to oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m
highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m
Natural resources:
major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese,
chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite,
gold, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 8.28%
permanent crops: 0.05%
other: 91.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
35,560 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
109.6 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 35 cu km/yr (2%/17%/82%)
per capita: 2,360 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty
Environment - current issues:
radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense
industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose
health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe
in some cities; because the two main rivers that flowed into the
Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and
leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural
salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown
into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil
pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from
poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:
landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory
enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and
Russia extended the lease to 2050
People ::Kazakhstan
Population:
15,399,437 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.8% (male 1,717,469/female 1,643,920)
15-64 years: 70.2% (male 5,279,292/female 5,534,607)
65 years and over: 7.9% (male 426,494/female 797,655) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.6 years
male: 28.1 years
female: 31.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.392% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Birth rate:
16.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Death rate:
9.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Net migration rate:
-3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Urbanization:
urban population: 58% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 25.73 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 86
male: 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.87 years
country comparison to the world: 152
male: 62.58 years
female: 73.47 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.88 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
12,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Nationality:
noun: Kazakhstani(s)
adjective: Kazakhstani
Ethnic groups:
Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%,
German 2.4%, Tatar 1.7%, Uygur 1.4%, other 4.9% (1999 census)
Religions:
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Languages:
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in
everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic
communication") 95% (2001 est.)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.5%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.3% (1999 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 163
Government ::Kazakhstan
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan
conventional short form: Kazakhstan
local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy
local short form: Qazaqstan
former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside
the executive branch
Capital:
name: Astana
geographic coordinates: 51 10 N, 71 25 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Kazakhstan is divided into two time zones
Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities* (qalalar,
singular - qala); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola Oblysy
(Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys
Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy*, Mangghystau Oblysy
(Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy,
Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys
Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy
(Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center
name following in parentheses); in 1995, the Governments of
Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would
lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the
Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr
(Baykonur, formerly Leninsk); in 2004, a new agreement extended the
lease to 2050
Independence:
16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 December (1991)
Constitution:
first post-independence constitution adopted 28 January 1993; new
constitution adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and Roman law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the
Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December
1991)
head of government: Prime Minister Karim MASIMOV (since 10 January
2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak SHUKEYEV (since 3 March
2009) and Deputy Prime Ministers Yerbol ORYNBAYEV (since 29 October
2007) and Serik AKHMETOV (since 3 March 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2012); prime
minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president,
with Mazhilis approval; note - constitutional amendments of May 2007
shortened the presidential term from seven years to five years and
established a two-consecutive-term limit; changes will take effect
after NAZARBAYEV's term ends; he, and only he, is allowed to run for
president indefinitely
election results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president;
percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 91.1%, Zharmakhan A.
TUYAKBAI 6.6%, Alikhan M. BAIMENOV 1.6%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47 seats; 15 members
are appointed by the president; other members are elected by local
assemblies; members serve six-year terms, but elections are
staggered with half of the members up for re-election every three
years) and the Mazhilis (107 seats; 9 out of the 107 Mazhilis
members are elected by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a
presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the
country's ethnic minorities; non-appointed members are popularly
elected to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - (indirect) last held October 2008; next to be
held in 2011; Mazhilis - last held 18 August 2007 (next to be held
in 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - Nur Otan 16; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur-Otan
88.1%, NSDP 4.6%, Ak Zhol 3.3%, Auyl 1.6%, Communist People's Party
1.3%, Patriots Party .8% Ruhaniyat .4%; seats by party - Nur-Otan
98; note - parties must achieve a threshold of 7% of the electorate
to qualify for seats in the Mazhilis
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (seven members)
Political parties and leaders:
Adilet (Justice) [Maksut NARIKBAYEV, Zeynulla ALSHIMBAYEV, Serik
ABDRAHMANOV, Bakhytbek AKHMETZHAN, Yerkin ONGARBAYEV, Tolegan
SYDYKOV] (formerly Democratic Party of Kazakhstan); Agrarian and
Industrial Union of Workers Block or AIST (Agrarian Party and Civic
Party); Ak Zhol Party (Bright Path) [Alikhan BAIMENOV]; Alga
[Vladimir KOZLOV] (unregistered); Auyl (Village) [Gani KALIYEV];
Azat Party (formerly True Ak Zhol Party) [Bolat ABILOV]; Communist
Party of Kazakhstan or KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN]; Communist
People's Party of Kazakhstan [Vladislav KOSAREV]; National Social
Democratic Party (NSDP)[Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY]; Nur-Otan [Bakhytzhan
ZHUMAGULOV] (the Agrarian, Asar, and Civic parties merged with
Otan); Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV]; Rukhaniyat (Spirituality)
[Altynshash ZHAGANOVA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Almaty Helsinki Group [Ninel FOKINA];
Confederation of Free Trade Unions [Sergei BELKIN]; For Fair
Elections [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, Sabit ZHUSUPOV, Sergey DUVANOV, Ibrash
NUSUPBAYEV]; Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights
[Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director]; Pan-National Social
Democratic Party of Kazakhstan [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAI]; Pensioners
Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; Republican
Network of International Monitors [Dos KUSHIM]; Transparency
International [Sergei ZLOTNIKOV]
International organization participation:
ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC,
OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yerlan IDRISOV
chancery: 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 232-5488
FAX: [1] (202) 232-5845
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND
embassy: Ak Bulak 4, Str. 23-22, Building #3, Astana 010010
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (7172) 70-21-00
FAX: [7] (7172) 34-08-90
Flag description:
sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with
32 rays above a soaring golden steppe eagle in the center; on the
hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold
Economy ::Kazakhstan
Economy - overview:
Kazakhstan, the largest of the former Soviet republics in territory,
excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves and
plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also has a large
agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. Kazakhstan's
industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these
natural resources. Kazakhstan enjoyed double-digit growth in 2000-01
and 8% or more per year in 2002-07 - thanks largely to its booming
energy sector, but also to economic reform, good harvests, and
increased foreign investment; growth slowed to 2.4% in 2008,
however, as a result of declining oil prices and a softening world
economy. Inflation reached 10% in 2007 and 17% in 2008. In the
energy sector, the opening of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium in
2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield to the Black Sea,
substantially raised export capacity. In 2006, Kazakhstan completed
the Atasu-Alashankou portion of an oil pipeline to China that is
planned in future construction to extend from the country's Caspian
coast eastward to the Chinese border. The country has embarked upon
an industrial policy designed to diversify the economy away from
overdependence on the oil sector by developing its manufacturing
potential. The policy changed the corporate tax code to favor
domestic industry as a means to reduce the influence of foreign
investment and foreign personnel. The government has engaged in
several disputes with foreign oil companies over the terms of
production agreements, most recently, with regard to the Kashagan
project in 2007-08. Since 2007, Astana has provided financial
support to the banking sector which has been struggling with poor
asset quality and large foreign loans.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$176.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$172.1 billion (2007 est.)
$158.6 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$135.6 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
8.5% (2007 est.)
10.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$11,300 (2007 est.)
$10,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.3%
industry: 40.9%
services: 53.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
8.412 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 31.5%
industry: 18.4%
services: 50% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
6.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
7.3% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
13.8% (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 26.5% (2004 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.4 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 112
31.5 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
27.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Budget:
revenues: $33.47 billion
expenditures: $36.23 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
8.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
13.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
17% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
10.8% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
10.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
11% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$16.12 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 36
$12.74 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$35.76 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
$25.75 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$44.53 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 51
$43.75 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$31.08 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 60
$41.38 billion (31 December 2007)
$43.69 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock
Industries:
oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper,
titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel;
tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors,
construction materials
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Electricity - production:
72.41 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Electricity - consumption:
64.69 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Electricity - exports:
3.617 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.27 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
1.429 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Oil - consumption:
239,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Oil - exports:
1.313 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Oil - imports:
164,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Oil - proved reserves:
30 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Natural gas - production:
33.38 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Natural gas - consumption:
33.68 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Natural gas - exports:
9.221 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - imports:
9.517 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.407 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Current account balance:
$6.978 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
-$8.226 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$71.97 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$48.35 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
oil and oil products 59%, ferrous metals 19%, chemicals 5%,
machinery 3%, grain, wool, meat, coal (2001)
Exports - partners:
China 13.5%, Russia 12%, Germany 10.6%, Italy 6.9%, Romania 6.6%,
France 5.7%, Ukraine 5.4%, Turkey 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$38.45 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$33.26 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, metal products, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Russia 35.9%, China 24.3%, Germany 6%, Ukraine 4.5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$19.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$17.63 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$107.8 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 35
$96.91 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$55.63 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$41.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$4.617 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$3.97 billion (September 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
tenge (KZT) per US dollar - 120.25 (2008 est.), 122.55 (2007),
126.09 (2006), 132.88 (2005), 136.04 (2004)
Communications ::Kazakhstan
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.41 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 45
Telephones - mobile cellular:
14.911 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
Telephone system:
general assessment: inherited an outdated telecommunications network
from the Soviet era requiring modernization
domestic: intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; number of
fixed-line connections is gradually increasing and fixed-line
teledensity now exceeds 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is
increasing rapidly and the subscriber base now is roughly 100 per
100 persons
international: country code - 7; international traffic with other
former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave
radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the
Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations
- 2 Intelsat (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 60, FM 18, shortwave 9 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
12 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998)
Internet country code:
.kz
Internet hosts:
48,873 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 84
Internet users:
2.3 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
Transportation ::Kazakhstan
Airports:
99 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 61
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 67
over 3,047 m: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 26
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 32
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 13 (2009)
Heliports:
4 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 658 km; gas 11,146 km; oil 10,376 km; refined products
1,095 km; water 1,465 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 13,700 km
country comparison to the world: 19
broad gauge: 13,700 km 1.520-m gauge (3,700 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 91,563 km
country comparison to the world: 53
paved: 83,717 km
unpaved: 7,846 km (2006)
Waterways:
4,000 km (on the Ertis ((Irtysh)) River (80%) and Syr Darya
((Syrdariya)) River) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 26
Merchant marine:
total: 5
country comparison to the world: 132
by type: petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk),
Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk)
Military ::Kazakhstan
Military branches:
Kazakh Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Mobile Forces, Air
Defense Forces (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service
obligation - 2 years; minimum age for volunteers NA (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,176,731
females age 16-49: 4,219,636 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,888,931
females age 16-49: 3,550,014 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 139,262
female: 133,047 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02)
country comparison to the world: 145
Transnational Issues ::Kazakhstan
Disputes - international:
Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with
Kazakhstan; field demarcation of the boundaries with Turkmenistan
commenced in 2005, and with Uzbekistan in 2004; demarcation is
scheduled to get underway with Russia in 2007; demarcation with
China was completed in 2002; creation of a seabed boundary with
Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea remains under discussion;
equidistant seabed treaties have been ratified with Azerbaijan and
Russia in the Caspian Sea, but no resolution has been made on
dividing the water column among any of the littoral states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 3,700 (Russia); 508 (Afghanistan)
(2007)
Illicit drugs:
significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well
as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug
ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit
point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of
Europe; significant consumer of opiates
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Kenya (Africa)
Introduction ::Kenya
Background:
Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led
Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when
President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional
succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969
until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made
itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and
external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The
ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power
in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and
fraud, but were viewed as having generally reflected the will of the
Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following
fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate
of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow
Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed
the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption
platform. KIBAKI's NARC coalition splintered in 2005 over the
constitutional review process. Government defectors joined with KANU
to form a new opposition coalition, the Orange Democratic Movement,
which defeated the government's draft constitution in a popular
referendum in November 2005. KIBAKI's reelection in December 2007
brought charges of vote rigging from ODM candidate Raila ODINGA and
unleashed two months of violence in which as many as 1,500 people
died. UN-sponsored talks in late February produced a powersharing
accord bringing ODINGA into the government in the restored position
of prime minister.
Geography ::Kenya
Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and
Tanzania
Geographic coordinates:
1 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 580,367 sq km
country comparison to the world: 48
land: 569,140 sq km
water: 11,227 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Land boundaries:
total: 3,477 km
border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km,
Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Coastline:
536 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Terrain:
low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley;
fertile plateau in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Natural resources:
limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite,
gypsum, wildlife, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 8.01%
permanent crops: 0.97%
other: 91.02% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,030 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
30.2 cu km (1990)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.58 cu km/yr (30%/6%/64%)
per capita: 46 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of
water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers;
water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil
erosion; desertification; poaching
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful
agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on
Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography
supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic
value
People ::Kenya
Population:
39,002,772
country comparison to the world: 33
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.3% (male 8,300,393/female 8,181,898)
15-64 years: 55.1% (male 10,784,119/female 10,702,999)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 470,218/female 563,145) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.7 years
male: 18.6 years
female: 18.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.691% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Birth rate:
36.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Death rate:
9.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Urbanization:
urban population: 22% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 44
male: 57.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 57.86 years
country comparison to the world: 188
male: 57.49 years
female: 58.24 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.56 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
6.7% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1.2 million (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
150,000 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and Rift Valley fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Kenyan(s)
adjective: Kenyan
Ethnic groups:
Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%,
Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab)
1%
Religions:
Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs
10%, other 2%
note: a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for
the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous
beliefs vary widely
Languages:
English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous
languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85.1%
male: 90.6%
female: 79.7% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
6.9% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 27
Government ::Kenya
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Kenya
conventional short form: Kenya
local long form: Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya
local short form: Kenya
former: British East Africa
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Nairobi
geographic coordinates: 1 17 S, 36 49 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*,
North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western
Independence:
12 December 1963 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 December (1963)
Constitution:
12 December 1963; amended as a republic 1964; reissued with
amendments 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2001; note - a
new draft constitution was defeated by popular referendum in 2005
Legal system:
based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law, tribal
law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; constitutional
amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in
1991
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice
President Stephene Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008);
head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002);
Vice President Stephene Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008);
note - the roles of the president and prime minister are not well
defined at this juncture; constitutionally, the president remains
chief of state and head of government, but the prime minister is
charged with coordinating government business
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and headed by the prime
minister, who is the leader of the largest party in parliament
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving the largest
number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must
also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's seven
provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held 27
December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); vice president
appointed by the president
election results: President Mwai KIBAKI reelected; percent of vote -
Mwai KIBAKI 46%, Raila ODINGA 44%, Kalonzo MUSYOKA 9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Bunge usually referred to as
Parliament (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms, 12 nominated members who are appointed by the
president but selected by the parties in proportion to their
parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members)
elections: last held 27 December 2007 (next to be held in December
2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
ODM 99, PNU 46, ODM-K 16, KANU 14 other 35; ex-officio 2; seats
appointed by the president - ODM 6, PNU 3, ODM-K 2, KANU 1
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High
Court
Political parties and leaders:
Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya or FORD-Kenya [Musikari
KOMBO]; Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People
[Reuben OYONDI]; Kenya African National Union or KANU [Uhuru
KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya or NARC-Kenya [Martha
KARUA]; Orange Democratic Movement or ODM [Raila ODINGA]; Orange
Democratic Movement-Kenya or ODM-K [Kalonzo MUSYOKA]; Party of
National Unity or PNU [Mwai KIBAKI]; Shirikisho Party of Kenya or
SPK [Chirau Ali MWAKWERE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Council of Islamic Preachers of Kenya or CIPK [Sheikh Idris
MOHAMMED]; Kenya Human Rights Commission [L. Muthoni WANYEKI];
Muslim Human Rights Forum [Ali-Amin KIMATHI]; National Convention
Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition of political
parties and nongovernment organizations [Ndung'u WAINANA]; National
Muslim Leaders Forum or NAMLEF [Abdullahi ABDI]; Protestant National
Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Canon Peter Karanja MWANGI];
Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme Council of
Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY]
other: labor unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC,
NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL,
UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Rateng Oginga OGEGO
chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101
FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael RANNEBERGER
embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; P. O. Box 606
Village Market, Nairobi 00621
mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831
telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000
FAX: [254] (20) 363-410
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red
band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed
spears is superimposed at the center
Economy ::Kenya
Economy - overview:
The regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, Kenya has
been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary
goods whose prices have remained low. In 1997, the IMF suspended
Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the
government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A
severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems,
causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output.
As a result, GDP contracted by 0.2% in 2000. The IMF, which had
resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again
halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute
several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains
in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low
investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1.2%. Growth lagged at
1.1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence,
meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections.
In the key December 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old
reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable
economic problems facing the nation. After some early progress in
rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support, the KIBAKI
government was rocked by high-level graft scandals in 2005 and 2006.
In 2006, the World Bank and IMF delayed loans pending action by the
government on corruption. The international financial institutions
and donors have since resumed lending, despite little action on the
government's part to deal with corruption. Post-election violence in
early 2008, coupled with the effects of the global financial crisis
on remittance and exports, reduced GDP growth to 2.2% in 2008, down
from 7% the previous year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$61.65 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$60.62 billion (2007 est.)
$56.68 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$29.56 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
7% (2007 est.)
6.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,600 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
$1,600 (2007 est.)
$1,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23.8%
industry: 16.7%
services: 59.5% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
17.37 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 75%
industry and services: 25% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
40% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
40% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:
50% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 37.8% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
42.5 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
44.9 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Budget:
revenues: $6.648 billion
expenditures: $8.167 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
60.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
74.3% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
26.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
9.7% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14.02% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
13.34% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$6.068 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
$5.912 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.468 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
$6.464 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$10.83 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 69
$10.67 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$10.92 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 71
$13.39 billion (31 December 2007)
$11.38 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy
products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs
Industries:
small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles,
clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products,
horticulture, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement,
commercial ship repair, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
4.8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Electricity - production:
5.223 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Electricity - consumption:
4.863 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - exports:
58.3 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
22.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Oil - consumption:
75,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Oil - exports:
7,270 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Oil - imports:
80,530 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Current account balance:
-$1.978 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
-$1.102 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$5.04 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$4.123 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement
Exports - partners:
UK 10%, Netherlands 9.2%, Uganda 9%, Tanzania 8.7%, US 6.3%,
Pakistan 5.6% (2008)
Imports:
$10.69 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$8.381 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor
vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics
Imports - partners:
India 14.1%, UAE 11.5%, China 10%, Saudi Arabia 8%, South Africa
5.7%, Japan 5.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.879 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$3.355 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.855 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$6.713 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$2.541 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$1.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$12.4 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$31.4 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar - 68.358 (2008 est.), 68.309
(2007), 72.101 (2006), 75.554 (2005), 79.174 (2004)
Communications ::Kenya
Telephones - main lines in use:
252,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 119
Telephones - mobile cellular:
16.234 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 41
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate; fixed-line telephone system is small
and inefficient; trunks are primarily microwave radio relay;
business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal
(VSAT) system
domestic: no recent growth in fixed-line infrastructure and the sole
provider, Telkom Kenya, is slated for privatization; multiple
providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a
boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage
international: country code - 254; satellite earth stations - 4
Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 24, FM 82, shortwave 6 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
8 (2008)
Internet country code:
.ke
Internet hosts:
32,913 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 90
Internet users:
3.36 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
Transportation ::Kenya
Airports:
181 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 33
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 165
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 105
under 914 m: 50 (2009)
Pipelines:
oil 4 km; refined products 928 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,778 km
country comparison to the world: 59
narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 63,574 km (interurban roads)
country comparison to the world: 70
paved: 9,273 km
unpaved: 54,301 km
note: there also are 114,226 km of unclassified roads, 2,000 km
paved and 112,226 unpaved, for a national total of 177,800 km (2008)
Waterways:
part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 160
by type: petroleum tanker 1
registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 1, Comoros 1, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Mombasa
Military ::Kenya
Military branches:
Kenyan Armed Forces: Kenyan Army, Kenyan Navy, Kenyan Air Force
(2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) for voluntary service, with a 9-year
obligation (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,044,685
females age 16-49: 8,805,736 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,935,480
females age 16-49: 5,662,755 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 412,656
female: 408,657 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 56
Transnational Issues ::Kenya
Disputes - international:
Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's
north-south separation in February 2005; Kenya provides shelter to
almost a quarter of a million refugees, including Ugandans who flee
across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's
Resistance Army (LRA) rebels; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan
and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading across the border,
which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists; the boundary that
separates Kenya's and Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi
Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 173,702 (Somalia); 73,004 (Sudan);
16,428 (Ethiopia)
IDPs: 250,000-400,000 (2007 post-election violence; KANU attacks on
opposition tribal groups in 1990s) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country
for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian
methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant
potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status
as a regional financial center; massive corruption, and relatively
high levels of narcotics-associated activities
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Kiribati (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Kiribati
Background:
The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a
colony in 1915; they were captured by the Japanese in the Pacific
War in 1941. The islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major
US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943.
The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and
complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US
relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line
Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.
Geography ::Kiribati
Location:
Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling
the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about half way between Hawaii and
Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of
its territory was in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group
(UTC +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under
its jurisdiction were on the other side of the International Date
Line
Geographic coordinates:
1 25 N, 173 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 811 sq km
country comparison to the world: 186
land: 811 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,
Phoenix Islands
Area - comparative:
four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,143 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m
Natural resources:
phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)
Land use:
arable land: 2.74%
permanent crops: 47.95%
other: 49.31% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March;
occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them
sensitive to changes in sea level
Environment - current issues:
heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy
migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines
and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in
Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the
Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru
People ::Kiribati
Population:
112,850 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.6% (male 21,488/female 20,899)
15-64 years: 59% (male 32,871/female 33,690)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 1,656/female 2,246) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.8 years
male: 20.3 years
female: 21.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.235% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Birth rate:
30.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Death rate:
7.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 44% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 43.48 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 61
male: 48.35 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 38.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.22 years
country comparison to the world: 174
male: 60.14 years
female: 66.45 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.04 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)
adjective: I-Kiribati
Ethnic groups:
Micronesian 98.8%, other 1.2% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant (Congregational) 40%, other (includes
Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, Church of
God) 8% (1999)
Languages:
I-Kiribati, English (official)
Literacy:
NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
17.8% of GDP (2002)
country comparison to the world: 1
Government ::Kiribati
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati
conventional short form: Kiribati
local long form: Republic of Kiribati
local short form: Kiribati
note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss
former: Gilbert Islands
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Tarawa
geographic coordinates: 1 19 N, 172 58 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - in
addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line
Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island
councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama,
Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati,
Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea,
Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina)
Independence:
12 July 1979 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 July (1979)
Constitution:
12 July 1979
Legal system:
English common law supplemented by local, customary law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice
President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief of
state and head of government
head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice
President Teima ONORIO
cabinet: 12-member cabinet appointed by the president from among the
members of the House of Parliament
elections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidential
candidates from among its members and then those candidates compete
in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a
four-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held 17
October 2007 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointed by
the president
election results: Anote TONG 63.7%, Nabuti MWEMWENIKARAWA 32.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats;
44 members elected by popular vote, 1 ex officio member - the
attorney general, 1 nominated by the Rabi Council of Leaders
(representing Banaba Island); serve four-year terms)
elections: legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first
round on 22 August 2007 and the second round on 30 August 2007 (next
to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
NA, other 2 (includes attorney general)
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges at all
levels are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Taberannang TIMEON]; Maneaban Te
Mauri Party or MTM [Teburoro TITO]; Maurin Kiribati Pati or MKP;
National Progressive Party or NPP [Dr. Harry TONG]
note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties
in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups
because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party
structures
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Kiribati does not have an embassy in the US; there is an honorary
consulate in Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the ambassador to Fiji
is accredited to Kiribati
Flag description:
the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a
yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal
wavy white stripes to represent the ocean
Economy ::Kiribati
Economy - overview:
A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few
natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Islands.
Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of
independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the
bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in
recent years. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of
skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from
international markets. Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP.
Private sector initiatives and a financial sector are in the early
stages of development. Foreign financial aid from the EU, UK, US,
Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UN agencies, and Taiwan
accounts for 20-25% of GDP. Remittances from seamen on merchant
ships abroad account for more than $5 million each year. Kiribati
receives around $15 million annually for the government budget from
an Australian trust fund.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$580.8 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
$561.7 million (2007 est.)
$564.6 million (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$137 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
-0.5% (2007 est.)
3.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,300 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
$5,200 (2007 est.)
$5,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.9%
industry: 24.2%
services: 66.8% (2004)
Labor force:
7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2001
est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.7%
industry: 32%
services: 65.3% (2000)
Unemployment rate:
2% (1992 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $55.52 million
expenditures: $59.71 million (FY05)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish
Industries:
fishing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Electricity - production:
14 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - consumption:
13.02 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Oil - consumption:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Oil - imports:
260.8 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 81
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Current account balance:
-$21 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Exports:
$17 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Exports - commodities:
copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish
Imports:
$62 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured
goods, fuel
Debt - external:
$10 million (1999 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137
(2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004)
Communications ::Kiribati
Telephones - main lines in use:
4,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 216
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 218
Telephone system:
general assessment: generally good quality national and
international service
domestic: wire line service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati
(Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF
radiotelephone; wireless service available in Tarawa since 1999
international: country code - 686; Kiribati is being linked to the
Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should
improve telephone service; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (may be inactive) (2002)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (possibly inactive) (2002)
Internet country code:
.ki
Internet hosts:
41 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 212
Internet users:
2,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 209
Transportation ::Kiribati
Airports:
19 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 137
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 670 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 189
Waterways:
5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 109
Merchant marine:
total: 43
country comparison to the world: 76
by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 18, chemical tanker 3, petroleum
tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 14
foreign-owned: 31 (China 15, Hong Kong 4, South Korea 2, Singapore
4, Taiwan 5, Turkey 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Betio
Military ::Kiribati
Military branches:
no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Police
Force (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,377 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,129
females age 16-49: 20,643 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,264
female: 1,242 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is
provided by Australia and NZ
Transnational Issues ::Kiribati
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Korea, North (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Korea, North
Background:
An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was
occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese
War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula.
Following World War II, Korea was split with the northern half
coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist control. After failing in
the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the US-backed Republic of Korea
(ROK) in the southern portion by force, North Korea (DPRK), under
its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible
diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against outside
influence. The DPRK demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its
social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political,
economic, and military policies around the core ideological
objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's
control. KIM's son, the current ruler KIM Jong Il, was officially
designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing
political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994.
After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation,
the DPRK since the mid-1990s has relied heavily on international aid
to feed its population. North Korea's history of regional military
provocations, proliferation of military-related items, long-range
missile development, WMD programs including nuclear weapons test in
2006 and 2009, and massive conventional armed forces are of major
concern to the international community.
Geography ::Korea, North
Location:
Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the
Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
Geographic coordinates:
40 00 N, 127 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 120,538 sq km
country comparison to the world: 98
land: 120,408 sq km
water: 130 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Mississippi
Land boundaries:
total: 1,673 km
border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km
Coastline:
2,495 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the
exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign
vessels and aircraft without permission are banned
Climate:
temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
Terrain:
mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys;
coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m
Natural resources:
coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper,
gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 22.4%
permanent crops: 1.66%
other: 75.94% (2005)
Irrigated land:
14,600 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
77.1 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 9.02 cu km/yr (20%/25%/55%)
per capita: 401 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional
typhoons during the early fall
Environment - current issues:
water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne
disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia;
mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated
People ::Korea, North
Population:
22,665,345 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.3% (male 2,440,439/female 2,376,557)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 7,776,889/female 7,945,399)
65 years and over: 9.4% (male 820,504/female 1,305,557) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 33.5 years
male: 32.1 years
female: 34.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.42% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Birth rate:
14.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Death rate:
10.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Net migration rate:
-0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Urbanization:
urban population: 63% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 51.34 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 49
male: 58.64 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 43.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.81 years
country comparison to the world: 170
male: 61.23 years
female: 66.53 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.96 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Korean(s)
adjective: Korean
Ethnic groups:
racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few
ethnic Japanese
Religions:
traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and
syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent;
government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of
religious freedom
Languages:
Korean
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99%
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Korea, North
Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea
conventional short form: North Korea
local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
local short form: Choson
abbreviation: DPRK
Government type:
Communist state one-man dictatorship
Capital:
name: Pyongyang
geographic coordinates: 39 01 N, 125 45 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities (si,
singular and plural)
provinces: Chagang-do (Chagang), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong),
Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae),
Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae), Kangwon-do (Kangwon),
P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan),
Yanggang-do (Yanggang)
municipalities: Nason-si, P'yongyang-si
Independence:
15 August 1945 (from Japan)
National holiday:
Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9
September (1948)
Constitution:
adopted 1948; revised several times
Legal system:
based on Prussian civil law system with Japanese influences and
Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note - on 9 April
2009, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) reelected KIM Jong
Il chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded
nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPA reelected KIM Yong
Nam in 2003 president of its Presidium also with responsibility of
representing state and receiving diplomatic credentials
head of government: Premier KIM Yong Il (since 11 April 2007); Vice
Premier KWAK Pom Gi (since 5 September 1998), Vice Premier O Su Yong
(since 13 April 2009), Vice Premier PAK Su Gil (since 18 September
2009), Vice Premier PAK Myong Su (since 4 September 2009), Vice
Premier RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003)
cabinet: Naegak (cabinet) members, except for Minister of People's
Armed Forces, are appointed by SPA
elections: last held in September 2003; date of next election NA
election results: KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nominees
for positions and ran unopposed
Legislative branch:
unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687
seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 8 March 2009 (next due to be held in March 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected
without opposition; a token number of seats are reserved for minor
parties
Judicial branch:
Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Il]; minor
parties - Chondoist Chongu Party [RYU Mi Yong] (under KWP control),
Social Democratic Party [KIM Yong Dae] (under KWP control)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none; note - Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as
consular protecting power
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue;
the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is
a white disk with a red five-pointed star
Economy ::Korea, North
Economy - overview:
North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least
open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital
stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of
underinvestment and shortages of spare parts. Large-scale military
spending draws off resources needed for investment and civilian
consumption. Industrial and power output have declined in parallel
from pre-1990 levels. Severe flooding in the summer of 2007
aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic
problems including a lack of arable land, collective farming
practices, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel.
Large-scale international food aid deliveries have allowed the
people of North Korea to escape widespread starvation since famine
threatened in 1995, but the population continues to suffer from
prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the
government has allowed private "farmers' markets" to begin selling a
wider range of goods. It also permitted some private farming - on an
experimental basis - in an effort to boost agricultural output. In
October 2005, the government tried to reverse some of these policies
by forbidding private sales of grains and reinstituting a
centralized food rationing system. By December 2005, the government
terminated most international humanitarian assistance operations in
North Korea (calling instead for developmental assistance only) and
restricted the activities of remaining international and
non-governmental aid organizations such as the World Food Program.
External food aid now comes primarily from China and South Korea in
the form of grants and long-term concessional loans. In May 2008,
the US agreed to give 500,000 metric tons of food to North Korea via
the World Food Program and US nongovernmental organizations;
Pyongyang began receiving these shipments in mid-2008. During the
October 2007 summit, South Korea also agreed to develop some of
North Korea's infrastructure, natural resources, and light industry,
but inter-Korean economic cooperation slowed in 2008 as Pyongyang
restricted tourism and manufacturing joint ventures in the North,
and food aid from South Korea was suspended. Firm political control
remains the Communist government's overriding concern, which will
likely inhibit the loosening of economic regulations.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$40 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$26.2 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23.3%
industry: 43.1%
services: 33.6% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
20 million
country comparison to the world: 31
note: estimates vary widely (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 37%
industry and services: 63% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $2.88 billion
expenditures: $2.98 billion (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Agriculture - products:
rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs
Industries:
military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals;
mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper,
zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food
processing; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
20.9 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Electricity - consumption:
17.49 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
120.7 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Oil - consumption:
16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - imports:
13,890 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 192
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Exports:
$1.684 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 136
Exports - commodities:
minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including
armaments), textiles, agricultural and fishery products
Exports - partners:
South Korea 45%, China 35%, India 5% (2007)
Imports:
$3.055 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 140
$2.879 billion (2006)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain
Imports - partners:
China 46%, South Korea 34%, Thailand 6%, Russia 4% (2007)
Debt - external:
$12.5 billion (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Exchange rates:
North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar - 140 (2007), 141 (2006), 170
(December 2004), market rate: North Korean won per US dollar - 3,400
(October 2008)
Communications ::Korea, North
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.18 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 71
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate system; currently mobile cellular
telephone services are available in Pyongyang only
domestic: fiber-optic links installed between cities; telephone
directories unavailable; mobile cellular service, initiated in 2002,
suspended in 2004; Orascom Telecom, an Egyptian company, launched
mobile service on December 15, 2008 for the Pyongyang area only
international: country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1
Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other
international connections through Moscow and Beijing (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 17 (including 11 stations of Korean Central Broadcasting Station;
North Korea has a "national intercom" cable radio station wired
throughout the country that is a significant source of information
for the average North Korean citizen; it is wired into most
residences and workplaces and carries news and commentary), FM 14,
shortwave 14 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (includes Korean Central Television, Mansudae Television, Korean
Educational and Cultural Network, and Kaesong Television targeting
South Korea) (2003)
Internet country code:
.kp
Internet hosts:
3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 227
Transportation ::Korea, North
Airports:
79 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 70
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 37
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 22
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 42
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Heliports:
22 (2009)
Pipelines:
oil 154 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 5,235 km
country comparison to the world: 34
standard gauge: 5,235 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) (2006)
Roadways:
total: 25,554 km
country comparison to the world: 104
paved: 724 km
unpaved: 24,830 km (2006)
Waterways:
2,250 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
Merchant marine:
total: 167
country comparison to the world: 39
by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 121, carrier 1, chemical tanker 4,
container 3, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated
cargo 4, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 19 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1, Lithuania 1,
Romania 4, Syria 1, UAE 8, Yemen 2)
registered in other countries: 2 (Mongolia 1, Panama 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin,
Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan
Military ::Korea, North
Military branches:
North Korean People's Army: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force; civil
security forces (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,225,747
females age 16-49: 6,188,270 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,104,964
females age 16-49: 4,492,374 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 191,759
female: 184,641 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Transnational Issues ::Korea, North
Disputes - international:
risking arrest, imprisonment, and deportation, tens of thousands of
North Koreans cross into China to escape famine, economic privation,
and political oppression; North Korea and China dispute the
sovereignty of certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers; Military
Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has
separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents in
the Yellow Sea with South Korea which claims the Northern Limiting
Line as a maritime boundary; North Korea supports South Korea in
rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima)
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: undetermined (flooding in mid-2007 and famine during
mid-1990s) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: North Korea is a source country for men, women,
and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and
commercial sexual exploitation; the most common form of trafficking
involves North Korean women and girls who cross the border into
China voluntarily; additionally, North Korean women and girls are
lured out of North Korea to escape poor social and economic
conditions by the promise of food, jobs, and freedom, only to be
forced into prostitution, marriage, or exploitative labor
arrangements once in China
tier rating: Tier 3 - North Korea does not fully comply with minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making
significant efforts to do so; the government does not acknowledge
the existence of human rights abuses in the country or recognize
trafficking, either within the country or transnationally; North
Korea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of the Democratic
People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of them diplomatic
employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while
trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December 2004;
police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have
linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and
methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant
ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003
page last updated on November 12, 2009
======================================================================
@Korea, South (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Korea, South
Background:
An independent Korean state or collection of states has existed
almost continuously for several millennia. Between its initial
unification in the 7th century - from three predecessor Korean
states - until the 20th century, Korea existed as a single
independent country. In 1905, following the Russo-Japanese War,
Korea became a protectorate of imperial Japan, and in 1910 it was
annexed as a colony. Korea regained its independence following
Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II,
a Republic of Korea (ROK) was set up in the southern half of the
Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in
the north (the DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and
UN forces fought alongside soldiers from the ROK to defend South
Korea from DPRK attacks supported by China and the Soviet Union. An
armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a
demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South
Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising
to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1993, KIM Young-sam
became South Korea's first civilian president following 32 years of
military rule. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern
democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit took
place between the South's President KIM Dae-jung and the North's
leader KIM Jong Il. In October 2007, a second North-South summit
took place between the South's President ROH Moo-hyun and the North
Korean leader. Harsh rhetoric and unwillingness by North Korea to
engage with President LEE Myung-bak following his February 2008
inauguration has strained inter-Korean relations.
Geography ::Korea, South
Location:
Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the
Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
Geographic coordinates:
37 00 N, 127 30 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 99,720 sq km
country comparison to the world: 108
land: 96,920 sq km
water: 2,800 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 238 km
border countries: North Korea 238 km
Coastline:
2,413 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate:
temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
Terrain:
mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m
Natural resources:
coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 16.58%
permanent crops: 2.01%
other: 81.41% (2005)
Irrigated land:
8,780 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
69.7 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 18.59 cu km/yr (36%/16%/48%)
per capita: 389 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic
activity common in southwest
Environment - current issues:
air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the
discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location on Korea Strait
People ::Korea, South
Population:
48,508,972 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.8% (male 4,278,581/female 3,887,516)
15-64 years: 72.3% (male 17,897,053/female 17,196,840)
65 years and over: 10.8% (male 2,104,589/female 3,144,393) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 37.3 years
male: 36 years
female: 38.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.266% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Birth rate:
8.93 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Death rate:
5.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Net migration rate:
-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Urbanization:
urban population: 81% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 204
male: 4.49 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.72 years
country comparison to the world: 40
male: 75.45 years
female: 82.22 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.21 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
13,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Nationality:
noun: Korean(s)
adjective: Korean
Ethnic groups:
homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religions:
Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist
23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3% (1995 census)
Languages:
Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.9%
male: 99.2%
female: 96.6% (2002)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 18 years
female: 15 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
4.6% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 85
Government ::Korea, South
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Korea
conventional short form: South Korea
local long form: Taehan-min'guk
local short form: Han'guk
abbreviation: ROK
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Seoul
geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities
(gwangyoksi, singular and plural)
provinces: Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto (North Cholla), Cholla-namdo
(South Cholla), Ch'ungch'ong-bukto (North Ch'ungch'ong),
Ch'ungch'ong-namdo (South Ch'ungch'ong), Kangwon-do, Kyonggi-do,
Kyongsang-bukto (North Kyongsang), Kyongsang-namdo (South Kyongsang)
metropolitan cities: Inch'on-gwangyoksi, Kwangju-gwangyoksi,
Pusan-gwangyoksi, Soul-t'ukpyolsi, Taegu-gwangyoksi,
Taejon-gwangyoksi, Ulsan-gwangyoksi
Independence:
15 August 1945 (from Japan)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
Constitution:
17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten nine times; current
constitution approved on 29 October 1987
Legal system:
combines elements of continental European civil law systems,
Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
19 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President LEE Myung-bak (since 25 February 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister CHUNG Un-chan (since 30 September
2009)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime
minister's recommendation
elections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-year
term; election last held 19 December 2007 (next to be held in
December 2012); prime minister appointed by president with consent
of National Assembly
election results: LEE Myung-bak elected president on 19 December
2007; percent of vote - LEE Myung-bak (GNP) 48.7%; CHUNG Dong-young
(UNDP) 26.1%); LEE Hoi-chang (independent) 15.1; others 10.1%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats; 243 members
elected in single-seat constituencies, 56 elected by proportional
representation; to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 9 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
GNP 172, UDP 83, LFP 20, Pro-Park Alliance 8, DLP 5, CKP 1,
independents 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president with consent of
National Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices appointed by the
president based partly on nominations by National Assembly and Chief
Justice of the court)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [CHUNG Sye-kyun] (formerly the United
Democratic Party or UDP); Democratic Labor Party or DLP [KANG
Ki-kabi]; Grand National Party or GNP [CHUNG Mong-joon]; Liberty
Forward Party or LFP [LEE Hoi-chang]; Pro-Park Alliance or PPA [SUH
Choung-won]; Renewal Korea Party or RKP [MOON Kook-hyun]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions;
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council of
Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association;
National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance of
Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National
Federation of Student Associations
International organization participation:
ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue
partner), Australia Group, BIS, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC,
LAIA, MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner),
PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador HAN Duck-soo
chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600
FAX: [1] (202) 387-0205
consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,
Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kathleen STEPHENS
embassy: 32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710
mailing address: US Embassy Seoul, APO AP 96205-5550
telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114
FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845
Flag description:
white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there
is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of
Changes) in each corner of the white field
Economy ::Korea, South
Economy - overview:
Since the 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of
growth and integration into the high-tech modern world economy. Four
decades ago, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer
countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the
trillion dollar club of world economies. In 2008, its GDP per capita
was roughly the same as that of the Czech Republic and New Zealand.
Initially, this success was achieved by a system of close
government/business ties including directed credit, import
restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labor
effort. The government promoted the import of raw materials and
technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings
and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of
1997-98 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development
model including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing,
and an undisciplined financial sector. GDP plunged by 6.9% in 1998,
then recovered by 9% in 1999-2000. Korea adopted numerous economic
reforms following the crisis, including greater openness to foreign
investment and imports. Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001 because of
the slowing global economy, falling exports, and the perception that
much-needed corporate and financial reforms had stalled. Led by
consumer spending and exports, growth in 2002 was an impressive 7%
despite anemic global growth. Between 2003 and 2007, growth
moderated to about 4-5% annually. A downturn in consumer spending
was offset by rapid export growth. In 2008, inflation increased in
the face of rising oil and food prices before easing in the fourth
quarter. Korea was hit hard by the global financial turmoil that
began in September 2008. Stock prices fell by more than 40% for the
year and the value of the won fell by approximately 26%. Korean GDP
shrank in the fourth quarter and GDP growth for the year was just
2.2%. The Korean government adopted several measures to combat the
credit crunch and stimulate the economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.338 trillion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$1.309 trillion (2007 est.)
$1.245 trillion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$929.1 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
5.1% (2007 est.)
5.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$27,700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$27,100 (2007 est.)
$25,900 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 39.5%
services: 57.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
24.35 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 7.2%
industry: 25.1%
services: 67.7% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
3.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
3.3% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
15% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 24.2% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
31.3 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 105
35.8 (2000)
Investment (gross fixed):
27.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Budget:
revenues: $227.5 billion
expenditures: $216.7 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
24.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
21.3% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
2.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 131
3.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.17% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$80.66 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 15
$92.59 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$478 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
$541.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$937 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 12
$1.061 trillion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$494.6 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
$1.124 trillion (31 December 2007)
$835.2 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens,
milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals,
shipbuilding, steel
Industrial production growth rate:
2.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Electricity - production:
440 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Electricity - consumption:
385.1 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
30,440 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Oil - consumption:
2.175 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Oil - exports:
800,000 bbl/day
country comparison to the world: 22
note: exports consist of oil derivatives (gasoline, light oil, and
diesel), not crude oil (2008 est.)
Oil - imports:
2.982 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - production:
443 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - consumption:
34.76 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - imports:
36.21 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Natural gas - proved reserves:
50 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Current account balance:
-$6.349 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
$5.954 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$433.5 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
$379 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
semiconductors, wireless telecommunications eq